Raise Strong

There’s a specific kind of exhaustion that only sibling fighting creates. It’s not just the noise. It’s not just the arguing. It’s not just the fact that they are fighting over a couch cushion, a snack, or who got the bigger half of a banana. It’s the fear underneath it. “Why can’t they just get along?” “Am I doing something wrong?” “Is this normal sibling rivalry… or is something deeper happening...

Most parents don’t threaten because they’re trying to scare their child. They threaten because they feel out of options. You’ve asked nicely. You’ve explained. You’ve repeated yourself. You’ve tried to stay calm. And then your child keeps pushing. So finally, you hear yourself say: “If you don’t stop right now…” In Episode 20 of Raise Strong , we explore why threats may stop behavior in the moment...

A parent once told me something that has stayed with me. She said, “I feel like I only talk to my child when I’m correcting them or asking them questions.” And honestly? That is more common than you think. In the middle of busy days, most parents naturally default to logistics. Did you brush your teeth? Where are your shoes? Did you finish your homework? Please stop touching your brother. We’re go...

If your child has ever said, “Leave me alone.” “Stop talking to me.” Or completely shut you out… …this episode is for you. Because what looks like rejection on the outside is often something very different on the inside. In Episode 18 of Raise Strong, we explore one of the most confusing and painful parenting experiences: When your child pushes you away at the exact moment they need you most. What...

Many parents quietly wonder: Is it normal that my child struggles socially? Maybe you’ve watched your child walk onto a playground and felt a knot in your stomach. Will someone include them? Will they know how to join in? Will they get hurt? In this episode of Raise Strong , we explore what healthy friendship development actually looks like — and the emotional skills that matter far more than popu...

Raise Strong with Alex Anderson-Kahl Because strong kids start with supported parents. If you’ve ever ended the day thinking, “I’ve been with my child all day… why do they still want more?” this episode is for you. In Episode 16 of Raise Strong, we explore a simple but powerful shift that can dramatically reduce bedtime battles, sibling rivalry, and attention-seeking behaviors: ten predictable min...

Have you ever worried that your child doesn’t seem empathetic? Maybe they ignore tears. Maybe they laugh at the wrong moment. Maybe they only apologize when prompted. Before you panic, take a breath. Empathy is not a character trait you install. It is a skill that develops in relationship. And in this episode of Raise Strong , we unpack what that really means for you at home. You’ll learn why empa...

Most parents don’t struggle because they lack rules. They struggle because they’re enforcing the same rules over and over, louder each time. In this episode of Raise Strong , we unpack why boundaries fall apart in real life and how to create limits that actually stick—without yelling, threatening, or turning your home into a battleground. If you’ve ever thought, “Why do I have to repeat myself a h...

Whining is one of the fastest ways to drain a parent’s patience. It is repetitive, emotionally charged, and often leaves you feeling irritated or stuck between giving in and snapping. In this episode of Raise Strong , we take a practical look at why whining happens in the first place and how simple shifts in language can dramatically change the interaction. You will be introduced to Nonviolent Com...

There is a moment that comes after the house finally goes quiet. The day is over, but your mind is not. You replay what you said, how you said it, and the look on your child’s face when things went sideways. In this episode of Raise Strong , we talk about the kind of guilt that shows up for caring, thoughtful parents. The kind that lingers long after the moment has passed. The kind that makes you...

If saying “hurry up” worked, most mornings would be easier. But for many families, time pressure does the opposite. Kids freeze, melt down, or move even slower, and parents feel more stressed, not less. In this episode of Raise Strong , we explore why “hurry up” so often backfires and what actually helps children move forward during rushed moments and transitions. You’ll learn how time pressure af...

Every few years, the phrase “participation trophy” resurfaces, often wrapped in frustration and concern about whether kids are becoming entitled or fragile. But the real issue is not trophies. The real issue is whether kids are still allowed to belong when they are not the best, and whether adults are willing to keep investing in them when winning is no longer guaranteed. In this episode of Raise...

Episode Overview Meltdowns rarely come out of nowhere. Long before the yelling, crying, or shutdown, a child’s nervous system is already working overtime. The challenge is that most parents are taught to respond to behavior, not to the signals that come before it. In this episode of Raise Strong, we explore the power of anticipation. You will learn how to recognize early warning signs of dysregula...

Episode Overview Every parent has moments they wish they could take back. A raised voice. A frustrated reaction. A shutdown or withdrawal. These moments feel heavy because you care deeply about your child and the relationship you are building. But here is the truth. You do not need perfect moments to raise a secure, connected child. You need repair. In this episode of Raise Strong, we talk about h...

Episode Overview Many parents try creating a calm-down corner only to find that their child refuses to use it or becomes more upset. The reason is simple. Most spaces are built to look calm, but not to feel safe. In this episode of Raise Strong, you will learn how to build a space that truly supports your child’s nervous system. A space that reduces overwhelm, invites connection, and helps your ch...

Episode Overview Every parent has lived through that moment when their child starts crying, yelling, or falling apart and something inside their own body reacts instantly. Maybe it feels like fear. Maybe it feels like anger. Maybe it feels like shame. Your heart speeds up. Your stomach drops. You snap or shut down before you have time to think. That moment is not a parenting failure. It is a nervo...

Episode Overview If you have ever argued with your child about shoes, screen time, or brushing teeth, you already know how quickly a simple moment can turn into a full tug-of-war. In this episode of Raise Strong, you will learn why those battles happen, what is going on in your child’s brain (and yours), and the simple three-step method that helps you step out of the power struggle without giving...

Episode Summary We all do it... our child finishes a puzzle, helps clean up, and we say, “Good job!” It’s automatic. It’s loving. And it feels like the right thing to say. But what if certain kinds of praise actually hurt confidence instead of building it? In this episode, school psychologist and parent coach Alex Anderson-Kahl unpacks the surprising science behind praise. You’ll learn why “You’re...

Episode Summary If yelling worked, you’d only have to do it once... but it doesn’t. When emotions run high, your body goes into survival mode, and calm suddenly feels out of reach. In this episode, school psychologist and parent coach Alex Anderson-Kahl breaks down the science of yelling , explaining what’s really happening in your body when you’re triggered and how to use your nervous system to f...

Episode Summary When emotions run high, it’s easy to go straight into correction mode — but what if connection is actually the key to real behavior change? In this episode, school psychologist and parent coach Alex Anderson-Kahl shares how leading with empathy builds trust, strengthens cooperation, and helps your child’s brain learn from mistakes. You’ll discover the science behind attachment and...

Episode Summary When emotions run high, it’s easy to get swept into your child’s storm. In this first episode of Raise Strong , school psychologist and parent coach Alex Anderson-Kahl shares the real-world story of a classroom in chaos—and how one moment of calm changed everything. You’ll learn the psychology behind emotional regulation, discover why your nervous system sets the tone for your chil...

When your child loses control, it can feel like they’ve pulled the whole house into their storm. If you’ve ever thought, “I know yelling doesn’t help… but I just don’t know what else to do,” this podcast is for you. Welcome to Raise Strong — the show that helps you turn parenting stress into strength and power struggles into moments of connection. Hosted by Alex Anderson-Kahl , a school psychologi...