There is something ALL parenting books are missing. You cannot fake it. There is no substitute. It is transformational.…and it’s the critical antidote to guilt + shame.If you’ve tried EVERYTHING under the sun- this might be the reason why you’ve stayed stuck. And it’s more needed than ever before. IN THIS EPISODE I SHARED:What my daughter’s violin teacher did that changed the game for me as a parentThe real reason why my coaching wasn’t helping familiesWhy a healthy sense of skepticism i...

One of my kids just received a diagnosis. It was 10 years in the making because school was not seeing any of the symptoms we saw at home until now.In light of this milestone for our family, I’m sharing a personal reflection of my own parenting. As parenting is often filled with confusion, overwhelm, guilt and regret… here are things I do NOT regret.IN THIS EPISODE I SHARED:A vulnerable audit of my own parentingWhat to do if your child is too young to be diagnosed with ADHD but you think they ...

What’s wrong with sharing pictures on Facebook so grandparents can see the kids?As parents in 2024, we’re in uncharted waters trying to navigate our own internet use, let alone our kids’.My guest today, Sarah Adams, is an online safety advocate and expert, exploring the state of parental public oversharing, child exploitation and minor security on social media.While diving into the harsh realities of the Internet in 2024, she defines some key terms we should know, the impact of the pandemic, ...

T minus 2 days until a candy avalanche is at our doorsteps!Thankfully, my guest today, Nicole Cruz, RD is here to take some weight off our shoulders.Nicole is the founder of Nourish Together, a shame-free approach to family nutrition. As a Registered Dietitian and mom of three, Nicole supports parents in raising confident eaters who can eat a variety, listen to their body cues, and not obsess over sweets or other ‘treats’.We start off our conversation naming many of the understandable fears a...

Are you in the midst of the chaotic beautiful hard journey that is raising a gifted child at your house? Can you know "for sure" if your child is gifted?My guest today, Erin Vanek has spent well over a decade supporting gifted students with a Master's in Education and an endorsement in gifted education. She's also the founder of The Gifted Perspective, offering workshops, printable resources, and activities, and fostering a strong social media community. At home, she navigates the chall...

Election day in the US is in 21 days (Tuesday, November 5th). Early voting has already began! As parents, our kids are counting on us. Every vote counts, especially in the smallest races and ballot initiatives, shaping the world our kids grow up in.I do not expect you to agree with everything (or anything) I share here today and that's okay. I just want you to vote!IN THIS EPISODE I SHARED:Things you can't know about your family's futureA memory I'm afraid to admitConcepts that ar...

One could say with motherhood, you know what you’re signing up for - but you certainly have no idea how it will feel. As a Child of Divorce and Child Protection Worker with a background in Psychology and Social Service Work, Jamie Scrimgeour thought she knew what she was signing up for as a childless bachelorette when she decided to marry a man with three kids and an ex. But as I am sure you can guess, she felt like she had no freaking idea, and quickly found herself in-over-her he...

When other kids at the park instantly listen to their parents, it can make even the most well-intentioned parent feel self-conscious (and a little jealous).Isn’t that the goal? A child who listens without hesitation?Let’s talk about it.IN THIS EPISODE I SHARED:The longterm ramifications of putting obedience on a pedestalWhat to focus on and aim for insteadA question to ask yourself to reflect on your approachDON'T MISS:The limiting factor that makes all of this extra challenging with strong-w...

"You can't have ADHD! You have a master's degree!"... and other misconceptions about ADHD. Whether you've been diagnosed, related to the memes, or have a child that's been diagnosed... this episode is for you! Patricia Sung, Adult ADHD coach and host of Motherhood in ADHD, is here to share her journey into diagnosis, understanding her unique brain, and empowering other moms to do the same.We normalize the struggle, share new insights, and reflect on the powerful act of breaking cycles.I...

In today's quick episode, I break down a key facet to behavior modification I've been supporting a lot of clients with lately! It’s not a surefire guarantee toward cupcakes, rainbows and butterflies - but it is necessary shift in your communication that doesn’t contribute to a crash and burn affect.IN THIS EPISODE I SHARED:2 Examples of effective behavior modification outside of parentingWhat the "Hold the Football" Tool is and why it's criticalHow to apply this tool when a sibling is b...

My guest today, Holly Murphy, is accomplished in their profession, a devoted parent in love with their kids, a vibrant personality, AND they’re open about how if they knew what they knew NOW back THEN, they would not become a parent. You might not agree with Holly, but I know they’re not the only one. If there’s one thing we are on Failing Motherhood- it’s honest - and that’s why stories like Holly’s have a place here. There is nothing more serious than making the commitment t...

It's that time of year, when your strong-willed child keeps it together all day at school then lets it all fall apart with you the second they get in the car.I packed this episode full of perspective, mindset shifts, tangible strategies and preventative measures to equip you with the "game face" you need to tackle this transition.IN THIS EPISODE I SHARED:How to meet them where they're at while still setting boundariesWhy saying "Stop." "Don't" or "Calm down" won't work and what will insteadQu...

