LIKING the people you LOVE

"Speak to your children as if they are the wisest, kindest, most beautiful and magical humans on earth, for what they believe is what they will become." -Brooke Hampton

I believe in this principle! I believe the words we speak to our children are powerful!

I also believe the words we speak to ourselves are powerful.

Here is a link for the talk by Elder Rasband.

And here is a link to my book: "The Power of a Faithful Mother"

Did you know that the way you are telling the story of 2024 may impact your experience of 2025?

Most of us don't realize that the way we choose to tell the story of the past has a big impact on how we live in the future.

Tune in today to learn how and why you should be more intentional in the way you think about your past. 

If you know me at all, you know that I am NOT a perfectionist.

I don't believe that the common definitions of "perfect" are supposed to apply to humans at all.

Today I'm going to introduce you to the definition of perfect that I use. It's a definition that feels totally do-able, and keeps me feeling optimistic and moving forward.

The quote I share is from Orson Whitney, found on the Church of Jesus Christ website.

'Tis the season for peace. At least, 'tis the season we really crave peace, right?

With so much of the world in chaos, we want our homes and our hearts to be at peace.

Today I have some tips for you that will help you create the peace you are seeking, no matter what is going on around you.

Merry Christmas! 

Today's episode is all about how to feel less frustration and more joy over the holidays when you have adult children in the mix.

I'm sharing three tips that have really helped in my home:

-Let traditions change

-Invite, but don't demand

-Communication!

The book I mentioned is The Power of Moments by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

In today's timely episode, we're talking about how to deal with tricky situations around the holidays.

We'll talk about healthy boundaries, and when and how to set them.

Today I'm answering a question from a listener. She's in a difficult situation, with an adult child who is angry about the way she was raised.

I thought it was a great topic to address because it's a common one.

Sometimes as our children are trying to make sense of their world, they decide that their parents are causing their unhappiness.

Today's episode will talk about why this happens and what we can do if it does.

Today I'm answering a question from a listener. She's in a difficult situation, with an adult child who is angry about the way she was raised.

I thought it was a great topic to address because it's a common one.

Sometimes as our children are trying to make sense of their world, they decide that their parents are causing their unhappiness.

Today's episode will talk about why this happens and what we can do if it does.

It's been said that worry doesn't take away tomorrow's troubles. It only robs us of today's peace.

The general consensus is that worry isn't useful, and that we shouldn't waste our mental energy worrying.

But to me that doesn't seem totally realistic.

When I care about someone, I want to spend some mental energy thinking about them, praying for them, and figuring out how I can best love and serve them.

So today we're going to talk about when our "worry" is unhealthy or unproductive, and how to redirect our thoughts to be more helpful and productive.

The youtube video that I talk about is here.

We are promised in the scriptures that miracles will follow them that believe.

If you feel like you could use a miracle or two in your life, this episode is for you.

Talk from President Nelson here.

Today's episode is a reminder that you get to choose where you focus your attention.

If you don't choose on purpose, your brain will likely choose the path of negativity.

I'm using examples from my own life to help you become more aware of what you're choosing, and to give you some other options.

This episode is not about what you think it is about.

It has nothing to do with what your body looks like on the outside.

It has everything to do with how you connect with Heaven.

Living in Revelation by Elder David A. Bednar

The title of this episode should probably come with a *wink, wink.

Listen, if I knew the secret to making our kids do exactly what we want them to do, I'd sell it and be a millionaire.

But that isn't really how it works, and it's not actually the plan.

We don't have the power to control other people. Even small people.

So asking how we can "fix" our kids' behaviors is not really the right question to be asking.

A better question is "Who do I want to be when my kid is behaving this way?"

Today's episode is inspired by President Russell M. Nelson's most  recent general conference talk.

I also refer to his talk from 2016 entitled "Joy and Spiritual Survival."

It is a reminder that the best is yet to come for the world as a whole, and also for you personally!

Quote by Madeiline L'Engle:

"We do not draw people to Christ by loudly discrediting what they believe, by telling them how wrong they are and how right we are, but by showing them a light that is so lovely that they want with all their hearts to know the source of it."

Today's episdoe is intended to help you feel peaceful about your parenting efforts, even if your child has not mastered everything you have taught.

I have three things for you to keep in mind:

1. Parenting is a work of planting seeds
2. Waiting counts as work
3. We have plenty of time

A Home Where the Spirit of the Lord Dwells by Henry B. Eyring

My old blog post here.

