Grab a cup of coffee, let’s chat. Listen, there are a million (billion, trillion?) parenting articles and books out there. Some are fantastic, while others pile on the guilt and flame your anxiety. It's easy to get caught up in the "Should's" and "Should not's" of parenting. But here's the bottom line: You are the expert on your child. … [Read more...]
5 Things I’ve Learned from My Parent Coaching Clients
We say "good bye" and I close my computer. Once you get comfortable talking with someone via webcam, it can feel like you're sitting in the same room together (Bonus: no one even knows you're still wearing pajama pants!). Online parent coaching has introduced me to an amazing group of parents from around the world. Parents … [Read more...]
Maybe this is the question parents should be asking.
I was so upset. I didn't have a choice. The decision was made and it caught me off guard. Suddenly I was in fight-or-filght mode. I was angry! I texted a friend about the situation: "I didn't even have a say! This was decided for me...no one even asked how I felt about it!" She had nothing to do with it, but started trying to fix it, … [Read more...]
To the exhausted parent: You’re not doing it wrong.
You close the door as hot tears stream down your face. Slumping to the floor, head in your hands, the scene replays in your mind. The power struggle. The yelling. The numerous attempts to interrupt the chaos with empathy and reasoning. Nothing worked. Where did things go wrong? What are you missing? Why is parenting so hard? You're … [Read more...]
How to help your anxious child: a guide for parents
The bedtime battles. The doctor's office meltdowns. The tears. Parenting a child with anxiety can be hard. You wish you could wave a magic wand and make all of their worries disappear. There is hope! Use these posts to help you parent your child through their worries, teach a variety of coping skills, and explore your own … [Read more...]
The Ultimate Holiday Stress Survival Guide for Parents
It's the most wonderful time of the year. Or so the song says. But you know better. You know that there are crowded malls. Burned cookies. And overwhelmed children. If you're feeling frustrated already, hang in there! It is possible to keep the joy in the season These posts will help you stay focused on what's important, plan ahead for … [Read more...]
Just Tell Me What to Do: A Guide for Parents
Why do the meltdowns always happen at night? I'm exhausted. I'm off the clock. I'm done with this parenting gig for today. Don't my kids know that? All I want to do is stare mindlessly TV. And I'm not talking about Daniel Tiger or Ninjago. My child is screaming. I know I need to do something, but my mind is blank. I'm about to scream back, … [Read more...]
I’ll be a good mom when…
It's mac 'n cheese again tonight. As you plop a scoop on each child's plate you hear that little voice inside, "Is this the best you can do?" Without knowing it, you add another heavy brick to your backpack of shame. This one's labeled: "good moms don't serve mac 'n cheese." The growing weight of the backpack is uncomfortable, but you … [Read more...]
The teachable moment you might be missing
Parents hear a lot about finding "teachable moments" in their day. Opportunities to teach their kids right from wrong or to point out a valuable lesson. Unfortunately, finding teachable moments doesn't always come naturally. Most parents clump their family's values and important lessons into lengthy lectures given at the height of anger or … [Read more...]
Help Your Energetic or Distracted Child Focus
You've probably lost count of the times you have given your son a simple command, like "Go clean your room," only to find him (minutes later) jumping on his bed, surrounded by toys. Obviously no cleaning has occurred. Instead, like every time before, he got sidetracked. Distracted. It's challenging to help our energetic, easily distracted, or … [Read more...]