Today's episode comes with a heavy heart as I share a very personal update. My beloved father, Papa, recently passed away after a three-year battle with cancer. For those who knew him or followed my posts, you know he was my steadfast parenting partner and confidant, truly embracing connective parenting and becoming an incredible grandfather to my girls. In this tribute, I'll share a eulogy I wrote for him, celebrating his vivacious spirit, fierce determination, and profound transformation later...
Jun 26, 2025•11 min•Season 5Ep. 431
Do you ever feel like you're constantly battling your kids, trying to "make" them do what you want? Are you tired of using punishments or rewards, but unsure how else to get them to listen? If you're longing for a deeper connection with your child and a more peaceful home without resorting to control, you're in the right place. Today, I’m exploring a crucial distinction: the difference between boundaries and limits, and consequences and punishments. Many of us were taught that discipline means p...
Jun 24, 2025•13 min•Season 5Ep. 430
What does real respect between parents and children truly look like? Have you ever wondered why your kids sometimes seem “disrespectful,” or whether expecting automatic respect is helping or hurting your relationship? Let’s dive into what it means to nurture mutual respect without demanding compliance. Today, we revisit one of our most popular topics: the true nature of respect in parenting and how embracing connection over control transforms our family relationships. There is a commonly held na...
Jun 19, 2025•12 min•Season 5Ep. 429
Have you been told that because your child is neurodivergent, they need different rules? That connection-based parenting works for neurotypical kids, but your child with autism or ADHD requires charts, rewards, and consequences to manage behavior. Many of us hear this, leaving us to choose between a behavioral or relationship-based approach. In this episode, I have a powerful conversation with Eloise, one of our private clients, whose son has autism and ADHD. She came to us wondering if this wor...
Jun 17, 2025•20 min•Season 5Ep. 428
Does it ever feel like you’re a referee in your own home? One child is hurt, crying with scratches down their arm, and the other is standing there, looking defiant. In that moment, every instinct tells you to protect the “victim” and correct the “aggressor.” But what if I told you that by rushing in to assign blame, we might unknowingly be making the rivalry worse? It’s a tough pill to swallow, I know. It took me years to see how my attempts to protect my younger daughter, Pia, were actually fue...
Jun 12, 2025•16 min•Season 5Ep. 427
Do you feel like you’re doing everything “right”? You’ve started implementing special time and focusing on connection, yet it creates more chaos. The kids might have meltdowns when the timer goes off, or sibling squabbles seem endless. You may question whether connected parenting works. You are not alone, and there is a way through it. In this episode, I have a wonderful chat with Katie, a mother of three girls from the UK. She’s been practicing connective parenting for just a few weeks and is a...
Jun 10, 2025•30 min•Season 5Ep. 426
Are you sometimes wondering if this whole "connected parenting" thing can really work for your child, especially when you're facing those big emotions or defiant moments? Maybe you've heard people say, "That’s nice, but my kid needs something different." I truly understand where you're coming from, and I’ve been there. In today's episode, I want to discuss why I’m passionate about connected parenting as a loving approach for all children, regardless of their temperament or challenges. We'll expl...
Jun 05, 2025•10 min•Season 5Ep. 425
Do you ever find yourself in those familiar power struggles with your child? Maybe it’s the daily screen time battle, that feeling of being rushed, or just their amazing, strong will challenging you at every turn. If you're nodding along, please know you're not alone, and there absolutely is a path to more peace and cooperation in your home. In this episode, I had a wonderful conversation with Jackie, a mom to a spirited nine-year-old named Sophia. Jackie bravely shared her struggles with Sophia...
Jun 03, 2025•21 min•Season 5Ep. 424
Okay, friend, let's discuss the pressure of being the "perfect" parent. If you've felt overwhelmed by a toddler’s grocery store meltdown or a teen defying you, this episode is for you. I've been in the trenches, thinking perfect parenting meant perfectly behaved children and would validate me. Today, I’ll share my journey with perfectionism in parenting, revealing how it harmed my relationship with my kids. My desperation for them to "behave" led to threats, bribes, and yelling, making me feel l...
May 29, 2025•12 min•Season 5Ep. 423
Do you find yourself constantly striving for perfection in your parenting? Does the idea of not having all the answers or losing control fill you with anxiety? If you're a high-achieving parent who wants deep connection but finds yourself stuck in a "fix-it" or "control" mindset, this episode is for you. Today, I have a truly insightful conversation with Kate Kripke, a licensed clinical social worker and perinatal mental health counselor. We dive into the neuroscience behind why many high-achiev...
