"What it means “to grow” is to practice something—one thing really deliberately—and do it over and over again. And then when you make a mistake, you look back and you close that loop really quickly by recognizing what went well and what didn’t go well, and then you practice it again."

Ralphie Jacobs admits that she was born with an innate love for children and a natural gift of caring for them. But even she was surprised as a young mom by how her well-informed, highly educated patience could "vanish." 

Recognizing this capacity in herself, Ralphie decided to deliberately change how she was parenting, to grow her skill set as a mother just as she would with any other talent, skill, or expertise that requires growth and practice. Now, Ralphie is a parenting expert who passes on the incredible (and I'd say LIFE-CHANGING) things she has learned over the years about how to grow purposefully within your job as a parent. And she makes it clear: the answers are actually quite simple.

Ralphie shares how she became a parenting expert, what it looks like to use the growth mindset as a parent, how to increase your knowledge of what's out there BUT also rely on your instinct, how to reinforce good behavior in your children as a way to rid them of the "junk behavior," and what is the number one thing she wants every parent to know.

For your use, here are the four main jobs we have as a parent that I took away from my discussion with Ralphie:

1) Teaching

2) Modeling Happiness

3) Being Purposeful Through Reflection and Redirection

4) Looking for the Good in Your Children

Show Notes:

Ralphie's Instagram, Facebook, and Resources 

Books Recommended: No Drama Discipline, Simplicity Parenting, Boundaries, Parenting with Love and Logic

Referenced podcast interview with Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife

Last week's episode with the founders of BRAVERY MAGAZINE 

SURVEY!!!! (It takes less than a minute to fill out--thank you!)

Monica's Facebook and Instagram

Contact Monica

Free Audiobook through Audible! (Affiliate link)

More Podcasts from About Progress

Song Credit: "Sweet Promise" by Nicolai Heidlas

Ralphie has a special message for you parents who are reallllly in the trenches with parenting, for one reason or another. You will leave this podcast armed with tools--yes--but, even better, with hope.

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