Connected Parenting

Today’s episode comes from our Q&A series, where I respond to real parenting questions from listeners.

Andrea wrote in about the challenges she is experiencing with her 10-year-old daughter, whom she describes as a “gladiator,” strong-willed, determined, and often wanting things to go her way. While these qualities can become incredible strengths, they can also make family outings difficult when expectations change, transitions feel overwhelming, or disappointment leads to a meltdown.

With an upcoming trip to a theme park, Andrea wanted to know how she could prepare her daughter while also making the day enjoyable for the rest of the family.

In this episode, I share practical ways to set clear expectations before the outing, prepare for transitions, reduce potential power struggles, and create a flexible plan that supports everyone. Family trips do not have to become a battle. With thoughtful preparation and realistic expectations, you can help your gladiator child feel more secure while protecting the connection, fun, and enjoyment of the day for the entire family.

Jennifer's Takeaways:

Introduction to the Episode and Andrea's Question (00:00)
Understanding Neuro Spicy Kids and Their Behavior (01:38)
Managing Expectations and Pre-Planning (02:52)
Divide and Conquer Strategy (05:23)
Handling Overwhelm and Making Choices (07:59)
Dealing with Tantrums and Leaving Early (11:43)

Meet Jennifer Kolari

Jennifer Kolari is the host of the “Connected Parenting” weekly podcast and the co-host of “The Mental Health Comedy” podcast. Kolari is a frequent guest on Nationwide morning shows and podcasts in the US and Canada. Her advice can also be found in many Canadian and US magazines such as; Today’s Parent, Parents Magazine and Canadian Family.

Kolari’s powerful parenting model is based on the neurobiology of love, teaching parents how to use compassion and empathy as powerful medicine to transform challenging behavior and build children’s emotional resilience and emotional shock absorbers.

Jennifer’s wisdom, quick wit and down to earth style help parents navigate modern-day parenting problems, offering real-life examples as well as practical and effective tools and strategies.

Her highly entertaining, inspiring workshops are shared with warmth and humour, making her a crowd-pleasing speaker with schools, medical professionals, corporations and agencies throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

One of the nation’s leading parenting experts, Jennifer Kolari, is a highly sought- after international speaker and the founder of Connected Parenting. A child and family therapist with a busy practice based in San Diego and Toronto, Kolari is also the author of Connected Parenting: How to Raise A Great Kid (Penguin Group USA and Penguin Canada, 2009) and You’re Ruining My Life! (But Not Really): Surviving the Teenage Years with Connected Parenting (Penguin Canada, 2011).

As the busy school year winds down, summer opens the door to something we often miss, space to slow down, breathe, and truly reconnect with our kids.

In this heartfelt replay, we say goodbye to the hectic pace and explore simple, intentional ways to make this summer feel calm, connected, and full of joy for the whole family.

Remember; summer doesn’t need to be packed to be powerful, it just needs presence.

Jennifer's Takeaways:

Summer as a Time for Connection and Refreshment (00:00)
The Calm Technique and Its Benefits (02:07)
Practical Application of the Calm Technique (03:40)
Structuring Summer Days for Children (07:27)
Balancing Structure and Flexibility in Summer (09:38)
Divide and Conquer Strategy for Family Outings (11:38)
Maintaining Structure During Vacations (13:21)
Bringing Back the Magic of Family Time (14:11)

Meet Jennifer Kolari

Jennifer Kolari is the host of the “Connected Parenting” weekly podcast and the co-host of “The Mental Health Comedy” podcast. Kolari is a frequent guest on Nationwide morning shows and podcasts in the US and Canada. Her advice can also be found in many Canadian and US magazines such as; Today’s Parent, Parents Magazine and Canadian Family.

Kolari’s powerful parenting model is based on the neurobiology of love, teaching parents how to use compassion and empathy as powerful medicine to transform challenging behavior and build children’s emotional resilience and emotional shock absorbers.

