When it comes to parenting stepkids, it can feel like every decision is a test. Say no, and you risk seeming cold or unloving. Say yes, and you might feel like you're being a pushover. How do you stay consistent without becoming the ‘mean parent’? And what about the ‘fair police’, those kids who keep score and expect everything to be exactly equal? In this episode, Lisa and the Council of Moms—Brittney Phillips, Liz Palmer, and Tammy Hall—tackle the tricky balance of parenting in blended families. They open up about the pressure to prove loyalty, how to handle different expectations, and why real love includes setting boundaries and saying no when needed.

#StepParenting #BlendedFamilies #ParentingTips #CouncilOfMoms

#MomLife

Presents, vacations, toys, clothes—it can get awkward when kids want everything they see at a friend’s house. Or when their parents suggest group activities and playdates that are way out of budget. How do you have healthy conversations about money when your kids notice the contrast between your lifestyle and what they see in the community around them? Lisa and the Council of Moms: Josephine, Wendy Mar, and Hilary Craner, discuss the challenges of parenting in a world of socioeconomic comparisons. They share personal experiences about family finance conversations, shifting perspectives on materialism, and creating meaningful family experiences without overspending.

Clean, previously folded laundry is strewn across your child's bedroom floor, amid forgotten school papers and cups which you specifically asked be returned to the sink. What do you do? And beyond just this messy room, how do you help kids successfully manage their personal spaces so that they have the skills to live independently? And is it too late for cleaning-impaired kids to learn the skills? Lisa and the Council of Moms— Ruth Aguirre, Whitney Call, and Lindsay Clark, dive into the challenges of teaching kids cleanliness, as well as identifying what's most important—finding the right balance of restoring order and allowing a healthy amount of chaos, and separating the societal pressure of appearances from healthy personal habits.

Messy rooms? Parenting disagreements? Keeping up with the Joneses? We've got so much good stuff coming up on Council of Moms. But it's spring break. We need a nap. You need a nap. Let's everybody just do a little self-care, and we'll meet back here on May 2nd. See you then. <3

Some kids motivate themselves. Others need a little nudge. Either way, your hope is that your kids will make goals and stretch themselves to achieve them. So how do you teach that? Lisa and the Council of Moms — Geraldine "G" Fitisemanu, Emilie Campbell, and Amy Hackworth break down ways to build kids' confidence and autonomy, as well as what "doing their best" means, and what expectations we can adjust so that everyone succeeds.

What happens when you don’t feel the same connection to your partner’s kids as you do to your own? Is that normal? Is it wrong? In this episode, Lisa sits down with her Council of Moms—Brittney Phillips, Liz Palmer, and Tammy Hall—to talk about the realities of loving both your biological and bonus kids. They dive into the guilt that can come with blending families, why love doesn’t have to look the same for every child, and how to build meaningful relationships with stepkids in a way that feels right for everyone.

#BlendedFamilies #Stepparenting #MomLife #ParentingCommunity

Your kids are growing up in a world full of different perspectives, values, and beliefs so how do you teach them strong values while also preparing them to engage with others who see things differently? Lisa and the Council of Moms—Cree Taylor, Julie Taylor, and Allison Dayton—share their experiences and insights on raising kids who are both confident in their values and open to meaningful conversations.

Time out? Grounded? Goodness knows that the gentle reminder which works for one child may be totally ineffective for their sibling--who isn't motivated by the same consequences either. How do you tailor discipline to fit each child’s unique personality without playing favorites? Lisa Valentine Clark and her Council of Moms—Whitney Call, Ruth Aguirre, and Lindsay Clark—talk about how to discipline different kids differently. They discuss the “why” behind children breaking the rules, how understanding their motivations can lead to more effective discipline, and why removing emotion from consequences helps parents stay consistent and fair.

#ParentingTips #MomCommunity #Discipline #ParentingStyles

What do you do when another parent starts asking too much of you? Maybe it started small—an extra carpool here, a favor there—but now it’s feeling like a one-sided arrangement. How do you set some much needed boundaries? Lisa and the Council of Moms—Dr. LaShawn Williams, Erika Price, and Julie Suazo—talk about navigating tricky social dynamics between parents, how to kindly but firmly say "no," and when it’s okay to walk away from an unfair expectation.

Kids lie. And sure, it's developmentally appropriate, but you still have to figure out how to deal with it. And then they get older (and smarter) and the stakes get higher. What do you do when you catch your teenager in a lie? Lisa and Council of Moms (Geraldine "G", Emilie, and Amy) talk strategies for reinforcing honesty, responding to lying, and creating space at home for open, authentic communication.