When life gets confusing or overwhelming, it's always good to go back to the basics, and make sure the most important things are taken care of first.

The same is true in parenting. When things get confusing or overwhelming and you don't know what to do, it may be time to take a break from all the correcting you're trying to do and go back to the basics.

How is your connection with that child? Is your relationship good enough that their heart is open to your help?

Today I'm sharing a few things that have been helpful for me in improving my relationships with kids in difficult stages.

Book I reference: The Power of Moments

Today I'm sharing a less-than-stellar parenting moment I had recently.

I'm also sharing the tool that I use to turn those moments into valuable, relationship building moments.

HOPE day tickets here

As covenant women and mothers in Zion, we have an important work to do.

And though our work can sometimes be exhausting and discouraging, we know that our efforts really matter.

Today I'm sharing three bits of advice to you as you evaluate how you are spending your time and energy.

1. Don't judge your success by your children's behavior
2. Don't believe the adversary when he tries to get you down
3. Some efforts are more important than others

Links that I mentioned in the episode:

HOPE day  Oct. 12, 2024

"The Power of a Faithful Mother" by Christi Davis 

Today I'm talking about what I consider a perfect combination for teenagers to grow and thrive: doing hard things while having a close relationship with a parent who acts as a mentor.

If that isn't the kind of relationship you have, I'll offer you three tips to improve your connection:

1. Have confidence in them
2. Give less advice and ask more questions
3. Be more fun!

Here are the links to ALL the things I mentioned in the episode:

HOPE day  code: CHRISTI

Amplify Through Christ retreat

"A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" by Donald Miller

"Hold on to Your Kids" by Gordon Neufeld

My website :)

Just hopping on to give you a quick update on what's going on in my life right now, and to explain why I'm taking August off of podcasting.

I also share an experience I had recently that was a reminder that Heavenly Father cares about the details of our lives.

If you're interested in either of the retreats I mentioned, here are the links to check them out:

Hope Day- Oct. 12th, Logan, UT

Amplify Through Christ- Oct. 24-26, Kansas City, MO

Just in case you have a large family gathering coming up...

Today I'm sharing a few tips to help you not just endure your reunions, but actually enjoy them.

Details about the HOPE DAY retreat here.

In honor of my 28th anniversary, today I'm sharing ten things I've learned about marriage.

I'm also sharing some reasons I love being married to Jeff.

My hope is that this episode will invite you to think about all the good things in your own marriage! 

In honor of my 28th anniversary, today I'm sharing ten things I've learned about marriage.

I'm also sharing some reasons I love being married to Jeff.

My hope is that this episode will invite you to think about all the good things in your own marriage! 

This is unusual for me. 

I almost never feel the need to talk publicly about issues that feel political or contentious.

But today I feel inspired to share my thoughts about Pride month, and the way we think about LGBTQ issues.

I hope this episode will inspire more love and understanding in our family relationships, as well as our church community.

Here are the resources I mention in the episode:

Listen, Learn and Love by Richard Ostler

Without the Mask by Charlie Bird

When I suggest acceptance, sometimes clients think I mean that they should just give up and allow any and all behaviors.

That is not at all what I'm suggesting!

Listen in today to figure out why learning to accept our present reality is the first step toward creating the result you want.

If you want a review of "the Model," you can listen to episode 26.

Today I have a big announcement, and a sweet reminder for you.

The talk I reference was "Jesus Christ is the Strength of Parents" by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf.

Sometimes as parents I think we get it backwards.

We focus on changing our kids behaviors without really understanding their hearts.

Today's episode is a reminder that behavior is always an outward sign of something going on inside.

If we really want to influence our children, we need to get to the heart of the matter.

Faith Matters episode "Come as You Are."

This is a classic question in my house-used heavily when Caleb lived at home.

Today we're talking about learning to zoom out and ask ourselves "What is the Point?" It's a way to broaden our perspective and help us stay focused on the things that really matter.

The point of life is to gain experience that will help us grow in wisdom and become more like our Heavenly Father.

The point of parenting is to use our influence to point our children to Jesus Christ.

The point of family relationships is JOY.

Click here to purchase my online course "Love at Home."

Or if you would like to talk to me personally, click this link to set up a free consultation.

Today's episode is inspired by a talk I heard at BYU Women's Conference this year.

I'm talking about the power we have as mothers to speak possibility into the hearts of our children, and all those around us.

Quote from C.S. Lewis:

"It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest, most uninteresting person you can talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship."