Jennifer’s wisdom, quick wit and down to earth style help parents navigate modern-day parenting problems, offering real-life examples as well as practical and effective tools and strategies.

Her highly entertaining, inspiring workshops are shared with warmth and humour, making her a crowd-pleasing speaker with schools, medical professionals, corporations and agencies throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

One of the nation’s leading parenting experts, Jennifer Kolari, is a highly sought- after international speaker and the founder of Connected Parenting. A child and family therapist with a busy practice based in San Diego and Toronto, Kolari is also the author of Connected Parenting: How to Raise A Great Kid (Penguin Group USA and Penguin Canada, 2009) and You’re Ruining My Life! (But Not Really): Surviving the Teenage Years with Connected Parenting (Penguin Canada, 2011).

In this special guest interview episode, Jennifer sits down with Barrie Farivar, founder of Leaf, a private voice app created to help families capture and preserve the everyday moments that often become our most treasured memories. After spending 15 years at Google and YouTube, Barrie set out to build something centered on connection rather than performance, creating a simple way for families to record conversations, bedtime stories, car rides, family history, and the voices of loved ones without interrupting the moment itself.
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This episode is a beautiful reminder that the memories we cherish most are often the ordinary, unscripted moments that happen every day, and that preserving them can become a meaningful gift for generations to come.

Jennifer's Takeaways:

Barrie Farivar's Background and Motivation (00:48)
Transition from Google to Leaf (02:40)
The Role of Audio in Capturing Family Moments (04:50)
Children's Perspective on Audio Recordings (06:44)
Handling Imperfect Moments in Recordings (07:56)
Therapeutic Use of Recordings (08:50)
Details About Leaf App (10:48)
Integrating Leaf into Daily Routine (13:23)
Conclusion and Contact Information (17:19)

Meet Jennifer Kolari

Jennifer Kolari is the host of the “Connected Parenting” weekly podcast and the co-host of “The Mental Health Comedy” podcast. Kolari is a frequent guest on Nationwide morning shows and podcasts in th US and Canada. Her advice can also be found in many Canadian and US magazines such as; Today’s Parent, Parents Magazine and Canadian Family.

Kolari’s powerful parenting model is based on the neurobiology of love, teaching parents how to use compassion and empathy as powerful medicine to transform challenging behavior and build children’s emotional resilience and emotional shock absorbers.

Jennifer’s wisdom, quick wit and down to earth style help parents navigate modern-day parenting problems, offering real-life examples as well as practical and effective tools and strategies.

Her highly entertaining, inspiring workshops are shared with warmth and humour, making her a crowd-pleasing speaker with schools, medical professionals, corporations and agencies throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

One of the nation’s leading parenting experts, Jennifer Kolari, is a highly sought- after international speaker and the founder of Connected Parenting. A child and family therapist with a busy practice based in San Diego and Toronto, Kolari is also the author of Connected Parenting: How to Raise A Great Kid (Penguin Group USA and Penguin Canada, 2009) and You’re Ruining My Life! (But Not Really): Surviving the Teenage Years with Connected Parenting (Penguin Canada, 2011).

Disagreements are a natural part of life, but for many children and adults, conflict can feel threatening, overwhelming, or deeply personal.

In this episode, Jennifer explores the powerful concept of conflict tolerance; the ability to stay calm, connected, and emotionally regulated when opinions differ. Rather than teaching children how to win arguments, she explains why one of the greatest life skills is learning that disagreement is not an emergency and doesn't have to damage a relationship.

Jennifer shares how healthy conflict helps children build emotional resilience, stronger relationships, confidence, and leadership skills. She explains why becoming defensive, shutting down, or feeling rejected during disagreements often comes from the nervous system rather than the thinking brain, and how parents can help children develop the ability to listen, stay grounded, and remain connected even when they don't agree.

This episode offers practical insights for raising children who can navigate conflict with curiosity, respect, and confidence, all skills that will benefit them in their friendships, families, school, and ongoing throughout their lives.

