Joyful Courage for Parenting Teens

Julietta is BACK ON to dig into the challenges brought to us by the Joyful Courage community. Julietta is the cofounder of Sproutable, an online learning experience for parents, focused on development and years 0-5. Julietta has a Masters Degree in School Counseling and Ed.S Degree in School Psychology from Seattle University. As a Certified Positive Discipline Trainer, she teaches Positive Discipline parenting classes and provides Positive Discipline trainings for teachers and parent educators. Julietta led the Seattle Public Schools Childfind preschool assessment screening team from 2007-2014. She is currently the school counselor at Queen Anne Elementary. She is the proud mother of two daughters ages 7 and 4. She understands the parenting challenges as well as the importance of early intervention and child development. Find Sproutable at: http://www.besproutable.com/ Facebook l Twitter l Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You all know that I love me some Julietta Skoog! She is a dear friend and a WEALTH of information. Julietta is the cofounder of Sproutable, an online learning experience for parents, focused on development and years 0-5. Julietta has a Masters Degree in School Counseling and Ed.S Degree in School Psychology from Seattle University. As a Certified Positive Discipline Trainer, she teaches Positive Discipline parenting classes and provides Positive Discipline trainings for teachers and parent educators. Julietta led the Seattle Public Schools Childfind preschool assessment screening team from 2007-2014. She is currently the school counselor at Queen Anne Elementary. She is the proud mother of two daughters ages 7 and 4. She understands the parenting challenges as well as the importance of early intervention and child development. Yup. She's amazing. Listen in to todays show as we break down Eric Ericksons model of psychosocial development and what WE as parents can do to ensure that our children are developing trust, autonomy, initiative and industry during their early years. Join us tomorrow as Julie and I dig into challenges sent in from the Joyful Courage community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s guest is Kim Estes, a speaker and coach who talks to parents of kids from pre-school to adolescents about safety concerns. We are discussing free-range parenting. Join us! “Our kids are wanting to explore their world and it’s our job to teach them to do it safely.” What you’ll hear in this episode: Misconceptions about free-range parenting Boundaries in free-range parenting: subject to change based on individual children and age-level Assessing age and individual capacity specific boundaries – the value of checking in for safety Free-range parenting as giving kids space to practice intuition Fear of judgment and free-range parenting Risk assessment and safety – likelihood of concerns relating to traffic safety and abduction Assessing risk tolerance as parents Stranger safety vs Stranger danger Free-range parenting as freedom within structure Finding the happy medium: learning new skills with appropriate boundaries Being consistent about expectations and boundaries Mistakes as learning experiences – handling situations where things don’t go as planned Being available and non-judgmental when negotiating boundaries – dropping into curiosity to keep communication lines open No questions asked, do-overs on both sides and owning failure Exercising self-compassion and forgiveness when you don’t realize you’re being called to “the big show” What does Joyful Courage mean to you? Joyful courage means to me to be able to parent courageously even if it’s uncomfortable, but at the end of the day, having something that feels good for everybody even if it’s the smallest success. Where to find Kim: Website l Facebook l Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s guest is Jamie Glowacki, a social worker who worked with dual diagnosis moms, transitioned to owning a children’s store and then became a potty trainer. We are discussing potty training. Join us! “I don’t really have a method. You have to take off the diapers.” What you’ll hear in this episode: The elimination communication movement Timing of potty training readiness “Pull-ups” and potty training – mixing old and new behaviors. Potty training and instant gratification – the role of patience in the process The myths of potty training Gender and potty training The role of social learning and praise Potty location and using the tool for the task The influence of Dr. Spock and the history of potty training Developmental milestones – should they be child-led? The myth of “readiness” - potty training as a skill that needs to be attended to rather than something that happens naturally in time without intervention The “magic window” of potty training – prior to individuation Potty training as a power struggle “Fear of release” – how to overcome it Managing expectations around developmental milestones and the danger of comparison How potty training challenges vary based on the age of the child Performance anxiety and potty training The best potty and ergonomic angle for potty training specifically for encouraging poop How to modify your potty or reposition your child to improve poop likelihood Rewards and consequences – their role in potty training Potty training power struggles as relationship challenges Potty training regressions – change in routines, the honeymoon period Using blocks of learning to solve regressions “Baby love” as a tool to help kids adjust to new siblings Location specific potty training challenges – how to unpack them Night time training strategies Developmental phases of bladder development Resources: Squatty potty unicorn ice cream video Is Night Training Really Necessary – blog post Oh Crap Potty Training Book Oh Crap Potty Training video conferences Where to find Jamie: Website Twitter Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join the Joyful CourageTribe in our community Facebook group - Live and Love with Joyful Courage. Raising our children while growing ourselves... ::::: So totally honored to have my friend and mentor, Tamara Azar, trainer and coach from Momentum Education on to talk about the important work that Momentum is doing to change the world. Listen in to the very end to hear about the incredibly generous offer to all the Joyful Courage Tribe! Find out more about Momentum Education, including upcoming trainings in Seattle, LA, Washington DC and NYC, by visiting www.momentumeducation.com. ::::: March GIVEAWAY! The last few months I have been encouraging you all to share the shows by holding giveaways - everything from mantra bracelets to coaching has gone out to members of the community who have been willing to join in the work of #impact1millionkids - this month is no exception!! Simply by posting a podcast link, and tagging me (Casey O'Roarty) or Joyful Courage, you are entered to win!! This month I am giving away a spot in the Living Joyful Courage Membership program - WOOHOO!! AND, you can enter as many times as you WANT! Yes! ::::: Weekly FB Lives are happening!! Join me every Tuesday at 10am pst on the Joyful Courage FB page to hear about a new Positive Discipline tool that you can begin using ASAP. Even if you are well versed in parenting with PD, you will take a way a renewed commitment and perhaps a deeper understanding of the tool. ::::: Living Joyful Courage Membership Program Join the LIVING JOYFUL COURAGE information list TODAY and enjoy freebies and reminders for when it is time to REGISTER for the membership program!! ::::: Join the Joyful CourageTribe in our community Facebook group - Live and Love with Joyful Courage. Raising our children while growing ourselves... ::::: Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to the Joyful Courage Podcast on iTunes to get the latest shows STRAIGHT to your device!! AND PLEASE rate and review the Joyful Courage Parenting Podcast on iTunes to help me spread the show to an ever larger audience!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s guest is Shawn Fink, also known as Abundant Mama. She is a mom of eleven-year-old twin girls. We are discussing living a life of abundance in our parenting. Join us! “For me, being awake is being engaged, being thoughtful, being very purposeful, living my values but also being present.” “Mistakes are opportunities to learn.” “Abundance is looking at your life and being grateful that you have enough, that you are enough and you do enough – but it’s much more than that. It’s become a lifestyle.” “There is enough happiness, joy and love in the world for everybody.” What you’ll hear in this episode: Moving from scarcity to abundance mindsets – from jealousy to gratitude Abundance as a way to mother yourself, be authentic and be aware of what’s around and within you Being awesomely awake: paying attention to your life, being mindful and living intentionally Self-care vs Soul-care – what’s the difference and how can it change your life and the way you see it? Being present and discomfort – learning to navigate it vs as being a way to eliminate it How to exercise self-compassion when you haven’t showed up in the way that you’ve hoped to Modelling asking for forgiveness for your kids The joys and challenges of raising tweens Motherhood as self-invention Learning to connect with your children as they grow – navigating relationship change The value in letting kids fail when they need to – leaving room for life lessons and learning how to handle discomfort The power of injecting playfulness into your routine and how it can be productive Finding joy in obligation Building habits for effectiveness in your parenting life What does Joyful Courage mean to you? Joyful Courage is the joyful ability to completely show up as yourself and be you, as a mom, it’s really hard because we are trying so hard to keep everyone else happy. There is nothing better for our kids than for them to see us being fully ourselves. Resources: Insight timer The Playful Family E-book The Abundant Mama online program 10 Habits of Highly Effective Mamas Where