Do you wish your child considered others more often? Dr. Roger Smith defines thoughtfulness as putting other people's needs on the priority list—a desirable trait we can actively help children develop. This episode gives parents two simple, routine exercises: Looking Backward (Bedtime): Ask your child to reflect on their day and identify someone they wish they could have helped or made things better for. This encourages empathy and perspective. Looking Forward (Start of Day/Activity): Challenge your child as they enter a public space (like a store or church) to "look for people you can make smile or make a difference for." This promotes intentional, positive interaction. Learn how to weave these practices into your daily life to cultivate thoughtfulness and inspire an outward-focused mindset in your kids. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

Most children start out self-centered, but generosity is a vital character trait we must intentionally cultivate. Referencing the idea of "audacious generosity," Dr. Roger Smith explains that this concept goes beyond just sharing money—it includes being generous with time, kind words, and possessions. Learn how to model and practice generosity, even with abstract concepts like "sharing," by focusing on taking turns and dividing resources. Dr. Smith encourages praising every effort your child makes to consider another's needs, transforming a self-focused mindset into one that makes the world a better place. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

Is your child truly humble, or just self-centered? Dr. Roger Smith redefines humility not as self-deprecation, but as the courage to be authentically known—the good, the bad, and the ordinary. Sitting in his study, Dr. Smith shares how true humility means being "okay with who I am and how I let you know me." Learn how to train your children to be open, vulnerable, and approachable, whether they are winning a game or losing. This episode challenges parents to create practice situations where children can comfortably let others into their lives, fostering a deeply desirable trait. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

Is character something children simply pick up, or must it be explicitly taught? Dr. Roger Smith argues that character is best developed when it's both caught and taught. This episode emphasizes that parents must actively place value on desired traits like trustworthiness or integrity. Learn how to use stories and specific language to define these qualities, and most importantly, how to recognize and praise them when you see them demonstrated in your child's life. Discover how to create an environment where strong character is admired, encouraged, and pursued as a valuable prize. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

Are you passing on blessings or burdens to the next generation? Dr. Roger Smith argues that generational blessings and curses are often practical, tied directly to the values and habits parents live out daily. This episode challenges you to identify your top three core values (like kindness, honesty, or generosity) and intentionally integrate them into your conversations and actions. Learn how to live your life as a springboard of positive values for your children, ensuring your legacy is one of richness in good deeds and character, not chaos or negativity. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

Do your children take care of their belongings? Dr. Roger Smith shares a guiding family motto: "The more you have, the more you have to take care of." This episode outlines how to intentionally transfer the concept of personal responsibility to your children's possessions, from toys to bikes. Learn how to involve your kids in the repair process when things are broken or neglected—even enlisting experts if needed. Dr. Smith advises starting with small, modeled steps (like cleaning a room together) and gradually creating distance, ensuring your teaching is guided by a positive concern for their future, not punishment. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

Does "just a minute" mean nothing to your child? Dr. Roger Smith explains that the concept of time must be developed through training. This episode provides actionable steps for teaching time management, starting with short, age-appropriate tasks (like 10 seconds for a three-year-old) that end with a desired reward. Learn how to give your child a sense of accomplishment and efficiency, helping them visualize deadlines and stay on task—a crucial skill that starts small and lasts a lifetime. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

Do you often find yourself giving instructions filled with "don't" and "no"? Dr. Roger Smith challenges parents to adopt a positive communication style. This episode teaches you how to stop barking orders and start framing instructions in terms of the desired behavior. Instead of saying "Don't forget your lunch," learn to say "Remember your lunch." Discover this subtle but powerful shift that assumes competence, focuses on freedom, and fosters a more positive, effective way of giving directions to your children—and everyone else. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

Do your children ever drop embarrassing comments in public? Dr. Roger Smith uses the image of a private hedge to illustrate the difference between conversations appropriate for home and those suitable for the public square. This episode focuses on teaching children the crucial skill of discerning private versus public language and topics. Learn how to explain boundaries, context, and why certain jokes or lingo might be misunderstood outside of your family circle, helping your children avoid awkward situations and honor the family in public. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

