The Art of Parenting

What if motherhood didn't mean losing touch with your sensual self? Listen in and uncover insights with Alexandra Roxo. Click here for the show notes and extra resources. As we become parents our own needs often go out the window, but they don't need to. Today's guest shares her view on balancing our desires while caring for our family.   What We Talked About: How to reclaim your sensuality as a mother How to create space for your emotional, physical, and spiritual needs while being fully present as a parent The importance of self-awareness and responsibility in parenting How to positively transform relationships through communication Why intimacy requires intentional effort Creating sacred time for couples Things to Remember “Art is subjective and personal, just like parenting.” “Having a sensual life as a woman doesn't have to be a privilege or a luxury, it's a necessity and healing.” “As much as possible, add consciousness and awareness into your parenting.” “Be aware of what you bring into a relationship, with your child or partner.” “Self-awareness is always the first step only then can we start to transform.” “There's a beautiful liberation that comes when we become aware, to feel, and make choices from an empowered place.” -Alexandra Roxo   Click here for the show notes and extra resources.  

Your child's growth can be powered by your positivity. Listen in and learn how to embrace heliotropic parenting today with Dr. Harry Cohen. Click here for the show notes and extra resources. My guest today shares important business mindset and strategies to be an effective and compassionate parent. What We Talked About: What is and how can the heliotropic approach be applied to parenting The power of listening and presence The importance of avoiding relationships or environments that drain you How to Grand-parent with love and boundaries What is a “fill in the potholes” mindset? Things to Remember “Parenting is figuring out when to step in, when to step back, when to step aside and what is the right thing to do for our children at their age and stage for this circumstance.” “The real art of parenting is forgiving yourself and the imperfect children you're trying to raise.” “Your presence is worth a lot.” “The more you get good at practicing having those difficult conversations lovingly, the better off you will be.”  “Help when you don't need to. Nobody will know but you.” “Parenting is the greatest opportunity in our lives for at least one human being to become an even better human being by the sheer force of our love.” - Dr. Harry Cohen   Click here for the show notes and extra resources.

Struggling with newborn sleep routines? Listen in and discover the secrets with my guest, Katie Sullivan. Click here for the show notes and extra resources. Sleep seems to be a hot topic when it comes to living with little ones. My guest today shares her secrets to having good sleep habits for the entire family.  What We Talked About: The difference between a crib and a floor bed What are the benefits of a floor bed How to start sleep education from birth The importance of creating a sleep routine Preparing your home environment for both parent and child Learning to observe to adjust to the child's needs Things to Remember “Parenting is learning to trust yourself and your children.” “The environment has a huge effect on both sleep and parenting.” “A prepared adult is being aware of developmental research and practices.” “As your baby grows, observe and adjust your household to meet their needs and how they can be a helping part of the family.” - Katie Sullivan   Click here for the show notes and extra resources.  

Ever wonder if being 'nice' can go too far in parenting? Listen in and join me and my guest, Randi Rubenstein for eye-opening insights! Click here for the show notes and extra resources. Is being a nice parent the answer to good parenting? My guest today shares what being nice means for today's parents.   What We Talked About: Randi's Mastermind Parenting is a unique trademarked method. What is the NICE framework? How to communicate with pack leadership and empathy How to enforce consequences the right way Understanding and nurturing strong-willed children Things to Remember “Parenting is when you start to feel freer to be who you naturally are.” “We learn how to communicate with strong leadership.” “What truly connects people is when we get to be ourselves and you get to be you and we get to mess it all up and then come back together.” - Randi Rubenstein   Click here for the show notes and extra resources.

Is your phone stealing attention away from your most important relationships? Listen in and discover the real impact with Joey Odom. Click here for the show notes and extra resources. I don't know about you, but sometimes my phone or other people's phones get in the way of my relationships. Joey discovered this early on and created a product to help us have a better relationship with those who matter most, including our phones. What We Talked About: The power of intentional presence Navigating technology's impact on our family life Challenges of modern parenting with digital technology How Aro's gamified tools work to make phone-free time a habit Practical Family Device policies Things to Remember “Parenting is a willingness to wade into the gray waters of nuance.” “You can get so many things wrong and make up for all of them with your full undivided presence. You can get so many things right and   blow it all for a lack of your undivided presence.” “My relationship with my phone was getting in the way of my most important relationships.” “We didn't need statistics to tell us all the damage our phones are doing.” “We grow levels of false dependence on our phones that we begin to believe that we need them more than we do.” “There's a lot of shame that can be associated when it comes to our phones or feeling like we're falling short.” “Doing something exclusively on your own is really hard, but when you're doing it with others and it becomes the norm within that group, it becomes so much easier.” “Human relationships come in front of phone relationships.” “Our kids are going to mimic what we model.” - Joey Odom   Click here for the show notes and extra resources.  

Do you know how to prepare for a safer childbirth experience? Listen in and hear from Gina Mundy on what you need to know. Click here for the show notes and extra resources. I never realized we needed attorneys for childbirth, yet today I speak with Gina Mundy, an attorney who specializes in childbirth cases and has defended countless families due to birth traumas.  What We Talked About: When do you need and the role of a childbirth attorney The critical role of birth doulas for safer childbirth Proactive steps for a safer childbirth experience Understanding all of the childbirth interventions suggested Choosing to have a Home or hospital birth Things to Remember "Birth doulas help families bring babies safely into this world." "Babies are made to handle natural contractions." "Breaking mom's bag of water and interventions doctors recommend are huge decisions." "When a mom, and you're in labor, you have to understand you are in a different state of mind." "Every labor is different." - Gina Mundy   Click here for the show notes and extra resources.  

Did you know, your child's gut microbiome impacts their behavior and immunity? Listen in and get expert answers from Dr. Elisa Song. Click here for the show notes and extra resources. Your child's microbiome is essential to having healthy kids, happy kids. Learn from integrative pediatrician Elisa Song as she shares evidence-based choices we can make for our children's future.  What We Talked About: Understanding the impact your child's Microbiome has on long term health  The potential long-term effects of antibiotics in early childhood Five simple steps to having microbiome magic Mindful choices you can make to reduce processed foods in your home Understanding what is healthy stress for children The vagus nerve explained and how to engage it Things to Remember “Parenting is being able to go inward and listen to the inner voice and trust it.”  “Just like we take care of our external world's ecosystem, we must take care of our microbiome's ecosystem.” “80% of your child's immune system is in their gut.” “Use antibiotics only when it's necessary. Be judicious, to not overuse antibiotics.” “One of the factors that predicted success in adulthood was the ability to self-regulate.” “Stress is simply your physiologic response getting ready for something to happen.There's a certain amount of stress that actually makes us more productive, makes us more efficient.” “No matter where your child is on their health journey…It's never too late to move towards a path of thriving.” - Dr. Elisa Song   Click here for the show notes and extra resources

Are you ready to spark a love for math in your child? Listen in as my guest, Shalinee Sharma, reveals her top tips. Click here for the show notes and extra resources. The Mathematical Mind is something we all possess, yet there are many myths about having a math mind or not. Today my guest shares the beauty that can be found in math and how to guide our children to enjoy and succeed in math. What We Talked About: Unlocking the "Mathematical Mind" Shalinee's four tips for Math confidence Simple ways to bring math into daily routines Why visual and hands-on approaches make math meaningful & engaging. How to make math a game for young kids The importance of letting go of the "math kid" myth Things to Remember “Parenting connects us to the purpose of life.” “As a parent, you're the guide of your child to help them to do their duty.” “All children can succeed in Math.” “Math ability is intrinsic. We all have it.” “When you hit a roadblock in learning, it's a signal to try harder.” “Put the myth of the math kid on a shelf and ask for help.” “There is no humiliation in math. Math is beautiful, it's fun.” - Shalinee Sharma   Click here for the show notes and extra resources.

