Change: new blog location

Family Matters Radio has moved to www.CompassionateSolutions.ca. This is an umbrella site that hosts an array of resources and help for families, for parents.

Find out more about the show here: http://compassionatesolutions.ca/family-matters-radio/

Podcasts are here: http://compassionatesolutions.ca/category/radio-shows/

Show 50 – Living with Teens

Aired live Sunday November 28th, 2010 on www.CFRU.ca 93.3 FM in Guelph, Ontario

Rosemary Walker talks about how her relationship with her son went from frightening to satisfying. Focusing on peace and a positive relationship with her son was made easier with the help of the
The Association of Parent Support Groups of Ontario
www.apsgo.ca
The Guelph Support Group meets every Monday downtown from 7:30 to 9:00 pm Contact: Neil (519) 763-6186

Show #35 – The Bumblejums with Des Shanahan

Aired: Sunday, July 25, 2010 || 8 to 9 AM Eastern on www.cfru.ca 93.3 FM in Guelph, Ontario

Des Shanahan joins me to talk about The Bumblejums and Raising Awareness about the Environment and other Global Issues.

Des Shanahan created the Bumblejums to help parents teach their children about respect and responsibility towards nature, through a sense of wonder and fun. They live an eco-friendly life in Dandy forest and look out for everyone in Bally Bo.

“Meet the Bumblejums” is a beautifully illustrated and enchanting introduction to the Bumblejums, their special powers, and the magical world of Bally Bo. Des will read his story and play his songs for us.

www.bumblejums.com and www.bumblejums.blogspot.com

This show is one of two parts to answer the question, “How do we raise Global Citizens?”

Although I don’t know how we can train our children to be to be passionate about anything. Passion seems to come from within. It seems that living by example is the most powerful way to teach our children about the environment, about global issues, or engage in social activism. When I listen to people who are passionate about nature and our planet, they each share their rich experiences about playing in and exploring the outdoors.

Next week, I share interviews with a 12-year-old political activist and his mom, and an 18-year-old social activist.

Show #34 – Facilitated Decision Making for People with Disabilites with Julia Niimi

Air date: Sunday, June 27, 2010 || 8 to 9 AM, CFRU 93.3 FM in Guelph, Ontario, Canada 

Our theme today is “anything is possible when you continue to follow your dreams and get the support you need to live them” 

Julia Niimi is an exceptional woman who has worked hard to become an advocate and speaker for people with disabilities. She has Down Syndrome. On May 6, 2010, Julia Niimi won the Women of Distinction Turning Point Award. 

Julia Niimi wrote a booklet “The Journey of living with a Disability” and directed a short film “Walking in my Shoes”: a story about being bullied, growing up with a disability, and the support she received along the way. 

You can purchase Julia’s booklet and DVD at:
Staples on Stone Road in Guelph, Ontario
The booklet is $9.99. $5 of every purchase goes to support Ontario Special Olympics.
Julia has raised hundreds of dollars to support one of her favourite charities.
Buy her film for $10.00. $9 of every purchase will go to support Families for a Secure Future. www.familiesforasecurefuture.com 

Julia says this about making a film:
Making a movie has helped me to become a better advocate for people with disabilities. I had pain and suffering and a barrier to tell my story. I couldn’t talk about it until I saw me on film. 

Making a movie can help people to become leaders in their communities.
Everyone, including people with disabilities, has strengths and weaknesses.
Sometimes people can’t speak. A movie can talk for them.

Show # 33 – Blended Families with Emily Bouchard

Air date: Sunday, June 20, 2010 || 8 to 9 AM Eastern on http://www.cfru.ca 93.3 FM in Guelph, Ontario, Canada

Blending Families is not easy. Blended Families (step families) have specific challenges like:  Navigating parenting differences; Guilt around prior relationships not working out and the impact on the children; Struggles with former spouses and expectations; Logistics around coordinating all the different needs and schedules for the children which often depend on custody agreements; and Money – when child support is not paid, and when Dads experience disparity between paying the former wife while also providing for his new family.

Parents in blended families often have a hard time making transitions from one home to another. How do we make those difficult transitions easier?

What do successful families do?

I expect you’ll learn a tip or two even if you don’t live in a blended family.

Along with training in Marital and Family Therapy, Child Development and Adolescence, Emily Bouchard has learned first hand what works and doesn’t work in Blended Families by being a Step-Mom to 2 teenagers. She helps people to be present to what’s in front of them and celebrate strengths so couples can create lasting, fulfilling relationships.

Emily Bouchard: “Bringing peace to the planet one family at a time.” is the Founder of http://www.blended-families.com/ & The Got Heart? Project at www.got-heart.org and Senior Coach for http://www.thewilliamsgroup.org/

Show 32 – Foster Families

Aired Sunday, June 6th, 2010 and Sunday, October 25, 2009
on CFRU 93.3 FM in Guelph, Ontario, Canada

Join us 8 to 9 AM every Sunday morning.

While I’m away for more training, my friends Greg Denton and Kyle Mackie are helping me to re-broadcast our first Family Matters Show. Here is the link:

http://cfrufamily.wordpress.com/2009/10/28/show-1-foster-families/

When you get a chance, listen to Greg’s show on from 7 to 8 AM Sundays: This Ungodly Hour or Kyle’s show from 9 to 10 AM Sundays: Kids’ Time on CFRU 93.3 FM in Guelph.