May 27, 2025•25 min•Season 5Ep. 422
Do you want your child to always feel safe enough to come to you, no matter what mistakes they've made? Are you sometimes unsure how to react when your child disappoints you, without resorting to punishment or judgment? Today, we're diving deep into the power of being your child's "safe place." Research tells us this is the most crucial thing we can do for our children, especially in adolescence. When children feel safe and connected, their brains are better equipped for good decision-making and...
May 22, 2025•9 min•Season 5Ep. 421
What if I told you that schools are actually killing your child's creativity? Is socialization really a problem for homeschooled kids? If you're looking for an insightful discussion that addresses these fears and offers a compelling perspective on homeschooling, you're in the right place. Today, I'm joined by Liz Hanson, a seasoned homeschooler with 24 years of experience in education. We'll explore what homeschooling truly is (and isn't), debunk common myths, and discuss the incredible benefits...
May 20, 2025•19 min•Season 5Ep. 420
Are you tired of constant power struggles with your child? Does it feel like every little thing turns into a battle? If you're longing for a more peaceful way to navigate these conflicts and maintain a strong connection with your child, you're in the right place. Today, I’m tackling the tricky topic of power struggles. First, let me reassure you that they're incredibly common. Children, especially, crave autonomy, which can often lead to clashes as they assert their independence. But here's the ...
May 15, 2025•9 min•Season 5Ep. 419
Do you ever find yourself saying things to your child that you instantly regret? Do you worry that your own upbringing is negatively influencing your parenting? Today,, I talk with Helen, a mom who's caught in a cycle of saying hurtful things to her son, often mirroring the way her own mother treated her. We explore the powerful connection between our childhood experiences and our parenting triggers. I offer strategies for breaking free from these patterns, including journaling to process past h...
May 13, 2025•19 min•Season 5Ep. 418
What if I told you that forcing your child to be more social actually harms their confidence? Does it make you cringe when they won't say hello or engage with other kids? If you're tired of pushing your child to be more outgoing and it's just not working, I have a message of hope for you. Today, I share my journey with my daughter Pia, who was very shy as a child. I used to worry about her lack of engagement and felt that others might perceive her as rude. However, I learned that pushing her onl...
May 08, 2025•7 min•Season 5Ep. 417
You survived sleepless nights with a newborn, but what about sleepless nights with menopause? Is there an end in sight? I'm taking a short but important detour from our usual parenting topics to talk about something that affects so many of us: menopause. As women, our health and well-being are deeply intertwined with our ability to show up as the parents we want to be. Today, I welcome Julia Granacki, a board-certified health coach specializing in menopause and perimenopause. We dive into the co...
May 06, 2025•25 min•Season 5Ep. 416
Tired of feeling like you always have to "fix" your child's negative emotions? Do you find yourself rushing to make them happy, even when they're expressing sadness, anger, or frustration? If you're ready to shift your perspective and learn how to embrace your child's full range of emotions, you're in the right place. Today, I’m diving into the importance of allowing space for all feelings, even the uncomfortable ones. We often fear emotions and believe that being emotionally healthy means being...
May 02, 2025•9 min•Season 5Ep. 415
Are you finding co-parenting more challenging than you ever imagined? Especially when it feels like you and your co-parent have completely different parenting styles? If you're navigating the complexities of divorce and trying to raise your child with someone you fundamentally disagree with, I understand how overwhelming it can feel. Today, I sit down with Stephanie, a co-parent who, like many of us, is facing the difficulties of raising a child while dealing with the fallout of a divorce. We di...
Apr 29, 2025•16 min•Season 5Ep. 414
I used to think that setting strict limits was the answer to my daughter's iPad obsession. But I learned a powerful lesson: I needed to change my own habits first. In this episode, I'm sharing my story and the importance of modeling healthy electronic habits. We'll discuss how to shift from restriction to connection and create a more balanced digital environment for your family. I admit it's not always easy! I used to be glued to my phone, even while enforcing strict rules for my daughter, Esme....
Apr 24, 2025•8 min•Season 5Ep. 413
Why do family meals sometimes turn into battlegrounds instead of bonding moments? Have you ever dreaded dinner time, wishing it could feel joyful and connected again? If you’re wondering how to ease meal struggles and nurture a better relationship with your kids around food, this episode is for you. Today, I sit down with Lindsay, a mom of two young girls, to talk through the all-too-common challenges of family mealtimes. Lindsay shares her frustration about meals becoming stressful and her desi...
