Raising Sons with Dr. Richelle Whittaker

Dr. Richelle shares a personal story about addressing test anxiety with her son during a car ride to school. Dr. Shell discusses recognizing her son's academic struggle, despite high classwork scores, and initiates a heartfelt conversation about coping strategies. These strategies include prayer, meditation on scripture, breathing exercises, and reaching out to teachers for a holistic understanding of his performance. The episode emphasizes the importance of open communication, applying religious faith in daily challenges, and practical steps for preparation and anxiety management. Dr. Shell also offers support and advice to other parents facing similar issues, encouraging them to schedule a consultation for tailored guidance.

On this episode of the podcast, we explore the topic of autism to bring awareness and aid for mothers navigating their son's developmental challenges. On this episode, Toya shares her personal journey with her son, who is on the autism spectrum, detailing the early signs of autism, the diagnosis process, and how her background in speech and developmental disorders provided a unique perspective on addressing and managing these challenges. The episode highlights the importance of early intervention, the value of parental instincts, and the resources available to parents of children with disabilities. Dr. Richelle also discusses balancing motherhood with educational and mental health advocacy, aiming to empower mothers with knowledge and support.

On this episode of the Raising Sons podcast, host Dr. Richelle delves into strategies for building self-efficacy in sons. Dr. Shell emphasizes the importance of identifying and nurturing a child's natural inclinations, whether it be in academics, building, music, or any other area, and then using those strengths as a foundation to tackle and overcome challenges in less favored areas. She differentiates between self-efficacy (belief in one’s ability to accomplish a specific task successfully) and self-confidence, underscoring that building self-efficacy involves honing specific skills through encouragement, practice, and exposure to activities that reinforce a child’s belief in their capabilities. The episode includes practical advice for parents on how to support their sons in developing a robust sense of self-efficacy by engaging them in activities related to their interests, seeking external validation through competitions or performances, and applying successes in preferred areas to those that are more challenging or less interesting to the child. Dr. Shell invites feedback from listeners and encourages interested parents to seek personalized guidance through one-on-one consultations.

This episode of the podcast delves into the crucial topic of academic engagement among boys transitioning from elementary to middle and high school. Dr. Richelle discusses the observed trend of decreased academic interest as boys age and introduces self-efficacy as a key focus for upcoming episodes. To empower parents in supporting their sons' academic journey and future prospects, she proposes a reflective exercise. This involves observing sons' interests and behaviors over a week and reminiscing on past tendencies that indicate natural inclinations. The goal is to empower sons to believe in their capabilities, highlighting the importance of confidence in their actions and decisions. The exercise is seen as a foundational step for parents to guide their sons in building self-efficacy and navigating their academic and personal growth. Dr. Richelle encourages feedback on the exercise through texting or emailing her, emphasizing the significance of personalized guidance in raising boys.

This episode of the Raising Son podcast focuses on the importance and effects of the academic environment on sons' engagement and interest in studies. The discussion spans different schooling options, including public schools, magnet schools, charter schools, and private schools, catering to unique needs and interests. It emphasizes the critical role the school culture and learning environment play in a child's adjustment. The episode ends with an encouragement for parents to consider new and different environments that may lie outside their comfort zones for the best interest of their sons.