Mother U with Rachel Norman

Latest Episodes:

The 1st thing to do when family life is chaos (part 1 - my story) Dec 04, 2023

Show notes

Family life can feel chaotic when routines aren’t in place—or when the routines you have just aren’t working. Establishing purposeful routines that work for both parents and kids is key to creating a calmer, more manageable home.

In this episode of Mother U with Rachel Norman, I share part one of my personal story about how routines transformed my household, including a funny mustard mishap that reminds us routines don’t have to be perfect to be effective.

We’re chatting about:

Why establishing effective family routines is essential for a peaceful home
How routines benefit both parents and children in daily life
Practical tips and examples from my own home to inspire your routine setup

Tune in for actionable strategies that help you create order, predictability, and more joy in family life.

🎉 SUPPORT ON TAP

Mother U https://mother-u.com
Life School At Home (my community that helps prepare kids for life!) https://www.lifeschoolathome.com
It's All My Fault (weekly quiet time resource for the Christian people-pleasing, over-functioning, guilt-ridden mama) https://learn.mother-u.com/iamf
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c@motheru
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/motheruwithrachel/

Modern kids need THIS Nov 20, 2023

Show notes

Modern life comes with unique challenges, and kids need specific skills to navigate them successfully. From social media to handling boredom and learning how to disagree respectfully, preparing children for today’s world is essential.

In this episode of Mother U with Rachel Norman, we explore the crucial skills modern kids need and practical ways to equip them for success in everyday life.

We’re chatting about:

Key life skills children need in today’s digital and social landscape
How to teach kids to manage boredom, social media, and conflict
Practical strategies to foster independence, resilience, and emotional intelligence

Tune in for actionable parenting tips that help your children thrive in modern life while building confidence, social skills, and problem-solving abilities.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Life School at Home (My monthly membership to teach kids life skills)
Nurture and Play (My 8 week class to teach you how to do play therapy at home)

🎉 SUPPORT ON TAP

Mother U https://mother-u.com
Life School At Home (my community that helps prepare kids for life!) https://www.lifeschoolathome.com
It's All My Fault (weekly quiet time resource for the Christian people-pleasing, over-functioning, guilt-ridden mama) https://learn.mother-u.com/iamf
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c@motheru
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/motheruwithrachel/

What kids need more than presents... Nov 16, 2023

Show notes

The holiday season is about more than presents—it’s a perfect opportunity to focus on growth, connection, and meaningful parenting. Helping kids develop essential life skills now sets them up for success long after the holidays are over.

In this episode of Mother U with Rachel Norman, we discuss what kids truly need beyond gifts and how to use the season to guide their learning and growth.

We’re chatting about:

Key life skills children need and how to nurture them during the holidays
How to respond to your children’s (sometimes embarrassing) behavior during the holidays
Practical strategies to focus on connection, boundaries, and meaningful parenting

Tune in for actionable parenting tips that help you create a joyful holiday season while strengthening your relationship with your kids.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Life School at Home (my membership to teach life skills to our kids)
If Mama Ain't Happy (my book on boundaries)

🎉 SUPPORT ON TAP

Mother U https://mother-u.com
Life School At Home (my community that helps prepare kids for life!) https://www.lifeschoolathome.com
It's All My Fault (weekly quiet time resource for the Christian people-pleasing, over-functioning, guilt-ridden mama) https://learn.mother-u.com/iamf
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c@motheru
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/motheruwithrachel/

Skills kids need going into the holidays Nov 06, 2023

Show notes

The holidays can be joyful, but they can also bring stress, meltdowns, and unexpected challenges with kids. Preparing children with the right skills can make holiday gatherings calmer and more enjoyable for the whole family.

In this episode of Mother U with Rachel Norman, we discuss the essential skills kids need going into the holidays and practical ways to equip them for success.

We’re chatting about:

Key life skills kids can use to navigate holiday routines, family gatherings, and expectations
How to prepare children to manage emotions, transitions, and social interactions
Practical strategies to create smoother, more peaceful holiday experiences

Tune in for actionable parenting tips that help your children thrive during the holiday season while keeping family life joyful and calm.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Life School at Home (my community to help you equip your kids with life skills!)

🎉 SUPPORT ON TAP

Mother U https://mother-u.com
Life School At Home (my community that helps prepare kids for life!) https://www.lifeschoolathome.com
It's All My Fault (weekly quiet time resource for the Christian people-pleasing, over-functioning, guilt-ridden mama) https://learn.mother-u.com/iamf
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c@motheru
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/motheruwithrachel/

The art of nonchalance in motherhood Oct 16, 2023

Show notes

Staying calm and composed can feel impossible in the chaos of motherhood, but mastering the art of nonchalance can be a game-changer. A nonchalant approach helps reduce conflict, model emotional regulation, and promote peace in your home.

In this episode of Mother U with Rachel Norman, we explore what a nonchalant voice is (and isn’t), why it works, and how to use it effectively in everyday parenting.

We’re chatting about:

How adopting a nonchalant parenting style can reduce yelling and power struggles
Practical tips for using tone, timing, and presence to stay calm and composed
How purposeful, playful connection supports cooperation and emotional growth

Tune in for actionable strategies that help you parent with calm confidence while creating a peaceful, connected home environment.

Links mentioned in this video:

Why moms yell | How people work (Youtube video)
If Mama Ain't Happy (my book on boundaries)
Nurture and Play

*I've been told since that the water experiment is pseudoscience at best, so take with a grain of salt!

