Hi, Fam!

We've all experienced it—the gut-wrenching guilt, the overwhelming shame, the moments where we've passed judgment on others. Not the most pleasant feeling... Maybe that's why in today's world, there's a prevailing notion that these emotions should be erased from our vocabulary and emotional palette. But is this truly the best approach to raising our children and fostering healthy relationships?

Join us on an eye-opening journey to challenge these societal norms that try to stop us from feeling these feelings and delve into the complexities of judgment, guilt, and shame. Learn why these emotions are trully important and why we should allow and not shield our kids from these emotions.

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Build the Family of Your Dreams and Become the Leader of Your Family with The Studio!

Ever found yourself meticulously following every parenting guideline to a t, only to feel like something crucial is missing?  In this episode, we confront the uncomfortable truth about scripted responses and emotionless reactions and how they may be stifling genuine connections with our children. If you feel that the rules of gentle parenting are just not getting you anywhere - this might be an eye-opening truth as to what might be missing. Even more importantly how, unknowingly, you could have fallen into the traps of Robotic Parenting.  Tune in and learn what Robotic Parenting is, how to avoid it, and rediscover the magic of Authentic Parenting.

Build the Family of Your Dreams and Become the Leader of Your Family with The Studio!

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The book mentioned in this episode:

"Bad Therapy: Why Kids Aren't Growing up" by Abigail Shrier

Ever wondered why today's kids seem less ready for adulting? This episode spills the beans on the real struggles – less independence, job hesitations, a bouquet of disorders, and major "not ready" vibes.

Discover what's really going on with our young generation as we dissect the impact of excessive screen time, casual relationships, and the effects of super laid-back parenting. Brace yourself: it's a recipe for stress, anxiety, and more.

But hey, no need to panic! We've got a solid game plan to prep your kids for success in the adulting game. Find out how setting boundaries, sharing values, and building a strong family culture can make your kids ready for anything life throws at them. Join us for a straightforward discussion on the challenges our kids face today and grab practical tips to raise resilient, kick-butt individuals. Tune in and empower your parenting game!

Ready to raise resillient kids that know who they are and where they belong? Create an unbreakable family with The Studio!

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“I love this show!” 👉 If that sounds like you please rate and review the show! This helps us support more people - just like you - to create a family life they love. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Have you tried couples therapy?" - that's the one and really ONLY solution that married couples are handed when they are on the brink of going their separate ways. And then... Many come to find that it's actualy not working, or working only for as long as you're going. What about the ones who can't even afford therapy? OR that partner who is frankly refusing to go. What choices are you left with then? Stay in missery or leave and break the family? There has to be a better way, and there is! In this episode, let's dive deep into the terittory of why therapy might be doing your relationship more harm than good. And yes, side note - therapy does good, therapy can be necessary, therapy has its place. Yet, it also has its downfalls and risks you might not even be aware of. Being aware of the problem is the first step in fixing it. So listen in and discover what you actually can do instead to save and also strengthen your marriage. _______ Build the relationship you want with the partner you've got! Take the first step at Married-U! (https://married-u.com)

What happens when peaceful parenting unintentionally takes a toll on your relationship? In this episode, we're unraveling the paradox of practicing zen parenting while forgetting to extend the same grace to our partners.  It's not about the tools of peaceful parenting causing the turmoil; it's about the pitfalls of neglecting peaceful partnering too. What are those double standards that may be unknowingly sabotaging your efforts? Discover why your kid might be echoing negative behaviors, and how the example we set in our partnerships becomes the blueprint for their future interactions. Hit play and explore the delicate balance between peaceful parenting and maintaining a loving connection with your partner. _______ Build the relationship you want with the partner you've got! Take the first step at Married-U! (https://married-u.com)

Feminism has contributed significantly to the world, bringing forth numerous benefits. Over the years, it has evolved into a complex and multifaceted movement. Alongside its positive impacts, however, some drawbacks have subtly infiltrated our subconscious. These factors now influence not only how women perceive men and themselves but also impact our relationships. It is crucial to acknowledge these aspects so we can build stronger families and marriages. If you're seeking a fulfilling connection and are curious about the silent forces shaping your perceptions of your partner - join us in this episode. Let's uncover the subtle influences intricately woven within the fabric of feminism affecting your relationship dynamics. Be sure that you haven't unknowingly succumbed to the shadow sides of feminism and instead foster a strong, loving relationship. _______ Create the marriage you WANT with the partner you've got! Married-U will help you make your dream a reality! (married-u.com) 

Sleep experts, parenting gurus, and influencers will come out with dramatic, dogmatic, and sometimes even fanatic statements, like "Never ____" or "The choice to ______ is akin to abuse".

But these types of statements encourage a delusion in us parents: that there is ONE right, true and perfect way to parent. That there are whole and complete solutions to our queries and all we have to do is to keep swiping left until we find them.

In this episode, I break down why Thomas Sowell was so, so right when he said: "There are no solutions, only tradeoffs." and I encourage you to take a more nuances, contextual, and individualized perspective when you're digesting your daily dose of parenting advice. 

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Want more encouragement and practical guidance in creating a family life that puts family first? Join us in the Hi Fam Community (HiFam.com/Studio) 

Get my new book, "Reclaim Play", available on Amazon now! Go to ReclaimPlay.com/book for your free book bonus. 

One of the most common questions I get asked by parents around the world is: "How can I give my child something I, myself, don't have?" 

We all want to give the best to our children - to "level up" from generation to generation. But then we're faced with the reality that it's very hard to give something that we feel we lack! 

So, whether it's about body image, communication skills, health, or confidence - this episode will give you the framework to develop essential life skills in your child and impart the priceless asset of a strong mindset.

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Want to develop true resilience? Become unvictimized, unshakable, and unoffendable through Avital's signature mindset course, Alchemize (hifam.com/alchemize).

We here at Hi Fam want to help you create a family life you love! If you want more on this, join the Hi Fam Newsletter (hifam.com/newsletter).

Sometimes our biggest challenges come by surprise. There are times in our lives when we can plan, research, and make informed decisions. And then there are times when... we can't. When you're facing the fears and uncertainty of the future, it's very challenging to live the long game. And yet, as a parent, we're called to be leaders. Whether you're in "decision limbo" or your life is "on hold" - this podcast will help you find your footing again, despite... not knowing. My mission is to help you create a family life you love. If you'd like more on that, join my newsletter (HiFam.com/newsletter).

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Want more encouragement and practical guidance in creating a family life that puts family first? Join us in the Hi Fam Community (HiFam.com/Studio)

Get my new book, "Reclaim Play", available on Amazon now! Go to ReclaimPlay.com/book for your free book bonus.

Do you ever think, "What is this all for? Does what I do for my family really make a difference?" I've often said, that your family is the most meaningful project of your life. It's been my mission to equip parents of all backgrounds to build a strong family culture that creates a sense of togetherness, belonging, and meaning. 

Today, I'm sharing why I am personally doubling down on my resolve to build a strong family, even in the midst of the most petrifying and grievous circumstances.

In every situation, even the most awful, there are lessons to be learned. This episode is my way of creating a segway into answering questions, not about current affairs, per se, but about how you can show up to your family, lead bravely, and create peace in your own home.  Maybe you're wondering...

I'll be answering these questions and more in upcoming episodes here at Hi Fam.

My mission continues to be to help you create a family life you love. If you'd like more on that, join my newsletter (hifam.com/newsletter). _______

I truly mean it when I say you should NOT continue to follow what's going on if it doesn't directly impact you and instead turn your attention toward your family. But for those who are impacted or who desire to understand better what's going on from my perspective, you can follow me on Instagram (@HiFamLife).

I will also continue showing up to my amazing Hi Fam Community inside The Studio Membership on all things parenting. 

If you sometimes waver in your undying commitment and love in your marriage, the resounding advice from the self-help experts of the decade is: "Well, maybe you're just not a match." Has this seed of doubt been planted in your mind? 

In this podcast, I share a clip of Mel Robbins giving advice that's not at all uncommon today. As someone who has been categorically labeled as "incompatible" by well-meaning friends, family, and even personality tests that actually point out all the ways that my husband and I are NOT compatible ...allow me to respectfully disagree with Mel and bust, what I call, The Myth of Compatibility! If you're a parent who needs a pick-me-up shot of recommitment juice in your marriage and family, it's right here on Hi Fam.

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Want more encouragement and practical guidance in creating a family life that puts family first? Join us in the Hi Fam Community (HiFam.com/Studio) 

Get my new book, "Reclaim Play", available on Amazon now! Go to ReclaimPlay.com/book for your free book bonus. 

"You have 5 little kids and you published a book? HOW???" This has been the refrain I've been asked over the past couple of weeks since my book, Reclaim Play, hit Amazon. It certainly wasn't an easy process for me and maybe that's why it took me four whole years!

I love to learn from every area of my life and writing a book is no exception. There were many lessons that I gleaned from this process and today I'm sharing them with you - whether it's a book you want to write, a marathon you want to run, a business you want to start or even just a greater sense of productivity and capacity that you want to foster: this episode is for you! 

Get your book order bonus here at ReclaimPlay.com/Book >>

Phew! They say writing a book is not for the faint of heart and I now fully understand why 87% of people who want to write a book - don’t ever write one. But with gratitude to my children who played independently for enough hours for me to actually both write and illustrate this book (yep, those doodles are mine), I have now escaped that statistic and my book baby has been born!!! 🎉

Reclaim Play delivers an inspiring manifesto on why play is critical for children and a comprehensive how-to for parents to bring back the magic of childhood. 

In this podcast episode, hear me narrate chapter 3 of the book... the part that explains how play has been S.T.O.L.E.N; where it’s gone, what that acronym stands for, and most importantly: how we’re going to get it back.

Listen now and if you’re one of those loyal listeners who catches these as they drop - THANK YOU! You are still in time to grab the pre-order bonuses at ReclaimPlay.com/book

So you're feeling overwhelmed, snapping at the kids, or you're just not enjoying parenting... how do you reset? Here are the 6 mindsets that keep me going when my cortisol levels are spiked so I can still show up with "hi vibes" for my family. When you upgrade your self-talk, you develop the abilty to avoid a lot of optional stress and suffering. 

This episode is practical and encouraging for parents of young children who are "in the trenches". Which mindset will you adopt today? 

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Did you enjoy this episode? Please consider leaving this podcast a review! ★★★★★

Want more? Check out my YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@HiFamLife 

What should parents do when their child is scared, afraid, and fearful? How we respond can make the difference between encouraging mental, emotional fragility and strength. 

Here's a 5-step, countercultural approach to childhood fears that will help you help your child become resilient, gritty, and courageous. 

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Did you enjoy this episode? Please consider leaving this podcast a review! ★★★★★

Want more? Check out my YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@HiFamLife 

Have you noticed that the growing trend of "family last" culture? This episode holds a heartfelt hope: that each of us can consciously pivot towards a "family first" culture. 

When we place family at the forefront, we're not just fostering stronger relationships, we're also shaping future generations. It is - literally - how we change the world. Raising children with a strong emotional foundation, equipping them with the resilience to face the challenges that lie ahead - is not for the faint of heart. It's an epic adventure. 

Exit the "family last" culture and rediscover the viable, available, and sustainable paths to deep meaning, belonging, and purpose.

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In my membership for parents, "The Studio", we put family FIRST. Learn more at hifam.com/studio

Learn the difference in whining between babies, kids, tweens, and teens and how our response as parents should change and evolve: a four-step process to respond to any whiny communication!

