Exceptional Parenting Podcast

Popular Parenting Myths Debunked (Re air of episode 31) Dec 23, 2020

To celebrate the Exceptional Parenting Podcast reaching over 100 episodes we’re taking a look back at some of my favorite interviews so far! Over the past 100 episodes I have loved talking to other professionals in the field while educating myself in the process. It’s been quite the fascinating journey! This week I’m looking back to my chat with Alfie Kohn about parenting myths.

There are likely millions of different parenting practices out there. Different authors, coaches, mentors, and experts all laying out strategies, and tactics for “getting kids to behave”

Some of the more popular strategies include “ignoring junk behavior” and “praising positive behavior.” Coaches are calling these positive parenting practices, stating that these two strategies will eliminate 98% of all junk behavior, and teach kids to be more calm.

In this episode Alfie Kohn dives into the research and practical long term, damaging effects of these two practices.

Here, in this episode you’ll learn;

*how to switch from a “doing to” to “working with” approach in parenting

*why ignoring behavior, sending kids to timeout, or withdrawing attention is damaging long term

*how praising behavior creates less intrinsic rewards for kids

*the research behind these practices

*how most “behaviorist” parenting practices originated and why they aren’t effective for kids in the long run

Alfie is an author of 14 books, the one I personally have read and highly recommend is called Unconditional Parenting. All his books, blog articles, and work can be found on alfiekohn.org

Simple Strategies to Support Your Picky Eater (Re air of episode 9) Dec 09, 2020

To celebrate the Exceptional Parenting Podcast reaching over 100 episodes we’re taking a look back at some of my favorite interviews so far! Over the past 100 episodes I have loved talking to other professionals in the field while educating myself in the process. It’s been quite the fascinating journey! This week I’m looking back to my chat with Alisha Grogan about supporting your picky eater.

Our guest today, Alisha Grogan from yourkidstable.com

shares with us the best tips to support our kids who tend to be particular about what they eat.

Here you'll learn...

*why having a positive relationship with food can help expand what a child eats

*how our culture promotes picky eating without knowing it, and how to counteract that

*one simple change to make in your home to encourage your kids to eat

*why conventional strategies to eating (eat everything on your plate, dessert is a reward for finishing food) can actually make a child more picky

*how to create a simple routine to promote healthy eating habits

*ways to decrease the resistance around food

*redefine your role with getting kids to eat, to know where you should spend your time and energy, and where to let your child take the reins

Connect with Alisha on Facebook

and on Instagram

To find out more about Alisha and her full course about picky eating, Click here

and use the code "wendy" for $50 off the full price.

To find out more about our joint course, Sensory Solutions, head here

How to Support Your Anxious Child (Re air of episode 24) Nov 25, 2020

To celebrate the Exceptional Parenting Podcast reaching over 100 episodes we’re taking a look back at some of my favorite interviews so far! Over the past 100 episodes I have loved talking to other professionals in the field while educating myself in the process. It’s been quite the fascinating journey! This week I’m looking back to my chat with Natasha Daniels about how to support your anxious child.

When emotions run high, feelings are intense, and anxiousness is present in your child, it's hard to know what to do.

Natasha Daniels, of Anxious Toddlers is on a mission to change that for parents like you and I who have kids with big emotions.

If you've ever wondered how to help your child who seems anxious about things, when to intervene, and how to help them work through those strong emotions, this episode is for you!

Natasha is a mom and a licensed therapist with a very practical way of addressing anxious feelings in a way that supports kids' emotional development, but is still realistic.

In this episode you'll learn;

How "normal" it is for kids to have anxious feelings
What NOT to say to our kids when they have anxious feelings
And three easy steps to support them through those emotions

You can find Natasha at

her website:

https://www.anxioustoddlers.com/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/anxioustoddlers/

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/anxioustoddlers/

Building Resilience for Kids and Moms Alike (Re air of episode 21) Nov 11, 2020

To celebrate the Exceptional Parenting Podcast reaching over 100 episodes we’re taking a look back at some of my favorite interviews so far! Over the past 100 episodes I have loved talking to other professionals in the field while educating myself in the process. It’s been quite the fascinating journey! This week I’m looking back to my chat with Sarah Boyd about building resilience for kids and moms alike.

After a recent move for our family, I felt like I was so sick of hearing "oh don't worry, kids are resilient"... and yet, my kids weren't resilient.

They struggled. It was hard. And the change turned their worlds upside down.

I was left wondering if we have it all wrong with kids, assuming they are more resilient than they really are, OR if my kids were the only non-resilient ones on the face of the earth.

If you've ever wondered the same thing, this episode will be as helpful for you as it was for me.

Here, Sarah Boyd, who has a background in psychology and neuroscience (and two kids) shares with us how to help our kids cope with hard or unexpected situations and manage the emotions that come with that.

In this episode you'll learn

why it's best to teach resilience at a young age (rather than in adult years)
what resilience actually is
what "normal" looks like when situations are hard
how to develop a healthy emotional response to hard situations
how to teach kids to do the same
how to help kids express emotions in a healthy way

For more information on Sarah and her new book, visit

Resilientlittlehearts.com

Decoding the Sensory Sleep Connection (Re air of episode 6) Oct 28, 2020

To celebrate the Exceptional Parenting Podcast reaching over 100 episodes we’re taking a look back at some of my favorite interviews so far!

In this episode, I talk with Vanessa about bedtime routines and getting kids to sleep through the night.

Visit here for full show notes

Making Lasting Changes With Exceptional Behavior (Re air of episode 4) Oct 14, 2020

To celebrate the Exceptional Parenting Podcast reaching over 100 episodes we’re taking a look back at some of my favorite interviews so far!

Over the past 100 episodes, I have loved talking to other professionals in the child behavior field while educating myself in the process. It’s been quite a fascinating journey!

This week I’m looking back to my chat with Jennifer Magnano about making lasting changes to exceptional behavior.

Jennifer is a mom of two miracle kids, who knows what it is like to live daily with exceptional behaviors. In this very honest episode, Jennifer shares the reality of the struggles and joys in raising children with challenging health/emotional/and behavioral differences.

For full show notes head here

How to Help Your Child Who Struggles With Handwriting (Re air episode 19) Sep 30, 2020

To celebrate the Exceptional Parenting Podcast reaching over 100 episodes we’re taking a look back at some of my favorite interviews so far!

Over the past 100 episodes, I have loved talking to other professionals in the field while educating myself in the process. It’s been quite a fascinating journey!

This week I’m looking back to my chat with Heather Greutman about how to help your child who struggles with handwriting.

For full show notes visit https://exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/episode103/

4 Big Takeaways from 100 Episodes on the Podcast Sep 23, 2020

In this episode I want to celebrate 100 episodes of this podcast with you.

Great news!

I am giving away my sensory workbook that helps you to understand the sensory preferences in your kids, partner and all your loved ones. As well as that, I am giving away over $50 worth of audio training about how to simplify sensory at home and how to address sensory meltdowns. I am giving it away for FREE in celebration of 100 episodes of this podcast. It’s my thank you to you for showing up and listening.

At the end, I share some emotional yet exciting news about the future of the podcast and my business. 2021 will certainly be different so stick around!

For full show notes visit https://exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/episode102/

You can connect on Instagram

The Key to Adding Sensory Activities Without Stress Sep 09, 2020

Have you ever considered play-based therapy?

My guest for today’s episode is occupational therapist Nick Sidwell who owns ‘Ability Innovations’ based in Utah. The clinic specializes in occupational, physical, and speech therapy using play-based techniques.

Today I talk with him about how to help your child enjoy sensory play in a way that doesn’t feel exhausting and in ways that your child isn’t going to fight against it. It’s a practice that I believe really helps children so please take a listen.

For full show notes visit https://exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/episode101/

Sensory Series: See and Hear Senses Sep 02, 2020

Today in the sensory series I will be discussing the visual and auditory senses. The episode starts with the ‘seeing’ sense which doesn’t necessarily mean how well you can see, but more about how well your brain can process the stimulation that comes in through your eyes. This includes bright or dull lights, color, how many visuals you have around you, people or bright designs.

The second sense, being the ‘hearing’ sense is again NOT about how well you can hear but how well your brain can process and tolerate sounds. I want to make it clear that receiving auditory input and creating auditory input are two separate things. If we are in control, we can tolerate the noise a lot better.

For full show notes visit https://exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/episode100/

Sensory Series - The Taste and Smell Senses Aug 26, 2020

Do you know what your sensory preferences are?

On today’s episode, I have a really good friend of mine; Alisha Grogan who specializes in taste and smell.

These are two senses that I feel we wouldn’t necessarily think would interfere with our kid's daily lives, yet they really do, sometimes sparking temper tantrums.

Alisha Grogan is a pediatric occupational therapist who during grad school was immersed in sensory integration which is a very specific type of therapy that helps children with sensory processing difficulties.

For full show notes visit https://exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/episode99/

Sensory Series: The Touch (Tactile) Sense Aug 19, 2020

Are you or your child over-sensitive or under-sensitive to touch?