to find Shawn: Facebook Instagram Twitter Pinterest Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s guest is Kim Muench, a mother of five, parenting writer, a certified parenting coach and lover of parents of adolescents. We are discussing navigating decisions around technology with our kids. Join us! “Instead of looking at it as a tool of potential destruction, we are looking at it as a vehicle for us to build a circle of trust and communicate even better.” “Conscious parenting: being mindful and walking the tight rope between giving them autonomy and knowing when to step in and help them see the potential consequences of choices” What you’ll hear in this episode: Balancing your need for control and desire to protect your kids with providing access to benefits of smart phones Building trust, letting go of our own experiences and not projecting our own mischief (which can lead to friction) Navigating the tightrope: being honest, open and self-aware as you work through technology use with your kids Negotiating smart phone boundaries within your family Scaffolding social media communication – building progressively Adolescent boundary pushing as learning Falling off the tight rope – learning as a practice and getting back up Creating an agreement around technology usage – a collaborative approach subject to revision as needed initiated by either party Limits as helping Why you need open conversation about social media including topics such as safeguards and kindness Technology as distraction and disconnection Reassessing agreements on technology without blame and shame The value of eye contact and being fully present in resolving conflict How to address reigning in technology use under the umbrella of conscious parenting – identifying the source Working collaboratively vs exerting control – what are the outcomes of these approaches? What does Joyful Courage mean to you? Joyful Courage is embracing your authentic self with enthusiasm and being brave enough to share that with the world – it is an every day practice. Resources: Screenagers documentary Where to find Kim: Website Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Facebook Group Real Life Parenting Community Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's guest is Melissa Benaroya. Melissa is a licensed clinical social worker with 20 years of experience working with children and families. Melissa has a Masters degree in Social Work, is a Credentialed School Counselor and is trained in Positive Discipline. She is also a Certified Gottman Educator offering the Bringing Baby Home Program for families with young children and workshops on Emotion Coaching. Melissa practices as a parenting consultant, coach and speaker to groups and individuals by blending her clinical training with her knowledge of child development and discipline. In 2011 she co-authored the book The Childproof Parent. Melissa lives in Seattle with her husband and two children and keeps her sanity with an active lifestyle of running and Crossfit! “Empathy is the ability to feel and understand what another person may be feeling but ultimately … it means connection … and feeling understood.” What you’ll hear in this episode: · Learning to use empathy as a first response and a parenting tool · Empathy as reflecting your child’s feeling back to them versus owning their feelings or relating our own personal experiences · How using personal experiences in place of empathy can escalate conflict · How to use empathy to help your child build emotional resilience · Using empathy effectively to help your child feel heard · Empathy as a practice and a gradual learning process · Childhood developmental milestones in empathy · How to model empathy for your kids · Using the “Fake It Til You Become It” approach to empathy in your parenting · Being mindful of your physical self in how you demonstrate and model empathy · Parenting from the couch as a barrier to empathy · Echoing, mirroring and repetition as empathy · The power of validation in feeling heard – when looking on the bright side gets in the way · Empathy as a transferrable skill. What does Joyful Courage mean to you? It takes courage to take risks and try new things and that’s where joy exists. It’s what parenting requires of us – taking risks and trying new things. Empathy might be taking a risk because it doesn’t feel natural and we are going to have to take lots of risks and try new things throughout our parenting journey. It not only makes us a better parent but it also helps us to grow as an individual and that’s where the joy exists. Resources: The Child-proof Parent Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges Where to find Melissa: Website Child-proof Parenting website Facebook Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join the Joyful CourageTribe in our community Facebook group - Live and Love with Joyful Courage. Raising our children while growing ourselves... ::::: Today’s guest is Rachel Macy Stafford, founder of Handsfree Mama, best selling author and special education teacher. We are discussing letting go of distractions so you can focus on what really matters. Join us! “There is no space for perfection in parenting and living boldly. I want to live bravely, boldly, flawed and full of hope.” What you’ll hear in this episode: Parenting and opportunities to choose to be mindful Avoiding getting caught up in the moment as a practice Making a “presence” pledge to yourself Surrendering and learning to let go of control and expectations of mastery or of a certain outcome Raising future adults and allowing space for practice Self-care and the importance of “do nothing” moments The value of physical self-care Resources: Only Love Today – pre-order until March 7 Where to find Rachel: Website l Facebook l Twitter :::::::::: FEED 3,000 LET'S FEED SOME PEOPLE!! I would love to invite you to join me in making 3,000 snack sacks over the next three months and take them to organizations that serve the hungry!! Not one of us can make all those lunches ourselves - BUT ALL OF US TOGETHER SURE CAN!! So here is the plan, host a gathering at your house and invite other families over. Have each family bring some supplies and together make as many snack sacks as you can!! Click here for the Feed 3,000 Facebook Event Link Click her to go donate to the Feeding America page. :::::::::: Join the Joyful CourageTribe in our community Facebook group - Live and Love with Joyful Courage. Raising our children while growing ourselves... :::::::::: Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to the Joyful Courage Podcast on iTunes to get the latest shows STRAIGHT to your device!! AND PLEASE rate and review the Joyful Courage Parenting Podcast on iTunes to help me spread the show to an ever larger audience!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to DAY THREE of the Mindfulness Mini Summit brought to you by Joyful Courage! I am thrilled to be talking today with Molly Knight Forde (Episode 7) meditation teacher and guide at the Awareness School. Listen in to learn: What is a meditation practice? How to create a practice that works for you? And enjoy a 10 minute guided meditation guided by Molly. Happy Meditating!! Click here to check out the newest online offer from Molly! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to DAY TWO of the Mindfulness Mini Summit brought to you by Joyful Courage! I am thrilled to be talking today with Sara Harvey Yao (Episode 68) author of Drop In: Lead With Deeper Presence and Influence. Listen in to learn: Who is meditation for? What are the benefits of meditation? And enjoy a 10 minute guided meditation guided by Sara. Happy Meditating!! Join me tomorrow as I finish up the mini-summit with a conversation with Molly Knight Forde about creating a lasting meditation practice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to DAY ONE of the Mindfulness Mini Summit brought to you by Joyful Courage! I am thrilled to be talking today with Jiovann Carrasco (Episode 43) from the Austin Mindfulness Center. Listen in to learn: What is meditation? What isn't meditation? And enjoy a 10 minute guided meditation Jiovann designed just for parents like YOU! Happy Meditating!! Join me tomorrow as I talk with Sara Harvey Yao about the benefits and possibilities of meditation for parents. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s guest is Mary Jo, a coach who focuses on relationships and connections. We are discussing love, romance and intimacy after becoming parents. Join us! “It’s less about the action you take. We look for the action. There’s so many different actions you can take, it doesn’t really matter. The experience is about the connection to your heart. It’s about being connected to what really matters. The actions won’t sustain you or your relationship. Listen to your heart and let that inspire you.” What you’ll hear in this episode: • Finding time for intimacy • The importance of intimacy – finding your why • Intimacy as parenting: part of role modeling healthy relationships • Creating an invitation to intimacy: first steps • Masculine and feminine energy – what’s the difference and why they are both in all of us • Balancing energy to promote your child’s autonomy • Vulnerability, touch and exploring connection • Vulnerability as strength • Relationships take two people, but relating takes one. • Putting up a screen to filter inputs vs putting up a shield • Distinguishing sex and intimacy – moving beyond euphemism • Connecting to “adjust the volume” vs “turning from off to on” – making smooth transitions to intimacy through ongoing mindfulness and connection • Reminding our partner and ourselves of what we appreciate about each other • Resolving disconnection through self-celebration and self-care • How to be curious about identifying and problem solving barriers to intimacy • Engaging universal parenting skills that we practice with our kids • The power of “I’ve Missed You” and remembering the intention • Improving the likelihood of successful connection through celebration and reverence vs. complaint • Letting go of expectations to leave space for what comes naturally What does Joyful Courage mean to you? The fun in being courageous is getting on that super big rollercoaster. It’s not just about death defying acts of meeting demons. It’s really fun to be courageous because it brings amazing results. Connecting those two words is so important because it takes courage to be joyful and how amazing is courage when it has joy in it. It means to be inspired. Where to find MaryJo: Maryjolorei.com Boldly embody life Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Surprise! I am excited to be popping in to encourage, inspire and INFORM you about the how and the why to creating a PARENTING VISION. Listen to this short solo show and then move into action! Our parenting vision is our COMPASS and what keeps us moving in our desired direction within our relationships with our children. Click here for the Parenting Vision Guide. Have a beautiful day! