Beyond the Rhetoric: Podcast Edition

A recent experience at the mall resurfaced something I’ve been struggling with for a while and we need to call on greater societal change to shift the mindset surrounding moms, dads, and the roles we play. Filled Up Cup: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4qS5GFJUyMNiFasaO82BAs Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/michaelkwan Leave an audio message: https://anchor.fm/beyondtherhetoric Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/michaelkwan Read the blog: https://btr.michaelkwan.com/2022/07/13/incompetent-dad/

If it’s hypocritical to limit the screen time our kids are allowed to have, what is the more appropriate, most viable alternative? And what does it have to do with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/michaelkwan Leave an audio message: https://anchor.fm/beyondtherhetoric Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/michaelkwan Read the blog: https://btr.michaelkwan.com/

My seven-year-old recently asked me why grown-ups are allowed to have so much screen time when kids aren’t. Not an easy question and there’s no easy answer. Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/michaelkwan Leave an audio message: https://anchor.fm/beyondtherhetoric Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/michaelkwan Read the blog: https://btr.michaelkwan.com/

I reached out to you on social media to see if you'd be interested in an AMA episode of this podcast, so here are all the A's to the Q's you sent my way.  Vancouver Christmas events: https://btr.michaelkwan.com/2021/11/16/christmas-in-vancouver-2021/ Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/michaelkwan Leave an audio message: https://anchor.fm/beyondtherhetoric  Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/michaelkwan  Read the blog: https://btr.michaelkwan.com/

Is it better to have your kids closer in age, so they can grow up like best buddies? Or is it better to give them a bit more of an age gap, so the situation isn't quite so overwhelming for you as a parent? Let's weigh in on some pros and cons. Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/michaelkwan Leave an audio message: https://anchor.fm/beyondtherhetoric  Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/michaelkwan  Read the blog: https://btr.michaelkwan.com/

Are you living your best life? Are you crushing it with everything that you do? Or are you tired of trying to keep up with everyone else's lives on Instagram? Toxic positivity is bigger, more powerful, and more unrelenting than ever. So, what can we do? Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/michaelkwan Leave an audio message: https://anchor.fm/beyondtherhetoric  Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/michaelkwan  Read the blog: https://btr.michaelkwan.com/

You didn't ask for it, but you're going to get it anyway. Here are some simple lessons I've taken to heart as a new parent these past few years. Do these ring true for you too? Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/michaelkwan Leave an audio message: https://anchor.fm/beyondtherhetoric  Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/michaelkwan  Read the original blog post: https://btr.michaelkwan.com/2021/06/23/more-unsolicited-baby-advice/

When you've got two young children and two parents, is it better to take a "man-to-man" defense? Or does a "zone defense" approach make more sense? Did you default to the same conclusion our family did? Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/michaelkwan Leave an audio message: https://anchor.fm/beyondtherhetoric  Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/michaelkwan  Read the original blog post: https://btr.michaelkwan.com/2021/06/01/one-on-one-or-zone-defense-for-parenting/

It's one thing to have "the talk" with your kids about the birds and the bees. Another layer to that is helping them understand the concept of consent. My parents talked to me about neither. I plan on talking to my children about both. And the earlier I start, the better. Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/michaelkwan Leave an audio message: https://anchor.fm/beyondtherhetoric  Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/michaelkwan  Read the original blog post: https://btr.michaelkwan.com/2021/05/18/consent-for-kids/

When your kids don't quite do what you ask them to do, how do you respond? Are you effectively discouraging them from trying and shooting yourself in the foot in the process? Are you unwittingly nurturing a sense of learned helplessness? Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/michaelkwan Leave an audio message: https://anchor.fm/beyondtherhetoric  Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/michaelkwan  Read the original blog post: https://btr.michaelkwan.com/2021/05/04/parents-punishing-effort/ 

Did your parents hug you when you were a kid? Do you hug your own kids today? Is there a difference between Asian Canadian families and white families? Or is it a generational thing? Instagram comic by @ohtruth: https://www.instagram.com/p/CNmw2__H55U/ Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/michaelkwan Leave an audio message: https://anchor.fm/beyondtherhetoric  Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/michaelkwan  Read the original blog post: https://btr.michaelkwan.com/2021/04/21/asian-parents-hug-me/

There's more to sibling rivalry than slamming doors, screaming matches and throwing things. Have you seen these hidden signs of sibling rivalry? What is the relationship like between your kids? Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/michaelkwan Leave an audio message: https://anchor.fm/beyondtherhetoric  Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/michaelkwan  Read the original blog post: https://btr.michaelkwan.com/2021/04/14/sibling-rivalry/

Has anyone ever told you that your newborn baby is manipulating you? They're only crying because they know it'll get you to pick them up and you're falling into their devious plan for extra snuggles. Should we chalk that up as myth? The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson: https://amzn.to/3tuwg0z Leave an audio message: https://anchor.fm/beyondtherhetoric  Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/michaelkwan  Read the original blog post: https://btr.michaelkwan.com/2021/04/05/parenting-myths/

Ask just about any mom or dad out there what it is they want the most. Inevitably, we all yearn for a good night's sleep. Ideally a few in a row. In this episode, I share some sleep tips that actually work if you commit to them.  Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker: https://amzn.to/3uNg5gh  Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/michaelkwan Leave an audio message: https://anchor.fm/beyondtherhetoric   Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/michaelkwan  Blog post: https://btr.michaelkwan.com/2021/03/08/sleep-tips-for-parents/

They say that your experience and outlook in raising your second child is different from how you may have taken care of your first, especially early on. In this episode, I talk about some of these similarities and differences. Leave an audio message: https://anchor.fm/beyondtherhetoric  Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/michaelkwan  Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/michaelkwan Read the original blog post: https://btr.michaelkwan.com/2021/02/22/parenting-second-child/

In this second ever episode of the Beyond the Rhetoric podcast, I share seven tips for encouraging children to read more and to improve their reading skills. They worked for us, so hopefully they'll work for you too.  Leave an audio message: https://anchor.fm/beyondtherhetoric  Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/michaelkwan  Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/michaelkwan Read the original blog post: https://btr.michaelkwan.com/2021/02/08/improve-reading-skills-children/

First! Well, here we go with the first episode of the Beyond the Rhetoric podcast. We're talking about keeping up with the Joneses in the context of parenthood and "what's best" for our kids.  Leave an audio message: https://anchor.fm/beyondtherhetoric  Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/michaelkwan  Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/michaelkwan Read the original blog post: https://btr.michaelkwan.com/2021/01/18/parental-peer-pressure/