Does your child struggle with BIG feelings, and are their emotions all-consuming?   Are your child's emotions unpredictable — keeping you on edge because you're unsure how to parent through it or what to do? You are not alone.  Parenting kids through big feelings can be hard and scary.  Many parents find it either maddening or anxiety-provoking — and some parents find it a mixture of both and more.

I have parents telling...

How do you typically respond when your child is dysregulated, melting down, and out of control?  This is a challenge for many parents I coach, and I find that parents typically respond in one of two ways.  Some parents get frustrated themselves and respond with threats or by yelling.  Other parents respond by trying to negotiate, bribe, or convince their child to calm down.  I find that very few parents know how to set an...

What would you tell me if I asked you how good you are at implementing and maintaining boundaries?  Most parents I work with know that boundaries are important, but they struggle to establish them and then consistently and effectively maintain them.  I help them understand why kids need boundaries and how they are essential to your parenting toolbox to help equip your child for successfully navigating through life.

Let’s...

Do you have a child who avoids homework or has difficulty getting started?   Getting kids to do homework can cause headaches and battles for many parents, and many parents can think that their kids aren’t motivated, aren’t behaving, or are being downright defiant.

However, some kids' brains are wired differently, and they don’t get enough dopamine or blood flow, so their brains are understimulated. As a result, they will...

Do you have a child who avoids homework or has difficulty getting started?   Getting kids to do homework can cause headaches and battles for many parents, and many parents can think that their kids aren’t motivated, aren’t behaving, or are being downright defiant.

However, some kids' brains are wired differently, and they don’t get enough dopamine or blood flow, so their brains are understimulated. As a result, they will...

Do you find yourself dealing with homework battles or struggles with your child? You're not alone. Many parents face the same struggles when their child avoids or fights homework. It's a common issue that can cause both frustration and concern.

You may be frustrated, thinking that your child is not motivated, disciplined, or downright defiant…  or you may find yourself nervous and concerned, trying to convince them that ...

Do you struggle to get your child to tell you about how their day went and what happened at school?  First, please know that you’re not alone!  This is an issue for many parents as many kids aren’t talkers.  Some kids are, and they tell you everything, including things you would rather not know.  These parents often wish they could get their kids to stop talking so the grass is not always greener on the other side!

For p...

As parents, we all know that reading to our children is important, but did you know that you can help your child learn other lessons and helpful skills through reading?  Studies have been done with children as young as 18-24 months, finding that parents were able to help teach their children to help and share through reading.  When using books to help your child learn lessons and skills, the key is how you read to them.

For most kids, each new school year means getting to know a new teacher and getting used to different social dynamics within the classroom. This may not cause issues for outgoing and flexible kids, but it can make for a difficult start to the new school year for children who struggle developmentally, socially, and academically.

One way to help your kids have a successful start to the year is to prepare a quick and helpfu...

Is your child anxious about school or starting a new activity?  Each new school year means new teachers, different social dynamics, and new things to learn. With so many things being new and unknown, it’s normal for a child to be anxious. As parents, how we handle our child’s anxiety can have a significant impact, so I coach and teach around it often this time of year.

I invite you to pause and think about your typical r...

Is your child starting school soon?  Kids can experience a wide range of feelings, from anxiety to excitement over the first day of school.  Heightened emotions in any direction will affect your child’s ability to control their impulses and their behavior, but there are things that you can do to help calm their nervous system and prepare them for a good first day of school.

What to do the night before:

Work on having a ...

Are you looking forward to your kids returning to school? It’s that time of year when we all start thinking about kids going back to school, and I do a lot of coaching on how to help kids prepare for the transition.

Here are a couple of things I recommend you do in the two weeks leading up to the first day of school:

Start using your child’s school bed and wake-up times. 
Children often go to bed and get up later in the...