Your Parenting Long Game

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Episode 340: Energy Mismatches: Why Kids Have Big Reactions to Small Things Apr 03, 2025

Show notes

If you are raising children with big emotions, you are probably used to their big reactions when they are tired, hungry, or overstimulated. But sometimes children have big reactions even when there is no obvious reason, leaving us feeling confused and like we have to walk on eggshells around them.

In this episode, you'll learn:

What is going on when our kids act overly irritated or annoyed but it isn't clear why
How to recognize what I call "energy mismatches" (with examples)
What we can do to help our kids have fewer big reactions -- and more confidence and healthy self-esteem

Transcript of this episode

Episode 339: Two Simple Words That Will Help You Become a Powerful Positive Influence Mar 20, 2025

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We know how important it is to be a powerful positive influence with our children. But becoming one sounds daunting at times -- especially with everything else we have to juggle on a daily basis. The good news is, we can increase our influence easily, just by adding two little words to our vocabulary!

In this episode, you'll learn:

What a "powerful positive influence" is, and what happens when you are one
Two qualities every powerful positive influence has
Two "magic" words that show our kids we care, we are consistent, and we can handle their big emotions

Transcript of this episode

Episode 338: Struggling with Transitions? Why What You've Tried Isn't Working Mar 13, 2025

Show notes

Children with big emotions often struggle with transitions: Getting out of the house in the morning, stopping what they're doing to go to the dinner table or to get ready for bed. They may even resist leaving the house when they have something fun to do, like a birthday party! When nothing seems to motivate them, we can feel confused and frustrated. Fortunately, there is something that we can do to help our children with transitions, and it's easier than you might think.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why transitions are difficult for our children (it's not just that they don't feel like going to the next thing)
Why traditional strategies like logic and rewards don't work for children with big emotions
Two things we can do to make transitions easier for our kids (and us!), with real-life examples

FREE LIVE Parenting "Power Hour"

FREE LIVE Parenting "Power Hour"

Episode 337: If You Worry That Your Child Won't Be Able to Handle Disappointment or Frustration in Life Mar 06, 2025

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When our children react strongly to disappointment or frustration, we often feel like we need to cater to their needs or give in to keep the peace. And then we worry that our child's big emotions will keep them from learning how to handle the inevitable challenges they'll face in life! Fortunately, even children with big feelings can learn to handle obstacles effectively.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why feeling strongly is strength -- and why it's important we don't teach our children to hide their emotions
Why we don't have to cater to our children to prevent hard feelings…and how to empower them instead
A Long Game Parenting strategy that helps kids and parents learn how to respect negative emotions without being controlled by them (with several practical examples)

FREE LIVE Parenting "Power Hour"

Episode 336: You Probably Do This Every Day & It Ruins Your Influence Feb 20, 2025

Show notes

You likely want to motivate better behavior and maintain a strong, positive relationship with your children. But there is something that you may be doing frequently that will reduce your influence and harm your relationship… and it happens any time your child isn't behaving or feeling the way you want them to. (How often does that happen?!)

In this episode, you'll learn:

Scientific reasons why we communicate in this harmful way (so you know how to stop it)

How our tone and body language impacts our children and leads to bigger reactions in kids with big emotions
One simple shift in perspective can help you build influence and strengthen your relationship in every interaction – with your children and with anyone else

Episode 335: When Your Child Resists Doing Boring or Uncomfortable Things Feb 13, 2025

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It can be frustrating when our children won't do what they're supposed to do: brush their teeth, finish their homework, or complete a chore that we've been asking them to finish. While it's common for kids with big emotions to resist things that feel boring or uncomfortable, it can be exhausting for parents to find "just the right thing" to motivate them to move forward. The good news is, understanding one thing about resistance can reduce it tremendously.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why kids with big emotions are so likely to resist doing boring or uncomfortable things (what's going on in their brain)
How to recognize this type of response
How to get kids on board with reducing the resistance

Episode 334: What's in Control in Your Home: You or Everyone's Reactions? Feb 06, 2025

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You crave a peaceful home, but peace can be hard to come by when raising children with big emotions. Our kids are quick to react disproportionately to situations, and it's easy to get sucked into their drama. How can we make sure that we are in control of our homes rather than everyone's reactions?

In this episode, you'll learn:

The science behind big reactions (and why we have more control that we think)
How to break the cycle of Yuck that keeps us stuck
A Leadership Parenting strategy called "Expect and Plan" that ensures we are in charge of our homes, not everyone's reactions

Episode 333: A Parenting Mistake & What I Did to Address My Guilt Jan 23, 2025

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Show Notes:

We might want to handle the daily stressors of life with calmness and respect, but often it doesn't work that way. (At least not for me!) Listen as I describe a situation I handled pretty poorly as a parent – and the strategies I used to get myself out of a cycle of guilt.

In this episode, you'll learn:

How to feel our feelings without being controlled by Yuck
A simple and effective Leadership Parenting strategy to address mistakes
Questions to ask YOURSELF when you do something you regret

Free live "Power Hour" event: How to Boost Confidence in Children with Big Emotions

Free live "Power Hour" event

Episode 332: When Children Resist Doing Hard Things: When to Push (and When Not To) Jan 16, 2025

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https://rachel-bailey.com/332https://rachel-bailey.com/332Show Notes:

When we are raising children with big emotions, it can be frustrating watching them struggle when things don't come easily. Even when we encourage them and remind them that they can do hard things, they may continue to complain or resist, leaving us wondering: Should we push them, or should we give in? Fortunately, there is a simple way to make this decision… and a way to help them handle discomfort when a push is appropriate.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why children with big emotions often avoid doing hard things
How to decide when to push them do hard things and when it doesn't make sense to push
How we can help deal with their discomfort so they can become the best version of themselves

Free resource: Summary of Episode 332