In this episode, we continue talking about the challenges of dealing with fertility issues. Penny Lupo will join Dr. Mullen, again for this episode. We will be sharing an authentic conversation about what happens when there are fertility problems and how that impacts the day to day lives. We also will discuss grief and loss and offer some ideas about support and coping. We are confident that raising Freakishly Well Behaved Kids is possible even during stressful times in families.  Penny Lupo is a licensed Mental Health Counselor & Play Therapist. Penny specializes in counseling people going through the fertility process, miscarriage, pregnancy loss or infant loss. She has an informed perspective as she and her husband went through years of fertility treatments, multiple miscarriages and the adoption process. Check out her blog embracinghealing.comAuthor, Professor, Mental Health Counselor, Play Therapist, International Speaker, & Mom-- Dr. Mullen has learned from the thousands of children she has worked with insights and actions necessary for parenting that will lead to the behavior and attitude changes you are looking for with your children. You can have Freakishly Well Behaved Kids too, for more practical and thought-provoking ideas check out parenting book Raising Freakishly Well Behaved Kids: 20 principles for being the parent your child needs  (for the ebook click here) Remember to check out NAUGHTY NO MORE an activity book to help kids make better decisions. When kids feel good, they behave that way!

Freakishly Well-Behaved Kids

Navigating fertility challenges in the everyday world

In this episode we are talking about the challenges of parents & parenting when dealing with fertility issues. Penny Lupo will join Dr. Mullen, again for this episode. We will be sharing an authentic conversation about what happens when couples learn that there may be a fertilitiy problem and how that impacts their lives. We also will discuss grief and loss and offer some ideas about support and coping. We are confident that raising Freakishly Well Behaved Kids is possible even during stressful times in families.   Penny Lupo is a licensed Mental Health Counselor & Play Therapist. Penny spreicializes in counseling people  going through the fertility process, miscarriage, pregnancy loss or infant loss. She has an informed perspective as she and her husband went through years of fertility treatments, multiple miscarriages and the adoption process. Author, Professor, Mental Health Counselor, Play Therapist, International Speaker, & Mom-- Dr. Jodi Mullen has learned from the thousands of children she has worked with insights and actions necessary for parenting that will lead to the behavior and attitude changes you are looking for with your children.  You can have Freakishly Well Behaved Kids too, for more practical and thought-provoking ideas check out parenting book Raising Freakishly Well Behaved Kids: 20 principles for being the parent your child needs  (for the ebook click here) Remember to check out NAUGHTY NO MORE an activity book to help kids make better decisions. When kids feel good, they behave that way!

When becoming a parent doesn’t work out the way you dreamed…..

We love our sons. Now that they are taller than us, sometimes really smelly, and often seem kind of weird we are faced with new challenges. In this podcast, I’ll be joined by Penny Lupo. Penny is a Mental Health Counselor, Play Therapist, and Mom of a teenage boy. Our honest and informed conversation will stress using Freakishly Well-Behaved Kids principles with special considerations that focus on the challenges of parenting teenage boys. This will be fun! Author, Professor, Mental Health Counselor, Play Therapist, International Speaker, & Mom-- Dr. Mullen has learned from the thousands of children she has worked with insights and actions necessary for parenting that will lead to the behavior and attitude changes you are looking for with your children.  You can have Freakishly Well Behaved Kids too, for more practical and thought-provoking ideas check out parenting book Raising Freakishly Well Behaved Kids: 20 principles for being the parent your child needs  (for the ebook click here) Remember to check out NAUGHTY NO MORE an activity book to help kids make better decisions. When kids feel good, they behave that way!

Parenting Insights: Connecting to our Teenage Boys: they're Gross &Weird ;)

What's is parenting like when your a stay-at-home Dad? Today we will find out from our special guest Rory. Here's what his partner says about him and their family  "...I pursue my career full-time and Rory is a stay-at-home Dad. This arrangement works well for us as we both prioritize our children and family and feel grateful that we have the resources. Rory works hard to take care of the kids and our home, acting as a wealth of support to all of us. As a working mother it is a huge relief to not have to worry about childcare. Rory facilitates much of the domestic tasks so that I can focus on my demanding career . I couldn’t do this without his generous contribution to our family. His time at home has strengthened his relationships with both of our children, a privilege that we don’t take for granted." In this episode we get Rory's inside perspective- what are the benefits, the challenges and how to handle them! Author, Professor, Mental Health Counselor, Play Therapist, International Speaker, & Mom-- Dr. Mullen has learned from the thousands of children she has worked with insights and actions necessary for parenting that will lead to the behavior and attitude changes you are looking for with your children.  You can have Freakishly Well Behaved Kids too, for more practical and thought-provoking ideas check out parenting book Raising Freakishly Well Behaved Kids: 20 principles for being the parent your child needs  (for the ebook click here) Remember to check out NAUGHTY NO MORE an activity book to help kids make better decisions. When kids feel good, they behave that way!

