By Sheryl Lilly Pidgeon | goodlifefamilymag.com As a Jewish mom, raising my children in a predominately non-Jewish world has had its share of challenges.  Our history of persecution is well documented.  Conversations about the Holocaust and injustices of every kind saturate our household. I raised my children (now young adults) to be upstanders and to know without pause […] More

By Amy Harberg, M.E.d., LPC, RPT, NCC | Contributor These are unprecedented times; in a society where everyone is always so busy, we are being forced to slow down and stay at home. Sure, the situation is scary and uncertain, but this experience also presents an unbelievable opportunity for us as a society: the opportunity […] More

By Tanni Haas, Ph.D.January is Financial Wellness Month, a great occasion to consider how you can make the most of your hard-earned money. One option is to get advice from some of the many excellent finance and money podcasts available. The thing about podcasts is that you can listen to them whenever you have a spare moment, even when you’re doing other things. Here’s a list of some of the best podcasts aimed at helping parents manage their money. “Frugal Friends”(Available at: Apple, Audible, Spotify)There are many sound approaches to money-management including minimizing your spending, sticking to a set budget, or investing in assets such as stocks, bonds, and real estate. As the name implies, Frugal Friends advocates one specific approach: spend as little as possible. Hosted by two long-time friends, Jen Smith and Jill Sirianni, this podcast helps parents find creative ways to save on their expenses. Recent episodes focus on topics such as how a good credit score can save you money, and ways to spend less on groceries and your phone plan.   “Inspired Budget”(Available at: Apple, Audible, Spotify)Inspired Budget takes a different approach to money-management, namely how to save money by carefully budgeting your income with your expenses. The brainchild of Allison Baggerly, a former teacher who struggled to make ends meet on her and her husband’s teacher salaries, this podcasts explores questions like how to use cash envelopes to better stay within your budget, and how to guard against impulsive purchases. Allison offers online courses on budgeting and is the author of “Money Made Easy: How to Budget, Pay Off Debt, and Save Money.”“Marriage, Kids and Money”(Available at: Apple, Audible, Spotify)Andy Hill, the creator of Marriage, Kids, and Money and the father of two kids, promotes yet another, more expansive approach to money-management. Through interviews with financially successful parents and well-known personal finance experts, he explores how couples can work together towards financial independence. Recent episodes focus on whether it’s better to pay off one’s mortgage or to invest in bonds and stocks, and the importance of paying of student loans in a timely manner. This popular podcast has been nominated as “Best Podcast of the Year.” “Moms Who Money”(Available at: Apple, Audible, Spotify)Unlike the other podcasts, Moms Who Money is specifically geared towards mothers. Hosted by Eileen Joy, a single mom of an 11-year-old son who managed to go from almost broke to debt-free by educating herself about finance and money, this podcast aims to help women develop the confidence to take charge of their financial well-being. Instead of discussing specific money-management strategies and techniques, Eileen explores issues like how to reduce emotional financial stress and how to achieve financial compatibility with your partner.   “The His and Her Money Show”(Available at: Apple, Audible, Spotify)Like Moms Who Money, The His and Her Money Show also focuses on showing couples how to successfully balance money and marriage. It’s hosted by a married couple by the name of Talaat and Tai McNeely, the authors of the aptly titled “Money Talks: The Ultimate Couple’s Guide to Communicating About Money.” On their podcast, Talaat and Tai also explore business and finance topics like entrepreneurship. Many of the episodes feature discussions of what couples need to do to build, grow, and scale up any business venture.  About the AuthorTanni Haas, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Communication Arts, Sciences, and Disorders at the City University of New York – Brooklyn College.    More

By Tanni Haas, Ph.D. | Contributor
Every parent of teens knows how difficult it can be to get through to them, but it doesn’t have to be this way. There are many things parents can do – and a couple of things they shouldn’t do – to get their teens to listen. Here’s what the experts suggest:
Give Good Reasons
Teens like to know that their parents are taking them seriously, so if you want them to listen, don’t just state your opinions or tell them what to do. “Tell them why those are the right opinions,” says Rachel Ehmke of the Child Mind Institute. Give good reasons for what you say, and for what you say they should do.
Allow Time For Processing
It can take days, even weeks, for teens to process the substance of a conversation, especially an important one. If your teens don’t understand what you say at first give them some time and space to reflect on the conversation before you bring it up again. “You might be surprised how your conversation evolves over time,” clinical psychologist Dr. Gregory Jantz says.  
Rephrase Statements as Questions
Teens will reflect more and better on what you’re telling them when you rephrase statements as questions instead of commands. “By asking questions,” says Josh Shipp, the author of The Grown-Up’s Guide to Teenage Humans, “you as a parent are getting your children to think critically on their own.” Try to ask questions that make your teens reflect on the causes and consequences of their actions.

“Stop talking before your teen tunes out.”

Keep It Short and Simple
Keep it short and simple, says therapist Mendi Baron: “If you’re going on and on, your teen is thinking, ‘I got the point already, please STOP.’ So, stop talking before your teen tunes out.” This is difficult advice to follow. As parents, we like to unload whatever is on our minds but doing that can easily backfire.  
Don’t Lose Your Temper
Don’t lose your cool, even if your teens are rude or aren’t paying attention to what you’re saying. If you lose your temper, the conversation can escalate into a shouting match. Remember that you’re the adult and should be better able to control your emotions than your teens. Instead of losing your cool, Ms. Ehmke says, “count to ten or take some deep breaths before responding.”
Don’t Lecture
“If you lecture,” Mr. Shipp says, “your teen tunes you out. And when that happens, you become the boy who cried wolf. You could have the most pertinent information, but your teen won’t hear a thing you say.” Also, a lecture is a monologue where only you get to talk and not a dialogue between you and your teen where both get to speak.   

A lecture is a monologue where only you get to talk and not a dialogue between you and your teen where both get to speak.

Don’t Use Judgmental Language
“No one likes to feel judged,” says professional counselor Trudy Griffin. “If you come off as critical or judgmental, your teen may shut down.” Try to say what you want to say in as neutral a way as possible. When you “remove judgmental phrases from dialogue with your teen,” Ms. Griffin adds, you’ll be surprised by how much more they’re willing to listen to you.”  
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tanni Haas is a Professor in the Department of Communication Arts, Sciences & Disorders at the City University of New York – Brooklyn College. More

By Dan Dunkin Children need love and attention from their parents, but having two or more children can pose a challenge for moms and dads to spread the warmth evenly. Sometimes this imbalance occurs when siblings are sharply different in terms of talents and personality. Jennifer Lynch, an educator, child advocate, and author of the […] More