I am happy to report I am mothering a high schooler differently this time. My youngest son is 5 years younger than my middle son and as Bryson is doing high school things now, I can see so clearly how I am at least trying to do things differently this time. I recently saw this with Bryson asking a girl to homecoming. (** I am taking a break for May/June and also JULY! So this is a repeat episode. I should be back in August. :) When Carson did this, it was such a stressful time as I tried to help...
Jul 24, 2023•9 min
If you find yourself struggling with moving past a situation or maybe you are just overwhelmed with the emotions you are having, scribbling is such a great tool. It is also SO easy to use this tool with children. They are pros! I love sharing this tools with my students. It is easy to do and works so well. HELPFUL LINKS See a video here - https://sheridanripley.com/21-7-steps-to-scribble-out-emotions-and-stress/ If you want to dive deeper, you can read Allie Duzett’s Book The Scribbling Solution...
Jul 17, 2023•4 min
Do you notice that you are telling yourself stories all day long? Stories about your choices, what other people are doing, you name it. For instance, if my husband doesn’t do the dishes at night like he said he will, I will often tell myself the story of “He doesn’t love me.” In the morning when I see the sink full of dishes. Ahh, that is not a good story to tell myself. But what can I do to change it? HELPFUL LINKS Follow me on Instagram @powerupyourprayers Podcast Episodes – Show notes Grab a ...
Jul 10, 2023•9 min
Yep…. This is where the 1/24/50/24/1 comes in handy. Though sometimes it really can be 50/50 or 99/1… each day is different. It is so interesting, because in reflecting on my life most of my days that have been the scariest and best days have all be about Devon. The day he was born The day he broke his jaw and arm mountain biking The day he was kidnapped in Mexico. ** I am taking a break for May/June and also JULY! So this is a repeat episode. I should be back in August. :) HELPFUL LINKS Follow ...
Jul 03, 2023•6 min
Some people love to say life is 50% great and 50% bad. I really don’t like that. When I think of my vibration chart, of course we sometimes feel the lower vibrations, but I don’t think we need to feel them half the time, I think we can learn to get up to at least neutral, curious or courage 50% of the time! So, I came up with my own percentages that feel better and more like a belief I want to choose to have. It is a lot harder to say and not as pretty, but way more useful for me! 1-24-50-24-1 L...
Jun 26, 2023•12 min
A new point of view of the Stripling Warriors. Throughout the battles in which the young stripling warriors fought, many of their number were wounded, but not one of them was ever killed because, although “they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them .” How were the stripling warriors taught by their mother...
Jun 19, 2023•10 min
Do you find it challenging to monitor your child's phone? The THOUSANDS of texts. The hundreds of emails. The websites they visit Not to mention the social media accounts. I will be honest when my older boys were younger, I would maybe check their phones every other week and it was so time consuming and mind numbing too! Then I discovered Bark . (You can see video here ) of this episode. This is an AMAZING app that monitors your child's texts emails google drive social media accounts and MORE Th...
Jun 12, 2023•12 min
Are you ever stuck in this, "I don’t know" how to do this!?? energy And feel Confused and worried. In reality, there is not a right way. There are many different ways to handle this experience. Maybe none are “right” but some are better than others and each day will bring different opportunities to try again. Try on the belief – there is no right way to do this. There are many ways. Which should I try today? ** I am taking May and June off, so this is a replay episode. :) Enjoy!...
Jun 05, 2023•5 min
Do you have teenagers or young adult children? That creates so many opportunities to try and let go of control, while also recognizing there are certain things I do still have stewardship over and have to set certain boundaries. However achieving the balance in that is quite the learning experience for us all. Using faith in my mothering has been so helpful, even essential as my boys have grown. Today I dive into Cheerfully – Do All things that lie in our Power – Stand Still – With UTMOST Assura...
May 29, 2023•9 min
Have you ever wondered if your teenager was on drugs? One day a few years ago, my friend called and said she had to tell me something. She sounded hesitant but said she had prayed about it and knew she had to tell me. I reassured her and told her to tell me. If she was inspired to tell me something, I wanted to hear it! She explained she had an impression that my son was on drugs that night. She had experience with this herself, via family members. So she knew the signs. I told her Thank you!!! ...