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s guest is Jason Frelot. Jasen is a community organizer, father, early childhood educator and social justice advocate based in Seattle, WA. Along with directing Columbia City Preschool of Arts and Culture, he is the co-founder of Kids and Race Seattle, which has been featured in Parent Map Magazine and on NPRs Seattle Affiliate KUOW ; the program has served over 500 people to date and rising every month. His various actions around race and social justice have made front page news in Seattle and have been featured on local news numerous times. He has 15 years of working with children in various capacities. “What we are going for here is real change. What we are going for here is a real conversation that is messy. That means diving deeper into that discomfort.” What you’ll hear in this episode: • Racial identity and the inherent problems with color blindness • How we are teaching white children to be racist and brown/black children they don’t have value (even though we don’t mean to) • How to respond to uncomfortable questions about race and social order • Silence and it’s role in reinforcing the status quo • The role of parenting in promoting diversity • Equality vs equity – what’s the difference? • Treating everyone the same and how it perpetuates inequity • Acknowledging the reality of now: the problem with discussing racism as history and other’s people’s problem • Achievement gaps vs opportunity gaps • Fear of being labeled racist and how it detracts from race focused conversation. • Acknowledging racism as a problem in order to address it • Understanding white privilege – situational power, structural power and individual power. • The relationship between privilege and struggle – how they can both be present • Race as an ongoing conversation • Impacts of opting out of race-focused conversations due to the magnitude of the issue and the responsibility to persevere • Recognizing your role in the problem and in how to fix it • The role of media in how our children view the world and the value of other people - what kids see and what they hear: which impacts children more in the conclusions they draw about the world • Analogy and allegory vs. representation and conversation in media • Role modeling respect in our relationships • Consciously exposing children to diversity • Equipping our teachers to have conversations about race • How to be the squeaky wheel about promoting diversity • Silence as violence: choosing to be uncomfortable and vocal to incite change • Handling pushback and using criticism as an access point to empathy as an ally Resources: Culturally responsive teaching and the brain Kids and Race Resources Where to find Jason: Columbia City Preschool of Arts and Culture, a brand new, social justice based program. Now enrolling for this Spring, and the upcoming school year. for more information go to columbiacitypreschool.org Kids and Race: Changing the Narrative. March 11th at Epiphany. Tickets available. Contact for future events and information [email protected]. Speaking opportunities: [email protected] The Well Queen Anne :::::::::: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Carrie Anne Killeen is a Conscious Parent coach who specializes in assisting parents in increasing peace, love, joy, grace and ease in the home. After living 20 years with a very critical view of herself and those around her, she realized how much love had been missing from her own childhood. Using her children as her biggest teachers, she learned how to heal her own childhood wounds with love, compassion, forgiveness and inner truth. She is deeply dedicated to creating a more peaceful world for children and parents. Carrie Anne inspires parents to see beyond their children’s behaviors to see the hidden truth and wisdom that lies inside their heart and soul. Carrie Anne is a peaceful, single mom of three amazing and highly soulful daughters. She is currently living her heart’s dream in Massachusetts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Full-time parents Natalie Christensen and Nathan M McTague are the founders of the Center for Emotional Education, with the mission to neurally empower individuals and families through emotional and strategic support. They offer a comprehensive line-up of courses, one-to-one coaching support, and Feeleez - a full set of emotional education tools. Natalie and Nathan have been working for over a decade helping families and individuals feel better, do better, and become the best possible versions of themselves. Their next mini-course – Forget Everything Else: The 5 Do-or-Die Parenting Concepts, starts February 13th. websites:Center for Emotional Education.comNathan M McTague.comFB pages:Your Self-Fulfilling LifeParenting on the Same TeamThe Father FactorFB groups:Teaching Children EmpathyThe Empathy Hotline :::::::::: Join the Joyful CourageTribe in our community Facebook group - Live and Love with Joyful Courage. Raising our children while growing ourselves... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Patty Wipfler is the Hand in Hand Parenting Founder and Program Director. Her 40 years of work with parents and children has given rise to Parenting by Connection, a simple but powerful parenting approach that nurtures the parent-child connection. Her Hand in Hand team trains parent leaders in the US and 10 other countries, and offers accessible support for the vital work of parenting. With co-author Tosha Schore, she has written the book, Listen: Five Simple Tools to Meet Your Everyday Parenting Challenges. And Her Listening to Children booklets have sold over 800,000 copies in English, Spanish, and 10 other languages. She is the mother of two sons, and grandmother to three. What you’ll hear in this episode: • Active listening and how it helps people notice how they feel about their own experiences • How being listened to and being able to sort through feelings can help activate problem solving. • The impact of our own childhood experiences on how we perceive challenges in our children’s lives • Parenting by connection and its relationship with positive discipline. • Influencing and using presence, setting limits to encourage better behavior. • How to hold space for your child who is emotionally elevated and let them deal with big feelings • Letting your child feel the feelings and its impact on the healing process • The size of the trigger relative to the depth of hurt – helping your child navigate big feelings • Emotional upset as efficiently releasing tension • Listening partnerships and how they can alleviate parenting stress and facilitate better parenting • Emotional projects: ongoing parenting challenges and how to address them What does Joyful Courage mean to you? Joyful Courage is a human being’s birthright to be joyfully courageous. Joyful courage means to me what a one year old will sometimes do to pull themselves up so they can stand up next to a table or as a toddler is trying to walk across the room it’s like they don’t care what happens, they are just going to try it and they are proud of themselves as they do it. I think it’s the attitude towards life that we are born with, that we get to keep if we aren’t hurt too badly. Sometimes you have to work on hurt to get your birthright back. Resources: Listen: 5 simple tools for meeting your every day parenting challenges Where to find Patty: Hand in Hand Parenting i Instagram l Facebook l Twitter l Youtube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s guest is Marcilie Smith Boyle, a certified positive discipline trainer and certified life and leadership coach who teaches positive discipline courses live and online, coaches individuals and groups on transitions and parenting, as well as life coaching and executive leadership coaching. We are discussing the science and research of positive discipline. Join us! “ The tip of the iceberg is what you can see – that’s your child’s behavior, but underneath the surface so much more is going on.” What you’ll hear in this episode: Emerging neuroscientific research about social psychology informed by function MRIs and PET scans. Principles of positive discipline – looking underneath behavior to build skills for long term better behavior. • Adlerian theory, the foundation of positive discipline The connection between behavior and a sense of belonging How mutual respect informs better behavior The right to dignity and the value of solutions relative to rewards and punishments Intrinsic motivation, what it is and why it matters long term. The social nature of humans and how that relates to theories of the hierarchy of needs The link between physical and social pain and the connection between learning and belonging The impact of fight or flight on empathy, learning and problem solving skills Relatedness, competence and autonomy and the way they influence behavior and feed intrinsic motivation The positive outcomes of met psychological needs in relation to health, creativity, persistence, flexibility, adjustment, well-being, enjoyment, cooperation, engagement and interest. Why rewards and praise sometimes backfire: the relationship between contingent rewards, autonomy and behavior Baby steps to deepen your positive parenting practice The difference made when we get eye to eye with our kids For more show notes, visit our website here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thank you to everyone who chimed in for this month's Ask Casey episode! I chose this particular submission because I believe it is something that MANY of us are challenged by. Enjoy! From Mama Kay: Defiance. My six year old has recently started saying straight out No's to anything I ask. ANYTHING! I've tried explaining why I ask her to do things and even explain how it benefits her. But it's just no. It's many times in a disrespectful and rude way. I think she is just finding her boundaries and her self confidence but I do not know how to interact with her. I don't want to bulldoze over her feelings or bully her into obedience. But I also don't want her to be disrespectful or be an example of disrespect to her younger siblings. Along with the no is an ability to find something negative about everything. I've had to ask her to go to another room many times because she was affecting her siblings attitude too. I am praying this is a stage but I don't want to break or break her through the process. Tune in to hear my response! