What happens when empathizing with your child seems to backfire? Should we apologize when they have big feelings? Is it possible that our efforts to validate their feelings might actually increase their frustration? Today, I'm joined by Nandini, a passionate mom to a 7-year-old daughter. Nandini shares her experiences and parenting dilemmas, sparking an enlightening conversation about the delicate balance of validation, empathy, and responsibility. We explore why children might react negatively to our attempts at empathy and the importance of not taking their responses personally.

In This Episode:

• When empathy frustrates instead of calms
• Validating feelings without personalizing blame
• Holding space for children's emotional outbursts
• Creative ways to foster connection
• The unintentional consequences of over-apologizing

🔗 Interested in group or 1:1 Coaching? Book a Discovery Call today.

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Are you fighting an uphill battle with your child's “defiance”? What if defiance wasn’t something to squash but an invitation to connect? Today, I’m turning the traditional parenting playbook on its head and exploring how to respond compassionately to our kids when they push back.

Often, when our kids push back, we instinctively react with frustration, viewing their refusal as disrespectful or unkind. However, what if small changes in our approach could lead to significant improvements? Instead of using consequences or bribes, we could invite cooperation naturally through play or empathy.

In This Episode:

• Why “defiance” isn’t what it seems
• Transforming chores into bonding moments
• How patience can encourage cooperation
• Choosing empathy over punishment in conflict
• Building connection through playful approaches

🔗 Join my Connected Parent Mastermind, designed for parents who want to strengthen their connection with their children, experience more love, and reduce frustration.

🔗 Interested in group or 1:1 Coaching? Book a Discovery Call today.

💌 Enjoy today’s episode? Please share it with a fellow parent or leave a rating and a review.

📖 Check out my book UNPUNISHED!

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What if the journey to better parenting starts with accepting our imperfections? In this week's episode, I have a heartfelt conversation with one of my listeners as we explore the emotional process of reparenting ourselves while we raise our children.

Pavlina, a dedicated mother striving to balance her own healing process wants to be more present for her two-and-a-half-year-old daughter. She faces the challenge of overcoming avoidance parenting, a tendency rooted in her upbringing, and aims to create a nurturing, playful environment for her child. We explore the delicate balance of empathy, self-acceptance, and the joy of connection in parenting.

In This Episode:

• Combating avoidance parenting tendencies
• Navigating emotional triggers from your own childhood
• Incorporating empathy into daily interactions
• The impact of striving for perfection
• Cultivating joy and playfulness in parenting

🔗 Interested in group or 1:1 Coaching? Book a Discovery Call today.

💌 Enjoy today’s episode? Please share it with a fellow parent or leave a rating and a review.

📖 Check out my book UNPUNISHED!

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Episode Description:

Are you torn between teaching your child to stand up for themselves and maintaining respect? It’s a struggle many of us face, but what if we allowed our kids the space to practice—even if they don’t get it right the first time?

Today on Peace and Parenting I dive head first into a topic many parents wrestle with: Can we truly let our children stand up for themselves if we always require them to be respectful? Parenting is messy, and kids need space to make mistakes as they learn important life skills. By giving them a safe place to practice expressing themselves, especially when it’s uncomfortable for us, our children can grow into empowered, confident adults.

In This Episode:

• Kids learning to stand up for themselves
• The balance between free will and respect
• Why it’s okay for kids to “get it wrong”
• Allowing space for self-expression and mistakes
• Parenting from a place of empathy, not control
• How to be a safe space for your child’s growth

🔗 Interested in group or 1:1 Coaching? Book a Discovery Call today.

💌 Enjoy today’s episode? Please share it with a fellow parent or leave a rating and a review.

📖 Check out my book UNPUNISHED!

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What happens when the family you imagined doesn’t turn out the way you planned? How do you navigate single parenting while ensuring your children thrive in both homes? Today is a heartfelt episode where I sit down with Beth, a fellow single mom, to discuss the challenges and triumphs of raising kids post-divorce, co-parenting, and creating a nurturing environment without letting conflict define the journey.