Life rarely goes according to plan—from travel delays to spilled orange juice. Dr. Roger Smith argues that flexibility is a vital skill for both parents and children. While the early years require control and rules, this episode explores how to shift your parenting style to train your kids to manage options, cope with disappointment, and adjust when the path changes. Learn to model emotional balance when things go wrong, teaching your child that mistakes are not moral failures and that the ability to flex is key to enjoying the journey of life. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

Should your child get a smartphone? Dr. Roger Smith doesn't offer a simple yes or no, but instead provides crucial questions to help you make this difficult decision. This episode guides you to think about your child's long-term functional needs and whether those needs can be met without a smartphone. Most importantly, you'll learn to evaluate your child's capacity for self-imposed limits and the vital role of parental support systems in navigating the challenges of modern technology. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

Children are naturally self-focused, but thankfulness is a skill that can be taught. Dr. Roger Smith shares a powerful family tradition—the "Birthday Blessing"—that trained his children to move from self-centeredness to generosity of spirit. Learn how to implement this simple practice where every family member shares what they value and appreciate about the birthday person. This exercise in expressing positive, specific words to people you can see is the perfect foundation for developing a lifelong attitude of gratitude that extends to all areas of life. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

Tired of the whine? Dr. Roger Smith tackles this perpetual (but solvable!) problem in communication. This episode offers a direct, two-part strategy: First, stop whining yourself—listen to your own voice to ensure you aren't correcting your child with a whiny tone. Second, address the issue directly and consistently. Learn how to gently yet firmly request a "normal voice," reinforcing appropriate communication while refusing to reward the whine. Dr. Smith provides tips on how to identify the behavior for your child and correct it away from the heat of the moment for long-term success. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

Do you wish your kids were better listeners? Dr. Roger Smith explains that listening is a skill that needs development, especially in the early years. This episode goes beyond simply giving instructions. Learn practical techniques to train your child's attention to detail, from creating "listening games" at public events to telling stories about themselves. Discover how to use their own name and the world around them as positive tools to develop this crucial life skill—making them more attuned to you and their environment. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

Does a broken item immediately trigger your frustration? Dr. Roger Smith shares a personal story about a broken lamp to illustrate a vital parenting lesson: how to handle the emotional loss when things—or even relationships—break. Learn to separate the action from the child's motive, comfort your child (and yourself) through the grief of loss, and then focus on finding creative solutions. This episode gives you a framework for turning an accident into an opportunity for repair, teaching your children resilience and problem-solving skills that last a lifetime. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

Did you know the way you touch your child profoundly affects their emotional health? Dr. Roger Smith explains that touch is one of the most powerful ways to fill a child's emotional tank, but warns that touch used only for anger or discipline can become powerfully negative. He shares a study that ranks different types of touch, revealing that a gentle hand on the head or face is often perceived as the most genuine sign of care and concern. Learn how to use deliberate, positive touch—from holding hands to a comforting head scratch—to continually express your sincere love for your children at every age. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

Are your children good at noticing the world around them? Dr. Roger Smith shares a moment by a canal in Manchester to explain how you can train your kids to be observant detectives. Learn how to use everyday objects and environments—like a mysterious ring on a wall—to encourage curiosity, ask great questions, and piece together the story of their surroundings. Start with scavenger hunts and simple questions to give your children an important life skill: observation. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

Should you travel with your children? Absolutely! Citing Mark Twain, Dr. Roger Smith explains that travel is the cure for bigotry and narrow-mindedness. Discover how exposing your children to different cultures, perspectives, and ways of life—whether through physical travel or imaginative journeys via books—helps them appreciate and love others. Learn how to teach your kids to look past differences in appearance, politics, or fashion to truly value people as they are. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

Do your children need praise? Absolutely! Dr. Roger Smith shares the powerful principle: "Praise is to children as sun is to flowers." He breaks down the three keys to effective praise: it must be specific (focusing on character and effort, not just appearance), sincere (not manipulative), and delivered soon after the desired behavior. Learn how to praise well to help your child grow and blossom into their full potential. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

Even in a two-parent home, parenting is tough! Dr. Roger Smith uses the illustration of a pair of scissors to show that both parents are essential, even when they approach problems from different angles. He argues that two parents are always better together, and neither perspective is wrong—both are needed to "cut" through the challenges of raising children. Learn why tending to your marriage—appreciating your spouse's unique strengths and fostering communication—is the most crucial part of being a good parent. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com