My guest on this episode; Cameron Kleimo returns to the podcast on this episode to talk about the Tactile or ‘touch’ sense.

The Tactile sense covers our entire bodies, the receptors in our skin sends information to our brain to regulate pain, temperature, and vibrations.

We discuss what it means to be over or under-sensitive, how that can show up in a child’s behavior, and how you can spot it in order to be there for your child's needs.

For full show notes visit https://exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/episode98/

Preparing Your Child for Back to School: Through Executive Function and Sensory Support Aug 14, 2020

Do you believe your child or student has problems with their executive function?

My guest in this special bonus episode is Seth Perler is an executive function coach.

We discuss how executive function takes place in the front part of the brain, it is how we execute complex tasks.

If you think about every task you’ve achieved in your life, packing a bag for school, signing up for a driving license, creating a podcast; all of these are complex tasks that your brain has had to juggle in order to complete them.

For full show notes head to https://exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/bonusepisode/

Sign up for Seth's FREE summit Executive Function Summit

Sensory Series: The Vestibular Sense Aug 12, 2020

This is the third episode in my sensory series and this one is all about the vestibular system.

Now for years, I was confused by it, I had heard the name, I knew of it but I didn’t understand how it was different to the proprioceptive system. So we’re going to dive deep into it and clarify any confusion you may have about it but for some background; the vestibular system is all about the position of our head in space and how it is affected by the liquid in our ear which brushes up against tiny little hairs. But why do we have it?

This helps our brains to understand where we are in space, it helps us to balance and to judge speed as well as playing a big part in our muscle tone and even helps with cooking or tying our shoelaces. It is so integral to our everyday life yet most of us have no idea we even have it!

For full show notes visit https://exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/episode97/

Sensory Series: Proprioceptive Sense Aug 05, 2020

My guest on this episode is Heather Greutman whose returning from episode 19 ‘How to Help A Child Who Struggles With Handwriting’.

Heather talks with me about proprioception at its basic level is the information you receive from your muscles and your joints. It helps your body to understand when you are stretching, compressing, or contracting a muscle.

Heather Greutman is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant with experience in school-based Occupational Therapy. She uses her background to share child development tips, tools, and strategies through hands-on activities and on her blog ‘Growing Hands-on Kids’.

For full show notes visit exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/episode96/

The Sensory System and Your Child (the sensory system explained) Jul 29, 2020

Does background noise affect you so much that you can’t concentrate? Or can you not handle a certain texture in your mouth? If so, did you know that that’s down to your sensory preferences.

This is the start of my sensory series. I get so many questions from you about what sensory processing is, how it affects behavior and how to address it. In each episode in this series I’m going to go deeper into each sense with a different expert in the field to help you understand and normalize sensory processing.

For full show notes visit https://exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/episode95/.

Beyond "Bad Behavior" How to See Behavior in a New Light Jul 22, 2020

Should we ignore bad behavior from our children, or punish it? There are confusing mixed messages out there. My guest Chazz Lewis A.K.A Mr Chazz, has great ways of looking at behavior in a completely different way to help us understand why bad behavior is happening and how we can address it in a more joyful way, strengthening our relationship with our children.

For full show notes visit https://exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/episode94/

Understanding and Supporting Dyslexia Jul 15, 2020

This episode is all about Dyslexia, something that I haven't covered yet and I encourage you to listen even if you may not have a Dyslexic child. My guest Laura Axtell teaches us that even if our children are not diagnosed, they can have Dyslexic tendencies and the more we can recongnized these tendencies the more we can support them.

Laura is an education specialist with Reading Horizons who started her career working with adolescent offenders.

For full show notes visit https://exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/episode93/

When Reactions Are Strong and Discipline Doesn’t Work Jul 08, 2020

Have you ever wondered "why is it that only one of my kids reacts so strongly no matter what I do to discipline him. Did I do something wrong?"

In this episode, I answer all these questions and show you

why strong reactions happen
why discipline doesn’t work
what you can do to support your child so their reactions aren’t so strong.

For full show notes visit https://exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/episode92/

The One Skill All Kids Should Know, and How to Teach It Jul 01, 2020

Cooperation is a huge skill. It’s one involved in

Sibling rivalry
Reactive behaviors
Making friends
Sharing
Functioning well in groups
etc

Without the skill of cooperation, it doesn’t matter which parenting tool/tip/trick we use, those behaviors will continue to surface.

For full show notes visit https://exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/episode91/

How to Help Your Kid Transition Without Meltdowns Jun 24, 2020

Do you ever feel like any little transition can send your kid into a tailspin? You spend your days wondering which transition will set them off or how epic the meltdown with be?

If so this episode is for you!

Find full show notes https://exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/episode90/

How to Avoid the 3 Biggest Mistakes Parents Make When Setting Rules Around Screen Time Jun 17, 2020

When it comes to kids and electronics there are a lot of opinions and troubles.

How much is too much? How to get them off without causing meltdowns? Should kids even have screen time at all?

In this episode, Lisa Honold, director of the center for online safety helps answer all those questions and avoid the three biggest mistakes parents make when setting screen time rules.

For full show notes visit https://exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/episode89/

The Surprising Truth About Yelling at Kids Jun 10, 2020

We’d all love to be able to tackle parenting without yelling at kids, at some point most of us have tried it…likely it’s a daily struggle.

After seeing various “stop yelling at kids forever” challenges, I started feeling like every day I was either a “good mom” or a “bad mom,” depending on if I messed up and yelled or not.

Living life thinking I’m either good or bad doesn’t work for me, and it doesn’t have to work for you either.

While I’ll never promote yelling at kids, when it happens, I found some surprising truths that help me turn the situation into something positive. Rather than spiraling down the shame track after yelling, I now turn to these ideas that I share here in this podcast.

For full Show Notes visit https://exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/episode88

Why is My Kid Doing That? Looking at Behavior Through a Sensory Lens Jun 03, 2020

“My kid doesn’t have sensory processing disorder or autism, but I wonder if some of this sensory stuff could be part of what she’s dealing with…”. A friend said that to me the other day and it sparked so many questions that Cindy Utzinger answers in this podcast episode.

Here Cindy, occupational therapist, answers some of the most common questions I hear about the link between sensory and behavior….not just for kids with a diagnosis, but for ALL kids.

If you’ve ever wondered if sensory affects your kid, this is the episode to listen to.

Full show notes at https://exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/episode87/

How to Support Sensitive Kids May 27, 2020

When little kids have sensitive emotions, we typically see BIG behaviors. It can be tough to navigate all those big explosions and we wonder if we are supposed to be more patient or more stern with them.

Here you’ll learn how to support your child and their big emotions, without compromising your expectations and boundaries as a parent.

For full show notes visit https://exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/episode86/

Opening Up About Mom Anger and How to Work Through It May 20, 2020

So many of us start motherhood thinking we will be the perfect parent. We have an unrealistic view of what motherhood is supposed to be, so when we find ourselves getting angry, yelling, or threatening our kids, it feels horrible. We feel like a failure. We feel alone, and we feel like we are the only ones who struggle with those things.

Desiree Fortin from “the perfect mom” on Instagram found that by opening up about her mom anger, she’s been able to work through it in such powerful and purposeful ways.

In this raw episode, you’ll hear Desiree talk about her journey from wanting kids so badly, to having them and being faced with postpartum depression, and realizing there was an anger inside of her she never realized existed. She shares so openly here how any parent can work through those big emotions and how doing that for ourselves can also set a powerful example for our kids to do the same.

For full show notes visit https://exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/episode85

What to do When WE have Big Emotions as Parents May 13, 2020

We talk a lot about our kids’ big emotions, tantrums, and meltdowns, but what about our own? In a Facebook conversation the other day my friend opened up about her parenting frustrations and said: “please don’t tell me to just take a deep breath”.

I didn’t tell her to take a deep breath, and I won’t tell you to take a deep breath either.

In this episode, you’ll learn the four simple things I do every time I notice big emotions in myself. Lately, I’ve had a LOT of big emotions, so I have had plenty of practice honing in on these habits. What I can say, though, is that they work...so much better than taking a deep breath.

For full show notes visit https://exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/episode84

Should I be More Stern or More Patient? May 06, 2020

“When my kid acts out, I wonder if I should be more stern or more patient? Nothing seems to work, what do I do?”

That question was posted on a discussion board and if you’ve been wondering the same thing, this episode is for you.

For full show notes head to https://exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/episode83

3 Small Changes with Food That Can Bring Better Behavior Apr 29, 2020

We all know that food can be the cause of our kid's behavior. We KNOW what it looks like for our kids to be hangry!

But can other food affect our kid’s behavior too? Absolutely! In the podcast today Mya Metzel, a certified health coach talks about how food affects our kids and how to make super small changes towards better food choices.

Full show notes at exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/episode82

Teaching a Growth Mindset to Young Kids Apr 22, 2020

We’ve all heard the buzzwords of “growth mindset” and “resilience” but what do those really mean?

In this episode Alexandra Eidens, from Big Life Journal is diving deep into the science behind growth mindset, why it’s important, and how to help our kids develop it in daily situations.

