Category Archives: Emotional Development

114: Sleepovers, Camp, and Separation Anxiety



‘Tis the season for sleepaway camp and summer sleepovers! For some parents and kids, though, the prospect of a night away from home is scary. There are so many ‘what-if’s’ that could happen: what if they’re cold? what if they get homesick? what if…what if…what if… But what if you let your kid go anyway? What if … Continue reading 114: Sleepovers, Camp, and Separation Anxiety


111: Self-Esteem and Boys



According to the Oxford Living Dictionaries, self-esteem is “confidence in one’s own worth or abilities; self-respect.” That’s something we want for our kids. We’re not talking about participation trophies simply for showing up; we’re talking about a true sense of pride that comes for knowledge of your capabilities. Nurturing that kind of self-confidence is a … Continue reading 111: Self-Esteem and Boys


105: Masculinity in the Age of #MeToo



What is masculinity? It’s a question that’s not easy to answer. But it’s an important one for parents and educators of boys to tackle because the primary question for all boys, is “What is it to be a man?” In this episode, Jen & Janet discuss: So-called “toxic masculinity” & the idea that boys are … Continue reading 105: Masculinity in the Age of #MeToo


104: Anger and Boys



“By age 9, the default emotion for most boys is anger.” — Michael Gurian It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and helpless in the face of a boy’s anger, whether you’ve got a toddler throwing a temper tantrum or a teenager on a rampage. But learning to respond to boys’ anger with love and patience is … Continue reading 104: Anger and Boys


102: Disappointments and Helping Boys Deal with Them



Sam had high hopes for this 12th birthday. But things didn’t go as planned. Instead of a day of adventure and independence, Sam’s had an encounter with a cop and learned he must wait another four years to ride his ATV independently on the trails. Dealing with disappointments is a key life skill. In this … Continue reading 102: Disappointments and Helping Boys Deal with Them