Talking Parenting with a Stay at Home Dad

We're talking about the rollercoaster ride of new parenting and reving up the challenge by adding the in the experience of being a new parent who works outside of the home. We have talked to you about our experiences and knowledge about children that have come from being mental health counselors trained in play therapy and as credentialed play therapists. In this episode, we will talk about how to manage the stresses of being a new parent, work, and other interesting experiences that life throws at us from an insider’s perspective.  My special guest will be Kristen M. Melcher, LMHC, CCPT who works as a Clinical Director providing direct counseling to clients and families. With over 35 years combined clinical experience with children (not to mention 19 as working-moms) we can help you be the parent your child needs We will cover several strategies that can help you help your children to become Freakishly Well Behaved kids. Author, Professor, Mental Health Counselor, Play Therapist, International Speaker, & Mom-- Dr. Mullen has learned from the thousands of children she has worked with insights and actions necessary for parenting that will lead to the behavior and attitude changes you are looking for with your children.  You can have Freakishly Well Behaved Kids too, for more practical and thought-provoking ideas check out parenting book Raising Freakishly Well Behaved Kids: 20 principles for being the parent your child needs  (for the ebook click here) Remember to check out NAUGHTY NO MORE an activity book to help kids make better decisions. When kids feel good, they behave that way!

Parenting Challenge Accepted: New Mom Working Mom

In this episode, we will talk about how bullies and bullying impacts all kids.  My special guest will be Lisa Cavallaro, Marriage & Family Therapist, Life Coach, author, Mom and creator of BullySpin, an online confidence-building program for kids. In this show, we'll cover several strategies that can help you help your children deal with bullies & bullying. Author, Professor, Mental Health Counselor, Play Therapist, International Speaker, & Mom-- Dr. Mullen has learned from the thousands of children she has worked with insights and actions necessary for parenting that will lead to the behavior and attitude changes you are looking for with your children.  If you are willing to learn, listen, grow, and work hard at this, your results will be nothing short of miraculous! You can have Freakishly Well Behaved Kids too. If you want more specific and personalized help check out the parenting book Raising Freakishly Well Behaved Kids: 20 principles for being the parent your child needs. Remember to check out NAUGHTY NO MORE an activity book to help kids make better decisions. When kids feel good, they behave that way!

What do Parents need to know about Bullies & Bullying

Raising Freakishly Well Behaved Kids the Parenting book inspired by this podcast Thank you Thank you for helping me develop my ideas and write a very unique parenting book! In this episode, I am the subject of the interview. My friend and colleaugue, Kyle Dzitars, mental health counselor and credentiialed play therapist will ask me all about my newest book (you can win a free copy through this link), Raising Freakishly Well Behaved Kids: 20 Principles for becoming the parent your child needs. I am so excited to talk to you about this book, parenting and children. As an author, Professor, Mental Health Counselor, Play Therapist, International Speaker, & Mom-- I have learned from the thousands of children that I worked with and have gained insights about parenting that I love to share. These insights developed into 20 simple parenting principles that will lead to the relationships you crave with you kids as well as behavior and attitude changes that seemed unachievable. If you are willing to learn, listen, grow, and work hard at this, your results will be nothing short of miraculous! You can have Freakishly Well Behaved Kids too! Remember to check out NAUGHTY NO MORE an activity book to help kids make better decisions. When kids feel good, they behave that way!

