After multiple freak-outs in the barber’s chair, Nicole’s “Mom Monster” was tired of yelling at her boy. She tried something new: she took off her monster fangs for a minute and took a fresh look at her son from another angle, paying him a different kind of attention. What she found was empathy for a little boy who couldn’t help that he would freak out when he got his hairs cut.

The result? A HUGE parenting turnaround. She even later found herself high-fiving and bonding with her son. Robert points out that Nicole connected with her son, partnered with him, using compassion.

Compassion can be a useful tool for connecting with loved ones. In today’s episode of 'I Am the Worst Parent Ever Podcast, Robert and Nicole take the topic one step further to ask, “Where's the compassion for ourselves? Why do we always put ourselves last?”

In Robert's opinion, self-compassion has the power to combat the fatigue and self-criticism that so many of us feel.

Nicole soaks up positive comments. When someone, somewhere (really anywhere) thinks that she is doing something right, she uses it to combat her gnawing feeling that she is messing up her work, her marriage and, most especially, her kids.

In his best moments, Robert admits that he feels proud of everything he is doing but confesses that it's quite easy for him to get overwhelmed with the day-to-day, what Nicole helpfully described as “carrying the weight of the world.”

When a single effort with her kids goes bust, Nicole feels like her whole day is blown. Any further opportunity for good mothering is shot. She admits that, like most parents, she gets distracted and anxious. And then she gets down on herself.

Robert calls Nicole a “paddler” because no matter what is coming down on her head, she just keeps paddling and moving forward.

For Nicole’s part she often wonders, “how is Robert doing all that he is doing?” and was surprised to hear that he doesn’t always feel successful: “I don’t feel like I’m juggling well. I know I’m doing the best that I can. But it’s just overwhelming.”

In this episode, we work hard to put our finger on the cause for the anxiety Nicole feels and the energy drops that Robert experiences. We are aware that we are doing the best that we can at any given moment, but doing it over and over can still lead to fatigue.

Do we care too much? What happens when a parent gets burned out?

After multiple freak-outs in the barber’s chair, Nicole’s “Mom Monster” was tired of yelling at her boy. She tried something new: she took off her monster fangs for a minute and took a fresh look at her son from another angle, paying him a different kind of attention. What she found was empathy for a little boy who couldn’t help that he would freak out when he got his hairs cut.

The result? A HUGE parenting turnaround. She even later found herself high-fiving and bonding with her son. Robert points out that Nicole connected with her son, partnered with him, using compassion.

Compassion can be a useful tool for connecting with loved ones. In today’s episode of 'I Am the Worst Parent Ever Podcast, Robert and Nicole take the topic one step further to ask, “Where's the compassion for ourselves? Why do we always put ourselves last?”

In Robert's opinion, self-compassion has the power to combat the fatigue and self-criticism that so many of us feel.

Nicole soaks up positive comments. When someone, somewhere (really anywhere) thinks that she is doing something right, she uses it to combat her gnawing feeling that she is messing up her work, her marriage and, most especially, her kids.

In his best moments, Robert admits that he feels proud of everything he is doing but confesses that it's quite easy for him to get overwhelmed with the day-to-day, what Nicole helpfully described as “carrying the weight of the world.”

When a single effort with her kids goes bust, Nicole feels like her whole day is blown. Any further opportunity for good mothering is shot. She admits that, like most parents, she gets distracted and anxious. And then she gets down on herself.

Robert calls Nicole a “paddler” because no matter what is coming down on her head, she just keeps paddling and moving forward.

For Nicole’s part she often wonders, “how is Robert doing all that he is doing?” and was surprised to hear that he doesn’t always feel successful: “I don’t feel like I’m juggling well. I know I’m doing the best that I can. But it’s just overwhelming.”

In this episode, we work hard to put our finger on the cause for the anxiety Nicole feels and the energy drops that Robert experiences. We are aware that we are doing the best that we can at any given moment, but doing it over and over can still lead to fatigue.

Do we care too much? What happens when a parent gets burned out?

School does SO much for Nicole’s kids. They have figured out how to socialize and love learning. Starting preschool even helped one kid with potty training.

When did school become more than the three R’s? We have added so many responsibilities to the school day over the last century (physical ed, computers, foreign languages, science, college prep, sports, drama, music, etc.).

Nicole’s youngest asked her, “Why I gotta go to school?” Nicole’s answer, “TO LEARN!”