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Want to get your child playing independently and peacefully for 3 hours a day without screens, bribes, or buying a thing? Take our FREE Masterclass! (reclaimplay.com/haven) >  

There's a massive focus today on defining, projecting, and expressing one's personal identity - also known as finding your "authentic self" and discovering "who you really are". Subsequently,  there’s been a big shift in the advice parents are receiving in recent years. Basically, the way we answer the question, “How to live a good life?”, has changed dramatically and greatly impacts how we raise our children.

I open up this topic because my mission is to strengthen families and I can’t help but notice how weakening this focus on individual identity is. Let's get to the root of the matter and discover a more meaningful focus of childhood growth, development, and exploration.

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Want to get your child playing independently and peacefully for 3 hours a day without screens, bribes, or buying a thing? Take our FREE Masterclass! > (reclaimplay.com/haven) 

If your child doesn't find porn, porn will find them... unless you get there first.

The average age for a child to begin to consume pornography is now 12 years old. Let's talk about how to protect our children from porn consumption. 

Have young kids at home? Now is the time to educate yourself and empower your children with real conversations, tools, and scripts... 

In this episode:

Build a life that is full, compelling, and exciting so your kids don't end up holed up in their rooms with screens for hours on end. 

Want to get your child playing independently and peacefully for 3 hours a day without screens, bribes, or buying a thing? Take our FREE Masterclass! > (reclaimplay.com/haven)  

Stroll down memory lane with me as I share the story behind why I created my online membership for parents over 6 years ago. 🎂 It's changed my life and the lives of thousands of other parents from over 100 countries around the world - just like you.

If you've ever felt isolated or judged 😔 in your parenting journey, this one's for you, my friend. In this episode, I'm opening up about how I longed for a warm, supportive community 🤗 to help me through the twists and turns of raising tiny humans. 🍼

But, like any good adventure, this one's got trials and tribulations too! I'll chat about how I was booted from Facebook groups (ouch) and how I devoured hundreds of parenting books 📚 (seriously, it's a wonder I didn't sprout paper cuts) in search of the guidance and knowledge I craved.

The cherry on top? 🍒 I'll reveal how all of that hard-earned wisdom is now packed into the Hi Fam membership, "The Studio" - enrollment opens soon! 💎 hifam.com/studio 

⭐️ The best way to get started is to join the Dream Family Bootcamp! 🎉 Grab your FREE ticket here: hifam.com/bootcamp

It's time to create more joy, magic, togetherness, and connection in your day-to-day family life than you ever dreamed of! 

It’s true that our children need a lot of warmth, love, nurturing, attunement, attention, and connection. And yes, children thrive when they’re given appropriate freedoms within boundaries and a limited amount of acceptable choices. But they also need something else, something I’ll outline in today’s podcast. 

👉 Create more joy, magic, togetherness, and connection in your day-to-day family life than you ever dreamed of... Join us for the Dream Family Bootcamp LIVE EXPERIENCE! hifam.com/bootcamp

With today’s meteoric rise of anxiety and depression, it’s crucial that we, as parents, know how to help our children master the emotional rollercoasters that life throws at us. In this episode, I offer some ancient wisdom all parents in the modern world need: "Feelings Follow Actions".

If you’re in a funk, give this a try! 

👉 Create more joy, magic, togetherness, and connection in your day-to-day family life than you ever dreamed of... Join us for the Dream Family Bootcamp LIVE EXPERIENCE! hifam.com/bootcamp

There are fragile substances, like glass: that break under pressure.

There are non-fragile substances, like steel: that don't break under pressure.

Then there are anti-fragile substances, like your immune system, or muscle tissue: that get stronger under pressure.

People need a bit of pressure and stress to become stronger... but the modern message today will tell you (and your kids): people are fragile.

Hi Fam says: Your family is antifragile. In this episode, you'll discover how to be antifragile and raise antifragile kids.

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Books mentioned:

Want to build a strong family culture and raise resilient kids? Join the Hi Fam Membership! Learn more at hifam.com 

Take my FREE Masterclass to get your child playing for 3 hours a day - without screens, bribes, or buying a thing! How to Transform Your Home Into a Play-Inducing Haven (reclaimplay.com/haven) 

“I love this show!” 👉 If that sounds like you please rate and review the show! This helps us support more people - just like you - to create a family life they love. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Why are today’s new generation opting out of having children at a rapid pace? Will our own children not want children? Should we care? How might this influence our well-being and sense of confidence as parents? Let’s talk about the birth rate drop and what it means for us parents. 

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“I love this show!” 👉 If that sounds like you please rate and review the show! This helps us support more people - just like you - to create a family life they love. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you to today's sponsor, Sunsama - organizing your work one day at a time. Try a 14-day free trial here: https://try.sunsama.com/hifam  Want to get your child playing for 3 hours a day without screens, bribes, or buying a thing? Take our FREE Masterclass! > (reclaimplay.com/haven) 

Family togetherness is disintegrating. Family culture is a lost art. Family leadership is a lost skill. Feeling a sense of belonging is a lost way of life. Let's explore the 3 reasons why that's happening and what you can do to build an unbreakable family.  

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“I love this show!” 👉 If that sounds like you please rate and review the show! This helps us support more people - just like you - to create a family life they love. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Want to get your child playing for 3 hours a day without screens, bribes, or buying a thing? Take our FREE Masterclass! (reclaimplay.com/haven) 

Want to build a strong family culture and raise resilient kids? Join the Hi Fam Membership! Learn more at hifam.com 

You’re not imagining it: there’s an epidemic of narcissism. Like other epidemics, it’s not easy to identify the precise cause of this one. In this episode, we're delving into the difference between destructive and healthy narcissism, the failure of the self-esteem movement, and the practical steps we can take as parents to raise resilient kids who are destined for meaningful relationships. 

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“I love this show!” 👉 If that sounds like you please rate and review the show! This helps us support more people - just like you - to create a family life they love. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you to today's sponsor, Sunsama - organizing your work one day at a time. Try a 14-day free trial here: https://try.sunsama.com/hifam  Want to get your child playing for 3 hours a day without screens, bribes, or buying a thing? Take our FREE Masterclass! > (reclaimplay.com/haven) 

Modern parenting trends dictate that we, as parents, must be authentic and help our children to “discover” their authentic selves. But what is “authentic”?  The problem with this focus is that by staring at what you don’t like about yourself, you're left feeling clueless about how to move forward. 

You might never discover some “true authentic self” no matter how many therapy sessions, journals, or meditations you throw at it. Or you might be disappointed by what you do discover. 

That’s okay because as you’ll hear me argue in this podcast, your authentic self is not someone to be “discovered”, it’s someone you can “design”.

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“I love this show!” 👉 If that sounds like you please rate and review the show! This helps us support more people - just like you - to create a family life they love. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Want to get your child playing for 3 hours a day without screens, bribes, or buying a thing? Take our FREE Masterclass! > (go to ReclaimPlay.com/haven) 

Growth: The new purpose for marriage and reason for divorce. 

You’re about to hear me pushback on a popular trend that isn’t helpful to our families. Before I begin I want you to know that there are many reasons that marriages end: legitimate reasons. Maybe you’re considering it or maybe you’ve already got divorced, or are in the process. Maybe your divorce happened because you were deeply unhappy, irreparably disconnected, or perhaps worse. Some marriages need to end. There should not be shame around divorce. 

In society today we’re hearing a new reason for divorce pop up. This new reason seems to be used as a cover for something real, and if this is a thought that’s capturing you, you’ll probably want to face that real thing if you want a chance at holding on to your relationship, or at least before your next relationship. Because owning the truth, and facing the truth is the only way we can truly grow and move forward.

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“I love this show!” 👉 If that sounds like you please rate and review the show! This helps us support more people - just like you - to create a family life they love. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you to today's sponsor, Sunsama - organizing your work one day at a time. Try a 14-day free trial here: https://try.sunsama.com/hifam  Want to get your child playing for 3 hours a day without screens, bribes, or buying a thing? Take our FREE Masterclass! > (reclaimplay.com/haven) 

Society seems to be in a war between the offensive and the offended; between those who attack with facts and logic and those who follow heart and soul; between those who think and those who feel. 

Just like many things in our life, the pendulum often swings from one extreme to the other and often, in a generational way. Many of us grew up in homes with a very different approach to emotions and feeling than what's popular today.

Should we honor facts or feelings? In this episode, you'll learn why this false dichotomy is hurting our families and how you can harness both sides to raise resilient kids. 

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“I love this show!” —> If that sounds like you please rate and review the show! This helps us support more people - just like you - to create a family life they love. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Want to get your child playing for 3 hours a day without screens, bribes, or buying a thing? Take our FREE Masterclass! > (reclaimplay.com/haven) 

Society is going to tell you that parenting is brutal and marriage is a bore (or worse). It will warn you about the sleepless nights, the stretch marks, and the cheerios in your hair. It will tell you that family life is exhausting, expensive, and full of sacrifice. 

But do you ever get the feeling that 'there must be a better way?' Like there is something missing? Well, that’s what we’re going to address, right here.

Here, in Hi, Fam! we’re going to give you a whole new perspective. We’re going to help you craft a vision of family life that is meaningful, intentional, and even enjoyable. And offer the tools to put that vision into practice. 

Today’s episode is all about the first step to take to get your family life on track, to put the pep back in your step, and to face anything that comes your way throughout the day. Let’s go!

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“I love this show!” —> If that sounds like you please rate and review the show! This helps us support more people - just like you - to create a family life they love. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Want to get your child playing for 3 hours a day without screens, bribes, or buying a thing? Take our FREE Masterclass! > (reclaimplay.com/haven) 

Too many parents are burning out – doing everything for everyone else in their families and feeling completely drained by the end of each day. It doesn’t have to be this way!

The truth is, what children need most are parents who feel good in their own skin, are well-cared for, and have great energy to tackle the day. The last thing they need are parents who feel resentful towards them for their own exhaustion.

In today’s episode, I’m going to share 8 tips on how to infuse a little more ‘selfishness’ into your life, prioritizing yourself in key areas so you can feel like a healthy human again!

↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓

Join us on the TPJ App for the full-text version, private community discussion, and MUCH more: https://bit.ly/3pTCFn7

[02:56] 1. Start the day with you

[05:12] 2. Eat for you

[08:06] 3. Consume content for you

[10:59] 4. Go places you enjoy

[13:06] 5. Organize your home for you

[15:03] It's ok to set limits

[16:00] 6. Shop for you

[17:12] 7. Make friends for you

[20:09] 8. Say no for you

[22:24] We don’t have to entertain our kids or give them everything they want

Click here to get on the waitlist for Present Play!

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Anger Management Tips for Parents: How to Handle Anger in Parenting 

I've always been drawn to peaceful parenting, conscious parenting, gentle parenting - however, I have a temper! I get triggered. And most parents struggle with anger and yelling. The following parenting tips will help you minimize your triggers so you can love parenting and parent from love.

Don't stay stuck with the feeling that there's something wrong with you or something wrong with your child - let's break this down:

↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓

Join us on the TPJ App for the full-text version, private community discussion, and MUCH more: https://bit.ly/3pTCFn7

0:00 How to Minimize Triggers

0:59 Present Play Membership opens in April (join the waitlist: www.theparentingjunkie.com/presentplay)

5:06 Anger is natural, but acting out of anger is destructive.

5:45 We overcomplicate anger management.

7:55 Being angry is very similar to being drunk.

14:36 Prefrontal cortex vs. amygdala.

16:04 The feelings will pass.

17:20 Once it passes, we can think clearly again.

18:43 It's a great opportunity to model for our children.

19:19 We can teach our children to take a break and calm down.

Click here to get on the waitlist for Present Play!

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Feeling hatred toward your child is a symptom of a different problem.

