I think it safe to say that all parents see their child as a gift, however, just how big a gift they really see them as, might be a tad underestimated. If you have a strong-willed or controlling child, a child who doesn't listen, one who procrastinates or forgets things, one who is sensitive or anxious perhaps, in fact, any make up at all, the gift in this, for us having to deal with it, is HUGE. But only if we are brave, courageous and bold enough to see it for what it really is. If you want to...
Dec 12, 2022•26 min
We spend so much time worrying about the fact our kids don’t listen to us, yet rarely do we stop and ask ourselves, “How good am I at listening”? The braver we can be in admitting that sometimes our behaviour as parents might be questionable, the better we can become at raising our bars. When we can do this, things truly change for the better. Tune in and hear what you can do to make a difference and step it up a gear… FOLLOW ME ONLINE HERE: Website: https://yourparentingpartner.com/ Book: Paren...
Dec 02, 2022•19 min
Before we go any further, IT’S OKAY. You are not alone; we have all done it and do a really good job of it! However, there are things we “should” do and get good at off the back of it all and in today’s show, I talk you through it. This is not to be missed. And please, if you haven’t already listened to episodes 611 and 612, listen to them first as they are an important piece of it all. Curious? Tune in… FOLLOW ME ONLINE HERE: Website: https://yourparentingpartner.com/ Book: Parenting The Modern...
Nov 21, 2022•20 min
For me, this is my number one goal in parenting. I think that it is one of THE, if not the most important thing we can hope to do, try to do more, and become really good at. Realistically, I don’t think it is possible to never lose your shit – we are human after all. However, if you want to get better at this and hone the skills needed to do it well, then this one is for you. Do make sure you listen to episode 611 first though. And next time, I will be talking about what to do when you’ve lost y...
Nov 10, 2022•27 min
No matter what you do, you end up losing it! You keep calm for so long and boom... you snap. If you are a regular listener of the show you'll know that I don't believe it's your kids who trigger you! Their behavior in the moment ignites a previous emotional experience within you (the actual trigger) from when you were a child where you were not seen, heard, understood, made to feel you were good enough or matter or a combination thereof. LONG story... so what do you do? In this episode I talk ab...
Nov 03, 2022•21 min
It is all too easy to get drawn into an argument with your child, however, it rarely works. Actually, I might go as far as saying that it NEVER works. So, what typically happens when this occurs in your home? Do you: A: Argue Back B: Take it Personally C: Shout and Get Mad D: Right the Right to be Right E: All of the Above? In the show today, I discuss what we should do and how when we do this we will remain connected to our kids versus becoming reactive and disconnecting from them. Curious? Tun...
Oct 20, 2022•22 min
No matter what you do, when it comes to getting your kids off their phones, it always ends up in arguments. You’ve read the books, listened to podcasts, implemented this step and that step, followed The Tech Diet and it’s still not working. In this episode, I troubleshoot and cover what Brad Marshall recommends when it all goes pear shaped. Curious? Tune in to the final episode in this podcast bookclub series... You can purchase a copy of the book through these links: Amazon.com https://www.amaz...
Oct 12, 2022•24 min
What do you do when your kid refuses to see things through the same lens as you? They come up with all sorts of crazy ideas and reasons to try and get their way because the bottom line is usually this: they don’t want rules and limits regarding their internet use and they know themselves just how addicted they are to their phones so anyone who tells them to get off them is a threat to their very existence. Their phones are their lifelines so how do we get our kids to drink our tech plan Kool-Aid...
Sep 19, 2022•30 min
“Controlling” our kid’s media diets through limiting their mobile data is fast becoming a thing of the past. So how on earth do we hope to do it when so many of the plans are all inclusive and unlimited? I’m going to be 100% honest here and say that it’s hard and the older your kids are, the harder it’s going to be. Period. There are, however, ways to do it and in today’s episode, I discuss them all. Tune in… You can purchase a copy of the book through these links: Amazon.com https://www.amazon....
Sep 12, 2022•27 min
Are you a good negotiator? Have you actually ever thought about it related to parenting? The bottom line is this: being really good at negotiating is an extremely useful skill to have in your parenting toolbox. In this episode, I discuss this, the importance of negotiating, scheduling and accounting for your child’s time in relation to how many potential hours there actually are for being online. And the rules. Yes, there have to be rules! I think that these three steps are genius and oh so help...
