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Is your strong-willed child being defiant? Are you looking for guidance on closing the gap between your expectations and what is actually happening when it comes to setting peaceful limits?   This episode is a solo episode, based on a question I received from Susanne via Speakpipe (you can leave your questions there for me too)!   We cover: [1:50] Suzanne’s question for this episode [3:35] 3 big ideas behind parenting Strong Willed kids [5:40] How to close the gap between expectations and realities without yelling [9:50] Finding a win-win solution Resources mentioned in this episode: Ask your question: www.speakpipe.com/peacefulparentingpodcast  Connection strategies free ebook Connect with Sarah Rosensweet   On Instagram On Facebook https://www.sarahrosensweet.com  Book a short consult or coaching session call

In this episode, Rachel Rainbolt joins us in talking about how to have more simplicity as a family.    Our world is packed with stuff and activities, some of which we want and need, and a lot of which we don’t. Rachel teaches us tips to simplify our time and space so we can have more ease and joy.   Rachel, the founder of Sage Family, is a gentle parenting, natural homeschooling, and simple living mentor. With a master’s degree in marital and family therapy, she has spent decades guiding thousands of overwhelmed families to peace and joy. Rachel works from the Pacific Northwest, where she lives wild and free in connection with her 3 wildlings and the papa bear in their fixer upper on the beach.   We go into: [2:15] The case study that frames this conversation [7:00] The simplicity mindset [15:50] Why transitions are hard for kids [17:20] Where to put yourself on your to do list [22:00] How to help kids get rid of stuff [26:20] The biggest blocks parents get when it comes to simplicity  [29:45] Best practices for getting started with simplifying your space [33:30] Reframing trying to ‘do it all’   Resources mentioned in this episode The Sage Family Podcast  Burnout by Emily and Amelia Nagoski  Rachel’s Freebies Sage Family Village   Connect with Rachel On Instagram On Facebook https://sagefamily.com   Connect with Sarah Rosensweet   On Instagram On Facebook https://www.sarahrosensweet.com  Book a short consult or coaching session call

How do you calm a hypervigilant nervous system? What causes it? How do you support a child when their behavior is challenging? This is what we discuss in this week’s coaching episode with Anita.   Anita lives in Australia and is the mom of two great kids: an 8 year old girl and 5 year old boy  named Louis. Louis has a hypervigilant nervous system and asks for support in navigating it.   We cover: [3:20] Louis’ facial burn and how it exacerbated his hypervigilance and sensitive nature [8:45] How to know if you need an autism diagnosis [11:40] Trauma responses vs. autism [18:15] The fear behind not having enough resources for neurodivergent kids [25:20] Anita’s update after two months   Resources mentioned in this episode  Join my newsletter Episode 33: Why Does My Child Lie and What To Do About It with Sarah Rosensweet Episode 43: Four Big Ideas to Help Stop Sibling Fights with Sarah Rosensweet Connect with Sarah Rosensweet   On Instagram On Facebook https://www.sarahrosensweet.com Book a short consult or coaching session call

We have a solo episode to talk about how to help our kids with transitions this week.   With the end of the school year around the corner, we may not recognize that this is a time of heightened anxiety for our kids. We typically tend to think that going back to school is more stressful for them, when in fact, year end could be just the same.   We cover: [3:05] Recognizing our child’s fear of back to school as a potential anxiety [4:00] Empathizing with our child through their anxieties  [5:45] Listening to our child as they share their worries with you [6:55] The importance of letting your child know they can handle it [10:10] The two best ways to empty your emotional backpack [10:50] What to do if your kids are anxious all year Resources mentioned in this episode: Anxious Kids Anxious Parents by Lynn Lyons Connect with Sarah Rosensweet   On Instagram On Facebook https://www.sarahrosensweet.com  Book a short consult or coaching session call

