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
166. How do you help kids bounce back after a public mistake?
What do you do when your kid makes a bad call in front of everyone—and the fallout is social exile?
In this episode, Andrew and Caroline talk about how to help kids bounce back after a social slip-up.
From middle-of-the-playground impulsivity to being labeled the “bad kid,” they dig into how to support kids when they mess up, without adding shame, and how to guide them through social pressure without rescuing or lecturing.
This episode is packed with strategies to help your child bounce back from social slip-ups, hold boundaries, and stay connected—all while building emotional resilience.
Homework Idea
Validation Before Fixing
When your child messes up, pause and simply say, “That’s hard. I get why this feels awful.” No lectures. Just presence.
Repair Plan: Ask, “What do you want to do next?” Support them in taking ownership without taking over.
Reflective Journaling
After a tough moment, write down:
- What happened (facts only)
- What your child felt (ask, don’t assume)
- What you did in response
- What worked, what didn’t, and what you’ll try next time
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