Parenting Great Kids With Dr. Meg Meeker

Sometimes your little ones throw tantrums, but wouldn’t it be nice to make them less frequent or easier to diffuse? As a parent, it’s easy to feel like you can’t ever figure out what is upsetting your child and everything you try seems to make things worse. A lot of the tantrums that happen are the result of the children’s inability to communicate with mommy or daddy. Teaching your children sign language can help in a big way! It’s also proven that your child learning sign language can improve brain development on top of aiding in communication. Elise Tate has written a wonderful book, Sign Me Up For A Happy Home, to help you kick-start that journey to clear communication with your child. Elise is the mother of two bi-racial children, known for her DIY tips and tricks, a frugal couponing pro, and wife of NFL wide receiver Golden Tate. She joins Dr. Meeker in this episode as they continue their conversation about the benefits of sign language in a parent-child relationship, and she shares some amazing stories

Sometimes your little ones throw tantrums, but wouldn’t it be nice to make them less frequent or easier to diffuse? As a parent, it’s easy to feel like you can’t ever figure out what is upsetting your child and everything you try seems to make things worse. A lot of the tantrums that happen are the result of the children’s inability to communicate with mommy or daddy. Teaching your children sign language can help in a big way! It’s also proven that your child learning sign language can improve brain development on top of aiding in communication. Elise Tate has written a wonderful book, Sign Me Up For A Happy Home, to help you kick-start that journey to clear communication with your child. Elise is the mother of two bi-racial children, known for her DIY tips and tricks, a frugal couponing pro, and wife of NFL wide receiver Golden Tate. She joins Dr. Meeker in this episode (and the next) as they talk about the benefits of sign language in a parent-child relationship, and she shares some amazing stories about ho

Having confidence that you can achieve your goals is an important characteristic that will take you to the places you want your life to go. But, where does this confidence start? How do you become and adult has built a foundation on character, integrity, and courage? How can you build these things in your kids? These questions and more are the kinds of things that Dr. Meg learns from her conversation with Mark Timm and his book, Mentor To Millions. Mark is a serial entrepreneur, a business leader, a professional speaker, and an author. He has learned from his many business endeavors that the same things that make a business successful can translate into success in the home. Also, when you know how to be a goal-setting, big-thinking parent, your kids learn that, too! There’s no better way to show your kids how to have character, integrity, and courage than to have those characteristics yourself! You can do it, and Dr. Meg and Mark Timm are here to help! Do you have a question for Dr. Meeker? If so, email them

One of Dr. Meg’s favorite things is to answer questions from you, the listener. This is a special episode of the “Parenting Great Kids” podcast as Dr. Meg devotes the entire episode to doing just that, helping you make sense of roadblocks we all encounter as parents. Listen in as “America’s Mom” helps you navigate many situations with your kids that can often be tricky. Do you have a question for Dr. Meg? If you have a question you want Dr. Meeker to answer, email them to askmeg@megmeekermd.com and listen to future episodes to see if your question is featured! WELCOME Dr. Meg talks about how much she enjoys answering listener questions and that she decided to devote an entire episode to doing just that! This is another installment of the “Ask Dr. Meg” episodes, and she covers lots of topics. ASK DR. MEG (PART 1) Dr. Meg answers listener questions for the entire episode today to give you advice for dealing with many issues parents face when raising great kids! Have a question not addressed in this ep

Life is busy, very busy. In the hustle and bustle of the daily grind, you can lose sight of what’s important. Engagement in extracurricular activities is at an all-time high, and burnout seems to rise daily. There was a time when we danced through our days with childlike wonder, in awe of the experience of the moment and excited for the promise of tomorrow. In his new book IN AWE: Rediscover Your Childlike Wonder to Unleash Inspiration, Meaning and Joy, John O’Leary invites readers to return to the joy of navigating life like a child and identify the five senses that children innately possess. In this episode, Dr. Meg talks with John about his book and what exactly those “five senses” are and how you can return to them. John is a survivor of a fire that burned 100% of his body, and he was given only a 1% chance of surviving. He has turned this story into the foundation of his first book On Fire: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life, and he also speaks at conferences and events around the country.

