Are helicopter and bulldozer parenting mistakenly being labeled as gentle parenting by some? Today I uncover the myths around connective parenting and share the truth about what it really means to foster deep connections with our children. In this episode, I tackle a common misconception about gentle or connective parenting, that it's all about speaking in a soft voice and gently reasoning with your kids. But as you’ll discover, it’s so much more. Connective parenting isn't about permissive atti...
Mar 13, 2025•15 min•Season 5Ep. 401
How can parents navigate the chaos when sibling rivalry turns into a hair-pulling standoff? What if sibling rivalry wasn't just a battle between your kids but an opportunity to deepen your connection with them? In today’s episode, we dive into the dynamics of sibling relationships and discuss how shifting your perspective can bring peace to your parenting journey. I’m joined by Shannon, a mother of two from Canada, who shares her experience with sibling rivalry. We unravel the complexities of th...
Mar 11, 2025•23 min•Season 5Ep. 400
The secret to boosting your child's self-esteem is not about constant praise but in how you truly see and trust them. In today’s episode, I explore the significant role parents play in fostering healthy self-esteem in children. I reflect on the profound impact a nurturing and affirming approach has on a child’s self-image. By expressing genuine belief in their inherent goodness and autonomy, parents can help children develop confidence and a strong sense of self-worth. I’ll share five practical ...
Mar 06, 2025•14 min•Season 5Ep. 399
Is bedtime drama with your toddler an indicator of a deeper connection issue? What if the path to peaceful and restful nights for your child begins with understanding their emotional needs? Today on the Peace and Parenting podcast, I welcome Jamesetta, a devoted mother of three daughters, who shares her ongoing journey with her three-year-old's nighttime struggles. Jamesetta expresses the challenges she faces with her daughter's bedtime routine, revealing a cycle of sleep resistance and wakefuln...
Mar 04, 2025•24 min•Season 5Ep. 398
Are rewards just another form of punishment in disguise? Ever thought that the key to nurturing genuine cooperation in your child lies beyond the promise of a star chart or a treat? In this episode of Peace and Parenting, I dive deep into the often-overlooked pitfalls of reward systems in parenting and how they can inadvertently erode the parent-child connection. As a mother who once believed in handing out star stickers for good behavior, I share my journey of discovery and realization. I revis...
Feb 27, 2025•14 min•Season 5Ep. 397
What happens when kids have the freedom to decide their own hygiene? Today on Peace and Parenting, I'm joined by Ana, a loving mom to two and a strong believer in connective parenting but who is having some trouble getting her children to cooperate. Together, we dive into understanding how connection, rather than control, can be the key to cultivating cooperation and harmony within your household. Ana opens up about her challenges with a spirited 6-year-old, whose strong will and logical mind ca...
Feb 25, 2025•24 min•Season 5Ep. 396
Do you ever feel like there’s just not enough time for connection? Between work, household tasks, and never-ending to-do lists, it’s easy to let quality time with our kids slip to the bottom of our priorities. But what if I told you that focusing on connection first actually makes everything else run smoother? Today, I’m exploring a mindset shift that can transform parenting, prioritizing connection over productivity. We live in a world that glorifies busyness, but at what cost? I explore why de...
Feb 20, 2025•13 min•Season 5Ep. 395
What if your teen rejected every attempt at connection? You’ve ditched punishments and bribes, but now your child is pushing back harder than ever. Is it even working? Today, I sit down with Tova, a mother of four, who’s navigating the tricky transition from traditional parenting to connection-based parenting, especially with her resistant teens. Tova has seen beautiful changes in her younger twins since implementing connective parenting, but her older teen daughters aren’t responding the same w...
Feb 18, 2025•21 min•Season 5Ep. 394
Ever feel like connection-based parenting just isn’t working? You try play, empathy, and special time, but your child still melts down, refuses to listen, or lashes out. Does that mean connective parenting has failed? Today, I break down the biggest misconceptions about connective parenting, including why it’s often confused with permissiveness, why quick fixes don’t work, and why consistency matters more than perfection. If you've ever wondered why punishments seem to “work” faster or felt frus...
Feb 13, 2025•19 min•Season 5Ep. 393
Are traditional parenting strategies leaving you frustrated? In this episode, I sit down with Erica, a relationship coach, adoptive mom, and one of the first graduates of the Peace and Parenting Certification Program. Erica shares how shifting from consequences to connection has transformed her family and her coaching practice. Throughout our conversation, we dive into the challenges of unlearning traditional discipline methods, the importance of play in fostering attachment, and how this approa...