Alexandra and I share about how we can make small changes to support even our most anxious, fearful, perfectionist kids to learn to have a growth mindset in daily situations.

Full show notes visit https://exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/episode81

How To Get Kids To Do Chores Without Nagging, Yelling, or Reminding Apr 15, 2020

Getting kids to do chores can be SO frustrating. It feels like we have to nag, yell, remind, or bribe them to do anything, and the process is so miserable, it almost doesn’t feel worth it.

That’s how I felt for so long, but this past year I’ve shifted the way we do chores in our home.

Since then I’ve noticed my kids don’t need to be reminded as often, they whine less, and they actually are doing some things on their own.

It all happened by changing five simple things outlined here in the podcast.

For full show notes head to https://exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/episode80

What to do When Your Child Whines or Complains Apr 08, 2020

Is there anything more difficult than having a whiny kid?

The noise can throw me into a tailspin faster than almost any other behavior.

In this episode, I’m diving straight into how to address whining and complaining because in the past few months I’ve seen HUGE improvements in myself when my kids whine.

For full show notes visit https://exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/home/episode79

78: How to Help Your Child Find and Develop Their Best Self (Re air episode 37) Apr 01, 2020

We hear it all the time “living their best life” but what does that really mean and how do we really help kids to live their best lives?

Laura Earnshaw of MyHappyMind is on the podcast today helping us to not just say the words, but truly help our kids understand and become their best selves.

In this episode you’ll learn;

● How as parents we can retrain our own brains to focus on their character rather than their achievements ● How this builds their self-esteem and resilience ● How to help a child develop a new character trait ● How to decrease sibling rivalry by helping kids understand and celebrate the character differences within a family ● How to help our kids not be defined or bothered by society’s measure of “success”

For Full show notes https://exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/home/episode78

77: Evolving as a Dad, How My Husband Did It Mar 25, 2020

I have changed a lot as a person, and as a parent, in the 15 years, I’ve been married. While I’d absolutely say the change has been for the best, it hasn’t always been easy, especially when it came to explaining things to my husband.

Having been raised in an authoritarian household, he had ideas about discipline, obedience, and his role as a dad. In this episode, my husband is joining us to talk about his perspective of that shift, what I did right...and also things I could’ve done better (hint: I learned SO much from hearing him speak honestly about this topic). I hope you get as much, or more, out it than I did.

For full show notes visit https://exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/home/episode77/

76: How My Mom Supports her Kids' Parenting Styles Mar 18, 2020

As parents, it’s one thing to work to change our parenting style, but what about our parents? How do we get them to understand? Or maybe not even to understand, but not to interject into what we try so hard to do??

For this episode, I brought on someone special to me, my mom!

She opened up about how parenting evolved for her, and how she feels about her role now as the mom to a mom, and how she supports myself and my siblings in all our different parenting styles. If you’ve ever wondered how to get your parents on board, or how to approach a parent whose supercritical, we lay it all out in this episode.

https://exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/home/episode76/

75: Navigating Big Emotions in the Heat of the Moment Mar 11, 2020

Little kids with big emotions usually just feels like having kids who have MASSIVE tantrums, lots of tears, and probably a lot of resistance too.

In the heat of the moment, it’s hard to remember that their actions are a result of their emotions. And, let’s face it, when the tantrums are lasting longer more often than most, it’s just draining to even think about doing anything other than yell or try to stop it in its tracks.

But that doesn’t help anyone.

In this episode, you’ll learn what big emotions could look like in your child, why most parenting hacks don’t work in the moment, and what will work.

Full show notes at https://exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/episode75

74: Want to Yell Less at Kids? Consider These Two Things First Mar 04, 2020

Want to yell less at kids? Consider these two things first

The other day I pulled up Pinterest to see what would appear when I searched “how to yell less at kids.” I wasn’t surprised that over 1,000 articles came up, all with catchy titles promising to end the yelling spell once and for all. Each article had something different to try. Some were a little far fetched “when you ask your kid to do something, and they ignore you, wait until they ask you to do something and ignore them” Really??

Because this podcast is all about tangible, no fluff parenting solutions, I wanted to share with you why we yell and why NONE of those parenting tips or hacks will work in the long run. Instead, I give you two things to consider when changing any parenting habit.

If you can put these two ideas into place, I promise you’ll find yourself naturally wanting to yell less at kids, have more patience, and enjoying more time with the kids. All without feeling like you’re forcing it or putting on a show.

Full show notes at https://exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/episode74

73: The Most Counterintuitive But Simple Parenting Advice We Should All Take Feb 26, 2020

There’s more than enough parenting advice out there for; how to be more patient, yell less at kids, and transform into the mom who actually loves motherhood. While some of those tips might work for a while, most likely, all that parenting advice won’t last long term because it’s missing one important piece.

That piece is exactly what Nancy DeMaria shares in this episode and is what she wrote her book about “Little Secret, Big Change.” While her parenting advice might seem countercultural, the truth is, it works. In fact, before even meeting Nancy, I experimented and found what she teaches to be so true in my home.

Her secret? How we feel about ourselves and the way we approach our own feelings will drive us to respond in a certain way as a parent. In other words, if we feel like a failure, we will act like a failure. If we feel like a great mom, we will act like a great mom.

Find out how to do this and learn why this is the only parenting advice you’ll need in this episode.

You can find the full show notes here https://exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/episode73

72: Breaking Away from "Traditional Parenting" to Feel More Joy Feb 19, 2020

This episode is close to my heart as I interview a friend and former student Shira Parnes. She isn’t a parenting expert, behavior expert, or anything of the likes. She’s a mom who works a full-time job, has young kids, and just like most of you- at one point felt like she wasn’t cut out to be the mom her kids needed.

In this interview she shares how she felt about parenting, wanting to be a good parent, but feeling like she was falling short, and not loving it for a while. Then as she shifted her thinking and her perspective, her feelings changed too.

She admits she’s not perfect. But she can confidently say today that she loves being a mom and shares how that shift came about for her. Hint: it didn’t come from mom hacks, parenting tips, or following any 5 step plan. What she shares is as real and honest as it gets and I know you’ll relate to her story.

After you listen to this episode, reach out to me on Instagram and let me know how this helped you. I’m @wendybertagnole over there and I can’t wait to hear from you.

Full show notes available at www.exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/episode72

71: Imperfectly Parenting with Respect with Alyssa Blask Campbell Feb 12, 2020

We all have an idea of the kind of parent we want to be. Maybe it’s a mom who doesn’t yell or a mom who loves every minute of parenting. In this episode, Alyssa Blask Campbell and I explain why those ideas can be more harmful than good when it comes to helping us be a more positive parent.

Both Alyssa and I have seen things like the “no yell challenge” and all the pressure it puts on parents to essentially “be perfect” even if it is for a short time. Alyssa brings in research and I add personal experiences of why that isn’t a sustainable way to improve our parenting.

What does work? In this episode, you’ll learn about the importance of the internal work we do on ourselves as parents, and how that helps us naturally be better parents. You’ll also learn, and hopefully, internalize that we are all human. We all have emotions, and that’s ok! Even as parents it’s ok. All of our emotions are signals for us to dig deeper into why we react, and this episode will help you see how to respond more than react.

How to Create a Successful, No-Stress, Sensory Diet for Kids in 4 Simple Steps

Join the FREE online workshop at www.yourkidstable.com/workshop

Full show notes at https://exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/episode71

70: Why Sensory Preferences Seem So Random and How to Support Them Feb 05, 2020

What works one day with your kid might not work the next. They tend to do things that seem so unpredictable sometimes. I get it, and it’s very common for sensory kids.

In this episode I help take the “random” out of these reactions by helping you see;

*Why kids might enjoy a sensory activity one day and the next day refuse it.

*Why a child might be noisy but yet can’t stand noise.

*Why what bothers them one day might not bother them the next day.

*How you can support them to work through it.

This episode dives deeper into sensory in a way that most resources don’t, and I hope you love it! Understanding our kids is the key to being able to support them and feel better about how we show up daily with them.

If you want to dive deeper into this process of understanding your sensory kid, go to yourkidstable.com/sensory-solutions to learn more about my full program during the site-wide sale.

Full show notes at https://exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/episode70

69: Three Reasons a Sensory Diet Won't Work and What Will Jan 30, 2020

After watching a Facebook ad claiming there’s “one thing all sensory parents should have.” The ad stated that it could help avoid and minimize meltdowns. I honestly wanted to scream!

While sensory gadgets, tools, toys, and diets have their place and can be so much fun, relying on them to help regulate our kids is a misleading idea for so many reasons.

Here in this episode, you’ll learn;

*Three reasons sensory gadgets don’t work.

*Why I don’t have any sensory gadgets and don’t feel bad about it.

*What I teach my students to use instead, which will work in the long term and is more effective.

If you want to get out of the rut of feeling like your home is a therapy office, or feeling like you’re glued to all the sensory gadgets in your home, this episode is for you and will be a breath of fresh air.

