Category Archives: Parenting

Male Suicide & Mental Health: A Father’s Story of Love, Loss, and Awareness

December 5, 2024Guests, Parentingautism, Boys are Great, Hello Fresh, IXL, mental health, Neal Tricarico, suicide, suicide preventionJennifer L.W. Fink

Powered by RedCircle We gotta talk about male suicide and mental health. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, you can call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for help in the United States. Call 988 or 800-273-TALK (8255). The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is open 24 hours a day, every day. Services are also … Continue reading Male Suicide & Mental Health: A Father’s Story of Love, Loss, and Awareness →

Amy Lang Discusses Puberty, Perimenopause, & Neurodivergence

November 7, 2024Guests, ParentingAmy Lang, digital citizenship, Hello Fresh, IXL, neurodivergence, neurodiversity, perimenopause, porn, pornography, puberty, sex ed, sex educationJennifer L.W. Fink

Powered by RedCircle Puberty, perimenopause, and neurodivergence affects brains and bodies. And if two or more of those things are going on in our household at the same time…well, things can get particularly challenging, says Amy Lang, founder of Birds & Bees & Kids. Amy & Janet discuss it all in this ON BOYS episode … Continue reading Amy Lang Discusses Puberty, Perimenopause, & Neurodivergence →

Janet & Jen on Life & Raising Boys

October 31, 2024Listener Q & A, ParentingAvoila, Breakthrough Session, Hello Fresh, IXL, parenting, Raising Boys, transitionsJennifer L.W. Fink

Powered by RedCircle Raising boys isn’t easy. Living isn’t easy! But with patience, trust, and community support, it’s easier — & more pleasant. In this wide-ranging conversation, Janet Allison & Jennifer L.W. Fink , the hosts of ON BOYS podcast, discuss the reality of raising boys in 2024. Takeaways: Nobody has it all figured … Continue reading Janet & Jen on Life & Raising Boys →

Stop, Drop, Grow, and Glow with Holly Swenson

October 3, 2024Guests, Parenting#momofboys, #MyBoyCan, Artifact Uprising, Avoila, emotional development, Holly Swenson, IXL, self-care, Stop Drop Grow & GoJennifer L.W. Fink

Powered by RedCircle Stop, drop, grow, and glow? That’s Holly Swenson’s advice to parents. Swenson, a RN-turned-writer and mom of 4 boys (currently ages 10, 13, 15, & 15) was approximately seven years into parenting when she realized that “when you are taking care of yourself, you’re better able to take care of everyone in … Continue reading Stop, Drop, Grow, and Glow with Holly Swenson →

Overcoming Fears and Worries to Say YES

September 19, 2024Guests, Parentingadventure, Artifact Uprising, Avoila, independence, IXL, letting go, Lumen, outdoor activities, sports, teen boys, teenagers, trustJennifer L.W. Fink

Powered by RedCircle How can parents overcome their fears and worries so they can say YES to their boys’ interests and passions? That’s the question we discuss with Heather Sponholz, a “boy mom” who’s said yes to her teenage sons’ solo National Parks trips, MMA fighting, and ambitious Christmas lights project. Takeaways: Navigating the balance … Continue reading Overcoming Fears and Worries to Say YES →

Understanding & Supporting Neurodivergent Boys

August 8, 2024Parenting2E, ADHD, Armoire, ByHeart, Dr. Matt, Dyslexia, gender stereotypes, gifted, Lumen, Mathew Zakreski, neurodivergent, neurodiverse, neurodiversityJennifer L.W. Fink

Powered by RedCircle How do we best support neurodivergent boys? Approximately 12% of boys in the United States have been diagnosed with ADHD. About 3% are on the autism spectrum. 18% of boys have dyslexia. An untold number are gifted – &, of course, many boys are 2e, or twice-exceptional, with more than one of … Continue reading Understanding & Supporting Neurodivergent Boys →

Brendan Kwiatkowski: Connecting w Teen Boys

July 11, 2024ParentingBrendan Kwiatkowski, connection, Dabble & Dollop, emotions, Lumen, teenage boys, teensJennifer L.W. Fink

Powered by RedCircle Brendan Kwiatkowski knows that connecting with teenage boys requires understanding, patience, and a willingness to create a safe emotional space. Kwiatkowski, PhD, a renowned researcher specializing in boys’ emotions, experiences, and masculinities, says that teen boys “assume most people don’t want to hear about their negative emotions.” Helping Boys Express Their Emotions … Continue reading Brendan Kwiatkowski: Connecting w Teen Boys →

Emily Edlynn on a Healthier Approach to Tech

June 13, 2024Parenting, ScreensAutonomy-Supportive Parenting, Emily Edlynn, Fortnite, parenting, screen time, screens, technology, video gamesJennifer L.W. Fink

Powered by RedCircle Child psychologist Emily Edlynn says a healthier approach to tech is good for the whole family. As she wrote in her Substack newsletter, the currently popular shame-blame-restrict approach to social media, screens, and gaming isn’t working particularly well. Emily sas: Parents’ hyper-focus on screen time, gaming, or phones can have more negative … Continue reading Emily Edlynn on a Healthier Approach to Tech →

50/50 Shared Parenting

March 28, 2024Guests, ParentingArmoire, co-parenting, divorce, Emma Johnson, Home Threads, shared parenting, The 50/50 Solution, WinonaJennifer L.W. Fink

Powered by RedCircle 50/50 shared parenting is good for boys & good for parents. But it’s not yet the norm, despite decades of research demonstrating the value of shared parenting. “It’s one part sexism and one part misunderstanding of the latest social science around what it best for kids,” says Emma Johnson, author of The … Continue reading 50/50 Shared Parenting →

ON BOYS Most Popular Episode of 2023

December 21, 2023ParentingBest of 2023, Better Help, ByHeart, Mary Van Geffen, Spicy OnesJennifer L.W. Fink

Powered by RedCircle Our January 5 conversation with Mary Van Geffen, Parenting “Spicy” Boys, is ON BOYS’ Most Popular Episode of 2023. (And Jen’s sons’ least favorite! Gen Z defines “spicy” quite differently than we’re using it here.) Sure, this episode, released early in the year, had the benefit of time. But Mary’s message also … Continue reading ON BOYS Most Popular Episode of 2023 →