Raising Freakishly Well Behaved Kids the Parenting book inspired by this podcast

We frequently discuss listening and communication. We have talked to you about our experiences and knowledge about children that have come from being mental health counselors trained in play therapy and as credentialed play therapists. In this episode, we will talk about how to listen when your kids talk back. We will also give you an insider’s perspective.  My special guest will be Bailey Smith, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and former kid who talked back! We know how difficult it can be when your kids are fresh or sassy; we believe we can help. With over 30 years combined clinical experience with children we can help you, help your child. In this show, will cover several strategies that can help you help your children to become Freakishly Well Behaved kids. Author, Professor, Mental Health Counselor, Play Therapist, International Speaker, & Mom-- Dr. Mullen has learned from the thousands of children she has worked with insights and actions necessary for parenting that will lead to the behavior and attitude changes you are looking for with your children.  If you are willing to learn, listen, grow, and work hard at this, your results will be nothing short of miraculous! You can have Freakishly Well Behaved Kids too & look for the parenting book Raising Freakishly Well Behaved Kids: 20 principles for being the parent your child needs later in 2018! Remember to check out NAUGHTY NO MORE an activity book to help kids make better decisions. When kids feel good, they behave that way!

What to do when kids talk back - do over (audio quality was not good 1st time)

We are talking about communication between parents and children again today with a focus on early communication and attachment. We want to help you be the parent your child needs. My guest today, Jahleh Mohammadi, is a Mental Health Counselor, Credentialed Play Therapist and Circle of Security facilitator. In this episode, we will talk about how to respond to children when your buttons are getting pushed and your emotions are running so high they get in the way of you making the parenting choices you would be proud of. With over 30 years combined clinical experience with children we can help you, help your child. In this show, will cover several strategies that can help you help your children to become Freakishly Well Behaved kids.

Un-pushable buttons- Parenting Strategies for when you're Angry & Upset

  We frequently discuss listening and communication. We have talked to you about our experiences and knowledge about children that have come from being mental health counselors trained in play therapy and as credentialed play therapists. In this episode, we will talk about how to listen when your kids talk back. We will also give you an insider’s perspective.  My special guest will be Bailey Smith, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and former kid who talked back! We know how difficult it can be when your kids are fresh or sassy; we believe we can help. With over 30 years combined clinical experience with children we can help you, help your child. In this show, will cover several strategies that can help you help your children to become Freakishly Well Behaved kids. Author, Professor, Mental Health Counselor, Play Therapist, International Speaker, & Mom-- Dr. Mullen has learned from the thousands of children she has worked with insights and actions necessary for parenting that will lead to the behavior and attitude changes you are looking for with your children.  If you are willing to learn, listen, grow, and work hard at this, your results will be nothing short of miraculous! You can have Freakishly Well Behaved Kids too & look for the parenting book Raising Freakishly Well Behaved Kids: 20 principles for being the parent your child needs later in 2018! Remember to check out NAUGHTY NO MORE an activity book to help kids make better decisions. When kids feel good, they behave that way!

What to do when kids talk back.

You certainly cannot parent an 18 year old the same way you parent an 8 year old. You already KNOW that. What throws us for a loop as parents is just how to parent an 18 year old especially as they transition to college. In this episode, I interview one of my favorite teenage people (Hooray for Doug!) to get his perspective on what has worked and what has not from the perspective of an older teenager in his freshman year of college away from home. I am going to check in with him about some of the insights on parent-teenager relationships that he has observed and experienced. I have always believed that children (even teenager ones) are the best teachers when it comes to parenting. It’s my hunch that Doug, the special guest on this episode, will help us understand and maybe even remember what teenagers transitioning to college need from us as parents. Author, Professor, Mental Health Counselor, Play Therapist, International Speaker, & Mom-- Dr. Mullen has learned from the thousands of children she has worked with insights and actions necessary for parenting that will lead to the behavior and attitude changes you are looking for with your children.  If you are willing to learn, listen, grow, and work hard at this, your results will be nothing short of miraculous! You can have Freakishly Well Behaved Kids too! Remember to check out NAUGHTY NO MORE an activity book to help kids make better decisions. When kids feel good, they behave that way!

I Need Help Parenting my Adult-ish Child who is Going off to College.

I am going to brag… I have a teenage daughter who likes and respects me. Crazy, right! In this episode, I interview my very own teenage daughter to get her perspective on what has worked and what has flopped in terms of how she has been parented especially during these teenage years (she’s 17). I am going to check in with her about some of the insights on parent-teenager relationships that she has talked about with me in the past. For instance, she said I was strict, but she likes it that way and she shared that most of her friends don’t like being with their parents, but she does. I have always believed that children (even teenager ones) are the best teachers when it comes to parenting. My daughter has taught me many incredible lessons, perhaps you can benefit from her wisdom as well. Author, Professor, Mental Health Counselor, Play Therapist, International Speaker, & Mom-- Dr. Mullen has learned from the thousands of children she has worked with insights and actions necessary for parenting that will lead to the behavior and attitude changes you are looking for with your children.  If you are willing to learn, listen, grow, and work hard at this, your results will be nothing short of miraculous! You can have Freakishly Well Behaved Kids too! Remember to check out NAUGHTY NO MORE an activity book to help kids make better decisions. When kids feel good, they behave that way!