Jennifer's Takeaways:

Conflict Tolerance in Parenting (00:00)
Understanding Conflict and Emotional Resilience (01:26)
Common Reactions to Conflict (02:31)
The Role of the Amygdala in Conflict (05:14)
Teaching Conflict Tolerance Through Modeling (08:49)
The Importance of Inner Reflection (11:07)
Conclusion and Future Plans (12:15)

Meet Jennifer Kolari

Jennifer Kolari is the host of the “Connected Parenting” weekly podcast and the co-host of “The Mental Health Comedy” podcast. Kolari is a frequent guest on Nationwide morning shows and podcasts in th US and Canada. Her advice can also be found in many Canadian and US magazines such as; Today’s Parent, Parents Magazine and Canadian Family.

Kolari’s powerful parenting model is based on the neurobiology of love, teaching parents how to use compassion and empathy as powerful medicine to transform challenging behavior and build children’s emotional resilience and emotional shock absorbers.

Jennifer’s wisdom, quick wit and down to earth style help parents navigate modern-day parenting problems, offering real-life examples as well as practical and effective tools and strategies.

Her highly entertaining, inspiring workshops are shared with warmth and humour, making her a crowd-pleasing speaker with schools, medical professionals, corporations and agencies throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

One of the nation’s leading parenting experts, Jennifer Kolari, is a highly sought- after international speaker and the founder of Connected Parenting. A child and family therapist with a busy practice based in San Diego and Toronto, Kolari is also the author of Connected Parenting: How to Raise A Great Kid (Penguin Group USA and Penguin Canada, 2009) and You’re Ruining My Life! (But Not Really): Surviving the Teenage Years with Connected Parenting (Penguin Canada, 2011).

Many parents are carrying a quiet but persistent sense of uncertainty. The headlines, world events, and constant flow of information can leave families feeling like life is less predictable than it once was.

In this episode, Jennifer continues the conversation about fear and uncertainty, exploring what it means to parent when this isn't just a temporary moment but an ongoing emotional climate. She explains how children often absorb the emotional atmosphere around them and why they look to the adults in their lives for a sense of safety and stability.

Jennifer shares practical ways to support children through uncertain times without pretending everything is okay or overwhelming them with fear.

This episode is a reminder that although we can't remove uncertainty from the world, we can create homes where our children feel safe, connected, and confident enough to navigate whatever comes next.

Jennifer's Takeaways:

Staying Grounded for Our Kids: Introduction and Context (00:00)
Understanding the Emotional Loop in Families (02:06)
Practical Strategies for Parents (03:42)
Creating a Safe Space at Home (05:02)
Implementing Rituals and Self-Care (07:35)
Structuring the Day for Predictability (10:17)

Meet Jennifer Kolari

Jennifer Kolari is the host of the “Connected Parenting” weekly podcast and the co-host of “The Mental Health Comedy” podcast. Kolari is a frequent guest on Nationwide morning shows and podcasts in th US and Canada. Her advice can also be found in many Canadian and US magazines such as; Today’s Parent, Parents Magazine and Canadian Family.

Kolari’s powerful parenting model is based on the neurobiology of love, teaching parents how to use compassion and empathy as powerful medicine to transform challenging behavior and build children’s emotional resilience and emotional shock absorbers.

Jennifer’s wisdom, quick wit and down to earth style help parents navigate modern-day parenting problems, offering real-life examples as well as practical and effective tools and strategies.

Her highly entertaining, inspiring workshops are shared with warmth and humour, making her a crowd-pleasing speaker with schools, medical professionals, corporations and agencies throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

One of the nation’s leading parenting experts, Jennifer Kolari, is a highly sought- after international speaker and the founder of Connected Parenting. A child and family therapist with a busy practice based in San Diego and Toronto, Kolari is also the author of Connected Parenting: How to Raise A Great Kid (Penguin Group USA and Penguin Canada, 2009) and You’re Ruining My Life! (But Not Really): Surviving the Teenage Years with Connected Parenting (Penguin Canada, 2011).