175 Do Your Kids Ask Uncomfortable Questions? Here's Help To Answer Well!

Hey Friends~  The holidays are here!  This means high stress for some, while it’s a lot of joy and fun for others!  Which one is you?  Perhaps both!   In this episode, we talk with child expert, DJ Stutz, about how we can make the holidays less stressful and what you can do to prepare ourselves and set ourselves and our kids up for success. Do you have too many traditions?  Too many parties?  Too much stuff?  You will have a few more ideas in your toolbox after this conversation. Always cheering you on!  Dinalynn CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn:  [email protected]     ABOUT THE GUEST:     DJ Stutz, a dynamic Early Childhood Specialist, mother of five, and passionate parent educator. With over 20 years of teaching experience, DJ brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding to the world of parenting. As the host of the acclaimed podcast "Imperfect Heroes: Insights into Parenting," she offers invaluable guidance and support to parents navigating the ups and downs of raising children. DJ’s expertise in child development, coupled with her empathetic approach, empowers parents to instill values, build strong relationships, and create nurturing environments for their kids. Whether through her insightful podcast, live events, coaching, or workshops, DJ Stutz is dedicated to helping parents embrace the beautiful chaos of parenthood with confidence and grace. CONTACT THE GUEST:   https://www.imperfectheroes.net/ Podcast:  Imperfect Heroes: Insights into Parenting Here's the FREE Bingo game discussed in the episode:  https://www.imperfectheroes.net/resources     RESOURCES to make your TRAVEL EASIER !!  BabyQuip is the #1 baby gear rental service, and a total game changer for families who don’t want to haul bulky gear while traveling! Follow this link for a BabyQuip Provider where you travel:  https://www.babyquip.com?a=7486bd3     YOUR NEXT STEPS: Sign up for the Newsletter:  https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/newsletter-optin Freebie:   21 Days of Encouragement:  https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/1-21signup Send Dinalynn a thought or question!  [email protected] ** For Speaking Engagements or For 1:1 or Group Parent Coaching (virtual or live), contact me at [email protected]  If You Liked This Episode, You Will Want To Listen To These Episodes:  192 Getting Kids Involved In Family Activities, Without The Fuss! 105 Building Language Through Imagination And The Christmas Story, part 1 106 Building Language Through Imagination And The Christmas Story, part 2 95 Do You Have A Picky Eater? Have a Holiday Plan! Join For A Success Story with Everyday Parent, Kristi! 104 How Does This Gift Develop Language? 4 Tips To Quickly Evaluate A Toy 139 Is There a Simple Way to Lessen Picky Eating? Here is One Fun Way!

Hey Friends~  It is Holiday time of the year!!  No matter where you are in the world, you are quite possibly celebrating SOMETHING during these shortest days of the year!  It’s often hard to keep up with school and normal daily life - without  also adding in big celebrations.  But that is just what goes on in December!  How do we Keep the joy? Keep it light?  Remember what you are doing and what you are celebrating?   Today’s topic is how we can draw our kids into the experience.  Maybe your experience is being part of a Musical or Play or putting up decorations or making special food.   Sometimes our kids participate willingly and happily and other times they pout, whine, and worse.   Always cheering you on!  Dinalynn CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn:  [email protected]   RESOURCES  to help you during Holiday Travel:  BabyQuip is the #1 baby gear rental service, and a total game changer for families who don’t want to haul bulky gear while traveling! Follow this link for a BabyQuip Provider where you travel:  https://www.babyquip.com?a=7486bd3   YOUR NEXT STEPS: Curious about parent coaching? Email: [email protected]  so we can set up a complimentary call to discuss your needs and if we are a match to work together! Sign up for the Newsletter:  https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/newsletter-optin Freebie:   21 Days of Encouragement:  https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/1-21signup ** For Speaking Engagements contact me at [email protected]    If You Liked This Episode, You Will Want To Listen To These Episodes:  36 Tantrum Vs Meltdown. Know the Difference and Respond Effectively 187 Gary Chapman: Wrap Your Discipline In Their Love Language 190 Bob Hastings: Using Storytelling to Help Kids Listen & Imagine 184 Do Your Habits Reduce Your Child’s Need To Speak? 4 Strategies To Build Opportunities For Communication Growth 139 Is There a Simple Way to Lessen Picky Eating? Here is One Fun Way!

