Raising Gen Z

It’s been almost a decade since Amy Chua wrote the notorious “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother” which caused an uproar in many American parenting circles.

A tiger mom refers to a mother who is strict, and demands high levels of both academic excellence from her children as well as obedience.  While we may see the Tiger Mom as one style of parenting, Chua points out strictness and obedience are inextricable from the cultural norms of Asian societies ---which view children in a very different way but also in a different role --- than the often more permissive and emotionally supportive Western approach to children .  Now Tiger Parenting has become a fixture in the parenting lexicon along with Free Range Parenting, Helicopter Parenting, and the Snow Plow or Lawn Mower Parent which we’ll discuss as well.

Our special guest today is Mick Kubiak a psychotherapist in private practice who also works as a parent coach. 

For educators and psychologists alike, there’s a growing consensus that  sex ed needs to go beyond a basic understanding  of the mechanics and anatomy of sex. Teaching abstinence is not sex ed.  To deny our teens  access to practical and comprehensive  sex education is depriving them of information that could profoundly affect their health, their sexual choices and their lives during this formative time. Unfortunately, sex ed is failing (or non-existent) at many schools, leaving teens to learn from their peers or online pornography. What should sex education look like? Is this brand new episode of the #RaisingGenZ podcast, host Shira Myrow, LMFT, and Raising Gen Z producer Gayle Gilman talk about the need for new sex ed and what that could mean for our teens.

How can we create a supportive environment for teen boys to grapple with questions of masculinity and sexuality that look different than the traditional gender roles of their parents generation? How do we not just allow them to ask the questions, but live them out to some degree--with a measure of acceptance and positivity.

Host Shira Myrow sits down with special guest-- positive psychologist, and leadership coach Rob Mack who  had a very challenging journey as a young boy and teen.  He  suffered from severe depression unbeknownst to his parents  that led him to feeling suicidal for many years. After years of study  and spiritual reflection, Rob was able to heal and transform---he  discovered positive psychology as a powerful antidote to depression which  became his life’s work.

If just thinking about your teen applying to college seems overwhelming, you have come to the right place! Join Shira Myrow and special guest, Gayle Gilman, as they talk about how to begin planning for college.  Do you need a college counselor? How many schools should you apply to? How are you going to pay for this? And what if your teen isn't interested in going to college at all? We will answer all your questions and offer you some tried and true advice. The process can be fun, and shouldn't be stressing out the entire family.  

And as always, please send us your questions at Raisinggenz3@gmail.com

Warning: This is a sensitive and explicit subject and not appropriate for children or immature listeners.

Teens and pornography.  Those aren't even two words we want to hear in the same sentence. But research shows that it's not if your teen watches porn, but when. Hard core pornography is just one click away.  And many say porn is the new sex ed for GenZ.  

So, how do we talk to our kids about porn?  And what do we say?  Even though you might want to stick your head in the sand and avoid this conversation for as along as possible, we have one word of advice- DON'T.  We are here to help you find your way through this challenging topic. We've got some great advice and resources we can share with you that will help you be prepared when it's time to talk.. 

 Below are some additional links to resources we mention in the show. 

Resources for parents:

Dr. Gail Dines

www.culturereframed.org

Gary Wilson TED X Talk

www.youtu.be/NbP_ehYHfsk

There is no better moment to be tackling the topic of mindfulness. The new normal seems to be anything but. Mindfulness helps anchor you in the present moment. You don't need a class, fancy clothes or a green juice to practice mindfulness, you just just need the desire to bring calm into your life. And it's so easy to teach your teens to join you. Being mindful is being present. Not letting your body be in one place and your brain in another. With an abundance of screen time and constant distraction, it's important for your teen to practice being in the moment. Join us here to start on the journey of living a mindful life.

What is causing conflict for your teens? How do you deal with conflicts you have with your teenagers? Conflict resolution is a skill we can use throughout our lives. Helping your teens learn to deal with their conflicts, as well as modeling how you deal with conflict, will help set them up with real life tools and solutions.  Join us as we tackle how you can help your teen learn how to cope with conflict.

Are your teens spending more time on their screens than ever? Join us for suggestions on how to frame the conversation, create more awareness and most importantly - set limits

Since the start of the Pandemic, teens and tweens are experiencing soaring levels of depression and anxiety.  Parenting expert Laurie Cousins, and Psychotherapist, Shira Myrow, offer you community, support and helpful tips to navigate these trying times.