In this episode of Caring Well, Dr. Middleton chats with David Thomas, LMSW - author, counselor, and co-host of the Raising Boys and Girls podcast - about the emotional lives of boys, exploring why anxiety and risk-avoidance are on the rise, how parents can move kids from emotional suppression to healthy expression using his "three Rs" framework (recognize, regulate, repair), the importance of free play and age-appropriate discomfort for growth, and practical tools families can use to help boys build emotional vocabulary, self-regulation skills, and true resilience.

WATCH EPISODE: https://youtu.be/bfx9P05oSUQ

Learn More: https://www.raisingboysandgirls.com

Key takeaways from this episode: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17-_Asem4uBwXBYqrebhko2kO1_0h2kic/view?usp=sharing

Send us a Question: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1W39w6aJj5Y4C_RDzzRsnmt7JGs1ZHI3FzBikkobPkjs

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Welcome & Introduction
01:17 Meet David Thomas
03:07 Common Issues Boys Face
04:22 Trends in Boys' Mental Health
06:09 Rising Anxiety & Avoidance of Risk
10:46 Parenting Shifts & Overcorrection
13:12 Free Play and Child Independence
15:04 Why Write Raising Emotionally Strong Boys?
19:17 The 3 Rs: Recognize, Regulate, Repair
24:49 Practical Strategies for Teaching Emotional Skills
28:20 Healthy Masculinity Redefined
33:30 Co-Regulation to Self-Regulation
38:34 Parental Challenges & The Role of Control
41:41 Understanding the Rise in Anxiety
44:01 Overmedicalization & Cultural Trends
46:01 Practical Parenting Tips by Age
49:40 Breathing, Breaks, and Healthy Coping
52:44 Hopeful Trends in Schools & Pediatric Care
55:45 Building Optimism for Boys' Emotional Growth
57:34 Lightning Round: Advice for Parents
59:02 Lessons Learned and Final Thoughts

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