What's the key to thriving preschool success? Listen in as my guest, Amber Jayne, reveals it all. Click here for the show notes and extra resources. We all know how crucial children's early years of development are for their lifelong joy and success. Today we talk about how to determine what is the best environment for children to thrive.  What We Talked About: How to identify a high-quality preschool using the four senses rule Balancing parenthood and business The role of love and nurturing in early childhood development How traditional education doesn't fit every child The impact of technology on children's development Things to Remember “Your parenting style is yours to embrace” “Always internally check your parenting style because we have the answers always within us.” “When you walk into a home daycare, a child care center, or preschool, follow your senses.” “We need to have our children ready for kindergarten. We need to have them build their confidence.” “If you're missing the foundation of love, respect, and trust, your child is going to have a hard time wherever they go.” “If you can't homeschool, just advocate for your child.” “We're learning to be a mom just as our children are learning to grow up.” - Ms. Amber Jayne   Click here for the show notes and extra resources.  

Is 'Mommy Brain' real or just a myth? Listen in and discover the science behind it with my guest, Jodi Pawluski! Click here for the show notes and extra resources. So often the ‘Mommy Brain' gets a bad wrap, but did you know everything happens for a reason!? Today I'm talking with a neuroscientist to understand the science of the mommy brain better.   What We Talked About: The brain changes that occur in mothers during parenthood Societal and environmental pressures that disproportionately affect mothers Effects of perinatal mental illness on both mothers and their offspring Oxytocin and bonding without breastfeeding Why parenting skill is built through experience Changes in brain structure and function when learning to care for a child. Things to Remember “Parenting is accepting the diversity and working to find what works for you and your child within your household.” “Motherhood itself has a special list of pressures and to-do's.” “Your brain can only do so much.” “Acknowledge all the amazing things that occur in our brains during pregnancy and the postpartum period and not see it as a deficit.” “Your brain is functioning when it has the capacity and the environment to function well when you're pregnant or postpartum.” “Pregnant women are much better at memory for parenting-related things.” “Becoming a parent can increase the chances of mental health struggles.” “Our brain is really valuable in our transition to parenthood and we need to acknowledge that.” - Jodi Pawluski   Click here for the show notes and extra resources.

Can yoga help children manage big feelings and emotions? Listen in as my guest, Lauren Chaitoff shares her insights. Click here for the show notes and extra resources. Yoga has always been my go-to for relaxing and feeling in tune with my physical body. Today, I'm talking with a yoga instructor who is focused on bringing this ancient practice to children.  What We Talked About: Ways to introduce yoga to children How yoga can help both parents and children manage emotions Building emotional awareness in children The four pillars of Yogi Bean Morning and evening yoga rituals for parents and children How to add a bit of yoga to your daily life Things to Remember “Parenting is similar to the breath, a lot of expansion and contraction.” “When you change how you breathe, you can change how you feel.” “Having good posture is important for the mind and body connection.” “When your goal is to get children to sit quietly and still you need to let them move a little bit.” “Making children aware of their feelings is a lifelong tool to help them cope with bigger feelings.” “Everything is a phase.” - Lauren Chaitoff   Click here for the show notes and extra resources.  

Is there really such a thing as the perfect parent? Listen in and discover the power of being an imperfect parent with Kate Hamilton. Click here for the show notes and extra resources. I truly believe we all strive to be the best parent possible, yet when we strive for perfection is when we get ourselves in trouble. The notion of perfection is unattainable so let's embrace being an Imperfect Parent instead.  What We Talked About: Understanding generational behaviors helps us break unhelpful cycles Parenting as a partnership Mistakes are valuable learning opportunities for both parents and children. How to handle unsolicited advice The “8-Year Rule” for tough conversations Creating an open family environment Things to Remember “There's not one formula that works in parenting.” “Parenting is believing in our ability to parent.” “It's totally okay to fail, it's okay to make a mistake but it's not okay to stop, it's not okay not to learn.” “Consequences are important to teach our kids but there are times in life when everybody needs a little bit of grace.” “Imperfection is good and normal.” “We know our children better than the experts do and we need to trust that we know our children.” - Kate Hamilton   Click here for the show notes and extra resources.  

Could your understanding of postpartum mental health be missing a crucial piece? Listen in as my guest, Aaisha Alvi shares the realities of postpartum psychosis. Click here for the show notes and extra resources. A Mom Like That is a memoir of a woman's journey into perinatal and postpartum mood disorders. She shares her honest and harrowing experiences with a healthcare system that does not yet take these issues seriously. A must listen to all. What We Talked About: What are perinatal mood disorders Aaisha's personal experience with Postpartum Psychosis What is the biological basis of Postpartum Psychosis What urged Aaisha to write the book 'A Mom Like That' The lack of awareness among healthcare providers regarding postpartum psychosis Things to Remember “Parenting with a mindset that always tries to bring out the best our children will have to offer the world.” “Postpartum psychosis is one of the most severe psychiatric illnesses a woman can ever experience in her lifetime.” “When it comes to postpartum psychosis, nobody knows why it occurs.” “When you have a miscarriage, you don't have a baby to take care of, but you still have biological elements that trigger postpartum.” “When you lose touch with reality, there is a risk to yourself and your child.” “Nobody needs to suffer due to shame or stigma.” - Aaisha Alvi   Click here for the show notes and extra resources.  

What does it take to truly heal after a challenging birth? Listen in and find out in this powerful conversation with Jennifer Summerfeldt. Click here for the show notes and extra resources. Our birth experience, how we came to the world, and how, if able, we give birth to our own have a lasting impact on our overall well-being. What We Talked About: Midwifery and alternative birth options Overcoming the fear induced by mainstream pregnancy advice Understand different birth paradigms Choosing birth based on values The emergence of free birth The difference between a disappointing birth experience and birth trauma How birth trauma impacts both the body and mind How the nervous system reacts during traumatic events like childbirth Identifying postpartum challenges Things to Remember “Parenting is about learning how to listen to that guiding principle that resides in all of us as a human being.” “It's important that you understand what that birth paradigm includes, that they're motivated by fear, litigation, and money, and to manage and control and take charge of your experience.” “When you hire a professional or registered midwife, most often you have the option to give birth at home, in a birthing center or a hospital.” “Any choice out of fear is usually a bad recipe.” “You can have a disappointing birth experience that is not traumatic.” “It's not about controlling the outside world. It's about knowing that there's a way for us to ride the waves of life, to ride the stressors of life and it doesn't have to be traumatic.” “Rest in the role of motherhood.” - Jennifer Summerfeldt   Click here for the show notes and extra resources.

