Becoming Peaceful - Certified Peaceful Parenting Coach

12/31/2025

So much of what "gentle parenting" is really comes down to treating children the same way we want to be treated while also holding firm, kind boundaries to keep them safe and grow them into amazing adults. This does not mean being permissive. It does not mean having no rules. It does mean treating small humans as people. The research is clear that when we use these approaches, they are effective. If you would like to learn more, please schedule a free 15 minute consultation with me.

12/30/2025

A big part of this parenting journey is becoming aware of what did and did not work in our own childhood and doing better with what we learn for our own children. This doesn't have to be a dig at parents before us by any means. We are all doing the best we know how to do and can only hope that future generations will continue to grow more knowledgeable in their time as well.

Making space for big emotions, being aware of what is developmentally appropriate for each of our little one's ages, giving room for them to be kids....these are all things we can do to create a lasting impact in how they are able to grow and develop into well rounded adults.

What is a change your have made for your child(ren) to allow them to be kids that may not have been acceptable when you were growing up? Or what is one thing that really stood out to you as a child that was beneficial that you have made sure to include with your own children?

12/29/2025

From birth, our kiddo was an early riser. Always up at the crack of dawn. Drove me crazy until I surrendered. Parenting them turned me into early bird.

Now they are 13 and still in bed at nearly 11 am.

One of the most important rules of parenting:

Everything changes.

12/19/2025

Does it drive you mad when your kids fidget and can't sit still?

There’s a new study from Stanford reinforcing that movement isn’t a distraction, that it increases creative thinking. The research group was middle schoolers but this confirms previous research done on younger children as well.

As someone who was once asked on a first date, "Are you okay?" because I was restless in my seat and kept changing positions, it's so helpful to be reminded that my brain and body benefit from movement!

A new study shows that when middle schoolers can move in their seats, their creativity increases without affecting attention or memory.

12/18/2025

Last night, during Special Time with my teen, they made up a storytelling competition they were destined to win as they scored the whole thing. 😂

I happily participated in their chosen (rigged) activity and didn't complain when I lost.

Then, they talked for another 30 minutes about some challenges at school while I listened, asked questions and gave lots of empathy but gave no advice (even though I had plenty!).

Connection is the key in all relationships.

How will you connect with your kids today?

11/28/2025

This is fantastic!

If you’ve ever found yourself mid-lecture, wondering how you got there — you’re not alone.
In the heat of the moment, it’s easy to slip into long explanations, over-talking, and trying to get a child to understand right now.

But here’s the truth: children don’t learn from lectures.
They learn from reflection — and reflection only happens when both adult and child feel safe, calm, and connected.

Guiding a child through reflection can actually help you deregulate too.
It slows the moment down, reduces the pressure to “fix it immediately,” and shifts the focus from frustration to understanding.

You start to see the why behind their reactions — the feelings, needs, and overwhelm that drove the behaviour.
And when the adult feels calmer, the child’s nervous system follows.

If you’d like structured reflection prompts, co-regulation strategies, and guides for tricky moments, they’re all inside my Managing Big Feelings Toolkit. Find it via the link in comments below ⬇️ or via Linktree Shop in Bio.

Follow for more on reflection, consequences, and brain-based parenting this week.

11/26/2025

I know things are tough for so many of us these days. I also know we feel good when we give to others. As we have for the past few years, we have adopted a family that would otherwise not have a Christmas.

This year we have a family with 2 parents and 5 kids! As a result of red tape, the mother didn't receive the paid family leave she was supposed to get as she cared for her dying grandmother.

It always amazes and humbles me how I take certain things for granted like not needing help to buy socks & underwear for my kiddo.

Just like a mom, she put a rice cooker and a carpet cleaner on her wish list.

I know so many of us are struggling right now and there are many folks asking you to contribute to so many worthy causes. But perhaps, you've cared for a dying family member and remember the toll it it took on you. I would love to work together to clear their wish list.

If you feel led to help us support this family, you can make purchases via this link and the items will be sent directly to them. Link in the comments.

(P.S. I know Amazon is problematic but this was the easiest option for this struggling family.)

11/02/2025

Here’s some empathy in action thanks to a client who shared a win! This is such a beautiful example of transitioning out of a really fun experience which you can apply to any situation where leaving is hard.

“On Friday, when Halloween was wrapping up, my son (age 4) was very sad, and the crying began. I walked him into the kitchen, said “I’m here for you” and waited a moment. I tried really hard not to say “Well, we get to come back another time” (solution before feeling).. Then I said “You’re really sad trick or treating is over. It’s such a bummer when something so fun is over” and we left in some tears, but no extreme emotional outburst. “It’s okay to feel sad” was met with some chuckles by the elders, as expected, and we made it to the car. He strapped himself in and stopped crying. Then he looked at me and said “I wish there was a magic button and we could start this whole Halloween over.” I said, “Me too baby” and we drove away talking about how much we had and what kind of magical machines we could make to rewind time.”

10/31/2025

This amazing infographic from MindLaunchers is what we really need for today. All people, children and adults, have executive function strengths and challenges. If you have learning differences or ADHD, etc, you will find you struggle more with these skills.

Days like today place a lot of demands on children and adults. Expectations are high. Lots of plans are happening. School aged kids may be feeling nervous or worried about wearing their costume to school. What will other kids say or do? Schedules are often thrown off. Extra parties or staying up late!

Let’s all show each other extra grace, empathy, love, and patience. Holidays are amazing but also require extra support and flexibility for all of us.

10/23/2025

This is what it's like in our house in the morning when our 13 year old with ADHD is "getting ready for school right now, I swear!"

Watching a carbon copy of myself navigate the world is a wild, hilarious, and humbling adventure.

09/30/2025

My mother died unexpectedly just five months after my father died suddenly. It's complicated. Read more at the link in the comments.

💕

09/04/2025

I'm so thrilled to share this wonderful upcoming opportunity with my friend and colleague !