This is the fourth episode in the series of interviewing my own kids.

Josh is 21 years old, and has been through a lot.

Heads up: we talk about some heavy things in this episode, including substance use and thoughts of suicide.

I'm just so proud of him for how far he's come, and for his courage to tell his story.

Heavenly Father has designed a wonderful plan that includes learning and growing by our own experience.

Part of that plan includes the natural process of maturing.

Just as we cannot force a plant to grow before it's ready, there are some things we cannot teach our children before they are mature enough to understand.

Sometimes we, in our enthusiasm to be good parents, feel the need to teach every little thing using a system of rewards and punishments.

But the truth is that, if we provide the right kind of environment, maturity happens quite naturally.

Link to my book is here.

It's no secret that being a mother is a demanding job.

But there is one thing that I've observed will get mothers feeling frustrated, overwhelmed and resentful faster than anything else: trying to control the wrong things.

In today's episode we'll identify some of the things that are not your job to control, and we'll talk about the one thing that is always yours to control.

That thing is, in fact, your most important job.

Link to my book here.

I find myself lately in a bit of a slump.

It's not the first, and I know it won't be the last.

So today's episode is kinda for you, but kinda for me.

I'm sharing some of my tried and true strategies for getting through a slump in as healthy of a way as possible.

Chances are, you're aware of some controversy surrounding the recent general Relief Society broadcast, and some things posted on the church's Instagram page.

For me, it has been a good catalyst for personal reflection.

How do I feel about these issues? What is my experience as a woman in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

How can I use these questions as an opportunity to deepen my faith?

This episode is my response to the controversy.

Some conference talks I reference in the episode:

Spiritual Treasures  by Russell M. Nelson

A Plea to my Sisters   by Russell M. Nelson

This is another one of those super fun (for me) episodes where I interview my kids.

Today you'll meet Savannah.

She is 24 years old, about to graduate from BYU, and is a single mom to 1 year old Marceline.

She is strong and courageous and compassionate. I look up to her so much!

I think you'll love this conversation with Savannah.

Did you realize that it's an option to not have an opinion about some things?

Not only is it possible, it's a really valuable skill to have!

Today we'll talk about when, why, and how to use "no opinion" as a tool to lower stress and improve relationships. 

The scripture I chose for my mission plaque is still a favorite:

D&C 58:27-28 "Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves."

If we want to truly be agents unto ourselves, if we want to really maiximize the gift of agency, then it is important that we know what we really want, and that we choose to do the things that will help us to get there. 

It is equally important that we don't allow ourselves to get trapped in a mentality of victim-hood and resentment. We must take full responsibility for what we are choosing AND for the reasons behind what we choose.

I recently went to Hawaii with my family for vacation.

And guess what I learned? 

Even in paradise, my family isn't perfect. HA!

There is no such thing as an ideal family, unless we change our definition of what that means. 

Having my son Caleb on the podcast was so much fun, I have decided to bring on as many of my children as I can.

Today's conversation is with my oldest daughter Becca, who is just an incredible person.

We're talking about her memories of our home as she was growing up; about what worked and what didn't.

She has some pretty great insights.

Sometimes when life feels heavy, we WANT to turn our burdens over to the Lord, but we just don't know how.

I created this guided meditation as a tool to help you release some of the negative emotions that you may be carrying around.

If you hate meditating, you can just skip this one ;)

But for me, practicing meditation has been a game changer in learning to still my heart and my mind and connect with God in a whole new way.

Being a human has never been easy.

And with the world as chaotic and noisy as it is these days, it makes sense that sometimes life can feel overwhelming.

Thankfully, God has not left us alone.

Through His spirit and the words of His prophets, He has given us tools for thriving in these "latter days."

We know what to do when life feels heavy.

Here are the talks I reference in the episode:

"Joy and Spritual Survival" by Russell M. Nelson

"Happiness, Your Heritage" by Deiter F. Uchtdorf

"Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives" by Russell M. Nelson

Today we're talking about the gift of "interpretation of tongues," but not in the way you're probably thinking.

All of us hear peoples' words or observe their actions, and we make it mean something. If we leave our brains unsupervised, our interpretations can often be unhelpful.

Being intentional in how we interpret the words of others is a gift we can cultivate. 

It's a skill that helps us develop charity and creates better relationships.

Moroni 7:45 

Maybe it's my age, but I find it hard to remember things sometimes. Even really important things.

Apparently, Laman and Lemuel had the same problem.

We have been counseled many times in the scriptures to remember. 

