Dirty Socks, Clean Rooms, and Raising Adults
Oh my gosh, did you see Palmer’s email last week—the one with the towering pile of dirty laundry? I laughed out loud! Maybe it was a slightly trauma-induced laugh…it brought back so many memories of trying to get Palmer, my strong-willed middle son, to clean his room as a teenager. It was a serious challenge! I pulled […]
Your Kid Is Doomed If They Do This
You are doomed if your kid does this… You got Palmer today! First off, happy Easter if you celebrate! Whether you enjoy an Easter egg hunt or deeply reflect on its meaning, I hope it’s a lovely day for you 😊. I’m just kidding about them being doomed, but I have had something on my mind […]
The Success Trap Every Parent Should Avoid
As a parent having pride for your kids can be a mixed bad. It’s good to be proud of your kids; it can help them feel encouraged, but it can also be overdone if we start to let their lives dictate our own sense of worth. Since 2017 when I first worked door-to-door sales selling educational resources to […]
Challenge to Learn New Things About Family and Friends
When Palmer was 15 and 16, he couldn’t stand me much of the time. It was so hard to connect with him. Makes sense. It’s hard to connect with someone who doesn’t like you. But dang it, this was my kid! The precious little baby I used to rock in my arms. The little guy who always said, “Mommy […]
How to Stop Having the Same Argument
Do you find yourself having the same frustrating arguments with your kid or partner over and over? You know, the ones where you feel hurt or worried… something tender… but somehow spirals into defensiveness and anger on both sides. These repetitive fights remind me of long childhood bus rides. We’d belt out “100 Bottles of […]
Protect Your Peace
I was inspired by an article by motivational speaker and former NFL player Trent Shelton about how to protect our peace in a noisy world. He asserts that “protecting our peace isn’t a catch phrase but a lifeline in a world filled with noise and endless demands.” As I do with almost everything, I read his tips […]
The Key to Reaching Your Kids
Palmer’s turn for the Sunday email! I took the hint for what to write this week’s email about. Three different conversations with clients this week made one theme crystal clear: so much family conflict stems from kids feeling like they aren’t being heard by their parents. Let’s address a common objection upfront: kids say some […]
A Simple Trick for Staying Calm During Holiday Family Time
Kerry here. 🙂 The holiday season brings extended family time, which can spark both joy and stress. With kids out of school and celebrations ahead, these mixed emotions are perfectly normal. Here’s a strategy for staying calm during challenging family moments: When my son Palmer was 15, his morning grumpiness would often affect our entire […]
One Call Can Make All the Difference
Palmer here! I got a call yesterday that filled my heart with happiness 😊 It got me thinking about an often untapped super-ability parents can give their kids—or use themselves. The call was from a 22-year-old coaching client I’ve had the privilege of working with for the past four years. He called because he’d been […]
Two Ways to Protect Your Kid’s Mental Health
Palmer here! I’m feeling fired up about kids’ mental health. My mom and I just got back from presenting at the AFCC (American Family Conciliation Court) conference in Columbus, Ohio, where we spoke to attorneys, judges, therapists, and psychologists from all over North America. We focused on how to protect children’s mental health during and […]