There’s a common philosophy among parents that says, “I just want my kids to be happy!” On the surface, that sounds well and good, but when you dig deeper, you see that happiness is temporary, and chasing it will ultimately lead to disappointment. On the other hand, joy isn’t as fickle as happiness. Joy gives you a deep sense of satisfaction that is greater than happiness. When you have joy underlying your heart, when you experience pain and trouble there is still a sense that in the end, all will be well. In this episode, Dr. Meg talks with Shaunti Feldhahn, author of the book Find Joy: A Devotional Journey to Unshakable Wonder in an Uncertain World. In this devotional guide, Shaunti helps the readers understand that joy is a gift from God, and it’s something your great kids can experience when you teach them that joy is an intentional choice that will transform their hearts. This is a conversation that you just don’t want to miss! If you have any questions for Dr. Meeker, email them to askmeg@megmeekermd.co

As we enter the season traditionally centered around kids getting gifts, it can be hard to help them remember that it’s better to give than to receive. For kids, this can be a hard concept to grasp. In light of this, Dr. Meg spends most of this episode giving you practical advice on how to teach your kids to be givers. Teaching them to have giving hearts teaches them about the value of other people being equal to their value, and it also helps get rid of any sense of entitlement. Dr. Meeker also talks to her friend Jonathan Wicksall about his organization NeedU.org where you can set up giving opportunities for people you know who are in need. Do you have a question for Dr. Meg to answer in an upcoming social question episode? If so, email them to askmeg@megmeekermd.com and listen to future episodes to see if your question is featured! WELCOME Dr. Meg starts this episode by introducing this special episode around the idea of giving and how it makes your kids happier in the long term. She also talks about

Being a father in this day in time can be filled with distractions, stress, and seemingly impossible to overcome issues with your kids. Pair that with society using fathers as the butt of every joke on television and advertisements giving you every reason to ignore your family and invest in temporary excitement, and you have a toxic recipe for failure as a father. In comes The Good Dad Project founder Larry Hagner. He’s got no accolades behind his name, he’s got no special degrees, he’s a normal dad just like you. He started a simple movement called The Good Dad Project that has turned into a strong community of fathers who all share the same set of values in raising children and loving their wives. That’s why Dr. Meg couldn’t wait to have him as a guest on today’s episode. They talk about all kinds of things that will help you be a better father and husband. Be sure to listen to this episode with a notebook, you don’t want to miss this one! Do you have a question for Dr. Meg to answer in an upcoming social q

Child sexual abuse comes in many forms and from many different directions. It can be difficult to spot and identify, but it’s critical to know the signs to look for as well as what you can do to prevent it in your children, or really any child in your life. Dr. Meeker gives you part two of two in this incredible conversation with Shelaine Maxfield and Chris Yadon. Shelaine is the founder of the Younique Foundation, and Chris is the executive director and spokesperson for the foundation. Together they have a compelling conversation with Dr. Meg about how hope and healing are possible for victims of childhood sexual abuse. They also give great information about how you can teach your children how to avoid “tricky people” and things you as a parent can look for to spot abusive situations in your children. This is an interview that you just cannot miss! Do you have a question for Dr. Meg to answer in an upcoming social question episode? If so, email them to askmeg@megmeekermd.com and listen to future episodes to

Child sexual abuse comes in many forms and from many different directions. It can be difficult to spot and identify, but it’s critical to know the signs to look for as well as what you can do to prevent it in your children, or really any child in your life. Dr. Meeker gives you part one of two in this incredible conversation with Shelaine Maxfield and Chris Yadon. Shelaine is the founder of the Younique Foundation, and Chris is the executive director and spokesperson for the foundation. Together they have a compelling conversation with Dr. Meg about how hope and healing are possible for victims of childhood sexual abuse. They also give great information about how you can teach your children how to avoid “tricky people” and things you as a parent can look for to spot abusive situations in your children. This is an interview that you just cannot miss! Do you have a question for Dr. Meg to answer in an upcoming social question episode? If so, email them to askmeg@megmeekermd.com and listen to future episodes to