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s guest is Melissa Brown, a blended family podcaster who works with stepfamilies. We are going to talk about blended families and the challenges they face. Join us! “Raising children is the biggest rollercoaster ride of your life.” What you’ll hear in this episode: The biggest challenge facing blended families today Dealing with drama while protecting kids from triangulation The value of a child-centered approach when navigating difficult relationships with exes The importance of self-awareness, love and patience in creating a positive environment for kids. How to use problem solving tools you use with your kids with your exes to improve relationships Learning to identify what you can’t control and how to deal with that The mixed blessing and additional pressure of sibling rivalry on blended families and how to handle it How to empower your kids for conflict resolution in blended families and learning to stay out of it, resisting the temptation to “fix” things Protecting your relationship from blended family drama Bonding with step kids – particularly teenagers – keeping an open mind. Finding an entry point for building connection Flexibility and scheduling in blended families Routines and rituals – creating a sense of belonging Consistency between houses, managing energy and big feelings. Leveraging patterns in your blended family – approaching problems with curiosity Dealing with (and expecting) setbacks and recovering when things don’t go as planned What does Joyful Courage mean to you? It takes a lot of courage to blend a family – it’s not always an easy journey. Joyful courage to me means understanding the importance of finding joy even through the pain in life. Our biggest growth and our biggest lessons always come from hard times. Where to find Melissa: Blended family podcast l Facebook l Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s guest is Ross Greene, an acclaimed author and parenting educator who works with kids with behavioral challenges. We are discussing how collaborative, proactive problem solving can reduce parenting challenges. Join us! “Kids have information we badly need. If we don’t get that information we are at risk of plunging forward with uninformed solutions based on what we think is going on. Our theories and assumptions are often wrong. If you get what’s the matter wrong, your solution won’t work. The least fallible source of information is the kid.” What you’ll hear in this episode: The role of problem solving in managing challenging behaviors Why sticker charts and rationing of privileges doesn’t work for this demographic Making collaborative and proactive solutions work for your family Changing your mission: finding out what is getting in your kid’s way The benefit of a skills based approach – coaching skills improvement through problem solving The difference between control and influence Parenting and education as partnering and helping Collaborative vs unilateral problem solving Prioritizing unmet expectations to plan proactive problem solving Getting out of the heat of the moment in your parenting Three steps to proactive problem solving The need for realistic, mutually satisfying solutions The danger of too many solutions Differentiating between a failure and a solution that wasn’t mutually beneficial, realistic or incomplete The messy but crucial nature of problem solving Perfection vs improvement over time – being realistic about goals Focusing on the right thing: learning to focus on the root cause of behavior vs the behavior itself. What does Joyful Courage mean to you? There is courage that comes along with being a parent, a teacher and a staff member and doing something different because what you are finding is that what you are doing now isn’t working. I’m delighted to say that there are many many parents, educators and facilities who have had that courage and they have been remarkably helpful to their children, their students and the children in their care and that should bring them a great deal of joy as well. It takes courage to take a look at what you are doing, think about it, and try to do something differently. Resources: The explosive child Lost at School Lost and Found Raising Human Beings The Drilling Cheat Sheet The B Team – Facebook Group Elevate Your Parenting – Facebook Group Lost & Found – Facebook Group for Educators Lives in the Balance – Facebook Group for Clinicians Where to find Dr. Greene: Lives In the Balance Facebook Twitter Centre for Collaborative Problem Solving Dr. Ross Greene Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s guest is Lauren Gamble of Bibs for Kids. She helps kids struggling with illness, impoverishment and prematurity by selling bibs and donating 10% of proceeds to causes. Her son was born premature and she was inspired to help others after spending time in the NICU with her new baby. Join us in learning about how to give back to kids in need this holiday season (and every day)! What you’ll hear in this episode: • Life in the NICU – the challenges of prematurity with even a healthy baby, infant health challenges, bonding with other parents facing the same circumstances and 12 long days where time seemed to stand still • Causes Bibs For Kids supports: premature birth, pediatric HIV, pediatric cerebral palsy, childhood hunger, childhood cancer, and autism • Prematurity awareness – the selection of this cause was influenced by her own experiences with her son (who is now 4 months old) and the ongoing relationships she’s had with fellow NICU families from their stay • Pediatric cerebral palsy – the family connection to this challenging disease and how her relationship with her cousin and aunt led her to want to give back in this way • Pediatric HIV – the family Lauren knows who adopted an HIV positive child and how their life experiences impacted her decision to support this important cause • Autism – Awareness of early detection and the need for education and intervention are so key to positive outcomes for children living with Autism • Childhood cancer – 720 kids diagnosed every day in America – why research and awareness is so important • Childhood hunger – a cause that’s closer to home than we think and not just an overseas problem • Customer response to Bibs for Kids, donations and partnerships • The holiday season: thankfulness for good health and a reason to give • Ways to help when you don’t have kids who wear bibs or don’t have babies in your life– donate $5 and have a bib sent to a child in need Where to find Lauren: Facebook I Website I Instagram I Twitter I Pinterest ** Check out the Bibs for Kids KICKSTARTER campaign and make a DIRECT IMPACT on this important work!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

DENISE LAROSA is the founder, host and CEO of Mom Talk with Denise LaRosa, LLC, a multimedia platform designed to motivate, inspire and inform mothers along their journey in motherhood. Denise utilizes her parenting experiences and background as an elementary educator to bring mothers invaluable information and resources on parenting through her podcast, blog and workshops. A devoted wife and mother of two precious girls, Denise is also an elementary school teacher. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in dance (Magna cum Laude) from Radford University in 2003 and graduated from Carlow University in 2008 with a Master of Education degree in elementary education. Empty Shoes is Denise's first children's book. She plans to write many more for you to enjoy. USE PROMO CODE JOYFULCOURAGE for 20% discount on Denise's book! http://www.momtalkdenise.com/book/Find Denise: http://www.momtalkdenise.com/ Facebook Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s guest is Rosalind Wiseman, a mom of boys and political scientist who works with teenagers in a professional capacity through an organization called Cultures of Dignity. We are going to talk about the social lives of teenagers. Join us! “Look for your champion moment and step in.” What you’ll hear in this episode: • The struggle to balance maintaining friendships and handle power imbalances and how that flows into abusive romantic relationships later on • Media depictions of relationships and how they impact teenage perceptions of acceptable and normal behaviors • Impacts of the election cycle on teenage behavior and normalization of racism and bad behavior and the resulting need for parents to promote inclusion • How to promote diversity and equal dignity for all by helping your children recognize the difference between healthy curiosity and put-downs • The importance of coaching your child on how to participate in respectful dialogue and redirecting conversations without reinforcing stigma • How to support teachers in a changing political climate while they deal with teens struggling with uncertainty • The role of education in supporting problem solving and critical