In this episode, we talk about how to overcome picky eating. This is a challenge a lot of parents face – how to get their kids to eat without being so picky!   Joining me for this conversation is Jennifer House, who has been a Registered Dietitian for 16 years. She has owned First Step Nutrition for the past 13 years, where she helps to make feeding families easier, with a focus on Baby-led Weaning and Picky Eating. Jennifer has published two books and regularly appears in the media.    We go into: [3:40] This episode’s case study [7:10] Why it’s okay for our kids’ appetites to fluctuate  [9:00] The Division of Responsibility by Ellyn Satter [14:35] The kids’ responsibility when it comes to eating [18:25] Intuitive eating for kids [19:00] How to spot the difference between sensory processing challenges and picky eating [33:50] Why kids are picky to begin with [40:00] Advice parents need to know when it comes to picky eating   Jen earned her BSc in Nutrition & Food Science from the University of Alberta, and before starting First Step Nutrition, she completed an MSc in Human Nutrition from the University of British Columbia. She also worked at the Alberta Children’s Hospital in outpatient services, often seeing clients with Failure to Thrive or picky eating struggles.   Having a picky eater of her own, Jennifer can relate to the stress and struggles of raising a kid who just won’t try new foods! She has helped hundreds of families implement Ellyn Satter’s Division of Responsibility of feeding in their homes with personal consults and team feeding consults in partnership with an Occupational Therapist. She now works with clients online in a group coaching program to support them in making mealtimes more peaceful with a picky eater at the table.   Resources mentioned in this episode Sequential Oral Sensory Approach by Dr. Kay Toomy The Division of Responsibility by Ellyn Satter   Connect with Jennifer On Instagram On Twitter On LinkedIn On Facebook https://firststepnutrition.com  Free On-Demand Webinar: "How to teach your kids to finally try new foods....without yelling or making separate meals"   Connect with Sarah Rosensweet   On Instagram On Facebook https://www.sarahrosensweet.com  Book a short consult or coaching session call

In this episode, I sit down with Bob, dad to Cody, 6 and Skyler, 2. This conversation specifically focuses on Bob’s challenges with Cody, who is a kid with really big feelings and a lot of sensitivity.   As you’ll hear in the episode, we talk about the triggers Bob experiences because of Cody’s big feelings. We also discuss his fears and challenges with staying calm and emotionally generous in hard moments.   We cover: [6:30] How Cody’s needs show up in their family life [12:50] How our fear as parents shows up in our parenting [19:00] What co-regulation is and the process to get there [21:20] Tips for incorporating Special Time into your routine [34:25] How to empty your Emotional Backpack [40:05] Check in - the changes Bob experienced after our coaching call Resources mentioned in this episode  Episode 38: Why Do Kids Whine? And What To Do About It with Sarah Rosensweet Special Time Guide Rescue dog YouTube video Empathic Limits blog post   Connect with Sarah Rosensweet   On Instagram On Facebook https://www.sarahrosensweet.com  Book a short consult or coaching session call

Have you ever either felt shame as a parent and then either had a grown up tantrum OR shamed your kids in those tough moments?    As parents, it is impossible to avoid ever feeling shame. Our kids will act out. People will judge us. We will make bad decisions sometimes despite our best intentions.    Shame-proof parenting is about learning how to support yourself when those hard feelings come up so that we can be the parents we want to be instead of getting caught up in our own embarrassment or overwhelm.   Joining me for this conversation is Mercedes Samudio, LCSW, a licensed psychotherapist, parent coach, speaker, and bestselling author who helps parents and children communicate with each other, manage emotional trauma, navigate social media and technology together, and develop healthy parent-child relationships.    We go into: [2:20] What shame-proof parenting is and why it’s so important [7:50] Mercedes’ tips for reducing shame in hard situations [12:25] How to love yourself as a parent, through the shame you’re experiencing  [14:35] The Parental Identity Development Model [28:50] Mercedes’ advice for parents who are just starting out Mercedes is an adjunct professor at Chapman University and Pepperdine University where she teaches psychology, diagnosis of mental illness, and multicultural counseling. She is an accomplished speaker who explores topics such as parenting identity development, multicultural counseling, and developing a clinical identity.    Mercedes started the #EndParentShaming movement as well as coined the term Shame-Proof Parenting – using both to bring awareness to ending parent shame.    Resources mentioned in this episode Episode 30: Find Your Unicorn Space with Eve Rodsky   Connect with Mercedes On Instagram On Twitter On LinkedIn https://shameproofparenting.com/    Connect with Sarah Rosensweet   On Instagram On Facebook https://www.sarahrosensweet.com  Book a short consult or coaching session call

