This month we delve into the pivotal journey adolescents embark on as they transition from high school to the next phase of their lives. Amy Alamar hosts a lively discussion with fellow Peace At Home teacher Marc Lehman, a seasoned therapist, educator, and founder of "URHeard," an innovative organization that offers both live and virtual support for adolescents, especially during their transition to college.The conversation focuses on the mental health challenges adolescents face during this significant life transition. They explore not just the college path but also the many alternatives that teenagers might pursue. Mark lends his expertise on how parents can guide their children through this period, balancing their expectations with the aspirations and well-being of their adolescents.Tune in, gain insights, and join Peace At Home in supporting your adolescents through one of the most transformational phases of their lives. Whether you're a parent, educator, or an adolescent yourself, this podcast promises valuable perspectives and compassionate guidance.

Inspiring Peace At Home teacher and consultant, Amy Alamar Ed.D. tackles the tough subject of technology safety with Will Gardner, CEO of Childnet International. Will’s passion for his work in ensuring that children can enjoy the internet in safety, along with his Childnet team, has resulted in thousands of children communicating, learning and playing online with minimal risk and maximum benefit. The U.S. Surgeon General has issued an Advisory on Social Media and its effects on the mental health of our kids. Amy and Will discuss the risks and challenges kids are facing especially on social media, what fundamental rules will help keep kids safe, how to help kids understand the importance of monitoring themselves and what to do if you suspect that your child is communicating with a predator. Tune in to the episode Now!

What’s your teen’s Adaptability Quotient? And why is it important? Anxiety rates among teens are soaring and parents are looking for ways they can make a difference. Join seasoned educator, beloved Peace At Home teacher, and terrifically engaging podcast host, Amy Alamar, EdD as she enthusiastically engages with distinguished child and adolescent experts Jennifer Weaver, LCSW, Catherine McCarthy, MD, and Heather Tedesco, PhD. Learn from the authors of the recently published book, “Raising Kids Who Can,” about why adaptability is a protective factor against anxiety and gain everyday strategies you can use to strengthen your child’s capacities.

The onset of puberty in girls is associated with a drop in self-esteem. And the big change can be complicated for boys and kids all along the gender spectrum. Join Peace At Home teacher Amy Alamar, EdD as she conducts an inspiring interview with puberty experts Cara Natterson, MD and Vanessa Kroll Bennett. Together Cara and Vanessa host “The Puberty Podcast” and just authored the new book, “This is So Awkward: Modern Puberty Explained.” If your child is approaching puberty or even already there, don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the physical and emotional changes kids go through and practical strategies to support your child through this complicated and yes, awkward, developmental stage.

Host Amy Alamar and guest Andrea Brinnell discuss ways to support your kids if learning challenges or differences are a concern. You know your child better than anyone else. If you suspect a learning, speech / language or other challenge, how do you go about getting your child screened and what are the potential outcomes? Communication and partnership with your school team and your child are key. Listen as Amy and Andrea walk you through various scenarios, resources, tools and tips to support you and your child.

Join Peace At Home teacher and podcast wiz, Amy Alamar, Ed.D. as she talks with Sabrina Anderson, LPC Associate, and former high school teacher and counselor, as they explore common worries students have about mass school violence. Your child might be wondering if am I safe at school and if can I trust my peers. The impact of repeated images on screens and social media has left many students anxious about these issues and more. Amy and Sabrina offer tips on how to recognize symptoms and ways to respond that are helpful and signal safety to your child.

Rates of anxiety and depression among teens are soaring across and parents are worried and sometimes scared. Seasoned educator Amy Alamar, EdD and Peace At Home founder and clinician, Ruth Freeman, LCSW, discuss the nature of this crisis and practical ways parents can help, including parents’ roles in their children’s mental health treatment. Whether your child is in therapy or you are just concerned, join this conversation between two engaging professionals who de-mystify the world of pediatric mental health.

