Modern parenting trends dictate that we, as parents, must be authentic and help our children to “discover” their authentic selves. But what is “authentic”?  The problem with this focus is that by staring at what you don’t like about yourself, you're left feeling clueless about how to move forward. 

You might never discover some “true authentic self” no matter how many therapy sessions, journals, or meditations you throw at it. Or you might be disappointed by what you do discover. 

That’s okay because as you’ll hear me argue in this podcast, your authentic self is not someone to be “discovered”, it’s someone you can “design”.

 

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“I love this show!” 👉 If that sounds like you please rate and review the show! This helps us support more people - just like you - to create a family life they love. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Want to get your child playing for 3 hours a day without screens, bribes, or buying a thing? Take our FREE Masterclass! > (go to ReclaimPlay.com/haven) 

 

Growth: The new purpose for marriage and reason for divorce. 

You’re about to hear me pushback on a popular trend that isn’t helpful to our families. Before I begin I want you to know that there are many reasons that marriages end: legitimate reasons. Maybe you’re considering it or maybe you’ve already got divorced, or are in the process. Maybe your divorce happened because you were deeply unhappy, irreparably disconnected, or perhaps worse. Some marriages need to end. There should not be shame around divorce. 

In society today we’re hearing a new reason for divorce pop up. This new reason seems to be used as a cover for something real, and if this is a thought that’s capturing you, you’ll probably want to face that real thing if you want a chance at holding on to your relationship, or at least before your next relationship. Because owning the truth, and facing the truth is the only way we can truly grow and move forward.

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“I love this show!” 👉 If that sounds like you please rate and review the show! This helps us support more people - just like you - to create a family life they love. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you to today's sponsor, Sunsama - organizing your work one day at a time. Try a 14-day free trial here: https://try.sunsama.com/hifam  Want to get your child playing for 3 hours a day without screens, bribes, or buying a thing? Take our FREE Masterclass! > (reclaimplay.com/haven) 

Society seems to be in a war between the offensive and the offended; between those who attack with facts and logic and those who follow heart and soul; between those who think and those who feel. 

Just like many things in our life, the pendulum often swings from one extreme to the other and often, in a generational way. Many of us grew up in homes with a very different approach to emotions and feeling than what's popular today.

Should we honor facts or feelings? In this episode, you'll learn why this false dichotomy is hurting our families and how you can harness both sides to raise resilient kids. 

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Want to get your child playing for 3 hours a day without screens, bribes, or buying a thing? Take our FREE Masterclass! > (reclaimplay.com/haven) 

Society is going to tell you that parenting is brutal and marriage is a bore (or worse). It will warn you about the sleepless nights, the stretch marks, and the cheerios in your hair. It will tell you that family life is exhausting, expensive, and full of sacrifice. 

But do you ever get the feeling that 'there must be a better way?' Like there is something missing? Well, that’s what we’re going to address, right here.

Here, in Hi, Fam! we’re going to give you a whole new perspective. We’re going to help you craft a vision of family life that is meaningful, intentional, and even enjoyable. And offer the tools to put that vision into practice. 

Today’s episode is all about the first step to take to get your family life on track, to put the pep back in your step, and to face anything that comes your way throughout the day. Let’s go!

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“I love this show!” —> If that sounds like you please rate and review the show! This helps us support more people - just like you - to create a family life they love. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Want to get your child playing for 3 hours a day without screens, bribes, or buying a thing? Take our FREE Masterclass! > (reclaimplay.com/haven) 

 

 

Too many parents are burning out – doing everything for everyone else in their families and feeling completely drained by the end of each day. It doesn’t have to be this way!

The truth is, what children need most are parents who feel good in their own skin, are well-cared for, and have great energy to tackle the day. The last thing they need are parents who feel resentful towards them for their own exhaustion.

In today’s episode, I’m going to share 8 tips on how to infuse a little more ‘selfishness’ into your life, prioritizing yourself in key areas so you can feel like a healthy human again!

↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓

Join us on the TPJ App for the full-text version, private community discussion, and MUCH more: https://bit.ly/3pTCFn7

[02:56] 1. Start the day with you

[05:12] 2. Eat for you

[08:06] 3. Consume content for you

[10:59] 4. Go places you enjoy

[13:06] 5. Organize your home for you

[15:03] It's ok to set limits

[16:00] 6. Shop for you

[17:12] 7. Make friends for you

[20:09] 8. Say no for you

[22:24] We don’t have to entertain our kids or give them everything they want

 

Click here to get on the waitlist for Present Play!

 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Anger Management Tips for Parents: How to Handle Anger in Parenting 

I've always been drawn to peaceful parenting, conscious parenting, gentle parenting - however, I have a temper! I get triggered. And most parents struggle with anger and yelling. The following parenting tips will help you minimize your triggers so you can love parenting and parent from love.

Don't stay stuck with the feeling that there's something wrong with you or something wrong with your child - let's break this down:

↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓

Join us on the TPJ App for the full-text version, private community discussion, and MUCH more: https://bit.ly/3pTCFn7

 

0:00 How to Minimize Triggers

0:59 Present Play Membership opens in April (join the waitlist: www.theparentingjunkie.com/presentplay)

5:06 Anger is natural, but acting out of anger is destructive.

