I didn’t throw a plate during dinner. But here’s what did happen. I was giving my 4 year old dinner, and, as usual, she wasn’t eating well. We have spent a lot of time in my household talking about the “dinner rules” and mostly they’re very effective.  The dinner rules are: we sit. and we […]

Playing independently can help build a child’s frustration tolerance- which brings life long benefits If you’ve attended one of my workshops, you know that I preach the importance of independent play! This is the one skill, more than anything else our kids learn, that will impact them for the rest of their lives. And, for […]

Often people come to me telling me that they’re on board with a more “gentle” approach, but their partner isn’t. Or that they listen to all the podcasts, read all the books, do all the things… but their partner won’t. Parents ask me all the time “does the fact that we have different approaches harm […]

I want to tell you the story of a family I worked with, where things were overall fine. Her son had moments of big meltdowns, defiance, and struggle to focus. But, she figured many of these behaviors were under the umbrella of “normal”. I’m telling you this because many folks feel that things aren’t “bad” […]

I’m surrounded by deep grief and it’s invigorating. There’s nothing like the big “I thought my life was one way but now that’s impossible” life-shifting shakeup to really give you clarity.

We know this generation of kids is the most anxious we’ve seen since we started tracking children’s mental health. We also know they’re the most watched generation. This is one of the main reasons why independence is so important. Kids need independence so they can try and fail without anxiety.

In today’s fast-paced world, parents often find themselves caught in the crossfire of conflicting expectations between their children’s school and their own values at home. As a former teacher turned parenting coach, I’ve witnessed firsthand the frustration and angst that arises when these expectations collide. In this blog post, I delve into the common challenges faced by parents in balancing the demands of school with the needs of their family. From navigating homework battles to managing classroom rules, I offer practical insights and strategies to help parents assert their autonomy and prioritize their family’s well-being. Join me as we explore how to find harmony in parenting and education, one decision at a time.

Sibling Rivalry Always Happens right? “_______ !!!!! (insert your child’s name here) if I have to come in there ONE more time you’re both grounded. I don’t care what she said, figure it out!!” Has a version of this been yelled in your house?  I grew up as the eldest of four sisters, and I […]

Raising Resilient Kids Can Take Time I was walking near my house with my toddler and my dear friend yesterday. Predictably, just as we got close to home, my toddler wanted to stop at a picnic bench. It was getting dark, and we were already cold and wanting to go home. I had a choice; […]

Independent play allows our kids to make decisions on their own. It allows them to fail privately, and decide what to do next on their own terms. It allows them to build the skill of perseverance, resilience, and confidence. All while we drink a hot cup of coffee!