Mattoon native refers to the struggles of getting pregnant as just the beginning of the challenges that come with being a parent. Pregnancy, it turns out, was the easy part. The raising them without losing your cool—there lies the real test.

Listen as this certified teacher, coach and mother of three discusses the benefits of being an older parent, stopping spanking and screaming, why she doesn’t instruct about ages beyond what her kids are, the value of having a meal together, hating the toddler years, switching from parenting with anger to parenting with compassion, giving kids a healthy dose of power, starting Real Life Families and setting boundaries around health, safety and character. If you find yourself wondering why your kids are so “difficult,” maybe your parenting approach could use a refresh?

Emily Harrington, here! Mom, wife, retired communications liaison and host of the HyperLocal(s) Podcast. Each week I bring you a pod where townies and transplants share their tales of tears and triumphs, losses and wins. In an effort to provide a way for those that don’t want a public podcast, but still have a story to tell friends and family, I’ve created, In Retrospect: A HyperLocal(s) Project, a private podcast. Visit hyperlocalscu.com/in-retrospect

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