Sustainable Parenting | Positive Discipline for Raising Resilient Kids

Friend, if you’re tired of constant tech battles with your kids—especially with summer approaching—this short episode of our weekly podcast is packed with gentle parenting tips & tools to help you create more peace around screens. You’ll learn how to reduce screen dependency, strengthen your parent-child connection, and encourage creative alternatives that keep kids engaged (without constant f...

Do you ever look ahead to summer and feel a mix of excitement and dread—wondering if the constant battles will leave you counting down the days until school starts again?  In this short episode of our weekly podcast, we’ll explore gentle parenting strategies that make summer smoother and more joyful, even when challenges arise. By the time you finish listening, you’ll know: What to do when you rea...

Do you ever feel like you’re saying the same thing fifteen times, only to have your child ignore you? You’re not alone. In this short episode of our weekly podcast, we’ll explore why kids tune us out and how to replace the frustration with calm confident parenting strategies that actually work. By the time you finish listening, you’ll know: Three fundamental reasons kids don’t listen—and how to so...

Do you ever feel stuck in a cycle of frustration and disappointment as a parent?  In this short episode of our weekly podcast, I’ll share one key tool that can help you shift your perspective and bring more calm and ease to your parenting—even if your kids don’t change right away. Here’s what you’ll discover: Why children’s behavior isn’t a sign of parental failure—and how understanding this can e...

Do you ever wish your family life felt more intentional and less reactive? Maybe you’re tired of the daily battles over boundaries or wondering how to help your kids grow into confident, kind adults. In this short episode of Sustainable Parenting's weekly podcast, we explore how creating a Family Mission Statement can bring more purpose to your parenting. This approach uses positive parenting...

Do you ever feel like you’re barely treading water—overwhelmed by the repetitive tasks of motherhood and weighed down by guilt? You’re not alone. In this short episode of our weekly podcast, we’ll explore how to release that guilt, reduce stress, and create more space for calm, confident parenting. By the time you finish listening, you’ll learn: Why the word “should” fuels anxiety & emotions—a...

Are you tired of constant sibling squabbles? Does it feel like you’re always stuck playing judge and jury while longing for more peace and connection between your kids? You’re not alone. In this short episode of the Sustainable Parenting weekly podcast, we’ll share five powerful “F-words” that can transform sibling fights into opportunities for growth, helping you bring more calm and cooperation i...

Are you and your partner stuck in a cycle of parenting disagreements —one of you being “too strict” while the other feels “too soft”? You’re not alone. In this short episode of our weekly podcast, we’ll explore how to bring more balance to your parenting approach through kind and firm parenting, creating a home with less conflict and more connection. By the time you finish listening, you’ll learn:...

Do you ever feel frustrated when your kids just don’t “get it”? You’ve explained why they should be kind, modeled sharing, or tried talking them out of an upset—yet nothing changes. This is what I call “parenting from the neck up” —relying only on logic and explanations when your child’s brain simply isn’t in a logical place. In this short episode of our weekly podcast, you’ll learn how to shift f...

Do you ever feel like you’re carrying “50 pounds of bricks” on your shoulders—wishing for more help but somehow ending up doing it all yourself?  This episode of Sustainable Parenting's weekly podcast explores what I call self-care bulldozing—when parents (especially moms) unintentionally create more work for themselves by micromanaging, gatekeeping, or not voicing their needs. In this short...

Rage is rarely talked about in parenting circles, yet so many moms silently experience it—followed by guilt, shame, and confusion. In this weekly podcast, I’m pulling back the curtain on this taboo topic with honesty, compassion, and real solutions. As both a therapist and parent, I share my personal journey with mom rage, how it impacted my parent-child connection, and the simple yet powerful min...

Traveling with kids can be full of excitement—but also whining, meltdowns, and the dreaded “Are we there yeeeeeeeet?”  In this short episode of the Sustainable Parenting weekly podcast, I’m sharing calm parenting tips & tools to help you create more calm, connection, and fun on your trip. You’ll walk away with: Two easy car games that strengthen your parent-child connection and keep kids enter...

