Parenting

Parenting tips, advice, kid’s activities and how to manage a family.

Podcast Episode #149: How to Tackle Screen Time This School Year with Devorah Heitner

Feeling guilty about your kids screen time? We will erase the shame, teach you to focus on what matters most when it comes to limiting screen time, and how (and why!) to put your phone down!

Podcast #148: How to Get Out the Door in the Morning Without Losing Your Cool

The struggle of getting out the door in the mornings on time is REAL! It feels like the kids are moving so slow, and then we can lose our cool and yell. We’ve ALL been there. And it’s not a proud moment. We can help you! Learn how you can repair things with your kids after yelling and what you can do in the future to avoid it in the future.

Podcast Episode #146: How to Parent Like a Spy with Christina Hillsberg

Have you ever thought that being a parent should carry some training? How about spy training? I mean, who doesn’t want to learn how to parent like a spy? Meet Christina Hillsberg, former CIA agent and author who shares how her training as a spy has influenced her parenting with her 5 kids.

Inspiration | No Guilt Mom Podcast | Self-Care & Mental Health

Podcast Episode #145- How to get Un-Stuck and Find Your Passion with Jenna Kutcher

Do you ever feel stuck in life? Do you wonder where to find your passion? We share what steps you can take to drop that feeling of being “stuck” in something that doesn’t bring you joy and how to discover who are you besides what you do for work and being a mom.

Podcast Episode #144: How to Help Your Perfectionist Child

Does your child seem to break down when they can’t get things exactly right? If so, you’ve got a perfectionist child. We’ll share how you can help your perfectionist child so they can let go of the fixed mindet they have been holding onto and how to protect their mental health so they can grow and flourish.

Food | Inspiration | No Guilt Mom Podcast | Self-Care & Mental Health

Podcast Episode 143: Why Body Image Can Be So Difficult After 40 with Ruth Soukup

Positive body image is something we all strive for, but what we don’t talk about is how difficult it is to have a positive body image when our body isn’t as healthy as we want it to be. We share with you how to work through the noise, and find the health and positive body image you want…even after 40.

Podcast Episode #142: Helping Our Kids Find the Positive and Be More Grateful

Finding the positive and being more grateful is a skill and it can take time to learn. Especially with our kids. But we can teach them how to find the positive and be more grateful. We have in this podcast episode, we have 4 easy things you can do to help your kids be more grateful.

Podcast Episode 141: 5 Tips to Stop Picky Eating Now

Picky eating is stressful! Some kids are happy to try new foods, while the rest of us deal with picky eaters who won’t eat healthy to save their lives! Don’t worry mama-we’ve got 5 tips to stop picky eating right now!

Inspiration | No Guilt Mom Podcast | Parenting | Practical Life Skills & Organization

Podcast Episode 140: 3 Ways to Declutter This Summer (from a mom of 9) with Jennifer Roskamp

Do you need to declutter, but have no idea how to declutter your home? If your home is overrun with stuff your family has accumulated, it’s time to take action and start decluttering. We have 3 easy ways you can declutter your home in less than 30 minutes.

Podcast Episode 139: Our Big Secret to Getting Your Family to do Chores Without Nagging

Do you feel like you can’t your family to do chores? Let alone get your kids to do chores? We all struggle with it. How do you get your kids (or anyone in your family) to do chores? We share our 4 surefire ways to get your family to do chores- without the hassle!

Kids Activities | Parenting

1 Minute Science Experiments

Looking for a very simple science experiment to do at home with your kids? Maybe you need some ideas for summer or a rainy day. These are the coolest science projects I found that are unique, magical and use only household items.

Kid Behavior | Parenting | Sibling fighting

Toddler Hitting Sibling

Not more than 2 seconds after they hop in the car, the screaming begins.

“No, that’s not what happened Erik. My lunch is at 11:35am, not 11:30.”

I brace myself.

“NO SISSY! YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOUR TALKING ABOUT”

And then, WHAP!

He reaches his little arm across the space in the bucket seats between them and hits her.

“Erik, DON’T HIT ME!!!”

That’s when I intervene.

I don’t know how school bus drivers do it. How do you discipline 30 kids when you’re trying to keep safe and focus on not veering your large yellow, monstrosity off the road

I’m in a Toyota Highlander with only two children and I’m ready to lose my mind.

Kid Behavior | Parenting | Sibling fighting

4 And 6 Year-Old Siblings Fighting

They’re driving you crazy. The yelling. The screaming. Here’s a quick way on how to stop sibling fighting in your home.

Kid Behavior | Parenting

Grumpy Child Syndrome

It’s the fifth temper tantrum of the morning.

Your son is mad at you because you poured milk on his cereal when he only wanted it on the side.

Your daughter huffs past you in a little ball of rage because her brother is taking all the attention… AGAIN.

And you?

You are fed up.

Homework | Kid Behavior | Parenting

Yelling At Child Doing Homework

“Noooo… I can’t do it. I don’t have the time!!”

Have you heard this from your child when she sits down to do homework? My gosh, it wrecks me.

I can feel her overwhelm and so relate to it.

