Good Enough Parenting

Think of this season more about what is essential for your family’s “survival” rather than “best living.” Do I need to make sure everybody gets outside for 5 minutes? Do I need to renew my subscription to Disney+ so that my kids have endless hours of content to watch because I can’t stand cleaning up another pillow fort? Do I need to phone a friend and ask for a kid swap so I can have 2 hours to m...

The root of the word discipline means to teach, not to punish. And when our kids are flooded with big, emotional energy they are not available to learn. They need you to “save” them, to help them return to their calmer selves where you can then teach the lessons. And they can actually hear them.  On today’s episode, Carley shares her #1 discipline rule (quoted from Gary Landreth, the father of pla...

How do school mornings go in your house? Are you and your kids waking up, invigorated, ready to great the day? Do they jump out of bed, have a quick breakfast, brush their teeth and declare “I’m ready for school mom!” Yeah, didn’t think so. School mornings are tough. School mornings in January are THE WORST. They’re dark, it’s cold, you’re just coming off a break and the march to spring feels like...

Choosing a childcare can be an overwhelming experience. Many parents don't know what to look for, what questions to ask and how to tell the quality of the programs they're touring. Lindsay Pearson to the rescue! Lindsay is the Assistant Director of Early Childhood Education Programming Montclair State University's Center for Autism and Early Childhood Mental Health and basically the...

If the thought of keeping your little ones up until midnight sends shivers down your spine, this episode is for you! Tune in to hear how we can celebrate the new year with our kids without them turning into sleep-deprived monsters.  Carley shares simple practices to help your family celebrate what was accomplished in 2023, release what we no longer need, set intentions for the year ahead and look...

On today's episode, Carley shares a roadmap for finding calm and clarity when you're feeling  overwhelmed. Because we can't help our kids regulate unless we're regulated ourselves. Tune in to hear the  four step process that helps you take care of your brain and body when activated so you can connect with your growing people. To get Carley’s free video teaching you 4 play thera...

Big day on the podcast! Carley is joined by Broadway star Jeanna de Waal (Wicked, Diana Sweeney Todd) to talk about how we can use theater and music to help kids create community, foster creativity and build confidence.   If you're looking for a sure fire way to help your kid (or yourself!) find their voice, feel safe enough to be vulnerable and quiet the endless monkey chatter of anxiety in...

This time of year is filled with celebrations, excitement and STRESS. If you're raising young kids, it can feel like a never ending marathon of to dos and temper tantrums. Lack of sleep, too much sugar and disruptions in schedules can lead to big emotional hangovers in kids. On this week's episode, Carley shares how to do less and be more this holiday season. From delegating to boundary...

Holiday gift shopping stressing you out? We can’t recommend what to get your Aunt Margaret, but we've got you covered in the toy department.  Today’s “Good Enough Parenting” podcast features a toy gift guide from a play therapist!   Tune in to hear the three categories of toys you want to have represented in your playroom plus favorite board games for fostering self-regulation and sibling coo...

Want to avoid raising a spoiled kid? It's hard to do in today's consumerist culture where we're constantly be told that more is better. But there are some simple ways you can guide your kid toward gratitude over gimmes. On today's episode, Carley shares how to help your kid focus on what they do have rather than crying over what they don't. To get Carley’s free video teach...

Does your kid feel safe enough to screw up? On today's episode, Carley shares the importance of being a safe space for kids to come to when they make a mistake. And why punishing kids for their mistakes doesn't lead to better behavior - it just makes them better at hiding their bad deeds. Always choose compassion and understanding over shame and punishment. For your kid's mistakes a...

In her books, Judy Blume never shies away from tough topics. And neither should parents. Although it can feel scary to have hard conversations with our kids, NOT having them actually causes more fear and worry because kids FEEL something going on even if the adults don't tell them what it is. In today's episode, Carley shares how to talk about tough stuff with kids. From global tragedies...

If you've got a kid who would rather eat boogers than broccoli, this episode is for you. Today Carley shares a conversation with Caitlin Kiare, registered dietician nutritionist and founder of "Mom 'N Tot" Nutrition. They talk about how all foods fit, what parents do to actually fuel unhealthy eating habits and how to shift your meal time energy so your kid will be open to tryi...

There are some things the 80s got wrong (Halloween candy wasn't dangerous and turns out greed is not so good) but there are many things 80s parents got right. Today, Carley shares four parenting trends we should bring back from the decade of slinkys and should pads to give kids and parents more freedom to make mistakes and missteps - in fashion and in family life. To get Carley’s free video t...

If you’re a parent in 2023, you’re battling burnout. Never before have the expectations of parenting been so high with support for families so lacking. Fortunately, you don’t need a day at the spa or a weekend retreat to get back into balance. A little attention to your own nervous system goes a long way.  In today's episode, Carley shares 10 ways you can reduce your stress and reset your ner...

The number one question families ask - how do we set limits with our kids without screaming, yelling and threatening! In this episode, Carley shares how to set boundaries in your home with calm, clarity, consistency and compassion and explains why limit setting is so crucial in fostering feelings of safety and security with your kids. Because even if they claim otherwise, your kid does not want to...

You might already know that play is a great way to improve your relationship with your kid while also reducing challenging behavior. But you still don’t want to do it! Today Carley shares why slowing down to play is so challenging for today’s parents and gives ideas on how to make playing a little easier, even if you feel like another trip around the Thomas track will break you.  To get Carley’s f...

Play is a child’s first language. It’s how they communicate what they’re feeling, thinking and where they’re struggling. If we can access the playful side of ourselves and speak to our children in a language they understand in their bodies and brains, parenting gets so much easier (and fun!) Today Carley shares a story of how she addressed her child’s fears by harnessing the power of play.  To get...

Welcome to Good Enough Parenting! In this debut episode, you'll meet Carley, learn why it's important to release the idea of perfect parenting and get some tips on how to bring more peace into your family life. Take a break, tune in and remember - if you're not yelling at your kids sometimes, you're not spending enough time with them!  To get Carley’s free video teaching you 4...