Parents of the Year
We were never given a manual on how to parent. It is easy to get overwhelmed to know the right thing to do. There is so much contradictory information out there and everyone has their own advice. Parenting is a rewarding but messy, confusing, infuriating, guilt-inducing, and overwhelming journey. While it's easy to get lost, Andrew Stewart, a real dad, and Dr. Caroline Buzanko, a real mom, child psychologist, and parenting expert (who also happens to be married to Andrew) will help you get back on track. In each episode, Andrew and Caroline have open and honest chats about everything parenting. Join them in honesty, laughter, and tears (Caroline is a bit of a cry baby) as they help you navigate this journey of parenting. And, every so often, you may get some gems of expert advice. Our goal is to make your parenting journey less stressful, more forgiving, and more awesome. Please join us every Wednesday for new episodes of Parenting of the Year.
Parents of the Year
167. Are we focusing on what really matters in parenting?
Can AI parent better than a human? In this hilarious, sharp-edged episode of Parents of the Year, Andrew and Caroline pit artificial intelligence against real-life parenting—complete with emotional chaos, screen time battles, and accidental forest bathing. Caroline reacts to a parenting philosophy generated by AI that sounds suspiciously familiar…
This episode dives into emotional safety, respecting brain development, discipline as teaching, and why “raising a kind adult” should matter more than perfect behaviour.
Homework Ideas:
- Try the “5 Mississippi Rule”: When your kid is melting down, silently count 5 Mississippis before you say or do anything. Let their brain catch up.
- Reflect on tech boundaries: Are you co-watching and co-playing, or defaulting to digital babysitting?
- Practice Connection Over Correction: Validate your child’s emotions before correcting their behaviour.
Conversation Starters After Conflict
To help reconnect and rebuild trust without blame
- “That was a tough moment. Want to talk about what happened now or later?”
- “I can tell that really got big for both of us. How are you feeling now?”
- “I’m still on your team—even when things go sideways.”
- “I want to understand what was going on for you. Can you help me see it from your side?”
- “Let’s figure this out together. What do you wish had gone differently?”
- “Is there anything I could’ve done differently to help?”
- “What do you need from me right now?”
A Guide to Accountability Without Shame
Help your child own their actions and make things right without crushing their spirit
- Start with Safety
- “You’re not in trouble. Let’s talk about what happened so we can learn from it.”
- Name the Impact
- “What do you think your sister felt when that happened?”
- Get Curious, Not Critical
- “What was going on for you before that happened?”
- “What were you trying to express?”
- Repair, Don’t Lecture
- “How do you want to make this better?”
- Reinforce Growth
- “It’s okay to mess up. What matters is how we show up afterward.”
- “You’re learning. That’s what this is all about.”
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