Gear Up! Adventures In Parenthood
In their weekly podcast, Heather and Kristina dive into the “tricky terrain” of raising children and growing up in today’s world. With a blend of professional insight and personal stories, they offer practical tips, heartfelt advice, and plenty of humor. Whether you're a parent or caregiver, their discussions are designed to help you find joy and connection in the parenting journey. Tune in for a warm, engaging, and supportive resource for navigating the ups and downs of raising kids.
Heather Bouwman and Kristina Boersma are Clinical Social Workers and Support Service Directors for ODC Early Childhood Network, a division of ODC Network, in Holland, Michigan. For years, their parenting classes and unique curriculum have been a beloved offering to the parents at ODC Network’s innovative nature-based preschools. The ODC Network has made this podcast possible so that others can share in this offering and have access to discussions based on Heather and Kristina’s approach.
ODC Network is a non-profit organization that strives to advance outdoor education and conservation in West Michigan. Since 2000, ODC Network has served over one million people through hands-on, outdoor learning experiences and has conserved thousands of acres of habitat through restoration and preservation projects. ODC Network’s vision is building a better community by connecting people, land and nature. To learn more and get involved go to: www.ODCNetwork.org
Gear Up! Adventures In Parenthood
Grandparents
In this episode Heather and Kristina dive deep into the delicate dance between parents and grandparents. This conversation explores the emotional and practical challenges of navigating this complex family dynamic, from the deep joy of grandparent bonding to the tough moments of miscommunication and boundary-pushing.
Did you know that half of parents are raising their kids the same way they were raised—with love and clear rules—while the other half focus more on love and relationships? From gift-giving dilemmas to disagreements over screen time, discipline, and holiday plans, Heather and Kristina tackle these and other common points of tension that pop up between generations.
They share insights on how to foster open communication, set healthy boundaries, and ensure mutual respect—while also acknowledging the unique generational differences at play. As always, they remind us it comes back to the question: what behaviors do we want to model for our kiddos?
Tune in for practical advice, relatable stories, and a bit of humor as they help us navigate the often tricky, always rewarding world of parenting… grandparenting!
Gear Up! Adventures In Parenthood is recorded and edited by Dave Purnell and produced by Jen Plante Johnson for the ODC Network in Holland, Michigan.
The ODC Network is a non-profit organization that strives to advance outdoor education and conservation in West Michigan.
Since 2000, The ODC Network has served over a million people through hands-on, outdoor learning experiences and conserved thousands of acres of native habitat through restoration and preservation projects.
The ODC Network’s vision is building a better community by connecting people, land and nature. To learn more and get involved go to: www.odcnetwork.org.