In this episode, we’re exploring why we don’t need to stress out or fix it when our kids are unhappy about something.    Life is a balance of happy and hard times. Our kids will experience these moments too as they grow older. It’s important to welcome and honor their feelings and emotions, even as we don’t want to see them suffering.   Supporting them through unhappy moments helps them become more resilient. We cover: [1:10] Why parenting with the goal of happiness is troublesome  [2:00] Why it’s hard for us to parent when our kids are unhappy [6:00] How kids develop emotional resilience  [7:50] Why unhappy kids don’t make us bad parents [9:50] Being aware of the stories we tell ourselves Connect with Sarah Rosensweet   On Instagram On Facebook https://www.sarahrosensweet.com  Book a short consult or coaching session call

In this episode, I’m sharing a glimpse into my incredible membership community.    It’s a monthly membership program. One of the features is group coaching Office Hours every week and one is a guest expert Q&A with other mentors in the parenting space.    Lynn Lyons joined me in my membership for this Q&A call, where community members had the chance to ask her their questions and get support in real time.    We go into: [6:35] How to help anxious kids who reject coping skills [15:02] Helping kids who are anxious going to school [20:04] Guiding our kids who have just learned about death [25:35] How to help kids who get anxious at bedtime [32:10] Helping kids who are anxious about grades and academic performance [38:51] Dealing with perfectionism [41:31] What to look for in a therapist if you feel your child needs some extra support with their anxiety   Lynn is a psychotherapist, author and speaker in Concord, New Hampshire. She has been in private practice for 28 years, and specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders in adults and children.   She travels globally as a speaker and trainer on the subject of anxiety, its role in families, and the need for a preventative approach at home and in schools. Resources mentioned in this episode Sign up for my membership Anxious Kids Anxious Parents by Lynn Lyons Anxiety and Depression Association of America The International OCD Foundation The Self Driven Child by William Stixrud   Connect with Lynn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube Facebook https://www.lynnlyons.com    Connect with Sarah Rosensweet   On Instagram On Facebook https://www.sarahrosensweet.com  Book a short consult or coaching session call

How can we help our sensitive kids when they’re experiencing big emotions and get upset?   It’s not that they don’t want to share their emotions with us. They may be so overwhelmed that adding our emotions as parents on top of theirs can be even more triggering for them.   In this episode, I sit down with Julia, mom of two girls – L who is 8 and T who is 10. Julia shares how L is uncomfortable with her big feelings and working through them together.     We talk about: [5:50] How sensitive kids sometimes shut down when experiencing big feelings  [8:40] Defining emotional backpacks and leading with empathy  [12:05] Challenging our own views of what supporting our kids should look like [17:50] Making repairs out of our own need to do it [27:20] How to ease tensions and incorporate Special Time [34:30] Check in - the changes Julia experienced after our coaching call Resources mentioned in this episode Special Time Guide 5 Day Challenge: Parenting Reset   Connect with Sarah Rosensweet   On Instagram On Facebook https://www.sarahrosensweet.com  Book a short consult or coaching session call