This is a controversial and taboo topic, but it's not that uncommon for parents to sometimes feel disgusted and think or say "Go away!" "Leave me alone." "I don't like you." "I don't want you." "I don't love you." "I hate you!" towards their kids.

So what's causing that very uncomfortable sensation and feeling? Don't stay stuck with the feeling that there's something wrong with you or something wrong with your child - let's break this down:

↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓

Join us on the TPJ App for the full-text version, private community discussion, and MUCH more: https://bit.ly/3pTCFn7

[02:14] Feeling hatred toward your child is a symptom of a different problem

[03:59] 1. This is normal

[05:57] Even though it's normal there are things we can do about it

[07:25] 2. Change is constant

[10:35] 3. Your child might be going through a hard time right now

[12:37] 4. YOU might be going through a hard time right now

[14:43] 5. You don't hate your child; you hate their behaviors or temperament

[17:12] 6. Take a break

[19:03] 7. Coach yourself

[20:16] 8. Inhibit yourself

[21:28] 9. Imagine it’s your last day on earth

[22:42] 10. Envision your golden moments with your child

[24:00] 11. List out the things that are awesome about your child

[24:41] 12. Reframe their bad traits

[26:28] Correct their shadow side and celebrate their light side

[27:01] Traits we find difficult in childhood are often assets in adulthood

[27:20] 13. Engage in baby bonding behaviors

[28:22] 14. Use humor

[29:34] 15. Love is a choice

Click here to get on the waitlist for Present Play!

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

You’ll discover 3 potent techniques to get back on track to loving your kid so you can flip the script when you start feeling annoyed, irritated or out of love with your child. I’ll even share some personal truths that I don’t usually talk about.

 Links & Resources

I'm sharing my experience and thoughts on sleep training so you can hopefully feel calm, cool, and confident in offering your child the best sleep. I hope you can listen to this episode in its entirety, because this is a nuanced and triggering topic that deserves in depth conversation. I wouldn't want you to miss the full context of the ideas presented here.

  Links & Resources

Stress…

We don’t want our kids to be stressed, but I think it’s safe to say we all want our children to be able to handle stress.

In this episode I discuss ways to help develop resiliency and anti-fragility in your children so they’ll be prepared to handle the stress of the “real world.”

Links & Resources

TED Talk: "How to make stress your friend | Kelly McGonical

Book: “The Coddling Of The American Mind”

Book: “Free-Range Kids”

“Who Is…?” series on Audible

We’re bombarded by society (our culture, parents, neighbors, friends, religious institutions, schools, movies, magazines, internet, etc.) with all sorts of inputs and directives about how we’re supposed to raise our children.

It’s time to dispel some common myths about parenting and relieve the pressure of trying to be the “perfect parent.”

Myths we’re busting:

Links & Resources:

Have you ever had thoughts or conversations about natural consequences, logical consequences, punishments, rewards, positive or negative reinforcement, etc., and felt like there was something missing – like there’s a deeper level to it all?  

Today we’re going to dive into these terms and get some clarity on what consequences really are, how we can apply them mindfully, and common pitfalls to avoid.

What I cover in this episode:

Show notes:

https://theparentingjunkie.com/8

Learn more:

https://theparentingjunkie.com/empathiclimits

You might have been reasonably happy in your marriage before kids came along – but we all know that going from two to three is a major life change and some marriages don’t survive it very well.

It’s really hard to go from wife to mom, or husband to dad. Although parenting is hard, many find that it’s easier than marriage. And so we get stuck in our parenting role and neglect our marriage role.

You may feel you have more control, influence, and even love for your kids, which can make you feel more and more disconnected from your partner. If any of this sounds familiar, there’s hope!

What you’ll hear in this episode:

Show notes: theparentingjunkie.com/7

Watch "How Peaceful Parenting RUINED My Marriage and How I Saved It": theparentingjunkie.com/marriage

It doesn't take two to tango.

Do you ever feel frustrated, disconnected, or misaligned with your spouse or partner? Does it seem like the spark and passion you once had is gone?

Have you ever thought that maybe your relationship has run its course, and it’s time to go separate ways?

If so, I've got good news for you! There is hope for you, AND change is possible, even if you have to work on it without your partner.

Free Masterclass: “How Peaceful Parenting RUINED My Marriage...and How I Saved It.” theparentingjunkie.com/marriage

In this episode, I interview Meredith. Things we discussed:

Links & Resources

Show Notes: theparentingjunkie.com/6

Free Masterclass: “How Peaceful Parenting RUINED My Marriage...and How I Saved It.” theparentingjunkie.com/marriage

Deal with distractions, enjoy them while they're young and bring peace and calm to your mind.

In this episode I’m going to give you actionable ways to bring more presence into your life so that you can experience regret -free living, enjoy your children (even while they’re young) and feel satisfied that you’re living life to the fullest.

Here’s the best part: It takes less than a minute a day.

In this episode you’ll hear:

● What presence is (and isn’t).

● How you’re not the only one who’s constantly feeling distracted. We all are!

● Why you shouldn’t wait for the “perfect circumstances” to be present, avoiding the “I’ll be present when...” trap.

● Why this is crucial for everyone (even if you think you’re already present or think it’s not for you).

● How to parent a child who grows up thinking “my parent connected with me and was there for me.”

● The 5 simple ways you can pull yourself into any moment and be present.

Links & Resources:

● Show notes: theparentingjunkie.com/5

● The Top Five Regrets of the Dying: A Life Transformed by the Dearly Departing by Bronnie Ware

● Sponsorship: theparentingjunkie.com/design

● Parent in Love Course: theparentingjunkie.com/parentinlove

● Facebook Community: theparentingjunkie.com/loveparenting ●

Show notes: theparentingjunkie.com/4

Links & Resources:

Do you ever wonder how some people make it look so easy and seem to “do it all?” They homeschool their kids while also growing a business. They’re highly productive, yet spend time with their loved ones and are fully present and engaged.

People often ask me how I do it all; run a business, homeschool my children, take care of our home, take care of myself, my spouse, etc. In this episode we’re going to dive into the topic of how I do it all.

First, it’s important to dispel the myth that any of us can do everything.  

How to do it all:

Supreme self-care.If you want to bring your best to everything you do, you need to take care of yourself. Our bodies and minds need time to rest and rejuvenate. Running yourself ragged is a recipe for burnout and depression. Once you feel rested, nourished, and taken care of, then everything else flows and you can give in a way that is never a sacrifice. It just flows from you naturally. There will be days that are hard and you’ll fall into a victim mindset. But you’re responsible for your own self-care and well-being, and when you take care of yourself, the bad days will be few and far between instead of normal.  You need to stop putting yourself last. Stop putting everything and everyone else before your own well-being. When you leave your self-care for last, there’s never enough time and energy. Start making self-care a priority and schedule it in first. Then take care of others with whatever time and energy is left.

I would love to hear what you’re saying “no” to so that you can say “yes” to self-care. Take a screenshot of this podcast episode and tag me on Instagram. Tag me (@parentingjunkie) and use the hashtag #parentingjunkie, and let me know what you’re doing to reclaim self-care.

One final tip: Focus on being relentlessly optimistic! Focus on gratitude, abundance, and resilience. See challenges and problems as opportunities to grow; rather than being something done to me, they’re opportunities for me.  

Links & Resources:

TheParentingJunkie.com/review

Do you struggle with feeling like you’re not good enough, or that you don’t measure up? There are so many different parenting philosophies out there: Attachment, RIE, simplicity, unconditional, Montessori, Waldorf, Reggio, gentle, respectful, conscious, peaceful…but which one is right for you?

Join me as I dive into this topic and reveal my parenting philosophy.

The problem:

The solution (and my philosophy):

Love parenting and parent from love.

Links & Resources:

Over the years I've been sharing things I'm learning about Parenting. Things I read in books, things I experiment on in my own lab (my family), and I've been sharing what has really resonated with me and what's worked for me.

But I must make a confession and expose the hypocrisy, the many contradictions and paradoxes that occur within me within my own mind, my family, my parenting practice, and what I outwardly preach.

There are many things that I am drawn to and believe in that I share with you. And then as time goes on, or perhaps just in the way that it resonates or works in my individual family and with my unique children, it didn't really work out that way or I opted for something else or I changed my mind.

In this episode I'm going to tell you about several things that I have preached outwardly that I still respect and support and believe in, but don't necessarily practice at home with my children. 

[02:04] #1 Unschooling

[04:58] #2 Co-sleeping

[07:19] #3 Saying no

[08:53] #4 Time outs

[10:36] We pick and choose what works best for our family

[11:55] #5 Punishments

[14:37] #6 Monitoring content

[16:28] #7 Sticker charts

[18:31] #8 Minimalism

[20:08] #9 E.C. & cloth diapers

I hope that this liberates you from any dogmatic kind of thinking, any kind of perfectionism, any imagination or projection onto me that I am doing it perfectly. Because that is so far from the truth.

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!

Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Full Show Notes: https://www.theparentingjunkie.com/110

So many of my clients and community members are stay-at-home parents; parents who aren't currently working or are working very minimally. A common struggle is a loss of identity or feeling like your value and your worth isn't recognized by others, or feeling like you've lost your confidence now that you “just stay at home with the kids”. 

In this episode I’m going to share how you can boost your confidence as a stay at home parent so you can be super confident and proud of who you are and what you're doing. 

[01:15] Stop minimizing

[02:26] Show up each day

[03:52] Value your contribution

[06:10] Be interesting

[08:26] Address your money mindset

[10:45] Switch from feeling apologetic to grateful

[13:06] Think about what you're giving your children

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Resources:

Full Show Notes: https://www.theparentingjunkie.com/108

Every so often I'll get a note from a parent who's feeling guilty that they have to work so much and can't be home with their little kids.

So often these parents write to me saying they feel bad that the kids don't see them as much as they could, or they feel bad that they're distracted and that their attention is going elsewhere other than just their children. 

I feel really passionate about this subject because here's one thing that I'm allergic to: dogmatic one-size-fits-all parenting advice.

When people make blanket statements like “mothers should be home with their babies” I think they’re missing so much nuance and it's really doing a huge disservice to all of us parents who are unique individuals with very unique circumstances. We're all different. Our children are all different. Our needs, aspirations, goals, beliefs, value systems, cultures, origins, and our resources are all different.

And therefore the answer is always going to be, as Magda Gerber said: It depends. 

In this episode I’ll talk about why you should feel great if you’re a working parent. 

[03:19] One isn't better than the other [04:59] You're providing for your children [05:48] Making money is part of parenting [07:28] You're modeling for your children

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!

Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Full Show Notes: https://www.theparentingjunkie.com/108

Are you pregnant? If so, congratulations! And if you’d like your partner to be an amazing support to you during your birth (and who wouldn’t, right?) then this episode is for you. 

[03:37] 1. Communicate well and often

[04:58] 2. Create a to-do list

[05:41] 3. Education

[08:28] 4. Explain what is supportive

[09:23] 5. Ensure they know it's not personal

[09:47] 6. Give them tools

[10:20] 7. Practice positions & massage/acupressure points

[11:29] 8. Empower them to stay calm and take ownership

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Full Show Notes: https://www.theparentingjunkie.com/107

At the time of this recording, I’m pregnant with my fifth child. So far I've given birth in hospitals and birthing centers, and for a long list of reasons this time around, I decided to have a home birth. In this episode I’ll be sharing how I've been preparing in order to set myself up for maximum success in my home birth. 

This is a list of what has been working for me, and that I'm excited to do. Take and leave what works for you. 

