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Picture this: Your child is struggling to open a pickle jar in the kitchen. Their hands grip the lid, their face reddening with the effort. What do you do?

If you’re like many parents, your instinct might be to swoop in and loosen that stubborn lid.

But what if you didn’t? What if you let them struggle a bit longer? 👉🏽That’s what nurtured independence is all about.

Ever come across posts or receive advice where other parents just seem to have it all figured and it leaves you feeling like you’re doing something wrong? 🙋🏾‍♀️We’ve been there!

😑A lot of the nuance is left out on social media, especially the struggles that happened BEFORE said post.

🫡 So then, what?! Find what works best for you and your family because:

- You and your child are unique
- Your experiences are unique
- Your environment is unique
…So many things to factor in.

Parenting is about figuring it out. It’s not glamorous and sometimes (🥵most of the time) it’s struggle.

If you’re reading this, we want you to know you’re doing a great job as a parent. It’s a daily struggle of figuring it out.

The small moments when you can make time to connect with your child are meaningful — you are a parent, not an entertainer extraordinaire.

"Why is my kid behaving this way?!" It's frustrating when parents are stumped by their child's behaviors and have no idea how to help them. Mona Delahooke's book "Brain-Body Parenting" helps parents move away from managing behaviors to addressing the underlying needs that prompt those behaviors.

Join our FREE book club on Mondays at 5pm PT, starting Nov. 7, to learn about the brain-body connection, how those undercurrents affect your child's (and your own!) behavior, and what you can do to help your child build resilience and thrive. Sign up for our book club here: https://pl1.link/brain-body-parenting



[Image description: image of quote which reads, "Our children's behaviors are outward signals of their internal world. Instead of trying to eliminate the behaviors, we should strive to understand them for the rich information they offer about how our child experiences the world. ~ Mona Delahooke, PhD, author of "Brain-Body Parenting." End description]

When your child is in the middle of a meltdown, their brain is all emotion in that moment. Attempting to use logic and rationalization may not be the best course of action. Connect on an emotional level first, and once your child is calm, then you can try problem solving together. Want to learn more about this and tips to help you manage your child's tantrums? Join us for our group coaching on Taming a Tantrum on Wednesday, October 26 at 5pm (PT).

Got a specific challenge or question? Send them to us ahead of time to [email protected] or SMS +1 503-878-7473 and our parent coach will answer them live during the session. Sign up for our event here: https://pl1.link/EbhwBnSCoub



[Image Description: graphic of brain with text that reads, "When your child throws a tantrum, it's a signal that their brain-body connection is in a state of overwhelm, challenge, or vulnerability. This prompts them to take action against a perceived threat — called biobehavioral reaction — manifesting in their "tantrum-like" behavior." End description]

Getting your little one to listen is hard for everyone ... but when your child has sensory processing challenges or is on the ASD spectrum? "Hard" has a whole new meaning.

In their book "How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen," Faber & King offer tip after useful tip, including how to modify their practical suggestions for kids with more intense experiences and special needs. Want a deeper dive into these tips? Join our book club on Monday PT or Wednesday PT next week. Sign up here: https://pl1.link/howtotalksolittlekidswilllisten

[Image description: image with text that reads, "Kids whose bodies don't process sensory experiences such as sound, light, movement, touch, or taste in a typical way can get overwhelmed by any or all of these." — Joanna Faber & Julie King, authors of the How to Talk series. End description]

We've all been there. Wanting to pull your hair out when you hear the high-pitched, elongated words, "but whyyyyyyeeeee???" This biological predisposition to be affected by whining explains why many parents find it grating, irritating, or annoying. No matter what your reaction, it can help to remember that, at its essence, whining is communication – even if it happens to be one of the more obnoxious forms of it.

Join us to learn a little more about the why behind your child's whine, as well as practical tips to help you hold onto your sanity on Wednesday, September 28 at 5pm (PT) during our group coaching event. Send your questions ahead of time, and our parent coach will answer as many as she can! You can reach out via email to [email protected] or text +1 503-878-7473. Sign up for our event here: https://pl1.link/whiningtocooperation

[Image description: Image with quote by Neha Navsaria, Professor of Child Psychiatry, "Whining is really just a child's way of expressing their emotional state or even their thought. The idea is that they're trying to say they might be feeling upset, bored, anxious or whatever – but there's a legitimate feeling behind it." End description]

Does your little one refuse to eat anything but the ONE food they've deigned delicious — say, a plain tortilla or a handful or shredded cheese? Picky eating can be incredibly frustrating, for both you and your child. In last week's group coaching session, parent coach Kris Geering offers tips you can implement right away to turn food fights into peaceful mealtimes. Here are our top 3.

Our Parenting in 3D model gives you a better understanding of how your own relationship with food affects your child, and how can you take the stress out of eating with your kids. Watch the whole session FREE in the Parent Lab app to learn more!

[Image description: 4 images with text. Image 1, "Got a picky eater? Here are. 3 tips from last week's Parenting in 3D coaching session! Image 2, "YOU: Owning up to your own relationship to food is huge. Work together with your partner to change habits that feel less healthy than you'd like." Image 3, "YOUR CHILD: Consider division of responsibility: YOU choose WHAT and WHEN to eat; YOUR CHILD chooses HOW MUCH." Image 4, "Include your child in meal prep. Not only does it give your more time together, but kids who help prep are more likely to eat those foods.." End description]

When our kid's in the middle of a meltdown, they're not able to access the part of the brain that helps them make rational choices, or the PFC. So, when we get down on their level and help reassure them that they are safe, they can start to calm down and use the part of their brain that helps them make good decisions.

Learn more on Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 5pm (PT) as our parent coach offers solutions for how to help your child when they've hit their limit — while remaining calm and collected yourself. She'll share tools to help you feel more confident about keeping it together and reframe how to see your child's tantrums.

Send your questions ahead of time, and Kris will answer as many as she can! You can reach out via email to [email protected] or text +1 503-878-7473. Sign up for our event here: https://pl1.link/managingmeltdowns

[Image description: Graphic with the text, "If they say, 'WAAHHH!!!', instead of saying, 'STOP THAT RIGHT NOW!', try getting down on their level and saying, 'I can see you're really having a hard time right now. I'm here with you and I'll keep you safe.'" End description]

When we complain that our kids "don't listen" when we tell them to do something, what does that actually mean? Are they intentionally ignoring us while we're talking or do they even understand what we're asking them to do? Last week, our parent coach broke all this down so we can view this parenting challenge from the lens of you, your child, and your relationship. Here are our top tips from that coaching session.

To learn more, watch the event on demand FREE in the Parent Lab app: https://pl1.link/getyourkidtolisten


[Image description: 4 images with text. Image 1 reads, "Kid not listening? Here are 3 tips from last night's Parenting in 3D coaching session!". Image 2 reads, "You. If your response in the moment isn't in line with your parenting goals, stop, and breathe." Image 3 reads, "Try making your instructions visual, using a chart, pictures or a list to remind them of what they need to do." Image 4 reads, "Take the problem outside of your child. Instead of 'YOU'RE not listening!' try 'WE have a problem. When ___ doesn't happen, ___ does. What can WE do?'". End description]