Become A Calm Mama

Mom guilt is real. And it's stopping you from being the calm parent you want to be. In this episode, guest Mary Skinner helps you understand why you feel guilty, where it comes from, and how to stop blaming yourself. We’re also getting into our own journeys of learning how to drop guilt, set better boundaries, and become the leaders of our families. There are so many little nuggets of wisdom in th...

When mom guilt takes over, it's hard to feel like the calm mama you want to be. In this episode, guest Jessica Tomich Sorci shares why moms feel bad about themselves, along with mindful parenting tools to break the cycle. Learn how self-compassion isn't selfish; it's the foundation for confident parenting and real emotional connection with your kids. You’ll Learn: How to have a better relationship...

Today I'm getting into a topic that I hear about constantly from parents - lying. Is lying normal? What does it mean? And most importantly, what do we actually do about it? There are a bunch of reasons that kids lie. When you understand why it's happening, it becomes much easier for you to respond in a calm way - without getting really angry, blowing up, shutting them down, or criticizing. You'll...

I think we can all relate to wanting our kids to be more responsible, have more self control, and make good decisions. Today, I'm talking about teaching kids how to make good choices (and it’s not as complicated as you might think). You’ll Learn: The link between connection and coaching Why lectures don't work (and what to do instead) The 3 steps of a coaching conversation How to use help kids mak...

Today, I've invited The Parentologist , Dr. Kim Van Dusen, to teach us about how to make parenting easier using play. Dr. Kim Van Dusen is a licensed marriage and family therapist, registered play therapist, and parenting expert specializing in early childhood through adolescence. With more than two decades of experience as a clinician, educator, and public speaker, she works with families to supp...

Summer planning doesn't have to mean overwhelm. Learn how to stay calm with kids while building a summer that feels good (not just looks good on your calendar). In this episode, we go beyond schedules and camps to explore the mindset shifts, emotional regulation strategies, and practical tools that help you actually enjoy summer while handling the chaos that comes up. Because the way you think abo...

When kids spiral into "I'm stupid" or "No one likes me," it's usually a sign they're dysregulated, not that something's actually wrong with them. In this episode, I'll walk you through the exact coaching approach to help your child build emotional regulation and inner confidence, plus how to interrupt your own negative self-talk patterns in the process. You’ll Learn: What to do when your kid is ha...

Stop reacting to meltdowns and start preventing them. Learn the one skill kids often lack - and how coaching conversations teach emotional regulation, connection, and self control. In this episode, discover the 3-step coaching framework that transforms big feelings into teachable moments and breaks the meltdown cycle long-term. You’ll Learn: The skill your kid might be lacking if they’re having a...

Teaching emotional regulation means giving kids better strategies than hitting, yelling, or shutting down. In this episode, discover why movement is the most powerful tool to help kids (and you) process big feelings, how to keep everyone safe when emotions escalate, and the 3 categories of movement that rewire your child's nervous system. Perfect for the car or your morning walk. You’ll Learn: Why...

When your child hits, yells, or acts out, your first response matters more than anything else. In this episode, discover the crucial pause-point most parents miss and the exact emotional regulation and child behavior management steps to take before you react. We're breaking down the confessional truth about those triggered moments and giving you practical words to say that actually teach your kid...

Nonviolent Communication is the framework behind better parenting connection - and you may already be using it. In this episode, Margot Magowan reveals how NVC principles transform challenging moments into opportunities for emotional connection and effective limit-setting. Learn the exact steps to stop yelling and show up as the calm mom you want to be, with real-world examples you can use today....

Help your child manage big feelings so their behavior naturally improves. This episode teaches the NEW 5-step Connection Tool - the hybrid parenting approach that combines empathy with clear boundaries. Learn real-life scripts, how to see behavior through a compassionate lens, and why understanding your child's feelings on the inside changes everything on the outside . Perfect for moms tired of po...

Emotional regulation starts with what kids believe about themselves. In this episode, I'm sharing the 3 essential beliefs that set your child up for confidence, healthy risk-taking, and strong relationships - and the one thing you can do to plant each belief without forcing it. Perfect for moms who want to raise kids that think for themselves and handle big feelings well. You’ll Learn: The 3 essen...

