Parenting Paused

Hey lovies! The holiday season is upon us, and that means family gatherings. Ever found yourself at odds with more traditional family values while consciously parenting? I've been there. I used to get defensive about my parenting style, convinced it was the only right way. But here's the shift – realizing it's okay to have different values. When heading to family events, I'd prep my daughter on th...

Hey amazing parents! Leslie Potter here with a heartfelt pause for gratitude on this Thanksgiving week. Whether you're a regular listener or joining us for the first time, THANK YOU for being part of the Parenting Paused community. Parenting is a wild ride, and kudos to all of you for taking a less traditional path! This week, let's dive into the transformative power of GRATITUDE. I used to strugg...

​​If you've been with me, you know we're all about embracing a different way to parent – one that honors each child's unique spirit. This week, let's dive into PRESSURE. Where does it come from? Have you ever felt the weight of external expectations making you question your parenting choices? I sure have! In the quest for conscious parenting, I realized much of the pressure was linked to external...

Hey there, Purejoy Parents! How do you find ways to navigate your own emotional triggers when your child's intense feelings strike a chord within you? In this week's podcast, dive deep into the world of childhood emotions and their powerful energetic impact. Discover how to unravel the intricacies of emotional attunement and how it shapes our little ones' behaviors. Let's explore how understanding...

Parenting is a journey filled with love, learning, and sometimes apprehension about the future. What do you notice in your parenting and energetics when you find yourself worrying about the future rather than parenting from the reality of right now? Do you parent the child in front of you or an invented future version of them? As you reflect back on the unexpected and sometimes difficult experienc...

This week let's talk about something that's been on my mind lately - the idea of children being "behind." It's easy to get caught up in the comparison game, especially in today's fast-paced world. You see other kids hitting milestones, excelling in various areas, and you sometimes wonder if your own child is "keeping up." But here's the thing - every child is on their own path. They bloom at their...

Parenting is a journey of love, growth, and discovery. It's a constant learning process, and one lesson that's been on my mind lately is being mindful of our own expectations when it comes to our children. It's only natural to have dreams and hopes for our kids. We want them to thrive, to find their own happiness, and to lead fulfilling lives. However, it's important to pause and reflect on whethe...

Finding the right level of self-control in parenting is like being the captain of a ship, guiding it through both calm waters and occasional storms. It's important to create a safe and nurturing environment internally which supports growth and independence outside. On this week's podcast you will discover how the feeling of powerlessness leads to over-compensating, giving you the illusion of contr...

Parenthood is an incredible rollercoaster ride, filled with highs and lows that shape us into the parents we are today. One aspect we all encounter on this journey is regret. It's okay to admit that there are moments we wish we could redo or regret decisions we'd make differently. Let's not shy away from regret, but rather, face it head-on with compassion, exploration and an open heart. Could you...

Do you ever feel like you're trying to control your kids' behavior with strategies you learned from others, just to attain peace within yourself? Have you ever wondered if there's a better way to handle those moments of discomfort? In this episode, we'll explore these questions and more. Explore how to shift your focus from external control to inner peace through the foundational tool at Purejoy c...

Are you struggling to find moments of relaxation in the chaos of parenthood?  Do you constantly feel the need to keep up with the never-ending to-do list?  Do you ever wonder if you're truly present with your kids, or are you always chasing the next task?  This week on Parenting Paused, let's dive deep into the art of relaxation and being present. Are external voices and expectations drowning out...

As a mom who's been on this wild parenting journey for 23 years now, I know the struggles and challenges we face in raising our kids. But here's the thing: I've realized that much of my early parenting was influenced by deep-seated conditioning and personal stories I carried with me.  In this week's episode of "Parenting Pause," I'm delving into the profound concept of consciousness and conditioni...

Let's talk about those tricky behaviors our little ones might exhibit. Instead of labeling them as "acting out" or just normal behavior, it's time to see them for what they truly are: symptoms.   Think about it this way - when we focus solely on solving the symptom itself, we often forget to dig deeper and address the root cause behind it. It can be tempting to tame their negative actions because...