There are a million reasons to have, or to not have, a home birth. It's deeply personal. It 100% depends on your unique individual situation, and I'm not making any recommendations. You need to work with your healthcare providers and your intuition and do what’s best for you. 

Also, all births are beautiful and all we really want is for ourselves and our baby to be healthy. So if this isn't in the cards for you, don't worry. All across the spectrum, from C-sections to unassisted home births, it can be an incredibly empowering experience. There's no one right way to birth your baby into the world.

[01:39] 1. Share with supportive people

[02:57] 2. Create a great team

[04:27] 3. Make preparations for your other children

[06:29] 4. Prepare your space. 

[06:44] We want to increase calming hormones and decrease stress related hormones.

[08:41] 5. Prepare for the birthing process

[10:58] 6. Set aside something comfortable to wear

[12:00] 7. Set out some pictures

[12:25] 8. Have snacks on-hand

[14:10] 9. Put thought into your presentation and communication

[14:51] 10. Have the car seat ready to go

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Resources:

Full Show Notes: https://www.theparentingjunkie.com/106

By the time you're reading this, I hope to have had my fifth baby. But at the time of this recording, I'm pregnant with number five, and I want to share some self-care tips for when you're pregnant. To some, self-care is a luxury. But I believe it’s a necessity.  

It's been a hectic, crazy time in my life being home with my kids and running my business. Even so, I prioritize self-care and it has made this pregnancy so much more joyful for me. 

And I want to share those tips with you because I think self care is something that sometimes goes out the window. When we're parents to young children, especially when we have a lot of stress going on, when we're busy with work or running a home, we often take care of everyone except ourselves. 

Unfortunately, that is not a sustainable strategy. We are likely to burn out. We are likely to build resentment and we are likely to not perform the best that we can. 

I know I’m so lucky to be able to do all of these things, and not everyone is able to prioritize self-care. So just like with all my work, take what works for you and leave the rest. It may or may not resonate. But if it does, I hope you find this helpful and inspiring! 

[03:17] I like to feel put together and wear things that don't make me feel extra "frumpy"

[04:02] 1. Dress and get ready for the day

[07:10] 2. Move your body

[08:40] 3. Prioritize your sleep

[08:52] 4. Intermittent fasting

[11:44] 5. Eat well & take supplements

[12:29] 6. Address fears and past birthing trauma

[14:59] 7. Take care of your mind

[17:20] 8. Declutter, organize, and decorate

[18:38] 9. Make your home comfortable

[19:18] 10. Incorporate nature

[21:34] Ask yourself "How can I make this work for me?"

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Resources:

Full Show Notes: https://www.theparentingjunkie.com/105

If you would like your home to look more beautiful and sophisticated, even on an inexpensive budget while you have little kids at home, then this episode is for you.

My background is in graphics, branding, and identity design. I love talking and thinking about all things design. Primarily from the functional perspective, but also from the aesthetics. 

I believe deeply that the things we see around us influence our psychology, influence our behavior, influence our emotions, and they matter. They're tools that we can use to influence how we feel and behave, and how our children feel and behave as well. 

You can certainly spend a lot of money on this, but you don't have to. Even when buying things on a budget (or using what you already have), there are things you can do in order to make your home feel more sophisticated, more to your taste, even when there are little children around. 

In this episode I'm going to cover 10 common areas that can be addressed to help your home feel more sophisticated and beautiful. 

[02:10] #1 - Toy storage

[04:11] #2 - Kid's artwork

[05:19] #3 - Family pictures

[06:06] #4 - The entry way

[07:23] #5 - Household items

[08:27] #6 - Child specific items

[09:21] #7 - Continuously declutter

[10:09] #8 - Adult-like furniture

[12:03] #9 - Future-proof furniture

[13:06] #10 - Linens

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Resources:

Full Show Notes: https://www.theparentingjunkie.com/104

Have you heard of the law of attraction? It’s something that I read about and hear about often. And in fact, it’s something that I intuitively really connect to and practice in my life. Today I'm going to talk with you about how I use the law of attraction to create a life that I love, and invite you to do the same!

[05:30] #1 - Get clear on what you want

[08:55] #2 - Focus on what you want

[10:01] #3 - Ignore what you don't want

[14:41] #4 - Practice gratitude

[15:16] #5 - Elevate your expectations

[20:53] "Live life as if everything is rigged in your favor." Rumi

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!

Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Resources:

Full Show Notes: https://www.theparentingjunkie.com/103

Are you finding yourself in survival mode, feeling like you are running on empty and worried that you might be leading yourself to burnout? If you’re not sure where you fall on the burnout spectrum, go check out last week’s episode on the 10 signals that you might be in survival mode. 

Now that we know the signs, it’s time to get practical and do something about it. 

What we really want to do is get our expectations to meet our level of support, and work on both sides of that equation. On one hand we need to be realistic about our expectations and in some ways lower the bar. But we can also work on increasing our level of support or perhaps reduce our level of responsibilities. 

Let’s dig in and talk about how we can conserve energy and recharge so that we can push ourselves out of survival mode and thrive.

[02:22] #1 - Simplify everything

[02:56] #2 - Use more screen time

[04:05] #3 - Lower your learning expectations

[05:03] #4 - Lower your presence expectations

[06:31] #5 - Write out helpful scripts

[10:11] #6 - Ask for help (and accept it)

[12:11] #7 - Let people in

[13:29] #8 - Prioritize self-care

[15:20] #9 - Positive self-talk

[16:50] #10 - Enlist your children's help

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Resources:

Full Show Notes: https://www.theparentingjunkie.com/102

One of the biggest risks we face as parents is burning out and falling into survival mode. In difficult seasons it becomes especially challenging to stay charged and energized. Many of us (myself included) run the risk of burning out when we don’t take care of ourselves and “refuel our tank.” You can only run on empty for so long.

I have seen so many parents on the brink of burnout (or fully in it), and I’ve been there as well. It's a major issue.

So today I want to share with you 10 signs you want to look for that might be telling you that your tank is empty, that you're about to enter survival mode. 

[02:09] #1 - You're constantly stressed

[03:10] #2 - You get triggered a lot

[04:06] #3 - Meeting basic needs is a struggle

[05:52] #4 - Everything feels urgent

[06:42] #5 - There’s a sense of impending doom

[07:31] #6 - You feel like you're failing

[09:29] #7 - You’re stuck in the present moment

[10:21] #8 - You feel isolated

[11:48] #9 - You feel helpless

[12:47] The level of expectations in our lives must match the level of support

[13:38] #10 - You feel like you can't measure up

Now that you know the signs, it’s time to do something about it. Check back in next week because I'm going to share a sequel to this and talk about what we can do to get out of survival mode.

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Resources:

Full Show Notes: https://www.theparentingjunkie.com/101

Most of us know that feeling of preparing a lovely meal for our children, sitting down to eat it with them only to have our toddler promptly THROW IT ON THE FLOOR 😡 😭 🤦🏽‍♀️

It can be so aggravating. If you're not sure how to handle the situation and it's repeating in your home, you are so not alone. Let's talk about what we can do about it.

[00:58] #1 - Normalize it

[01:41] Trajectory schema

[02:32] #2 - Stay calm

[04:13] #3 - Say what you want to see

[05:00] #4 - Don't play the game

[06:36] #5 - Give them alternatives

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Resources:

Full Show Notes: https://www.theparentingjunkie.com/100

Do you struggle to get your kids out the door in the morning? Are you ever late for things because you’re arguing with your kids or having trouble getting them ready for the day? You’re not alone. Kristen from our Present Play community asked for advice about how to deal with this. 

In this episode I’ll discuss my thoughts and help you get back your sanity!

[00:38] Kristen's question: How can I motivate my child to get ready more quickly?

[03:37] More love isn't always the answer

[06:59] Natural consequences are great when they can play themselves out.

[07:32] Are there any morning activities that will be missed if they aren't ready in time?

[08:26] Your frustration and depleted patience is a natural consequence too.

[09:29] Try playful parenting

[11:26] Set a clear boundary and follow through

[15:37] Avoid power struggles.

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Resources:

Full Show Notes: https://www.theparentingjunkie.com/99

Do you have a little toddler at home and you're tearing your hair out, trying to find ways to keep this person busy without always resorting to screens? 

If so, I've got you. I totally feel it. And I am here with five ways that toddlers generally love playing independently and that you can use today to keep your little person occupied and busy without screens.

[00:53] #1 - Sensory Play

[04:30] #2 - Movement

[06:17] #3 - Music

[07:21] #4 - Dressing up

[08:52] #5 - Pretend play

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Resources:

Full Show Notes: https://www.theparentingjunkie.com/98

Can babies play independently? Is that even possible? Or is it something that only develops later (if at all)? The answer is...they can! And in this episode I’m going to talk about 10 ways they can play and how to encourage them to do so. 

[01:05] #1 - Don't entertain your baby

[02:39] #2 - Le Pause

[04:13] #3 - Don't overstimulate - keep it simple

[06:23] #4 - Don't interfere

[07:52] #5 - Keep things low

[09:20] #6 - Keep trying

[10:59] #7 - Try different times

[12:43] #8 - Try different positions

[13:38] #9 - Make sure they're comfortable

[14:21] #10 - Experiment with music

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Resources:

Full Show Notes: https://www.theparentingjunkie.com/97

When you’re pregnant, it can be so hard to get enough sleep. Between the hormones and feeling so uncomfortable, it can be very hard to sleep. And if you have other children or issues in the mix, it can be even more challenging to get the rest we need.  

While there certainly are some things outside of our control, there are quite a few things that are within our control. In that light, I’d like to offer 10 suggestions to help you prioritize sleep so you can get more rest.  

[01:39] 1. Keep your bedroom clean and tidy

[03:11] 2. Use calming fragrances

[03:37] 3. Use comfy PJs and sheets

[04:58] 4. Keep your room cooler

[06:11] 5. Use comfy pillows

[06:51] 6. Reduce light exposure

[10:04] 7. Talk to your health care provider about sleep supplements

[11:25] 8. Drink more water in the morning and less in the evening

[12:05] 9. Try out some gadgets and gizmos

[13:36] 10. Go to bed earlier

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Resources:

Full Show Notes: https://www.theparentingjunkie.com/96

Do you ever hate this whole parenting thing? There’s absolutely no shame here...I think most parents feel this way at some point in their parenting journey. 

In this episode I’m going to cover 10 reasons you might hate parenting, and most importantly what you can do about it. 

[00:53] 1 - haven't come to terms with your own childhood

[03:02] 2 - You're still waiting to be parented yourself

[05:39] 3 - Your home is a mess

[07:29] 4 - You haven't stepped into your leadership role yet

[10:06] 5 - You're giving waaaay too much of yourself

[13:40] 6 - You're not addressing key behaviors that are disruptive

[16:06] 7 - You're not sleeping enough

[19:00] 8 - You're not making it fun for you

[22:33] 9 - You're comparing yourself to others

[25:18] 10 - You have a fixed mindset

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!

Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Resources:

Full Show Notes: https://www.theparentingjunkie.com/95

Let’s talk depression. First I want to say that I have gone through seasons where I needed professional help, and there’s absolutely no shame in that. If you feel you need some help, please don’t hesitate. It can make a world of difference. 

But even if you’re not feeling clinically depressed, it’s common to go through seasons of feeling “the blues” or feeling down. Thankfully, there are some things we can do to help bolster our mood and help us feel better! 

In this episode I’m going to give you 15 things you can do when you’re feeling down.

