Gather & Grow: Positive Parenting and Developing Rituals that Will Sustain Us Through Good and Trying Times with Armin Brott and Anne Fishel Ph.D.
Original Air Date Wednesday, September 30, 2020
One surprisingly good thing about the COVID pandemic is that parents who work from home have had more time to spend with their children.
And it is scientifically proven that children benefit in mind, body, and spirit when they have more positive connections with their parents. Fathers, in particular, have embraced the opportunity to spend time with their children during these current events. The wholesome, loving energy between a father and a child has been linked to more flexible thinking and increased tolerance of others. To better understand the many ways rituals can nourish children, Positive Psychology Podcast Host, Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two experts whose work reflects the benefits of family gatherings, Armin Brott and Dr. Anne Fishel. Armin Brott delves into why the role of a father is important in a child’s development and Dr. Fishel describes the significance of family dinners in helping children thrive.
- One of the luxuries COVID has provided for families. [2:11]
- How technology can impact children negatively. [6:57]
- Social media and the unrealistic construct of perfectionism. [12:02]
- A man’s life changes the moment he finds out he is going to be a father. [15:27]
- The mission for any combination of parents is to get kids to think flexibly and listen respectfully. [20:29]
Armin Brott, aka Mr. Dad, is author of The New Father: A Dad’s Guide to The Toddler Years. He is a nationally published columnist on manhood and fatherhood, and Host of ‘Positive Parenting,’ a weekly talk show.
Book: The New Father: A Dad’s Guide to The Toddler Years; Third Edition
- There are scientifically proven benefits of parents and children sitting down for a meal together. [29:01]
- In her book, Eat, Laugh, Talk Anne includes several table games to curb conflict and create fun around the dinner table. [35:18]
- Anne Fishel describes hacks from Eat, Laugh, Talk that increase the likelihood of a successful family dinner. [42:59]
- Making family memories nourishes the body, brain and spirit. [50:43]
Anne Fishel, Ph.D. is a family therapist, clinical psychologist, and Associate Clinical Professor of Psychology at the Harvard Medical School. She is Director of the Family and Couple Therapy Program at Massachusetts General Hospital, where she trains child psychiatry residents and psychology interns in family therapy. Dr. Fishel is executive director and co-founder of The Family Dinner Project, a non-profit initiative that helps families on-line and in communities to have better and more frequent family dinners.
Book: Eat, Laugh, Talk: The Family Dinner Playbook
Family Dinner Project on Facebook
@FamilyDinnerProject on Instagram
This episode of Harvesting Happiness Talk Radio is sponsored by:
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Are We Happy Yet? Eight Keys to Unlocking a Joyful Life — A boot camp manual for greater emotional fitness. Happiness waits for no one and sometimes we all need support. What is getting in the way of your sustainable well-being and happiness right now?
H–Factor: Where is Your Heart? — Lisa’s documentary film that explores the journey of human happiness. Emotions are contagious and happiness is a universally desired state. We tend to forget we all have the freedom to be happy or the liberty to be miserable each day.
“Although the climate of COVID-19 has brought about fear and uncertainty on one level it is also helping to make our kids more resilient.” @LisaKamen on @HH_TalkRadio Click To Tweet “Dads matter. Showing up for our kids with that good, wholesome, loving energy of a dad is important.” @LisaKamen on @HH_TalkRadio Click To Tweet“Normally, fathers don't get a chance to tell their children about who they are.” @MrDad on @HH_TalkRadio Click To Tweet“Children aren't getting a sense of balance and proportion from iPads and computers. It’s not the same as playing in nature and with toys.” @MrDad on @HH_TalkRadio Click To Tweet“There is so much pressure on girls on social media. It's awful that we are putting so much pressure on kids to be like some celebrity.” @MrDad on @HH_TalkRadio Click To Tweet“When we become fathers we start to become more tolerant of others' mistakes because you know your kids will have a diaper blowout and you have to come up with a creative solution.” @MrDad on @HH_TalkRadio Click To Tweet“Having kids help men become flexible and better managers at work.” @MrDad on @HH_TalkRadio Click To Tweet“During the pandemic, we are able to spend more time with our kids and we are getting a nice feeling from it. It makes us better fathers.” @MrDad on @HH_TalkRadio Click To Tweet“Kids who have exposure to the stereotypical male and female approaches, do better. They are more flexible in their thinking.” @MrDad on @HH_TalkRadio Click To Tweet “Dads play an incredibly important and unique role in a child's life.” @MrDad on @HH_TalkRadio Click To Tweet“There are many great, scientifically-proven benefits that come from parents and kids sitting down and connecting with each other.” @FDP_Tweets on @HH_TalkRadio Click To Tweet“90% of parents say that family dinner is a great idea but only 30% are having family dinner.” @FDP_Tweets on @HH_TalkRadio Click To Tweet“Nutritionists use the rule of 15, which is don't give up on presenting until you have presented it to your children at least 15 times.” @FDP_Tweets on @HH_TalkRadio Click To Tweet“Family dinner doesn’t have to be from scratch.” @FDP_Tweets on @HH_TalkRadio Click To Tweet“Even one family dinner a week can be beneficial. It's a ritual everyone can look forward to.” @FDP_Tweets on @HH_TalkRadio Click To Tweet
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