What is school really for? Is it still for teaching reading and math? Is it to learn to get along with others? Is school a place where their kids go so that parents have time to earn money? Does school help parents to ensure a “safe” future? Does that level of safety change when the need for a college degree becomes less necessary in the future?

How about teaching manners, to say “please” and “thank you” or how to “play nice with others”? Nicole’s kids’ preschool includes a Manners Class in their curriculum. She likes that school is reinforcing the values and the lessons that she and her husband teach at home.

Should schools teach the skills our kids will need to function as independent adults: how to change a tire, balance a checkbook, or fill out a tax form?

What do you think? Email us your thoughts at [email protected]

Robert believes that the future of work is going to require a new set of skills than we currently teach in school. Schools are finally considering how to teach “21st century skills” like cooperation, collaboration, and creativity. These are the exact “superpowers” that form the base of Robert’s practice as a Positive Psychologist.

In fact, Robert has created the design for a school that centers on these superpowers. He was inspired to find a way to focus on the student’s individual strengths rather than offering kids only what’s “on the menu.”

What is your responsibility as a parent? Are you the educational advocate? Where do you need help from school? Tune in to this episode of the ‘I Am The Worst Parent Ever’ podcast to learn how you can help your kids get good at life.

School does SO much for Nicole’s kids. They have figured out how to socialize and love learning. Starting preschool even helped one kid with potty training.

When did school become more than the three R’s? We have added so many responsibilities to the school day over the last century (physical ed, computers, foreign languages, science, college prep, sports, drama, music, etc.).

Nicole’s youngest asked her, “Why I gotta go to school?” Nicole’s answer, “TO LEARN!”

What is school really for? Is it still for teaching reading and math? Is it to learn to get along with others? Is school a place where their kids go so that parents have time to earn money? Does school help parents to ensure a “safe” future? Does that level of safety change when the need for a college degree becomes less necessary in the future?

How about teaching manners, to say “please” and “thank you” or how to “play nice with others”? Nicole’s kids’ preschool includes a Manners Class in their curriculum. She likes that school is reinforcing the values and the lessons that she and her husband teach at home.

Should schools teach the skills our kids will need to function as independent adults: how to change a tire, balance a checkbook, or fill out a tax form?

What do you think? Email us your thoughts at [email protected]

Robert believes that the future of work is going to require a new set of skills than we currently teach in school. Schools are finally considering how to teach “21st century skills” like cooperation, collaboration, and creativity. These are the exact “superpowers” that form the base of Robert’s practice as a Positive Psychologist.

In fact, Robert has created the design for a school that centers on these superpowers. He was inspired to find a way to focus on the student’s individual strengths rather than offering kids only what’s “on the menu.”

What is your responsibility as a parent? Are you the educational advocate? Where do you need help from school? Tune in to this episode of the ‘I Am The Worst Parent Ever’ podcast to learn how you can help your kids get good at life.

The older you are, the wiser you get.

Right? Maybe. Or maybe not.

When Nicole shared 32 lessons she learned in her first 32 years, it seemed to trigger some “grown ups.” Apparently a 32-year-old talking about life lessons incited her not-yet-fans to say, "You are so young. What could you know and who are you to teach me anything?"

On the heels of her widely-shared article and this feedback, Nicole posed these questions to Robert:

Can you be too old to learn a lesson?

Can you be too young to teach a lesson?

Robert repeated something he learned from his friend Jessi Sanfilippo: “It’s hard to be the teacher if you stopped being the student.”

In those parenting moments when we believe that we already know everything we need to know, it’s easy to believe that everything we know is "right." In fact, we can track most of our biggest worst-parent-ever moments to that time when we forgot that we are still learning. The culprit? That voice in your head (your inner critic) tweaking your fear that you are messing it all up.

There are lots of times on our parenthood journey when we find it hard to listen more than we talk. In those moments, we need to fight that inner critic, dance with our fear, so we can remember who is teaching whom.

As two imperfect parents, spouses, entrepreneurs and humans, Robert and Nicole love visiting the “Life Buffet” to fill our plates with the variety of knowledge-nuggets we collect from our local, extended, and virtual communities. We don’t know it all… but we know who does!

If you can see everyone within your family nucleus and outside of it as a person with ideas, no matter their age, gender, sexual preference, ethnic background, etc. you are ready to visit the Life Buffet.

Just like at the Golden Corral, you take what you find useful and leave the rest. At the Life Buffet, you can say, “no thanks!” Don't enjoy the whole nugget you are offered? Can't find a use for it? No problem, move on.