This episode is with Julie Lythcott-Haims and we talk about her new book, Your Turn: How to Be an Adult, which is about how to be a good person and have a good life.   We also talked about how to raise kids so that they don't need a book to learn how to be an adult. Julie also shared some really great tips about truly seeing our children.    Julie Lythcott-Haims believes in humans and is deeply interested in what gets in our way. Her work encompasses writing, speaking, teaching, mentoring, and activism.    We go into: How Julie’s new book is changing the narrative around the heaviness of living in today’s society What fending is and how can you best prepare your kids for when they do get to the fending stage The four step method to teaching any kid any skill How to parent our kids the way they need us to parent them Unpacking privilege in gentle parenting   She is the New York Times bestselling author of How to Raise an Adult which gave rise to a popular TED Talk. Her second book is the critically-acclaimed and award-winning prose poetry memoir Real American, which illustrates her experience as a Black and biracial person in white spaces.  Julie holds degrees from Stanford, Harvard Law, and California College of the Arts. She currently serves on the boards of Common Sense Media, Black Women’s Health Imperative, Narrative Magazine, and on the Board of Trustees at California College of the Arts. She serves on the advisory boards of LeanIn.Org, Parents magazine and Baldwin For the Arts. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her partner of over thirty years, their itinerant young adults, and her mother. Julie’s Books How to Raise an Adult  Real American: A Memoir Your Turn: How to Be An Adult Connect with Julie On Instagram On Twitter On LinkedIn Facebook https://jlythcotthaims.bulletin.com/ https://www.julielythcotthaims.com/    Connect with Sarah Rosensweet   On Instagram On Facebook https://www.sarahrosensweet.com  Book a short consult or coaching session call

In this episode, we’re exploring four big ideas to stop sibling rivalry and fighting.   Sibling fighting is so upsetting for us as parents! Unfortunately, a lot we do to try to make it better actually makes it worse. This episode will help you with the best practices to help siblings get along.    We cover: Four big ideas to help your kids get along  The importance of special time  The benefit of giving ‘long turns’ a try Why and how to  intervene in disagreements if they can’t work it out Resources mentioned in this episode Free Download: Sibling Rivalry Cheat Sheet Siblings without Rivalry by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish Special Time Guide   Connect with Sarah Rosensweet   On Instagram On Facebook https://www.sarahrosensweet.com  Book a short consult or coaching session call

In this episode, I have the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Mona Delahooke to talk about her new book, Brain-Body Parenting. We also speak about the connection between our brain and bodies, why our nervous systems get overloaded, and how our kids process their emotions.   Dr. Mona is a mother of three, and a licensed clinical psychologist with more than thirty years of experience caring for children and their families. She is a senior faculty member of the Profectum Foundation and a member of the American Psychological Association.    We go into: What brain-body parenting is What happens in our nervous systems when we sense a threat The connection between our bodies and brains The sensory impact on our nervous systems Top down vs. bottom up behaviors How to co-regulate with our child   Dr. Mona is the author of the award winning book Beyond Behaviors: Using Brain Science and Compassion to Understand and Solve Children’s Behavioral Challenges, and the upcoming book, Brain-Body Parenting: How to stop managing behaviors and start raising Joyful, Resilient Kids. She is a frequent speaker, trainer, and consultant to parents, organizations, schools, and public agencies. She lives and works in the Los Angeles area.   Resources mentioned in this episode  Join my newsletter Purchase: Brain-Body Parenting by Dr. Mona Delahooke    Connect with Dr. Mona On Instagram On Twitter LinkedIn Facebook www.monadelahooke.com    Connect with Sarah Rosensweet   On Instagram On Facebook https://www.sarahrosensweet.com  Book a short consult or coaching session call