** Nurture and Play is BASED on play therapy principles but as you are a mother who is NOT a play therapist, it's not therapy. It's purposeful play using coaching skills that meets your child where they're at and creates a delightful time of 1:1 with your child :)

🎉 SUPPORT ON TAP

Mother U https://mother-u.com
Life School At Home (my community that helps prepare kids for life!) https://www.lifeschoolathome.com
It's All My Fault (weekly quiet time resource for the Christian people-pleasing, over-functioning, guilt-ridden mama) https://learn.mother-u.com/iamf
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c@motheru
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/motheruwithrachel/

Stop repeating yourself a million times... and do this instead! Sep 26, 2023

Show notes

Do you feel like you’re repeating yourself a million times and your kids still aren’t listening? Constant repetition can be exhausting and ineffective, but there are better ways to get your children’s attention and cooperation.

In this episode of Mother U with Rachel Norman, we cover practical strategies to stop repeating yourself and start communicating in ways that actually work with your kids.

We’re chatting about:

Why kids tune out repeated instructions and how it affects behavior
Three practical alternatives to repeating yourself constantly
Tips for improving communication, cooperation, and listening skills

Tune in for actionable parenting techniques that help your children listen better while reducing frustration for both you and your kids.

🎉 SUPPORT ON TAP

Mother U https://mother-u.com
Life School At Home (my community that helps prepare kids for life!) https://www.lifeschoolathome.com
It's All My Fault (weekly quiet time resource for the Christian people-pleasing, over-functioning, guilt-ridden mama) https://learn.mother-u.com/iamf
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c@motheru
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/motheruwithrachel/

Healing play... at home? Why and how Sep 21, 2023

Show notes

Parenting can be challenging when power struggles and emotional tension take over your home. Healing play offers a simple but powerful tool to strengthen your connection with your kids and transform your family dynamics—in just 30 minutes a week.

In this episode of Mother U with Rachel Norman, we dive into the concept of healing play at home, exploring why it works and how to use it effectively to support your children’s emotional growth.

We’re chatting about:

What healing play is and why it’s a breakthrough tool for parents
How to implement power playtimes at home to reduce conflict
Practical tips to use healing play to build connection, resilience, and cooperation

Tune in for actionable strategies that make parenting more joyful while helping your children process emotions and develop social skills.

🎉 SUPPORT ON TAP

Mother U https://mother-u.com
Life School At Home (my community that helps prepare kids for life!) https://www.lifeschoolathome.com
It's All My Fault (weekly quiet time resource for the Christian people-pleasing, over-functioning, guilt-ridden mama) https://learn.mother-u.com/iamf
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c@motheru
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/motheruwithrachel/

Kids escalate or take their issues underground (what to do!) Sep 19, 2023

Show notes

Kids often communicate their feelings and struggles through behavior, either by escalating (anger, defiance, irritability) or taking issues underground (internalizing, insecurity, lack of confidence). Understanding these patterns is key to supporting their emotional growth.

In this episode of Mother U with Rachel Norman, we explore how to identify when kids are escalating or internalizing their struggles and practical strategies to help them process their emotions in healthy ways.

We’re chatting about:

Signs that your child is escalating or internalizing problems
How to guide kids to express emotions constructively
Practical techniques to prevent behavior escalation and support confidence

Tune in for actionable parenting strategies that help children handle their emotions while building resilience and emotional intelligence.

Watch/listen to all of the workshops here: https://www.nurtureandplay.com/join.

🎉 SUPPORT ON TAP

Mother U https://mother-u.com
Life School At Home (my community that helps prepare kids for life!) https://www.lifeschoolathome.com
It's All My Fault (weekly quiet time resource for the Christian people-pleasing, over-functioning, guilt-ridden mama) https://learn.mother-u.com/iamf
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c@motheru
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/motheruwithrachel/

How to quit fighting with your kids and get on the same side Sep 10, 2023

Show notes

Do you feel like every day is a battle with your kids? Constant conflict can leave both you and your children frustrated and exhausted, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

In this episode of Mother U with Rachel Norman, we discuss how to quit fighting with your kids and work toward getting on the same side, building cooperation and connection in your family.

We’re chatting about:

Why conflicts with kids escalate and how to prevent power struggles
Strategies to promote teamwork, respect, and understanding at home
Practical tips for creating a calmer, more cooperative family dynamic

Tune in for actionable parenting techniques that help you reduce daily battles and build a stronger, more positive relationship with your children.

🎉 SUPPORT ON TAP

Mother U https://mother-u.com
Life School At Home (my community that helps prepare kids for life!) https://www.lifeschoolathome.com
It's All My Fault (weekly quiet time resource for the Christian people-pleasing, over-functioning, guilt-ridden mama) https://learn.mother-u.com/iamf
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c@motheru
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/motheruwithrachel/

ALERT: You don't meet your kids' needs, they meet their own! Sep 04, 2023

Show notes

Our kids’ emotional needs aren’t met by their parents because they will find ways to meet them on their own—which can lead to behaviors we don’t love or understand. True: food, sleep, house, etc. we do meet their needs. But, some of their other needs (connection, power, etc.) THEY MEET ON THEIR OWN.

In this episode of Mother U with Rachel Norman, we explore how to ensure your children’s needs are met in ways that support both them and your family as a whole.

We’re chatting about:

The difference between needs parents meet versus needs kids meet on their own
Common ways children try to meet unmet needs and why it can cause conflict
Strategies to guide kids toward healthy, constructive ways to meet their own emotional and social needs

Tune in for practical parenting tips that help children thrive while keeping family life balanced and peaceful.

Watch/listen to all the workshops here: https://nurtureandplay.com/workshops

🎉 SUPPORT ON TAP