[00:45] 1 - Normalize

[02:56] 2 - Express don't suppress

[04:23] 3 - Seek professional help

[05:54] 4 - Do "The Work" by Byron Katie

[06:40] 5 - Get outside

[07:18] 6 - Get a listening partnership

[08:33] 7 - Get enough sleep

[09:14] 8 - Move your body

[10:09] 9 - Laugh (watch some comedy)

[10:47] 10 - Pamper yourself

[11:25] 11 - Eat well

[12:58] 12 - Check if you need supplements or a dietary change

[13:14] 13 - Cleanse your mental diet

[14:41] 14 - Take a break from social media

[15:10] 15 - Help others

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Resources mentioned:

Books about CBT:

Books about mindset:

Full Show Notes: https://www.theparentingjunkie.com/94 

Do you feel overwhelmed by your life at home with young children? I’m a mother of 5, I run my own business, I homeschool part-time...I have a lot on my plate (and I’m sure you do too).

It can be so easy to feel overwhelmed! But we’re not helpless. There are things within our control that can make a big difference and reduce the overwhelm in our lives. 

In this episode I’ll give you 10 tips to help you reduce the overwhelm.

[00:52] #1 Declutter

[02:37] #2 Create storage systems

[03:58] #3 Clean as you go

[06:01] #4 Batch your cooking

[08:03] #5 Develop consistency & routine

[10:18] #6 Buy things in sets

[12:05] #7 Store similar things together

[14:21] #8 Create a family color pallette 

[16:36] #9 Get clear on your vision

[17:53] #10 Put systems in place

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Resources:

In our culture it’s quite acceptable to wear yoga pants all day, have cheerios in your hair, have spit up on your shirt, and always look a little bit like a hot mess once you become a mom.

And you know what? It’s OK if you do! Being a mom is exhausting and demanding.

Compared to the childless life, it’s a lot harder to look and feel phenomenal as you’re running around after toddlers all day, taking care of newborns all night, chauffeuring kids around all day, preparing lunches, making loads of meals, washing loads of dishes, cleaning all the time, and the list goes on. I get it. I really get it.

I’m not a lifestyle, fashion and makeup guru, but I do know this: when I feel put together, somewhat taken care of, and I like the way that I look, I operate better.  I’m a much more patient, upbeat, and positive person.

So I happen to think that it’s an incredibly powerful parenting tool to make yourself feel like the best version of yourself. When we feel good and feel confident going out into the world we have more energy to show up for our children with more love, patience, energy, space and joy! We just have more of ourselves to give.

In this episode I’ll give you 8 tips to help feel phenomenal as a mom with littles! 

[02:33] #1 - Don't snooze

[05:07] #2 - Get dressed in the morning

[06:51] #3 - Do something to take care of yourself in the morning

[08:29] #4 - Add fragrance to yourself and/or your home

[09:41] #5 - Play music you love

[11:00] #6 - Make food you love

[13:55] #7 - Take time to do little things for yourself throughout the day.

[15:58] #8 - Take care of yourself at night

[19:03] Speaking of nighttime...go to bed earlier!

[20:42] Feeling phenomenal as a parent is a form of good parenting!

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

In this episode I’ll be addressing a question from a member of our Present Play community. 

Tracy from Georgia asked what to do when your children use rude or inappropriate language, and also how to address their negative self-talk. 

Thank you for your question Tracy! You are certainly not alone in this struggle. All parents are presented with these challenges (including myself).

There are a few ways to go about it, but I'd like to talk about my preferred approach. 

[04:59] Keep in mind: Childhood development is a slow process. Changes are gradual and it takes time, repetition, and consistency.

[06:22] Typical approach #1: Authoritarian Approach

[09:02] Typical approach #2: Permissive Approach

[11:20] 3rd option: Be calm but firm and address the situation.

[12:16] We have to be responsive to the situation, but not reactive.

[12:30] Step 1: Pause, breathe, and calm yourself down. Then state clearly and calmly to yourself and your child what you DO want to see.

[13:23] Say to yourself "I will respond when I've gathered myself and collected my thoughts."

[15:14] Step 2: Calmly explain what will happen if they continue. Just a logical consequence for continuing.

[17:00] It's not a threat or punishment. We're trying to teach them what the results of certain behaviors are.

[17:34] Step 3: Follow through immediately.

[21:13] How to address a child's negative self talk.

[22:38] Center yourself. This is a normal part of childhood and every child needs to work through it. 

[25:22] Help them focus on the right things.

[25:53] We're trying to teach our children what advances their agenda and what takes away from it.

[30:36] The energy at which we have these interactions is the most important factor.

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

When you’re home with young children it can feel really overwhelming and stressful. Between all the messes, the tantrums, the whining, the noise, and the smells, it can make your home a place you want to escape from instead of a place to escape to. 

In this episode I’ll give you 10 practical tips to bring more pleasure, peace, joy, fun, and energy into your home. 

[02:07] #1 - Add some plants

[04:51] #2 - Play music

[06:23] #3 - Use aromas and fragrances

[08:11] #4 - Keep surfaces clear

[11:06] #5 - Decorate with affirming words

[12:55] #6 - Print and display family photos

[14:49] #7 - Use neutral colors

[17:46] #8 - Use natural and soft lighting

[20:15] #9 - Add beautiful objects (and remove ugly objects)

[24:31] #10 - Comfortable furniture pieces

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Full Show Notes: https://www.theparentingjunkie.com/90 

Do you ever feel like you don't want to do this anymore? This parenting thing, I mean. The nagging, the fighting, the wining, the dishes, the laundry, feeling tired and drained and sometimes, hopeless. Angry. Vengeful.

Exhausted. 

We all go through seasons like this. But the good news is we don’t have to stay there. One thing that can make a huge difference and give you the extra push to get through the lows is to create a vision for your family. 

That’s what I want to talk about today. 

[02:53] What do we do when we don't feel like we can keep going?

[04:37] That's why it's so important to have a vision.

[05:35] We need to understand what it's all for.

[06:07] We all need a vision for our families

[06:57] If you don't already have one, it's time to start working on it!

[07:18] Examples, to get the creative juices flowing...

[07:54] It needs to be meaningful. Something to get you up in the morning. Something worth fighting for.

[08:44] If you'd like help crafting yours, I've put together a package to guide you through the process step by step.

Creating a big juicy vision for your family will help you push through the challenging times. It’ll provide a north star, a guiding light, taking you closer to what you really want for you and your family. 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Resources:

Full Show Notes: https://www.theparentingjunkie.com/89

Many people find they lose aspects of their identity when they have kids. Can you relate? This year has certainly made it more challenging to hold onto our identities. Many things in our lives have been “lost” (or put on hold) during the pandemic, and it has been hard. 

If you’re feeling like you’ve lost yourself, this episode is for you. 

[00:36] Join me in my free challenge, Finish Strong! 

[05:34] Ready to create the vision for your family?

[05:39] Many of us feel a loss of identity as we enter parenthood.

[05:56] Let's evaluate the source of our identity

[06:57] Changes in life can change our identities.

[08:05] The things we are or do make for superficial identities.

[09:48] Where else can we find our identity? 

[12:36] Start focusing more on the "how" and less on the "what"

As we start to focus more on how we show up, how we go about our days, we’ll find that our identities are much more stable and steady in the face of adversity. The “what” might change, but how we show up remains constant. 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Resources:

Full Show Notes: https://www.theparentingjunkie.com/88 

Everyone makes mistakes and experiences failures. We all have shortcomings, weaknesses, and areas of lack. And many people are stuck in a fixed mindset, thinking that it’s just how they are. 

But not everyone.

Some people have adopted a growth mindset, and see mistakes and failures in a different (and positive) light. Do you want to be one of them?

Join me in this episode as we discuss how to do just that. 

[00:36] Join me in my free challenge, Finish Strong! 

[02:36] Do you feel like there have been some mistakes either on your part or other people's part?

[03:20] Many people are stuck in a Fixed Mindset

[04:31] We can decide to change and grow.

[05:23] How my 97 year old grandma stays young and vibrant

[06:32] It's tragic when people say things like "that's just how I am"

[06:42] Our brains have plasticity and we can continue to change and learn

[07:07] Adopt a growth mindset

[07:47] Successful people view their mistakes and failures as learning opportunities.

[08:36] Do you beat yourself up over mistakes and failures?

[09:25] Everything is in a constant state of change. 

We don't have to stay stuck. We can change, adapt, and grow (and so can our kids). Let’s start to view our mistakes and failures as learning opportunities and continue to improve and develop. 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Resources:

Full Show Notes: https://www.theparentingjunkie.com/87 

Kids (and adults, if we’re being honest) often have a rigid way of thinking. It’s often black or white, all or nothing. We see our truth, and find it hard to understand that someone else may have a different truth. 

But life (and people) are much more complex and nuanced than that, and we often live with a duality that can be hard to cope with. Today we’re going to talk about a hallmark of maturity that can help us (and our kids) deal with this. 

[01:14] Join me in my free challenge, Finish Strong! 

[02:50] Children often have a rigid way of thinking

[04:16] The ability to hold 2 conflicting truths at the same time is a hallmark of maturity.

[05:09] Let's replace the word "but" & “or” with "and"

[06:44] Sometimes we can feel both a like and dislike for the same thing. What do we do with that? 

[08:01] It's immature to reduce things or people down to just one thing, all or nothing. 

[08:32] Let's try to coach our kids and introduce them to other perspectives.

As we experience challenges and difficult circumstances (and difficult people), Let's try to use "and" more than "or" or "but". Let’s give people space for their complex views and truths and realize that we all live with some duality in our lives. 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Resources:

Full Show Notes: https://www.theparentingjunkie.com/86 

Are you going through something tough in your life? A big transition, problems at home or in your relationships, financial struggles. Maybe you haven’t had the support you’re used to and you feel like you’re drowning. It could even be a series of trivial things that normally wouldn’t amount to much, but with the year we’ve been having...let’s just say it’s been hard on many of us. 

When we experience challenges, we often go through a process of grief (even on “small” stuff). There’s a typical progression of 5 stages that most of us go through, and today I want to talk about that and what CAN come after stage 5. 

[02:43] Has 2020 been a rough year for you? Are you longing for some change (in the right direction)? Join me in my free challenge, Finish Strong!

[04:53] Stage 1: Denial

[06:22] Stage 2: Anger

[06:48] Stage 3: Bargaining

[07:39] Stage 4: Depression

[08:19] Stage 5: Acceptance

[09:26] What comes after acceptance?

[10:57] Stage 6: The silver lining

[14:45] How we can coach our children through this.

We certainly are justified staying in any stage. But we can choose to move forward and search for the silver lining in our challenges, finding the gifts and blessings that are there for the taking. 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Full Show Notes: https://www.theparentingjunkie.com/85

Have you (or your child) experienced rough times? Are you having a hard time dealing with them? If so, this episode is for you. 

[01:29] Has 2020 been a rough year for you? Are you longing for some change (in the right direction)? Join me in my free challenge, Finish Strong!

[05:58] Mindset is so important when it comes to challenges we’ve faced.

[07:18] Integrate any trauma we have experienced.

[09:31] When someone has made sense of their narrative, they go a long way toward healing.

[10:27] How can we use this today? 

[12:08] Here's an example: When a child falls down

[14:14] Talk through what happened.

[14:51] But wait...do we really want to relive trauma? 

[17:01] Eventually it becomes boring (or at least loses it's edge).

[17:41] Example from my life: Childbirth trauma

[19:55] Start working through the story of this past year.

It’s time to put in some work! Start working through your story, talking about what happened, and begin to integrate it into your narrative. It’ll begin the healing process and you’ll find it’ll start to lose it’s sting.

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Resources:

Full Show Notes: https://www.theparentingjunkie.com/84

For some reason we sometimes downplay our roles as parents. We often say things like “I’m just a mom/dad”, and at times don’t approach it with the same zest and zeal we would in our career or other leadership role. Why is that?

