How can playing more and disciplining less lead to a happier household? Today, you'll hear Ashlena's remarkable journey to connected parenting as she shares how her family transitioned from turmoil to tranquility. In this heartfelt episode, Ashlena, a dedicated member of our community, opens up about her challenging yet rewarding transformation. She dives into the hurdles she faced with her adopted daughter, Devin, and how traditional parenting techniques were failing them both. When stress...

Do boundaries and limits really matter in parenting? Have you ever wondered if the secret to a more harmonious parenting journey lies in how we set and manage boundaries with our children? Today, I tackle the often confounding topic of boundaries. I’ll unravel misconceptions about boundaries and explain that they aren't about controlling our children but rather about providing a safe space for them to release their emotions.  Many parents struggle because they believe stricter boundaries...

What happens when empathizing with your child seems to backfire? Should we apologize when they have big feelings? Is it possible that our efforts to validate their feelings might actually increase their frustration? Today, I'm joined by Nandini, a passionate mom to a 7-year-old daughter. Nandini shares her experiences and parenting dilemmas, sparking an enlightening conversation about the delicate balance of validation, empathy, and responsibility. We explore why children might react...

Are you fighting an uphill battle with your child's “defiance”? What if defiance wasn’t something to squash but an invitation to connect? Today, I’m turning the traditional parenting playbook on its head and exploring how to respond compassionately to our kids when they push back. Often, when our kids push back, we instinctively react with frustration, viewing their refusal as disrespectful or unkind. However, what if small changes in our approach could lead to significant improvements?...

What if the journey to better parenting starts with accepting our imperfections? In this week's episode, I have a heartfelt conversation with one of my listeners as we explore the emotional process of reparenting ourselves while we raise our children. Pavlina, a dedicated mother striving to balance her own healing process wants to be more present for her two-and-a-half-year-old daughter. She faces the challenge of overcoming avoidance parenting, a tendency rooted in her upbringing, and aims...

Episode Description: Are you torn between teaching your child to stand up for themselves and maintaining respect? It’s a struggle many of us face, but what if we allowed our kids the space to practice—even if they don’t get it right the first time? Today on Peace and Parenting I dive head first into a topic many parents wrestle with: Can we truly let our children stand up for themselves if we always require them to be respectful? Parenting is messy, and kids need space to make mistakes as...

What happens when the family you imagined doesn’t turn out the way you planned? How do you navigate single parenting while ensuring your children thrive in both homes? Today is a heartfelt episode where I sit down with Beth, a fellow single mom, to discuss the challenges and triumphs of raising kids post-divorce, co-parenting, and creating a nurturing environment without letting conflict define the journey. As a mother of two teens and someone who’s experienced the highs and lows of divorce,...

Is your child acting out, biting, or hitting their sibling despite your best efforts? What if the problem isn’t defiance but disconnection? Today I talk about a family I worked with recently who struggled to raise a strong-willed child. They had tried everything: timeouts, punishments, and rewards, but nothing worked to stop the aggression. As I dive into this family's journey, I explain why punitive measures often backfire and how shifting focus toward connection can create the change we’re...

Are you tired of the traditional school system stifling your child’s natural curiosity? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to trust your child to lead their own learning journey? Today, I am joined by Leah McDermott, a homeschooling expert and advocate for unschooling. Leah shares her personal journey, starting as a rigid, homeschooled child and how she transitioned into a more flexible, child-led approach to education. We discuss the emotional and practical challenges of...

Are you worried about your child’s safety on social media? It's easy to jump to the idea of banning electronics, parties, or risky behaviors altogether, but do restrictions really protect them? Today i open up a can of worms as I tackle the tough topic of social media and explore a different approach to keeping our kids safe.  In This Episode: Should you restrict social media completely?Why strong connections reduce risky behaviorHandling tricky situations like parties and curfewsBalancing...

How do you handle it when your child withdraws in tough moments? We've all been there, right? We want our kids to open up about their feelings, but we’re faced with silence or resistance. This can leave us feeling helpless and unsure of how to connect with them when they seem to shut down emotionally. Today, I talk with a listener named Stevie, who shares her struggles with her 9-year-old daughter’s reluctance to express her emotions, especially after witnessing conflict at home. I share...

Have you ever worried that being "too soft" might set your kids up for failure in the harsh realities of life? Or maybe you’ve heard that using connection instead of consequences will spoil your children. Today is a special episode for me because I sit down with my oldest daughter Esme, who’s just about to leave for college, to reflect on our 18-year parenting journey. Together, we debunk the myths surrounding connective parenting and explore how it has shaped her into a self-assured,...