In today's episode, we're talking about why that is really important counsel for faithful parents.

Henry B. Eyring's talk here.

Sign up for a free ministering session here.

"Blessed are the flexible, for they will not be bent out of shape."       -Anonymous

Today we're talking about the valuable skill of flexibility in parenting.

Why is it so important, and why is it so hard??

Also... go check out my new website HERE

I don't know if your kids are like mine, but when they become teenagers they hate all of my ideas. 

If they know I want them to do something, they will often choose the exact opposite.

How, then, are we supposed to encourage them to set goals? 

How do we help them progress if they tune out every suggestion?

I have 3 tips for you today that I think will help.

Sometimes the Christmas season gets to be so busy and so stressful that we forget to be still and spend time with the Savior.

This is a guided meditation I've posted here before.

It's one that I love to use every year at this time.

Think of it as my personal Christmas gift to you!

Life seems to be a lot about waiting.

We don't seem to have much of a choice about that.

What we DO have a choice about, is HOW we wait.

In today's episode I'm talking about learning to wait in a higher, holier way.

It's possible for waiting to be restful, or even joyful!

Here are some of the scriptures I mention in the episode:

Luke 21:19

Psalm 37:7

D&C 98:1-3

Jacob 5

D&C 133:45

This episode may be a bit of a pep talk to myself.

I KNOW that we are free to choose our mindset, but I'm currently having to work really hard to keep from getting stuck in stress and overwhelm.

Today I'm using some examples from my own life to model how to  intentionally shift your mindset.

Sometimes the most important relationships in life are the hardest to get right.

Never is that reality more blatant than at the holiday season, where we spend lots of time with our extended families.

Today I have three tips for you that will make your time with family feel so much better.

The episode I mention about setting boundaries with adults can be found here.

Today we're talking about the magic that happens when we combine the emotions of gratitude and wonder.

"You will never be happier than you are grateful." Gary B. Sabin

Quote by Deiter F. Uchtdorf here.

Book a free consultation session with Christi here.

To continue our conversation about living joyfully, today's episode is all about charity.

See Moroni 7:44-48

To schedule a free consultation session, click here.

We can't possibly live joyfully without hope!

Today's episode is about hope as a commandment, a tool, a skill and a blessing.

Quote from Henry B. Eyring

"My promise to you is one that a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles once made to me. I had said to him that because of choices some in our extended family had made, I doubted that we could be together in the world to come. He said, as well as I can remember, "You are worrying about the wrong problem. You just live worthy of the celestial kingdom, and the family arrangements will be more wonderful than you can imagine."

Link to schedule a FREE consultation session with me.

This episode is the first in a mini-series about living joyfully.

We'll talk about JOY as:

1. A commandment
2. A tool 
3. A skill
4. A blessing

I referenced so many good talks in the episode, but the one that you simply MUST re-read is from Russell M. Nelson "Joy and Spiritual Survival."

I have a special guest today!

Jill Freestone and I are talking about helping our kids (and ourselves) with anxiety and other big feelings.

As a life coach, Jill Freestone focuses on helping teens and adults handle anxiety and big emotions. Jill has additional training in anxiety, emotions, relationships, mindfulness, meditation, trauma, somatic processing and much more. She loves her work, but her happy place is in the outdoors. She is an avid hiker, biker, and outdoor adventurer. She is the mother of three amazing daughters and wife to an incredibly smart and handsome husband, whom she adores especially because he was willing to write this bio.

Website: https://jillfreestone.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillfreestonecoaching/

5 Lies of Anxiety PDF to help you stop suffering from Anxiety:

https://jillfreestone.com/anxiety-five-lies/

Sadly, there are no magic words that will get our teenagers to agree with us and do everything we want them to.

But over the course of raising SIX teenagers (so far), I have found a few phrases that really feel like magic in how well they work to diffuse power struggles and improve communication.

I'll give you a quick bullet point list here. Listen to the episode to hear real life examples of when I use these phrases.

1. That sounds hard. What are you going to do?
2. I know I can't control you...
3. Only you will know...
4. You're right.
5. Here's my opinion. You can take it or leave it.

I just loved Sister Tamara W. Runia's talk from last week's General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

She talked about the same things that I have felt so inspired to talk about here on the podcast, and also in my book and my Faithful Family Foundations classes.

In today's episode we're talking about what it looks like to "stay by the tree," and with smiles on our faces, beckon to those we love. 

Sometimes, in our effort to be "intentional parents," we think we have to be in charge of everything.