⁠My guest, today is on a mission to bring more wellness, joy, and intentionality to parenting and beyond she shares her powerful approach that encourages us to embrace growth in a deeply intentional way.⁠ Click here for the show notes and extra resources. Life is all about growing, expanding, and improving ourselves the best we can. My guest shares her framework to do just that.  What We Talked About: The "Stop, Drop, Grow, and Glow" Framework The Five Rights of Parenting The Importance of Self-Reflection in Parenting Setting boundaries with screens and devices Why integrating self-care into your daily routine is crucial Things to Remember “Being open to learning from your children models, learning is a lifelong process.” “Children will teach you about yourself and the work you still need to do more than anyone in life.” “Your voice is a tool of creation and you have the power to use it to uplift or tear down in your home.” “Love is the cure for all that ails us, parenting and beyond.” “Letting your child know how much you love them, and that you're there for them, will plant their spirit in deep, rich soil as they grow.” “It's important for your child to be a child and not lose their childhood.” “Parents need to feel more grace in terms of being able to take care of themselves.” “Be more intentional in how you're choosing to live and parent.” - Holly Swenson   Click here for the show notes and extra resources.

Wondering how to build a strong emotional bond with your child? Listen in as my guest, Eli Harwood shares some insights. Click here for the show notes and extra resources. Secure attachment is known to be the one ingredient necessary not only for our survival but also for our positive evolution as a thriving species. We are social beings and need to trust those that care for us. Today Eli shares her research and helps us create a secure bond with those we care for. What We Talked About: Creating a secure environment for children Understanding the attachment theory Eli's personal experiences with attachment The Importance of Parental Self-awareness The power of apologizing to children Recognizing and respecting the unique needs & love languages of each child Things to Remember “Parenting is a process, there is no final product.” “Our relationships with our children are all unique.” “The parent-child relationship affects the development process.” “When we bring our presence to our children in a way that connotes delight. There's medicine that gets wired between us.” “Create an experience for your children where they sense that you are a safe place to open up.” “Messing up and conflicts are part of a relationship that we can repair without shame or self-contempt.” “Maturity is a relational process.” “Do the best you can and then trust that when the mess up is acknowledged, there is power in just saying, I'm so sorry.” - Eli Harwood   Click here for the show notes and extra resources.

What's your secret formula to happiness? Listen to my guest, Stella Grizont, and find out what science has to say about it. Click here for the show notes and extra resources. Ah, happiness… such a profound emotion. Did you know there was a science to it? Today we are learning how to nurture those happy vibes at home and work for both ourselves and our children.  What We Talked About: Creating emotional safety for children The importance of clarity and setting boundaries The 8 Inner Skills from the Work Happiness Method Clarity in your goals and decisions, both as a parent and in your career Why tuning into your own needs is essential Things to Remember “Create freedom for your children to be themselves and to know themselves better.” “Emotion is always in motion. It's just information.” “Parenting is harder than any job you could do.” “Our boundaries are there to make it easier  for us to be who we want to be.” “When you're in your play mindset, you're setting yourself up to be more curious and open to possibilities.” “The people-pleasing tendency is a trauma response. It's a trauma response called fawning.” “Tending to our own needs is a way of caring better for others.” “Boundaries are less about no and more about saying yes to what matters.” “Boundaries are one way we can support ourselves in being who we want to be with greater ease.” - Stella Grizont Click here for the show notes and extra resources.

Has your child rejected you? Listen in and learn how to handle it with Cathy Himlin. Click here for the show notes and extra resources. It can be tough when you feel rejected by your child, especially when you are going through a separation. Today's guest, a Marriage and Family Therapist helps us understand why and how to manage these situations. What We Talked About: The complexities of high-conflict divorces and how they impact children The underlying reasons why children may reject a parent Recurring patterns observed in children during custody disputes How attachment-based methods can help repair strained relationships between children and parents Practical advice for parents considering divorce How power struggles within couples can impact parenting The difference between litigation and mediation Things to Remember “Parenting is getting into the child's world.” “The ideal for children from separated homes, to not be pulled or pushed from either home is to have both parents work together and try to have similar items.” “You can't go into divorce and figure out what you want unless you understand your options.” “Trying to make it work is best, because it may just be relationship ruptures or injuries that never got healed.” “Try to have that lens on what's in the best interest of your child.” “Have some respite care. Take time in between having children to focus on the marriage.” “Controlling usually means anxiety.” “There's no book for each child. Every child is different and we don't know what they're going to turn out to be.” “All the parenting tools and techniques out there are just tools. It's the relationship that matters.” “The Family Court system needs to shift focus away from litigation and toward the children and their developmental, psychological, and emotional needs.” - Cathy Himlin   Click here for the show notes and extra resources.

How can we prepare our children to be impactful citizens? Listen in and find out why it is important to start young. Click here for the show notes and extra resources. As parents we're not only raising children we are raising future citizens. My guest today, a professor in Political Science, shares why it is up to us to do so and shares some actionable steps to guide us along.  What We Talked About: How to start having informative political conversations early on  Simple strategies for introducing politics at home How to nurture critical thinking with our children The importance of creating a supportive civic environment Why Lindsey felt the need to write “Raising Citizen” Things to Remember “Parenting is trying to do a little bit better than our parents did for us.” “Politics is going to happen to us whether we like it or not so it's better if we understand the process.” “Everyone has a different version of what the good life is and how to get there.” “Our kids don't need us to be politics or government experts, they need us to model the behavior of learning more.” “When we're raising a citizen, we're not necessarily trying to raise a partisan.” “Let's make sure our kids are equipped and capable of getting through the world in a better way than we are.” - Lindsey Cormack   Click here for the show notes and extra resources.

Curious about the benefits of parenting at your child's pace? Listen in as my guest, Dr. Joel Warsh shares insights you won't want to miss! Click here for the show notes and extra resources. Our children's well-being and health are among the biggest responsibilities we take on as parents.. Yet today it has become complex to navigate the does and don'ts of our health let alone that of our children. Today I'm speaking with Dr.Joel Warsh an integrative pediatrician on the importance of parenting at your child's pace.  What We Talked About: Deciphering the abundance of parenting information The benefits of Integrative Medicine for family health The rise of chronic diseases in children The critical role nutrition & preventive care plays in maintaining your family's health The impacts social media has on parental expectations The benefits of homeopathic remedies and other integrative medicine practices in pediatric care Things to Remember “Parenting is figuring out what are the best ways to create a healthy, happy home and create healthy, happy, resilient kids.” “The internet can make you scared about things that  you don't really have to worry that much about.” “If we aren't mindful of what we're doing, then then our children are going to be sick and we're going to be sick.” “Little changes make a huge difference.” “Just because you have one symptom does not necessarily mean that you have the scary thing. Most scary things have all the basic symptoms, but the scary things have a lot more to it.” “If you have a prescription in the first six months to a year, that increases your risk for every disease.” “It's okay to be a little nervous, but don't be overly stressed.” - Dr. Joel Warsh Click here for the show notes and extra resources.

Do you think we should dedicate a month to celebrate families? Listen in to find out what  Anne Doherty's plan to do just that. Click here for the show notes and extra resources. Families are the backbone of our societies and they have evolved over time. Today my guest wants us to have a whole month every year to celebrate all families.  What We Talked About: What the concept of Family Month is Understanding the impacts birth order has Navigating between biological and chosen families Integrating our personal challenges into parenting How early experiences affects a child's behavior and attachment style  Managing sibling rivalry, especially when introducing a new sibling How to balance our guilt with the need for self-care and personal growth Things to Remember “Parenting is like meditation. It's an active, moving meditation where you're focused on the children, the family, and it's all outside of you.” “Being human means that you're part of the family. ” “Doing something positive is good.” “Many people want their children to fill a need that they never had filled when they were little.” “Respect means that you acknowledge them for who they are. You respect their boundaries, and respect your own boundaries.” “If you keep expecting it to change, you're never going to be happy.” “It's hard to have compassion for yourself until you have compassion for others.” - Anne Doherty   Click here for the show notes and extra resources.

