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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
178. Is "FAFO parenting" just a trendy way of being a jerk?
In this episode of Parents of the Year, Andrew and Caroline unpack the trending term "FAFO parenting" (F*@$% around and find out). They break down the difference between logical and natural consequences and why using threats or shame in the name of "teaching lessons" misses the mark.
This conversation dives into the importance of empathy, how to raise kids who think for themselves, and why it's not your job to micromanage—but also not your job to set them up for failure. You'll hear personal examples, parenting slip-ups, and real moments that matter in teaching kids how to handle life while keeping the relationship strong.
Homework Ideas:
- Open-ended questions: Instead of "Put your coat on," ask, "What’s the weather like today? What do you think you should wear?"
- Natural consequence check: Pause before you intervene. Is this dangerous? If not, let the situation teach the lesson.
- Empathy over ego: When your kid says, "I'm freezing," drop the "I told you so." Say, "Yeah, that sucks." Then circle back tomorrow: "What did you learn from yesterday?"
- Homework ownership: Don’t track assignments. Let them face the teacher, not your nagging.
- Food prep independence: Ask weekly: "What do you need for lunches/snacks this week?" Let them plan and pack.
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