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...]
7 Tips to raise independent kids
7 tips that encourage your child to become more independent doing chores, completeing homework, practicing critical thinking, and making good choices. “I’m wearing dirty pants today because I need to do laundry,” my daughter announces as she comes into the kitchen for breakfast. I wait a beat. “I’ll do it after school,” she adds, … [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...]
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...]
Try this “Magic Ratio” With Your Kids Today
Is the communication in your home full of complaints, arguments, and whining? Chances are the "magic ratio" is off. Use these tips to bring some peace and calm to your family. After another extremely frustrating day battling his son about everything from screentime to bedtime, a parent sat down with me for a parent coaching session. During … [Read more...]
Waiting for Emotional Maturity: A Reminder for Parents
Feeling frustrated because your child seems "too old" for certain behavior? This post will encourage you as you wait for them to mature emotionally. Thank you to April Finley for this guest post. Read more about her in the bio below! When my firstborn was between five and six years old, I felt pressured to teach him to read. We homeschool, … [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...]
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...]
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...]