Hi, Fam!

The word authority gets a bad rap when it comes to peaceful parenting because it tends to get lumped in with the authoritarian parenting style which is the "do as I say or else" style. But authority is actually well rooted in the authoritative style where you have high expectations but you also provide high support and warmth.    When we choose to abdicate our role as the authority, our children a...

With all the great information and examples of parenting the way you desire to out there, do you ever feel like you constantly fall short? Like you're failing as a parent and just not measuring up?    You've heard it before, "comparison is the thief of joy." But, in this information at our fingertips world we are living in, it can be difficult to not fall into the trap of comparing.    We can also...

I was chatting with a friend who's recently become a first time mom. Her baby is just turning one and she told me: "I've really let myself go"... she described how she hasn't been to the gym since her pregnancy, how she's enslaved herself in service of her baby and how she hasn't been out with her girlfriends in months.   If this is you, I'm going to share a mindset shift that will help you break...

Are you a working parent who tends to feel guilty while at work that you should be with your kids but then also feels guilty while with your kids that you should be working? Or perhaps you're not a working parent but you are trying to meet your needs and desires in some way be it fitness, or a hobby and also feel guilty when trying to balance the two?   If you've ever felt like you're a failure on...

We're faced with many decisions in this parenting journey, and many options seem to be extreme on one side or the other.   Should you be a whole life unschooler, or punish your children when they don't get straight As in school?   Should you work outside the home and climb the corporate ladder or should you surrender to a life of staying at home, giving up on your interests and income in favor of...

Are schools like prison? A human rights violation? Is forced education immoral and abusive? If so… what are the millions and millions of parents with school-going kids to do? If this concerns you, listen up.   You've heard the experts like Ken Robinson and Alfie Kohn weigh in that "schools kill creativity" or that "schools are feel bad education." In fact, schools have been compared to prison in t...

Should we follow & encourage our children's passions - like animals, robots or ballerinas - or drill into them the things they need to know, like math, science, and literacy? If you are homeschooling do you find yourself wanting to follow your child's interest and NOT simply replicate the school system in your home but worry they will miss out on the important skills we need to teach them?   Or ma...

Are you an entrepreneur or trying to get a business off the ground but have no idea how to fit it all in with young kids? Are you interested in unschooling or radical unschooling and are unsure of what that even looks like? Or do you just simply struggle to feel brave in your parenting choices given all the uncertainty and conflicting information you find? No matter your situation this episode has...

In this episode, we'll explore why you can have a clean and beautiful house or you can care for your children, but you can't have both…at least, not if you want to stay sane.   Or can you? Let's find out.   [3:59] The sanity triangle. [6:25] Dichotomy vs. integration. [8:09] Can we find a balance? [10:54] Embrace the wobble. [12:58] Life is made up of seasons. [15:05] The interconnectedness of all...

Do you desperately need help, but you're worried you can't afford it? Do you want a mother's helper or assistant, but you're not sure where to find them or how much they'll cost? Do you wonder if there's an affordable option for those who are less privileged? Do you feel guilty at the thought of paying for help?   In this episode we'll discuss getting the help you so desperately need!   [4:24] Nic...

Do you desperately need a break, but feel like you can't trust anyone with your kids? Do you fear what might happen to them (some disaster or catastrophe), what might be said to them, or what might be taught to them if you're not there?   In this episode we'll address some common fears that parents have about leaving their kids with other people.     [5:04] Are these fears holding you back? [7:37]...

Have you ever looked at your kids and wondered why you had them? Do you find yourself why you got into this or wanting some way out at times? Whether you're feeling burned out or want to prevent burnout, this episode is for you. Burnout is a very real risk we face as parents, and if you're experiencing it now (or have ever experienced it), you're not alone. And if you haven't experienced it yet…pr...

Do you ever feel like an imposter? Like one day someone will catch you out as a fraud? Like your kids will need therapy to recover from the dark secrets in your life?   A quick google of imposter syndrome will result in articles all relating to imposter syndrome within our careers or professions.  But what about parenting? Imposter syndrome is just as real in parenting as it is in the professional...