Aug 29, 2022•31 min
There are many things you can do to “control” your child’s media diet and in the next three episodes I’m going to give you the 7 magical steps that Brad Marshall recommends parents put into place. Do not oversee the first three episodes in this series in order to get to the solution, you need it all. Balance is definitely key and knowing which aspect of your child’s development is being compromised as a result of screens is paramount. And remember, please do listen this entire series before comi...
Aug 13, 2022•27 min
Welcome to my podcast book club series on the book The Tech Diet for your Child and Teen by Brad Marshall. How many hours are too many? How will I know what the signs are? These are tough questions to answer and when all is said and done, some parents panic too soon whilst others don’t panic soon enough. In this chapter (5), the author discusses 5 key developmental milestones that kids simply must meet. When one or two of these 5 domains get compromised, the result is not good, and it snowballs ...
Aug 03, 2022•41 min
For this generation, social media is HUGE and I feel it has got to the point where they can’t live without it but at the same time, are struggling to live with it. It hooks them in and creates anxiety for them when they are in it, chasing perfection and constantly comparing themselves to others. And at the same time, they are anxious when they are off it for the fear it creates of missing out. FOMO is rampant. So how do we manage it? We have to understand it. And then there’s the video games and...
Jul 05, 2022•34 min
When I asked my son to describe his generation, he came up with “Generation NOW” which I found fascinating. He went on to say “mum, we can’t wait for anything because we are so used to getting everything NOW!”. I actually think it’s such an appropriate description. Generation Smartphone is also a great name because it says it all and the speed at which smartphones have totally changed how we live is scary. Welcome to Part 1 in my new podcast book club series on the book The Tech Diet for your Ch...
Jun 28, 2022•24 min
In this digital age, there is one thing that has fast become the scarcest commodity… and it begins with A. Being able to manage this is, without a shadow of doubt, one of the most important skills kids today must develop. And because of this, we have lost our capacity to tolerate solitude. The knock-on effects of it are far-reaching and not good. I hope I have piqued your interest and that you will tune in and find out. Trust me, you will not regret becoming aware of this. Tune in… In the episod...
Jun 22, 2022•31 min
Are you aware of the stories you create about your child and their behavior? And do you realize that whatever the situation is that it’s not the situation that causes you to react but the story you tell yourself about it? When I actually understood this, it made dealing with any crazy and not so good situations I faced with my kids waaaayyyy better. Whether positive or negative, the story we create about it is the biggest influence and therefore the biggest predictor of how we can respond. Curio...
Jun 14, 2022•21 min
Does your child struggle to consume a healthy media diet and spend way too much time in the virtual world at the expense of time spent in the real world? You are not alone. In today’s show, I speak with Dr Randy Kulman, the author of many books, his latest, “The Gaming Overload Workbook”. We discuss ways that will help you help your child to find the balance without taking their phone away. Tune in… If you are looking to buy Dr Kulman's book, you can do so via Amazon.com here: https://www.amazon...
Jun 07, 2022•46 min
If you’re raising a strong-willed child, you likely experience so many emotions on a daily basis: you love your kid deeply and you want the world for them… it’s just that their out-of-control behavior can be so overwhelming and frustrating. You simultaneously want to connect with your child yet at the same time, dread your time together. And you are at your wit’s end. Okay, I understand, honestly, I do. But do not worry, I’ve got your back, there is so much you can do. Tune in and I’ll explain… ...
Jun 04, 2022•20 min
I think that this might be one of the hardest things to have to do as a parent. When everything is telling you to fight against the bad behavior or poor choice in behavior, that you need to accept it… are you kidding me? No! “But it doesn’t make sense” I hear you say. “I’m sorry, I can’t accept it!” If you want to change anything, fighting it will not work so the only alternative is to first accept it. I know it seems counterintuitive but trust me, if you struggle with this, tune in… FOLLOW ME O...
May 31, 2022•17 min
Off the back of the pandemic, I’m sure there are few parents who have not felt some form of overwhelm. I certainly have. However, I have worked out how to deal with it and stop it from building to a point where it sucks the joy from my life. If you are frustrated, overwhelmed, and running on empty with chaos on your heels like a loyal pet then you must listen to this. It will give you some practical ideas as to how to navigate the chaos and reduce the overwhelm. Tune in… FOLLOW ME ONLINE HERE: W...
May 17, 2022•18 min
The subject of judgment really intrigues me. Where does it come from and why on earth do we do it? And more importantly, what are the ill-effects of our judgment on our children? And what’s the difference between an opinion, judgment, and criticism anyway? If you know you are perhaps a little bit of a judger… let’s face it, who isn’t, then take a listen. If not for yourself, for your kids. Tune in… FOLLOW ME ONLINE HERE: Website: https://yourparentingpartner.com/ Book: Parenting The Modern Teen:...