Hey Friends~  Have you ever had a book that changes how you communicate with your child?  Maybe the book showed a new way to handle a problem  - and you think, I am going to be more like Mrs. Buttercup!   Maybe that story helped you  learn how to explain something in a way that your child understands.  Maybe it is a concept, maybe a behavior.  Maybe the story even helped YOU understand the concept or behavior DIFFERENTLY.  Stories are powerful!!  Stories teach in ways that we cannot do when we speak directly.   You will enjoy today’s author, Julia Cook, as she teaches you directly about today’s youth and the current thinking patterns and mindset that is so different from how you grew up.  She explains how to reach in and connect so that you understand how your internet -connected child is learning.  Julia quotes her mentor in saying, “a story reaches a child’s mind in ways that you cannot teach in directions…. “     Always cheering you on!  Dinalynn CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn:  [email protected]   ABOUT THE GUEST:   Julia Cook is a national award winning children's author and presenter who has sold nearly 4 million books. CONTACT THE GUEST:   [email protected] @ juliacookonline Juliacookonline.com Cookiebytesbyjulia.com   Helpful RESOURCES for Holiday travel:  BabyQuip is the #1 baby gear rental service, and a total game changer for families who don’t want to haul bulky gear while traveling! Follow this link for a BabyQuip Provider where you travel:  https://www.babyquip.com?a=7486bd3   YOUR NEXT STEPS: Sign up for the Newsletter:  https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/newsletter-optin Freebie:   21 Days of Encouragement:  https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/1-21signup Send Dinalynn a thought or question!  [email protected] ** For Speaking Engagements or For 1:1 or Group Parent Coaching (virtual or live), contact me at [email protected]   Like this Episode?  Here are other Episodes you will enjoy!     162 Do You Know How To Show Love In Any Language? Paul Zolman Shares A Simple Game That Works! 155 Does Your Language Build Courage In Your Child? Here Are 12 Examples of Courage-Building Phrases! 184 Do Your Habits Reduce Your Child’s Need To Speak? 4 Strategies To Build Opportunities For Communication Growth Episodes from Children's Authors:  174 Gina Prosch: Children Learn Best When They Don’t Know They Are Learning At All. See How! 87 Lynn Greenberg: Is Dyslexia Your Superpower? Find Out How! More are recorded and coming soon! So Keep listening!   

Hey Friends~  Holidays are a time that we create stories. Stories have the power to draw our families together and we can weave into those stories the lessons that we really want our kids to know! Listening to stories is a fabulous way to TRAIN OUR IMAGINATION AND OUR LISTENING SKILLS at the same time!  Do you do any “Listen-Only” stories?  Human brains are developing differently now with so much  screen exposure.   Today, we have a master storyteller here with us!  Bob Hastings shares how his creativity was sparked through storytelling with his  kids and grandkids.  Then, he realized the immense impact and influence the stories had!  Don’t underestimate the power of storytelling and what YOU can do with it!! Always cheering you on!  Dinalynn CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn:  [email protected]     ABOUT THE GUEST:    When Bob's children Andrew Wood and Erin Katherine were young, Bob made up "Woody and Katie Stories" based on their middle names. Fast forward a few decades and Drew's son Arlo asked "Bear King" (the name he calls Bob) to tell him a "wind story." That prompted Bob to create this podcast series, drawing on the arc of the adventure books he loved as a kid and continuing the tradition of naming characters loosely on children's names. Grandsons Arlo is "Loar" and Oren is "Roen." Grandnieces Aurora, Delaney and Allessandra are featured, too. They visit neighborhoods where family members live. Before he retired from the TriMet transit agency, Bob oversaw the architectural design of the Tilikum Crossing Bridge of the People over the Willamette River. He also managed the agency's alternative energy projects. Today, Bob lives in a Portland high-rise "sky cave" condo tower by the river, bridge and Ross Island. He and his wife "Bear Queen" drive an all-electric car. CONTACT THE GUEST:   [email protected] Enjoy Bob Hasting’s podcast: "Bear King & Bobo Chico Stories for Kids" :  https://bearkingbobochico.buzzsprout.com/share     Affiliate RESOURCES to help:  BabyQuip is the #1 baby gear rental service, and a total game changer for families who don’t want to haul bulky gear while traveling! Follow this link for a BabyQuip Provider where you travel:  https://www.babyquip.com?a=7486bd3     YOUR NEXT STEPS: Sign up for the Newsletter:  https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/newsletter-optin Freebie:   21 Days of Encouragement:  https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/1-21signup Send Dinalynn a thought or question!  [email protected] ** For Speaking Engagements or For 1:1 or Group Parent Coaching (virtual or live), contact me at [email protected]      If You Liked This Episode, You Will Want To Listen To These Episodes:  93 Teaching Kids To Express Gratitude In 2 Easy Steps! 95 Do You Have A Picky Eater? Have a Holiday Plan! Join For A Success Story with Everyday Parent, Kristi! 96 A Thanksgiving Story of Squanto Shared From Dinalynn’s Home Library 103 Traveling With Littles? 3 Magic Ways To Have A Happier Trip! 115 - 3 Ways To Ensure Travel With Kids Is Enjoyable!

