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...]
25 Alternatives to Timeouts, Grounding, and Taking Things Away
Change the way you think about discipline! These 25 parenting tips focus on positive, respectful, age-appropriate alternatives. When it comes to discipline, it's easy to feel stuck. We're told to use timeouts, grounding, bribes, taking things away, and even spanking, but nothing seems to make a difference. Maybe we've been … [Read more...]
Three Things to do When Your Child is in the Middle of a Huge Meltdown
Big emotions can be scary, overwhelming, and stressful for parents (and for kids!). Use these three tips to parent with a calm confidence during your child's next meltdown. She stands in the kitchen screaming. Hands clenched at her sides. Eyes focused and glaring. You try everything - offering a hug, yelling “settle down,” sending her to … [Read more...]
Kids and Screens: How to Build Healthy Habits and Keep Your Relationship Strong
Tired of the constant fights about screentime? Not sure how to help your kids manage screens, social media, and video games? Here are some tips to get you started! When my kids were young, I was envious of other families who had movie nights. I imagined them cuddled up under blankets sharing a bowl of popcorn. In our house, movie night … [Read more...]
Bedtime Routine Solutions You Can Use Tonight
You don't have to dread bedtime! Use this list to create a bedtime routine solution that works for your unique child. Bedtime. That horrendous time of day when you are exhausted, and yet, your kids seem to have a never-ending supply of energy. When all you want to do is sit down and veg out, and all your kids seem to care about is … [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...]
When Kids Don’t Want to Talk About What They Did Wrong
You believe it's important that your child admit their mistakes and own up to behavior that hurts others or is unacceptable. Unfortunately, when you try to talk to them, you get resistance - blame, avoidance, and "I don't know." Here are some tips to try when your child doesn't want to talk about what they did wrong. According to brain … [Read more...]
How to absolutely love parenting toddlers (everything you need to know and more!)
The toddler and preschool years can be exhausting and overwhelming, but don't believe the hype - parenting toddlers doesn't have to be terrible! In fact, you can even enjoy this stage. (It's true!) Use these tips to help you discipline, manage tantrums, avoid power struggles and parent your toddler with confidence! How to Absolutely Love … [Read more...]