I know what it feels like to have so much to do and what seems like no time to do it.

So, I jump in and try to help.

“It’s ok sweetie, let’s write down all the things you have to do to get it out of your head.”

“NO!” she pouts back, “That won’t help. I don’t know any of this and I have to get started now.”

What do you do with that? You see the problem, you know the steps to take to fix it and yet your child pushes you away like you couldn’t possibly know what she’s talking about or what she’s dealing with.

Kid Behavior | Parenting

Appropriate Punishment For Talking Back

Vitriol.

Anger.

All seemingly directed at me.

But its not about me. And its not about you either when your child turns on you with the rage of emotions and backtalk.

Kid Behavior | Parenting

Middle School Girl Drama

Every week, your daughter tells you of a new conflict with a particular friend at school. You are losing your mind and feel helpless. Here’s how to help your daughter deal with friend drama.

Kid Behavior | Parenting

How To Get A Child To Clean Up After Themselves

Ever walk in your house and become immediately overwhelmed with the stuff lying around?

Its bad enough when you have a kitchen junk counter stacked with 3 layers deep with kid’s artwork, random books and those gadgets for your door that you don’t want to throw away but you don’t really know how to install.

But then is all the stuff your kids leave laying in the living room or crammed onto the top of the family room game shelf.

Kid Behavior | Parenting

How To Help Daughter With Mean Friends

Middle school was complete hell.

When my daughter entered sixth grade this year, I was terrified.

I didn’t want her to think it was her fault that other people were mean to her. I wanted her to know how to confront problems and the typical, stupid ways that people would react.

Ways that had nothing to do with her.
Girl drama is one of those things.

Kid Behavior | Parenting

Failure As A Parent Quotes

It feels like all the behaviors your kids have are challenging.

But what if I told you those challenges are actually life skills that just need a little guidance?

This is how you can tell.

Communication | Parenting

How To Speak Better With Our Family

It’s no secret that a strong family foundation is key to a happy and successful life. But perhaps when you try to have good communication…

Guilt | Parenting

How To Relax As A Mom

As moms, we’re so used to doing things for our kids that we find it hard to sit down and do something for ourselves. How…

What To Say To Your Child When Friends Are Mean

Mean kids. They’re everywhere.

Let’s face it. These kids who tease aren’t horrible human beings (although our mama bear senses want to say they are), they just lack social skills.

So if we want our kids to avoid these mean kids and seek out positive relationships, we as parents, need to teach them social skills.

Podcast Episode 053: How to Calm Down When You’re Stressed

We all get into arguments with our kids that make us feel stressed and anxious. But how do we get out of that and move on to a solution with our kids? We give easy calm down strategies for your and your kids. You both will be able to cool down in no time flat!
These tips are perfect for parents and kids!

Inspiration

Easy DIY Outdoor Pillows for a Cute Porch

These simple DIY outdoor pillows take less than an hour to make.

Let’s do crafting therapy and give your porch some personality!

Homework

3 Simple Ways to Make Homework Fun

I’m going to be blunt.

Right now, your child’s homework time just plain sucks.

It does.

You dread it every night. “Hey, have you done your math homework yet?

“NO! I can’t do my homework. I don’t want to do it yet. Can’t I watch TV? I’ll do it after dinner.”

So much back and forth and back and forth. It’s become too much.

The question is, how do you make your child want to do homework?

How do you make homework less boring?

Family Dynamics & Relationships | Inspiration | Mental Health | No Guilt Mom Podcast | Self-Care & Mental Health

Podcast Episode 119: Finding your Authentic Self with Ryan Haddon

It can be hard finding your authentic self when we put so much energy into our family every day. It becomes so difficult to untangle where your identity ends and your identity as a parent begins (news flash- they are different)! We’re going to share 3 things you can do to have healthy boundaries with our kids and family and help you find your authentic self.

Parenting | Sibling fighting

Is It Normal For Sisters To Fight

NO!! Give that back!”

“I’m looking at it right now, I’ll give it back in a little bit.”

“NOOO!!,” my son screams, “GIVE IT BACK NOW!!”

As usual, I grip the steering wheel and take a few deep breaths. My kids are fighting in the car… again.

Inspiration | No Guilt Mom Podcast | Parenting | Self-Care & Mental Health

Podcast Episode 007: 5 Tips to Calm Your Anxiety

When you have anxiety, you feel like you’re all alone. But you’re not.
Here are 5 tips to cope with the anxiety we feel as moms.

Child Development & Social Skills | Family Dynamics & Relationships | No Guilt Mom Podcast | Parenting | Parenting

Podcast Episode 028: Why Don’t Our Kids Listen Anymore?

Every day feels like a fight. Whether you ask your kids to pick up their shoes off the floor, to go get dressed for school, or simply to come join the family for dinner. It often feels like our kids simply don’t listen to us! But if we did just 3 simple things, we would see much different results.

Kid Behavior | Parenting

Tween Mood Swings

You walk in the door from school. Your nine-year-old comes in after you.

Everything seems fine. She’s happy. All is well and good.

Then, you remind her that the dishwasher needs unloading.

