Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop’s Post

Hey Incredible Parents! Let's Dive into Real Talk! 🗣💬 Navigating the journey of parenthood is like riding a rollercoaster blindfolded – thrilling, challenging, and full of unexpected twists. As an influencer mom, I'm here to create a space where we can openly share, ask questions, and embrace the beautiful chaos of being a parent. 🤗 🤔 Curious About...? From managing sleepless nights to mastering the art of balancing work and family, let's tackle it together. What burning questions or topics are on your mind? Drop them below, and let's spark some real, honest conversations! 🚀💕 Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all in motherhood, but there's incredible strength in our shared experiences. Ask away, share your wisdom, and let's build a supportive community where no question is too big or too small.  #RealTalkParenting #AskAway 🌸

😟 This one is too close to home… This is an actual situation my daughter and I are in right now. 😞 Her friends have Snapchat and she doesn’t. 🤷♀️ All of her friends' moms are “cool and fun” and I’m not because…she can’t have Snapchat. 😔 She’s “missing out on a “social life” and “real social experiences” because…she doesn’t have Snapchat. 👉 Here’s what I have to say about that… I care much more about my daughter's mental health than I do about her enjoyment of a social media app. An app that is NOT meant for teenagers, but rather, adults. Snapchat was ranked as the number TWO top platform for severe bullying for kids in 2023 (second to Kik)… 👉It’s also one of the most popular apps for sending nude pictures because teens are under the impression that they will “disappear” - but nothing ever permanently disappears from the Internet. 💊 One of the most popular places teenagers will go to purchase vaping devices and fentanyl. And one of the only social media apps that cannot be 👀 monitored by parents (by design). When I make decisions for my child, they aren’t based solely around what the other kids are doing, I make sure to ⚖️weigh the pros and the cons. I want my child to fit in and be healthy, but not if it means opening her up to the dangers of a platform like Snapchat. 🚫 It’s too risky! She can thank me later! For now, I’m willing to be the 😎“bad” guy. 💬 How do you feel about Snapchat? Share your thoughts in the comments. #ParentingStyle #AuthoritativeParenting #Empowerment #ParentingJourney #success #successmindset #parenting #parentingtips #parentinglife #parenting101 #parentingadvice #communicationskills #communicationtips #communication #momofteenagers #teenagerstruggles #teencoach #coaching

Very interesting two-pronged social media strategy coming out of Sesame Workshop this week. The Elmo story is probably far larger in the zeitgeist right now, but they also hit it big with engagement by running their #HelpBigBird campaign, which was a week-long storyline where Big Bird was, well... suddenly not big. It was a really fun juxtaposition in a lot of ways: The Big Bird storyline took several days, and gathered steam with each passing day as a result. It pulled engagement from all angles: people tweeting joke responses, people earnestly wanting to help Big Bird, and of course other Sesame Street accounts playing along. The Elmo tweet exploded as this was happening, suddenly and (as far as I could tell) largely out of the brand's control, but the team capitalized on it in big ways, taking the mostly comedic reaction as an avenue to promote emotional wellbeing resources. The Big Bird campaign even folded in by responding to Elmo's initial tweet with another "part" of the story as his check-in. Really impressive synergy, put to good use for good causes. https://lnkd.in/epHBbeMz

Reading this article today created a nostalgic feeling for me as I was one of these kids and had a wonderful childhood. I regularly hear people talking about the mental health problems facing children today and making comparisons with the points highlighted in the Facebook post I referred to. My point is that we should recognise that there are several differences between the era of the 1940s and 1950s and the present can contribute to variations in mental health outcomes for children: Social and Family Structures: In the mid-20th century, family structures were often more traditional, with extended families living together or in close-knit communities. Today, family structures can be more diverse, including single-parent families, blended families, and others. These changes can influence the social support available to children. Technology and Screen Time: Children today are exposed to digital technology and screens from an early age, which can impact their social interactions and mental well-being. The increased use of smartphones, social media, and video games can have both positive and negative effects on mental health. Academic Pressure: There may be increased academic pressure on children today due to competitive educational systems and the emphasis on standardised testing, which can contribute to stress and anxiety. Environmental Factors: Changes in the environment, such as increased pollution and climate change, can affect physical and mental health in ways that were not as prominent in the mid-20th century. Awareness and Diagnosis: There is a greater awareness of mental health issues today, leading to better diagnosis and treatment. This may make it appear that there are more issues when, in fact, there may have been undiagnosed cases in the past. Social and Economic Stressors: Socioeconomic conditions have evolved, with different stressors affecting families and children, such as economic instability, job insecurity, and housing challenges. Changing Cultural Norms: Attitudes towards mental health and the stigma associated with it have evolved over time. This may lead to more openness in discussing and addressing mental health issues. It's important to remember that these are general trends, and individual experiences can vary widely. Factors that impact mental health are multifaceted and may not be solely attributed to the era in which one grows up. However many may well be worth considering #HealthyChildhood #MentalHealthEducation #StressInKids #AnxietyInChildren #TeenMentalHealth #DigitalWellness #ScreenTimeBalance #ParentingChallenges #MentalHealthAdvocacy #ChildhoodDepression #ResilientKids #YouthCounseling https://lnkd.in/efw8b4WX 42/