How can you teach your child to be financially smart? Listen in as my guest, Anthony Delauney, shares his essential advice. Click here for the show notes and extra resources. You would not necessarily think of financial literacy as something a child should know, yet my guest today shares the importance of learning about finances early so we can have money smart children. What We Talked About: How Anthony's extensive knowledge in financial planning has influenced his parenting Introducing financial concepts to children in an engaging and age-appropriate manner The do's and don'ts of implementing allowances Developing healthy financial habits early on Making the complexity of financial literacy simple The impact emotions have on financial decisions Things to Remember “Parenting is trying to get a sense of how best we can relate to our children.” “It's hard enough to figure out your own situation, but when you start to incorporate a spouse and children into the mix, it makes the planning process a lot more fun, but also a lot more complex.” “You can have two children and you can raise them the exact same way and they can become totally different individuals.” “When children receive the money,  it's very important that they maintain some sense of ownership in terms of how it's distributed.” “Fear of judgment is the number one thing that prevents people from achieving success.” “The best part about being a child is you can fail in a safe environment.” “When a child does fail, we want to give them the opportunity to do it, but we need to be extremely mindful of how we react to their failure.” “Emotion and money do not go well together.” “Do not introduce certain concepts that your children may not be emotionally prepared to absorb  or relate to.” “As a parent, make sure that you're mindful of how you react.” “It's not so much what we tell our children. It's what we show them.” - Anthony Delauney   Click here for the show notes and extra resources.

Why do you think comparing yourself to other parents is a trap? Listen in as my guest, Kathy Bowers explains why it's unnecessary and unhelpful. Click here for the show notes and extra resources. Kathy is a nursery teacher turned life and parenting coach and shares with us some compassionate advice for modern-day parents.  What We Talked About: The importance of embracing your unique parenting style The negative effect comparison can have on your parenting What it takes to truly nurture a child Strong relationships provide a solid foundation for children The critical need for self-care when parenting Communicating expectations and house rules to children Setting boundaries and maintaining consistency Overcoming external pressures Things to Remember “Every parent can improve their parenting skills. We don't always naturally become parents.” “Failure sets you up to try again. It gives you that strength.” “Parenting is finding the best way of guiding your children and putting them first.” “It will happen when it's meant to happen.” “Children will always pick the easiest option.” “Your children will not be your friend because you are the parent.” “If you can't meet your own needs, how can you meet your children's needs?” “Don't compare yourself to anybody else. Parenting is a slow step.” - Kathy Bowers   Click here for the show notes and extra resources.  

Are you ready to uncover the power of shared courage? Listen in as my guest, Jessica Patay shares her inspiring story. Click here for the show notes and extra resources. Parenting is already a journey with many ups and downs add to it a child with special needs, then the community becomes your lifeline. Jessica created an amazing international community so we can all be brave together and we thank her for it. What We Talked About: The Mission of 'We Are Brave Together' The importance of finding a support network for parents caring for children with special needs. The daily struggles and unique challenges faced by caregivers, especially those caring for children with disabilities. Understanding Prader-Willi Syndrome The difference between self-comfort and true self-care Things to Remember “What works for one child may not work for your next child. You have to learn the beauty and the complexity of your child to be the best parent for them.” “Community is everything. When you have a crisis you have to be surrounded by other people who understand and who can validate what you're experiencing.” “As human beings, as parents, we must invest in our mental health.” “I know you're tired. I know you're overwhelmed. I know you're exhausted but when you have people around you who get it. It's comforting and transformative.” “You do not have to be a coach or a therapist to learn how to facilitate a safe sacred space for moms to share.” “Self-comfort will not sustain you for the long haul of life or caregiving.”  “You have to believe that you deserve to invest in your mental health.” “Taking care of yourself is not selfish but when we've heard the term ‘self-care' we tend to equate it with selfishness.” “Focus more on connection than control.” -Jessica Patay   Click here for the show notes and extra resources.

Do you know whether your child's sippy cup is doing more harm than good? Listen to my guest, an infant feeding expert for the answers. Click here for the show notes and extra resources. An infant feeding expert explains why it's best to ditch the sippy cup and use an open cup instead when teaching children to learn to drink on their own. She also shared more baby-led weaning advice. What We Talked About: What are the benefits of Baby-Led Weaning How not using a sippy cup can prevent speech delays and feeding issues Making mealtime safer and more enjoyable for children What are the feeding Developmental Milestones Both the immature and mature swallowing patterns in babies. How to help babies develop essential pre-feeding skills The natural picky eating stage and how to handle it effectively Things to Remember “Parenting is acquiring that knowledge and then making the best decision that works for your family.” “Baby-led-weaning is allowing the baby to have some control and learn new skills.” “Skip the sippy cup and use an open cup to help your child meet their feeding milestones.” “Developmentally, the picky eating phase is normal with the toddlers but not with infants.” “Babies are born to be able to suck and swallow and that swallowing reflex changes as the baby gets older.” “Picky eating is a natural feeding and swallowing phase that every child should go through.” “Two things that a child is doing during that picky-eating phase is they're trying to figure out if that food is still safe for them and they're trying to figure out if that feeder is still safe for them.” - Dawn Winkelmann   Click here for the show notes and extra resources.

Have you ever had a gut feeling that something was off? Listen in as Marisa Peters inspires and encourages people to embrace being seen. Click here for the show notes and extra resources. Being a new parent can be stressful and exhausting; add to it a devastating health diagnosis, and you're in for some very challenging times. Today, my guest shares her experience of being diagnosed with stage three rectal cancer after the birth of her third son and what she was inspired to create since then. What We Talked About: The key symptoms to be aware of when it comes to Colorectal Cancer The importance of early detection and why she created “Be Seen.” How she managed parenting three young boys while undergoing cancer treatment Creating a supportive environment and open dialogue with children Things to Remember “Parenting is tough, and caring for ourselves is also tough.” “We know that we should have an annual physical. We would never miss those appointments for our children.  And yet, as parents, we sometimes miss those for ourselves.” “Hiding things or calling it something different creates more instability for our children.” “Life is wild. It will throw us curveballs.” “Help your kids know that It's okay to walk into these different settings that feel a bit unknown and, sometimes, very scary when you're going through it.” “Your kids give you as much energy as they take.” “If we turn the volume off on that inner voice and instinct, we're missing so much of that goodness inside us.” - Marisa Peters   Click here for the show notes and extra resources

Are you confused by all the parenting advice available? Listen in to hear what Jamie Glowacki has to say about modern parenting. Click here for the show notes and extra resources. Tune in to an animated discussion about parenting and how we might be messing it up. Jamie and I covered much ground today, from gentle parenting techniques to potty training.  Let me know what resonated with you the most.  What We Talked About: Why gentle parenting might have gone too far Jamie's need to share her potty training technique with parents What is the proper way to go about helping children through tough emotions? Modern parenting, the impact of overparenting, and how parents can course-correct. The importance of giving children the tools to solve their problems The balance between acknowledging children's emotions and not over-attending to every feeling. The benefits of slowing down and simplifying life Things to Remember “Parenting is not a skill. It's a relationship.” “We have so much information that parents think they can get the perfect solution to raise a happy child, but there is no perfect solution. You have to parent the child in front of you, and that will be different for every person.” “We are over-parenting in this way of intervening on every single behalf.” “In some situations, we have to let kids figure it out.” “We've got to let our kids go back to neighborhood play.” “Once we bring in the internet, you're letting the entire world into your house.” “What is exhausting a lot of parents right now, is over attending to every emotion.” “Potty training is not a measurement of your parenting.” -Jamie Glowacki   Click here for the show notes and extra resources.  