No matter where you are on your parenting journey - just found out you are expecting, have a newborn at home, toddler, kids in school, kids at home, one child, 10 children, today's episode is for you!   Being a parent can feel overwhelming, exhausting, isolating, confusing, and challenging.  The good news is it doesn't have to.   In this episode, I'm sharing my advice for new parents, advice for p...

For the first time in two centuries in America children are expected to have shorter life expectancies than their parents.  Luckily there is a free resource available to almost everyone to help combat this statistic.   In the past 2 episodes we've been discussing major obstacles to independent play and what can be done about them.  In episode 17 we discussed decluttering which addresses the enviro...

Are you sabotaging your children's behavior in subconscious ways, without even realizing it? You have a hidden power of influence that you may not even be aware of. Think about the last time you were at an airport or bus station, did someone have to verbally tell you or physically show you what to do?  Would you act the same way in an airport as you do in a church? Or do you feel really creative a...

"No mommy I love this, this is my all time favorite toy" – said every kid whose parent ever tried to declutter the toy that they have not touched in 2 years.   Sound familiar?   Tens of thousands of parents have gone through this free and simple process with me and it can make such a dramatic difference in their child's play.  The problem parents run into is not due to the complexity of declutteri...

How can we discipline our children in a way that's effective, meaningful, and peaceful? Do you ever feel like you are under incredible pressure to "discipline your child" but aren't quite sure what exactly that means or what to do? It can be difficult with culture's mandates and our own irritation levels to know exactly what to do.   In this episode, you'll discover the true meaning of discipline....

Do you want to create a meaningful relationship with your children? One that you have earned their trust and respect? A relationship that even a teenager (or any age for that matter) will still find some points of connection or interest in the relationship with you? What does it take to sustain a true relationship? What if we approached our relationship with our children the same way Olympic athle...

Which school should you send your kids to? What extracurricular activities should they participate in? What books should we read? We're obsessed with providing the best for our kids. In this episode I'm going to tell you why none of that matters as much as we think it does, and what I believe we should focus on instead. Spoiler alert - it's not what (or how) you think.   Think back to your childho...

In this episode you'll discover a powerful way of viewing your parenting role so you can remove yourself from the drama of childhood and offer the meaningful support your children need.   [1:28] How much should we intervene and solve problems for our kids? [8:11] Intro to the Story Framework. [8:59] Basic structure of a story. [12:48] What does this have to do with parenting? [13:56] We are not th...

You'll discover 3 potent techniques to get back on track to loving your kid so you can flip the script when you start feeling annoyed, irritated or out of love with your child. I'll even share some personal truths that I don't usually talk about. [1:26] Giveaway winner! [4:10] You love your child, but sometimes you don't like them. [6:52] You may not be struggling with this…yet. [7:30] You might b...

I'm sharing my experience and thoughts on sleep training so you can hopefully feel calm, cool, and confident in offering your child the best sleep. I hope you can listen to this episode in its entirety, because this is a nuanced and triggering topic that deserves in depth conversation. I wouldn't want you to miss the full context of the ideas presented here. [1:20] Giveaway winner! [4:47] 2 Emails...

Stress… We don't want our kids to be stressed, but I think it's safe to say we all want our children to be able to handle stress. In this episode I discuss ways to help develop resiliency and anti-fragility in your children so they'll be prepared to handle the stress of the "real world." [1:37] Giveaway winner! [4:43] Stress is inevitable. [7:15] Stress can be a positive thing. [10:37] Too much st...

We're bombarded by society (our culture, parents, neighbors, friends, religious institutions, schools, movies, magazines, internet, etc.) with all sorts of inputs and directives about how we're supposed to raise our children. It's time to dispel some common myths about parenting and relieve the pressure of trying to be the "perfect parent." Myths we're busting: You are in control of your children....