May 22, 2023•8 min
Your body can hold energy and emotions. Which is great when they are happy, but if you are angry or sad, typically we don’t want to just hold those and carry them around with us. One of the easiest tools I share about clearing emotions and stress is Walking WHILE Talking. In today’s episode I share tips for using this tool and what to do if you don’t have anyone to talk to! HELPFUL LINKS Follow me on Instagram @powerupyourprayers Podcast Episodes – Show notes Grab a Copy of one of my Books Gain ...
May 15, 2023•6 min
What is Spinning? When thoughts and or emotions start swirling around in our head and body. You can have positive spins • Trigger – Roller Coaster • Feeling - Excitement • Thought - Remembering Fun trips there • Trigger - Memories of Park We focus on negative spins, because those are what can cause problems • Trigger - Roller Coaster • Feeling – Sick, nervous • Thoughts – Remembering throwing up on friend • Trigger – Memories of being embarrassed Another one, that is more common than seeing a ro...
May 08, 2023•9 min
This week I share the importance of learning from past mistakes and how it can lead to lowering expectations for oneself. This is a valuable lesson that can be applied to various aspects of life, including work, relationships, and personal hobbies. Last summer I was feeling overwhelmed and stressed during my busy summer and it made me realize the importance of taking a break to prioritize family time this summer. What is coming up for you this summer? If you are feeling overwhelmed by some thing...
May 01, 2023•10 min
This episode discusses the importance of growing patience as a skill rather than expecting it to be given. I share personal struggles with patience and how I have learned to be intentional about practicing patience. I share tips on how to identify situations in your own life where you need more patience and intentionally practice growing that skill. Identify situations where more patience is needed Intentionally practice growing patience – either in the situation or before hand. Discuss situatio...
Apr 24, 2023•8 min
A simple text that I misunderstood put me firmly on a platform of fear. Here are some simple steps I took to get on a platform of faith. And it saved me hours of worry and fear! What platform are you on when your child is facing a challenge?
Apr 17, 2023•7 min
Do you sometimes feel like you’re running on empty with only your power? You have gotten so far with your power, but it has run out and you realize, my kids are not going to fuel me up my spouse cannot fuel me up. And certainly you can make some choices like fueling yourself with rest and food and affirmations, but sometimes you just need something more. For me, I turn to Jesus. HELPFUL LINKS Today’s Show notes – https://sheridanripley.com/where-to-get-fuel-when-you-are-running-on-empty/ Follow ...
Apr 10, 2023•5 min
When you NEED your child to do something, it can put out some very intense energy and create a lot of push back. When you can shift to just WANTING your child to do something Everything can change! HELPFUL LINKS Today’s Show notes – https://sheridanripley.com/the-power-of-shifting-from-need-to-want/ Follow me on Instagram @powerupyourprayers Podcast Episodes – https://sheridanripley.com/category/podcast/ Grab a Copy of one of my Books Gain Free Access to My Favorite Tools...
Apr 03, 2023•6 min
My son and I love Floor and Ceiling goals. Because it gives us a range of success. It isn't just do this giant thing or you failed! Instead it is: do this little teeny, tiny thing and you've succeeded! And of course you can always do more if you want, but you do not have to. It is so liberating and motivating! In today's episode I share some favorite floor/ceiling goals for me and my kids! TOPICS [00:00:28] Succeed with Teeny, tiny goals! [00:00:36] Stop Yelling Goals [00:02:49] Goals don't have...
Mar 27, 2023•9 min
I Finally Found the Answer to my digital calendar issues! It’s not like a crazy digital calendar where you have to download all these programs and write with a pen on your ipad. It hooks into your Google calendar or your Apple calendar. And it pulls it into this program... Artful Agenda It has all the calendar views and even better - powerful LISTS!! Listen in today to hear why I love it! TOPICS COVERED [00:00:35] Part of Challenging Children - is Keeping Track of All their Appointments! [00:01:...
Mar 20, 2023•7 min
Have you ever felt anxiety? Maybe your child struggles with anxiety? Here is an easy tool that can help! Feel the physical feeling in your body – just sit with it for a minute. Currently you are naming it anxiety. Add some deep breaths and name it something else – Excitement, Curiosity, Courage (whichever is best for the situation) Feel the physical feeling in your body and say – How would it feel to feel….. (fill in the blank with one of the above words) There have been studies showing that thi...
Mar 13, 2023•6 min
One of my favorite tools to share with parents is Angels! We surely have angels on both sides of the veil. Earthly Angels and Heavenly Angels. In this podcast episode, I interview Katie and she shares her experience when her daughter got 3rd degree burns on her feet and how Heavenly Angels helped during the drive to the hospital and then so many other angels helped through the hospital stay! If you want tips and tools to ask angels for help – I have a free email series to help! Sign up here - sh...
