That crushing moment when your child says, “I’m stupid” or “Nobody likes me” can leave you feeling helpless. You’ve tried everything — reassurance, distraction, even giving in — but the negative thought loops just won’t quit.

In this episode of the Sustainable Parenting podcast, we dive into one of the most common parenting challenges: those Automatic Negative Thoughts (what brain psychologist Daniel Amen calls ANTs) that sneak into our children’s minds. These thoughts not only affect their mood but can chip away at their confidence and cooperation.

The best part? These tools don’t just help with negative thoughts in childhood— they are a key tools for raising confident adults, giving the tools for lifelong resilience and self-confidence. Bonus - these are great tools for US to use, too (as parents). When we model these ways to decrease our own shame and blame, we help our kids to see that they can do it, also.

So if you’re ready to trade helplessness for hope, tune in. 

By the time you finish listening you will know:

✨Positive parenting strategies you can start using today.

✨Four simple, science-backed tools to help your child recognize and reframe negative thinking. 

You’ll discover how adding a tiny word like “yet” can shift their whole outlook, why swapping out extreme words like “always” and “never” can calm their big feelings, and how a simple butternut squash story completely changed the way I approach these moments with my own kids.

Together, we’ll explore sustainable parenting solutions that balance kindness and firmness — so your child can grow in confidence, and you can finally feel more calm, connected, and confident in your parenting.

✨Want more?

✨ Schedule a FREE 20 min clarity call with Sustainable Parenting, so we can answer any questions you may have. Together, we'll make a plan for your best next steps to have more calm & confidence in parenting - while having kids that listen!:)

✨ Download the FREE pdf. on getting kids to listen, for strategies that take you out of the "gentle mom - monster mom" cycle, with effective positive parenting strategies.

✨ Sign up for an upcoming LIVE ONLINE workshop with Flora, or purchase a past replay: https://sustainableparenting.com/workshop where you get 30 min. of learning and 30 min. of LIVE Q & A time, with replays sent afterwards.

✨ Buy a 3 session Coaching Bundle (saving you $100) - for THREE 30-min sessions 1:1 with ME, where we get right to the heart of your challenges, and give you small, powerful shifts that make a huge difference fast.