Hey Friends~  Are you wondering  why your child echoes you?  Do they not really answer the question, but actually repeat what you say,  back to you?  This pattern of communication is indicative of a Gestalt Language Processor.   This pattern is common among kiddos with autism. Kids without autism  may also use this pattern of language, though it is most common in the very early years.  How do you manage this?  Always respond  Be a sleuth - figure out what that echo might represent Embrace their attempts to communicate Understand this is a script Listen in for examples and ideas for how to respond, what to look for, understanding the scripts, and how to increase your child’s  interactive language in supportive ways.   Always cheering you on!  Dinalynn CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn:  [email protected]   Affiliate RESOURCES I love:  BabyQuip is the #1 baby gear rental service, and a total game changer for families who don’t want to haul bulky gear while traveling! Follow this link for a BabyQuip Provider where you travel:  https://www.babyquip.com?a=7486bd3   YOUR NEXT STEPS: Sign up for the Webinar:  “Beyond Obedience: Unveiling The Power of Listening In Kids”   ➡️   https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/webinar-free-2ddd5182-6f8e8529 Saturday, November 23, 2024, 2:00 Pacific / 4:00 Central Time zones  Invite your friends!    Sign up for the Newsletter:  https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/newsletter-optin Freebie:   21 Days of Encouragement:  https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/1-21signup Send Dinalynn a thought or question!  [email protected] ** For Speaking Engagements or For 1:1 or Group Parent Coaching (virtual or live), contact me at [email protected]    If You Liked This Episode, You Will Want To Listen To These Episodes: 188 Susanna Peace Lovell: Is Your True Self Enough? Lessons Learned In Parenting A Child With Autism 184 Do Your Habits Reduce Your Child’s Need To Speak? 4 Strategies To Build Opportunities For Communication Growth 183 Jeaneen Tang: Play Dumb & Sabotage! An Effective Way To Mindfully Expand Language 55 Sarah Brumley on Simultaneously Navigating Reactive Attachment Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder with her adopted children 51 LaDawn Hickman: Successfully Teaching Communication in the Messy with Autism  

Hey Friends~  Walking the road of parenting is hard.  It is filled with joy and struggles.  We are okay to feel the way we feel.  No matter what you feel about it.   Learning to let go of negative judgment and condemning thoughts about our feelings  is critical to be authentically yourself.  Parents are often  able to do this with their kids,  but continue to struggle to be so kind to themselves.   If this is you, you will LOVE today’s Episode with Susanna Peace Lovell, author of Your True Self is Enough.     Susanna’s daughter wrote in the forward of the book,  “Learn to understand your child rather than make them do what you think is normal.”   When you learn from your child who they are, instead of trying to create them to be who we want them to be, we free ourselves to do the same for ourselves.  You will be glad you tuned in to this encouraging and authentic episode. Always cheering you on!  Dinalynn CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn:  [email protected]   ABOUT THE GUEST:   Susanna Peace Lovell received her B.A. from UC Berkeley and is an author, speaker, disability rights advocate and a certified professional life coach dedicated to the health and wellness of disability families everywhere. This is also her lived experience raising a teenage daughter with myriad disabilities and diagnoses including ASD (autism spectrum disorder), ADHD, anxiety and severe food allergies. CONTACT THE GUEST:    IG = @mamapeace www.susannapeacelovell.com   RESOURCE to help when you TRAVEL this holiday season!    BabyQuip is the #1 baby gear rental service, and a total game changer for families who don’t want to haul bulky gear while traveling! Follow this link for a BabyQuip Provider where you travel:  https://www.babyquip.com?a=7486bd3   YOUR NEXT STEPS: Sign up for the Webinar: “Beyond Obedience: Unveiling The Power Of Listening in Kids”  https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/webinar-free-2ddd5182-6f8e8529   Sign up for the Newsletter:  https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/newsletter-optin Freebie:   21 Days of Encouragement:  https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/1-21signup Send Dinalynn a thought or question!  [email protected] ** For Speaking Engagements or For 1:1 or Group Parent Coaching (virtual or live), contact me at [email protected]     Other Episodes about raising a child with autism: 51 LaDawn Hickman: Successfully Teaching Communication in the Messy with Autism 55 Sarah Brumley on Simultaneously Navigating Reactive Attachment Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder with her adopted children 125 Kelley Coleman: Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child 128 From Diagnosis To Celebration - Ngoma Shares Triumphs And Struggles of Raising A Child With Autism 142 Are You Doing Extreme Caregiving Jessica Patay Tells About Being Brave Together