Ever feel like you’re stuck between what you know is best and what your instincts tell you to do in the heat of the moment? You’re not alone! Today I am tackling a battle many parents face, choosing connection over consequences when setting limits for our kids. Today, I talk with podcast listener Cecilia, a mom of three, as we discuss the struggles many of us face when balancing connective parenting with the pressures to revert to punishments. We talk about everything from the challenges of...

Are You Taking Care of Yourself as a Parent? We all want our kids to thrive, but what if the key to their success lies in our own happiness? In this episode, I dive into the research from the University of Ohio that explores the profound impact a mother’s happiness has on her child’s success. This study found that a mother’s well-being is the most crucial factor for a child’s development, more important than anything else. But what does that really mean for us as parents? In This...

What if we didn't need to fix our children's feelings? Imagine if the key to a peaceful household lies not in solving every problem but in simply being present. Today, we explore the transformative power of witnessing our children's emotions. In today's case study, I chat with Shweta, a mother to two children, about the struggle of managing her nine-year-old daughter’s anxiety. Shweta shares the weight of feeling responsible for her child's emotional well-being and the pressure she places on...

Today, I tackle one of the most common concerns I hear from parents: Am I doing my kids a disservice by not using punishments and consequences? Many argue that without experiencing the "real world" of control and manipulation, children won’t be able to cope when they face it as adults. But is that really true? I believe raising children with connection, empathy, and unconditional love doesn’t leave them unprepared for the real world, it actually makes them more resilient. Instead of learning...

Is your child resisting potty training? What if the secret to smoother potty training is all about connection? Join me today as I tackle a common parenting dilemma: potty training with one of my Instagram followers, Jamie. We'll discuss her experiences with potty training her spirited three-year-old daughter. Jamie shares her challenges, from her daughter’s resistance to potty training to the battles around diaper changes. I'll share strategies prioritizing connection, empathy, and letting...

Ever feel like every request turns into a battle with your kids? You ask them to put their shoes on, help with chores, or even just sit down for dinner, and instead of cooperation, you get resistance or silence. It’s frustrating, right? But here’s the big question: What if their refusal has less to do with defiance and more about how they FEEL about the relationship? Today, I tackle why our kids may not cooperate and how it relates to our connection. I explore how common parenting...

Is your child constantly glued to their screen? Do you feel torn between setting strict boundaries and fostering trust? In today’s world, technology is everywhere, and balancing it with real-life connection can feel overwhelming. How do we guide our kids through it without falling into the trap of punishments and control? In this episode, I talk with Melissa, a fellow mom, about the daily challenges of managing her daughters' screen time and maintaining a healthy relationship with them. I...

What if offering your child choices isn't really giving them autonomy? Have you ever considered that the choices you present might feel manipulative? Let’s delve into the nuanced world of offering choices and explore how to empower our children genuinely and constructively. In this episode, I unpack giving children choices, spotlighting its potential benefits and pitfalls. I illustrate how choices can sometimes come off as controlling rather than empowering. I also discuss the vital role of...

What are the modern challenges of raising teens in a Snapchat and TikTok world, and how should parents adapt? Does taking away their smartphone do more damage than good? Today, I sit down with Danielle, a dedicated mother of four navigating the challenging terrain of parenting a 13-year-old daughter in the digital age. Over the past year, a widening gap has formed between them, fueled by social media and smartphone usage complexities. Danielle opens up about her struggles setting boundaries...

What if the key to being a better parent isn't being perfect but embracing our imperfections? It's time to get real about the rollercoaster journey of parenting, which is filled with mistakes, learning, and growth. Today, I will talk candidly about the misconceptions around "parenting experts" and our own expectations as parents. I’ll share my experiences, exploring how moments of stress, like a recent family vacation, can shed light on our triggers and mistakes and how we can transform...

What do you do when a nine-year-old flat-out refuses to take a shower? How might giving your child more autonomy reduce daily power struggles? In today's episode, we dive into these nuanced dynamics of connected parenting. Joining me today is Jade, a dedicated mother juggling a blended family and her journey into connected parenting. Jade shares her struggle with her strong-willed nine-year-old daughter who challenges the status quo by simply saying, "No." Together, we explore the beauty of...

Ever find yourself questioning your parenting because your child’s behavior doesn’t match up with society’s expectations? Today, I discuss a topic that hits close to home: the idea that successful parenting is not about having perfectly behaved children but about how we respond to their imperfections. We often get caught up in societal expectations, believing that good parenting is reflected in having compliant, well-mannered kids. But real success lies in how we handle the challenging...