How do we help kids with their big feelings? Of course we empathize first, but then what? How do we help them calm down? If you need a bit of support in this area, you will love this really wonderful conversation with Janine Halloran about coping strategies for kids   This episode has so many actionable strategies that you can take away and use the next time your child is having a hard time.   Janine Halloran is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who has been working with children, teens, and their families for 20 years. She has been helping children and teens build their coping skills throughout her career in a variety of settings, including schools, mental health clinics and in her private practice.    We go into: When kids need coping strategies  The five types of coping strategies Janine talks about in her work How to use Janine’s coping strategies checklist  What to do when your child doesn’t want to use any of their preferred coping mechanisms The feelings thermometer    Janine is the author of  several books, including the bestselling Coping Skills for Kids Workbook and the Coping Skills for Teens Workbook. Her work has been featured in the Boston Globe, CNN, Huffington Post, and The Skimm® Newsletter. Janine lives in Massachusetts with her husband and two children. Resources mentioned in this episode  Free Coping Skills Printables Free Encourage Play Printables Download: Coping Strategies Checklist and Feelings Thermometer Get 20% off in the Coping Skills for Kids Store    Connect with Janine On Instagram LinkedIn Facebook Calm and Connected Podcast with Janine Halloran​​ www.copingskillsforkids.com    Connect with Sarah Rosensweet   On Instagram On Facebook https://www.sarahrosensweet.com  Book a short consult or coaching session call

Often on our parenting journey, our kids may do something or act in a way that makes us feel triggered and shut down. Often that means there’s something for us to look at within us that needs attention or healing.   In this coaching call, Georgina joins me to talk about managing her son’s big feelings. She is the mom of six year old Oswald and a five month old baby. Georgina wanted to know how to best support her six year old, who is a really intense little guy with big feelings. Be sure to listen to the end to hear about Georgina’s big breakthrough!   We talk about: How our kids can trigger unhealed traumas from our past  Giving our kids space to process their big feelings and managing ours at the same time Strategies to empty emotional backpacks before coming home from a long day How Georgina was able to connect with her inner child Resources mentioned in this episode www.sarahrosensweet.com/newsletter  Episode 20: Reparenting Ourselves: Being the Parents We Want To Be with Leslie Priscilla   Connect with Sarah Rosensweet   On Instagram On Facebook https://www.sarahrosensweet.com  Book a short consult or coaching session call

How do we talk to our kids about sex? For some parents, this topic can be very uncomfortable, but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, our kids need to learn about sex, their bodies, and how it all works – it’s so important! Joining me for this conversation is Amy Lang, MA, who has been a sexual health educator for over 25 years. With her lively, engaging, and down-to-earth style, she helps parents become their kid’s go-to ‘birds and bees’ source. Amy’s books, online solutions center and podcast, Just Say This! show parents that talking about sexuality doesn’t need to be totally uncomfortable and really can be fun.   We go into: When to start talking to your kids about sex Why talking to kids about sex is really important to keep them safe Why we need to use the proper words and terminology when it comes to consent and body parts What makes people so afraid of teenagers having sex How to start talking about sex when you don’t know where to start   Amy also provides childhood sexual development and sexual abuse prevention training for early childhood and youth serving organizations. Amy is still married to her first husband and they are getting the hang of parenting their recently launched man-child. She lives in Seattle WA and you can learn more about her work at BirdsAndBeesAndKids.com   Resources mentioned in this episode  Girls & Sex Peggy Orenstein  Boys & Sex Peggy Orenstein  It’s Perfectly Normal by Robie Harris and Michael Emberley  What’s Happening to Me? by Peter Mayle The Every Body Book by Rachel Simon  Amy’s Recommended Books and Resources Birds & Bees Solutions Center: one-stop-shop for sex talking  BARK monitoring and parental controls RAINN.org for support for abuse survivors  Consent is like tea video   Connect with Amy On Instagram Facebook www.birdsandbeesandkids.com  Amy Lang’s ‘Just Say THIS’ Podcast   Connect with Sarah Rosensweet   On Instagram On Facebook https://www.sarahrosensweet.com  Book a short consult or coaching session call

In this episode, we’re exploring why kids whine and what we can do about it.    I go into detail about all the reasons kids whine. Whining is a signal to us that our kids need our help and support. They are doing the best they can!    We cover: Why our kids whine The first steps to take when our kid is whining Handling whining without shaming our kids How to approach whining with empathy and why it matters for our kids   Resources mentioned in this episode Join my newsletter: www.sarahrosensweet.com/newsletter  Parenting Quiz: www.sarahrosensweet.com/parentingquiz    Connect with Sarah Rosensweet   On Instagram On Facebook https://www.sarahrosensweet.com  Book a short consult or coaching session call

