Sara Dimerman in conversation with Nia Vardalos. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about:

• Nia’s honest and heart moving account of the journey towards adopting their daughter
• The importance of grieving the loss of what might have been
• Whether the internet is a good place to begin when researching adoption
• The bumpiest spots on the road to adoption
• The ecstasy and challenges once a child has been adopted
• Why Nia chose to write Instant Mom and how it is helping other families navigate through the adoption process

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Dr. Tiffany Chow. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about:

• The age at which adult children typically find their roles with their parents beginning to reverse
• Age related factors that influence this change in role
• Other special circumstances that might accelerate this role reversal (eg alzheimers, dementia, stroke)
• The difference between dementia and alzheimer’s disease
• The age at which older adults typically need more care
• Encouraging geriatric assessments and with whom?
• What to do when an aging parent is resistant to or in denial about needing extra help
• Why its best to avoid certain words such as “dementia” when talking to an aging parent
• Support services for aging parents and their adult children
• Whether our communities/provinces are well equipped to deal with mental and physical changes for our aging population
• The importance of getting extended family involved in caring for an aging parent/relative
• What to look for when exploring options for increased care

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Marc Saltzman. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about:

• How technology has evolved over the past decade
• Gadgets and gizmos that are particularly appealing to children? teens? adults?
• Whether males or females are more drawn to technology than the other gender
• Why there is such a fascination with technology today
• How technology has enhanced our lives and how it has made them more difficult
• Whether or not there is a correlation between violent video games and aggressive behaviour
• How and why parents should set limits on children and technology
• Where technology is headed

Pause: Get out of the Game is an informational campaign targeted at teens with the purpose of raising awareness about the dangers of video game addiction. As a way of speaking their language, the creator of this game encourages teens to download and play this game so as to understand the impact of addictive video game playing on their lives.. It mimics the life of a video game addict as they play at the cost of ignoring their family, friends, responsibilities and personal health.

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Alison Tedder and Diane Flacks. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about:

• Whether children being raised in same sex relationships typically see themselves and their family structure as being different to their peers
• How children may voice their feelings and how same sex parents can prepare for their questions
• How acceptance from extended family eg grandparents, impacts on the adult children and grandchildren, for example
• Whether male same sex parents have a more difficult time with societal expectations and stereotypes than female co parents
• Whether and how school administrators and teachers accommodate for the difference in family structure within families of children being raised by same sex parents
• How same sex parents can advocate on behalf of their children and family to raise awareness -within schools and communities – and offer suggestions for change if necessary
• Local and national supports for same sex parents raising children

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Henry and Valerie Kerr. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about:

• Their life stories
• When Henry discovered his creative talents
• Henry’s prolific poetry writing skills
• How they re discovered love in their late eighties and nineties respectively
• how love has enhanced their lives
• The secret to remaining vital, nimble minded and interested in all that life offers
• Learning to live life to its fullest and maintaining a positive attitude

Download Drinking & Driving: A Deadly Mix.

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Denise Dubyk. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about:

• When, where and why was MADD Canada created? By whom? Mission statement?
• Aside from the obvious, why is it never a good idea for people to drive while impaired?
• What are some warning signs that you may have had a few too many? Are personal breathalyzers a good idea?
• What are the legal and moral responsibilities of someone serving alcohol – a private party host, restaurant or bar owner
• What are some proactive measures parents and educators can take to prevent injuries and fatalities that result from driving while impaired?
• How can communities come together in fighting against driving while impaired?

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Melanie Gross. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about:

• The physical and emotional benefits to clearing your clutter
• The side effects of disorganization/clutter
• The most challenging aspects of clearing your clutter and why
• Nature versus nurture – are some people predisposed to being disorganized or is this behaviour learnt?
• Whether change is typically permanent after your clutter is cleared
• Some simple tips to get you started and to help your children get organized

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Dr. Tara Sermer. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about:

• How a family can come together in making the decision to become a pet owning family
• Some of the key factors to consider when deciding to bring a pet to live in your home
• Red flags that your home or family may not be pet friendly
• Making an informed decision about the right breed of dog or cat for your family
• Whether dogs and cats can co exist.
• Less commonly owned domestic animals
• Helping children and adults cope with the loss of a pet.
• Resources/where to go to to do more research on owning a pet.

Dr. Sermer also recommends:

• TV show: CMT Pick A Puppy. Previous episodes on http://www.cmt.ca/show/pick-a-puppy
• Book: Cesar’s Way by Cesar Milan.
• Book: Perfect Puppy in 7 Days: How to start your puppy off right by Dr. Sophia Yin
• Book: Before & After Getting Your Puppy by Dr. Ian Dunbar

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Cherie MacLeod. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about:

• Signs and signals that may indicate your child is attracted to same sex peers
• The age at which children typically show attraction to one sex over the other
• The best way to approach your child if you think he or she is gay or lesbian
• What reaction to expect from your child after being approached
• Whether it is typical for a child to approach his or her parents with the awareness of a difference in sexual orientation
• Understanding/exploring sexual diversity and identity, e.g. bisexuality, transgender, transsexuality, pansexuality
• Why some children are more comfortable questioning or expressing their differences openly
• Common parental reactions when his or her child “comes out”
• How a parent can best support his or her child
• How parents can find support for themselves and their children

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Janyce Lastman. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about:

• Why  parents sometimes feel that their children’s needs are not being met at school
• The difference between public versus private schools
• What parents can do when they disagree about which school their children should attend
• The factors/issues that parents often don’t consider but should when choosing a school
• The pros and cons of changing schools or school systems – and the  best (or worst) time to do so
• Some things parents might not typically think of doing that could help improve a difficult situation at school –  social, academic or behavioural
• Some of the more common conditions that require accommodations at school, e.g. learning disability
• Some other less obvious conditions that may require special attention, e.g. anxiety, conduct disorder
• Options for teens who  don’t fit  regular high school programming
• Some newer or non-traditional options parents might consider for students who wish to continue an education after high school
• More intensive or specialized resources for at risk youth
• Resources and supports for parents