Show 29 – Family Systems: the ever-changing yet stable contexts in which we live

Aired: Sunday, May 16, 2010 8 to 9 AM Eastern on www.cfru.ca 93.3 FM in Guelph, Ontario, Canada

Sharon Lewis joins me to talk about Family Systems–the contexts in which we live and the ever-changing conditions in our families that affect us and our relationships.

One-size-fits-all parenting advice is annoying and often doesn’t work because it doesn’t reflect the rich environments of each family. Often, we get tripped up with what ‘should’ happen. We get stuck thinking that “only if…” someone did or said something in a certain way, then everything would be better.

When we look at Family Systems, we see that each individual contributes to the functioning of the whole family. Each person is a voice for the system and yet the system rarely looks exactly like one person expects it to look. What’s trying to happen may not align with what you think should happen.

If we’re caught up worried about doing something exactly right; then we’re not really present and responsive to what’s going on in the moment.

We’re going to attempt to talk about these abstract concepts in a clear and concrete way with a game and a few examples.

For example:

The problem: The kids won’t go to bed on time and everyone is tired.

Each person says, “I think we should do go to bed by 9 pm on a school night.” and “I want to choose when I go to bed. I’m not tired at that time. My favourite TV show doesn’t end until 10 pm.”

The Facts (What does each person have in mind? What do we notice is happening?): The daughter is sleeping from 11 pm to 6 am most nights. Dad thinks kids should be in bed by a certain time. Mom wants to encourage choices. The family functions better when everyone is well-rested. Both parents wants to grow kids who are autonomous who know what they want and find ways to support themselves. Family is most rested with 8 hours of sleep per night.

Guiding mechanisms of the family: rest, getting along with each other, having the energy to function during the day, choices, raising autonomous human beings

Guiding questions: What actions would honour what’s important to all of us? What are we willing to do now given the facts? Did we miss any important information?

What do I stand for? What do we stand for? What do we want to create? What’s important to us? What are we envisioning?

Families are like a song: each member is an instrument and each of our values is like a note. Together we harmonize or not. When we do not harmonize, there is often a voice that’s missing, or one speaking so loudly we cannot hear the rest of the tune. Maybe we can’t hear a thing. Harmony is when every person has a voice and is given the stage to be heard.

Show 28 – Queer Moms Parenting Show

Air Date: Mother’s Day: Sunday, May 9th, 2010 8 to 9 AM Eastern || www.CFRU.ca 93.3 FM in Guelph, Ontario, Canada

What better way to celebrate mothers than to dedicate a show to Queer Mothers. Enjoy!

Show 26 – My Baby Rides the Short Bus: The unabashedly human experience of raising kids with disabilities

Airs: Sunday, April 25, 2010 8 to 9 AM ET || www.CFRU.ca 93.3 FM

Sarah Talbot and Yantra Bertelli are calling from Seattle, Washington to speak about their personal experiences and their book “My Baby Rides the Short Bus: The unabashedly human experience of raising kids with disabilities”
http://shortbusbook.blogspot.com/

This anthology is a wonderful blend of humour and reality. It features works by alternative parents, both professional and novice storytellers, who have attempted to move away from mainstream thought while raising children with disabilities.
“This assortment of authentic, shared experiences from parents in the know is a partial antidote to the stories that misrepresent, ridicule, and objectify disabled children and their parents.” quoted from http://www.powells.com/biblio/62-9781604861099-0

Why did the editors decide on the “fringe of the fringe” perspective?

Yantra Bertelli wrote: We compiled a book for people like us. I do believe in one way or another we all considered ourselves placed on the fringes of society prior to our children, who’s challenges placed us even further on the outside of what society deems “normal” or “typical”.  We write from the places we know. Thank you again for the opportunity.

Other references:

Shannon Rosa, contributor to “My Baby Rides the Short Bus” and contributing editor of “Parents of Children with Special Needs” at blogHer.com: http://www.blogher.com/my-baby-rides-short-bus-interview

KQED Radio Interview: The Forum: Friday, March 12, 2010 1 pm.: http://www.kqed.org/epArchive/R201003121000

Book Review: http://daddy-dialectic.blogspot.com/2009/11/my-baby-rides-short-bus-review.html

Facebook link: http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=35394681927

Show 25 – Raising Kids with Disabilities

Aired: April 18, 2010 8 to 9 AM ET || CFRU 93.3 FM in Guelph, Ontario

Anne is a mother of 4 boys. Her oldest has autism.

When I first met Anne, I thought that it must be really difficult to raise a child with autism. I asked her about that. Anne laughed and replied that Ceddy was the easiest of her 4 boys.

I invited Anne on the radio to help debunk some beliefs that living with an autistic child is tragic, that they’re suffering, they need to fit in with “normal”, and that autism is a communication disorder.

Next week, we’ll continue to explore the issue of “Raising Kids with Disabilities” when I interview Sarah Talbot and Yantra Bertelli from Seattle, Washington who edited the anthology “My Baby Rides the Short Bus: The unabashedly human experience of raising kids with disabilities”.