As a parent, it’s easy to get distracted in the day-to-day and only half listen to what’s going on in your kids’ lives. It’s also easy to think that your job is to enforce, task master things, and correct at every turn. In Live Love Now: Relieve the Pressure and Find Real Connection with our Kids, New York Times bestselling author Rachel Macy Stafford tackles the biggest challenges facing kids today and equips adults to engage them with humanness and heart, compassion and honesty to discover the deep, life-giving connection everyone is longing for. It’s packed with strategies for helping you be an encourager not an enforcer, guides not half-listeners, and truth-tellers not taskmasters. Dr. Meg sits down with Rachel for a great conversation about these principles and how no matter what has happened in the past, you can help your kids face the biggest stressors in their lives today. This is an interview you don’t want to miss! Do you have a question for Dr. Meg to answer in an upcoming social question episode?

When things are normal, parenting is difficult. When you add in children that come into your home from difficult backgrounds and bring their own unique set of needs, there are even more challenges on top of that. Connecting with adopted children is also difficult, and that’s why Dr. Meg is speaking with Lisa Qualls, author of The Connected Parent: Real-Life Strategies for Building Trust and Attachment. The conversation will give you practical advice and powerful tools you can use to encourage secure attachment in your family. On the other side you will see that there is hope for every child, every parent, and every family! Do you have a question for Dr. Meg to answer in an upcoming social question episode? If so, email them to askmeg@megmeekermd.com and listen to future episodes to see if your question is featured! WELCOME Dr. Meg starts this episode by introducing her special guest, Lisa Qualls, author of The Connected Parent: Real-Life Strategies for Building Trust and Attachment. She also teases her p

A frequent topic that Dr. Meeker talks about is the importance of a father in his children’s life. In this episode, she digs into how impactful a father’s conversations with his daughter can be. When life presents difficult choices about sexual relationships, drugs, or alcohol, a father having a close relationship with his daughter can help her have the confidence to make good decisions in those areas. With these things in mind, Dr. Meg wanted you to hear her conversation with Dr. Michelle Watson Canfield and her new book titled Let’s Talk: Conversation Starters For Dads And Daughters. Dr. Canfield is the founder of “The Abba Project”, author of several books on the topic of dads and daughters, and host of the radio program The Dad Whisperer where her purpose is to provide practical resources for dads, especially ones with daughters. This is a conversation for anyone with a daughter in their life! Do you have a question for Dr. Meg to answer in an upcoming social question episode? If so, email them to askmeg@

Parenting great kids that are wired differently than their peers takes a lot of patience, kindness, and a support group to help you get through the tough times. Whether you are dealing with ADHD, ADD, Autism, or some other differently wired child, having access to the right resources is extremely helpful. That’s why in this episode Dr. Meeker invited Debbie Reber to join her and talk about her new book Differently Wired: Raising an Exceptional Child in a Conventional World. Debbie Reber is a parenting activist, New York Times bestselling author, keynote speaker, and the founder of TiLT Parenting, a top podcast, community, and educational resource for parents raising differently wired children. After living abroad in the Netherlands for the past five years, Debbie, her husband, and 15-year-old son recently moved back to NYC. Do you have a question for Dr. Meg to answer in an upcoming social question episode? If so, email them to askmeg@megmeekermd.com and listen to future episodes to see if your question is fe

One of Dr. Meg’s favorite things is to answer questions from you, the listener. This is a special episode of the “Parenting Great Kids” podcast as Dr. Meg devotes the entire episode to doing just that, helping you make sense of roadblocks we all encounter as parents. Listen in as “America’s Mom” helps you navigate many situations with your kids that can often be tricky. Do you have a question for Dr. Meg? If you have a question you want Dr. Meeker to answer, email them to askmeg@megmeekermd.com and listen to future episodes to see if your question is featured! WELCOME Dr. Meg talks about how much she enjoys answering listener questions and that she decided to devote an entire episode to doing just that! This is another installment of the “Ask Dr. Meg” episodes, and she covers lots of topics. ASK DR. MEG (PART 1) Dr. Meg answers listener questions for the entire episode today to give you advice for dealing with many issues parents face when raising great kids! Have a question not addressed in this ep

