Chaos to Connected - Helping Parents Navigate Challenging Behavior with Connection; Christian moms, behavior management, positive parenting, discipline, tantrums, aggression, biblical parenting

Have you ever been in the position where you are with one of your children (or just in another room) and another child is screaming for you?? "Mommy, mommy, I want mommy."   And all you want to do is run in there and comfort them from whatever is causing them to cry?   Today, I want to chat about why we, as moms, should stay out of it - as long as we know our child is with a loving, supportive, ca...

I see all too often people on the internet sharing the "ridiculous thing my toddler melted down over today" and asking others to join in.   If you've participated, no shame thrown your way. Just a new perspective. Your child's perspective.   It deeply matters what we speak about our child because those words can take root in our hearts, even if we are saying them completely innocently for "fun" or...

Did you grow up being tickled as a child?   If so, it might be something you don't even think about. Today, I want to share a (possibly) new perspective on tickling.   Did you know the laughter from tickling is reflexive aka forced and not actual laughter?   Listen in as I give you 2 tips on how to proceed.   Special Time ebook & Tame Your Triggers Audio have both been upgraded to MELTDOWN MANAGEM...

I have heard from so many of you that you understand what your triggers are but you still have difficulty managing them. And that makes complete sense. You know why?   Our brain operates largely from our subconscious so until we bring intentionality to how we manage them nothing will change. Today, I dive into one of the strategies I have used successfully to change my habits surrounding behavior...

Have you ever wondered if a sticker chart would help "fix" your child's behavior?   You aren't alone! It is becoming more and more popular to implement charts and stickers to encourage kids to do the things and change certain behaviors.   However, I have 4 reasons I want you to consider.    What if, instead of putting so much energy into making the sticker chart, purchasing the reward, and constan...

Does your child use a nuk or suck his/her thumb to self-soothe?   There is absolutely nothing wrong with utilizing these strategies, however, it is important to understand how and when to implement them. Often we are using them immediately upon crying or any type of dysregulation, which is blocking the release of emotions or feelings.   If this is the case, your child is likely exhibiting more beh...

You've probably become more familiar with self-regulation programs recently (zones of regulation, how does your engine run, etc) because it isn't only utilized in therapy anymore; a lot of schools are also using it.    There is nothing wrong with using these programs and I think they can be helpful, however, if you are expecting this program to teach your child to learn to self-regulate, it won't....

It's easy to see your defiant child as just that, defiant.   But what if I told you there was so much more going on under the surface. That the defiance is merely a mask. The "I hate you" and the "get out of my room" and the "leave me alone" is really a cry for connection.   Did you know connection is as vital to a child is air, food, and water? Yet, society has conditioned us to do the opposite w...

Have you ever said or thought "I don't want to mess my kids up"?   Tune in as I give you 3 keys to help lessen the weight of trying to be the "perfect" parent.   Special Time ebook & Tame Your Triggers Audio have both been upgraded to MELTDOWN MANAGEMENT Mini Training! Get it here → https://view.flodesk.com/pages/64406aa91df9ae473e5a55e3   If you are struggling to find strategies that help correct...

It is really easy to get in the habit of shouting commands at our kids when they are behaving in a way that we don't like. But kids often need more direction than we are naturally inclined to give. What if we take it a step further and actually train them in what to do instead?   Special Time ebook & Tame Your Triggers Audio have both been upgraded to MELTDOWN MANAGEMENT Mini Training! Get it here...

Did you know that the way your child learns most is through observation??   That also means that the saying "do what I say, not as I do" doesn't actually work.    So I have a question for you...what are you modeling for your child?   Unfortunately, it is often our natural inclination to respond to a behavior in a way that's actually reinforcing the behavior we don't want.   Listen in as I chat thr...

Have you ever noticed that your child engaged in an experience but before he/she even got into it, he/she shut down?   Today, I want to talk with you about the concept of the 'just right' challenge and how we can implement this to help our child progress emotionally, especially when they have some stuck hurts or traumas.   If you struggle with managing your own triggers while listening to crying,...

