Become A Calm Mama

To have a stress-free summer (or at least something close to it), you’ve got to create the right mindset.  And that’s exactly what I’m teaching you to do in this episode of the Become A Calm Mama podcast.  Zero stress obviously isn’t possible because in life there are so many little stressors happening all the time.  I’m walking you through how to reset stressful moments when they p...

It’s easy to look at a sweet little baby and completely forget that that they’re going to grow up one day. That you are actually figuring out how to raise an adult. Stages of parenting When your kid is really little, there are so many things you can’t imagine them doing. Like walking, sleeping through the night, feeding themselves, being out of diapers, starting kindergarten. Then when they are in...

Ever wonder why siblings fight (like all the time)? And more importantly, what to do about it? Sibling fighting can be arguing, physically fighting, saying mean things to each other, shouting or bickering - any of that.  We’re getting into it in this episode, and you might be surprised to learn that a lot of the “problem” isn’t even about the fight. It’s about how your kids’ fightin...

10 years ago this May, I taught my first parenting class. TEN YEARS AGO! In this episode I’m sharing reflections and 10 observations to make parenting easier.   Celebrating 10 Years   Over the last decade, I’ve privately coached over 200 moms, taught over 500 hours of group classes to more than 1000 parents. I’ve written 4 parenting handbooks, at least 700 emails, thousands of socia...

Hearing kids say " Mom, I'm bored " might be the most annoying phrase of all time. In this episode of the Become a Calm Mama podcast, I’m sharing what to do (and what not to do) when kids are bored. What do you usually say after your kid says “I’m bored”?  I’m guessing you offer a bunch of suggestions and say "Why don't you do [blank]?" Of course, your kid rejects them...and the cycle of them...

Mother’s Day is coming. And if you've had a few Mother's Days that end with you getting into bed feeling totally wiped out and resentful, this podcast episode is for you. I’m talking all about how to enjoy Mother’s Day. Mother's Day has a way of ending up the OPPOSITE of ideal for most moms. A lot of times moms spend Mother's Day cleaning up the kitchen after a messy breakfast in bed, followed by...

A grumpy mood is totally normal - for you, your kid, and sometimes everyone at once!  In this episode of Become a Calm Mama, I’m giving you a few strategies for handling moments when you’re dealing with a grumpy kid, grumpy parents or when the whole family is in a grumpy mood. When You Have a Grumpy Kid Your kid is entitled to their moods.  It’s actually their job to learn how to manage...

When your child is being aggressive, it can be hard to know what to do.   In this episode of the Become A Calm Mama podcast, I’m teaching you how to keep your family safe when your kid is hitting, breaking things or calling names. A foundational principle I teach is this: EVERYONE STAYS SAFE in your house.  That means the bodies and hearts of the people in your house don’t get hurt....

Whether we’re technically post pandemic or not at this point, we can all agree that parenting has some additional challenges now - especially when you’re not sure if your kid is OK. Our kids are out and about in the world, quarantine is over, schools are open, mask requirements are ending, and sports and other activities are a thing again. But getting “back to normal” isn’t that simple. In this ep...

Today we are talking about how to pause & reset your MIND and what I like to call “mama mind drama”. When I talk about resetting your mind, what I mean is that you’ll move from default negative thoughts to intentional positive thoughts. And this shift will change the way you show up and respond to your child. It's not your kid's behavior that is driving you crazy. It's your thoughts about your...

Today we are talking about something that might not seem related to parenting. Your feelings. Specifically, how to pause & reset your emotions. One of the goals of Calm Mama Parenting is practicing compassion with your kids and teaching them what to do with their feelings. But first, of course, you have to know what to do with yours! I define Emotional Literacy as: You know what you’re feeling...

In this episode, I'm' talking about how (and why) to pause & reset your body when you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed.  And why it's so important! I’m sure you’ve had some really tough moments over the past few weeks. Moments when you’ve been stuck in what I call Mad Mom Syndrome. You know what I'm talking about - Moments when your child is a bit off track and you get upset and a...

In this episode, I'm talking all about tantrums, meltdowns and outbursts (at every age)!  I call these Big Feeling Cycles. By the end of this episode you will know why they happen, and how to handle them without losing your mind.  Typical parenting strategies that focus on stopping the behavior don’t address the root of the problem. Lectures, timeouts, taking away privileges, etc.,...

Today I’m talking about misbehavior and the #1 reason it is so hard for parents.  Misbehavior creates a lot of conflict in families. It’s one of the main reasons parents yell. You’ve probably thought “If they would just listen and stop acting out, I wouldn’t have to yell!”  And maybe your brain has offered you the solution of getting your kids to behave better by having more rules and mo...

In this episode we’re diving into step 4 of the Calm Mama Process - CORRECT. We’re rethinking consequences and learning how to use them effectively. I covered the first 3 steps of the Calm Mama Process in previous podcast episodes. If you missed them, be sure to go back and listen. Step 1: CALM Step 2: CONNECT Step 3: LIMIT SET We all want our kids to become thoughtful and resp...

Have you been looking for the magic formula to get your kids to listen? In this episode, we’re walking through step 3 of the Calm Mama Process - LIMIT SETTING. This is going to be different than anything you’ve heard before. You’ll learn all about setting limits that actually work. In past episodes, I talked about the first 2 steps of the Calm Mama Process. If you missed them, be sure to go back a...

Connection is THE key to improving your child’s behavior. So, in today’s episode we are talking about the CONNECT step of the Calm Mama Process. Note: This is the 2nd step in the Process. If you missed last week’s episode on getting to CALM,  go back to listen now .  If you’ve ever wanted to help your kids manage their emotions by “using their words” then you will love this episode. I’m...

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.  The Pause Break allows you to access calm, even in the middle of a moment when you feel overwhelmed or angry. Before we get to that, let’s talk about what the absence of calm looks like.  I know you’ve been there, and so have I.  ...

Welcome to the “Become a Calm Mama” podcast!!! In this first episode I’m sharing my own story of becoming a Calm Mama. Let me just start by telling you that I wasn’t always a calm mama. In fact I was the opposite of that. I was a MAD MAMA. There was a time in my parenting when I yelled with such fervor that spittle shot from my mouth. Quiet afternoons replaced with anger-filled threats. Boys sent...

Become a Calm Mama is a parenting podcast where you learn practical parenting tools and strategies so you can stop yelling, feel more calm, and show up as the mom you want to be.  Darlynn is the top parenting coach for moms who want to know exactly how to handle misbehavior without yelling or lecturing and create a peaceful home. Darlynn is known for her practical strategies and a down to ear...