Feb 11, 2025•13 min•Season 5Ep. 392
Have you ever wondered why your child seems to hold it together all day but falls apart the moment they get home? Today, we explore the concept of system restraint collapse and how understanding this phenomenon can help us better support our children. I share my personal experience with my freshman daughter, Esme, and a recent surprising event during the holidays where I discovered that even older kids can experience system restraint collapse. Plus, I’ll offer some practical ways to help minimiz...
Feb 06, 2025•20 min•Season 5Ep. 391
What transformative journey led this mom from sleepless nights with her newborn to becoming a parenting coach? Today, I chat with our brand new Peace and Parenting coach, Cammie, about her path from frustration to connection. She opens up about her experiences with her two young children and the profound lessons she learned through our Connected Parent Mastermind program. Cammie shares how embracing play and laughter has revolutionized her approach to parenting, enabling her to connect on a deep...
Feb 04, 2025•15 min•Season 5Ep. 390
Imagine replacing threats, bribes, and punishments with laughter, games, and fun interactions. Today, I share with you the transformative power of play in fostering a deeper connection with our children and reshaping how we discipline them. Today, we explore why play is not just an enjoyable activity but a crucial element in our parenting toolkit that helps maintain a calm and connected family environment. Let’s challenge the conventional wisdom around discipline and embrace a method that brings...
Jan 30, 2025•14 min•Season 5Ep. 389
What hidden struggles are fueling your child's aggression? Have you ever wondered why your child might be acting out aggressively? What if the answer lies not in the child but in how we, as parents, respond to them? In this episode of the Peace and Parenting podcast, I help Melanie and Michael, a loving couple struggling with their four-year-old son's aggressive tendencies towards his schoolmate and younger brother. Melanie and Michael share their journey of grappling with their son's aggression...
Jan 28, 2025•21 min•Season 5Ep. 388
How do you show unconditional love in challenging moments? Are your children feeling truly loved, especially during their toughest times? Today, I share the profound difference between loving your children and making them feel unconditionally loved. It's easy to express love in the fun, cuddly moments, but how do we convey that same love when things get tough? I hope this episode provides you with valuable insights and practical approaches to ensure your children feel deeply and unconditionally ...
Jan 23, 2025•17 min•Season 5Ep. 387
Does your child's behavior trigger unexpected reactions in you? Join me as I sit down with Taylor, a mom navigating the intense emotions that parenting can invoke. In this heartfelt episode, Taylor opens up about her struggles with a short temper and impatience, emotions she hardly experiences in other areas of her life. Together, we explore the underlying causes of these reactions, linking them back to her own childhood experiences and unmet needs. We explore practical strategies for self-regul...
Jan 21, 2025•18 min•Season 5Ep. 386
Have you found yourself at a loss, struggling with punishments, rewards, and teachable moments that just don’t seem to work? In today’s episode, we explore the profound shifts we can make to foster deeper connections with our children—changes I wish I had known from the start. Today, I open up about my personal journey of parenting missteps and revelations. From realizing the dark side of punishments and rewards to learning the value of modeling over lecturing, I'll share with you the four signi...
Jan 16, 2025•23 min•Season 5Ep. 385
What if your teen's 'rude' behavior is actually a cry for help? Could anxiety be hiding behind their tough exterior? In today's episode, we dive deep into the world of teen anxiety with my special guest Monica Crnogorac, a certified teen anxiety coach. We unearth misconceptions about teen anxiety, discuss how parents often misinterpret their teen’s actions, and explore concrete methods to support your anxious teen without adding to their stress. With her unique blend of personal and professional...
Jan 14, 2025•18 min•Season 5Ep. 384
What if your child’s defiance wasn’t defiance at all but a powerful sense of self? Parenting strong-willed kids can feel like a battle, but what if the secret lies in less demand and more connection? Today, I dive into the unique challenges (and gifts) of raising strong-willed kids. From their sensitivity to their unwavering sense of autonomy, these children often test our patience and beliefs about control. As a mom to a strong-willed child myself, I know how easy it is to slip into power strug...
Jan 09, 2025•16 min•Season 5Ep. 383
Today, I speak with Danielle, one of my students in the Connected Parent Mastermind group. We discussed the significance of connection and how providing our children with emotional support during intense moments can positively impact future interactions. During our conversation, Danielle shared a story about an incident that occurred while she was camping with her son. Her son had a tantrum and even pointed a fake gun at her. However, what surprised her was how both of them handled the situation...