5:45 We overcomplicate anger management.

7:55 Being angry is very similar to being drunk.

14:36 Prefrontal cortex vs. amygdala.

16:04 The feelings will pass.

17:20 Once it passes, we can think clearly again.

18:43 It's a great opportunity to model for our children.

19:19 We can teach our children to take a break and calm down.

 

Click here to get on the waitlist for Present Play!

 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Feeling hatred toward your child is a symptom of a different problem.

This is a controversial and taboo topic, but it's not that uncommon for parents to sometimes feel disgusted and think or say "Go away!" "Leave me alone." "I don't like you." "I don't want you." "I don't love you." "I hate you!" towards their kids.

So what's causing that very uncomfortable sensation and feeling? Don't stay stuck with the feeling that there's something wrong with you or something wrong with your child - let's break this down:

↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓

Join us on the TPJ App for the full-text version, private community discussion, and MUCH more: https://bit.ly/3pTCFn7

 

[02:14] Feeling hatred toward your child is a symptom of a different problem

[03:59] 1. This is normal

[05:57] Even though it's normal there are things we can do about it

[07:25] 2. Change is constant

[10:35] 3. Your child might be going through a hard time right now

[12:37] 4. YOU might be going through a hard time right now

[14:43] 5. You don't hate your child; you hate their behaviors or temperament

[17:12] 6. Take a break

[19:03] 7. Coach yourself

[20:16] 8. Inhibit yourself

[21:28] 9. Imagine it’s your last day on earth

[22:42] 10. Envision your golden moments with your child

[24:00] 11. List out the things that are awesome about your child

[24:41] 12. Reframe their bad traits

[26:28] Correct their shadow side and celebrate their light side

[27:01] Traits we find difficult in childhood are often assets in adulthood

[27:20] 13. Engage in baby bonding behaviors

[28:22] 14. Use humor

[29:34] 15. Love is a choice

 

Click here to get on the waitlist for Present Play!

 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

Over the years I've been sharing things I'm learning about Parenting. Things I read in books, things I experiment on in my own lab (my family), and I've been sharing what has really resonated with me and what's worked for me.

 

But I must make a confession and expose the hypocrisy, the many contradictions and paradoxes that occur within me within my own mind, my family, my parenting practice, and what I outwardly preach.

 

There are many things that I am drawn to and believe in that I share with you. And then as time goes on, or perhaps just in the way that it resonates or works in my individual family and with my unique children, it didn't really work out that way or I opted for something else or I changed my mind.

 

In this episode I'm going to tell you about several things that I have preached outwardly that I still respect and support and believe in, but don't necessarily practice at home with my children. 

 

[02:04] #1 Unschooling

[04:58] #2 Co-sleeping

[07:19] #3 Saying no

[08:53] #4 Time outs

[10:36] We pick and choose what works best for our family

[11:55] #5 Punishments

[14:37] #6 Monitoring content

[16:28] #7 Sticker charts

[18:31] #8 Minimalism

[20:08] #9 E.C. & cloth diapers

 

I hope that this liberates you from any dogmatic kind of thinking, any kind of perfectionism, any imagination or projection onto me that I am doing it perfectly. Because that is so far from the truth.

 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!

Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

 

Full Show Notes: https://www.theparentingjunkie.com/110

So many of my clients and community members are stay-at-home parents; parents who aren't currently working or are working very minimally. A common struggle is a loss of identity or feeling like your value and your worth isn't recognized by others, or feeling like you've lost your confidence now that you “just stay at home with the kids”. 

 

In this episode I’m going to share how you can boost your confidence as a stay at home parent so you can be super confident and proud of who you are and what you're doing. 

 

[01:15] Stop minimizing

[02:26] Show up each day

[03:52] Value your contribution

[06:10] Be interesting

[08:26] Address your money mindset

[10:45] Switch from feeling apologetic to grateful

[13:06] Think about what you're giving your children

 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

 

Resources:

 

• YouTube video How To Feel Phenomenal When You're a Mom (From Hot Mess to Energized!)

 

Full Show Notes: https://www.theparentingjunkie.com/108

Every so often I'll get a note from a parent who's feeling guilty that they have to work so much and can't be home with their little kids.

 

So often these parents write to me saying they feel bad that the kids don't see them as much as they could, or they feel bad that they're distracted and that their attention is going elsewhere other than just their children. 

 

I feel really passionate about this subject because here's one thing that I'm allergic to: dogmatic one-size-fits-all parenting advice.

 

When people make blanket statements like “mothers should be home with their babies” I think they’re missing so much nuance and it's really doing a huge disservice to all of us parents who are unique individuals with very unique circumstances. We're all different. Our children are all different. Our needs, aspirations, goals, beliefs, value systems, cultures, origins, and our resources are all different.

 

And therefore the answer is always going to be, as Magda Gerber said: It depends. 

 

In this episode I’ll talk about why you should feel great if you’re a working parent. 

 

[03:19] One isn't better than the other [04:59] You're providing for your children [05:48] Making money is part of parenting [07:28] You're modeling for your children

 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!

Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.

Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here. 

 

Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies? Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.

 

Full Show Notes: https://www.theparentingjunkie.com/108