How can opting out of the digital world lead to a more fulfilling family life? Listen in as my guest, Erin Loechner shares her inspiring stories. Click here for the show notes and extra resources. Making choices about what we bring into our homes or put in our children's hands has been a long-standing issue I would like to examine. Today, Erin Loechner shares her journey and how we can become an opt-out family. Listen in for some much-needed inspiration. What We Talked About: Erin's journey from being a social media influencer to embracing a low-tech lifestyle Simple steps to reduce tech dependency in your life How she created and manages her low-tech family What parents can do to follow the principles of a low-tech family The principles behind “people over pixels.” How tech can hinder our children's need for independence Things to Remember “Parenting is… a lot of pivoting, a lot of listening, a lot of following your child's lead. It's a dance.” “Be more engaging than the algorithm.” “As parents, we have to model the behavior we want to see and go first.” “Sometimes we just have to be willing to fail to be able to find out what we're comfortable with and what we're not comfortable with.” “People over pixels.” “Move slow and mend things.” “If we're not capitalizing on the low stakes opportunities, we're certainly not going to be skilled or practiced or well versed when it comes to the high stakes opportunities.” “Honor the weight of parenting while still holding it very loosely.” “Parents can connect far better than how technology wants to connect with us.” - Erin Loechner Click here for the show notes and extra resources

How can you empower your child to embrace independence? Listen in to my guest, Lenore Skenazy as she shares her time-tested insights. Click here for the show notes and extra resources. Today's guest was named “America's Worst Mom” for supporting her son's desire to take the subway home 16 years ago. Since then, she has been on a mission to support parents and schools to help children regain their much-needed independence. What We Talked About: Why fostering independence in children is crucial for their development, resilience, and confidence How societal changes have increased parental fear and overprotection Practical ways parents can encourage independence in their children Balancing safety and freedom How modern technology is reducing family communication Benefits of Unstructured Free Play Balancing technology and real-world experiences Things to Remember “Parenting is recognizing that kids are going to be who they are. We have got to give them space and time to figure that out on their own.” “Independence is so crucial to children and so natural. It's like a vitamin.” “With parents being away, kids are called upon to do new things and recognize just how competent they can be.” “The more control you think you have doesn't actually make you more calm.” “Give your kids chances to help you and to show you how capable, competent, and kind they are.” “There's too much pressure on parents to know everything and to shape our children when we can't.” - Lenore Skenazy “The child looks for his independence first, not because he does not desire to be dependent on the adult. But because he has in himself some fire, some urge, to do certain things and not other things.” - Dr. Maria Montessori   Click here for the showe notes and extra resources.

Have you ever considered changing your family dynamics? Listen in as my guest, Linda Fruits, shares her journey of changing family dynamics. Click here for the show notes and extra resources. Sometimes, I encounter people whose life stories intrigue me. Today is no exception. Linda shares her family dynamics as it evolves from the stereotypical heterosexual to a multi-dimensional family unit.  What We Talked About: Why Linda created  "Fruits of Motherhood.” Navigating early motherhood's isolation and the illusion of social media perfection The complexities of sexuality and relationships The vital role that your support networks play in your and your family's well-being The importance of open communication for healthy family and personal relationships Revolutionizing family dynamics Co-parenting with your ex  Unconventional living in the eyes of traditional society Nurturing supportive environments for our children Things to Remember “Parenting is figuring out who you are while caring for kids.” “When you're in front of the people who make you feel good, you feel good.” “No one was telling moms the hard parts.” “If you don't have examples of people who do things differently, you don't know that you can subscribe to something different.” “We all have roles in which we excel when it comes to parenting.” “If you're not happy where you are, It doesn't matter what your sexual identity is. You need to have some harder conversations.” “You have to be flexible with your expectations, not only with the baby but with yourself.” “It's so easy to get so wrapped up in the things that we're not doing, and then we lose focus on the beautiful things we are doing.” - Linda Fruits   Click here for the show notes and extra resources.

Are you burnt out working as a childcare provider? Listen in as my guest, Caroline Allen shares her insights on how to keep the joy and wonder alive. Click here for the show notes and extra resources. I can relate to Caroline's words. When I started in a Montessori environment as a second career, some days were hard, yet that sense of wonder kept me going. What We Talked About: How Caroline transformed her daycare settings into the first not-for-profit Montessori children's center in the UK Observing children's behaviors and interests to foster their natural curiosity and learning The importance of staying passionate and fresh in childcare and education. Practical tips for caregivers and educators to avoid burnout and stay motivated. The concept of leaving a lasting legacy for children Things to Remember “We don't know our children inside out and never will. They're unique little beings that will always do things that fascinate us.” “Try to retain that sense of wonder by looking at our children with fresh eyes and seeing them differently.” “Adults are very quick to put an interpretation on what their children are doing.” “Allow the wonders of the world to connect with your children.” “Taking care of your child's emotional, social, and physical development is the key to raising young adults.” “We don't need to know everything about our little ones; we just need to work with whatever they're presenting to us in their journey into childhood and young adulthood.” “We need to have parts of every single day where we are present to our children and give them the focus they deserve.” -Caroline Allen   Click here for the show notes and extra resources.  

Is your child's picky eating a sign of something more? Listen in to discover support and insights with my guest, Jaclyn Pederson. Click here for the show notes and extra resources. Feeding matters; parents often complain about their child's picky eating habits. We start to wonder if we're doing something wrong, if our child is a picky eater, or if there's more to this ordeal. Today, my guest sheds light on a little-known eating disorder that is way more prevalent than we imagine. What We Talked About: Understanding Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) and how it differs from picky eating. The Four Domains in Pediatric Feeding Disorder  How should you proceed if you suspect our child has PFD?  Early awareness of PFD and its impact on long-term health outcomes Why is almost no one talking about PFD, even though it is more common than autism or cerebral palsy? The challenges and complexities of treating PFD and how you can help your child. Can lip and tongue ties be the culprits in the feeding journey? The significance of establishing a supportive team including healthcare professionals Things to Remember “Parenting is finding beauty in the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.” “Feeding skills is something that a parent can help a child with. It is a learned task.” “Children are picky, and it's a very common thing that happens in toddler development.” “It's definitely important for parents to always offer nutritious foods.” “Take it slow and let your child lead the way. They control what goes in their body.” “At the end of the day, you and your child are trying to establish a successful feeding.” -Jaclyn Pederson   Click here for the show notes and extra resources  

Do you strongly feel that staying home would be best for your child? Listen in to find out why your hunch is correct and critical. Click here for the show notes and extra resources. We know in our mama's heart that staying home with our children is important because they need us to. Today, my guest confirmed this instinct we have as mothers and why it is critical to do so. What We Talked About: Understanding why the first three years are critical for our child's long-term mental health Why are daycare centers not equipped to support our children's attachment needs What is “consistency of care,” and why is it essential in the early years? What are other critical stages for our children's mental health? The important revolution that needs to happen for the health of families Things to Remember “There is no parenting without presence.” “Without guilt, our conscience isn't working.” “The foundation of resilience is that feeling of security in the first three years.” “Mothers are very attuned to babies' distress.” “If you are present for your children in the first three years, you're encouraging a tremendous amount of neural connections to be formed.” “Your babies are not resilient; your babies are incredibly vulnerable, and they need you.” -Erica Komisar “There are many who hold, as I do, that the most important period of life is not the age of university studies, but the first one, the period from birth to the age of six. For that is the time when man's intelligence itself, his greatest implement, is being formed. But not only his intelligence; the full totality of his psychic powers.” - Dr. Maria Montessori   Click here for the show notes and extra resources.  

