We all manage to be relatively productive during our daily life, putting one small task after another, one small step after another. But have you ever wondered how you actually learned how to do this?

Executive functioning is the ability to organize tasks in such a way as to accomplish goals, but how we do it can vary wildly from person to person. We see this especially in the ways our children approach homework, for example. One child can sit at a desk for hours doing their homework while another may need to sit on the floor, or even listen to show tunes!

Our guest today is Val Marsden Fitzhugh (she/her), founder and executive director of Next Level Learn (www.NYCLearn.com), who will help us unpack and understand exactly what Executive Functioning is and how do you know if your child has issues with it?

You’ll come away with a greater understanding of your child's learning style and why your brain is like a CEO (it’s probably not what you think.)

Understanding and leaning into your child’s executive functioning style sets them up for success, giving them skills to get through all of life's difficulties, not just school.

Summer’s coming up fast, so what’s it going to be for your kids? Summer job? Lazing around? Day camp? Sleep-away camp? TikTok and video games 24/7?

Even if your options are limited, a plan is always a good idea. Julie and Elizabeth talk about how to include your child in making plans for the summer and how you can help them benefit from the experience.

A fulfilling summer doesn’t have to cost money, just a little creativity on your part! Thinking outside of the box and avoiding rigidity will allow your children to have a positive growth experience during the summer.

For those families that do choose camp, we talk about the best ways to prepare your child for their summer experience and what to do if they absolutely HATE IT!!!!

For many families, the dinner table has become a war zone. Because there are so many emotions tied up in how we feel about food and eating, these feelings can mold your child’s relationship with food in ways that we never even suspected.

Counselor and parenting expert, Emilie Vogas M.Ed, discusses some of the common issues that come up around food including picky eating, over eating, eating disorders as well as the “rules” that govern how we approach mealtime (sitting at a table vs. in front of the television) or what kind of etiquette we observe (chewing with your mouth closed, etc.)

In order to pass on healthy eating habits it’s important for parents to examine their own relationship with food. Was it punitive? (“You can’t leave the table until you’ve finished everything on your plate.”) Shaming? (“There are starving children who would give anything to have what’s on your plate.”) Privileged? (Throwing a tantrum until mom makes you mac and cheese for the hundredth time.)

Ultimately, we want to acknowledge and respect our children’s autonomy over their own bodies without becoming a short order cook. It’s our job as parents to teach them (and model) how to have a healthy relationship with food and eating.

In the podcast we reference some resources you may want to check out.

If you are facing food insecurity, we encourage you to look up food assistance programs on your State’s website and look at the WIC program website or the Food Assistance website.

Table Topics (www.tabletopics.com/products)

These are conversation starters for family discussion that help keep you and your kids off of screens at mealtime. For those unable to afford these conversation decks, consult your local library for lists of conversation starters.

Emilie Vogas is available for private consultations and workshops:

1-646-241-7775

emilie@EmilieVogas.com

www.EmilieVogas.com