Your beautiful fairytale story begins every morning when the sun rises. You fill your basket up with all of the parenting techniques and knowledge you know. Then, set off into the day to parent gently and offer all the love and kindness you possess. An uncomfortable moment comes up for your child and you think, yes, the perfect time to pull out my validation technique. You've heard it works so wel...

Do you notice yourself being "judgy" when you perceive that you or your child makes a mistake? You are not alone! What is a mistake anyway? The definition of a mistake is as follows: An action or judgment that is misguided or wrong. Is it wrong in your eyes or when listening in do you notice someone else's voice? On this week's Parenting Paused Podcast discover a different approach to inquire with...

As a mother I've often found myself imagining not so perfect outcomes about my child's future when I'm confronted with uncomfortable situations. My child refuses to do homework and BAM my brain immediately starts cranking out thoughts about myself as a parent and the horrible outcomes of a stubborn child who won't focus on their education. Pretty soon I've imagined them on the side of a dark alley...

Do you remember a time when your child came to you expressing disappointment? They didn't make the team, someone made fun of them, or they got a D on their latest project? What came up for you? Did a "playlist" of strategies come up to make them feel OK? As the"music" played did you spring into action to banish those feelings for yourself and your child? On this week's Parenting Paused Podcast lea...

It may seem like the goal in parenting is for your kids to behave perfectly 100% of the time. Instead of focusing on your kids behavior, have you considered what your part is in the dynamic? For example, you ask your teen to take the trash out and they say, "no" with an eye roll. Conventional parenting says: "kids should show respect by doing what they are told". What do you tell yourself about yo...

If you google the most common words to describe teens, you'll find a list of words: Risk Takers, Rebellious, Immature What list of words do you use to describe how it feels to parent a teen? Powerless, Afraid, Worried. In Purejoy Parenting, you start right here... how are you feeling? Because often, how you perceive your teen begins with your emotions and conditioned beliefs. If feeling powerless...

Parenting a teen can feel 🔥INTENSE!🔥 Have you heard the adage:  "Little Kids, little problems. Big Kids, big problems?" Years ago, I created a Parent Coach model for parents of At-Risk Teens. As you can imagine, their behavior was viewed as provocative! And of course, the parents of these teens whole-heartedly wanted their kids to be successful and avoid suffering. Partnering with a few brave pa...

In Purejoy, our view is: Thoughts and feelings drive behavior.   When you perceive your child as acting out behaviorally, what happens to you emotionally? Do you immediately judge your child? Take a pause and look a little deeper... What are your thoughts? What do you tell yourself about how your parenting when your child acts out?   In this week's Parenting Paused Podcast, explore your internal l...

Discovering conscious parenting is a journey of self-awareness and compassion. It's not about being perfect all the time, but rather being conscious of what's going on inside of you and supporting your child in doing the same. Listen in to explore the possibilities of conscious parenting. Becoming more aware of your actions and reactions, supports creating a more loving and understanding home for...

Parents are superheroes!   While you may not wear a mask and a silly costume like in comic books, you play an incredibly important role in your children's lives and make significant sacrifices to ensure their well-being and happiness. You may go to great lengths to keep your children safe and secure. We do it all, but do we have to? Do you bolt to the rescue when your child is struggling with a pr...

I often found myself worrying about my child's future and if the decisions I was making were the "right" ones. The "ifs" sometimes seemed to take over! If they are on screens too long, will they fry their brains?  If they eat too many sweets, will they get cavities? If they push against my boundaries, does that make me a bad parent? Sound familiar to you? Constantly focusing on the future and proj...

Do you experience a sense of accomplishment when your child behaves in a way that aligns with the values you've instilled in them? And how do you feel if they don't share the same beliefs as you do? It's natural for parents to judge their child's actions as good or bad based on whether they align with their own values. However, it's important to consider where those beliefs and expectations come f...