Are you curious about the magic of daily rituals? Listen in and learn from my guest, Britta Bushnell, how they can transform your life. Click here for the show notes and extra resources. I've always been fascinated by the transformative process of birth, and why I became a birth doula. Today, I'm excited to be speaking with Britta, a seasoned childbirth educator to explore how birth is truly the first and most crucial initiation into parenthood. What We Talked About: The importance of childbirth as an initiation into parenthood. Mythology and storytelling as meaning-making practices for adults and kids.  Incorporating rituals into family life to help you live and share your values. How perfectionism can both hinder and help in our parenting Practical tips for crafting seamless transitions between work and parenting Things to Remember “Parenting is a messy, creative, unknowable magical thing that creates a being on the other side.” “Parenthood is like a yoga practice, that idea of coming to the mat every day and knowing that some days are better and some days are worse, yet you still show up and do your best.” “What causes us the most suffering is the resistance to what is happening.” “Parenthood teaches us an openness to the unbidden.” “Perfectionism is a strategy, and as a strategy, it most often gets in our way.” “Infants respond well to rhythm and predictability in their lives.” “To find ways to be tender with ourselves and to forgive ourselves. That is the true antidote to perfectionism's toxins.” “Children help to create the fabric of the values of the family.” -Britta Bushnell Click here for the show notes and extra resources.  

Do you want to foster confidence in your teen better? Listen in and discover how you can start today at home. Click here for the show notes and extra resources. Helping our teenagers feel confident is critical to their well-being and future success, starting at home. Karleen shares her personal and professional experience as a conflict resolution expert. Listen in to acquire the tools to nurture the confidence your teens need to thrive in life.  We Talked About: What five universal skills do experts use to resolve conflicts, and how can you use them at home? What unwanted baggage gets in the way of building your teen's self-confidence and resiliency? How conflict resolution skills can enhance parenting, especially with teens. Curiosity, attitude, and masterful listening are significant tools in resolving family conflicts. Real-life examples and practical strategies for applying conflict resolution techniques in parenting situations. Things to Remember “Even when you get it right, even when you have it right, you can still get it wrong.” “Curiosity is not just asking questions.”  “Master listening in a conflict situation means you're filling in the gaps.” “Anytime you're in a conflict, the most important part is connecting with that person.” “When you want to build confidence in your children, allow them into the solution to bring them back in and give them a space for it.” “Sometimes situations are for our children to sort through.” “You're absolutely meant to be the parent for your child.” -Karleen Savage   Click here for the show notes and extra resources.

Is your child's screen time stealing precious moments? Listen in as my guest, Katherine Martinko, shares how to unplug and reclaim childhood. Click here for the show notes and extra resources. What We Talked About: Katherine's desire to write her book “Childhood Unplugged.”' The effects of excessive screen time have on our children's development and mental health Navigating digital media use and fostering offline activities Setting boundaries around screen time and social media use. Modeling appropriate use of our digital devices to shape healthy screen habits for our children. Alternative communication methods and developing human communication skills Things to Remember “Parenting is about conveying the principles that you believe to be the most important in life to your children and setting them off in the world on the right foot and watching them succeed.” “The benefits of having a smartphone simply do not outweigh the cons.” “Handling a smartphone is on par with handling a car. Kids need that level of responsibility and emotional maturity to do it.” “When you give kids responsibilities around the house, they have less time to hang out in their bedrooms, scroll on their phones, or play video games.” “We're too caught up with the idea that just because this technology is new and exciting, it is, therefore, good, but we're losing a lot in the process.” “It is up to us as parents to protect our children from the negative effects of this highly addictive substance the same way that we would limit our children's access to drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes.” “We promote better independence in children if you're not surveilling them.” -Katherine Martinko “Technology is taking us to a place where children are forgetting to play. We need to rescue childhood.” - Mariana Carazo Click here for the show notes and extra resources.  

How far would you go to save your child's vision? Listen in as Stephen Johnston shares his mission to fight blindness for his son and thousands of others. Click here for the show notes and extra resources. It's hard to imagine losing one sight, and even more heartbreaking to discover that your child is. My guest today is a father on a mission to find a cure not only for his child but all persons affected by the onset of blindness.  What We Talked About: The Precursor of Bardet-Biedl Syndrome How Steve's parenting approach changed after his son's diagnosis Steve's journey in creating a nonprofit organization, "A Race Against Blindness" The importance of mental toughness and perseverance How Steve and his family found strength and resilience in the face of adversity Things to Remember “Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Anything can happen at any given time.” “Everybody can make a difference. It doesn't matter how many or how few resources anyone has. Everybody can make a difference.” “Start doing things that might prepare your children for challenges.” “Make sure you have a support network for you and the kids, and you'll be able to get through whatever it is.” “Challenges are coming for all of us at some point or another, and the more we prepare ourselves to face those head-on as they happen, the better off we are.” -Stephen Johnston   Click here for the show notes and extra resources.

Do you have difficulty overcoming past trauma to start living the life you desire? Tune in to listen to Karena's transformative insights. Click here for the show notes and extra resources. The negative stories we tell ourselves can be quite damaging to our well-being. My guest today shares how to move beyond so we can rise above the story to live a fulfilling life.  What We Talked About: Why Karena felt compelled to share her story in her book Her 3-step process to healing from trauma Why, as parents, it's crucial to have self-awareness How to break free from negative self-talk The unwanted ripple effects of trauma How to find joy even in difficult times Things to Remember “Parenting is taking responsibility to cultivate a self-awareness around our past trauma.” “What our brain does in the face of trauma is that it tries to keep us safe by writing these stories that keep us in a little box.” “We have the power to heal. We're just afraid to do it.” “There is more for us than just the pain we carry around.” “We are all here to experience joy and happiness.” “The powerful notion of honoring your emotions and feeling them in real time goes a long way toward mental and emotional well-being.” – Karena Kilcoyne  “Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we're supposed to be and embracing who we are.” – Brené Brown.   Click here for the show notes and extra resources.