Today I want to discuss parenting and how I think our role as a parent is like being a CEO. 

[00:31] Parenting is a high stakes "job" (I know it's a relationship and not a job...but hear me out).

[01:02] But we often downplay our role as a parent.

[01:53] As parents, we're CEOs of our families. 

[03:46] The work we do as parents is meaningful and important.

[04:35] Let's start thinking of ourselves as CEOs

[04:51] Let's show up with zest, joy, and interest.

[05:00] Let's take pride in the work we're doing. We're not "just" moms or dads. We're leaders. 

[05:54] We should invest in ourselves like a CEO. Read books, listen to podcasts, learn more about our craft. 

[07:01] People who are "successful" aren't necessarily more talented. They're often relentless in their pursuit of growing in their craft.

Let’s approach our parenting like we would a CEO role in a business, and work toward mastery in our craft! 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

We all want our kids to be resilient. We want them to be critical thinkers. We want them to be respectful, to value diversity, and be tolerant of various lifestyles and backgrounds. Right? 

Just like our immune system needs to be challenged by foreign substances, our values, beliefs, and opinions are bolstered and improved by being challenged. 

In this episode I’m going to discuss why our kids need to be exposed to alternative points of view in order to become healthy, functioning adults.  

[00:43] Have you seen "The Social Dilemma"?

[04:05] We are living in an echo chamber.

[08:18] Each of us are living in our own little universe online

[10:25] If we want our kids to develop critical thinking skills, they must be exposed to alternative points of view.

[12:24] We need to resist the urge to "protect" our kids from any views or opinions that we don't agree with.

[13:32] Shielding your child from an idea makes them more vulnerable to that idea.

[15:43] We want our children to learn how to discern.

[16:23] We want our kids to develop balanced and nuanced opinions.

[17:34] Even some of the best ideas, when taken to the extreme, can become unhealthy.

[19:04] If we want to stay balanced, we need to be exposed to alternative viewpoints.

[20:30] Hearing alternative points of view can bolster yours. 

[22:33] I want to teach my children that everyone is at least worth listening to.

[23:23] We want our kids to develop empathy and diversity.

[25:25] I want my kids to understand that it's ok for others to believe differently, live differently, vote differently, etc. 

[28:06] I use a Socratic method of asking questions to help my kids think through an idea or opinion.

[29:15] There's always something to learn from other people.

[29:54] Ideas are something that we can contend with.

[31:48] I want my children to understand that we all have more in common with others than what divides us.

If we want our kids to develop empathy & critical thinking, to value diversity & tolerance and understand that it’s ok for people to live and believe differently than us, we need to be purposeful about exposing them to alternative points of view. We need to show them that we can contend with ideas, and lead the way as we discern information and value what other people have to say. 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Resources:

Have you ever been shamed or humiliated in front of people? Whether it was during school, a social event, or even online, most of us have been publicly shamed at some point.

How did it make you feel? Did it make you want to change? Did it feel good? Did it feel like they had your best interest at heart? Odds are good your answer is no. 

So why do some think that it’s ok to continue this into adulthood, especially online? 

In this episode I’m going to discuss the call-out culture and what we can do instead. 

[01:53] The "callout culture” is spreading like a wild fire...even though public shaming was done away with as a legal form of punishment.

[05:37] What's true in the micro is true in the macro.

[06:35] “How we live each day is how we live our entire lives.”

[09:10] Why do some believe you shouldn't publicly shame children, but have no problem doing it to adults?

[10:34] The trend of publicly shaming & calling people out online.

[11:59] What child psychology tells us about public shaming. 

[14:29] Why is it ok to publicly shame adults? 

[18:47] What should we do when we see or hear something we don't like?

[20:50] Often inaction is the "higher road".

[23:20] Let's make a culture and society that allows a margin for error.

[24:11] In the moments where you need to say something, let's call people in.

[28:15] Let's be curious, humble, and give others the benefit of the doubt.

[29:53] We don't influence our children (or anyone) by attacking them or shaming them. 

The call-out culture is unhealthy for us, public shaming doesn’t work (and was outlawed for a reason) and people react negatively to being humiliated. Let’s all do our part to end the call-out culture.

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Resources:

Do you ever feel like you’re struggling under the weight of being an adult? Managing your time, finances, relationships, emotions, children, etc...sometimes life can feel so out of control. 

Then you add in anxiety, fear, and worry about things going on around you and in the world at large...it’s no wonder so many people are suffering and feel stuck. 

In this episode I’ll discuss these challenges and talk about what we can do to overcome them. 

[03:08] Wednesday's workshop, 9/30/20 @11a Eastern Time

[06:07] What does it mean to be an adult?

[13:15] The difference between adults and grown-ups.

[13:49] Grown-ups have their emotional life in order.

[15:53] Grown-ups have their psychological life in order.

[20:52] Grown-ups have their spiritual life in order.

[21:31] Immature people are obsessed with themselves and others' thoughts and opinions.

[27:18] The key to finding meaning and joy in life is to grow ourselves up. 

[31:33] How do we grow up? Mindset work.

[32:40] How do we get our emotional life in order?

[33:13] We must start to take responsibility for feelings and emotions, and start making different choices.

[33:52] How do we get our psychological life in order?

[38:49] How do we get our spiritual life in order?

[43:23] What does it look like to "show up"?

Q&A Section

[55:41] How many people are in the group coaching sessions?

[56:08] Is this coaching for kids or parents?

[56:39] How do you manage a relationship with a family member who is an adult but not a grown-up?

[59:30] How do you break out of these immature cycles when you feel stuck there? 

This sort of work (mindset work) is where real change takes place. It’s what takes us to the next level and helps us work toward levels of peace, enjoyment, and fulfillment we all crave and deserve. Let’s get to work! 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Resources:

Do you ever struggle with fear, frustration, worry, anxiety, or negative thoughts?

There can be this running voice in our heads that constantly makes us feel like we're not enough, like we're messing up, like we're a failure. It can be so easy to feel offended, feel like a victim, feel upset, worried, anxious, scared, fearful, doubtful, etc. 

In this episode I'm going to talk about how our mindsets are everything, and share a little bit about my own personal story of how my mindset helped me turn things around. And more importantly, how you can too.

[03:43] I used to be so easily offended and shaken up. 

[06:13] Our mindset and how we frame things is a huge differentiator in how we experience life.

[14:43] Framing things in a positive light can be very challenging, however.

[17:37] External circumstances don't necessarily link directly to a person's internal experience.

[20:51] How can two people who've been through the same traumatic experience turn out so differently?

[24:07] What mindsets can help us turn things around when we feel stuck, frustrated, hurt, etc.?

[27:22] People have the capacity to change when they want to. 

[29:32] We must start to think about how we think about things.

[31:54] In any given situation, we have a choice about our mindset around it.

[32:08] There's a difference between reacting and responding.

[33:20] We can't control much of what happens in the world, but we can control ourselves and how we respond.

We can choose to stay stuck in a fixed mindset, or we can adopt a growth mindset and become the people we want to be. The choice is ours. What will you choose?

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Resources:

There seems to be some confusion in our culture between criticism and critique. While criticism can be unhelpful and hurtful, critique is necessary to help us grow, develop, and make wise choices. It’s how things improve! 

You’ve probably heard the saying “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” I sometimes get feedback like this when I talk about school or issues in parenting. And I agree! We should always be kind. But perhaps we need to redefine what's "nice."

In this episode I want to discuss the differences between criticism and critique, and how I think critique is necessary and helpful. 

[02:24] What design school taught me about criticism.

[05:47] It can be helpful to de-personalize critiques & criticism.

[06:59] We shouldn't say something if it isn't nice, but perhaps we need to redefine what's "nice."

[07:50] We need to be able to discuss the merits and the downsides of various things. 

[08:39] Before you speak, ask yourself if what you are going to say is true, is kind, is necessary, is helpful. If the answer is no, maybe what you are about to say should be left unsaid.” -Bernard Meltzer

[09:38] Differences between criticism and critique.

[13:49] Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. -Dalai Lama

[13:54] It's possible to point out things that need to be changed or improved without being unkind. 

[14:42] We need to be less fragile, and handle critique. 

[16:01] We don't have to shut down conversations just because there's critique involved.

[16:42] The ability to critique is an incredible skill to have. 

[18:38] Critique is how we learn & grow, and it's a sign of maturity.

Critique is something we all need to be open to hearing, and open to giving. It’s a skill we can develop, and can greatly enhance our lives and the lives of our children. 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

How do you express your love? Is it the same way you receive love? How do your kids experience your love? In this episode I’ll discuss the five love languages coined by Gary Chapman and add my take on them. PLUS I’m adding a 6th one to the list. 

[02:13] Gary Chapman’s “The Five Love Languages”

[03:19] This can help us understand each other and improve our relationships.

[06:06] These can change as we change. 

[07:42] Avoid feelings like you're not good enough.

[09:54] Words of affirmation

[11:50] Physical touch

[13:46] Quality time

[16:23] Acts of service

[20:08] You may not excel at every single one...and that's ok! Most of us are stronger in some and weaker in

[20:34] Gift giving

[22:13] My addition (love language #6): Visionary Leadership

I know sometimes it can feel futile, putting all this work into taking care of and loving our children.

It can leave us wondering whether they’ll remember any of it and if it will make a difference. I believe it will make a BIG difference! You’re embedding this into their being.

They may not realize it until they’re older, but at some point you’ll see the fruit of your hard work! 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here.

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Resources:

Marriage should not be a cause of pain and suffering. OR AT LEAST, should not ONLY be a cause of pain and suffering.

It should also be a source of great energy and joy, and should be enhancing and boosting our life. It should make life easier and more enjoyable, having this companion and life partner by our side.

But so often I’m seeing the opposite. Instead of being mostly good with some challenges, I’m seeing big challenges and lots of stress, with very little joy. 

In this episode I want to take you through a set of common beliefs about marriage, and why I think they’re wrong.  

[04:27] Limiting belief #1: Marriages don't work out.

[09:12] Limiting belief #2: The ONLY way to improve your relationship is with counseling.

[15:01] Limiting belief #3: You chose the wrong partner.

[22:56] Limiting belief #4: My partner will never change.

[26:46] Limiting belief #5: It would be easier alone.

[32:26] Limiting belief #6: I'm too tired and/or busy to do ALL the work.

[44:02] Limiting belief #7: What if I try and it doesn't work? 

[46:52] Marriage is like Mt. Everest.

[50:10] So how do you do it? What do you do to build the relationship of your dreams?

[52:30] https://theparentingjunkie.com/parentinlove

Q&A

[54:52] If we're already in Present Play, can we join Parent In Love too? 

[55:17] Do you get the coaching if you're already in Parent In Love?

[55:58] Is there a payment plan for Parent In Love?

[56:23] Is Parent In Love applicable if my partner doesn't go through the course?

[58:34] How much does it cost?

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Resources:

Has your relationship suffered after children were thrown into the mix? Chances are good that it has. I’ve certainly gone through ups and downs, and my friends and clients have too. While challenges certainly are inevitable, life-long suffering in your relationship doesn’t have to be. 

In this episode I’m going to ask some questions and even give you a little tough love to inspire and encourage you to do what it takes to turn things around! 

[01:03] How did your relationship change after having kids? 

[04:26] We often neglect the relationship with our partner

[07:02] Deep down we all know our relationships are important. But many people underestimate just how important they really are.

[11:40] The relationship with our partner is the most important relationship of our life.

[17:03] We have to admit when things aren't going well before we can start to turn things around.