Jan 07, 2025•18 min•Season 5Ep. 382
What happens when the desire for order and control in our lives clashes with the free-spirited nature of our children? Today, I delve into the challenges of overcoming control freak tendencies in parenting and finding a harmonious balance that respects both our needs and those of our children. I'll share my personal journey from being a self-confessed control freak to a more mindful and connected parent. My need for a tidy environment, calm atmosphere, and perfect order often clashed with my kid...
Jan 02, 2025•21 min•Season 5Ep. 381
Is your child a sweet, sensitive kid who hits others? Could your child's aggressive behaviors be a sign of unmet needs? Today, I discuss the complex world of childhood aggression as we explore this topic with Samantha and Phil, parents who are grappling with their six-year-old son’s aggressive tendencies. Together, we unpack how aggression in children is often a manifestation of unmet needs and fear, rather than a disposition towards being 'bad.' We exchange heartfelt stories and practical advic...
Dec 31, 2024•25 min•Season 5Ep. 380
What should you do when Grandma threatens to punish your kids during family gatherings? How can we balance the need for extended family connections with our desire to parent consciously? In today’s episode, I explore the delicate art of navigating family dynamics during the holidays—or at any time—while staying true to our ideals of connected parenting. I’ll discuss how to handle well-meaning grandparents who bribe with cookies and how to manage our own expectations about family members' behavio...
Dec 26, 2024•14 min•Season 5Ep. 379
What makes empathy a powerful tool in setting limits with your kids? What if letting go of control could transform family dynamics? In today's conversation with Raley, a mother of three teens, she shares her remarkable journey from a disconnected, tumultuous household to one filled with empathy and connection. Raley opens up about her struggles with conventional parenting methods based on consequences and control. Together, we unravel how her transition to connective parenting, guided by our Pea...
Dec 24, 2024•19 min•Season 5Ep. 378
Having a teen is as hard as having a newborn! All the firsts and all the angst, let’s face it, the stakes are really high, and we parents worry tremendously about our children, and the teen years can really exacerbate our worry and stress. What I know works is connection, but many times, parents pull away from their teens because the teens are trying to find their own way too. When I lean into being with and understanding my teens, they respond with more kindness and the ability to self-regulate...
Dec 19, 2024•23 min•Season 5Ep. 377
Is Your Toddler Testing Your Limits? Here’s How to Turn No into Cooperation. Have you ever resorted to reverse psychology just to get your strong-willed toddler to brush their teeth? What if there were a kinder, more effective way to gain their cooperation? In today’s episode, I share some practical strategies to foster a harmonious and cooperative relationship with your little one. Today, I connect with Lauren, a mom from Indiana who is facing the very relatable challenge of dealing with a stro...
Dec 17, 2024•19 min•Season 5Ep. 376
Is your approach to restricting electronics actually fostering sneaky behavior in your child? What if instead of wrestling over electronics, we focused on fostering genuine moments of togetherness? In today’s episode, we venture into the intricate relationship our kids have with their devices and discover practical, connective ways to navigate this modern challenge. I’ll dive into the ever-present issue of electronics in our children's lives, and contrary to popular advice, I argue against outri...
Dec 12, 2024•12 min•Season 5Ep. 375
Are you caught in the cycle of correction and control in your parenting journey? Today, I am joined by Nadia, a parent who bravely shares her journey from a place of control to discovering the impact of connective parenting. Nadia candidly shares her experiences of shedding the instinct to correct and control and embracing empathy and connection instead. Through her journey, she unveils her challenges in stepping away from conventional parenting methods and the profound shifts she witnessed in h...
Dec 10, 2024•20 min•Season 5Ep. 374
Can we truly control our children, or are we simply deluding ourselves? Imagine a world where we don't force our kids to do things, but instead, they genuinely want to cooperate because of the loving relationship we share. Today, I explore why letting go of control can lead to a more harmonious and joyful parenting journey. Many believe that trying to control our kids through threats, bribes, or even physical punishment will produce the desired behavior. However, in the long run, these tactics a...
Dec 05, 2024•14 min•Season 5Ep. 373
Araminta was struggling with her child's behavioral issues when she discovered Peace and Parenting, which proved to be a lifesaver for her. After signing up for personal coaching the most important lesson she gained was that her son understood the difference between right and wrong, but lacked the ability to regulate his emotions. With this knowledge, Araminta is now better prepared to deal with her son's tantrums and intense feelings without becoming upset herself. She has discovered a method f...
Dec 03, 2024•18 min•Season 5Ep. 372
