Chapman Counseling and Consulting

05/10/2026

05/06/2026

You deserve to be nourished and free. 💜

05/05/2026

We spend a lot of time worrying about the kid who's "picky." Who won't touch a vegetable. Who refuses to try a bite… even for dessert. But what about the kid who cleans their plate to earn dessert - and is slowly learning to disconnect from their own body cues.⁠
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They’re learning to ignore their own hunger and fullness. Learning that what their body’s telling them isn’t that important. ⁠
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And not only that…⁠
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They're also learning that dessert is something to be earned. That it's more special than everything else on the table. And that those other foods, like their veggies and protein are a chore.⁠
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Plus, when we put sweets on a pedestal, we often create the opposite of what we want. It becomes the “forbidden” fruit and we end up with kids who can't stop thinking about the cookie. Who eat past fullness because they finally have access.⁠
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“Finish your dinner and then you can have dessert" often feels like it makes sense. It's what so many of us grew up with. So it feels natural and even healthy - they should eat something more nutritious and not just dessert. ⁠
But it also inadvertently teaches our kids that their hunger and fullness don't matter as much as finishing what's in front of them. That we know what their body needs better than them.⁠
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We want our kids to listen to and trust their bodies - not ignore them.⁠
If you’re wondering how to help your child with sweets without making it the forbidden fruit, grab my free guide: My Kid Has a Sweet Tooth.⁠
Comment CUPCAKE to download it today 🧁

05/04/2026

Blind obedience is dangerous. People pleasing is dangerous. It makes them easier to parent but not everyone has their best interests in mind.

Raising a child who's easy to manage
might feel like a relief in the moment —
no arguments, no pushback.

But at what cost?

A child conditioned to follow orders — even from us —
may grow into an adult who's easily influenced,
constantly seeking direction, and afraid
to think for themselves.

We often expect that our child must know to follow our directions without question,
but that they also will know not to be influenced in the same way by others.

That's not how it works.

Compliance may seem like peace, but it often comes at the cost of a child's sense of self.
Do you want a child who is easygoing — regardless of where they re being asked to go —
or one who is deeply rooted in integrity?

A child who is impossible to manipulate
knows their values,
can stand up to pressure,
and makes thoughtful decisions.

They may challenge you now,
but that inner strength will carry them
through life.

Which kind of child are you raising? ❤️

Quote Credit: ❣️

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05/03/2026

I’ve had moments where I questioned if I needed to shrink parts of myself to be accepted, especially as a mom carrying my child, my past, and everything that comes with me, but I’ve learned that the right kind of love won’t make me feel like I have to choose between being fully myself and being loved, and that matters even more now because my child is watching what I accept and what I walk away from, and I want them to grow up knowing they never have to dim their light or settle for anything that doesn’t embrace them completely, just as they are 🤍

05/02/2026

It's okay to take up space.

I’ve had moments where I questioned if I needed to shrink parts of myself to be accepted, especially as a mom carrying my child, my past, and everything that comes with me, but I’ve learned that the right kind of love won’t make me feel like I have to choose between being fully myself and being loved, and that matters even more now because my child is watching what I accept and what I walk away from, and I want them to grow up knowing they never have to dim their light or settle for anything that doesn’t embrace them completely, just as they are 🤍

05/01/2026

It's okay to do things you enjoy even if you are not great at them!

It’s easy to label something as a problem too quickly.

To see the struggle, the mistakes, the inconsistency — and assume it means something about who they are.

But most of the time, it doesn’t.
It means they’re learning.
And learning rarely looks smooth.

It looks like trying, getting it wrong, trying again, and not always knowing what to do next.

When we meet that with frustration or judgement,
they don’t just hear correction.
They start to believe they’re not capable.

But when we meet it with perspective,
we give them something else to hold onto.

That they’re allowed to be in the process.
That not knowing is part of becoming.
That ability isn’t fixed — it’s built.

And that changes how they approach everything that comes after. ❤️

Quote Credit: ❣️

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