Hey Friends~  Everyone has some type of dysfunction in their upbringing, but these days MANY people are unsure what a healthy family looks like!  Parents often express that they wonder how to raise their kids without repeating what their parents did.  One way to learn Traits of Healthy Families is to read books!   Another way is by learning to speak love into your families in ways that each person understands best.   Dr. Gary Chapman, a New York Times #1 Bestselling Author,  is today's guest on The Language Of Play!  He says you should  “WRAP YOUR DISCIPLINE IN THEIR LOVE LANGUAGE.”  Tune in to understand what that means with examples how to do it!   Always cheering you on!  Dinalynn CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn:  [email protected]   ABOUT THE GUEST:   Gary Chapman, Ph.D.—author, speaker, pastor, and counselor—has a passion for people, and for helping them form lasting relationships. Chapman is a well-known marriage counselor and director of marriage seminars. The 5 Love Languages® is one of Chapman’s most popular titles, topping various bestseller charts for years, selling over twenty million copies, and has been translated into 50 languages. Chapman has been directly involved in real-life family counseling for more than 30 years, and his nationally syndicated radio programs air on the Moody Radio Network and affiliate stations. CONTACT THE GUEST:   www.5lovelanguages.com Dr. Chapman’s most recent book:  5 Traits of a Healthy Family: Steps You can Take to Grow Closer, Communicate Better, and Change the World Together    Affiliate RESOURCES I believe in:  BabyQuip is the #1 baby gear rental service, and a total game changer for families who don’t want to haul bulky gear while traveling! Follow this link for a BabyQuip Provider where you travel:  https://www.babyquip.com?a=7486bd3 Financial Freedom 101 from Penelope Jane Smith:  Starts tomorrow! https://realprosperity.isrefer.com/go/scholarship/dinalynn/   YOUR NEXT STEPS: Sign up for the Webinar: “Beyond Obedience: Unveiling The Power Of Listening in Kids”  https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/webinar-free-2ddd5182-6f8e8529   Sign up for the Newsletter:  https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/newsletter-optin Freebie:   21 Days of Encouragement:  https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/1-21signup Send Dinalynn a thought or question!  [email protected] ** For Speaking Engagements or For 1:1 or Group Parent Coaching (virtual or live), contact me at [email protected]    If You Liked This Episode, You Will Want To Listen To These Episodes:  18 Do Your Kids FEEL LOVED This Valentine's Day?  Let's Find Out! 162 Do You Know How To Show Love In Any Language? Paul Zolman Shares A Simple Game That Works! 129 Theresa Alexander Inman:  Can You Read Your Child’s Cues?  Understanding This Unlocks Confusion And Builds Connection 183 Jeaneen Tang: Play Dumb & Sabotage! An Effective Way To Mindfully Expand Language

Hey Friends~  The question comes up often this time of year, “How do you explain Halloween & monsters to a toddler, especially a toddler struggling with fears?”  Actually… Kids don’t wait for halloween to fear monsters!  The issue of fears is real at any time of the year.  But for lots of kids, it gets ramped up during Halloween time!  You cannot even go to the grocery store without seeing scary faces.  Let’s unpack 4 ways you can help your little one get past fears. Listen to this Episode to understand the importance of what to do first and then the application of these strategies!    FIRST:   REMEMBER: KIDS' IMAGINATIONS are BIG and WONDERFUL!   We need to protect what they see Hear what they are saying.  Validate it Provide comfort   Then, Here are 4 Things to help:   Create a method to interact with the monster. Create a situation where monsters are not bad - and maybe even fun.  Dis-Empower the Monster. Pretend the feelings all year long   Always cheering you on!  Dinalynn CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn:  [email protected]   Affiliate RESOURCES for YOU!  BabyQuip is the #1 baby gear rental service, and a total game changer for families who don’t want to haul bulky gear while traveling! Follow this link for a BabyQuip Provider where you travel:  https://www.babyquip.com?a=7486bd3 Financial Freedom 101 from Penelope Jane Smith:   https://realprosperity.isrefer.com/go/scholarship/dinalynn/   YOUR NEXT STEPS: Sign up for the Newsletter:  https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/newsletter-optin Freebie:  21 Days of Encouragement:  https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/1-21signup Send Dinalynn a thought or question!  [email protected] ** For Speaking Engagements or For 1:1 or Group Parent Coaching (virtual or live), contact me at [email protected]    If You Liked This Episode, You Will Want To Listen To These Episodes:  92 Do You Have A Fearful Child? 4 Steps To Calm Your Child This Halloween 21 ”Goofy Play.”  Find it Annoying?  How to Handle and When to Allow 88 Why Is Imaginary Play So Important? 91 Using Play Dress Up To Teach Life Skills! 101 Need to De-Stress? Why A Return to Play Works!

