Be Their Parent

Send us Fan Mail We share practical ways to set middle school and high school students up for success by teaching independence instead of rescuing. We walk through simple systems for organization, communication, and self advocacy that reduce stress for the whole family.  • choosing a paper planner to track assignments, projects, and life events  • finding and following bus or public transit schedu...

Send us Fan Mail We share practical school readiness skills that help third to fifth graders feel confident and capable when school starts. We focus on small habits you can practice over the summer that build independence without overwhelming your child. • Building responsibility by tracking and packing personal items using simple summer routines • Using a family calendar or planner to record impo...

Send us Fan Mail We break down the real-life skills that help kindergarten through second grade kids feel confident and capable at school, from zipping coats to handling lunch and supplies. I share simple ways to practice responsibility, classroom behavior, and fine motor skills at home without trying to do everything at once.  • independent skills for personal responsibility • following one-step...

Send us Fan Mail We share the school readiness skills that matter across all ages, from kindness in competition to knowing when to speak up about harm. We also talk about building independence so our kids can handle conflict, consequences, and problem-solving without us rushing in to fix everything.  • practicing respectful conversations and polite requests for help  • handling conflict with class...

Send us Fan Mail We talk about how our all-or-nothing culture is training adults to treat disagreement like a dealbreaker, especially online. We want to model respectful dialogue because our kids are watching and they will copy how we speak about other people.  • the growing habit of treating opposing views as “wrong” and disposable  • how respectful disagreement strengthens our own beliefs and de...

Send us Fan Mail Summer planning feels easier when we stop trying to fill every day and instead build a light structure kids can count on. We share cheap and free ways to make summer fun, protect downtime, and even use boredom to spark creativity. • brainstorming summer activities that fit our time and budget • using a simple weekly theme calendar to reduce daily decisions • creating activity jars...

Send us Fan Mail I wrap Season 1 by running through the topics from all 13 episodes so you can quickly find the help you need right now. We revisit the foundations like routines and boundaries, plus practical parenting tools for sleep, screen time, playdates, and staying steady when kids disobey.  Go follow along on social media. I use BeTheir Parent on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube. Mo...

Send us Fan Mail We talk about how to adjust sleep schedules for summer vacation and how busy school days can exhaust our kids. We share practical ways to keep routines steady, prevent late-day naps, and adjust bedtime so everyone rests better.  • keeping bedtime and morning routines during summer while shifting times  • watching total sleep to avoid grumpy, uncooperative behavior  • handling the...

Send us Fan Mail Play dates feel harder now that we don't always know other kids' parents like we did in the past, but we can still make them work with a simple plan and a little courage. We share how we can set play dates up well so our children can build friendships safely.  • why play dates feel more complicated today and why they are still worth it  • questions we ask our child at ho...

Send us Fan Mail We unpack why child disobedience can feel like rejection or disrespect and why both reactions are extreme and wrong. We choose a calm middle ground that keeps boundaries solid and the relationship safe.  • taking disobedience personally and why it backfires  • how fear of rejection leads us to back down  • separating the child from the disobedient action  If you have any questions...

Send us Fan Mail We share a simple parenting idea: teach gratitude first and generosity follows. We walk through practical ways to help kids show real appreciation at home, at parties, and out in the world.  • starting with basic thank you skills • teaching tipping and small acts of appreciation in service settings  • modeling gratitude so kids learn by watching  If you have any questions or need...

Send us Fan Mail We talk about why positive reinforcement helps but cannot be the only discipline strategy if you want real cooperation at home. We share a simple way to find what your child truly values so consequences actually land and boundaries finally stick.  • using specific praise to reinforce cooperation with new routines • finding your child’s “currency” and using it wisely  • adjusting c...

Send us Fan Mail We break down why consistency is the real key to getting kids to cooperate more often, even when they are not naturally compliant. We share clear signs that your child may be learning entitlement and give you a simple plan to reset boundaries without backing down. • consistency as the foundation for cooperation and regulation   • what giving in teaches kids at home and in public ...

Send us Fan Mail We talk about screens before bed and why the last hour of the day can make or break kids’ sleep. I share what to change first, why content matters as much as minutes, and how to taper screen time without turning nights into a fight.  • choosing a screen time plan that fits your family  • focusing on what kids watch not just how long  • avoiding overly stimulating shows near bedtim...

Send us Fan Mail We shift from bedtime wins to the next daily challenge: the morning routine. We lay out a practical way to plan, prep, and motivate so your family has less stress and you get out the door on time. • Making a morning checklist for breakfast, teeth, clothes, backpacks and lunches • Ordering the steps to match your child’s age and morning energy • Estimating total time and fixing gap...

Send us Fan Mail We build a bedtime routine that helps kids get into bed on time and stay there without turning the evening into a negotiation. We walk through how to pick the right steps, put them in a smart order, and handle common problems like stalling, water requests, and pushback.  • choosing a bedtime routine that meets our needs and our kids’ needs  • keeping the routine simple enough to m...

Send us Fan Mail We share a simple plan to set a workable bedtime by starting from wake time, matching age-based sleep needs, and making small, steady shifts. We explain how naps, growth, and morning behavior signal when to adjust. • age-based sleep ranges and how to use them • working backward from wake time to set bedtime • checking wake-up ease as a key signal • moving bedtime 15–30 minutes ear...

Send us Fan Mail This episode is all about routines. Kids thrive when their days are predictable. Not rigid—predictable. Using the school day as a practical model, we show how clear routines shrink decision fatigue, lower anxiety, and give children the confidence to act on their own.  We walk through how routines actually grow independence, rather than smother it. You’ll hear why replicability mat...

Send us Fan Mail A quick introduction to Be Their Parent and Sheila. Please join us on this journey into parenting.