Hey amazing parents! Let's talk about conquering the teen rollercoaster with positivity! Parenting teens can be a wild ride, but here's a game-changer: "Active Listening." 🤝 Tune in: Instead of reacting, take a moment to truly listen. Put down your phone, make eye contact, and show genuine interest in what they have to say. This small shift can create a bridge of understanding. Empathize, don't criticize: Remember, their world is changing fast, and it's okay to feel overwhelmed. Share your experiences, empathize with their struggles, and let them know you're there, no judgment. Problem-solve together: Engage them in decision-making. It builds confidence and independence. Plus, it shows you respect their opinions. Win-win! Let's turn the teen years into a time of growth, understanding, and laughter. Share your tips below and let's build a supportive community! #PositiveParenting #TeenTalk #ActiveListening #EmpathyFirst #ParentingWins #TeenParenting #ConnectionMatters

Educators and parents, we are letting our girls down, reaching a mental health crisis. We told girls they could be anything they wanted. They heard, "You should be everything you want." Social media, COVID, and economics all play a role in this, too, but what can you do NOW, in the present? After 36 years as an educator and raising a fantastic young woman, if I do say so myself😀, I have some requests. 👂Listen! Put down your phone, turn off the TV, and spend time listening to all the updates and gossip from her day. Don't judge, don't give advice. ❓When she has a problem, use my question for my students and my kids. "Do you need my advice? Do you need to vent? Or do you need me to fix it?" 9 times out of 10, she needs to vent, but these questions give her ownership and judgment-free conversation. 🤳Encourage a plan to have some phone-free time every day. Take a walk with her, go to a movie, or play a game. It sounds unrealistic, but it works! 💯Don't focus on her grades. Trust me, she's plenty disappointed in herself. She can only do her best. The drive to be perfect is real. 😡Speaking of "perfect," get rid of that word. "If this happened, everything would be perfect." You're the adult, so you know there's no such thing. 🍔Never, never mention her weight or the food she eats. And set a good example for her. 🤪Let her be silly. My daughter had her 16th birthday party at a bounce house with a party room, cake, and all the little kid stuff. The seniors asked if they could come. Watching all these "sophisticated" teenage girls just having a fun filled my heart. 👩👧Last, mothers, please don't say your daughter is your best friend or treat her like one. That's a lot of pressure on a girl and doesn't create a healthy relationship. We can all help our girls become the next generation of leaders. #schoolcounselors #parenting #collegecounselors #educators https://lnkd.in/giK33G56

How do parents empower their children to build their resilience, especially when it comes to social media? I’ve been asking myself these questions raising two tweens, and hearing similar within mums groups as parents struggle with this. Join me and award winning parenting coach Natalie Costa to talk about why happiness isn't the destination and explore how parents can better navigate big emotions so children feel grounded and empowered. What role can parents play when social media brings on feelings of doubt, guilt and overwhelm? If you’re asking yourself these questions, join us this International Day of Happiness, 22nd March at 12pm on Instagram. https://lnkd.in/ePiw67hF 🗓️ Add this reminder to your diary and join us live next week. #parenting #socialmediatips #instagram

Time for a shift in perspective! ⌚️💫 When we focus on problems, we can make them loom larger... but when we shift our gaze to possibilities, we uncover a world of opportunities. 🌈🌍 This also holds true in parenting, especially for our neurodiverse children. By believing in their potential, we empower them to reach new heights. 💪💛 Join our Facebook Community, 'The Nurture Space' where we celebrate wins, ask for and give support, and uplift each other on this incredible journey! 📣 SPOILER ALERT! We have an upcoming challenge mid-November where you can learn to reduce meltdowns, tantrums, and wobbles in just five days. 🖐️ Head to the link in my bio to join us. #parenting #inspirationalquotes #parentingquotes #specialneedsparent #autismparent

The material you're about to peruse was first shared on my Facebook wall two years ago, on August 29, 2021. In today's rendition, I'm revisiting it, having made some adjustments, such as rewording the text and updating the associated image. This piece explores the challenges that some parents face when dealing with their teenagers. I found it relevant to repost given the ongoing issues parents encounter in this regard. Yesterday, I shared it in several parenting groups that I'm a part of, and now, I just brought it back to my own wall on Facebook and decided to share it here. Parenting, while undeniably fulfilling, can also be a daunting adventure. We seek wisdom from God in our roles as parents, and rightfully so. This wisdom is not a mystical solution but a valuable tool that we must actively put into practice. It's the application that truly counts. As children grow and evolve, your parenting style should adapt accordingly. The analogy of driving a manual or stick-shift car helps illustrate this point. Just as when you shift gears in a car, you'll notice a change in sound indicating the right time to do so. Similarly, parenting should involve shifting your approach when necessary. Take the transition to the teenage years, often referred to as the "terrible teens." This phase doesn't have to be overwhelmingly stressful if you've prepared and can recognize the "change in engine sound." Knowing when to tighten or loosen the reins is crucial. Effective parenting isn't solely about shouting and punishment; it's about being firm and consistent. Teenagers are astute observers. They pay more attention to your actions than your words. Your behaviour must align with what you say. The old adage "do as I say, not as I do" won't cut it with them; they'll see through any inconsistencies. In conclusion, if you've begun to hear the "change in engine sound" as your children reach their teenage years, it's a signal that it's time to "shift gears" in your parenting style. Adaptability and congruence between your words and actions are key to navigating this phase successfully. #weekendmusings #thoughtfulthursday #intentionalparenting #teenagers #academicandbusinesswriter

Sometimes, it's easy to get caught up in social media and forget what's truly important: connection with all those little (and big) beings clamouring for your attention. Take just five minutes (FIVE!) to unplug and prioritize some face to face. Despite what social media wants us to believe, true belonging, connection, or simply feeling like we matter requires face-to-face time. Even with our kids. Especially with our kids. Do you want more bite-sized parenting wisdom? 🧡 Read my latest blog for quick hacks that make a big impact. https://lnkd.in/gg6ebpTp #qualitytime #digitaldetox #familylove #mindfulparenting #familyfirst