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Your Parenting On Purpose Toolbox

This is where I share weekly tools and strategies to help support you both as a parent, and in living your best life — so you can be an example of what's possible for your kids.

Feel free to browse or find what you need in the categories in the right-hand column.  I hope this inspires you, and by all means: COMMENT. I'm always open to feedback.

When you feel like you're failing as a parent... Oct 02, 2023

As parents, we all take pride when other people tell us that our children are great kids…  and that they are so well behaved.  It makes us feel good, and we tend to make that mean that we’ve done a good job as a parent.

But what about when they “misbehave”?  Especially if you are out in public with an unruly child, do you worry about what other people might think?  Do you...

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The KEY To Effective Parenting Sep 25, 2023

As a parent, when your kids are whining, fighting, or not listening — do you find yourself ending up irritated, frustrated, or even angry?  Let’s face it, our kids can be very frustrating at times, and they can bring out the worst in us.

Unfortunately, the more annoyed and frustrated we get at our kids, the less effective we become as a parent. When I ask parents how they respond when they’re...

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Helping kids recover from a bad day at school Sep 18, 2023

Kids are faced with all sorts of different challenges at school and can come home with a multitude of different emotions and moods at the end of the day.  When it's a good day, we are so happy to celebrate with them.  But when kids have a bad day at school and are struggling through challenges, what do you do as a parent?  Is your first instinct to try to help solve it or fix their feelings so they can...

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Using Connection To Prevent After-School Meltdowns Sep 13, 2023

Do you have a child that is an angel at school but turns into a hot mess as soon as they walk in the door at the end of the day?  If this sounds familiar, it’s because it’s so common that it actually has a name — after-school restraint collapse — as coined by parent educator Andrea Loewen Nair.  

This is an issue that I often run into with the parents I work with.  Kids that...

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Dealing with End of School Day Moods & Meltdowns Aug 31, 2023

With kids going back to school, do you wonder what mood they’re going to come home in at the end of the day and nervous about what you’re going to get?

When kids are little, most parents dread the “witching” hour that often happened later in the day.  As parents, we often want to wind down as the day goes on — but late afternoon to early evening is often when children are extra...

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Back-To-School Plan For Success Aug 23, 2023

Is your child excited about the upcoming school year, are they a bundle of nerves, or are they dreading going back to school?  If you have a child entering a new stage at school or a  first-time college-bound teen they are likely experiencing a mix of all three!  Your child could be excited to see friends, but nervous about a new teacher, new sport or activities, or having schoolwork and homework again.

...
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Dealing With Back-To-School Worries Aug 17, 2023

Do you have a child that’s nervous about going back to school?  Even when kids are excited, each year is new and unknown which can bring up back to school jitters and worries for many kids.  As parents, how we handle our child being nervous can have a major impact so it’s something that I coach and teach around often this time of year.

I invite you to take a minute and think about your typical...

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Preparing kids for school and new situations Aug 10, 2023

Do you have a child that struggles when they’re faced with new situations?  Kids that struggle with big emotions also tend to struggle when dealing with new situations, and they can get testy and anxious as they get closer to going back to school.  

Although it may seem like going back to school is a way out, if you have a child that struggles with change I highly recommend that you start preparing...

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Understanding kids that struggle with change Aug 04, 2023

Do you have a child that struggles with new situations or change? While some kids embrace new situations and look forward to them with excitement, others can resist change, and get testy and anxious as upcoming changes get closer.  Every child is wired differently, and it’s not uncommon to have one child breeze through new situations while the other struggles.  

I say this from personal experience...

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Find your best way to parent Jul 26, 2023

Do you struggle figuring out the best way to parent?  Do you read articles and books, listen to podcasts, and talk to other parents looking for the best way to address challenges with your kids? 

In last week’s article I covered how perfect parenting is never the goal.  There is also no one best way to parent, because every child and every family is different.  

You are never going to be...

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Perfect parenting is never the goal Jul 19, 2023

Do you beat yourself up when you have your own BIG feelings or lose it in front of your kids?

Please trust me when I share that you are NOT alone.  Many parents come to me because they don’t like who they are when they are with their kids.  I let them know up front that I can help them, but I’m also adamant that perfect parenting is NEVER the goal nor should it be.

If your kids never see you get...

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Using Summer Routines to Address Behavior Issues Jul 13, 2023

Are you sick of all the schedules and routines by the end of the school year, and looking forward to more carefree summer days?  I remember being excited when the school year finally ended.  I was so happy not having to get up and pack lunches and snacks every morning, or run around after school to activities and sports.  But as the summer continued, the lack of routine would start to drive me crazy...

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