How to Create a Successful, No-Stress, Sensory Diet for Kids in 4 Simple Steps

Join the FREE online workshop at www.yourkidstable.com/workshop

Full show notes at https://exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/episode69

68: Explaining Sensory to Your Family. How and Why it's Important Jan 22, 2020

"What do I tell my kid about his sensory preferences and why he has to go to therapy?"

This question has come into my DM's in different forms, so many times, so today I wanted to share with you a simple way to explain sensory to the whole family, and help you see why it’s important.

In this episode you'll learn:

How to get others on board with sensory

How to help your child understand sensory

Why it's a good thing for everyone to understand sensory

And so much more.

Let me know your thoughts as you listen to it. I'd love to hear!

How to Create a Successful, No-Stress, Sensory Diet for Kids in 4 Simple Steps

Join the FREE online workshop at www.yourkidstable.com/workshop

Where You Can Find Wendy:

Follow Wendy on Instagram

Follow Wendy on Facebook

Subscribe & Review in iTunes

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I would love for you to subscribe so you don’t miss a future episode. Click here to subscribe on iTunes.

If you are enjoying this content, I would be so grateful if you would leave me a review on iTunes as well! Just head to iTunes and go to “ratings and reviews” and let me know you are enjoying the show!

67: What To Do During a Meltdown Jan 15, 2020

How do I know if it’s behavior? How do I know if it’s sensory? What do I do when it’s sensory? How can I calm my kid during a meltdown?

Those are some of the most common questions parents ask when they have a sensory kid, because, what works for typical kids will NOT work for our sensory kids. But that doesn’t mean we have to give up.

There are definitely ways we can help our kids to learn how to NOT react to intense, how to express their emotions with words, and how to deal with their big emotions in more productive ways.

That’s what you’ll learn in this episode.

Full show notes available at www.exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/episode67

66: Why Does My Child Seem So Naughty? Answers to FAQ Jan 08, 2020

Recently I’ve been getting a lot of questions in my DM’s about sensory kids. Parents want to know why their kid seems to do things they “know” they shouldn’t do. Why their kid is so intense, and why it feels so much harder to parent them than other kids.

The answers to these questions all make sense when we take a peek through a sensory lens and shine a light on what’s happening in their brains, and get a sense of what it might feel like to be in their shoes.

This episode does all of that and more. So if you’ve ever wondered if your kid will always be that way, and if it’s just a phase, listen in to get a bit more clarity on it.

Full show notes can be found at exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/episode66

65: Parenting a Differently Wired Child with Debbie Reber Jan 01, 2020

Author, speaker, and mom, Debbie Reber knows what it’s like to have a kid who has the biggest meltdowns, receive regular calls from the school about her kids “behavior” and all the things most of us know so well, too.

In this episode, Debbie shares the shift she created that started decreasing the frustration, the anxiety, and the tears she and her son both felt with all of those struggles.

Debbie has coined the term “differently wired” to explain that kids with or without a diagnosis, who may be developing atypically, don’t have to be seen as “difficult”. She started seeing this shift in herself when she focused on the gifts her son’s brain is naturally wired for, and how she could help him use those to catapult his learning in other areas. In this episode, she shares all of that with us as well.

In this episode you’ll learn;

More about how to implement this powerful mindset shift into your life
Why that shift can make a huge (and positive) impact on your child’s development
How current social trends can be triggers for us as adults and how to combat those

Find the full show notes at www.exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/episode65

64: Is It Sensory or Bad Behavior? Dec 25, 2019

If there’s one question I get asked over and over again, it’s this “how do I know if my kid is just being bad or if it’s sensory?”

There are hundreds of articles on the internet about the difference between a meltdown and a tantrum, the difference between sensory and behavior, and quite frankly, I think all of those articles miss an important point, which I uncover today.

Here I’m going to share that with you and clear up any confusion around behavior by simplifying everything else you've heard and showing you how to deal with any behavior you are seeing in your home.

63: Executive Function, What Is It and How to Help Your Child With It with Seth Perler Dec 18, 2019

In this episode today you’ll learn all about executive functioning, which sounds like a fancy term, but it if you have a child who struggles with homework, grades, resistance, overwhelm, motivation, procrastination, underachievement, organization, focus, study skills and time management, executive function could be at the core of what they are missing.

Seth Perler, executive function coach talks about how executive function is the root of so many problems that can look like “laziness, defiance, or disorganization.” As we know, behavior is always a sign to look for the deeper root, so if you have a child who struggles in any of these areas, this episode is definitely for you.

Here you’ll learn;

The difference between “can’t” and “won’t” when it comes to following rules or keeping up with tasks
How to ask better questions to get to the true root of what is holding our kids back
How a parent can tell if executive function is the true root of their child’s behaviors
How to help your child start to work on executive function skills in a way that doesn’t overwhelm them (or you)

Where to Find Seth:

https://sethperler.com/

You can pre-register for the FREE parent summit here

https://executivefunctionsummit.com/

62: How to Deal With (and Avoid) Defiance with Heather Maguire Dec 11, 2019

Knowing how to handle things when our kids don’t “comply” can be really tough. Dr. Heather Maguire, a behavior analyst, brings in the science and the reality to help us all know how to handle defiance a little better.

To help us all figure out ways to respond without yelling or taking away privileges for a year, Heather shared two super simple ways to address defiance in the moment and 5 ways to prevent it before it even happens.

As parents, when we can be proactive and support ourselves and our kids to be and do our best, great things happen. This episode is full of very specific ways to do that.

Resources Mentioned:

Weighted Blanket mentioned in the episode

Harkla.co

Use code: “Wendy” for free shipping and 10% off your purchase

Find the full show notes at www.exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/episode62

61: Parenting with Joyful Courage with Casey O'Roarty Dec 04, 2019

The journey of parenting is not easy and looks different for everyone. Knowing how to find joy and courage in the journey is something that Casey O’Roarty, author and podcaster, talks about openly in the most realistic and relatable way I’ve heard.

In this episode, you’ll learn tools about navigating motherhood with joyful courage, AND it is absolutely not sugar-coated. As we both talk about struggles we are both navigating at the moment, we hope you’ll feel understood and not alone.

Overall, this episode is about growing as a parent, acknowledging that life is here for us to learn, grow, and our kids are not ours to shape, but we are being shaped by them if we allow that.

Instagram

Joyful Courage

Facebook-

Live and Love With Joyful Courage

Joyful Courage for Parents of Teens

Book

Joyful Courage Book

Website

http://www.joyfulcourage.com/

60: What to Do When Your Kid Tells You No Nov 27, 2019

“No” It’s such a short word but when it comes flying out of our kid’s mouth, it can trigger a surge of rage, frustration, and so many other feelings.

Which is why so many moms reach out and ask “what should I do when my kid says no?” How does that coincide with positive parenting? Should I hold my ground and make sure they learn never to tell us no? Am I being too lenient if I don’t?

I answer all those questions and more in this episode of the podcast. It’s my goal to help you feel comfortable and confident in the stance you take, so be prepared to dive deep and challenge traditional parenting norms, dig into your own “why” and figure out what is best for you and your child both.

Resources Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Harkla Weighted Blanket

Harkla.co

Use code: “Wendy” for free shipping and 10% off your purchase

59: Encouraging Self Expression and Creativity Through Music with Jaycie Voorhees Nov 20, 2019

We all know it’s important to help kids talk about their feelings and that it’s one way to prevent a lot of behaviors. But, there’s one glaring problem with talking about feelings- kids don’t usually have the words or the emotional intelligence to really express their feelings until they are well into their teens.

Of course we still try, and we teach them the skills, but board-certified music therapist Jaycie Voorhees shows us another powerful way to help kids express their emotions without words.

Our brains are able to create and play music much sooner than they are able to verbally express feelings, so it’s only natural that music can be a great tool for helping kids understand and express themselves freely.

While you may or may not be thinking music therapy is for you, the underlying theme is that music can help us all in so many different ways.

Where to Find Jaycie

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harmonymusictherapy/

58: Navigating Unnecessary Stress in Motherhood with Susan Choi Nov 13, 2019

It’s not uncommon for moms to talk about how to deal with their stress. Too often, the solutions that come up are all centered around things like; Manicures, pedicures, retail therapy, or girls nights. While those can all be great and fun things, we can actually end up MASKING our stress, rather than working through it when we do those things.

As moms of kids with sensory differences, big emotions, or sensitive feelings, stress is all too familiar, and instead of just using bandaids to cover it up, Susan Choi shares practical ways to not just treat the effects of stress but really get to the root of it.

In this episode you’ll learn:

How our unconscious thoughts affect our emotions
How to uncover our unconscious thoughts
How to change those thoughts to create a better life and better emotions for ourselves

About Susan:

Susan Choi is a High Performance Stress Management Coach and Podcast Host of STRESSPROOF, a TOP 100 Podcast in Mental Health on iTunes. She is the founder of RISE, a program that helps high performers think smarter and feel better to rise above stress and break through to the next level of success.