Hey Friends~  How we communicate with our kids determines how well they understand us,  Communication is key!  Developmentally, we know our kids are at different levels.  How do we know what is good for them?   In play, we can learn where they are at.  Today’s guest, a play therapist, Anastasia Arauz,  defines play as when we are “Peaceful and grounded with who your soul is.”   We discuss HOW to use play to build deep trust, get over communication hurdles, and address trauma.  Take a step back.  Don’t fix.  Just listen and follow.   Stay purely present without your phone.  Her mission is clear: to guide families in developing a healthy mindset for building a balanced family system.  You will learn so much in today’s episode!  You will be glad you listened!   Always cheering you on!  Dinalynn CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn:  [email protected]   ABOUT THE GUEST:   Anastasia graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Elementary Education in 1996 and earned a Master of Arts in Counseling from North Carolina Central University in 2003. She also completed a Post Master Certificate in Couples and Family Counseling at UNC Greensboro in 2009. With 5 years of experience as a middle school teacher and 9 years as an elementary school counselor, Anastasia became a Registered Play Therapist in 2014 and served on the Board of the North Carolina Association of Play Therapy from 2013 to 2020. From 2019 to 2023, she built a private practice in Jacksonville, NC, working with children and families. In 2022, she began coaching parents to help them create a healthy mindset and a balanced family system. CONTACT THE GUEST:    Instagram: anastasia.arauz https://www.anastasiaarauzcoaching.com [email protected]   Affiliate RESOURCES I believe in:  BabyQuip is the #1 baby gear rental service, and a total game changer for families who don’t want to haul bulky gear while traveling! Follow this link for a BabyQuip Provider where you travel:  https://www.babyquip.com?a=7486bd3 Financial Freedom 101 from Penelope Jane Smith:   https://realprosperity.isrefer.com/go/scholarship/dinalynn/   YOUR NEXT STEPS: Sign up for the Newsletter:  https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/newsletter-optin Freebie:   21 Days of Encouragement:  https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/1-21signup Send Dinalynn a thought or question!  [email protected] ** For Speaking Engagements or For 1:1 or Group Parent Coaching (virtual or live), contact me at [email protected]    If You Liked This Episode, You Will Want To Listen To These Episodes:  179 Lois Letchford: Dyslexia? Put Away What Is Not Working And Make Learning Fun 183 Jeaneen Tang: Play Dumb & Sabotage! An Effective Way To Mindfully Expand Language 174 Gina Prosch: Children Learn Best When They Don’t Know They Are Learning At All. See How! 184 Do Your Habits Reduce Your Child’s Need To Speak? 4 Strategies To Build Opportunities For Communication Growth          

Hey Friends~  Our parenting and communication  habits set up  our children to have habits of responding.   In general…   If we habitually require them to interact, they will be interactive.   If we expect and create situations where they must speak, they will speak.    How we spend our time is what they see is how TO spend time!   In today’s episode, we talk about the HABITS we have CREATED  around our communication with our children and Which 4 habits you can develop in your interactions that cause language to blossom!   Always cheering you on!  Dinalynn CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn:  [email protected]   Affiliate RESOURCES I believe in:  BabyQuip is the #1 baby gear rental service, and a total game changer for families who don’t want to haul bulky gear while traveling! Follow this link for a BabyQuip Provider where you travel:  https://www.babyquip.com?a=7486bd3 Financial Freedom 101 from Penelope Jane Smith:   https://realprosperity.isrefer.com/go/scholarship/dinalynn/   YOUR NEXT STEPS: Sign up for the Newsletter:  https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/newsletter-optin Freebie:   21 Days of Encouragement:  https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/1-21signup Send Dinalynn a thought or question!  [email protected] ** For Speaking Engagements or For 1:1 or Group Parent Coaching (virtual or live), contact me at [email protected]    If You Liked This Episode, You Will Want To Listen To These Episodes:  183 Jeaneen Tang: Play Dumb & Sabotage! An Effective Way To Mindfully Expand Language 181 Gwen: Want Words To Replace Screaming In Your 1 Year Old? Listen To This Success Story! 174 Gina Prosch: Children Learn Best When They Don’t Know They Are Learning At All. See How! 154 A Single Father of Triplets Shares His Success Story. Happy Father’s Day! And so many more…