Mom drama, cliques, and guilt are real - and they're not your fault. In this honest conversation with my friend Danielle, we explore the surprising connection between matrescence and toxic mom groups, why supportive parenting communities matter, and practical ways to stay calm when surrounded by mean mom energy. Discover how building confident, mindful parenting relationships actually makes you a...

Dr. Angele Close is back to talk with me more about matrescence - the profound identity, emotional, and physical transformation mothers experience (and most of us never talk about). We're exploring how motherhood reshapes who you are, why mom guilt is actually a sign of something deeper, and how understanding your own emotional shifts helps you stay calmer with your kids. If you've felt lost in mo...

If you want to stop yelling, it starts with understanding stress, not willpower. In this episode, you'll learn the 4-step CALM Break - the game-changing evolution of the Pause Break - designed to help you stay calm with kids when emotions run hot. Discover why parental overwhelm happens, how to reset in the moment, and why this mindful parenting tool works even for the hardest days. You’ll Learn:...

Meet my signature parenting framework: The Connected Parenting Process. Learn the 4 steps to stop yelling, feel more calm, and build stronger emotional connection with your kids. Plus why I renamed this mindful parenting approach and how it fits the hybrid parenting shift moms are making right now. You’ll Learn: Why I changed the name of my signature parenting process The 4 steps of The Connected...

You yelled. You shamed. You're drowning in mom guilt. It happens to every parent. But what matters is what you do next. In this episode, learn the parenting tools that turn your biggest mistakes into moments of real repair and deeper connection with your kids. Discover why a true apology isn't just "I'm sorry" and how modeling accountability teaches your child emotional regulation and breaks the h...

You yelled. Your kid's crying. Now what? Learn how to handle the rupture and repair your connection afterward. In this episode, we break down why most parents spiral in guilt, the 10 benefits of doing repair well, and the exact steps to turn a moment of losing your cool into deeper trust and emotional security. You’ll Learn: Unhealthy ways parents often handle a rupture 10 benefits of repair conve...

When you say "no" to your kids, do you worry you're being mean? Learn the difference between firm parenting and mean parenting, and how to set confident boundaries without the guilt. In part 8 of the Stop Yelling series, I break down the emotional cues that separate firmness from anger, explore what real consequences sound like, and help you show up as the calm, boundaried mom you want to be. Beca...

One thing moms struggle with is feeling bad about their progress in becoming calm and showing up calm with their kids. We all know we aren’t at our best when we’re stressed, overwhelmed and reactive. But knowing how to calm down in the moment isn’t always as easy as it sounds. You’ll Learn: Why you become reactive and yell, threaten or ice your kid out Three steps to pause and get back to calm Clu...

In this episode I’m sharing with you my definition of CALM and giving you my go-to strategy for getting to calm using a tool I call The Pause Break. You’ll Learn: Why Mad Mom Syndrome happens Why your kid’s behavior triggers such strong feelings How your stress response influences your actions The 3 simple steps of The Pause Break that you can do anytime, anywhere The Pause Break allows you to acc...

Today, I’m getting pretty personal about things I experienced in my childhood and how trauma informed my parenting. We’ll also talk about some ways to feel better and heal from traumatic experiences in your past. You’ll Learn: How trauma in your childhood can impact your parenting My story of childhood trauma and healing How learning the language of feelings is like talking about water Why healing...

In order to feel less stressed (and stop yelling), you've got to learn to understand and care for your nervous system.  You’ll Learn: The two parts of your nervous system and how they work together Why managing your stress is so important Signals that you’re in a stress response Some of my favorite mini stress resets (and where you can get a list of them for free) I’m zooming out to talk abou...

I want to let you in on a little secret. You don’t yell because there’s something wrong with you (or your kids). You yell as a response to stress and what your brain perceives as a threatening situation. In this episode, I’m talking about the stress cycle - what it looks like, why it happens and how it shows up in your parenting. You’ll Learn: How stress shows up and why we feel activated even if...