Ep. 297: Fostering Awe and Wonder in Parenting with Deborah Farmer Kris – PBS

Ep. 297: Fostering Awe and Wonder in Parenting with Deborah Farmer Kris – PBS

Author: Dr. Meg Meeker October 21, 2025 Duration: 31:34
From finding joy in small, everyday moments to leveraging technology as a tool for inspiration, this episode offers practical advice for overwhelmed parents and emphasizes how awe can be a protective emotional anchor in today’s chaotic world. Whether it's watching clouds, taking in art, or sharing a heartfelt show like Carl the Collector, you’ll walk away with actionable tips and renewed inspiration to reconnect with your child through the lens of wonder. About Our Guest: Deborah Farmer Kris Deborah Farmer Kris is a parenting journalist, education columnist, and child development expert with a deep passion for helping families rediscover joy and connection. She is a columnist for PBS KIDS for Parents and the founder of Parenthood365, where she offers practical resources to help parents navigate the beautiful (and messy) moments of everyday life. Deborah is also an educational consultant and frequent speaker on how to cultivate awe, resilience, and curiosity in children. Resources: Raising Awe-Seekers: How the Science of Wonder Helps Our Kids Thrive (Free Spirit Parenting™) – Paperback, May 27, 2025 👉 https://amzn.to/4ozm1EH As Heard on PGK Check out other books we've talked about on the podcast. https://amzn.to/46IsRjD Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Subscribe to the Parenting Great Kids Newsletter: https://bit.ly/46G4Niw 💡 If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure how to move forward in your parenting journey, Dr. Meg Meeker can help. With decades of experience as a pediatrician and parenting coach, Dr. Meg offers 1-on-1 coaching to help you build confidence, strengthen your family, and parent with purpose. Start your coaching journey today From finding joy in small, everyday moments to leveraging technology as a tool for inspiration, this episode offers practical advice for overwhelmed parents and emphasizes how awe can be a protective emotional anchor in today’s chaotic world. Whether it's watching clouds, taking in art, or sharing a heartfelt show like Carl the Collector, you’ll walk away with actionable tips and renewed inspiration to reconnect with your child through the lens of wonder. Sponsors:Hungryroot – 40% off + free gift with code DRMEGFam Gabs – 10% off conversation cards with code DRMEGPODK12-powered Schools – Tuition-free, accredited online learning for K–12Thrive Causemetics – Clean beauty with purpose. 10% off your first orderListen to Aidee, "Nothing Rhymes With Orange": https://platoon.lnk.to/nothing-rhymes-with-orangeRula makes quality mental healthcare accessible and affordable—matching you with licensed therapists who accept your insurance, often with appointments as soon as tomorrow. Get started at Rula.com/drmeg See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In a cultural moment that often overcomplicates the fundamental task of raising good people, Parenting Great Kids with Dr. Meg Meeker offers a return to grounded, compassionate wisdom. This isn't about theoretical perfection; it's a conversation rooted in decades of clinical practice and real-life experience. Dr. Meg Meeker, a practicing pediatrician and mother, draws from her unique perspective as both a medical doctor and a bestselling author to address the anxieties and questions modern parents face. Each episode feels like a thoughtful dialogue, whether she's speaking with a fellow expert on child development or unpacking a listener's concern. You'll hear discussions that span the practicalities of daily discipline to the deeper challenges of fostering resilience and character in kids and teens. The tone is consistently reassuring yet direct, cutting through the noise of conflicting advice to focus on what truly strengthens a family. Listening to this podcast provides more than just strategies; it offers a framework for building trust and connection through every age and stage. Dr. Meeker’s approach validates the difficulties while empowering parents with actionable insights, making the journey feel less lonely and more manageable. It’s a resource for anyone who wants to move beyond survival and actively nurture great kids.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Parenting Great Kids with Dr. Meg Meeker
Podcast Episodes
Your Family Needs This: A Code of Conduct That Works [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:50
In today’s rapidly changing world, family values and parenting strategies are constantly being challenged—especially when adult children return home with new beliefs and perspectives. If your home feels out of sync, it m…
Ep. 306: Emmanuel: When Parenting Feels Out of Control [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:46
In this Christmas episode of Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker invites parents to slow down and reflect on the deeper meaning of Emmanuel—God with us—during seasons when parenting feels uncertain, overwhelming, or out…
Ep.305: AI Meets Parenting: Ginko’s Solution to Screen Struggles [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:36
In this insightful episode of Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker welcomes Larissa May and Dr. Raghu Appasani, co-founders of Ginko—an AI-powered parenting tool designed by clinicians to help families manage screen time…
Ep. 304: 10 Digital Rules Every Parent Needs – with Dr. Jean Twenge [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:14
Smartphones and social media have radically transformed childhood. In this episode of Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker and Dr. Jean Twenge explore how constant digital exposure is linked to rising rates of anxiety, d…
Ep. 303: The Science of Feeling Safe Again [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:09
In this follow-up to our conversation on divorce and healing, Dr. Meg Meeker sits down with therapist and integrative healer Dawn Wiggins to talk about what it really takes to recover from any kind of trauma — whether it…