[17:43] Most of us weren't taught how to have successful relationships.

[22:17] It's hard, but worth the fight! It's worth what it takes!

[23:12] Myth: We should put our kids before ourselves.

[24:18] Your relationship becomes the “relationship curriculum” for your children.

[27:02] Relationships are like plants. Take care of them, or they wither and die. 

[29:47] We have to stop hiding behind our children.

[31:49] It's time to wake up! The plant is wilting and needs attention. 

[33:22] If there's something you're wishing for or desiring, it's safe to assume your partner has a similar wish or desire.

[34:40] It's not too late to start making changes!

[38:00] New mini-course: Worth The Fight

[39:11] New mini-course: Got To Grow

Q&A

[44:17] Do you have specific suggestions about how to fight?

[45:17] What is the difference between the Power Couple Workshop and the course?

[46:25] Is it worth the fight if I'm the only one who tries to work on the relationship?

[55:37] Which course is better for just starting out? 

[56:19] What if my partner drinks alcohol and is very hard to be with or talk with after dinner?

[58:02] Can I pay with PayPal?

It’s not too late to get to work and build the relationship of your dreams! It’s worth the fight and you (and your children) are worth the effort it takes to turn things around. Let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work! 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Resources:

Do you feel like you carry the bulk of the load in your relationship? Like all the responsibility falls on you? Like the division of labor and the mental and emotional burden isn’t fair? 

It’s understandable...and it’s also ruining our relationships.

In this episode I’m going to walk you through a series of questions to help you shift your mindset and improve your relationship with your partner. 

[02:16] Are you keeping a running tab of "who does what" in your head? 

[04:05] Keeping score undermines your partnership.

[07:59] A transactional approach to relationships is a major cause of division and conflict in relationships.

[13:36] Is there really such a thing as equality in a relationship?

[14:16] Do you really want things to be totally even, all the time? 

[14:43] Does keeping score promote unconditional love?

[15:58] Does it feel good when you pit yourself against your partner? 

[16:07] Does nitpicking your partner make you love them more or less?

[16:32] When you keep track of how much you give, does that make you a better or worse version of yourself?

[16:53] What does your partner do that you appreciate greatly? 

[17:19] What does it mean to you to love someone and accept them as they are? 

[17:27] How does that look, and how do you know when you're practicing that? 

[17:33] Ultimately, are you displaying unconditional love through it all? 

[18:10] What's the difference between trying to change someone and trying to evolve with someone and influence them? 

[18:30] What does your partner appreciate in you that you might be forgetting or discounting? 

[18:42] What competencies, energies, and skills do you each bring to the relationship?

[18:57] Should we be forcing each other to bring the exact same qualities to the table? 

[19:23] Or should you each be contributing to the best of your abilities in our own special way?

[19:32] What's the meaning of seasons in life? 

[20:01] Are you accounting for the differences in personalities, temperaments, and abilities you each have? 

[20:16] Are you communicating your needs properly? 

[21:02] Are you using punishments to control or manipulate your partner?

[21:37] Are you truly looking for you both to shine your brightest? 

[21:47] Are you holding onto a victim mindset?

[22:02] Are you ready to let you both shine in your unique and individual ways?

[22:37] There's no such thing as a win-lose in relationships. If one loses, you both lose.

Ultimately how we partner is how we parent. We should do everything we can to be peaceful partners, because it will translate into our parenting and make a big difference in all of our relationships. 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Resources:

I know there can be a lot of anxiety and indecision when it comes to the topic of school vs. homeschool. How do you know which way to go? What if I try it and it doesn’t work? What if I ruin my kids??

In this episode I’m going to walk you through the decision making process and take you from indecision to clarity. 

[10:42] “The best use of imagination is creativity. The worst use of imagination is anxiety.” Deepak Chopra

[11:58] 1. Our role is to choose the environment in which our children educate themselves.

[14:04] 2. Our choices aren't right for everyone. They're only right for our own families.

[16:27] 3. Nothing is set in stone. We can make changes if something doesn't feel right.

[18:40] Use this matrix & process to help you make a decision.

[20:31] Education

[22:13] Time

[23:31] Cost

[24:39] Reliability

[26:16] Method

[28:01] Socialization

[31:50] Autonomy

[33:22] Health

[34:17] Relationships

[35:58] Intuition

[36:45] Add in any additional considerations for your unique situation.

[41:02] If you're going to homeschool, work on mindset before you go out and buy all the awesome stuff. 

[42:12] Learning can only be effective when you and your child feel good about it.

Q&A:

[49:29] I want to homeschool, but my spouse thinks I'll ruin our kids. 

[51:47] How old were your (Avital's) kids when you started using your Focus Time approach?

[53:03] What is a "hybrid model"?

[54:25] How do I homeschool a preschooler and still work 8 hours from home?

[56:07] What homeschool system do you recommend for non-English speakers?

[56:43] My spouse thinks socialization will suffer if we homeschool.

[58:22] I'm not a structured person and already struggle with routines...I fear it may be a little too much.

[59:55] What time are the Q&A sessions if I join Focus Time?

[49:29] I want to homeschool, but my spouse thinks I'll ruin our kids. 

[51:47] How old were your (Avital's) kids when you started using your Focus Time approach?

[53:03] What is a "hybrid model"?

[54:25] How do I homeschool a preschooler and still work 8 hours from home?

[56:07] What homeschool system do you recommend for non-English speakers?

[56:43] My spouse thinks socialization will suffer if we homeschool.

[58:22] I'm not a structured person and already struggle with routines...I fear it may be a little too much.

[59:55] What time are the Q&A sessions if I join Focus Time?

[1:01:02] What age should we start? I think my kids are too little.

[1:02:20] Do I need to homeschool, or is unschooling an option?

[1:03:30] Does homeschooling work between divorced parents?

[1:04:33] Would Focus Time help me decide if homeschooling is for me?

[1:05:13] How do you handle "demand avoidance"?

[1:08:06] My Mom is an elementary school teacher and talks about homeschoolers always being behind when they start school.

If you’re still unsure or are homeschool-curious, check out our course Focus Time. It will help you gain clarity and take a peek behind the curtain to see what it’s like to homeschool. 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Resources:

So many of us have been pushing through, waiting and hoping for things to return to some sort of “normal”. But with a second wave sweeping through the world it seems like it may never get back to normal. And now with the school year approaching and continued restrictions wherever we go, there’s no end to the opportunities to feel anxious, fearful, and overwhelmed. 

In this episode I want to help you recommit, reenergize, and reinvigorate yourself, bolstering your resolve with 3 simple mindset shifts. 

[05:58] If you're feeling frustrated, cooped up, judged, irritated, etc., you're not alone.

[08:13] How can we view everything through a more compassionate lens?

[09:21] I believe there's a better way to handle differences of opinion.

[17:11] Mindset #1: The benefit of the doubt.

[22:03] Mindset #2: Believe in yourself

[26:51] Mindset #3: Be the you that you want to be.

Rather than approaching things with anxiety, judgement, shame, and guilt, we can use these mindsets to come at things with love, grace, compassion, integrity, and make a positive impact on the world. Let's be the people who increase calmness, peace, and reason. People who promote a sense of togetherness instead of tearing us apart.  

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

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Does social media stress you out? Research indicates that it can cause anxiety and even depression. I’ve heard countless people say they felt great after taking a break from it. Why is that? 

In this episode I want to offer a breakdown of the recent social media landscape; how it may be harming us, what we can do to keep our sanity.

[04:56] Links between social media and anxiety and depression.

[10:37] Social media seems to be getting darker and the cons are beginning to outweigh the pros. 

[14:23] A large part of it stems from anonymity, and losing face-to-face interactions.

[18:49] There's a major lack of accountability.

[22:52] There's a lack of discourse and an inflation of terminology.

[24:22] The main factor contributing to anxiety is catastrophizing.

[25:30] We're also losing our individuality.

[26:28] There's a major lack of diversity of thought. 

[35:38] It's brought back public shaming (which we did away with in the 1800's)

[36:33] Can we start interacting online like we do with people offline? 

[40:50] Social media is heavily influencing us and ultimately enslaving us.

Social media is a tool, and all tools can be used for good or evil. It can be a tool that unites us, helps us keep up with friends and family and develop bonds and connections with people we otherwise wouldn’t have the pleasure of meeting. 

But it can also be a major source of anxiety and depression, and can derail the relationships with people in our “real life”. So let’s re-evaluate our social media habits and make changes where necessary. 

If we can start giving people the benefit of the doubt and treat each other with respect and dignity (like we would if we were interacting in person), we may see a shift in our interactions online. 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Join me in a conversation with my friend Kate Northrup, "Do Less" author, as we talk about time-management, work-life balance, and vulnerability. 

Sometimes we feel we have to hide some part of our parenting because we're afraid of people's judgments. We fear sharing our whole, vulnerable self because disagreement is often met with hostile, dogmatic, judgmental comments. 

One of the things I’ve worked hard to cultivate is friendships with others where it is ok, desired even, to say your honest (respectful!) opinions. And I think this conversation about vaccinations with Kate exemplifies that type of supportive friendship. 

[03:18] How entrepreneurship and parenthood converge.

[04:34] The origin of "Do Less".

[09:02] We have to advocate for ourselves to get our needs met.

[12:41] Let’s give our children "trust to show up for themselves".

[15:17] “Less preparation, more presence” -Adrienne Maree Brown

[17:21] Do less, so that what we do is high quality.

[19:48] Avoid "keeping score" and tallying the hours spent being mom, working, etc.

[21:47] Looking outside of ourselves for what we "should" be doing can be dangerous. 

[25:44] Let's talk about vaccinations...

[32:16] How Kate handled pushback on her vaccine stance.

[38:36] We shouldn't have to walk on eggshells or be afraid of saying the "wrong thing". 

[42:42] You can't "go there" with everyone, but often if we take the lead and try, we'll be pleasantly surprised.

[43:22] How Kate "does it all".

[52:35] Stop beating yourself up!

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

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Do you feel tired or burned out in your parenting? Do you feel like you’re “on” all the time and never get a break? Do you think your child’s happiness and entertainment falls squarely on your shoulders? In this episode I want to address an issue I see a lot; overparenting. 

[03:01] What is overparenting?

[07:24] A big indicator of overparenting: Burnout

[08:08] Overparenting is not good for the parents

[10:45] Don't take on other people's roles

[12:34] Overparenting is not good for children.

[15:34] Overparenting makes children weak, timid, and fragile. 

[16:53] It's not your job to keep your children happy.

[20:09] It's not your job to constantly entertain your children. 

[24:00] Get comfortable with discomfort. 

If you find yourself in the overparenting camp, start sitting back a little more. Let some of those things go, and stop taking on roles you weren’t meant to take on.  

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

There’s a mindset that has permeated our culture and it’s causing a lot of damage. It ruins our homes and families, our relationships, and even entire communities. Which mindset? Blaming. Let’s discuss.

[03:32] The blaming mindset is rampant in our culture.

[08:41] How does blaming help? 

[09:49] How a blaming mindset affects our homes.

[10:29] Blame triggers defensiveness.

[11:53] Blaming over-simplifies a problem.

[14:13] Blame makes people deflect.

[16:34] Instead, let's develop a solution mindset.

[20:19] Say “We don't blame in this family.” 

[21:17] Empathize

When we empathize with people and focus on finding solutions together, we’ll find that there’s opportunity for growth and learning, and it’ll strengthen relationships instead of tear them apart. 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

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Many people have been struggling with feelings of powerlessness and negativity. But what if I told you that you possess the ability to empower yourself and create positivity in your life? That’s exactly what I’ll be discussing in this episode. 