I have a teenage daughter & she LIKES me!

We frequently discuss listening and communication. We have talked to you about our experiences and knowledge about children that have come from being mental health counselors trained in play therapy and as credentialed play therapists. In this episode we will talk about what the most important listening skill: Reflection and why it is helpful and necessary for creating remarkable relationships with your children. We will also give you an insider’s perspective of making reflections part of your listening on a day to day basis, improving ALL your relationships. We know how difficult it can be to connect even your own children; we believe we can help. With over 25 years combined clinical experience with children we can help you, help your child. In this show will cover several strategies that can help you help your children to become Freakishly Well Behaved kids. This episode will focus on Reflective Listening. Author, Professor, Mental Health Counselor, Play Therapist, International Speaker, & Mom-- Dr. Mullen has learned from the thousands of children she has worked with insights and actions necessary for parenting that will lead to the behavior and attitude changes you are looking for with your children.  If you are willing to learn, listen, grow, and work hard at this, your results will be nothing short of miraculous! You can have Freakishly Well Behaved Kids too! Remember to check out NAUGHTY NO MORE an activity book to help kids make better decisions. When kids feel good, they behave that way!

Connecting to your Child through Reflective Listening

We frequently discuss Play Therapy and our experiences and knowledge about children that have come from being trained in play therapy and as credentialed play therapists. In this episode we will talk about what Play Therapy is and why it is helpful. We will also give you an insider’s perspective of what to look for in a ply therapist as well as what questions to ask to make sure your child is getting quality care. We know how difficult it can be to connect with mental health professionals about children; we believe we can help. With over 25 years combined clinical experience with children we can help you, help your child. In this show will cover several strategies that can help you help your children to become Freakishly Well Behaved kids. This episode will focus on Play Therapy. Author, Professor, Mental Health Counselor, Play Therapist, International Speaker, & Mom-- Dr. Mullen has learned from the thousands of children she has worked with insights and actions necessary for parenting that will lead to the behavior and attitude changes you are looking for with your children.  If you are willing to learn, listen, grow, and work hard at this, your results will be nothing short of miraculous! You can have Freakishly Well Behaved Kids too! Remember to check out NAUGHTY NO MORE www.integrativecounseling.us  an activity book to help kids make better decisions. When kids feel good, they behave that way!

So what is Play Therapy & how does it work anyway?

How to talk to children about anxiety? How can we support kids who have a anxiety? In this podcast I will talk with Jake Hedges, a Mental Health Counselor at Integrative Counseling Services, who is currently pursuing a certification for Child Centered Play Therapy. He has experience counseling adults, children, and adolescents. He earned his Masters in Mental Health Counseling in 2015, and has focused his studies on psychological trauma. He is a veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan, and is interested in how individuals can find resilience in response to trauma and anxiety. He will help us understand how we can help children be Freakishly Well-Behaved. There might even be some things we can learn and use too. BONUS! Author, Professor, Mental Health Counselor, Play Therapist, International Speaker, & Mom-- Dr. Mullen has learned from the thousands of children she has worked with insights and actions necessary for parenting that will lead to the behavior and attitude changes you are looking for with your children.  If you are willing to learn, listen, grow, and work hard at this, your results will be nothing short of miraculous! You can have Freakishly Well Behaved Kids too! Remember to check out NAUGHTY NO MORE an activity book to help kids make better decisions. When kids feel good, they behave that way!

How to talk to children about anxiety?

Dr. Mullen shares BLISSFUL PARENTING principles for raising freakishly well-behaved kids. She has learned the principles directly from children. Listen in to get straight talk about parenting from a different perspective-- the perspective of children. Change your perspective of parenting and improve your parenting and your relationship with your child! It's BLISS! Check out the NEW book she wrote with her kids for kids Naughty No More: A workbook for kids who want to make good decisions AVAILABLE APRIL 9, 2013 call to order your copy 315342-9255 or www.integrativecounseling.us