A Key to Conscious Parenting

We know from the conscious parenting literature, including that of Dr. Shefali Tsabary, that our children arrive in this world as unique individuals with their unique life path. If we pay attention to the triggers they prompt in us and focus on healing our own past wounds, we’ll learn important transformative life lessons from them …

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What to Say to Your Kids to Build Empathy and Confidence

colleen adrian connected parenting

Many of the words that were considered acceptable for describing kids’ behavior in the 1970s and ’80s are now recognized as judgmental or damaging to self-esteem. They teach our kids to be hard on themselves and cause anxiety rather than confidence.  If we want to raise empathetic kids who remain open-hearted, we need to be …

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Setting Limits With Your Highly Sensitive Child

Setting limits with your highly sensitive child can be hard. Often parents who are HSP and empathic, and grew up in authoritarian (or otherwise emotionally disconnected homes), have a hard time setting boundaries. This is especially true when they’re trying to learn connected parenting, and want to have a strong bond with their child. I …

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Raise a Confident Child: Prevent Shame When They Make Mistakes 

2 teens laughing together

Parents often want to know how they can raise a confident child who has a healthy self-esteem and self-worth, and prevent toxic shame. For instance, “When my child makes a mistake, how can I help them stay self-confident rather than feeling ashamed? How can I ensure they’re feeling *guilt* rather than *shame*–so that I can …

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Feel Confident in Your Connected Parenting–Even when your child is misbehaving

Family walking together in a wide open field

If you’re wondering if you’re failing because your child’s behavior isn’t what you’ve been aiming for, and you’ve been learning to use a connected parenting approach but you think maybe it’s not “working”–how can you feel confident in your connected parenting and know that you’re doing a good job? And how can you feel reassured …

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Stop Forcing Your Child to Say Sorry, and What To Do Instead

young girl holding a small toy duck near her face

Parents often try to teach their kids to say “sorry” by insisting they say it, but forcing your child to say sorry never teaches genuine remorse or regret–especially if your child is upset and doesn’t want to. Parents who take this approach may: I get it! And I agree that it’s important for kids to …

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Holiday Season: Less Stress, More Connection and Nostalgia

children adding ornaments to Christmas tree

The holiday season brings mixed feelings for many, especially Moms who often carry the brunt of the workload for creating a wonderful or magical experience for others. I thought I’d share a few things that I’m either doing this Christmas, or have done over the years, to create a little less stress and more connection …

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