In a previous life, Susan served Fortune 100 clients such as Amazon and Microsoft as a Management Consultant working on highly strategic accounts. She is no stranger to stress, and has overcome burnout and Adrenal Fatigue, and now helps others become conscious of self sabotaging behavior and negative thought patterns.

Susan's coaching style is dynamic, methodical yet intuitive in order to influence and guide the unconscious mind for multi-level change work and to uncover hidden assumptions.

Susan currently works with startup Sales Executives, Entrepreneurs, and other Industry Leaders.

Where to Find Susan:

www.stressproofpodcast.com

Instagram: @susanchoiwellness

FB: @susanchoiwellness

Free Gift: www.stressproofpodcast.com/p

57: Opening Up About Mom Anger and How to Work Through It with Desiree Fortin Nov 06, 2019

So many of us start motherhood thinking we will be the perfect parent. We have an unrealistic view of what motherhood is supposed to be, so when we find ourselves getting angry, yelling, or threatening our kids, it feels horrible. We feel like a failure. We feel alone, and we feel like we are the only ones who struggle with those things.

Desiree Fortin from “the perfect mom” on Instagram found that by opening up about her mom anger, she’s been able to work through it in such powerful and purposeful ways.

In this raw episode, you’ll hear Desiree talk about her journey from wanting kids so badly, to having them and being faced with postpartum depression, and realizing there was an anger inside of her she never realized existed. She shares so openly here how any parent can work through those big emotions and how doing that for ourselves can also set a powerful example for our kids to do the same.

If you’ve ever felt like mom anger is getting the best of you, this episode is definitely one you will love.

Where you can find Desiree:

Follow Desiree on Instagram Here

#confessionsOfAnAngryMom

56: Tough Love, Teaching Lessons, and Other Damaging Parenting Practices Oct 30, 2019

Recently I heard a friend say that kids just “need tough love” and the thought sparked something inside of me. I would’ve agreed with that statement a few years ago, but today after reading the research and seeing how parenting can be so different, I wanted to show her there was a different way- a better way for kids to learn than by “giving them tough love.”

This episode is a way for you to see a new side of two popular parenting practices, so if anyone tells you that you need to “give tough love” or “teach your kids a lesson” you can at least have a perspective to help give you pause and consider another possible scenario.

In this episode, you’ll learn why parents think they need to “teach a lesson” or “give tough love”, what kids actually learn from those, and a different way to teach kids without punishment.

55: Beyond Self Care: The Most Simple Way to Make Positive Changes in Our Mental Health with Alice Pickering Oct 23, 2019

“I was never a yeller until I became a mom.”

I’ve said that so many times in my head, and for so long I wondered WHY. If you’ve ever felt that way or wondered why after becoming a mom, emotions are SO different than before, this episode is one you’ll definitely want to dive into.

Alice Pickering from momdocpsychology shares both her personal experience, and her professional explanations of why this happens, and why mom mental health is a topic few people talk about.

In this episode you’ll learn:

How to view “negative emotions” in a more productive way so we don’t feel like we have to hide from or fix them
How to work through those emotions in ways internally without putting a bandaid on them
One simple practice you can start today to change the way your brain views and the way your heart responds to the same situations
How to create a self-care routine that actually works to help you work through tough emotions

Resources:

Website: www.momdocpsychology.com

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/momdocpsychology/

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/momdocpsychology/

54: Managing Screen Time Based on Your Child's Needs with Paige Flamm Oct 16, 2019

When it comes to kids and screens, everyone has their own opinion. That's why I invited Paige Flamm to come on to talk about her own personal journey going from a mom who used screen time as a way for her to entertain her kids so she could escape and relax, to going completely cold turkey and having no screens, to where she is now which is a very intentional balance of the two.

In this episode, you’ll learn that there isn’t one right way to manage screens, but by following the cues your kids (and you) are seeing, you can find what is right for you. Paige is a great and real example of how to do that.

If you’ve ever been scared of taking screen time away from your kids, or how you would manage without it, or how to keep your kids from being bored without it, this episode is definitely one you’ll want to listen to.

Episodes and links mentioned in the episode:

Episode 39: Encouraging Creativity with Kids Who Don’t Feel Creative https://exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/episode39/

Where to Find Paige:

http://www.thehappyflammily.com/

Follow Paige on Instagram

53: Helping Our Kids to be Confident in Their Own Skin with Heather Fuller Oct 09, 2019

Teaching kids to be confident in their own skin and love their bodies is not a passive process. In this episode, Heather from Happier than Skinny helps us see how we can make it a reality.

With all the pressure from social media, friends, and even media itself, it can be confusing for kids to develop confidence in who they are, and the bodies they have. Whether your child is a teen, tween, or adolescent, there are so many small changes we can make to help them know how to filter out those messages and stand firm in the message that will help them appreciate themselves.

In this episode, you’ll learn

What we can do daily to foster more self-love and self-confidence in ourselves and our kids
How to help kids filter out all the junk messages

52: How to Parent In a Way That Works For You with Lara Schulte Oct 02, 2019

I was 26 years old and full of textbook information about parenting when I became a mom. Thankfully, my first child was a textbook child in so many ways...but not all. Those other things, I just brushed under the rug and tried to not talk about in front of other moms who I feared would judge me.

In this age of self-development, and cliche phrases like “you do you” and “be the best parent you can be”, it’s easy to jump on that bandwagon, but really making those things happen? Nobody really has the answers Until now. In this episode with Lara Schulte from Generation.mom, she explains it all in a way that makes so much sense and is doable for all of us.

Here you’ll learn how Lara took skills she learned in her corporate job and turned it into a message that is not helping and supporting thousands of moms across the globe to be their best self.

EPP51: One Simple Shift You Can Make Today to Create a Happier Home with Wendy Snyder Sep 25, 2019

“If you just work hard, everything will turn go great”. That’s what most of us think when we start the journey of parenting, and then reality hits. The things we are working hard at, are making us miserable, and not helping.

In this episode, Wendy Snyder gets very real about her darkest moments of parenting and how she used those to move on to a more positive, realistic path in parenting.

Here you’ll learn:

How our ideas of what behavior is are making us less patient

How to turn that around

Why past parenting practices won’t help us now

How to address tough behavior without being permissive or pessimistic

When positive parenting seems impossible with the behaviors you are seeing, this episode will give you the hope and the tools you need to realistically start turning it around.

You can find Wendy’s free guide to starting this process here

Find her on Facebook here

Find her on Instagram here

EPP 50: Parenting the Modern Day Kid Sep 18, 2019

Kids today are different. They are exposed to more social pressure, more media, more messages from outside the home, and more stuff to juggle. Most of that is inevitable, which is why it calls for a shift for us as parents to be more intentional with how we approach parenting.

I once heard a friend say “Ill just do the best I can and hope for the best with my kids.” That kind of hopeful thinking doesn’t cut it for today's kids, so here I give two reasons why, and two ways to step into more intentional and purposeful parenting.

EPP 49: Supporting a Child with ADHD Naturally with Valerie Jacobs Sep 11, 2019

When it comes to having kids with ADHD or symptoms that look like ADHD.

In this episode Dr Valerie Jacobs is talking all about the medical aspect of it all. BUT of course, we aren’t just talking about all the fluffy things, we go deep here, looking at what can cause it, what common triggers are, how to treat it naturally, and when to medicate if necessary.

This episode was so helpful for me as a person who sometimes struggles to pay attention and it’s given me the tools to feel like I can treat it naturally and proactively.

EPP 48: Overwhelmed to Confident, A Real Life Story of One Mom's Journey Sep 04, 2019

It’s one thing to hear parenting experts talk about parenting and how different it can be, but today I’m bringing a parent who isn’t a parenting coach to you to talk about her journey of being the yelling, impatient mom who was desperate for answers, to being the one who feels like she understands, is more confident, and more patient than ever.

My hope is that you will see yourself in her story and see that it’s possible for you too.

EPP 047: The Science- Backed Secret to Being Patient With Ourselves and Our Kids: Part 2 Aug 28, 2019

“Be patient, don’t yell, and be positive and everything will be ok”

The messages around about parenting are there, but after TRYING to be patient, to NOT yell, and to be positive, I know I felt like a failure more often than not.

Looking back I see I was approaching it all wrong. I was trying to ACT patient, rather than feel patient, and the difference is huge.

In this episode, Valerie Kohlik opens up about how to actually feel patient, both with ourselves and our kids.

Here you’ll learn

*why counting to ten, holding your breath, or just being positive don’t work

*how the ways we were raised affect our ability to be patient now

*how to turn that all around

*how to help our kids learn to be patient

*how to help them work through impatient times

*AND how to come back from an impatient time of our own

Where you can find Valerie:

https://www.valeriekolick.com/

https://www.facebook.com/valeriekolickcoaching/

EPP 046 The Science Backed Secret to Being Patient With Ourselves and Our Kids Part 1 Aug 21, 2019

“Be patient, don’t yell, and be positive and everything will be ok”

The messages around about parenting are there, but after TRYING to be patient, to NOT yell, and to be positive, I know I felt like a failure more often than not.