We sometimes mistake nagging and controlling for teaching.

Today's episode is just a quick reminder that sometimes being intentional means knowing which things to let go.

Have you ever been stuck in what feels like a loop? Where your brain goes around and around and can't seem to give it a rest?

If you're human, the answer is probably yes.

Sometimes our brains think they are being really helpful by asking the same question or replaying the same scenario over and over.

We think we are trying to problem solve, when what we are really doing is ruminating.

Today we're talking about the difference between those two.

We'll talk about how to catch yourself when you're ruminating, and what to do to get yourself out of that loop.

Quote by Corrie Ten Boom: "There is no panic in heaven! God has no problems, only plans."

Wouldn't it be fun to live in a world where we loved everyone?

In today's episode I'm talking about three things that make it hard for us to love others in the way we want to.

If you want to go a little deeper on this topic, you may like to listen to episode 38.

For more information on The Sister Project, go to @thesisterproject.us on Instagram.

This is the most fun I've ever had recording an episode!

You've heard many stories about Caleb on this podcast. It felt only fair to let him tell his side of the story!

Today's episode is a bit of a book review.

I've been reading Good Inside, by Dr. Becky Kennedy.

I love the foundation of her work: the belief that all children, and all PEOPLE, are good inside.

I'm sharing just a couple of my favorite take-aways from this really  great parenting book.

I learned something today about moving mountains.

Here are the scriptures I refer to in the episode:

2 Kings 6:17

Isaiah 2:3

Isaiah 56:7

Isaiah 57:13

Amos 4:13

From Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation unto every one that believeth."

Today's episode is meant to be a little pep talk about living and teaching the gospel with clarity.

Quote from Bonnie Oscarson here.

Quote from Russell M. Nelson here. 

What do you do when you really want to do or say the right thing, but you don't know what that is?

Do you ever get paralyzed because you're so afraid of doing it wrong?

If you do, you're not alone!

In today's episode, I'm talking about a conversation I had recently with one of my clients. 

I think her experience will be helpful for you!

To learn more about my Faithful Family Foundations class, go here.

Fill out the form to get all the details!

Julie Balkman is a certified life coach who works with LDS young adults. She helps them get out of the dating game and into a real relationship that lasts. She has interviewed 120 young adults about dating and is currently writing a book about this experience.

I personally have a bunch of young adults in my family, and who they date and marry is something that is on my mind often.

Julie's insights about what is on the minds and hearts of young adults was insightful.

We talk about what we can do as parents to prepare our kids for successful dating as young adults.

You can visit her website here.

We know it's important in these crazy times to stay grounded in truth.

Quote from President Nelson here.

But to really discern between truth and error, and to be able to evolve with the restoration, we also need to be open minded.

Quote from President Nelson here.

In this episode I offer some thoughts about why both are important, and how to balance two things that sometimes feel like opposites.

If you want more information about my Faithful Family Foundations course, fill out the form here.

This is a repost of a popular episode from September of 2022.

These are practical tools that you can use when your anxiety kicks in or your survival brain feels like it's overly active.

Quote from President Nelson is here. 

Think about your first instinct when you feel a negative emotion. Do you shove it down or try to ignore it? Do you think about it nonstop to the point of wallowing in it? 

We all have moments when we do those things.

But today, I'm here to tell you that emotional pain does not mean that something has gone wrong.

Part of being human is that we get to experience this wild ride of emotions-positive and negative. *Note that I'm not talking about mental illness, trauma response, or other circumstances that require the help of a professional. I'm talking about the normal ups and downs of life.

Believe it or not, clean emotional pain can help us grow and develop into the person we want to become. Pain only becomes a problem when we let our emotions take over our actions, or when allow ourselves to wallow in unhelpful, or "dirty" pain.

Today's episode will help you know the difference.

This is a re-airing of episode 35 from May of 2021.

My clients often want help knowing how to handle disrespectful behavior in their teenager.

One thing we know from the scriptures is that the way to have genuine power and influence in someone's life is not through coersion or power struggles. Proving we are stronger and trying to demand respect is not the same thing as teaching or earning genuine respect.

True respect and the right to be an influence in our childrens' lives is gained by "persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned." D&C 121:41

Quote from Elder Ronald A. Rasband: "Remember how the Savior handled tough questions...(and here we can substitute the word teenagers). He remained calm, He showed respect, and He taught truth, but He never forced anyone to live the way He taught."

This is a re-airing of a popular episode form 2020.