This episode is with Julie Lythcott-Haims and we talk about her new book, Your Turn: How to Be an Adult, which is about how to be a good person and have a good life. We also talked about how to raise kids so that they don't need a book to learn how to be an adult. Julie also shared some really great tips about truly seeing our children.  Julie Lythcott-Haims believes in humans and is deeply interested in what gets in our way. Her work encompasses writing, speaking, teaching, mentoring, and activism.    We go into: How Julie’s new book is changing the narrative around the heaviness of living in today’s society What fending is and how can you best prepare your kids for when they do get to the fending stage The four step method to teaching any kid any skill How to parent our kids the way they need us to parent them Unpacking privilege in gentle parenting   She is the New York Times bestselling author of How to Raise an Adult which gave rise to a popular TED Talk. Her second book is the critically-acclaimed and award-winning prose poetry memoir Real American, which illustrates her experience as a Black and biracial person in white spaces.  Julie holds degrees from Stanford, Harvard Law, and California College of the Arts. She currently serves on the boards of Common Sense Media, Black Women’s Health Imperative, Narrative Magazine, and on the Board of Trustees at California College of the Arts. She serves on the advisory boards of LeanIn.Org, Parents magazine and Baldwin For the Arts. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her partner of over thirty years, their itinerant young adults, and her mother. Julie’s Books How to Raise an Adult  Real American: A Memoir Your Turn: How to Be An Adult    Connect with Julie On Instagram On Twitter On LinkedIn Facebook https://jlythcotthaims.bulletin.com/ https://www.julielythcotthaims.com/    Connect with Sarah Rosensweet   On Instagram On Facebook https://www.sarahrosensweet.com  Book a short consult or coaching session call

As parents, of course we want our kids to be best friends as they’re growing up. But what happens when that’s not necessarily the case? Or when there is so much sibling rivalry, frustration and upset? It can be hard to know where to turn or how to navigate it.   This episode is a coaching call with Maryke, a mom of three strong-willed kids, Kira who is 3, Christie who is five, and Ewan who is seven.    Maryke shares about the struggles she has been facing with her kids; arguing and not listening.   We talk about: How to navigate when older siblings physically fight Tips and things to say to help our kids regulate their emotions How to help guide our kids to their ‘calm down zone’ Tips to encourage our kids to listen Is it okay for our kids to see us upset with them? Resources mentioned in this episode www.sarahrosensweet.com/parentingcourse  Episode 22: Understanding ADHD with Dr. Sharon Saline    Connect with Sarah Rosensweet   On Instagram On Facebook https://www.sarahrosensweet.com  Book a short consult or coaching session call

How do we inoculate our kids against anxiety? What can we do to support their mental health as they grow?  Lynn Lyons joins me for this episode to talk about the three skills that our kids need to have if we want them to have good mental health and avoid mental health challenges.   We go into: Three big ideas as it relates to raising anxious kids  How to talk to our kids about flexibility  How to use a Flexibility Wall The challenge of ensuring everything always goes according to plan The effects on kids of being raised in an anxious environment How to teach your kids to check in with themselves and assess dangerous situations on their own The power in avoiding “why” questions with your kids Lynn is a psychotherapist, author and speaker in Concord, New Hampshire. She has been in private practice for 28 years, and specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders in adults and children. She travels globally as a speaker and trainer on the subject of anxiety, its role in families, and the need for a preventative approach at home and in schools. Resources mentioned in this episode Anxious Kids Anxious Parents by Lynn Lyons Sign up for my Peaceful Discipline Workshop   Connect with Lynn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube Facebook https://www.lynnlyons.com    Connect with Sarah Rosensweet   On Instagram On Facebook https://www.sarahrosensweet.com  Book a short consult or coaching session call