Looking back I see I was approaching it all wrong. I was trying to ACT patient, rather than feel patient, and the difference is huge.

In this episode, Valerie Kolik opens up about how to actually feel patient, both with ourselves and our kids.

Here you’ll learn:

*why counting to ten, holding your breath, or just being positive don’t work

*how the ways we were raised affect our ability to be patient now

*how to turn that all around

*how to help our kids learn to be patient

*how to help them work through impatient times

*AND how to come back from an impatient time of our own

Where you can find Valerie:

https://www.valeriekolick.com/

https://www.facebook.com/valeriekolickcoaching/

EPP 45 How To Get Kids To Do Chores Without Nagging, Yelling, or Reminding Aug 14, 2019

Getting kids to chores can be such a pain. First we ask nicely, then we get a little more firm, soon we find ourselves threatening things we could never follow through on, just to get a little help around the house. After years of repeating this same pattern, I decided to make some changes. In this episode you'll learn the exact process I used to turn things around in my home. My kids don't love chores, but they do them without fighting most of the time, and I don't ever have to threaten them. Everything I do is outlined in this episode. Listen in, try it, then tag me on Instagram @wendybertagnole when you've had results from it too. I'd love to celebrate with you.

EPP 044 How to Approach People Who Don’t Support Your Parenting Aug 07, 2019

Its no secret we parent differently than most people. Inevitably, when that happens, we set ourselves up to be seen and to be judged.

Ugh, the thought of being judged still gets me, but it’s real. Also, on the same side of that coin is those who don’t necessarily judge but who aren’t supportive. When it comes to teachers, caregivers, or others who might care for our kids, it’s important to know how to address the situation without getting triggered or causing too much contention.

In this podcast you’ll learn how to do two things:

Shift your thinking so you don’t feel the weight of judgment and disapproval of other people by doing four things...

Understand that we all are doing what we can with what we have
Accept that judgment is cheap and easy
Know your why
Let go of the need for approval

Then once we’ve addressed the stuff inside us, it’s easier to work on the approach with other people when we have to. In the episode, you’ll learn how to do all that.

EPP 043 How to Build Strong Connections With Your Child to Help Them Thrive Jul 31, 2019

As moms, we want to give our kids the world on a silver platter. We often have hopes, dreams, and wishes for them, even if we don’t realize they are there.

In this episode, Wendi Mckenna opens up about a side of parenting that’s rarely talked about. She talks about how those hopes, dreams, and expectations are coming from our own selfish desires, and can actually be damaging for our kids’ growth and progress.

In this episode you’ll learn:

How parenting a child with differences can be a learning process for us as parents
How to let go of our expectations and still support our kids to be who they can be
How to build strong physical and emotional connections
How to approach behaviors in a way that supports our kids, and still creates healthy boundaries
A process for knowing how to dig up what is underneath any behavior, even if our kids can’t explain it

EPP 042 Simple Ways to Teach Kids New Skills Jul 24, 2019

After seeing the same behaviors over and over again, it’s hard to know what to do about them. We know timeouts don’t work, punishments don’t work, and even lecturing (er talking) to them about it doesn’t really make the behavior change.

Today on the podcast Lauren Pace is showing us how to teach our kids the skills they are lacking that causes these behaviors. So instead of feeling like we’re repeating ourselves all the time, we can get to the root of it so much quicker

Lauren is as real as a person gets and because of that, she talked candidly about what to do when we mess up as parents, how to handle it when kids are hitting, and how to deal with a meltdown after turning off the TV. If you’ve ever struggled with any of those, this episode is for you!

Instagram/ xolaurenpace

Website/ xolaurenpace.com/coaching

EPP 041 Raising Kids to Understand and Appreciate Money Jul 17, 2019

If you’ve ever felt like kids assume you’re made of money, they beg for more stuff, and seem to have no appreciation for what they have, this episode is going to help you form a simple plan to change that.

In this episode, John Lanza from www.themoneymammals.com/ talks about how to create money habits in your family that will help kids learn to save, spend, and give money in an intentional and easy way.

Money isn’t often talked about at home, or until kids are much older, but here John shares how to start talking about money, and helping kids manage their own money as early as 5 years old using his money mammals program.

In this episode you’ll learn:

*when and how to start doing allowance (which doesn’t involve giving kids money freely or paying them to do household tasks)

*How to let kids practice money skills in a lower-stakes environment so when they become adults they’ve developed good money habits

*how to change this system as kids grow into teen years

EPP 040 One Simple, Science Backed Tip to Taming Tantrums Jul 10, 2019

In the middle of a meltdown, when your ears are about to burst, and your patience is worn thin, it’s hard to know what to do.

Sure, people can tell you to “be firm” but that just ends in a massive power struggle.

Others can tell you to “validate their feelings” but that doesn’t even get heard sometimes. So what can be done in those crazy, exhausting moments when all emotions are running high?

Lauren Tamm from https://themilitarywifeandmom.com shares with us one simple and science-backed tip that can definitely help in those stressful moments.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

* why it doesn’t work to talk calmly in heated moments

* how to use tantrums/meltdowns/whining for good

* why ignoring the whining won’t work in the long term

EPP 039 Encouraging Creativity With Kids Who Don't Feel Creative Jul 03, 2019

I never learned how to cultivate creativity in my own kids, and most parents find themselves in the same boat as me. But, it’s something I feel is so important to my kids’ development and future success, so this episode is one I’ve found to be super helpful.

In this episode, Jean Van’t Hul talks about how to foster creativity in kids...not only through art, but also through daily life.

Jean outlines 3 common but unintentional ways parents can dampen their kids creativity by doing any of these things;

Overscheduling
Using coloring books
Asking kids to explain their creations

I’ve found myself doing so many of those and now I can see how they are working against my kids’ natural sense of creativity. So, in the episode you’ll learn how to shift those habits and turn them into more productive practices for you and your kids.

EPP 038 What to Do When Your Partner Disagrees With Your Parenting Jun 26, 2019

“How do I get my partner on board if he says I’m just being a pushover?”

“How can I get my partner to see that yelling or spanking isn’t helping?”

Changing the ways we parent is a process and can be hard when we feel like we are doing it alone, or if we are being judged for it.

In this candid episode, I’m opening up about the differences between my husband and I when it comes to our parenting ideas. Spoiler alert, we don’t always agree.

When this is the case in your home I have three ideas for you to try out, to see how they work for you. It all centers around the idea that we first have to change the question we ask to “what to do when my partner doesn’t agree with my parenting. The answers are all based on these three ideas:

1. Agree on the outcome, not the process

2. Lead by example

3. You do you

EPP 037 How to Help Your Child Find and Develop Their Best Self Jun 19, 2019

We hear it all the time “living their best life” but what does that really mean and how do we really help kids to live their best lives?

Laura Earnshaw of MyHappyMind (https://myhappymind.org/) is on the podcast today helping us to not just say the words, but truly help our kids understand and become their best selves.

In this episode you’ll learn;

How as parents we can retrain our own brains to focus on their character rather than their achievements
How this builds their self-esteem and resilience
How to help a child develop a new character trait
How to decrease sibling rivalry by helping kids understand and celebrate the character differences within a family
How to help our kids not be defined or bothered by society’s measure of “success”

You can find Laura at https://myhappymind.org/ and on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/myhappymind/

EPP 036 Managing Big Feelings in the Best Way Possible Jun 12, 2019

We all want our kids to grow into well rounded and emotionally stable people, but when it comes to the daily meltdowns, tantrums, and whining we face, sometimes it's hard to know how that will happen.

Here in this episode Ty Aller, a licensed Marriage and family therapist explains the best practices for supporting healthy social-emotional growth by doing something that may seem counter-cultural, but is absolutely supported by research and practice.

In this episode you’ll learn;

How emotions are indicators to be aware of things we need to know
How to integrate mindfulness and practice into daily routines to help us and our kids better understand our emotions
Why it’s best not to label emotions as “good or bad”
How to sit with emotions more easily (both our own and our kids’)

EPP 035 How to Feel Like a More Patient Mom Jun 05, 2019

Knowing how to react when our kids act out and wondering if it’s even possible to go a day without losing our patience is HARD! There are so many different ideas about what moms should do in those situations, but Lisa Andersen from thriving motherhood takes a countercultural approach that involves letting go.

In this episode you’ll learn;

How to really feel like a more patient mom who yells less
How to still have expectations and boundaries without feeling like it’s a struggle to get your kids to respect them
How to teach your kids to respect you (without using punishment)
How to teach kids to respect each other (sibling rivalry happens to everyone)
The STEAR process Lisa developed to help any mom respond in more helpful and less reactive ways

EPP 034 Two Personal Stories I'm Scared To Share With You May 29, 2019

Cleaning my son's room I noticed a whiteboard we had bought him for car trips. I picked it up to put it away and saw written on it something that stopped me in my tracks.

The words there brought back memories of my older sister who, after battling an unseen mental illness of depression or bipolar or something that went undiagnosed, ended her suffering by taking her own life at the age of 24.

Since then I’ve always wondered if there were signs I missed. Had she reached out? Did I just not see it? Was I too busy with my own life that I couldn’t hear what she wasn’t saying through her words?

