In this heartwarming episode, Heather and Kristina share some favorite resources they’ve collected over the years as clinical social workers and passionate advocates for children’s wellbeing. In this first of two-part series, they introduce their list of the “14 Things All Kids Need More Of...” And guess what? They’re all FREE! They explore the profound benefits of unstructured play, the magic of sunlight, and the grounding power of nature. With warmth and insight, they discuss how hugs foster attachment and emotional regulation, why children need the freedom to explore their world, and the critical role of playtime with parents in building deep, lasting connections. They also highlight the joy and health benefits of laughter. This episode is a beautiful reminder of the simple yet powerful ways we can support children’s development and happiness, one moment at a time.

Gear Up! Adventures In Parenthood is recorded and edited by Dave Purnell and produced by Jen Plante Johnson for the ODC Network in Holland, Michigan.

The ODC Network is a non-profit organization that strives to advance outdoor education and conservation in West Michigan.

Since 2000, The ODC Network has served over a million people through hands-on, outdoor learning experiences and conserved thousands of acres of native habitat through restoration and preservation projects.

The ODC Network’s vision is building a better community by connecting people, land and nature. To learn more and get involved go to: www.odcnetwork.org.

In this powerful episode, clinical social workers Kristina and Heather dive deep into the crucial topic of teaching children about body safety. They shed light on the alarming statistics from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, revealing that one in five girls and one in ten boys will experience sexual abuse before adulthood, with fewer than 35% of cases ever reported. Their conversation focuses on empowering kids to recognize "tricky people" and foster open lines of communication. Kristina and Heather share effective strategies, like teaching children their personal information, understanding privacy, and the critical importance of not keeping secrets. They also emphasize how parents can spot grooming behaviors and respond with care and support if a child discloses abuse. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that provides essential tools to empower parents and protect our children.

Gear Up! Adventures In Parenthood is recorded and edited by Dave Purnell and produced by Jen Plante Johnson for the ODC Network in Holland, Michigan.

The ODC Network is a non-profit organization that strives to advance outdoor education and conservation in West Michigan.

Since 2000, The ODC Network has served over a million people through hands-on, outdoor learning experiences and conserved thousands of acres of native habitat through restoration and preservation projects.

The ODC Network’s vision is building a better community by connecting people, land and nature. To learn more and get involved go to: www.odcnetwork.org.

In this episode, clinical social workers Kristina and Heather dive into the vital topic of teaching children about consent. They explore how fostering an understanding of boundaries, respect, and autonomy can empower kids to navigate their relationships with confidence. Through personal stories and real-life parenting examples, they highlight the importance of role-playing and modeling respectful behavior to help children learn how to ask for and give consent. Kristina and Heather also discuss the role of media in shaping kids' perceptions of consent and stress the significance of teaching that "no" means "no" and "stop" means "stop." Tune in for insightful tips on how to nurture a generation that values respect and autonomy in all relationships.

Gear Up! Adventures In Parenthood is recorded and edited by Dave Purnell and produced by Jen Plante Johnson for the ODC Network in Holland, Michigan.

The ODC Network is a non-profit organization that strives to advance outdoor education and conservation in West Michigan.

Since 2000, The ODC Network has served over a million people through hands-on, outdoor learning experiences and conserved thousands of acres of native habitat through restoration and preservation projects.

The ODC Network’s vision is building a better community by connecting people, land and nature. To learn more and get involved go to: www.odcnetwork.org.