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...]
10 Things Every Child Needs to Know About Thoughts and Feelings
Your daughter slams her backpack on the table and rustles through the fridge for a snack. You know something's not right, but when you ask, she responds with, "Nothing." Ugh. Why can't she just tell you what's going on? Unfortunately, thoughts and feelings can be complicated. They can leave your child feeling confused and overwhelmed. … [Read more...]
Simple Self-Care for Extremely Busy Parents
There’s no getting around it, these years are tough. Personal space is limited and your child may literally rely on your help for almost everything! The suggestion to take time for "self-care" may actually make you laugh out loud. (Or cry, depending on the day.) Maybe you’ve tried a few things, but you can’t be consistent. Or, maybe no … [Read more...]
How to Be a Confident Parent Without Yelling at Your Kids
What do the neighbors think? If they only knew the begging, pleading, and negotiating that goes on in your home. Maybe they'd understand why yelling is the ONLY way your kids do what you ask. You've tried being the "nice mom" who doesn't yell, and no matter how hard you tried, it never worked. The only way to get your kids' attention is by … [Read more...]
Learning to Embrace Imperfect Parenting
Thank you to April Finley for this guest post. Read more about her in the bio below! I’m a perfectionist. I remember when that felt like a positive thing: when I was in school, it meant I generally did my best, double-checked my work, and completed my homework moments after it was assigned. While interviewing for jobs, it was my go-to … [Read more...]
The most important first step in any “how to” parenting post
A few weeks ago I broke the garbage disposal. On a whim, I checked YouTube. Yep, there was a video titled, "How to fix your garbage disposal." I followed the steps and it was working again in no time. As parents, we are guilty of googling and searching YouTube for a lot more than home repairs. We search for everything...how to potty train, … [Read more...]
Your Parenting. Redefined.
"I wish I was more like her," you say to the computer screen. "She's such a fun mom." Then, turning to your kids you announce, "Let's do a craft project!" An hour later, one child is in tears, two are arguing over a tube of glitter glue, and you are about to scream. So much for being a fun mom. Comparison and unrealistic expectations often … [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...]
Finding the Positive in Your Parenting (even if you’re discouraged)
You yell too much. You worry constantly. You want everyone to sleep in their own bed, but you're just too tired to fight it. When it comes to making changes to your parenting, it's not hard to find things that need work. But, there are tons of things that don't need fixing at all! Your lopsided pancakes. The silly … [Read more...]
How to Be an Intentional Parent
As the confetti rains down and the clock strikes midnight, you mutter the words: "This year, I won't yell at my kids." It's the same resolution you set last year. And you made it about 36 hours. The start of a new year always provides an opportunity for reflection and goal-setting. But it seems that the goals we set leave … [Read more...]