Looking back now, with what I know, there were a lot of cries for help.

Both my son and my sister had called out for help many times, but I had missed it. Since then, I’ve changed the way I show up for those around me, to support them, and be in a position to hear what they might not be saying through their words.

In this episode, you’ll learn the three things I’ve changed that help me be more aware, more present, and more sensitive to any call for help.

EPP 033 Raising Kids Who Listen Part 2 May 22, 2019

Raising kids who listen, respect others, and don't talk back isn't an easy job. Especially for anyone who grew up in an authoritarian home where it was expected that kids "do what they are told" without question "or else..." So how does a mom integrate positive parenting strategies with the rules and expectations for helping out around the house without having to yell, bribe, or beg? It starts with three small changes I share here. In part 1, episode 22 you learned: -why your kid isn't listening -how to talk so your kid will listen without having to yell -the one small change you can make today to encourage your kid to be more cooperative In this episode, part 2, you will learn: -what to do when your kid says no -how to say no without it ending in a meltdown -how to teach your child to be respectful, and know when to say no, and when not to

EPP 032 Raising Kids Who Listen Part 1 May 15, 2019

Raising kids who listen, respect others, and don't talk back isn't an easy job. Especially for anyone who grew up in an authoritarian home where it was expected that kids "do what they are told" without question "or else..." So how does a mom integrate positive parenting strategies with the rules and expectations for helping out around the house without having to yell, bribe, or beg? It starts with three small changes I share here. In this episode, you will learn -why your kid isn't listening -how to talk so your kid will listen without having to yell -the one small change you can make today to encourage your kid to be more cooperative In episode 33 you'll get part 2 of this workshop which will show you -what to do when your kid says no -how to say no without it ending in a meltdown -how to teach your child to be respectful, and know when to say no, and when not to

EPP 031 Popular Parenting Myths Debunked May 08, 2019

There are likely millions of different parenting practices out there. Different authors, coaches, mentors, and experts all laying out strategies, and tactics for “getting kids to behave”

Some of the more popular strategies include “ignoring junk behavior” and “praising positive behavior.” Coaches are calling these positive parenting practices, stating that these two strategies will eliminate 98% of all junk behavior, and teach kids to be more calm.

In this episode Alfie Kohn dives into the research and practical long term, damaging effects of these two practices.

Here, in this episode you’ll learn;

*how to switch from a “doing to” to “working with” approach in parenting

*why ignoring behavior, sending kids to timeout, or withdrawing attention is damaging long term

*how praising behavior creates less intrinsic rewards for kids

*the research behind these practices

*how most “behaviorist” parenting practices originated and why they aren’t effective for kids in the long run

Alfie is an author of 14 books, the one I personally have read and highly recommend is called Unconditional Parenting. All his books, blog articles, and work can be found on alfiekohn.org

EPP 030 Mindfulness For Non-Meditating Moms May 01, 2019

Mindfulness is somewhat of a buzz word in mom communities right now. I usually see it associated with regular yoga practices, meditations, or calming routines. .

BUT for moms who don’t see themselves meditating, taking and hour break for a yoga flow, what can mindfulness look like?

In this episode Cameron Kleimo from http://www.sensorymom.com/ shares the following

How to set an example of self care for our kids
Every day practices that take less than 3 minutes to help us stay more calm and less triggered by our kids’ emotions
How to help kids learn to understand and work through their own emotions mindfully
What to do when we end up losing it, and how those moments can bring us closer to really utilizing the family bonds as a support system

You can find Cameron at:

www.sensorymom.com

https://www.facebook.com/cameronkleimo/

https://www.instagram.com/cameronsensorymom/

EPP 029 Positive Alternatives to Timeouts Apr 24, 2019

On instagram I spent the first part of April debunking parenting myths. (find me at imperfect_mom_)

The one that had the most feedback by far was that timeouts are not a form of positive parenting.

If you would have told me this 5 years ago I would have questioned it, I would have denied it, and told you that it was better than freaking out, yelling, or punishing my kids.

While that is true, I’ve recently heard research about the long term effects of timeouts from the author of Unconditional parenting, alfie kohn.

If you are feeling like timeouts aren’t really helping change your kids behavior, if they are more frustrating than helpful, or you are just wanting a more positive way of parenting, this episode is for you!

In this episode you’ll learn:

*The negative effects of timeout

How it can lead to depression and low self esteem

*More productive ways to help kids deal with big emotions that cause negative behaviors

EPP 028 How to Teach So Kids Can Learn Apr 17, 2019

I imagine most every parent wants to teach their kid how to be a responsible, respectful human. HOW that happens is the magic question.

Often we are told we need to “teach our kids a lesson” when they talk back, misbehave, or don’t do what we ask.

But do kids actually LEARN when we go through all the hassle of using timeouts, threats, or punishments to teach them these lessons? Research stays they don’t…..

In this episode we dive deep into unlearning what we thought we knew about “teaching kids a lesson” and instead focus on how to truly teach in a way our kids will learn in a positive, supportive, and effective way.

We will cover...

What do we teach with punishments?

What do kids learn with consequences?

What do they need to learn to change their behavior? Skills, Ross Greene

How do we teach them skills?

EPP027 Positive Discipline for the Toughest Situations Apr 10, 2019

Positive discipline is something I thought patient parents used with easy going kids, and because I'm neither patient nor a mom of easy-going kids, I never felt like it was something I could do.

In this episode Jeanne-Marie beautifully explained how positive discipline can work for even the toughest situations. Her real life experiences and research based practices come together in this episode to outline a very practical approach to positive discipline. But, it's not what you think.

Don't let the word "discipline" fool you. It's not a way of forming punishments, consequences, or anything else like that. Jeanne-Marie talks about discipline for what it is, a way of teaching intentionally and positively.

This episode blew my mind and I hope it does the same for you.

You can find Jeanne-Marie at

her blog https://voilamontessori.com/

her instagram https://www.instagram.com/voilamontessori/

her youtube https://www.youtube.com/user/VoilaMontessori

EPP 026 Creating Magical Moments in the Mess of Motherhood Apr 03, 2019

It's no secret that motherhood is messy. It's not always like the curated, perfectly edited pictures we see every day on social media, and I believe the magic lies in BEING OK with that.

In this episode Miranda Anderson from live free creative shares with us how we can really create magical moments even when things seem to be going horribly wrong...but don't be fooled, Miranda isn't JUST sharing great ideas that could be fun to try, she comes 100% from personal experience.

Miranda opens up and shares details from her year of COMPLETE chaos you won't believe. Through it all, she was able to keep her head up, look for the magic in it, and found that even her kids were able to do the same. Through her story she shares insights about how you can rise above the mess of motherhood to create magical moments too.

You can find more about Miranda at

her blog: https://livefreecreative.co/

her podcast: https://livefreecreative.co/podcast/

her instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livefreemiranda/

EPP 025 How to Declutter Your Mind and Truly Enjoy Motherhood Mar 27, 2019

Sometimes motherhood feels like we are drowning in our own thoughts, worries, and "to-do's". It's almost cliche now to say "I just don't have enough hours in the day to do all that I need to do."

In this episode Rachel Nielsen shows us all how to step away from that mentality so we can truly enjoy motherhood instead of feeling like we're always trying to keep up.

In the episode you'll learn how to:

truly let go of the "shoulds" and the pressure of having to be or do it all
know what is best for you to hold on to
how to find your own strengths as a mom
feel that you are truly focusing on what is important

Rachel is the host of the popular 3 in 30 takeaways for moms podcast which you can find here

http://3in30podcast.com/

You can also find her on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/3in30podcast/

EPP 024 How to Support Your Anxious Child Mar 20, 2019

When emotions run high, feelings are intense, and anxiousness is present in your child, it's hard to know what to do.

Natasha Daniels, of Anxious Toddlers is on a mission to change that for parents like you and I who have kids with big emotions.

If you've ever wondered how to help your child who seems anxious about things, when to intervene, and how to help them work through those strong emotions, this episode is for you!

Natasha is a mom and a licensed therapist with a very practical way of addressing anxious feelings in a way that supports kids' emotional development, but is still realistic.

In this episode you'll learn;

how "normal" it is for kids to have anxious feelings
what NOT to say to our kids when they have anxious feelings
and three easy steps to support them through those emotions

You can find Natasha at

her website:

https://www.anxioustoddlers.com/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/anxioustoddlers/

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/anxioustoddlers/

EPP023 Should I be more stern or more patient? Mar 13, 2019

"When my kid acts out, I wonder if I should be more stern, or more patient? Nothing seems to work, what do I do?"

That question was posted on a discussion board and if you've been wondering the same thing, this episode is for you. In this episode you'll learn;

Why it is so hard for us to find the right balance How to set expectations that kids will follow What to do in the moment when they object And how to handle it when things don't work out.

Parenting certainly isn't perfect, but it shouldn't have to be THAT hard.

EPP 022 When parenting feels like a struggle Mar 06, 2019

When it feels like parenting "shouldn't be this hard" you're probably right...but what should you do about it?