Do you struggle with digital consumption, whether you or your children in your home? Listen in and learn what we now know about how technology impacts our children. Click here for the show notes and extra resources.  I'm concerned about technology's effects on our children's developing brains. Today, I spoke with Forest Bronzan, a father leading global initiatives, so we can better understand how technology impacts our lives and our children. What We Talked About: How technology is changing and impacting the way we raise our children. The challenges we face in navigating social media How parents can have open conversations with their children about technology use. Teaching children critical thinking skills to help them evaluate the information they encounter online. Setting healthy boundaries around technology use at home. What is your DORA Score? Things to Remember “Parenting is being nimble to navigate an ever-changing world, and in many cases, that's technology.” “Start early, have conversations at an early age with your children on what your family values are but also with your community.” “The biggest challenge is that high schoolers aren't aware of the negative influences on the internet.” “Parents need to pay closer attention to how their children learn about the world.” “We need to look at ourselves... We need to model the behavior ourselves.” “There's a lot of challenges and a lot that we don't know yet about the effectiveness of learning apps.” “There hasn't been a single study showing a positive benefit of social media before high school.” “Try to put the phone down as much as possible during those first few years and spend time with your child.” “Time goes by so fast. You don't want to miss those magical years checking a notification.” - Forest Bronzan Click here for the show notes and extra resources.

What if the teenage years weren't something to fear but a breakthrough opportunity for growth? Listen in as my guest, Ellen Galinsky, unveils a fresh approach. Click here for the show notes and extra resources. Adolescence is a transformative and extremely important time in human development. In her latest book, The Breakthrough Years, Ellen Galinsky shares what the research and adolescents need us to understand. What We Talked About: What adolescents want us to know about them What exactly are executive function skills, and why are they so crucial to children's development What can parents do to help their children develop executive function skills? Why turning conflicts into opportunities for learning is critical for all Agreeing and setting clear expectations with your children and leaving room for  mistakes Things to Remember “Parents grow and change in parenthood just like children grow and change.” "Executive function skills are the building blocks for setting goals, perspective-taking, communicating, collaborating, and problem-solving. They are fundamental to life." “Don't fix it for the child; instead, help them learn the skills to fix it for themselves.” “We need to make mistakes. Making mistakes isn't a mistake. It's the way we learn.” “We learn by trial and error, particularly in teenage years.” “The most important thing we can do as parents is to help our children find their passion.”  “Adolescents are learning to be brave.” “We need to help them be creators. Not Consumers.” “Young people who do best in the world have something they care about beyond themselves.” - Ellen Galinsky Click here for the show notes and extra resources.

Do you ever wonder how negative early life experiences shape our children's minds? Listen in as my guest, Marc Hauser explains the effect of early childhood trauma and what we can do about it. Click here for the show notes and extra resources. I know how impressionable young brains are and have always been fascinated with the concept of the absorbent mind. Yet, in this episode, we go a little deeper into understanding how early childhood traumas affect brain development. It was not an easy conversation, but an important one nonetheless. What We Talked About: What compelled Marc to write about early childhood traumas in ‘Vulnerable Minds' The impact of trauma on children's overall development The different types of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) and how they can affect children differently. The Adverse Ts framework. Creating safe environments for children to heal Traumatic signatures and how they shape children's responses to adversity. Ways to help children develop resilience and cope with adversity. Things to Remember “We need to understand both the nature of experiences and the nature of the responses.” “The earlier adversity occurs, the more likely the damage will occur because the brain is in a fragile state of development.” “The essence of the magic comes from building trusting relationships.” “How you help a child who's been abused is different from how you help a child who's been neglected.” “Different kinds of traumatic experiences can greatly delay the natural development of certain kinds of cognitive, social, and emotional skills.”  “Stress will derail three key parts of learning: Attention, Short-Term Memory, and Self-Regulation.” “It's important to recognize that many parents have their own history of traumatic experiences.”  - Marc Hauser Click here for the show notes and extra resources.

What does it take to navigate the unique journey of parenting a disabled child? Listen to Kelley Coleman as she shares her inspiring insights. Click here for the entire show notes and more from Jeanne-Marie. I created this podcast to serve parents, all parents, and today Kelley shares what it takes to parent a disabled child and shares with us her guide to doing so.  What We Talked About: Why Kelley wrote ‘Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child' The importance of having conversations about disability. Challenges of navigating the support system for disabled children Strategies and resources for navigating the complexities of caring for a disabled child. The impact of disability on siblings. Things to Remember “Parenting is about us, the parents. We do not need to try to make our children into something but instead, model the behavior that we would like our children to learn.” “We are all the best parents for our unique child, and we all do great things.” “Time is a huge privilege, and we must acknowledge that.” “Everyone and every child deserves the same access.” “Parenting and being a caregiver are two distinct jobs when they merge; that's two full-time jobs!” “We talk about disability as one of the many facets of who my child is a whole and complete human.” “It reduces our ignorance when we are genuinely curious about other humans as humans.” “The number one determiner of how a child will feel about their sibling's disability is how the parents feel about the disability and what they are projecting.” -Kelley Coleman Click here for more from Jeanne-Marie, Your Parenting Mentor.  

How can you benefit from the Montessori approach? Listen to Simone and Junnifa as they reveal the key ingredients for fostering a thriving Montessori child at home. Click here for more from Jeanne-Marie, Your Parenting Mentor. What a delight to have two of my Montessori friends on the podcast together. Our paths have crossed many times, and today, I'm excited to learn more about Simone and Junnifas' latest endeavor, their book The Montessori Child. What We Talked About: Children's Unconscious and Conscious Mind The different planes of development in Montessori The importance of sensory learning Shifting from setting rules to creating agreements collaboratively. Supporting Independence While Offering Support The Montessori approach for the whole child Things to Remember: “Parenting is the process of being with our children, guiding them and accompanying them.” “Children change as they grow.” “It takes some consciousness to start seeing that our children are more capable of doing things as they get older.” “If you open your eyes, you'll see that each of our children is unique and different. Focus on those things that make them who they are.” - Junnifa Uzodike “Be the child's guide on their journey, accept them for who they are, and step back to see that they are capable.”  “Teenagers just want to be able to feel they belong and make a change in the world.” “Just let yourself grow through the highs and lows of everything that you learned.” - Simone Davies “Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed.” - Dr. Maria Montessori   Click here for more from Jeanne-Mariem, Your Parenting Mentor.  

Are you ready to rewrite the fatherhood script? Listen in as how my guest, Nick Adams, redefined fatherhood. Click here for more from Jeanne-Marie, your parenting mentor. We all want to do better than our parents. It is part of parenting. Today, my guest shared his guide to being the father he wishes he had had.  What We Talked About: Why Nick felt the need to write his book Why is the father's role so important The Five Big Stones of Effective Fatherhood Common Challenges Fathers Face Building solid and loving relationships between fathers and their children. Things to Remember: “Parenting is maintaining relationships and raising significant, effective adults.” “Instead of stressing over all of the things you could be trying to do, let's focus on the truly important things.” “Fatherhood is a superpower.” “There's power just in being.” “A huge part of my parenting is having a life-long relationship with my children and helping them become effective, responsible adults.” “Parents need to see the best in their children and help them see the best in themselves.” “The goal of parenthood is not perfection. It's progress.” -Nick Adams   Click here for more from Jeanne-Marie, your parenting mentor.

