The Blog
Our best advice when it’s tough with kids:breathe, laugh, dance, sing, hug, call a friend. Be gentle with yourself, you’re not done growing up yet. This won’t last and you are not alone.
Why time-outs don’t work – What to do instead
Do you use ‘time-outs’ with your kids when they misbehave? Most of us intend for time-outs to be a gentle strategy that gives our children a break and helps them learn. Or maybe we only use a time-out when we’re at the “end of our rope”–we’ve already tried everything...
Lonely Parenting? It’s not good for anyone
As a parenting coach, I spend all day talking to parents of struggling kids. These parents frequently tell me how alone they feel. In the depths of my own parenting struggles, I too have often said, “I feel so alone.” When we parents feel alone, it’s not good for us...
The Art of Slow Parenting
I’ve been thinking about slowing down, ever since we got back from the Zen Parenting Conference in Chicago put on by our friends, Cathy and Todd Adams. I listened to Michelle Anderson and Lauren Massarella from the Sister Project give a talk about the benefits of...
Social Media and Teen Mental Health – What Parents Need to Know
Are you worried about how much time your kids spend on screens? You’re not the only one. We surveyed 229 parents of teens and tweens, and here’s what they had to say: “My teens expect that their phone will be with them 24/7. When they argue with me, how do I stay...
No-Cost Gifts That Make Your Family Stronger
Some people enjoy buying Christmas gifts for their family, but for us it’s a task that often feels a little bittersweet. As early childhood educators, we’ve seen too many companies use dubious research to falsely claim that their toy will make a child smarter. What...
Practicing Self-Compassion in Parenting
When your child is struggling, do you immediately go into self-blame mode? A lot of parents feel that they are to blame if their child is acting out or not listening.. We take our child’s behaviors personally and shame ourselves for not being a ‘better parent.’ We...
Even good parents make this mistake
In my work as a parent coach, I’ve seen a very common mistake that even really insightful parents are making. It’s quick to fix and it makes all the difference. It’s about how you respond when your child complains or is upset about something. I made you a quick video...
Connect before you correct
Our friend, Dr. Lynyetta Willis, says this to her own kids. It could be the perfect thing to say to your child before you correct their behavior or ask them to do something. (Video is 1 minute, 30 seconds.) Dr. Lynyetta Willis is a psychologist who helps frustrated...
Keeping Kids Safe on Social Media
A mom reached out to us about her 13-year-old son… “He seems to be doing okay in school and has friends… but his primary interest is in screens, especially gaming and TikTok/YouTube watching. We’re okay with him using screens as a means to socialize and play together...