May 10, 2022•21 min
Oh, wouldn’t it be nice if our kids came with a handbook, so we would know exactly what to do in any given situation! The sad reality is that when we screw up as parents or we just don’t know what to do, it leaves us feeling like we are not good enough and even question whether we are really cut out to do this thing called parenting. If you struggle with feeling inadequate at times and think you are not a good enough mom or dad, then tune in. This will really help you understand why you might be...
May 03, 2022•20 min
Does your child’s behavior stump you? You just don’t know what’s going on and what's behind it all? Trust me, you are not alone… Trying to establish why our kids behave the way we do can be hard and oh so frustrating. What do you do? How “should” you respond and why? If you want to deepen your understanding around behavior and what really drives behavior then tune in and find out… FOLLOW ME ONLINE HERE: Website: https://yourparentingpartner.com/ Book: Parenting The Modern Teen: https://go.yourpa...
Apr 26, 2022•18 min
If you have a child who doesn’t listen to you, then this is for you. You have to listen to this one. Let me tell you this: the subject of listening is deep and given being heard is a need of every man, woman and child, ensuring that your kids feel heard is super important. Like REALLY important. Do you feel heard? If not, tune in and let me help FOLLOW ME ONLINE HERE: Website: https://yourparentingpartner.com/ Book: Parenting The Modern Teen: https://go.yourparentingpartner.com/parenting-the-mod...
Apr 20, 2022•20 min
Dr Ovid, a pediatric neurologist warns of a silent tragedy unfolding in our homes. One involving our children…. The alarming increase in the rates of anxiety and depression in teenagers. What can you do? What should you do? Tune in and find out what you can do to avoid this tragedy unfolding in your home… FOLLOW ME ONLINE HERE: Website: https://yourparentingpartner.com/ Book: Parenting The Modern Teen: https://go.yourparentingpartner.com/parenting-the-modern-teen Parenting In The Thick Of It Fam...
Apr 13, 2022•25 min
No sooner is your child home from a sleepover and they are asking for another, with a different friend. If you say "No" you are the worst, and nastiest parent in the world. And as they get older, you might not even know the parents! What do you do? What is reasonable? How do you deal with the pushback? It can be hard to navigate and keep your cool. In this episode, I talk through many aspects of sleepovers that I feel need to be considered and what you might consider doing to help you better man...
Apr 05, 2022•24 min
I felt called to record this episode today off the back of THE Oscar performance last Sunday night. What an unfortunate chain of events... However, more disturbing to me is the outpour of criticism, shame, judgment and righteousness off the back of it. Where is compassion and empathy in all of this and what is this "reaction" to it all teaching our kids? Whether either of their behaviours were right or wrong, the backlash is, in my books, even worse. Are we all so perfect that we never get trigg...
Mar 31, 2022•19 min
How is is possible for my oh so sweet child to become so sour in a nanosecond? I don't even have to have said anything to them and it can happen. It's like they suddenly despise me. What on earth causes it? And how am I supposed to deal with it, not be permissive to it, yet maintain my boundaries? It's so hard to not be triggered by it and dial out of it when they can be so rude, disrespectful and snarky. In this episode, I share with you my secret. Curious? Tune in... Website: https://yourparen...
Mar 29, 2022•22 min
Seeing our kids struggling, emotionally or physically, is hard for parents to witness. In fact, sometimes it’s so hard and uncomfortable for us that we just try to fix things to avoid the “pain” for US in having to sit in it with our kids. But this way of dealing with it does our kids no favours at all. It actually denies them the opportunity of developing some much-needed life skills. Which ones? Tune in and find out… FOLLOW ME ONLINE HERE: Website: https://yourparentingpartner.com/ Book: Paren...
Mar 15, 2022•20 min
I am always intrigued to ask parents this question and see what their response is! Have you ever given it much thought? What do you want for your kids? Not surprisingly, most parents reply with a “I just want my kid to be HAPPY + SUCCESSFUL”. Maybe you want this as well? In this episode, I discuss the pitfalls with this way of thinking. Don’t get me wrong, on the surface, I want this too, but I don’t say it to my kids. Why? Tune in and you’ll find out… FOLLOW ME ONLINE HERE: Website: https://you...
Mar 08, 2022•20 min