Are smartphones quietly harming our kids’ mental health? In this short episode of the Sustainable Parenting weekly podcast, I sit down with Joanna Bertken , a nationally credentialed school psychologist and Student Assistance Coordinator for Bozeman Public Schools, to discuss the link between smartphone use and skyrocketing rates of anxiety & emotions challenges in kids and teens. Joanna share...

Between school runs, endless activities, and work commitments, family life can feel overwhelming — but there are tools to help bring more calm and connection into your home. In this short episode of the Sustainable Parenting's weekly podcast, Jessica Etting, co-founder of JAM , shares how her app helps families streamline communication, manage responsibilities, and create more time for what r...

Have you ever wondered how different learning environments impact your child’s growth, confidence, and emotional well-being?   In this short episode of our weekly podcast, we chat with Kristina McKinney , a dedicated Montessori educator at Bozeman Montessori , who shares how this unique approach nurtures independence, curiosity, and social skills — all while strengthening the parent-child connecti...

Struggling to stay gentle while still setting strong boundaries? You’re not alone. In this short episode of our weekly podcast, we dive into how gentle parenting can include kind and firm parenting strategies that maintain respect and connection — without resorting to harsh punishments or simply, parenting without yelling. We’ll talk about how it helps to strengthen the parent-child connection whi...

Do your kids constantly argue over toys or who gets more of your attention? You’re not alone — most sibling fights are about possessions or competing for a parent’s time, and they can leave you feeling drained. In this short episode of the Sustainable Parenting weekly podcast, we’re diving into why fairness triggers so much conflict and how to create more peace at home using gentle parenting and p...

Does your child’s rude or defiant behavior leave you feeling frustrated or unsure how to respond? In this short episode of our weekly podcast, we’ll unpack what’s really behind disrespectful words and actions — and how gentle parenting strategies can help you respond with empathy while still setting strong boundaries. Instead of reacting to surface behavior, we’ll explore how to address the deeper...

Ever find yourself unsure of what to do when your toddler’s curiosity turns into mischief at home? In this short episode of our weekly podcast, I share gentle parenting ideas for staying calm and connected when your little one’s adventures lead to messes or unexpected surprises—like unrolling all the toilet paper or climbing on furniture. By the time you finish listening, you’ll walk away with: •...

Do you get frustrated constantly reminding your children about their daily tasks and responsibilities? Do you wish they could be more self-motivated and take initiative without all the nagging? In this short episode of our weekly podcast, we dive into positive parenting strategies that actually work to build self-motivation and responsibility in kids. Through a gentle parenting approach, you’ll di...

Do you wish family life felt more connected and calm as you step into 2025?  In this short episode of the Sustainable Parenting weekly podcast, we’ll explore 3 simple yet powerful habits that can bring more joy and ease to your days: hosting family meetings, encouraging independence, and using AI as a supportive tool for everyday parenting. After listening, you’ll discover: • How family meetings s...

Ever find yourself feeling stuck when your child’s behavior feels challenging? In this short episode of the Sustainable Parenting weekly podcast, Dr. John Sommers-Flanagan — a clinical psychologist and professor of counseling at the University of Montana — shares three gentle parenting tools designed to bring more calm, confidence, and connection into everyday parenting. Together, we explore how s...

Which episodes did parents love most this year — and what can you learn from them to bring more calm and connection into your home? In this special roundup, we’re revisiting the top 5 most popular episodes of 2024 from our weekly podcast, filled with gentle parenting insights that make a real difference. We’ll reflect on practical ways to strengthen your parent-child connection, use gentle discipl...

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the chaos of holiday breaks with kids? Maybe you're dealing with more throwing tantrums than usual, or you've even ended a break thinking, “I can’t do this anymore — GET THEM OUT OF HERE!” This short episode is a breath of fresh air, offering calm parenting tips and positive parenting strategies to help you turn stressful days into enjoyable, memory-making...

Do you ever wish your kids were more eager to help out at home—without constant reminders or power struggles? In this short episode of the Sustainable Parenting weekly podcast, we’ll explore gentle parenting strategies that make it easier to encourage helpful habits in kids while strengthening your parent-child connection. You’ll hear practical parenting tips & tools for turning everyday routi...