The answers aren't always clear and most of the time there's not a one-size-fits all approach to finding an answer that works for you. And that's ok.

In this episode I'll take you through a powerful realization I had with "struggle" and show you how to work through it in an intentional and purposeful way.

EPP 021 Building Resilience for Kids and Moms Alike Feb 27, 2019

After a recent move for our family, I felt like I was so sick of hearing "oh don't worry, kids are resilient"... and yet, my kids weren't resilient.

They struggled. It was hard. And the change turned their worlds upside down.

I was left wondering if we have it all wrong with kids, assuming they are more resilient than they really are, OR if my kids were the only non-resilient ones on the face of the earth.

If you've ever wondered the same thing, this episode will be as helpful for you as it was for me.

Here, Sarah Boyd, who has a background in psychology and neuroscience (and two kids) shares with us how to help our kids cope with hard or unexpected situations and manage the emotions that come with that.

In this episode you'll learn

why it's best to teach resilience at a young age (rather than in adult years)
what resilience actually is
what "normal" looks like when situations are hard
how to develop a healthy emotional response to hard situations
how to teach kids to do the same
how to help kids express emotions in a healthy way

For more information on Sarah and her new book, visit

Resilientlittlehearts.com

Raising Kids to Have A Healthy Relationship With Food Feb 20, 2019

When kids have strong wills and aren't afraid to speak their minds, sometimes that can translate to struggles with helping them eat in a way that is good for them.

Here Jessica Oar from Be PowerFul helps us see how to raise kids to have a very healthy relationship with food in whatever way works best for you.

Here you'll learn

how to show kids to be healthy and not perfect
how to let go and help kids learn how to understand what their own bodies like and don't like
how to do what works best for your family without feeling like you're on a diet
how to avoid the power struggles that come from forcing kids to eat healthy
how to avoid the shame around food choices
eating in a way that is sustainable for you and your kids
the mindset we all need to have to embrace the imperfect moments as part of the journey

You can find Jessica

on Instagram

On Facebook

EPP 019 How to Help Your Child Who Struggles With Handwriting Feb 13, 2019

For any mom who has a kid whose EVER said "I hate homework!"

or who agonizes over any kind of writing or who has terrible handwriting, this episode is for you!

Heather Greutman of Growing Hands On Kids opens up about how to help our kids have FUN while improving their handwriting skills at the same time.

No, this isn't about daily handwriting worksheets, drills, or doing homework every day, this episode truly is about how to break away from the writing a bit to help improve a kids ability to write. Seriously genius!

Here you'll learn:

How to know if your child can benefit from improving fine motor skills
What "fine motor" skills are and why they are important
How to build those skills through fun and playful activities so your child doesn't even realize they are learning!

Heather has included a fine motor checklist, and links to her fine motor packets (the ones I bought and LOVED!) all on this page here.

Growinghandsonkids.com/wendy

You can also find Heather on

Facebook

Don't forget to snag her free checklist

EPP 018 How to Maximize Learning Development Through Purposeful Play Feb 06, 2019

As a mom of younger kids I always wondered which educational toys were the best, which ones would REALLY help them learn through play, and if too many toys were overwhelming.

In this episode Meagan of ILS Learning Corner outlines the answers to all those questions in detail so we can skip all the marketing tricks and know exactly what's best for our kids.

Here you'll learn:

What kinds of educational toys are the best for learning development

How to encourage learning through play

How to create your own toys without spending any money

EPP017 How to help a kid transition without melting down Jan 30, 2019

Do you ever feel like any little transition can send your kid into a tailspin? You spend your days wondering which transition will set them off or how epic the meltdown with be?

If so this episode is for you!

Here you'll learn;

*3 simple ways to help them THROUGH transitions (so instead of feeling like you have to avoid them like the plague, you can help your child work through it and transition easier)

*Why it happens

*(and of course) Why "waiting for the phase to pass" or "typical parenting strategies just won't make things better in the long run.

EPP016 When Reactions are Strong and Discipline Doesn't Work Jan 23, 2019

Have you ever wondered..

Why is it that only one of my kids reacts so strongly no matter what I do to discipline him. Did I do something wrong?
My child gets angry and of recent started using his hands / has temper tantrums and becomes a little violent when he does not get his way. My husband feels he is just being a spoiled brat - I think it is more. Do not know how to deal with it. What can I do?
I panic when someone tells her no because she will instantly throw a very scary fit, what can I do?
My kid has age and anger when angry, it's like he flips a switch, why?
How do you know if it’s a typical stage or something that needs therapy?

In this episode I answer all these questions and show you

1. why strong reactions happen

2. why discipline doesn't work

3. what you can do to support your child so their reactions aren't so strong.

Other episodes mentioned in the podcast:

Episode 8 How to support your sensitive kid

https://exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/episode8

Episode 14 What to do when too much noise causes strong reactions

https://exceptionalparentingpodcast.com/episode14

EPP014 When too much noise causes strong emotions Jan 16, 2019

In my home, growing up we knew we could NOT be loud. No screaming, no yelling, and NO talking at ALL when dad had the TV on. If we talked, he would turn the TV up so loud to drown us out so he could hear what he was listening to.

For so long I wondered if all dads had such sensitive ears, why dad got so mad if we were loud, and if that would ever change. Little did I know that it was very normal, and now as a mom I get it, because I have a child who has the same sensory sensitivity.

So many of you parents are wondering the same thing, either about yourself or your child.

Why can’t I hear people when I’m in a restaurant?
Why is my kid so loud, but freaks out when people around her are loud?
Why does my son have such a strong reaction when his siblings are loud?
Is it normal?
Should I punish it?
What should I do?

We’re going to cover all of that in this episode.

EPP 015 How to Keep Active Kids Busy Indoors Jan 09, 2019

In this episode Jamie Reimer from Hands On As We Grow joins us to give us a better way to keep active kids busy indoors when outside play isn't really an option.

Let's be honest, the winter or rainy months can be really hard because either our kids are bouncing off the walls making WAY too many messes OR they are glued to the TV.

Here Jamie gives great insight on how to simply and realistically address both of those to stay sane during the long winter months.

And, if you listen to this before January 14th you can join her free Get Active Inside Challenge (and also get discounts on her ebooks which are so helpful...I talk about those in the episode) by signing up here

https://handsonaswegrow.com/wendy

When you listen to this you'll learn

* How to turn crazy play into something fun and active but more acceptable for YOU

*How to prepare yourself mentally for indoor active play

*How to prepare your home for the indoor play without turning the house upside down

*When the mess is too much how to help kids enjoy play time within your rules

*When messes happen how to make that playful as well

* How to make massive shifts in your child's attitude through the get active challenge

You can find Jamie in the following places online

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/handsonaswegrow/

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

Blog https://handsonaswegrow.com/

Again her free challenge starts January 14th and can be found here https://handsonaswegrow.com/wendy

EPP 013 Helping Kids Navigate Life's Experiences Jan 02, 2019

Stressful culture, unmet emotional needs, life events (big or small) etc. can all be hard for kids to navigate.

Here Carly Stender helps us see how to support our kids through these every day, or big events in ways that can honor our kids' emotional needs.

In this episode you'll learn:

*How to know if your child needs help processing a difficult emotion

*How behaviors can be indicators of needing help

*How to show up to support kids even when they don't ask for help

*How to help kids open up even when they aren't wanting to talk

*How to tell if we need to intervene

*How to know if it's "typical behavior" vs something that needs to be addressed

You can find Carly

On Instagram

On Her Website

Supporting A Highly Emotional And Sensitive Child In Their Outbursts Dec 26, 2018

When it comes to our kids who seem to be a highly sensitive child, have exceptionally emotional tendencies, the outbursts can feel impossible to deal with.

Nothing works in the moment of rage, emotions, and tears. Timeouts lead to destruction, harsh words, and angry rages. Punishing is futile. What answers are there for parents in these intense heated moments?

Today we talk all about this, exploring how to promote positive social emotional development for our kids even through their sensitive tendencies.

Today I'll uncover how to support your sensitive child during even the toughest moments by explaining;

*why most typical parenting strategies don't work in the moment

*how to focus on teaching your child important skills for working through the intense emotions

*how to stay sane during the whole thing

*and what to do if everything goes wrong (let's be real, it happens)

The Trouble With Parenting Tips and Mom Hacks Dec 19, 2018

3,336.

That's the number of articles a mom had pinned to her "parenting tip and mom hacks" board with a little note saying "I need to remember these during the hard moments".

Reading that my heart sunk, because I knew she wasn't the only mom out there trying to better her parenting skills while drowning in mom hacks and parenting tips that will NEVER be applied.

It's no secret that with the internet and Pinterest, we have more information than we could EVER implement, and when it comes to parenting, we don't have time to sift through what works and what doesn't work for our unique kids.

So, in this episode I outline why those mom hacks might be holding you back and the filters I use when sifting through them.

Motherhood isn't easy and we deserve to only have to try out the best parenting tips out there. This episode will help you sift through all the mom hacks, knowing exactly what will work for you and what's just time wasting fluff.

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