One of you sent in a question a few weeks ago that I think many of you reading this can relate to,
She described her 8-year-old daughter as fiercely independent, full of life, and expressive. Sheβs the kind of kid who sings while she does everything, and her mom loves that about her. The proble...
Last week I tucked my 8-year-old into bed, kissed her forehead, told her I loved her and I loved her beautiful face, and then said with warmth and sincerity (and a little guilt) βbut I don't want to see it again until tomorrow. Stay in your room, please.β She looked up at me and said, without m...
On backtalk, the trigger underneath it, and the mid-spiral pivot that actually works.
Last week I posted something on Threads that I thought was a pretty standard reframe.
"Say it with me: My child arguing with me isn't disrespect. It's a sign they believe their voice matters in this house. Tha...
This week, a TMP Times member wrote in about her 8-year-old son.
Every day, he plays in the lane behind their house. It's a good setup. Itβs safe, supervised enough, and close to home. She gives him a 5-minute warning before it's time to come in. She pre-plans. She follows through on consequenc...
"What do you do when nothing works?"
A mom sent me this question and then gave me the details. Her son was jumping on the bed and her husband told him he'd lose his privilege of being in their room to play. Soon after, the boy proceeded to jump on the couch so they took away another privilege. ...
It's 8pm. Kids are in bed. You're standing in the kitchen and you know you need to go back in.
Maybe you're dreading it because last time you apologized, your kid ended up patting your back saying "it's okay mommy" and you left the room feeling worse than when you walked in.
Maybe you're dreadi...
Girl, I get it. I really do.
You're burned out. You're touched out. You're running on empty most days before the kids even wake up. You're tired of the "mommy mommy mommy" and the "mine mine mine" and the crying and the defiance and the negotiating over things that should not require negotiatio...
"He will acknowledge us and keep on trucking."
I read that line from one of your survey questions and honestly just sat with it for a second. This detail is such a specific kind of frustrating. At least when a child ignores you completely, you can tell yourself maybe they didn't hear you. When ...
I'm tired of parenting content that subtly gaslights parents with messages like "Your child isn't trying to reject you or hurt your feelings."
Yes they are.
Whenever your child blurts out things like "I don't want to play with you anymore" or "I'm not your friend" or "You're a mean mommy", they...
She saw you. You know she did, because for one brief second your eyes locked, and then she turned around and ran straight back to her friends like you weren't even there. π« ππ€¬
You said her name and then you said it again, with that edge creeping into your voice that you hate hearing come out of y...
I was on a nature walk last week when I heard a little boy's voice, loud and clear, "Why you gotta be so mean??"
That caught my attention.
Just a second ago he was running, holding a stick and shouting with glee.
I glanced quickly at the family as I walked by.
The little boy was maybe 4 or 5, f...
My oldest just turned 9 and I keep thinking to myself, βWhere did the time go??β
I remember when they were toddlers. I had 2 under 2 and those years felt endless.
Every day was exhausting, relentless, survival mode. I couldn't wait for them to be more independent.
To dress themselves, make thei...
