Adventures in Parenting

The Sandwich Generation: Parenting Kids While Caring for Aging Parents

🎧 Join librarians Jessi and Erin as they tackle the challenges of the "sandwich generation" - those caring for both young children and aging parents with Alzheimer's or dementia. With special guest Regina Anderson from the Families & Children Association’s (FCA’s) Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregiver Support Program, this episode offers practical wisdom and emotional support for caregivers navigating this complex journey. 💜

Learn about:

• 🤝 Free support services and resources you may not know you're eligible for
• 👶 Creative ways to explain grandparents' changing behavior to young children
• ⚠️ How to spot caregiver burnout before it hits
• ✨ Tips for finding moments of joy and connection while caring for multiple generations
• 💪 Practical strategies for handling when both parent and child need urgent attention

Whether you're currently caregiving or want to prepare for the future, this episode provides compassionate guidance and reminds us we're not alone in this journey. Regina shares invaluable insights on maintaining boundaries, practicing self-care without guilt, and fostering positive relationships even as roles evolve. 🌟

Episode #19, February 2025

For more resources on this topic, check out our topic guide: Resource Guide Episode #19

 

Your Family & AI

Join librarians Jessi and Erin as they sit down with Nick Tanzi, a straight-talking tech expert, author, and Assistant Director of the South Huntington Public Library, who admits he has a "love-hate relationship" with AI. From ChatGPT doing homework to AI chatbots giving questionable advice, Nick reveals what's happening in our kids' digital world.

Discover why Nick calls AI a "non-consensual relationship" that's invaded our lives, and learn how to turn this uninvited guest into a helpful tool for your family. 

Whether you're AI-savvy or AI-scared, this episode cuts through the tech jargon to give you practical guidance on:

• Teaching your kids to spot AI's mistakes and biases
• Using AI tools together as a family (yes, like testing ChatGPT with questions you know the answers to!)
• Protecting your children from AI's hidden risks while embracing its benefits

Episode #18, January 2025

For more resources on this topic, check out our topic guide: Resource Guide Episode #18

Time Stamps:  

0:00 – Introduction 

2:07 – What is A.I./overview  

4:39 – Current concerns  

9:05 – How should this technology be used in education 

10:20 – Entry points for parents to engage with AI  

12:30 – Bias and popularity vs correctness  

15:20 – How to know where the data is coming from 

16:38 – How can libraries support AI literacy education  

18:20 – How can parents approach this topic with their child? 

25:36 – What to do with A.I.  

28:15 – A.I. and the complications of language 

29:35 - CLEAR Framework for Generative AI by Leo Lo 

32:24 – Picking the right tool for the right job  

35:25 – The future 

Bullying

In this episode, Jessi and Erin welcome Rhonda Nedderman and Natalia Johnson from local community organization, Youth Enrichment Services (YES) to discuss bullying. Learn about current bullying statistics, the shift to cyberbullying, and practical strategies for parents. YES experts share insights on empowering children, monitoring social media use, and the importance of being an "upstander." Whether your child is experiencing bullying or IS the bully, this episode offers valuable resources and actionable tips for families.

• 📊 Learn current bullying statistics and trends
• 🖥️ Implement cyberbullying prevention strategies
• 📱 Set up social media monitoring practices
• 🤗 Develop skills to support children facing bullying
• 💡 Learn how to address bullying behavior
• 🤝 Connect with local community resources

Episode #17, November 2024

For more resources on this topic, check out our topic guide: Resource Guide Episode #17

Time Stamps:  

0:01 – Introduction
5:25 – Impact of social media on bullying
9:50 – Steps to protect children from online bullying
11:15 – What to do if your child is the bully
22:40 – What to say to your child if they’re witnessing bullying
24:21 – Telling vs tattling
30:20 - Addressing both the bully and the bullied
32:40 – Tips for parents on how to help their children help themselves
38:31 – How to approach your child when they refuse to go to school, activities, etc.
42:00 – Dealing with the ‘after’

The Organized Family: Decluttering Life and Mind

In this enlightening episode, professional organizers and authors Annmarie Brogan and Marie Limpert are back to share their unique approach to organization with Jessi and Erin. As co-owners of Organize Me! of NY, LLC and authors of Beyond Tidy: Declutter Your Mind and Discover the Magic of Organized Living, Annmarie and Marie are experts on blending personalized organizational strategies with positive psychology. Tune in for a crash course in organization that will transform how you think about your space and belongings:

• 🎯 Explore the eight organizing principles: goal setting, visioning, sorting, deciding, home placement, associations, space management, and task completion
• 🗑️ Identify and tackle your "for now" clutter
• 📝 Set SMART goals for your organizing projects
• 🏠 Create a vision for each space in your home or office
• 🧠 Develop a growth mindset towards organizing skills

Whether you're a busy parent, a professional looking to boost productivity, or simply seeking to declutter your life, this episode offers practical insights and motivational strategies to help you move beyond tidy and create lasting organizational change. 