Boom. It’s like something inside her detonates.

“Noooo… I don’t have time to do that. That’s so unfair. I can’t believe you’re making me do this!:

She glares at you, stomps over to the kitchen sink and starts crying.

WHA-ATT just happened? She was happy. I didn’t blame her. I just had a simple request.

Podcast 176: How to Stop the Yelling

Want to stop yelling at home? You’re not alone. Some of us grew up in ultra loud households where raised voices were just the normal…

Podcast Episode 61: How Logical Consequences are More Effective Than Punishments at Home

Too often, we fall into the trap of punishing our kids in the heat of the moment after something’s happened. But that hardly ever works. Here, we’ll discuss the difference between logical consequences and punishments, as well as how to make effective logical consequences that will have a positive impact on your discipline at home.

Kid Behavior | Parenting | Sibling fighting

Get Siblings to Bond: 3 Steps to Get Kids to Stop Fighting (without getting in the middle)

Want a simple method to get kids to stop fighting and start figuring out their problems like actual human beings? I swear it’s possible. Here we go.

Homework | Kid Behavior | Parenting

Homework is NOT Wrecking our Kids. The Four Skills Kids Master in Elementary School Homework.

School districts “no homework” policies miss the point.

It’s not that black and white. In fact, the research many journalists cite is frequently misinterpreted for a clickbait headline or to get people riled up.

Homework | Organization

Middle School Organization Checklist

It’s 6pm on a Thursday and I get a frantic text from a friend. Her daughter goes to the same school as mine.

“Hey, does your daughter have the math test from 2 months ago? The teacher is letting Celina retake it but she can’t find it.”

“Yeah, hold on, let me ask her.”

My daughter does have the test – which she doesn’t hand over right away because she wants to know exactly why she needs it, what it will be used for… third degree basically.
Satisfied with all my answers,she opens her binder to the math section, pulls out the test and hands it to me.
“Thanks,” my friend texts back, “I don’t know what Celina did with it.”

Podcast Episode 116: Six Coping Skills That Will Change Your Kids Lives

Do you wonder how to teach good coping skills to your kids? We talk with Janine Halloran, LMHC, about everything parents should and shouldn’t do when learning and teaching good coping skills to kids.

Inspiration | Parenting

Need a hobby, Mama? This Cricut project will bring you crafting joy.

As a mom, I put hobbies on the backburner.

I didn’t know I was doing it at the time. It wasn’t a conscious decision.

Inspiration | Parenting

How to Stop Yelling at Your Kids When Angry

It’s the fifth time your son has whined this morning.

The screeching sounds causes every single muscle in your neck to tighten. Your head feels dizzy. Seriously, whining kids could’ve been a form of medieval torture.

You take a deep breath and let it out.

You will not yell.
You will not yell.
You will not yell.

Podcast Episode 72: How to Reclaim Your Joy as a Mom with Rachel Neilson

We share our thoughts on motherhood, the ups and downs of it all, and 3 essential tips on how to reclaim your joy as a mom during those rough days in parenting.

Inspiration | Parenting

Could this be why you’re so frustrated as a mom?

Do you feel like you’re too nice?

One of my students called me out for that my first year of teaching.

In her very astute, wise little fifth grade voice she told me, “Mrs. Crohn, you are too nice”

But wait… don’t you want to be nice? Isn’t that something to aim for?

Kind yes. But nice…nice is taking on the full responsibility of other people’s feelings and adapting your behavior to make others happy.

That’s what I was doing when an 11-year-old called me out.

Podcast Episode 98: Talking about the Birds and the Bees with Brittany McBride

Why do so many of us feel a little squeamish when we even think about talking with our kids about sex? But it doesn’t need to and we have the answers.

Communication | Guilt | Parenting

How To Stop Being A Yelling Mom

If you have hard time trying to stop yelling as a mom, please know you’re not alone. You’re not a horrible person – or parent….

Inspiration | Organization

Creating A Bare Bones Budget When You’re Not Making Much Money

In the midst of this strange season of social distancing and change, money may well be a scary topic for you. Maybe you’re like my family and you’re working through a big loss of income due to the pandemic? Maybe overwhelm and anxiety define your money situation in this season of uncertainty? Maybe you’ve decided to keep your head down and eyes closed, playing the “if I don’t look at it, then it can’t be real game” that our kids played when they were little?

Kid Behavior | Parenting

4 ideas to keep kids off screens this summer — with zero nagging

“Five more minutes!” you call into the living room.

Your daughter and son are both engrossed in their tablets. They haven’t left the couch all afternoon.

You feel that you have no control over it either – take away their devices and they become complaining, moping monsters.

Homework | Parenting

Homework Helper Middle School

Dread your middle schooler’s homework every night? These tips for middle school parents will guide you in effective homework strategies.

There I was, sitting in my son’s 7th grade Parent-Teacher conferences, listening to the Literature teacher tell me the same thing I have heard for the past few years at every single conference…

“Your son is very bright, well-behaved, an absolutely pleasure in class. However, he doesn’t seem to get his homework done. And our first test of the year didn’t go very well for him.”