Apr 22, 2025•13 min•Season 5Ep. 412
Are electronics truly the enemy of modern parenting, or can they coexist peacefully in our lives? With electronics being an undeniable part of our daily lives, today I explore how we can embrace them without sacrificing the connection with our children. In this episode, I tackle the polarizing debate of kids and electronics. While some believe in strictly limiting access, others might inadvertently allow free rein. But is there a middle ground? I advocate for a balanced approach that recognizes ...
Apr 17, 2025•14 min•Season 5Ep. 411
Are your toddlers constantly clashing over toys, snacks, or even just space? Are you tired of being the referee or the judge in your kid's battles? Today, I sit down with Miriam, a mom of twin boys on the cusp of turning three, who shares her struggles with daily sibling battles. Together, we explore how to stay grounded when our kids fight, why blame only adds fuel to the fire, and how to lead with empathy even when chaos erupts. You’ll hear us discuss the power of connection, why getting invol...
Apr 15, 2025•18 min•Season 5Ep. 410
Are you tired of constant sibling squabbles turning your home into a battleground? Do you dream of a more peaceful, connected family life? I know how you feel because I've been there too! My own challenging relationship with my sister growing up, and then watching my girls struggle, led me to transform my parenting. I traded in punishments and rewards for connection, and it changed everything. In this episode, I'm diving into sibling dynamics and sharing my personal journey, including how my pas...
Apr 10, 2025•10 min•Season 5Ep. 409
Do you ever feel like your kids only listen when you raise your voice? You're not alone. Many parents struggle with feeling unheard and resorting to yelling, often rooted in feeling disrespected. Today, we're diving into this common challenge with a real parent, Michela, and exploring practical strategies for finding calmer, more effective ways to communicate. This episode isn't about blaming ourselves or our cultural backgrounds. It's about understanding why we get loud and how to shift towards...
Apr 08, 2025•21 min•Season 5Ep. 408
Are parents doing too much for their kids? What if saying "no" to doing something for your child could actually empower them to thrive independently? Today, we dive into the art of stepping back as a parent and explore the practice of avoiding over-functioning. Today, I delve into the nuanced subject of over-functioning in our parenting journeys. I share my own experience with my daughter Esme, who is learning to navigate the complex world of adulthood. As I recount our recent encounter over her...
Apr 03, 2025•11 min•Season 5Ep. 407
What happens when you don’t know what to say as a parent? How can we handle sibling rivalry and help our children navigate their conflicts? In this episode of Peace and Parenting, I'm joined by Lindsey, a mom of two spirited young ones, Ace and Ava. Lindsey shares her struggles when faced with sibling squabbles and the moments she feels frozen. We explore the common fear of saying the wrong thing and how to trust our instincts instead. This episode sheds light on how empathy, patience, and a gro...
Apr 01, 2025•16 min•Season 5Ep. 406
Are you tired of power struggles and tantrums turning your home into a battleground? Do you long for a more peaceful and connected relationship with your child? If you're like many parents, you've probably wondered how to teach your child to manage their big feelings without resorting to punishments or rewards. I’ve been there too. That’s why I traded in punishments and rewards for connection. Today is all about co-regulation and how it can transform your parenting approach. I’ll share some insi...
Mar 27, 2025•12 min•Season 5Ep. 405
Ever feel lost in how to respond when your child gets aggressive during tantrums? You're not alone, and it's definitely a tough spot to be in. This week, we're tackling the challenge of aggressive tantrums and how to navigate them with connection, not punishment. Afra joins me today, struggling when her 6-year-old gets physical with her during tantrums. Together, we'll explore why connection is key, even when it feels counterintuitive, and how to keep everyone safe during those intense moments. ...
Mar 25, 2025•24 min•Season 5Ep. 404
Are you tired of feeling like you're always lecturing your kids, but it just doesn't seem to make a difference? Do you find yourself caught in a cycle of reasoning and explaining, only to see the same behaviors repeat? I get it, because I’ve been there too. This week, I’m diving into why those well-intentioned lectures often fall flat and how they can even be perceived as punishment by our children. But don't worry, because I’ll also share some effective strategies for guiding our children towar...
Mar 20, 2025•16 min•Season 5Ep. 403
Sleep deprivation is real, and when your child won’t sleep without you, it can feel overwhelming. If you're exhausted from middle-of-the-night wake-ups, desperate for just a few hours of uninterrupted rest, and wondering if you’ll ever get your evenings back, today’s episode is for you. In this heartfelt coaching session, I talk with Polina, a loving mother navigating the difficult challenge of nighttime separation. We explore why young children struggle with independent sleep, how connection im...
Mar 18, 2025•19 min•Season 5Ep. 402