thinking • Common roles in teen social groups and the associated challenges of raising: queen bees, side kicks, banker, mastermind, associate, bouncer, entertainer, conscience, champion, victim/target, pleaser, the messenger • Helping your kids practice for their champion moment • Backstabbing and the role of the messenger • How to teach your kids that a disagreement isn’t the end of the relationship • How to use and coach the SEAL formula – how to speak when you are angry • The similarities between conflict in teen relationships and video games battles • The difference between bullying and lack of relationship skills • Giving space and listening to boys during puberty • Relationship repair following insights acquired during parenting education Resources Queen Bees and Wannabes Masterminds and Wingmen Owning Up Where to find Rosalind: Her Website Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“Your job as a mom is to build a protective hedge around your family and not let them get stressed out and over-stimulated by all the ten thousand things” • Being the magic makers: doing all the things • Creating happy memories not just of the holidays and of parents for your kids • Christmas cards – do you really need to send them? • Managing expectations – fantasy vs reality • Avoiding resentment • How to design the holiday you want to have – focus on the 3 Ms • What is YOUR mission? Separating that from expectations of others • Minutae –picking activities and details that support your mission • Move it – assess which activities that you can enjoy at another time of the year to focus on your mission • Elf on a Shelf – effectiveness as a behavior modification tool, another thing on your to do list • Giving yourself permission not to do the same things as everyone else – peer pressure • Focusing on the things that bring you joy • Taking the “shoulds” out of the season What does Joyful Courage mean to you? “Courage to me is head down, get it done, life is going to be hard at times and you might doubt yourself or feel other people doubting you and you’re just going to have to go out and do it regardless. But joyful courage to me is a picture of having chin up, smile on your face, and for me, parenting. It takes a lot of courage to take on the responsibility of raising what needs to grow up to be responsible adults and those little lives are in your hands for such a young age. But you can do it scared, or you can do it with joy even in the arguments and even in the hard times, that there’s always joy to be found. If it’s just the sweet relationship you have with each of these people in your family that gives you what you need to go out and do the courageous job of parenting with your chin up, with a smile on your face.” Where to find Luna: Website Facebook Podcast: Confessions Behind the Minivan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s guest is Laurie Hatch, a “radical grandma” with strong ideas and opinions about how children who can be raised. She has eleven kids, 44 grandkids and has worked in education, now consulting and training. We are going to talk about kids... “If I could teach parents one thing it would be: never expect kids to share. Kids do not share until the ages of 4 and 5 when it becomes important to them to have a playmate who stays with them and collaborates” “Sharing is one of the most inappropriate expectations we have in childhood and a huge trigger. We were taught to be nice and share and that if you don’t share you aren’t nice.” “About the time we start to figure out parenting, we are done” What you’ll hear in this episode: • Exploring the language we use to describe behaviors our kids engage in • How separating ourselves from our children’s behavior changes how we describe and perceive it • Sibling rivalry and how we help create it • The role of supervision in mitigating sibling conflict • What is scaffolding and how does it relate to correcting behavior? • Setting reasonable expectations around kid’s ability to self-regulate: improvement vs. mastery • Child development and how that impacts how sibling conflict plays out • Resolving conflict through curiosity • Naturalist observational report: talking to kids about what happened absent of judgment and assumption • Sharing expectations: why and when developmentally kids share and how expecting it can create challenges • Biting and tantrums in context: how language and maturity impact these phases • Backtalk versus advocacy: reframing sassy behavior • Repetitive behaviors: chances to try different approaches to resolve conflict • Nurturing in the heat of conflict: why it helps and how to do it even when it’s hard. • Solutions vs punishments. Focusing on the goal and expected behavior and being permissive aren’t the same thing, resolution doesn’t need to be punitive • Relationship repair and how to recover fromparenting missteps • Spanking – where does it come from and what else can you do in the moment • Post-conflict recaps: encouraging perspective taking and problem solving • The role of family meetings: connecting rather than blaming • Parenting education helps learn about parenting process • Triggers: why do we have them and what they can teach us about ourselves? • Self-care and parenting – how journaling can help • Problem solving without fault What does Joyful Courage mean to you? “Joy is the essence of being centered in truth. Courage is heart. I try to live so my life and heart are centered on the things I know are true. I have limited knowledge so I’m continually looking for that. I draw on my courage so that I can speak out in active ways that are in harmony with what I believe. Joy is not fleeting, it’s not like happiness. Joy is a constant and a choice in life. If you have joy in your heart, you’re able to endure challenges and adversity because you have this constant centered on truth." Where to find Laurie: Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s guest is Sara Yao, a leadership coach who transitioned to self-employment on the birth of her child. While her book doesn’t focus on parenting specifically, the principles are incredibly relevant to parenting. Join us! “It’s about how often you can be present, not how often you can be perfect.” What you’ll hear in this episode: What is a leader and how does it relate to parenting? The value of presence, stability and connectedness relative to skills competency Impacts of going on autopilot on parenting and family relationships The practice of pausing to break autopilot Reactive tendencies (complying, detaching, and controlling) - what they are and how they develop The way presence and mindfulness create choice in parenting Modeling - how we pass on our reactive tendencies to our kids How to take a “presence first” approach to parenting to overcome our own reactive tendencies Cultivating presence – how to become more mindful “Survival fear,” sleep deprivation and hormones and the impact of an adrenalized state on our parenting How to start small to create more awareness more often to build a habit of mindfulness. Mindfulness, perfectionism and self-compassion: recognizing increased presence shouldn’t create an expectation of perfection Tuning into body sensation to be present and noticing Breathing techniques – “box breathing” to calm you down when your nervous system is riled up What does Joyful Courage mean to you? “I have such deep respect for myself and for others when they are just willing to examine and question – when they do, the liberation that comes from moving out of a pattern or coming to and waking up, that to me is the epitome of joyful courage. Have the courage to look, feel free and at choice again.” Resources: Her book, “Drop in: Leading with deeper presence and courage” Her book, Get Present Where to find Sara: Facebook l Twitter l Her website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This month's Ask Casey episode digs into how to engage our children in conversations about behavior and emotions when they are reluctant to meet us in the conversation... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s guest is Nicole Schwarz, from Imperfect Families. She’s a mom of 3 girls, a parenting coach and child and family therapist who focuses on helping parents use positive, respectful strategies with their kids. Today we are talking about sibling conflict. The questions we are discussing come straight from the community - join us! What you’ll hear in this episode: • How to keep sibling conflict to a dull roar with a relationship focus in your parenting • Balancing the desire to step in with giving space for them to work it out for themselves • “Say what you see” approach to conflict resolution by describing it • Role of modeling and coaching for creative solutions • Deescalating techniques to resolve conflict • Understanding the role of neurological development on decision making in conflict • Having empathy for a sense of injustice and encouraging empathy in your kids • Teaching kids that “people get what they need” and how that might be different and lead to perceived inequity • Understanding impulse control limitations and flooding and how it leads to physical acting out • Using proactive practice and play based knowledge to avoid future conflict • How to focus on what led to acting out to avoid shaming while encouraging learning • Exercising compassion around evolving nature of self-regulation • Understanding jealous and resentment around new babies and the needs of other siblings • Introducing the concept of mixed feelings to kids who are too young to have that insight for themselves • Coaching around sharing toys and how to place limits on it – sharing power, soliciting and implementing solutions from your kids • Improving connection to reduce rivalry – using one-on-one time to address your child’s jealousy • The value of shifting focus from our kid’s behavior to our own behavior – recognizing it’s the only thing we can control • Contextualizing power struggles as kids trying to navigate their world • Reframing “bossy” behavior in a positive way and channeling it for good • Changing how we see tattling • The value of