Kids won't listen? Feeling ignored? This guide will help you understand why your kids aren't listening and what you can do to encourage them to listen well. In my parent coaching sessions, getting kids to listen is the #1 concern. Parents share these complaints: My kids ignore me. My kids won't do what I ask unless I threaten to take … [Read more...]
13 Ways to Stay Calm When Your Child is Upset
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...]
10 things I love about having older kids (Tweens and Teenagers)
Raising tweens and teenagers can be challenging, but there are a lot of amazing things about this stage too! Read this list and then create your own. If there’s one phrase I would like to eliminate from our vocabulary, it is “just wait until they’re older.” Being a mom of three girls, I hear this phrase often. But as my kids grow, I … [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...]
How to talk to kids about race and racism
It's never too early to start talking to kids about race and racism. These tips will help you get the conversation started. Saraa D. Lee, MSW, LCSW, shares her tips for talking about race with our kids. Check out her website Pacific Burnout Therapy or on Facebook. Conversations about race are always happening around us. … [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...]
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...]
3 things that matter more than your child’s obedience
We all want kids who obey (preferably with a cheerful attitude). When that doesn't happen, we panic. What if, we took obedience off its pedestal and focused on laying a strong foundation instead? Here are three things that matter more than your child's obedience. A child’s obedience is like the gold standard in parenting. When a child … [Read more...]
5 Ways to Encourage Your Kids to Listen the First Time
Stop repeating yourself 1,000 times. Stop bribing or threatening your kids to listen. Use these tips to encourage your kids to listen the first time you ask them to do something. You’re tired of repeating yourself 1000 times. You’re tired of the constant arguing -- the disagreeing with everything you say. Would it be so hard for them to … [Read more...]
9 ways to improve cooperation from your kids
Tired of arguing, begging and bribing your kids to help out around the house..or do anything you ask? These 9 tips will help you improve the cooperation from your kids. You're standing at the kitchen island as your kids stampede away into the other room. They grab video game controllers and wrestle for their places on the couch. In front … [Read more...]