[03:50] Our thoughts and words are powerful.

[06:48] Culture has "watered down" certain words and concepts.

[10:54] When we use exaggerated words, it sets us up for failure.

[13:28] It's making us fragile.

[18:41] Let's disempower our negative experiences.

[21:42] Challenges make us stronger, not weaker.

[23:10] Let's be more discerning and selective with the words we're using. 

[24:09] We can choose how to interpret our challenges and circumstances.

Let’s reflect on the words we’ve been using lately. Are they exaggerations? If so, they’re weakening us and holding us back. Let’s commit to flipping that script and interpreting things in a way that strengthens us and finds the good in our lives.    

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

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We all want to be better communicators, right? I know I do. Like most things in life, improving our communication is a process and it takes intentional work to help us break old habits and create new ones. Join me as I discuss some specific toxic patterns that we all need to break and what we can do instead. 

[04:13] Communication skills are so important to be a healthy adult.

[06:14] We often fall into old habits and patterns. To change that we have to work on learning new skills and break the old patterns...

[08:56] Interrupting

[10:38] “Shoulding” over everyone.

[11:36] Generalizing (always, never, etc). 

[12:42] Yelling

[14:29] Threats and ultimatums.

[16:40] Pointing & physical intimidation.

[18:48] Criticizing & name calling

[19:46] Shaming

[20:51] Stonewalling

If you start working on these areas and push past the awkward early stages, you WILL see progress in your relationships. Don’t give up!  

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

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There’s a mindset that keeps parents stuck and suffering, and really holds us back. We have a lot more control in our lives than we sometimes believe, and it can take some gentle nudging (or tough love, for some of us) to help us see things for what they are.

Changing our mindset in this one area can make a big difference in our lives and empower us as parents and leaders of our family. 

[04:20] We often CAN do the things we say we can't do...we've really just chosen NOT to do them.

[09:29] Saying "I can't" breeds desperation, anxiety, and depression. 

[11:05] We have nearly endless choices over the majority of things in our lives (80%). 

[12:58] Why do we choose not to? Sometimes we just don't want to. 

[14:10] Sometimes we aren't willing to pay the price.

[16:40] Sometimes it's just not a priority for us.

[17:08] We need to take ownership of our choices.

[19:04] Reframing our choices is empowering and can help us through difficult circumstances.

So instead of saying “I can’t”, which is true only 20% of the time, own your choice: Say you don’t want to, you aren’t willing to pay the price, or you’re prioritizing other things. Then when you need to, remind yourself of the choices you’re making, and why you’re making them. 

Need help setting up your family for homeschooling success? Check out our course, Focus Time.

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Because sending kids to school is often the “default option”, I’m often asked “Why do you homeschool?” 

I think it’s time to start reversing that question and ask “why are you sending your kids to school?” When you really think about what your school provides (or doesn’t provide), homeschooling may begin to look much more appealing and not as out-of-reach as you once thought. 

Let’s discuss.

[05:19] Why do I homeschool? 

[08:00] Schools are a service, and we can decide if that service is right for us.

[08:50] Service 1: Babysitting

[09:29] Service 2: Education

[12:08] Service 3: Socialization & community

[14:11] With how much is at stake, the real question should be "why send your child to school?"

[16:06] You don't have to be a trained educator to homeschool.

[18:01] There are other options if babysitting is the main reason you send your kids to school.

[20:00] Many schools push rote memorization, which isn't effective.

[20:32] We can help our kids develop skills they might otherwise learn in school.

[21:01] There are ways to help homeschoolers make friends and build community with others.

[22:41] Schools often use extrinsic motivation, which isn't effective.

[23:44] They learn to compete instead of collaborate in schools.

[25:11] It may require certain sacrifices and lifestyle choices, but it's so worth it. 

[26:41] It may not be for everyone, but if you want to do it, you can!

If school really is the best option for you and your family, great! But I want you to at least work through these questions and justify why you’re sending them to school. Let’s do what’s best for our children and family, even if it means going against the default. 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

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Even without a global pandemic, life can be hard. Bad things happen and we all experience difficulties and challenges. It’s easy to feel sorry for ourselves and go through life as a victim. But I’m here to tell you that there’s so much more waiting for you on the other side of victimhood, and you can decide to leave it behind. Let’s discuss how. 

[04:07] Society pressures us to sacrifice everything on the altar of parenthood.

[05:36] Feeling your feelings is step 1, and victims get stuck here.

[08:01] It's ok to feel that way. But do you really want to stay there? 

[10:31] Humans have the ability to overcome the craziest challenges and hardships, and can come through it stronger.

[12:49] Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.

[15:12] If you want to stop feeling like a victim, you have to stop seeing yourself as a victim.

[17:32] Not all stress is bad.

[18:37] We need to mind our own business and focus on things we can control. 

[20:36] We need to take control of our thoughts.

[23:32] We have power over our words.

[30:13] Double down on what we can control.

[32:40] Present Play is an amazing resource to help overcome a victim mentality. Join before the doors close for another year!

The choice is ours! We can stay in the suffering and live life as a victim, or decide enough is enough and leave it behind. So much of it is within our control. We are not powerless. We’ll find that these simple changes will have a major compounding effect if we continually reframe our situation and choose to stop seeing ourselves as a victim. 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Resources:

Join Present Play before the doors close on May 1st!

I get messages from parents all over the world (hundreds a day) asking how they can get their kids to play independently. 

I hear things like:

I’m here to tell you that those are just excuses! And to help you see that your kids are capable of independent play, I wanted to share some stories from a few of my “Present Players”.

[01:14] No matter how out of control life may feel, there are always things we can control.

[06:10] Independent play is a skill that can be developed

[07:56] Independent play has incredible benefits for our children.

[08:55] You don't need to buy anything. You'll likely even get rid of some things. 

[11:17] Hear how Elizabeth learned to prioritize play, and accommodate 2 very different styles of play for her children.

[12:46] “Strewing changed my life...It's like magic.”

[15:34] She found that each of her kids have different play needs, and does what she can to encourage and protect that.

[16:18] Hear Galina's story about how she set up her zones in a tiny New York apartment.

[17:18] Overwhelmed in her small apartment with too many toys.

[18:48] Even though she has a small apartment, she has found a way to set up all of her play zones.

[21:07] “I wasn't sure if my child could play independently because he was clingy.”

[23:59] Don't let excuses get in the way! If Galina can make it work, you can make it work too!

[25:11] Melissa didn't know how to organize life in the midst of chaos.

[26:01] You don't have to do everything at once

[26:10] Make sure the structure of the space makes sense for the intent of the space.

[26:31] Even in quarantine (with 6 people in a 3 bedroom house), she was able to set up a space for school work without affecting her existing play spaces.

[27:18] It eased the transition to homeschooling

[29:06] Hear Victoria's story, and how she's able to "parent from work" and direct her son's play, even when she can't be home with him. 

[30:40] You can set up your home with small changes, using things you already own.

[31:18] Is it relevant for a 10 month old? Yes, and he's morphed into an independent play toddler.

[31:35] Has allowed her to set up her caretakers (and son) for success by strewing and designing his play areas.

Whether you have lots of space and access to the outdoors or you live in a small apartment with no outside space, you can design your home in a way that encourages independent play. Whether you’re a full-time caretaker or work full-time, Present Play will help you set your kids up for [independent play] success.  

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Resources:

I know that these times have been tough for many, leaving some in a “survival mode.” But others have found, in spite of the challenges and frustrations, that they’re enjoying certain aspects of their time at home with their family.

And it may leave us wondering...do we really want life to go back to the way it was before? Or is it time to make some changes to the way we live our lives? Let’s discuss. 

[03:19] Let's choose to find the good in a bad situation. 

[05:40] Amidst the hardship and trials, you might find yourself enjoying it.

[08:23] We may find things about our lives that we want to change going forward.

[14:26] What I learned living through terrorist attacks in Jerusalem.

[17:16] It's so easy to focus on only the bad things when you're in a crisis.

[17:46] There are always gifts to be had, even during tragedy and crisis.

[20:13] Challenges we face can give us perspective and remind us of what's truly important. 

[20:59] We need to create the reality we want and lead our families. 

Let’s not let this opportunity go to waste. Let’s assess our lives and start crafting the reality we WANT to live, and not just go back to life as it was before. 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Resources:

At times in life (and for many, the present time), we’ll face challenges and changes in our resources. To stay sane (or sometimes just survive), it’s necessary to adjust your expectations to what’s realistic given your circumstances. 

[08:53] We can choose whether or not to be a victim.

[10:29] We have to match our level of expectations to the level of our resources.

[11:17] When you lose resources, there's a transition period where you may be edgy and frustrated. Give yourself grace!

[12:11] If you're measuring against old expectations, you'll feel like a failure. It's time to adjust your expectations. 

[13:34] Resources can be time, money, etc., but we must also consider physical, mental, and emotional resources.

[14:43] Assess how your resources have changed.

[15:43] In areas where there's a depletion of resources, there MUST be a depletion of expectations.

[16:49] We must be adaptable, and flexible...even in our parenting styles. 

[17:58] If you're feeling overwhelmed, just focus on the next thing.

[19:07] Celebrate every win, no matter how small.

It’s liberating when your expectations are adjusted to reality. You can focus on what’s next, give yourself some breathing room (and grace), and look for the good in the situation we’ve been handed. 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Resources:

Renee Jain is back for another episode! With so many parents finding themselves homeschooling, we thought we should offer some practical tips to help parents through this challenging transition and help you (and your kids) stay sane! 

[02:50] Cut yourself some slack. It's not realistic to think you'll be a homeschooling pro in a couple of weeks. 

[03:05] Kids go through a "de-schooling" process; expect it to be rocky.

[05:41] Be realistic about the amount of time it takes to figure out a flow that works for your family.

[07:33] Some routine and rhythm is helpful. Try focusing on 3 "big rocks"

[12:11] What is our role in all of this?

[13:37] The highest priority is to preserve an energy for connection and family joy.

[15:31] Trying to recreate a school experience at home is a complete waste of energy and causes disconnection between us and our children.

[17:31] Let's not put academic pressure on our children during this time. They'll be able to make up for whatever was "lost".

[19:15] So what should they be doing? Play. 

[19:56] This is an opportunity to show us just how capable our children are of entertaining themselves.

[22:54] Play is crucial for our children's development.

[24:24] Become a play guru! 

[25:59] We can have certain rules around a few things, but for the most part, let your children be.

[27:43] We can help our children get into a state of "flow" in their play (which I call free play).

[29:44] When you're in "flow", you're not directed or rewarded by someone else. The activity is the reward.

[30:03] Don't interrupt their flow! Let them be.

[31:54] This also teaches them responsibility for using their time well.

[33:36] Experiment with strewing! 

[35:52] Boredom is a choice. If they're bored, put it back on them. Help them in age appropriate ways, but let them figure it out. 

[37:22] There's a difference between encouraging independent play and being disconnected.

[38:00] Give your full attention during care-giving activities, but otherwise, give them some space.

[41:14] Homeschooling doesn't require you to be constantly present all day long.

[45:50] Thinking you have to entertain your children all day long will lead to resentment. 

[46:39] Hold the boundary and they'll adjust and get over it.

[48:22] Set limits to protect the relationship.

[49:33] How to stay organized when strewing.

[50:26] Don't take it personally if they aren't into a strew idea. Some will land, and some will not.

It’ll take a little time to “de-school” and figure out a new normal. Focus on helping your children play and get into “flow” and don’t worry about their academics. It may not happen overnight, but you’ll see change quicker than you think.  

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

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Resources:

Show Notes: https://www.theparentingjunkie.com/59