Have you ever wondered… ”What have I gotten myself into!?”  When reflecting on your parenting journey? You are not alone! You're amazing! I wanted to share my love and gratitude for you and invite you to join me in my Keep Cool & Carry On Discipline Challenge. Let's debunk the myth that parenting has to be hard together.  Click here for more from Jeanne-Marie, your parenting mentor. What I Talked About: Changing our mindset to debunk the myth that parenting has to be hard The foundation of Positive Discipline My Free 7-Day Keep Cool & Carry On! Discipline Challenge Looking forward to the doors of the Parenting School opening soon Things to Remember: “With a positive and intentional mindset, parenting can be a joyous, fulfilling adventure.” “We all strive to have significance and belonging. Our children's behavior informs us whether or not they feel they have significance and belonging.” “The essence of discipline is to develop self-discipline.” – Jeanne-Marie Paynel “Too often we forget that discipline really means to teach, not to punish. A disciple is a student, not a recipient of behavioral consequences.” – Daniel J. Siegel “Of all things, Love is the most potent.” “Discipline must come through liberty.” – Dr. Maria Montessori Click here for more from Jeanne-Marie, your parenting mentor.

Are you curious about the psychology behind your child's actions? Tune in as my guest, Dr. Tasha Brown shares her insights and expert notes. Click here for the show notes and more from Jeanne-Marie, Your Parenting Mentor. When working with parents or, as apparent myself, I often wonder if this situation warrants seeking the advice of a professional psychologist. Today, Dr. Tasha Brown helps us clarify when it is essential to seek them out.  What We Talked About: How to know when you and your child need to meet with a psychologist Dr. Tasha's Parent Management Training The difference between Labeled intentional praise and unlabeled praise. Positive reinforcement and "cool down" spaces instead of punitive “timeouts.”  Age-appropriate expectations for children Early signs of depression in adolescent girls and how to support them Things to Remember: “When you work with children, you're not just working with an individual. You're working with a family.” “We know that the more attention we give to certain behaviors, the more we see them, even if they're negative.” “When it's important to the family's well-being that the child listens right away, we teach parents how to make appropriate requests of their children.” “Set the expectations but also manage your expectations.” “When children have what we call ‘protective factors,' it decreases their likelihood of anxiety and depression as adolescents.” “Children are not born with the language they need to express their BIG emotions. The adults in their lives model and teach them how to communicate effectively.” ― Dr. Tasha Brown For Show Notes and more from Jeanne-Marie, click HERE 

Are you highly connected to your intuition? Listen in as my guest shares some insight on how you can activate your inner wisdom. Click here for more from Jeanne-Marie, your parenting mentor. We are all gifted with powerful intuition; whether we choose to listen to it or not is another question. Today, my guest shared some important strategies to tune into our own and help our children do the same. What We Talked About: How can we tune into our inner knowing Supporting and protecting our highly intuitive children Healing your inner child to become more present as a parent. Connecting with your child on a soul level Things to Remember: “When we can connect with our children simultaneously on the human and the soul level, that's when the magic happens.”  “When tapping into your intuition, you connect with your soul.” “Intuition is that deep knowing that you have that has nothing to do with what you know with your mind, and it is always right.” “Our natural resting state as the soul is a perfect state of well-being.” “Connecting with your intuition is learning to trust it.” “Your intuition will tell you what is the most aligned choice or truth in the now.” - Victoria Shaw   Click here for more from Jeanne-Marie, your parenting mentor.  

Curious about the impact of asking yourself some powerful questions? Tune in as my guest, Allison Task, shares insights on attunement and connection. Click here for more from Jeanne-Marie, your parenting mentor. Asking powerful questions is fundamental to being attuned to ourselves and our children. Today, my guest, a life coach and mother of four, helps parents through life-changing transitions. What We Talked About: Helping career-driven women transition into Motherhood Questions parents can ask themselves to tune in to themselves and their children Staying attuned to family while traveling for work Suggestions of what we can do to feel attuned to ourselves and to our child Things to Remember “Tune in to what you want and let go of visions of yourself that are no longer in sync with what you want.” “There's a big difference between what we think will happen when we have our child and what does happen.” “Physically attuning with your child can be powerful and connecting.” “You're here to co-regulate with them until they can regulate on their own.” - Allison task   Click here for more from Jeanne-Marie, your parenting mentor.

Are you curious about cultivating emotional intelligence in your children? Listen in as my guest, Dr. Maiysha Clairborne, shares transformative insights. Click here for more from Jeanne-Marie, your parenting mentor. Becoming a parent often reveals unhealed trauma, and our children will activate emotions we did not even know existed, which is why it is so important to do our healing work as we parent. What We Talked About: What is Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) How can we be self-aware as parents What might be the blind spots we have when parenting Trauma Responsive Communication How can we help our children navigate trauma Things to Remember  “Flexibility comes with creatively listening to the deeper context of what our children are communicating.” “When we start to see the behavior as the communication, then we can begin to ask the right questions.” ”Communication is more than just words. Only 7% of communication are words, 93% is everything else.”  “The meaning of your communication is the response you get.” “Trauma has an impact on our thinking, behavior, and communication.” “Going through the healing process helps to stop the behaviors, communication, and thoughts that inflict trauma on the younger generation.” “We have to practice self-compassion and self-love throughout our parenting journey. Or else we will continue to traumatize and re-traumatize ourselves and that's no good for our children.” - Dr. Maiysha Clairborne   Click here for more from Jeanne-Marie, your parenting mentor.

Ever wish you could hit pause on your buzzing brain? Listen in as we dive into the secrets of taming our busy minds with Dr. Romie Mushtaq. Click here for more from Jeanne-Marie, your parenting mentor. As parents, especially new parents, it's critical to learn about taming our busy brains if we want to be there for our family and ourselves. Learn about some of the culprits of brain drains.  What We Talked About: The eight weeks brainSHIFT protocol Dr. Romie has created The importance of unwinding our Busy Brains The Power of Micro-habits for Brain Improvement How and why it is essential to restore your sleep cycle Daily Digital Detox is a way to calm your senses and nervous system A few essential nutrition biohacks that can benefit brain health The ‘additional stress' for the new parents and want to watch out for Things to Remember “Parenting starts with showing radical self-compassion to yourself first.”   “Sometimes as children, intuitively, we know what's going to happen in the future.”  “We can love what we're doing and still have mental health challenges and burnout.”   “Diet is a four-letter curse word in a brain shift community.”   “A child of any age can sense your anxiety.”  “Your brain is not broken, your mind is not a mess, and your spirit did not depart your soul. Just take our hand, and let's brain shift together.”   - Dr. Romie “Burnout is the symptom; Stress is the source.” - Hamza Khan   Click here for more from Jeanne-Marie, your parenting mentor.  

How do you embrace mindfulness in everyday parenting? Listen in to Mindful Mama Hunter Clarke-Fields as she leads the way to raising good humans every day. Click here for more from Jeanne-Marie, your parenting mentor. What a wonderful way to start the new year mindfully! I'm thrilled to have Hunter back on the podcast to share her mindfulness approach to raising good humans every day. What We Talked About: Her definition of Mindfulness  Learning to be in a ‘being mode' Hunter's C.L.E.A.R Method  How to be more present with our children Nurturing Mindfulness with Our Children The Raising Good Humans Guided Journal Understanding what ‘unskilled words' are in Parenting Things to Remember “Mindfulness is an incredible tool to help us be less reactive.”  “Blaming and shaming doesn't work.” “We do not have to fix and solve all our children's problems.” “What our children ultimately want from us is to be seen, heard and accepted.” “You wouldn't be a great parent if you didn't mess up sometimes.”  - Hunter Clarke-Fields “When you love someone, the best thing you can offer is your presence. How can you love if you are not there.” - Thich Nhat Hanh Click here for more from Jeanne-Marie, your parenting mentor.