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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.

The #1 Reason Why Kids Don't Cooperate kid's developing brains parenting tips Oct 20, 2022

Do you often find yourself in a battle of wills with your kids and wish they would cooperate more easily?  When this happens I hear parents describing their kids as stubborn, difficult, obstinate, or even defiant.  They tell me that their kids know better and that they don’t understand why their kids don’t simply do what they’re supposed to.  These parents are usually frustrated, and at...

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When Holding Boundaries Feels Mean Oct 13, 2022

Does the thought of holding a boundary make you feel mean or insensitive?  Do you find yourself holding boundaries from a place of anger or punishment?  If either of these is true for you, then you’re not using boundaries effectively and not getting the results you want with your kids.

In my last article, I reviewed three reasons why boundaries are important for kids: They help kids feel safe and...

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Why it's important for kids to have boundaries Sep 30, 2022

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.  While boundaries can be difficult, they are an essential tool to have in your parenting toolbox to help equip your child for successfully navigating the demands...

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Why Punishment Doesn't Work kid's developing brains parenting tips raising kids Sep 22, 2022

As parents, we want to teach our kids appropriate behaviors to help them best navigate through life, but what’s the best way to go about correcting our kids for hitting, yelling, or throwing a fit when they don’t get their way?    These types of behaviors can trigger us as parents, and we may respond by putting our kids in a timeout, taking away privileges, or yelling and throwing a fit...

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What To Do When Your Kids Complain & How To Stay Connected parenting tips Sep 15, 2022

Do you find that when your kids complain about something or share something that didn’t go well your first instinct is to help them find a solution or at least a positive perspective?  I’ve had a lot of those moments myself lately, so I’ve been able to see how my responses affect whether I’m able to stay connected to my kids or if they end up more frustrated and then distance themselves. I...

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Teaching Kids To Help And Share Through Reading emotional management intentional parenting parenting tips Sep 08, 2022

As parents we all know that reading to our children is important, but did you know that you can help your child develop empathy for others and learn other lessons through reading?  Studies have been done with children as young as 18-24 months, finding that parents were able to help teach their children about helping and sharing through reading.  To teach your kids to help and share through reading, the key...

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Plan for a successful school year by planting intentional thoughts Aug 31, 2022

Is your child excited about the upcoming school year, are they a bundle of nerves, or are they dreading going back to school?  I have a first-time college-bound teen experiencing a mix of emotions so it’s possible that you might have that too. Your child could be excited to see friends, but nervous about a new teacher, new sport or activities, or having schoolwork and homework again.

As parents, we can...

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Send Kids To School With Courage confident kids parenting tips raising kids Aug 18, 2022

Is your child nervous about going back to school?  Even when kids are excited, each year brings some new unknowns which can cause some anxiety.  How we guide our kids through that anxiety is key, and is an area that I address with every parent that I coach.

I invite you to take a minute and think about your typical response when your child is hesitant of facing a new situation.  Is your first...

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Why Kids Act Out Before Transitions kid's misbehavior parenting tips raising kids Aug 11, 2022

Do you find that your kids start to act irrationally in the weeks leading up to a major change or transition?  If your child starts to react or blow up over seemingly small things that aren’t typically a problem before an upcoming change — and you’re left wondering what in the world has gotten into them —  know that it’s completely normal and nothing has gone wrong.

...

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I don't like how my partner parents! When you have different parenting styles... intentional parenting parenting tips Aug 04, 2022

Do you think your parenting partner is too strict, or too lenient?  We all have opinions about the best way to parent, and it’s not uncommon to disagree with our partners about how to raise and discipline our kids.  But we can run into a problem when we are parenting in response to our partner, spouse, or co-parent — and then end up too far in the opposite direction.

This was an issue that I...

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Change Your Focus To Help Your Kids Thrive confident kids parenting tips raising kids Jul 28, 2022

As a parent, do you spend more time focused on your child’s negative behavior that concerns you — or do you focus on helping your child develop skills that will help them thrive?  If you’re like most parents I coach (myself included!), you tend to focus on what you want your kids to stop or what you think they need to improve.

Before you have any self-recriminating thoughts, know that there is...

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Appreciate Yourself As A Parent Jul 21, 2022

How often do you appreciate your efforts and celebrate yourself as a parent, or as a human?  If you’re like most of my clients, you spend a great deal more of your time looking at what you’re doing wrong or where you’re not measuring up than you do celebrating and appreciating yourself for all that you give and do.

We celebrate so much for our children when they are little — learning...

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