Have you ever had to go on a work trip? Or wanted to go on a girls' trip? A vacation with your husband? Or maybe you just had to be out of town for the day.    Separation can be hard for our children, but there is a way that we can proactively prepare them and utilize connection strategies to help them process big feelings and emotions to help them resolve anything that gets triggered or comes up...

One of the most widely used behavior modification and management strategies I've heard is the method in which you count to 3 (hoping not to make it to 3). The idea is that your child will get the hint that the behavior needs to change and offer him/her additional time before the consequence comes when you say "3".   I heard once that delayed obedience is still disobedience and it shifted how I tho...

Have you ever felt pressure in your parenting? Maybe it's in the food you give your child(ren). Maybe it's the way you manage his/her behaviors. Maybe it's spending money you don't have so your child(ren) can have the next newest thing.   Whatever it is, you aren't alone in it. Today, I share the biggest way I've learned to overcome any judgment or pressures I feel on this motherhood journey.   Sp...

Do your kids struggle to get along???   Mine have for the LONGEST time! I know there will always be some sibling rivalry there, but it was far beyond that. Let's just say that the first year of my second son's life was not welcomed with a lot of love from my oldest. I truly believe I had a bigger part to play in that, then I even realized at the time.   Today, I want to help you uncover things you...

Do you ever need your child to stay in one place AND be somewhat quiet?? Seems like quite the feat!   But it is possible! And it's possible without bribes and punishment/threats of consequences. Today I wanted to share 2 components that I think are essential to be able to support your child so they can be successful and you don't feel like you're pulling your hair out!   Special Time ebook & Tame...

Have you ever heard the saying, "play is the work of the child"?   Play is such an important part of our jobs as parents - and one I definitely have to work at.   Join me today as I share with you one simple way to uplevel play with your child that brings more connection and laughter!   Special Time ebook & Tame Your Triggers Audio have both been upgraded to MELTDOWN MANAGEMENT Mini Training! Get...

Have you ever been in the middle of a conversation with your child or disciplining/training a child and suddenly they start shouting "leave me alone"...   Today, I want to offer a new perspective on what your child is actually communicating and how you can respond in a different way that builds connection, helps your child with emotional recovery, and decreases the unwanted behavior.   Special Tim...

Does your child have trouble separating from you? Does it take a toll on your emotions too? Are you wondering if there's actually anything you can do that will help support your child through it besides going through the same feelings of hoping it'll be different each day and then the peel off when it isn't, walking out the door leaving your child in tears? Maybe it even feels like it's getting wo...

I realized last week that I've shared bits and pieces of our journey sprinkled throughout different episodes but I never really laid it all out there. So today, you're getting the full story of how Chaos to Connected came to be!   Where we started, what we walked through, and how we came out on the other side transformed, forever changed, and eternally grateful.    If you're in a tough season of m...

For the majority of my life, I thought crying was "bad" and something to be stopped; that it was my job as a mom to make the crying go away.   But what I actually learned while on this motherhood journey...crying is a natural recovery process and it is NEEDED.   If you feel uncertain or bothered or like it is your responsibility to help stop the crying, then this episode is for you.   Does your ch...

No matter what behavioral method, strategy, or parenting style you lean toward, so many of us choose it because it "promises" to help get rid of the behaviors.   The truth is, that's not true.   Behaviors will always be around because our children will always have feelings. They are continually developing impulse control and self-regulation skills as they grow, but these areas of the brain aren't...

Today, I wanted to take a deeper dive into what is actually happening in your child's brain when he/she is triggered/disconnected.   I also walk you through a real time experience that will allow you to gain more empathy and understanding when you are supporting your child through his/her big feelings, that sometimes also includes more challenging behavior, and will also increase your awareness of...

Join me for a Behind the Scenes look into what a Behavior Blueprint coaching session looks like. This episode is focused on fear, separation anxiety, and aggressive behavior. You will be able to see the progression of behavior and connecting the dots back to experiences that were a catalyst to some of these big feelings and expressions of hurts. You will also get to hear how simple shifts in what...