When is it acceptable to set boundaries with other adults in our lives?

And how do we make sure other people honor our boundaries? (That is actually a trick question!)

We'll answer both of those questions in today's episode.

Sharing some fun news today!

Unselfishness sounds like the goal, right? It seems like what we should always be striving for.

While agree that it is important to give of ourselves and make sacrifices for the good of others, there is a healthy way and an unhealthy way to do this.

Today we're talking about how to give a good gift and about the importance of balancing unselfishness with taking care of ourselves.

In the most recent General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, President Russell M. Nelson taught us that, "One of the best ways we can honor the Savior is to become a peacemaker."

Today we're talking about what it means to be a peacemaker- AND what it doesn't mean.

We'll talk about some actionable steps we can take that will help us follow the counsel of our prophet.

The book I reference is The Anatomy of Peace, by the Arbinger Institute. 

I'm so excited to share this episode with you!

I have long admired the work and the expertise of Dr. Finalyson-Fife. She is strengthening marriages by helping (mostly LDS)  couples understand and improve their intimacy.

This episode was my chance to pick her brain and ask her all of my questions. I wanted to know how to prepare our kids for healthy intimacy in their future marriages. I want us to give them a better foundation than many of us were given.

We talk in this episode about how to approach some tricky topics, like modesty and masturbation, in a way that doesn't use fear or shame. 

I wrote a book! This episode will give you a little sneak peek.

Here is the book summary:

As covenant women and mothers in the latter days, we have a holy work to do. Our prophet has invited us to create homes that are sancutaries of faith, Yet as the world rages around us and we see the adversary at work on our precious children, it's easy to become discouraged. We may wonder where we should focus our energy, or worry that our best efforts won't be enough.

That is exactly what our enemy wants. He wants the mothers in Zion to be discouraged and afraid. He doesn't want us to understand the extent of our influence. He doesn't want us to rise to our full potential!

"The Power of a Fatihful Mother" is an energizing reminder of our ability to make an impact in the lives of our children. Whether you are a new mother or a seasoned pro, this book is a must-read. Drawing on scriptures, modern prophets, and real-life stories of mothers who are "in the trenches," it will teach you how to access Godly power, and empower you to face the future with faith.

I think sometimes we are asking ourselves the wrong question as parents.

If we think about parenting as a system of rewards and punishments in an attempt to control behavior, we will be asking ourselves "What does my child deserve?"

But does our Heavenly Father give us what we deserve? Or does He give us what we need in order to become better?

I think it's the latter. (For more about this in a gospel context, go listen to Brooke Snow's podcast episode "Transactional Gospel vs. Unconditional Love."

In this episode we'll look at some real life parenting examples of what it looks like to ask the question "What is needed?"

Andee is a mom of 6, a reformed yeller, a best-selling author, and the creator of Connect Method Parenting: a breakthrough parenting framework that leverages connection as the primary mechanism for influencing children.

Her approach helps parents discover why their kids don't listen and shows them the step-by-step process of regaining influence and building relationships that will last a lifetime.

With hands-on experience raising her own children (ages 14-23) and over 10 years of experience in parenting coaching, Andee has helped over 10,000 parents learn the parenting methodology that gets their kids to WANT to listen.

Sometimes in our efforts to correct our kids' behavior, we accidentally slip into the habit of criticising and nagging.

The good news is that there is a better way! A way that strengthens the relationship, builds self-esteem, and is more fun for everyone involved.

Today I'm talking about the power of positivity in parenting our children. It's a reminder I need over and over, so I thought I'd share it with you.

"Catch your children doing something right, instead of something wrong. Remind them of their greatness on a daily basis."                 -Dr. Wayne Dyer

Here is the book I reference. It's a classic!

The Power of Positive Parenting by Glenn Latham

Do you ever feel like getting your teen to open up to you is like pulling teeth? Like they'd rather be ANYWHERE than hanging out with you?

First of all... you're not alone. Wanting to separate from their parents is a normal, healthy, stage of development for teens.

But that doesn't mean they don't need us, or that we want our relationship with them to disappear!

Today I'm talking about things we can do as parents to create a more inviting atmosphere for our teenagers to want to talk to us.

 I'll give you three things you can do to improve conversations with your teens.

This episode is not going to tell you that the cute throw pillows you found at Target are not a need.

Today I'm talking about how we think about other people's behaviors. 

There is a difference between wanting your child to make good choices, and needing them to make good choices.

One leads to happiness, the other to misery.