@organizemeNY

@beyondtidybook

Episode #16, October 2024

For more resources on this topic, check out our topic guide: Resource Guide Episode #16

Time Stamps:  

00:00 - Introduction, outlook on organization and writing the book 

08:30 - The eight principles identified 

10:26 – How to set a manageable goal 

14:48 – Establishing clear zones and having a vision for the space  

17:55 – Difficulty with finishing the task 

20:42 – Types of clutter and prime real estate  

30:00 – Success stories 

35:00 – Developing organization as a skill 

The Organized Family: Back to School!

It's time to turn that back-to-school chaos into calm with our latest episode featuring organizational experts, Annmarie Brogan and Marie Limpert, the brilliant minds behind Beyond Tidy and Organize Me! of NY, LLC. Discover how a tidy space can skyrocket mental health and academic performance. It's not just about clean rooms – it's about creating an environment where young minds truly flourish.

Join hosts Jessi and Erin (fellow librarians and busy moms) as they unpack a treasure trove of organizing gems:
🧠 Unlock the power of a growth mindset for lifelong organization skills
🧸 Start 'em young: Teaching tidying to three-year-olds (and up!)
📊 Master the art of sorting and grouping to conquer clutter
🏠 Create homework havens that boost focus and productivity
📝 Harness the magic of checklists for smooth sailing routines
📸 Clever hacks to preserve memories without drowning in school art and paperwork

So grab your label maker (or just your enthusiasm) and join us for an episode that'll have you excited to sort those socks and file those forms. Let's make this school year the most organized yet! 🎒✨

Episode #15, September 2024

For more resources on this topic, check out our topic guide: Adventures in Parenting Episode #15 Resource Guide 

Time Stamps: COMING SOON

The Mindful Parent's Guide

Beat the heat with our BONUS summer episode designed to soothe your soul and save your sanity! Join hosts Jessi and Erin as they dive into the world of mindfulness and meditation with special guest Michele Cayea.
Michele isn't just the Head of Community Engagement at the Library – she's also a Reiki Master and meditation guru!

In this enlightening episode, she'll unravel the mysteries of:
Mindfulness vs. Meditation: What's the difference?
Staying cool when the temperature (and your stress levels) rise
Tools to tackle overwhelm any time of year

Plus, make sure to stick around for a treat at the end – Michele will guide you through a blissful 5-minute meditation. It's like a mini-vacation for your mind!

Episode #14, August 2024

For more resources on this topic, check out our topic guide: Adventures in Parenting Episode #14 Resource Guide.

Time Stamps:  

0:01 - Intro

4:40 - What is mindfulness?  

8:49 – Turning your brain off, focusing, and slowing down.  

13:20 – Reiki, healing by yourself or with others.  

16:40 – Being a parent and being in tune with your children’s energy.  

19:20 – Kids, teens, and adults. Who can do it?  

22:10 – Basic tools for life as a parent 

26:01 – Teaching your children to slow down and be mindful.  

33:45 – Go to resource recommendations from Michele! 

38:10 – Michele's 5-minute guided meditation  

Teen Mental Health

On this episode, listen as Jessi and Erin talk with Jason Mosquera, the Community Mental Health Promotion & Support Team Leader at local organization YES (which stands for Youth Enrichment Services) about Teen mental health. Join them as they discuss the signs of mental health struggles in teens, the impact of social media, and steps for supporting teen (and parental!) mental health.

Episode #13, May 2024

For more resources on this topic, check out our topic guide: Adventures in Parenting Episode #13 Resource Guide.

All About Video Games

Step into the world of video games with hosts Jessi, Erin, and special guest and gaming expert Brian Schwartz. They unravel the complex role of video games in parenting, offer advice on game ratings and recommendations, plus they discuss the cognitive benefits and potential risks of gaming.

Episode #12, April 2024

For more resources on this topic, check out our topic guide: Adventures in Parenting Episode #12 Resource Guide.