142: Modeling Empathy and Acceptance in Parenting Taking Care of Yourself as a Parent- Joe

In this episode of the Young Dad podcast, host Jay interviews Joe, a dad, therapist, and sex educator specializing in adolescent sexuality and technology. They discuss the challenges of parenting in the digital age, including the intersection of technology and sexuality. They emphasize the importance of ongoing conversations with children about these topics and the need to adapt to the changing landscape. They also discuss the impact of technology on loneliness and the role of parents in creating a safe and accepting environment for queer children. Overall, the conversation highlights the need for open-mindedness, empathy, and understanding in parenting. The conversation explores the importance of having open and honest conversations with kids about gender, sexuality, and digital citizenship. It emphasizes the role of parents in teaching and modeling acceptance, tolerance, and respect. The guests discuss the impact of learned behaviors and the importance of addressing hate and discrimination. They also provide advice for young couples, new parents, and young fathers, highlighting the significance of communication, setting boundaries, and taking care of oneself.

Takeaways
Parenting in the digital age requires ongoing conversations about technology and sexuality.
Technology can contribute to feelings of loneliness, but it can also provide opportunities for connection and support.
Parents should create a safe and accepting environment for queer children, normalizing their experiences and providing support.
Modeling empathy and acceptance is crucial in helping children develop these qualities towards their peers.
Parents should be open-minded, adaptable, and willing to educate themselves about new concepts and experiences. Have open and honest conversations with kids about gender, sexuality, and digital citizenship.
Teach and model acceptance, tolerance, and respect to combat hate and discrimination.
Set boundaries and have clear expectations for screen time and technology use.
Take care of yourself as a parent to be there for your children.
Put your kids in the driver's seat and let them take control of their own growth and development.

Sound Bites
"Start the conversation early and have ongoing discussions with your children about sexuality and technology."
"Technology can be both beneficial and problematic, depending on how it is used and consumed."
"Parenting is about being a leader, witness, protector, and container for your children."
"Hate is taught."
"Kids don't see color, kids don't see gender, kids don't wrong with their peers until it's pointed out to someone that they love and trust."
"Your kids will come to you with... questions or things like that, and they're just off put or they're ignored or things like that... the less and less they're going to come to you."

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
03:08 Early Work with Teenagers and Adolescents
06:02 Transition to Sexuality and Sex Education
10:13 Impact of Technology on Adolescent Loneliness
27:44 Parenting Queer Kids and LGBTQIA+ Acceptance
37:28 The Power of Open Communication in Parenting
40:37 Navigating Digital Citizenship with Children
44:30 Empowering Young Parents: Advice and Insights from Jo Langford

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