New Year's resolutions are not really my thing, but I do like a reset around this time of year. So as we start 2024, I’m asking these questions (for myself and for you): What do you want for yourself, as a parent, professional, a friend, a human? What do you want for your partnership (if you’re parenting with a partner)? What will make 2024 feel like a success to you?  And what are you willing to do to get the things you want?  With these questions in mind, I offer you my ingredients that make up my Recipe for a Good Life.  Some of these are my own gems of wisdom and some I got ..read more

Teri Schmidt defines leadership as “courageously using your talents as a way for others to courageously use theirs”, and I have to say that is a nice picture of leadership. Teri is a repeat guest on The Heartful Parent Podcast, and she is back to not only define servant leadership, she is here to teach us how to become strong leaders.  Imposter syndrome is real, and the world has unfortunately conditioned us to think of leaders a certain way. Teri reframes this for us, and explains how our identities can become tied up into the “Drama Triangle”. In this representation, we can get a littl ..read more

Two weeks ago, we discussed the power of routines in helping our children—and ourselves—manage the increased emotional labor that has inevitably accompanied whatever school looks like in your house right now. Finding routines that support predictability while remaining flexible can be a game-changer. But if you’re anything like me, you need more than one tool in your parenting tool belt right now; being a one-trick pony just isn’t working. Enter the power of the transition. In the before-COVID times, we went through many transitions during our days: for many working parents and guardians, we s ..read more

Many of you may be able to relate to this sweet mama’s predicament—we’ve probably all had different times throughout our parenting when we wonder if we can do it—if we can understand and respond to our baby’s/child’s/teens needs. It’s a hard place to be, and we all need a little grace and support. In reading this letter, it was clear that although sleep issues were the issue-of-the-day, at play were larger confidence issues about parenting. To respond, I not only answered Mom, I brought in the big guns—sleep and breastfeeding expert, Christine Muenz. Her wisdom is deep! Dear Heartful, I ha ..read more

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, GRATITUDE is on many people's minds. But as much as we may focus on it on Thanksgiving itself, we often find that focus disappears at midnight as we, as a culture, get caught up in the frenzy of Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the steady (and rapid) march toward the holidays. But thinking about gratitude once a year really isn't enough…turns out it takes a little more effort. And that effort is worth it! Why is gratitude important? Put simply, it makes us happier! Research in the field of positive psychology has demonstrated that gratitude is strongly ..read more

Research in the field of positive discipline has established that gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness, more positive emotions, better physical health, higher levels of resilience, and stronger more connected relationships. What are you doing to model and cultivate this important emotion in your children? See below for the thoughts I shared with Margaret Larson of New Day Northwest! The post Teaching Children The Art of Gratitude appeared first on The Heartful Parent ..read more

I was chatting with a client this morning when she reported that her 8-year old son was frustrated at school and calling himself “stupid.” She was sad and not sure how to help him realize that he is anything but.  We discussed several different approaches and came up with a plan, and then I remembered something my husband said to me once when I was feeling not pretty enough, not capable enough, and not (fill-in-the blank) enough. He said: “Don’t talk about my wife that way.  My wife is beautiful, and capable, and amazing, and I won’t let you badmouth her that way.” Wow.  Talk ab ..read more

The language we use matters. Next time, before we use a loaded term like “bully” let's stop and consider whether that's really what's going on, and what we might be able to do to help a child or situation, rather than harm. Source:https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2018/10/11/my-year-old-bites-hits- The post Washington Post: My 2-year-old bites and hits. But that doesn’t make him a bully appeared first on The Heartful Parent ..read more

Coaching can be an incredibly powerful and transformative tool for parents, children, and families. It takes an investment of time and money and energy, but the benefits make that well worth it. I have seen these changes in my clients. Contact me for more information on the benefits of coaching–after all, we can all use a little support and encouragement in this tough journey we call parenting. Source:https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/22/opinion/sunday/to-help-kids-thrive- The post NY Times: Opinion – To Help Kids Thrive, Coach Their Parents appeared first on The Heartful Parent ..read more

I’m getting real with you today on The Heartful Parent Podcast! I’m sharing a personal story about a [very recent] time I didn’t use the techniques of Positive Discipline––instead I let my anger get the best of me. Instead, I spoke to my daughter from a place of fear, frustration, and disbelief; I let the imperfect human side of me win out over the so-called “parent expert” side of me. BUT, it’s not all bad! My relationship with my kid and my ability to *tolerate* myself were both repaired fairly quickly, which is why I’m sharing this story with you today. I’m digging into the 3 reasons why t ..read more