After recording our podcast episode on gentle parenting with depression/anxiety, I wanted to offer encouragement for those who feel like they are failing their children, especially spiritually. God hears our prayers and is not surprised or caught off guard by our weaknesses; His will cannot be thwarted by our difficulties, …
I’ve been thinking a lot about how I can go through this season well as a gentle parent–both in staying gentle with my children, and in respectfully dealing with difficult situations with others. I decided to share my goals here, in hopes they may help some of you as you’re …
Our brains were designed to respond to threats–real or perceived–by instantly switching into fight/flight freeze mode in order to maximize our chances for survival. Essentially, what happens is the amygdala hijacks the prefrontal cortex, making it so that we can act without thinking–which is super helpful when dealing with actual …
While sharing about parenting with a focus on connection and teaching—and without punishments and rewards— I have been asked, “does it work?”. I’ve also seen fellow parents wondering if this gentle parenting thing is actually working. I’d guess every parent wonders that at times; but it is, I think, more …
Celebrate with us & win some of our favorite books! This week over on our Facebook page, we hit 2000 likes! We’re so excited to see the gentle parenting community grow and to have such positive feedback on our podcast and content. It warms our hearts! To say thank you …
I spent the day, a week ago, sitting beside a hospital bed. Of my son’s 1,387 days on earth, he’s spent about 68 of them in a hospital. There’s nothing quite like waiting beside a cot in the NICU, where your tiny child lies, to teach you about life. It’s …
Difficulties between siblings can be really stressful and challenging, for everyone involved. Everyone knows siblings often struggle to get along, but sometimes I think we are still rather taken aback by it. It helps me to keep in mind that it is inevitable. No matter how much teaching you do, …
We’ve all heard the same mantra, passed down for generations: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” The question is, is that true? I would argue that James would disagree: “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his …
It’s funny the days that stick out in my memory. For as amazing as it is to have a day go smoothly, to have kids that cooperate and are cheerful, to have time to accomplish things and maybe even time to rest…it’s usually the harder, stickier, challenging days that I …
When seeking to parent with gentleness and grace, often the hardest (and most important) part is controlling yourself and changing your own reactions. As I’ve continued on this journey, I have found that when I shame and “punish” myself, I inevitably end up acting worse. So, I’ve been working towards “parenting” …