Being a good father means many different things, but at the core of it all is connection. Join our host Amy Alamar, Ed.D. as she speaks with Drew Sanders, father of three, Head Football Coach and Athletic Coordinator at Vandegrift High School in Texas, about what it means to build strong relationships as a father. They will discuss the ways in which Drew connects on a deeper level with his own children as well as the few hundred high school athletes that he works with. Discover Drew’s philosophy on working with children from all different walks of life, and how he makes each and every one of them feel important, cared for, and valued. Amy and Drew will explore ways that all dads can use these approaches to relationship building in daily life with their own children.

Have you heard the term positive discipline, but you’re not sure exactly what it means or how to incorporate it into your family? Join our host Amy Alamar, Ed.D. as she chats with Julianne Riley, psychotherapist trained in SPACE, certified positive discipline educator and school counselor about positive discipline and how you can use it to improve connection and cooperation at home. In this episode, Amy and Julianne explore the meaning and philosophy of positive discipline, and why it works. They will discuss the five criteria that make up this practice, as well as the steps parents can take to begin incorporating this into their families. All parents experience challenging situations with their children, and Julianne offers specific language and strategies that you can use to overcome these situations with respect and open communication between you and your child. Whether your children are toddlers or teenagers, or anywhere in between, this episode will outline specific steps that you can take to introduce or improve positive discipline in your family.

We live in an online world where many people share all aspects of their lives on social media. Parents are no exception to this, but should they be? Join our host, Amy Alamar Ed.D. as she chats with Andi Breitowich, freelance writer and author of the PopSugar article Is It Ever Safe to Share Your Kids’ Faces on Social Media, about parents’ decisions to share or not share pictures and videos of their children online. The decision to share your children on social media is one that needs to be made by each family, based on beliefs and experiences. However, if you do decide to share, whether it’s just to people you know or if you’re an influencer with a wider audience, there are ways to maintain safety for you and your family. Listen in for which details in photos could put your family at risk, what to consider before posting photos or videos, and how to encourage your children to practice safety and responsibility as they grow older and form their own internet presence.

Are you curious how to speak to your teen about sex and sexuality? Are you feeling lost on how to approach these conversations? Join our host, Amy Alamar Ed.D. as she chats with Shafia Zaloom, health educator and author of Sex, Teens and Everything In Between, about how to communicate openly and effectively about sex and sexuality with your teen. Teens today are in a unique place as they are navigating relationships of all kinds while also processing the isolation of the pandemic. Amy and Shafia will explore the true meaning of respect, the various components that make up healthy relationships and how parents and educators can instill these values at any age—long before sex comes into the picture. They will discuss why it’s important to destigmatize sexuality with your children, and ways to communicate openly and honestly in a non-judgmental way. Talking about sex and sexuality with your children can feel overwhelming, but with Shafia’s practical advice, you will come away from this podcast with a renewed understanding of how to connect with your child, creating a safe environment for them to explore these important topics.

Is your child feeling hopeless about the climate crisis? Do they want to make an impact on environmental issues, but they’re not sure where to start? Join our host Amy Alamar, Ed.D. as she interviews Diana Kapp, journalist and author of Girls Who Run The World and Girls Who Green The World about the ways that kids can make an impact on the current climate crisis. A staggering amount of young people feel that the earth and environment are already doomed. It can be hard to remember that each person truly can make a difference. In this episode, Diana and Amy will dive into the specific and practical ways that you and your children can make an impact on a local level. They will discuss how you can help your kids decide which issues to focus on, and how they can use social media to widen the impact of their efforts. Environmental issues can feel overwhelming and out of your reach, but this episode will help you determine the specific ways that you and your child can make a difference, and how to get started in your community.

Parents can take steps to ease their school age children—and themselves—back into the school year with a positive attitude. Help your family develop effective routines, positive connections, and healthy stress-coping skills. Learn strategies to help the whole family approach online or in-person learning at school with excitement rather than worry.