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Parenting
In each episode of the Healthy Parenting Handbook Podcast, Katie Kimball, the national voice of healthy kids cooking, interviews experts in fields like nutrition, medicine, psychology, parenting, technology, entrepreneurship and more to help parents get tools to raise healthy, independent kids.
The Internet Gone Mad: How a Few Experts Cited Something Wrong and Now Everyone Thinks Harvard Wants Kids to Do Chores
You’ve probably seen the meme. It goes something like this: “Harvard found that the biggest predictor of success in life is doing chores as a child.” Cue the halo lighting up your messy living room—your kids grumbling about folding laundry suddenly feels like elite education. Harvard said so! Except … Harvard didn’t. So what is...
The ADHD Brain Is an Addicted Brain – Shattering Myths About ADHD and Executive Function and Pouring out Hope for Families
ADHD is not just an attention disorder; it’s an executive functioning disorder.
The myths abound!
If you’ve always thought of kids with ADHD as those who struggle in school, think again.
If you expect ADHD kids to have trouble focusing, wrong again.
If you think kids with ADHD are destined to struggle more throughout life, Mike McLeod is here to tell you that ADHD is not a limitation, just a different path.
The ADHD brain is truly different from neurotypical brains, although some truths apply to both groups, like:
- Children learn best through play and unstructured time.
- Outdoor play is vital for developing real-world skills.
- Boredom is essential for self-regulation and creativity.
- Cooking teaches kids self-sufficiency and life skills.
- Unstructured time is crucial for children’s development.
- Parents should set high expectations for their children.
- Removing screens can reveal hidden talents in kids.
- Parents need to place more importance on chores & balancing structure and freedom.
Parents of kids with or without ADHD need the information in this episode, but especially stuff like this:
- Screen time can exacerbate ADHD symptoms, but it does not cause ADHD.
- The ADHD brain struggles with self-regulation and motivation for NON-preferred tasks.
- Varied experiences are vital for skill development.
- Executive functions are crucial for success in life.
I love Mike’s energy and expertise, like sitting at the feet of a master. What an honor to work with him both for this podcast and as a #LifeSkillsNow Season 4 camp leader! Your whole family can learn more about the power of “varied experiences” in his #LifeSkillsNow workshop in Season 4. Check out the Season 4 package here, or see if #LifeSkillsNow is open for registration for this year!
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The “Unteachable” Life Skills Our Kids Need Most (and How We Can Help)
As a parent, I’m often asked: “How do you teach life skills like cooking, cleaning, or budgeting?” I love answering that question (because that’s literally my jam!). It’s hard enough for parents to get over their psychological roadblocks and slowwwww down enough to teach tangible skills. It’s even harder to figure out how to pass...
Episode 73: From Mom Guilt to Growth: Emotional Regulation for Moms Who Want to Raise Problem Solvers
Emily’s stories are going to get your head nodding in empathy and connection – we’ve all been there with the kid who just will NOT put their shoes on, brush their teeth, or do as we ask! If you’ve ever felt the guilt after exploding all over your kids, those little beings you LOVE so...
Episode 72: Is Kefir Healthy? How Fermented Foods Boost Gut Health and Immunity
If you’ve ever passed kefir in the grocery store and wondered, “Is that stuff actually good for you?”—you’re not alone. In this episode, I talk with Julie Smolyansky, CEO of Lifeway Kefir, who shares how this tangy, probiotic-rich drink became a lifeline for her immigrant family—and a powerful tool for mental and physical wellness. Julie...
Teaching Life Skills: The Best Hack I’ve Used (and What Other Smart Parents Swear By)
When I think about teaching life skills to my kids, I always come back to one core truth: it’s not just about checking a skill off a list. It’s about raising humans who can think, adapt, and stand on their own two feet. That’s why when I find a “hack” that actually works to make...
Episode 71: Embracing Neurodivergent Parenting: Wisdom for Mothers and Their Unique Children
“Some parents get to just drop their kids off and know they’ll have a pretty good day at school,” said my guest Ginny Kochis when I mused, “Maybe most kids are actually neurodivergent; is there any typical anymore?” We may all think and process information differently, but it’s true that some diagnoses make parenting feel...
Episode 69: Starting Your Kids Off on the Right Financial Foot | Teaching Kids About the Dangers of Debt
Raise your hand if you love money! But…raise your hand if you DON’T love figuring out what to DO with your money, spending too much money, or not having enough money? That’s Brad Nelson’s mission as Debt Free Dad – to help normal everyday people take control of their finances so they can live a...
Episode 67: Parenting Without Yelling, Demands, or Getting Triggered with Hunter Clarke-Fields
Raise your hand if you’ve ever yelled or lost your cool as a parent. Keep that hand up if you thought you would never yell as a parent. I know, right? It’s the story of many who go on to be mindful or positive or grounded parenting experts. “I never thought I would…” Me neither!...
Episode 66: Why Teaching Your Kids Chores and Life Skills Is NOT Taking Advantage of Them
In today’s Healthy Parenting Handbook episode, I’m going to take 5 different arguments against kids doing chores and learning life skills and counter them with facts, stories, research, and a big ol’ dose of common sense. These are real arguments I hear from both well-meaning parents AND keyboard warriors on social media, plus one from...