It can be hard to stay calm when your child is upset, anxious, angry, or sad. Read through this list to find 13 ways to practice calm, confident parenting. I did not start out being an especially calm, patient parent. It took years of practice, therapy, and lots of deep breaths. And guess what? There are still times when I lose my cool, … [Read more...]
How to banish the word “should” from your parenting vocabulary
The words "should" and "should not" add unnecessary guilt and shame to our parenting. Use these tips to parent in a way that moves you in a positive direction. Sitting on the couch, scrolling social media, you sigh. Thoughts swirl through your head as you peek into the carefully curated accounts online, "I should get organized." And, "I … [Read more...]
Overcoming the Pressure to Produce a Good Human
We all want to raise children who are well-behaved, thoughtful, and intelligent, but sometimes we miss the fact that we're already raising a good human. All eyes are on you. The room is silent. Embarrassment floods your body. You want to grab your child and run out the door - hoping everyone will forget the rude thing he just … [Read more...]
I’m Tired of Being an Angry Parent! Where Do I Start?
Five steps to move your parenting in a positive direction. No extra guilt. No added judgment. Tips any anxious, frustrated, overwhelmed, or angry parent can use right away! It's time. You're ready to make a change to your parenting. Great! Before you get extremely overwhelmed, pause and take a deep breath. Positive parenting isn't … [Read more...]
The Power of Perseverance in Parenting
Child development is a slow process. It's not easy to parent through difficult stages and phases. Unfortunately, you cannot rush maturity. In parenting, there's power in perseverance. The other day, I ordered something online and it was delivered less than 24 hours later. What?! I mean, I like fast shipping, but this felt a little too … [Read more...]
Easy Daily Practices to Show Love to Your Imperfect Self
Hey imperfect parent! When was the last time you truly embraced a mistake? Smiled when an old habit popped-up? Or shook off a bad mood? (Maybe never.) We have a tendency to hold ourselves to a ridiculously high standard: Perfection. Every moment we mess up is evidence that we are missing the mark. What if we flipped this script? … [Read more...]
5 reasons you still yell at your kids (and what to do instead)
You've tried everything to get off the crazy train of yelling. Or blaming. Or threatening. Or criticizing your kids. No matter how many "good days" you have, eventually fall back into old patterns again. And then you feel horrible. Your intentions are excellent, but something still seems to be getting in the way of kicking this habit. … [Read more...]
How to Move from Passive Parent to Confident Parent
“I want that toy!” your child demands. “Not today, honey. We’re just here for a few things.” “I really want that toy.” “I know, but…” Your child interrupts, “All the other kids have one, and I want one too. I’m putting it in the cart.” “Oh, um...we’ll see...OK.” Confused and defeated, you roll the cart to the … [Read more...]
7 Things a Parent of an Intense Child Wants You to Know
The slamming doors. The random meltdowns. The screaming for hours. This is not the stuff you post on social media. Living with a child who struggles with aggression, anxiety, sensitivity, or impulsivity can be physically and mentally exhausting for everyone involved. There are no easy solutions. No quick fixes. The good days are good. … [Read more...]
Teaching Kids Be Mindful About Their Needs
We're heading home from the science museum. It's been a busy morning. We observed, investigated, played, and learned for hours. It was also loud, crowded, and involved tons of walking. "When we get home, we're going to have some quiet time," I say, hoping this will counteract the effects of overstimulation. Rather than a cheerful "OK mom!" … [Read more...]