redo’s and self care Resources: Brain in the Palm for Kids video Siblings without Rivalry by Adele Faber Peaceful Parents Happy Siblings: How To Stop the Fighting and Raise Friends For Life by Dr. Laura Markham Where to find Nicole: Facebook l Twitter I Her website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s guest is Sheri Gazitt, founder of a company called “Teen Wise” which focuses on teen issues like bullying, perfectionism, stress and friendship issues. She’s a mom of 3 girls in their teens. Join us! What you’ll hear in this episode: Navigating your teen’s confusion and search for identity The “trying on” process teens go through as they evaluate the pieces that form their identity and how to support it The impact of stress, peer pressure and expectations on families Definitions of success and challenges when they don’t align How to support your daughters through their exploration of true self The evolving nature of the “true self” Moving our coaching from “Be yourself” to “Figure out who yourself is” and why it’s necessary Role modeling values but recognizing your teen may not share your values. How not to take your teen’s behavior personally The importance of healthy adult relationships How to maintain a relationship when your teen is pulling away What girls say they need from parents Navigating conversations when your child’s confidences reveal a need for outside interventions The value of leaving space for teens to have emotions Wardrobe and helping our teens navigate a sexualized climate How to keep your parenting goals in sight when navigating challenging behaviors The power of forgiveness What does Joyful Courage mean to you? “It gives me very positive vibes. It means we are happy with ourselves about what challenges we take on and parenting is definitely one of those challenges. It means to be happy and joyful even if we make mistakes, if we fail at something horribly, just to be joyful about the fact that we have that challenge in front of us and we are willing to take it on and give it our all." Resources: Reviving Ophelia Where to find Sheri: Her website l Facebook l Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

So happy to have the founders of Sproutable.com on the show today!! Alanna Beebe and Julietta Skoog are on a MISSION to be super helpful and supportive of parents raising kids under five. They are on the show to share their offer and what inspires them to work with families. Enjoy! Resources: www.besproutable.com Facebook l Twitter l Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s guest is Tosha Schore, known online as “Your Partner in Parenting Boys” and a mom of 3 boys. She partners with parents to help their boys thrive – teaching parents to practice self care, connect with their boys deeply to encourage open communication, coaching them to set limits in a loving way and to use play strategically in their parenting. Join us! “My mission is to make a more peaceful world, one sweet boy at a time.” “Parenting is difficult because to do it well you must look inside yourself; you need to know what makes you sore and what really pushes your buttons. Looking at oneself, really looking inside is a challenge, the thing is, the consequence of not looking at oneself is even worse.” “If we want to guide our children well, we have to first look at our own stories.” What you’ll hear in this episode: The value of getting ourselves into “good parenting shape” and listening to each other non-judgmentally to ease frustration The importance of boys being able to feel their feelings and avoid the “boiling pot” – embracing the body’s natural way to heal from our hurts What keeps parents from feeling like it’s ok for their boys to feel their feelings? Learning to be unattached to your child’s reactions to limits The impact of isolation on the parenting experience Stereotypes of masculinity and how they impact emotional intimacy How to transition your boys from exhibiting aggressive behaviors to being more calm and increasing accountability by reducing fear The importance of not losing sight of your boy’s goodness despite poor behavior Working towards discipline from a place of connection The value of being curious about what’s underneath anger How to parenting in a way that honors the developing brain Addressing off-track behaviors through connection and taking a proactive approach Helping kids handle the pressure to save face Techniques to address separation anxiety How to set healthy limits in a loving way while creating safe spaces for exploration Supporting boys through loudness and recognizing it for what it is What does Joyful Courage mean to you? “Working in this life for what you feel is important – being you. Courage means being me and supporting my children and the people I know to be them fully. There’s nothing more joyful than being real and full and who you are and the gift you have to give.” Resources: Positive Discipline – Jane Nelsen Listen – 5 simple tools to meet your everyday parenting challenges – Tosha Schore & Patty Wipfler Where to find Tosha: FacebookTwitterHer website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s guest is Eric Greene, a father, husband and children’s rights activist. His work through his website, his Facebook group and private consultations focuses on peaceful parenting. As a father of one, his son has inspired him to explore parenting approaches that honor his desire to be the best parent he can be. His goal is to help improve the lives of children by helping parents learn better ways of raising children. Join us! “Peaceful parenting is not permissive, it’s setting limits and boundaries in a peaceful way.” What you’ll hear in this episode: What is peaceful parenting? How applicable is peaceful parenting to parents of more than one child? What does “Growing the pause” mean and how do you do it? Peaceful parenting as a practice and the need for repetition Recognizing peaceful parenting doesn’t change that kids are still kids The role of mindfulness in peaceful parenting How to be firm and still parent peacefully Building resiliency in your kids Mindset shifts in peaceful parenting – moving from trying to control your kids’ behavior to trying to control what’s going on within yourself The difference between peaceful and permissive parenting Practicing no buts” empathy Peaceful “parenting practices The value of “hugging it out” to find a solution Looking for opportunities to share power Common struggles among parents trying to parent peacefully Traditional gender roles and peaceful parenting Supporting your co-parent to parent peacefully The importance of self-care and self-compassion in peaceful parenting How to take baby steps to positive parenting What does Joyful Courage mean to you? “The courage to be joyful. Brene Brown talked about how the most vulnerable state you can be in is joy.That takes courage. It takes courage to be joyful.” Resources: The Intentional Parent ProjectPositive Discipline – Jane Nelsen Where to find Eric: His websiteFacebookTwitterPeaceful Parenting Community Facebook group Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s guest is Joanne Foster, an educational consultant and author of several parenting and educational books. Her work focuses on supporting and encouraging children’s well-being, intelligence, creativity, self-confidence, and productivity. As a mother of two and grandmother of three, she has over 30 years’ experience working with gifted children. She recently wrote an article about the lure of extracurricular activities. It’s a topic that every family has to face and deal with in their own way. Join us! What you’ll hear in this episode: Why extracurricular activities should complement what they’re learning in school Opportunities and demand How much choice should you give your children? The perceived pressure that parents feel regarding extracurricular activities Too much vs. too little Should you ever let a child QUIT an activity? Helping a child pick and choose activities Examples of extracurricular options that DON’T have to be stressful Advice for parents about setting boundaries Why kids need help in developing accountability for decisions ​What does Joyful Courage mean to you? “For me, it means using my intelligence, drawing on past experiences, acquiring supports when needed, harnessing my creativity, and having faith in my ability to confront changes and challenges.” Resources: www.beyondintelligence.net. Being Smart about Gifted Education by Dona Matthews and Joanne Foster Beyond Intelligence by Dona Matthews and Joanne Foster Not Now, Maybe Later: Helping Kids Overcome Procrastination by Joanne Foster And an article that Joanne was inspired to write after our interview: Too Invested in Your Child's Activities and Performance Where to find Joanne: Her website Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Welcome! My guest today is Lori Petro, an advocate for children and families. Lori is a conscious parent educator and a mom to a young daughter. Our discussion today is around raising caring and sensitive children. Join us! What you’ll hear in this episode: Why a “conscious” parent educator? 