As a mother of two teens and someone who’s experienced the highs and lows of divorce, I share with Beth some personal insights on how empathy has been the cornerstone of my parenting approach. Together, we talk about the pain of missing out on moments in our children's lives and how to handle those difficult emotions while staying connected to our kids.

No matter where you are in your parenting journey—whether newly separated or a seasoned single parent—this episode offers a compassionate perspective on creating a supportive, loving environment for your children, even when the family structure changes.

In This Episode:

• Navigating single parenting post-divorce
• Importance of empathy in co-parenting
• Managing emotions when kids are with your ex
• How to handle missing out on special moments
• Using play as a tool for emotional release

🔗 Interested in group or 1:1 Coaching? Book a Discovery Call today.

💌 Enjoy today’s episode? Please share it with a fellow parent or leave a rating and a review.

📖 Check out my book UNPUNISHED!

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Is your child acting out, biting, or hitting their sibling despite your best efforts? What if the problem isn’t defiance but disconnection? Today I talk about a family I worked with recently who struggled to raise a strong-willed child. They had tried everything: timeouts, punishments, and rewards, but nothing worked to stop the aggression.

As I dive into this family's journey, I explain why punitive measures often backfire and how shifting focus toward connection can create the change we’re all looking for. I share with you how I guided this family to stop using threats and start using special time and empathy. You'll hear the small but powerful steps that led to a transformation, both for the child and the family dynamic.

In This Episode:

• Punishments worsen aggression, not solve it
• Connection as the foundation of behavior change
• The power of empathy and special time
• How to stop sibling rivalry from escalating
• Shifting from punitive measures to understanding
• The importance of removing shame from discipline

🔗 Interested in group or 1:1 Coaching? Book a Discovery Call today.

💌 Enjoy today’s episode? Please share it with a fellow parent or leave a rating and a review.

📖 Check out my book UNPUNISHED!

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Are you tired of the traditional school system stifling your child’s natural curiosity? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to trust your child to lead their own learning journey?

Today, I am joined by Leah McDermott, a homeschooling expert and advocate for unschooling. Leah shares her personal journey, starting as a rigid, homeschooled child and how she transitioned into a more flexible, child-led approach to education. We discuss the emotional and practical challenges of unschooling, including how societal fears and conditioning can make it difficult to trust our children to learn at their own pace.

If you’re curious about how unschooling works in real life or how to foster a deeper relationship with your kids, this episode is a must-listen.

In This Episode:

• Shifting from homeschooling to unschooling
• How schools disconnect kids from curiosity
• Trusting children’s natural ability to learn
• Overcoming societal fears around unschooling
• Why connected parenting and unschooling overlap
• Creating a safe space for independent learning

🔗 Check out Your Natural Learner

🔗 Follow Leah on Instagram: @yournaturallearner, @bridgeacademy.us

🔗 Interested in group or 1:1 Coaching? Book a Discovery Call today.

💌 Enjoy today’s episode? Please share it with a fellow parent or leave a rating and a review.

📖 Check out my book UNPUNISHED!

Follow Peace and Parenting:

YouTube: @peaceandparentingla

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Are you worried about your child’s safety on social media? It's easy to jump to the idea of banning electronics, parties, or risky behaviors altogether, but do restrictions really protect them? Today i open up a can of worms as I tackle the tough topic of social media and explore a different approach to keeping our kids safe.

In This Episode:

• Should you restrict social media completely?
• Why strong connections reduce risky behavior
• Handling tricky situations like parties and curfews
• Balancing autonomy with guidance for teens
• Creating open dialogue around social media usage

🔗 Interested in group or 1:1 Coaching? Book a Discovery Call today.

💌 Enjoy today’s episode? Please share it with a fellow parent or leave a rating and a review.

📖 Check out my book UNPUNISHED!

Follow Peace and Parenting:

YouTube: @peaceandparentingla

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Facebook: @peaceandparentingla

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