Mar 06, 2023•19 min
The other day I was spinning with thoughts and emotions and feeling SO much anxiety. Suddenly, I remembered - I have tools to help me with this!! I looked at my podcast episodes and listened to a few used the tools in them and found myself feeling better! What do you do to help you remember to use your tools? In this weeks episode I talk about how cheat sheets can help you!
Feb 27, 2023•8 min
It was such a pleasure interviewing Katie today. She shared her powerful IMPACT method, for creating intentional margins so you can better enjoy life. She also shared a wonderful question to help in parenting your challenging child! TOPICS [00:00:10] Meet Katie [00:01:23] What do you do when you are stuck on the hamster wheel as a mom? [00:02:28] The Creation of Intentional Margins [00:05:47] IMPACT METHOD [00:05:51] IM - Intentional Margins [00:06:27] P - Priorities [00:07:13] A = Action [00:08...
Feb 20, 2023•18 min
This is probably the book I most frequently suggest to my clients! It proved invaluable in finally understanding Devon and how he could be so chill in some ways and SO DRIVEN in others! TOPICS [00:01:42] I recommend this book to all my clients with challenging children! [00:02:16] Brief overview of the types [00:04:32] Christmas present example, understanding his typed helped us stay connected. [00:06:27] Hiking disaster explained by his type 3 energy. If I had understood this and really applied...
Feb 13, 2023•10 min
What is it about feelings that can be so overwhelming? Honestly, for me, even really happy feelings on an intense level was overwhelming to me as a mom of young kids. Having three little boys with big emotions sometimes just was overwhelming. And then to add my own emotions on top of it was a little much. Here are 5 easy steps I now use to safely feel my feelings. [00:02:42] Step 1 - Acknowledge you are feeling something [00:04:05] Step 2 - Accept it is ok to feel this way [00:07:14] Step 3 - Le...
Feb 06, 2023•13 min
My children have done things that make me feel furious. Bryson, when he was a new driver, he had an 11:30 PM curfew. Well, one night, very soon after he started driving, he didn't get home until 1:00 AM He did call us and say he was going to meet his brother Carson at In n Out. and we were like, “No, don't do that. You need to come home.” But he didn't listen to us. Of course our natural inclination was anger or frustration and really furious. Here is how we shifted to curious and how it helped!...
Jan 30, 2023•5 min
My oldest son is what propelled me into becoming a life coach. I learned a lot of tools and loved to use them and teach them. They were put to the test when he was kidnapped in Mexico when he was 16 years old. Would they be helpful in a time of extreme stress? HELPFUL LINKS Today’s Show notes – sheridanripley.com/tools-work-in-this-situation Follow me on Instagram @powerupyourprayers Podcast Episodes – https://sheridanripley.com/category/podcast/ Grab a Copy of one of my Books Gain Free Access t...
Jan 23, 2023•13 min
Do you Feel Guilty when you learn a new tool? It's okay That you didn't know all these things sooner. The experiences you have had with your challenging child are okay, and you don't need to judge yourself for it. Sometimes when I learn a new tool, I think if only I'd known this sooner, it would've prevented so many problems. Then I start judging all the things I did wrong parenting my challenging child. In Tibet, they do not have a word that equals guilt. Instead, they have a word that means “I...
Jan 16, 2023•10 min•Season 2Ep. 3
This works with all ages of children. However, it looks different at different ages. Here's the thing that makes this so tricky. Logically, we know, “Or course, if my child is having a tantrum, I don't need to.” But our challenging kids know exactly how to push our buttons, and they get our internal saboteurs all riled up and suddenly we are spinning in our own thoughts and emotions. And they are spinning in their thoughts and emotions and we create what my youngest likes to call a spinning war....
Jan 09, 2023•8 min•Season 2Ep. 2
I am shifting my podcast from Finding Joy in the Journey to Parenting Challenging Children. In this weeks episode, I explain why I am changing focus and also the start of my journey parenting a challenging child, how for years we were so lost and confused and what made the biggest shift! [00:00:54] My Challenging Child [00:01:27] Pregnancy and Birth [00:02:42] Developmental Delays Addressed - but Doctors still Perplexed [00:03:47] Finally Some Help! [00:05:30] I was inspired to learn more! [00:0...
Jan 02, 2023•8 min•Season 2Ep. 1
