In this episode of the Celebrate Kids podcast, Dr. Kathy addresses the complexities of anxiety and depression among young people. She highlights the distinction between normal anxiety related to specific events and the broader issue of anxiety disorders. With alarming statistics indicating that one in five teens face mental health struggles, Dr. Kathy emphasizes the importance of creating environments for open discussions about feelings and mental health challenges. She encourages parents to adopt a proactive mindset, fostering courage to engage with their children on these sensitive topics. Tune in for valuable insights on navigating the mental health landscape for today's youth.

In this episode of the Celebrate Kids podcast, Dr. Kathy addresses the growing trend of parental surveillance through location-tracking apps. With around half of U.S. parents reportedly monitoring their adolescents, Dr. Kathy explores the implications of this behavior on the development of children. She discusses a recent study published in the Journal of Family Psychology, which reveals a discrepancy between parents' use of tracking apps and their children's awareness of being monitored. Dr. Kathy emphasizes the importance of understanding our root fears around surveillance and how it can affect our children's resilience and independence. Tune in for insightful strategies on fostering healthy boundaries and building trust with our kids as they navigate their own paths.

In this episode, we dive into a controversial educational policy proposed by Minnesota's Governor Tim Walz and his wife, Gwen Walz. During a discussion on Katie Couric's podcast, Gwen Walz expressed her belief that providing tampons in boys' bathrooms is a necessary step to help students focus on learning, particularly in the context of addressing hunger and other barriers that hinder educational success. She argues that removing these obstacles is essential for closing the learning gap, especially when it comes to foundational skills like reading. Dr. Kathy reframes the purpose of learning and school for us from the Walz's perspective, and helps us think in a helpful manner as we guide and encourage kids. Join us as we explore this topic and unpack the implications for education and parenting in today's society, featuring insights from Dr. Kathy.