13 Principles of Conscious Parenting (from Alfie Kohn) Behavior and Motives: Look UNDER the surface How we make kids be reactive The connection with our child is THE most important thing Children with unusual sensitivities Three areas to understand sensitive children: relationships, stress, and skills Explosive behavior and self-regulation Peace and mindfulness Noisy environments can be overwhelming Skill building Fixing stuff in my life Looking for signals What are they trying to tell me? Be who you are right now Resources: www.teachthroughlove.com TEACH through Love Facebook Page The Conscious Parent by Shefali Tsabary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to an amazing show with Amy McCready, back again for another conversation! Amy is the founder of Positive Parenting Solutions, which provides online training for parents of toddlers to teens. She was with us in Episode 10 when we discussed the Me, Me, Me Epidemic. Amy is the mother of two college-aged kids and is the author of If I Have to Tell You One More Time and The Me, Me, Me Epidemic. We’re talking about money, and how to encourage and empower kids in their sense of money. Join us! What you’ll hear in this episode: Most of us don’t have much training in money management! Four systems of money management and the problems with each: Money as needed Money as reward Money as payment No strings attached allowance The benefits to the “no strings attached” allowance Suggestions for allowances and kids’ finances Realistic budgeting for kids’ expenditures Tools to use to get kids to contribute around the house The difference in a chore and a contribution “When-Then” statements Family meetings: brainstorming solutions Loans and credit scores---for kids! Resources: www.positiveparentingsolutions.com Find Amy on Facebook, too! If I Have to Tell You One More Time by Amy McCready The Me, Me, Me Epidemic by Amy McCready Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What an honor to get to share the conversation I had with Grant Gibbs, the executive director of The Hippo Roller Water Project. From the website: "Designed in Africa for tough rural conditions, the durable Hippo Roller makes it extremely easy to collect up to 5x more water than a single bucket, by simply rolling it along the ground." Listen to the conversation, click the links below and find out how YOU can be a supporter of this important work. Where to find Hippo Roller: www.hipporoller.org l Facebook l Twitter Join the cause! Joyful Courage is joining the Hippo Roller team in their effort towards bringing 200 Hippo Rollers to Haiti. You can help too!! Head over to www.hipporoller.org/haiti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome! I’m excited to introduce you to my guest today! Sandy Blackard is an award-winning author and parenting coach. As the mother of two grown daughters, Sandy reached a frantic point in her own parenting challenges that led to the passion she has for helping parents acquire tools and tips that bring SUCCESS! She’s here to share her wisdom with us, so join us! What you’ll hear in this episode: How “play therapy” set Sandy on her course What does “Say what you see” really mean? Listening, interacting, and retraining how you see the world Name that strength Acknowledgement vs. Praise The transformation of a rule-breaker Powerlessness vs. perceived helplessness A child’s three basic needs: experience, connection, and power How to negotiate power struggles How to handle whining Downstairs and Upstairs Brain Modeling authenticity Aligning the child in their greatness What does “joyful courage” mean to you? “Courage comes when I’m facing a challenge. It’s a reminder of what’s waiting on the other side of the challenge.” Resources: www.languageoflistening.com Say What You See by Sandy Blackard Find Sandy on Facebook and Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome! My guest today is Nicole Schwarz, who joined me for Episode 39 about helping kids deal with negative self-talk. She is a parent coach, child and family therapist, and the founder of Imperfect Families. All of us parents are in some phase of that back-to-school transition time, so let’s hear Nicole’s thoughts on this subject! What you’ll hear in this episode: The nighttime routine: getting in the mindset of an earlier bedtime Essential family routines for back-to-school The power of shifting from “but” to “and” Urgency is contagious The importance of daily jobs for kids Why kids NEED to make their own lunch Homework: how parents can be supportive and available How to support rather than shame “The bad-kid cycle” How to stick with your kids through emotional blow-ups Why you can’t assume the problem OR the solution Resources: www.imperfectfamilies.com Find Nicole on Facebook (Imperfect Families), on Pinterest (Nicole Schwarz), and on Twitter (NicoleForFamilies) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week I am going a bit rouge and spending time talking about this whole "Intentional Parenting" thing I am throwing around all over town... I share thoughts and feedback from parents who dug deep in the #JoyfulCourage10 program and speak into the very human need for connection and meaning. Intentional parenting is about us, friends. It is about us managing our own baggage to show up better for our kids. Listen in and let me know if you have any questions! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome! My guest for today’s show is a friend of mine and a fellow Positive Discipline parent educator. Kelly Pfeiffer lives in South Carolina and has raised four kids in a blended family situation. After a divorce, she remarried a man with two children, which blended their family with kids of ages 15, 15, 13, and 12. Those children are now young adults, and Kelly has been a parent educator for the last 16 years. Today’s topics include positive discipline parenting tools, focusing on our discussion of “special time,” a way to guarantee one-on-one time with each child to maintain the vital parent-child connection. Join us! What you’ll hear in this episode: How Kelly was introduced to Positive Discipline: “Why do parents not know this?” Why having tools and a formula doesn’t guarantee an easy parenting road Variables in blending families The Special Time tool: how to present it to parents A magical connection between parent and child Kelly’s advice for Special Time: Plan it and put it on the calendar As much as possible, let it be child-led Incorporate non-competitive games Use bike rides, picnics, and other outdoor activities Limit distractions (Put away your cell phone!) Use bedtime routines Take advantage of time with a younger child when an older one has an activity Take advantage of time with an older child when a younger one needs to nap Have an older child help with dinner preparation How connection helps diffuse power struggles Tools to repair and recover from hurts Why parents need to say “I’m sorry” Don’t give up when a teen is resistant Ideas for saving Special Time money What does Joyful Courage mean to you? “Being courageous, feeling the fear, and doing it anyway---with JOY!” Resources: www.thinkitthroughparenting.com Find Kelly on Facebook and Twitter (@posdisparenting) Become a Positive Discipline Parent Educator at Kelly’s 2-day workshop in Greenville, SC, in October Email newsletter: Find out more and sign up for these parenting tools on Kelly’s website! Positive Discipline by Jane Nelson, Ed.D. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s guest is Sharon Ballantine! With 3 children to parent, she turned to books for help with parenting, but she never had the time to read and process the information in the books. So, with no other options available to her, she decided to rely on her own intuition and her own Internal Guidance System for parenting. She began using this technique and the law of attraction to manifest exactly what she wanted as a parent. In this episode, Sharon shares exactly how she made it all happen! Join us! Sharon Ballantine is a Parenting and Life Coach and Founder of the Ballantine Parenting Institute. Her book, The Art of Blissful Parenting, guides parents with practical as well as spiritual advice in raising their children. It also guides parents on how to get into alignment, discover and use their own IGS before they can teach their children. In this episode Sharon also discusses: How to find answers within yourself You have an internal guidance system that begins with your feelings Why leaving the room can help you get “in alignment” to parent Physical movement can be a tool to help bring you into a centered place of alignment Changing the subject that is causing stress and bad energy can cause a shift in energy The teenage years are the years of “personal discovery” Parents spend the teen years in fear mode and resort to using control Whoever a teenager is today is not their final destination. Be patient; they will change. Why we want to avoid making our children feel bad at all costs Staying centered will give you the coping skills to deal with any kind of crazy you have to deal with “This too shall pass” - it is true especially for teens Ways to deal with teen behavior that is harmful Focusing on the future and consequences of actions can allow a teen to take responsibility and look at the big picture How to support your child’s development of their Internal Guidance System Ways her failures as a parent contributed to finding her Internal Guidance System What joyful courage means to her and how it contributes to bliss Resources Mentioned on the Show: The Secret - Rhonda Byrne The Art of Blissful Parenting - Sharon Ballantine Connect with Sharon: Website - sharonballantine.com Facebook/sharonballantine Twitter/LifeCoachSB Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to an inspiring episode with my friend, Beth Caldwell. Beth is a mom of two, a former civil rights lawyer, and a blogger who lives in Seattle. In 2014, at age 37, Beth found a lump during a breast self-exam, which turned out to be metastatic cancer already in her bones. You’ll appreciate Beth’s genuine honesty about our topic today: as parents of young children, how do we deal with illness, trauma, death, and loss? What do we tell them? How much is TOO MUCH for them to handle? You don’t want to miss this conversation, so join us! What you’ll hear in this episode: Beth’s cancer journey from finding the lump until now The feedback from Beth’s frank and open blog: 99% positive Currently, her cancer is in her brain, right arm, and liver New breakthroughs with new drugs The worst part of chemo? Fatigue How to talk to kids with age appropriate language about cancer Don’t hide the truth: share what’s important for them to know Her son’s recent speech about advocacy for better research How to be open and create a safe space for their questions Be mindful: don’t live in fear and trauma Why Beth insists on “planning ahead” How cancer affects your spouse What does “joyful courage” mean to Beth? “Courage is not an absence of fear; it’s being afraid and doing it anyway.” Resources: www.cultofperfectmotherhood.com "The Cat is Out of the Bag" Beth's son finds out she will die of her cancer www.metup.org The Cancer that Wouldn’t Go Away by Hadassa Field I Still Just Want to Pee Alone (series by Jen Mann and others, including Beth!