Peaceful Parenting: Truths and Misconceptions

happy family sitting together in a field

Like many parents, having a child was life changing for me, and I aspired to use a peaceful parenting approach. I felt deeply blessed and wanted to honor that by connecting with my child and preventing emotionally wounding him. I had my own childhood wounds, and I was determined to have a close relationship with …

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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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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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How to Avoid Undermining Your Parenting Partner

Parents of sensitive spirited kids who want to avoid undermining your parenting partner—As you’re learning to use a connected parenting approach, but maybe your co-parent or partner wants to focus more on behavior or rewards/consequences and feels undermined when you use a connecting approach ➡️ I’ve got connected strategies for you! ✨✨❣️❣️ 🔥 Here are …

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Connected Parenting Spoils a Child: Correcting the Myth

Family in nature

Many people believe that connected parenting spoils a child, and that they end up being poorly behaved or unable to tolerate having limits set by parents and teachers.  I especially hear this from the older generation, who are watching some of the younger generation parents try to learn connected parenting. They see the kids “running …

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