Being a stepparent is a wonderful blessing, but it comes with its fair share of challenges. Blending families, with or without children involved, is hard because you have to get to know a new normal, but you also don’t want to overstep appropriate boundaries that involves loving and discipling any children involved. Often you’re left wondering how you can ever become the step-parent you wanted to be when you said “I do!” These hurdles aren’t impossible to jump, but they do take a good bit of wisdom and discernment. That’s where bestselling author, licensed marriage & family therapist, podcaster, and popular conference speaker, Ron Deal, can bring a good bit of help to a seemingly unwinnable situation. Dr. Meg shares the second part of a 2-part conversation with Ron, and they have a great talk about being a smarter stepparent in a blended family. Ron has a new book called Building Love Together in Blended Families: The Five Love Languages and Becoming Stepfamily Smart. This book will give you incredible insigh

Being a stepparent is a wonderful blessing, but it comes with its fair share of challenges. Blending families, with or without children involved, is hard because you have to get to know a new normal, but you also don’t want to overstep appropriate boundaries that involves loving and discipling any children involved. Often you’re left wondering how you can ever become the step-parent you wanted to be when you said “I do!” These hurdles aren’t impossible to jump, but they do take a good bit of wisdom and discernment. That’s where bestselling author, licensed marriage & family therapist, podcaster, and popular conference speaker, Ron Deal, can bring a good bit of help to a seemingly unwinnable situation. Dr. Meg shares the first of a 2-part conversation with Ron, and they have a great talk about being a smarter stepparent in a blended family. Ron has a new book called Building Love Together in Blended Families: The Five Love Languages and Becoming Stepfamily Smart. This book will give you incredible insight into

Talking to your kids about sex seems to be one of the most difficult conversations you will have as a parent. You may be wondering when is the right time, what should you say, and how do you bring up the conversation without making things awkward? These questions are normal, but they don’t have to be something that keeps you from teaching your kids about sex the way they should learn: from someone that loves them and someone they know and trust. If you don’t teach them, someone else will. This is why Dr. Meg wanted to have her friend Dr. Joe McIlhaney on the show to talk about all the concerns you may have going into this discussion. Dr. McIlhaney is a board certified obstetrician and gynecologist and founded the Medical Institute of Sexual Health in 1992, and with a resume like that he’s sure to give some great information to help you in your parenting journey. Do you have a question for Dr. Meg? If you have a question you want Dr. Meeker to answer, email them to askmeg@megmeekermd.com and listen to future e

Relationships are hard, but they are also a great source of personal happiness. Things get complicated dealing with differing expectations of the people involved in the relationships regardless of whether it’s a simple friendship or as close as marriage. The number one question people ask relationship experts is what is the single most important thing you can do for your relationships? That’s the topic of today’s episode as Dr. Meg talks with Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott. They tackle this subject in their new book Healthy Me, Healthy Us: Your Relationships Are Only as Strong as You Are. The three doctors have a great conversation about trying to build intimacy with another person before you have gotten whole on your own causes all your relationships to become an attempt to complete yourself. Do you have a question for Dr. Meg? If you have a question you want Dr. Meeker to answer, email them to askmeg@megmeekermd.com and listen to future episodes to see if your question is featured! WELCOME Dr. Meg starts

With Father’s Day right around the corner, Dr. Meg thought it would be great to devote this entire episode to her conversation with gifted comedian, actor, The Tonight Show guest, children’s book author, and best of all a wonderful dad to five children: Michael Jr! Dr. Meg and Michael Jr. have been friends for many years, and their conversation reflects the depth of their respect for each other. After listening to their conversation about the importance of dads in the lives of kids, hopefully you’ll be inspired to encourage the dads in your life to be a bigger part in their children’s lives. When a dad is involved in the lives of his children, it gives them a greater sense of self-esteem and belief that they can take on what the world throws at them. Dr. Meeker and Michael Jr. also talk about his upcoming movie Selfie Dad and how he and the film crew worked to ensure that the dad in the movie wasn’t the typical buffoon in the script, but that he was a strong figure in his children’s day-to-day life while also