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jo Langford is a therapist and sex educator from Seattle, WA. Our conversation today will cover porn, social media ediquette, and sexting (yikes!). In a culture that is becoming ever more sexualized, how do we keep our kids safe and smart about what is out there? Joe and I have a very candid conversation about conversations to have with our children, while still maintaining relationship and family values. Highlights: Jo has two kids, a middle schooler and an almost middle schooler. He is living his work! He’s been changing the world and making it better since high school. Joe trains parents, teachers and staff of organizations such as the YMCA and the Boys and Girls Club. Harder for kids to NOT see porn, than it is to be ABLE to see it. Families are getting in touch with Joe because their 10-16 year old is looking at a lot of porn parents talk about it and child continues to engage in it. What conversations you can have with your kids when they are noticing all of the opportunities to see/look at porn. When you see porn you can never “un-see” it. Instead of “how do I keep my child from being exposed to porn?” today, we need to be asking, “how do I handle it when my child sees porn?” – this is the reality based on statistic Open conversations are key… Keep them talking, by practicing your neutral face and manage your own stuff when they come to you to have tough conversations. The message becomes “I can handle what you bring me, no matter what.” What happens in the brain? Kicks up the pleasure centers, big hit of dopamine… If they continue to watch, the brain gets desensitized and wants to get to the next level. Talk to kids about building boundaries around tech. Encourage them to have real relationships, how to unplug, how to manage friends/people who sext. Rules/guidelines around where the phone/screen lives at night… Don’t wait until you NEED the guidelines – put them into place now. “Monitoring” software that Joe recommends – builds muscles of restraint and self control when kids have some access while also knowing that parents will see where they go – “we are trying to raise good grown ups” Qustidio – controlled through wifi – put the browser on kids devices. Controls, time limits, helpful. Disney’s Circle – easy to use, hooks up to wifi, all devices get put into categories (grown ups, teens, kids) and put time limits on use, also over 3G. AWESOME! Best strategy is to put most of the ownership and responsibility on the kids. “Not about me trusting you, it’s about you showing that you are trustworthy.” Making agreements together is key to our kids follow through. The internet is forever! You leave a trail…. Grown ups are the models of what is appropriate/inappropriate – be good role models! Roll out the SM access, rather than giving kids full access from the beginning. Let them flex and develop their muscles. Get on the apps they want to use with them, let them teach you, normalize communicating with each other through this media. How do we help our kids deal with sexting? Statistically 20% - 30% of teens send pics, doubles when it is only “words” Girls sometimes start the behavior because they know the boys will respond. Joe advises the boys to respond with “this isn’t something you need to do… here are three things I like about you besides your boobs” – our girls are getting the wrong message about how to connect/get attention. Kids have less hangups about sex and seem to be more comfortable with their bodies, but there is an abyss they can tumble into – we want them to be more discerning and thoughtful about who they share that with. Developing a discerning mind… All about practice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome! My guest today is Debbie Reber, the founder of TiLT Parenting, an online destination and podcast. The website was the result of parenting a “differently-wired” child with neurological differences. She found it hard to find information and support for the challenges that parents face when ADHD, autism, and dyslexia are the diagnoses. Her family moved from Seattle to Amsterdam three years ago, where she homeschools Asher today. Debbie’s desire was to create a community and a podcast to give parental support and to help kids feel accepted, understood, and heard. Let’s learn more together! What you’ll hear in this episode: Preschool experiences: disruptive behavior and meltdowns Year-by- year education plan Assumptions that others make about ADHD & ODD Challenges of living in Amsterdam The Tilt Parenting Manifesto, based on true acceptance Atypical kids are everywhere—at least 20% of the population Why we don’t need the Shroud of Secrecy Ten Tilts to Shift the Game Amazing response from other parents The Vision? Shifting the whole parenting paradigm When options are limited for “normal” activities, like camp When normal strategies don’t work The benchmark mentality—usually by age 6 Using resources Become fluent in your child’s language The problem-solving approach, and tweaking and tweaking and tweaking Joy in the growth of the child Self-care for parents is important! Asher joins in on the podcast for special episodes! What does “joyful courage” mean to you? “Having peace and joy is something I want parents to have in their experience. It takes a lot of courage to show up and be vulnerable in your relationship with your child and to lean into it. Embrace what is and notice the little things that bring peace and happiness.” Resources: www.tiltparenting.com Connect on Debbie’s Facebook group also! The Gift of Failure by Jessica Lahey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

My guest today is Rebecca Michi, a children’s sleep consultant and mother of two daughters. In her work with families over the years, Rebecca found that sleep issues were a common problem. This realization led her to specialize on the subject and offer coaching help to many parents. I’m thrilled to get her insights into this issue—and( let’s be truthful),haven’t we all had some pull-our-hair-out moments? Whether you’re a brand new parent or the parent of teens, Rebecca has great tips to share. Join us! What you’ll hear in this episode: Temperaments and sleep patterns are unique to each person. Rebecca’s average client is 8 months old! Most children need help falling asleep and STAYING asleep. Her philosophy? Support parents in their parenting style Unique family dynamics Sleep: Why it’s a very basic need Sleeping “through the night” is usually defined as 5 consecutive hours AFTER midnight. “Good sleeper” or “bad sleeper” At bedtime, focus on relaxation and physically slowing down. Other bedtime routines can be singing songs, reading books, and quiet play. Negotiables and non-negotiables about bedtime Giving children SOME choices gives them healthy empowerment. Teens’ sleep patterns change (but they STILL need 8-9 hours!) Limit evening electronics and bright lights (use incandescent bulbs) Rebecca shares the guidelines for number of sleep hours needed, from ages 0-3 months to 13 years. It’s normal to wake 2-6 times each night. The goal for your child? The ability to get themselves back to sleep when waking Don’t make sleep or the bedroom a means of punishment! What does Joyful Courage mean to you? “It means going forward on your parenting journey, even when it’s unknown, and trying to enjoy it! Look at it in a positive way.” For more information visit our website here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I am THRILLED to have my friend, mentor and CO-CONSPIRATOR on the show today to talk about being women, mamas, and our middle school girl's workshop, GLAM CAMP 2016! Krista Petty Raimer is the founder of Boldly Embody Life and a beacon of lite and transformation to all who have the pleasure of crossing paths with her. Take a little time to listen in and hear what we are up to and consider what it means to be a caretaker of the daughter you have... :) Check out GLAM CAMP here!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome! My guest today is Sarah MacLaughlin, a compassion coach, child behavior decoder, parent educator, author, speaker, and warrior for kindness. Sounds like a busy woman, doesn’t she? There is more! She is also the mother of an eight-year-old and is a licensed social worker in Maine. Sarah was a guest for Episode 30, when she discussed Setting Limits. I’m so excited to have her back to help us make sense out of some of the troubling current events in our country. How do we raise our kids to treat ALL people with dignity and respect in the midst of a predominantly white culture? How are we raising our kids to make a better world? Join us for this important and timely conversation. What you’ll hear in this episode: The responsibility of parents today Stop talking and LISTEN! Making it all make sense to kids Implicit bias: What is it? Being rich vs. being wealthy Why we fear discomfort Our hierarchal society (it exists) Finding opportunities for diversity What’s NORMAL? The anti-bias classroom Why we can’t ignore US history Why being “colorblind” is NOT the answer Kids—they are ALWAYS watching! How to confront others and express your discomfort Is your home “whitewashed”? Resources: www.sarahmaclaughlin.com Use Sarah’s name to find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Love First: Parenting to Reduce Racism, Sexism, Homophobia and Other Forms of Hate, by Sarah MacLaughlin Laying the Groundwork for Acceptance and Inclusion, by Sarah MacLaughlin Talking to my White Child About Race, by Sarah MacLaughlin 40 Ways to Raise a Nonracist Child, by Barbara Mathias EDITORIAL: What I Said When My White Friend Asked For My black Opinion on White Privilege, by Lori Lakin Hutcherson Thoughts From A Middle Class White Mama, by Casey O'Roarty White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack by Peggy McIntosh Another Round podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices