How to Parent Peacefully. With the Hand in Hand Parenting approach.

This week I'm talking about chores and getting our kids to tidy up. Is it worth the battle? Will we raise selfish, entitled children if we don't make them do the chores? Chores is certainly a loaded subject for parents. We worry that our child will grow up to be selfish or they’ll expect others to clear up for them. “House work” or clearing up is often seen by us as a chore, something we’d rather...

This is a bonus episode from a Facebook Live I did on the main Hand in Hand Parenting Facebook page. Have you ever doubted your gentle approach to parenting? Ever been told that you are too soft on your kids? Science says it’s impossible for kids to focus on our teaching moments when they are already upset or angry. It says that shouting and punishment is more likely to reinforce the difficult beh...

It's already been a long day and homework is looming over you. How do you make it a time of connection instead of a time of conflict? In this episode I answer a listener's questions about supporting her children with homework. Should a child be able to do homework independently or with the support of an adult? Should one or both parents have responsibility for homework? If a child does their homew...

Happy new year! As we shake off the Christmas festivities and get back to the routine our kids can struggle. Find out how we can support them with their emotional backpack at this time. So this week we have all been emerging from the Christmas festivities and getting back to our routines Whether that has been getting back to work and school Or if you home educate, getting back into more of a routi...

Christmas time or other holiday seasons can become stressful. We are often out of our normal routines and spending time with family. Our kids pick up on the excitement and stress and emotions can run high. Here I suggest 5 ways you can make the holidays less stressful. Thanks for joining me. If you’re ready to get your kids listening so you don’t have to shout, and instead you can start enjoying b...

We need constant reminders of the power of connection and how it can turn things around with our children. Here I share two examples of how connection at bedtime can help your child get off to sleep. I would love to hear your stories of connection Thanks for joining me. If you’re ready to get your kids listening so you don’t have to shout, and instead you can start enjoying being a parent, then ge...

This is something parents ask me all the time. They want to support their child and be there for them but they are met with "Leave me alone" or "Go away". How do we respond in a way that is respectful and supportive of our children's emotions? Thanks for joining me. If you’re ready to get your kids listening so you don’t have to shout, and instead you can start enjoying being a parent, then get si...

Probably every parent who has more than one child has struggled with siblings getting on with each other. Whether that's the aggressive behaviour an older sibling can show towards a new baby or later on the competitiveness, arguments and fighting. It can make family life very difficult. We want our kids to get on well and develop a close relationship into their adult lives. Here I share a few idea...

How should we respond to our children's big feelings in a way that is respectful and develops emotional resilience? This is a tricky one for many parents, especially when our children pick the most difficult and inappropriate moments to have a meltdown in public or in front of family members who might not be fully on board with gentle parenting. But it is possible to respond in a way that supports...

This is a quick episode where I share my thoughts about tickling and why tickling isn’t part of our family culture. I share my reasons, invite you to reflect on your own experiences of tickling and give you some ideas of what to do instead. Thanks for listening. If you’re ready to get your kids listening so you don’t have to shout, and instead you can start enjoying being a parent, then get signed...

Today I'm talking about physical play, the huge benefits it has to our kids' development and how it strengthens the parent-child relationship....all of which builds cooperation in our children. Physical play before bedtime can help a child feel relaxed and connected enough to go to sleep more easily. I know physical play isn't available to every parent due to physical or mental health reasons or b...

It can be so difficult to navigate sharing, when we have to referee our kids, enforce turns and deal with the never-ending arguments over whose turn it is. Let me share with you how I deal with sharing in a way that builds cooperation and connection and takes you out of the policing role. If you’re ready to get your kids listening so you don’t have to shout, and instead you can start enjoying bein...

Today I talk about why parents get angry in the heat of the moment with their children and what you can do in the moment when you feel the anger rising in you.  This is a re-record of the very first episode of the podcast. The sound quality is poor in the original but it is such a great topic so I wanted to put it out there again in better quality.  And we need to hear this information over and ov...