A special gift for you this week, courtesy of our friends at Moms Talk Autism. Not only did they join me for last week’s episode, but they interviewed me on their show and were kind enough to share it with our audience so I could share it here.My work specializes in helping families who are struggling with Neurodivergent traits in their child but don’t have a diagnosis yet or whose child does not meet the criteria for a specific diagnosis.In this episode of Moms Talk Autism, I share what trai...

Today I’m sitting down with Brittney and Shannon, two out of the four moms from Moms Talk Autism, a podcast where good friends share their journeys figuring out in real time how to best support their kids and themselves, discussing school, family balance, siblings, grief, therapies, social issues, behaviors, delays, diagnosis advocacy, marriage, and more.Our conversation highlights their individual stories, Brittney with four kids - two with Autism, both with very different needs and Shannon ...

Have you ever been told, "I HATE YOU" by your child? Or even worse "You're not coming to my birthday party!"Parents of strong-willed kids (esp. mom) can become the scapegoat for the anger they harbor, and it can lead to parents hearing things like “You don’t love me”.This often causes a spiral into permissiveness to avoid conflict, anxiety, and/or a lot of self-doubt as a parent.Spoiler Alert: They don’t hate you. They hate feeling crazy and all alone with their BIG emotions. And we do too.‌I...

You are gonna be pretty hard-pressed to find more honesty than what is inside this conversation! In today's episode, I have the honor of interviewing Joseph and Sarah, my clients + parents of 6- and 21-year-old daughters. Together they share the shifts that made it possible to stop triggering their daughter's defense mechanism, get on the same page, and have an approach and home full of mutual respect.Fair warning - Joseph describes himself as a blunt, "tell-it-like-it-is" kind of guy,...

Parents are inundated with messages from complete strangers on the Internet and in person reiterating "You're going to miss this!" "It goes SO fast!" "The mess can wait!"The problem is... sometimes the mess can't wait, you might NOT miss this stage, or there's so much more to look forward to!Let's stop forcing undue pressure on parents and instead, consider the hope and gratitude in a more longterm approach.IN THIS EPISODE I SHARED:A viral post and a well-written rebuttal The lies I beli...

Happy Father's Day, dads!My guests today, Kevin + Evan, are two stay-at-home dad comedians trying to let parents know the struggle is normal and we’re doing better than we think. You might already follow them as they’ve been featured on Good Morning America, Momsplaining with Kristen Bell, & Today and go viral often on TikTok and Instagram for bits like "Dad Press Conferences".‌They’ve set out to be relatable dads that can poke fun out of the bizarre experience that parenting is, fig...

Ryan Allen, LPCC-S, LPC, is a licensed therapist with a decade of expertise working with young children and their families. A parent of two young kids, Ryan creates free resources for nearly 1 million parents and child caregivers on both TikTok and IG, providing guidance and support to shift away from traditional punitive approaches towards fostering environments of mutual respect.I intentionally bring up several controversial topics to get his thoughts.Is it true....That therapists are...

You're 100% right. They do know better. These are smart kids we're talking about here, nothing gets past them!So, if that's true, why are they still hitting, pushing, screaming, or whathaveyou? Explaining the rules for the 1,456th time isn't going to solve anything.What will? Tune in with curiosity.IN THIS EPISODE, I SHARE...The truth behind two incredibly common misconceptionsThe painful sting of regret that's oh, too familiarHow it feels when the tables have turnedDON'T MISS:Why ...

Today you get a true behind the scenes look at what parenting a strong-willed child looks like at someone else's house.Laura and Mike are full-time working parents with 3 kids living in Minneapolis.Just a few months ago, they describe what parenting felt like - powerless, volatile, unpredictable. They felt lost, with no toolkit and no shared understanding.After sharing the barriers they had to overcome to get support, they narrate what really stuck with them through the work that they did on ...

Failing Motherhood is 4 years old and Wholeheartedly is 5! We’re taking this opportunity to reflect on the last two years and the lessons I’ve learned - some easily, some the hard way.Entrepreneurship is such a similar journey to parenting - you don’t know what you’re getting into exactly, it’s much harder than anticipated, it requires a lot of self-work and growth, and it’s riddled with self-doubt and imposter syndrome. You have to take it one day at a time and make new decisions with every ...

‌Today’s conversation answers so many questions you’re likely too afraid to ask.My guest today immediately makes uncomfortable topics comfortable, sensitive subjects approachable and speaks from so much experience, get ready to pull up a chair.Kelley Coleman is a feature film development executive turned author and advocate for parent caregivers and individuals with disabilities. Her book Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child: Your Guide to the Essential Systems, Servic...

This week we’re taking parenting tips from Hello Fresh!In ways you may not have realized, being a parent is sort of like working in customer service. In our case, the customer isn’t always right, but the way we handle conflict may invite our child to ask for our manager! :)Your goal as a parent is to build credibility and trust in your “brand” rather than bad reviews! As I reveal the two mistakes well-intentioned parents make, you'll be invited to reflect on your default reaction and fo...