Unlike your local restaurant, at the Life Buffet, you can be courageous enough to offer something of your own and welcome anyone who wants to visit your table.

Check out this episode of ‘I Am The Worst Parent Ever’ podcast to learn how to deal with the critics that try to bring you down – and your inner critic that can hold you back. Robert and Nicole discuss how to break out and share your authentic self with the world, while remaining open-minded enough to connect with others.

The older you are, the wiser you get.

Right? Maybe. Or maybe not.

When Nicole shared 32 lessons she learned in her first 32 years, it seemed to trigger some “grown ups.” Apparently a 32-year-old talking about life lessons incited her not-yet-fans to say, "You are so young. What could you know and who are you to teach me anything?"

On the heels of her widely-shared article and this feedback, Nicole posed these questions to Robert:

Can you be too old to learn a lesson?

Can you be too young to teach a lesson?

Robert repeated something he learned from his friend Jessi Sanfilippo: “It’s hard to be the teacher if you stopped being the student.”

In those parenting moments when we believe that we already know everything we need to know, it’s easy to believe that everything we know is "right." In fact, we can track most of our biggest worst-parent-ever moments to that time when we forgot that we are still learning. The culprit? That voice in your head (your inner critic) tweaking your fear that you are messing it all up.

There are lots of times on our parenthood journey when we find it hard to listen more than we talk. In those moments, we need to fight that inner critic, dance with our fear, so we can remember who is teaching whom.

As two imperfect parents, spouses, entrepreneurs and humans, Robert and Nicole love visiting the “Life Buffet” to fill our plates with the variety of knowledge-nuggets we collect from our local, extended, and virtual communities. We don’t know it all… but we know who does!

If you can see everyone within your family nucleus and outside of it as a person with ideas, no matter their age, gender, sexual preference, ethnic background, etc. you are ready to visit the Life Buffet.

Just like at the Golden Corral, you take what you find useful and leave the rest. At the Life Buffet, you can say, “no thanks!” Don't enjoy the whole nugget you are offered? Can't find a use for it? No problem, move on.

Unlike your local restaurant, at the Life Buffet, you can be courageous enough to offer something of your own and welcome anyone who wants to visit your table.

Check out this episode of the ‘I Am The Worst Parent Ever’ podcast to learn how to deal with the critics that try to bring you down – and your inner critic that can hold you back. Robert and Nicole discuss how to break out and share your authentic self with the world, while remaining open-minded enough to connect with others.

Laughter may be the best tool a Positive Psychologist like Robert gets to use. He spends his days helping parents laugh more to create the welcoming family environment where kids feel comfortable being themselves. He helps teens interrupt their spiraling worry with a silly memory to “change the channel.”

Nicole admits that she probably needs laughter therapy, too. As the at-home parent of three “spirited” children, her days often feel like "riding a wave" that takes her "from intensity… to the brink of insanity… and then to serenity.” All three of her kids have so much personality that they are bursting at the seams!

She has learned to “surf that wave” the hard way. In public, it may be harder to deal with a spirited child but let’s face it: It's easier to lose your sh*t inside your own home!

It's hard for a parent to feel good when you are engaged in power struggles with your children and are having a hard time seeing them as more than a problem or nuisance. 

How can parents learn to ride a strong-ass wave if they don't know how to surf? Should you fear the spirited child? Can you LOVE them just as much as their more demur siblings? Do you secretly, slightly loathe them (even if that’s embarrassing to admit)?

What if we view these challenging attributes from another perspective? Might a stubborn child with an "iron will" grow up to trust their intuition more than a people-pleaser? So is being stubborn a good thing or a bad thing? At some point Robert realized that he wanted strong-willed children who can grow up to trust their gut instincts.

In this episode of 'I Am the Worst Parent Ever' podcast, Robert and Nicole tackle the joys and “waves” of raising spirited children and how parents can learn to to laugh more even when little Johnny is bouncing off the walls

How do you condition yourself to be your own laugh therapist? Robert has a few suggestions. Check it out.

Laughter may be the best tool a Positive Psychologist like Robert gets to use. He spends his days helping parents laugh more to create the welcoming family environment where kids feel comfortable being themselves. He helps teens interrupt their spiraling worry with a silly memory to “change the channel.”

Nicole admits that she probably needs laughter therapy, too. As the at-home parent of three “spirited” children, her days often feel like "riding a wave" that takes her "from intensity… to the brink of insanity… and then to serenity.” All three of her kids have so much personality that they are bursting at the seams!

She has learned to “surf that wave” the hard way. In public, it may be harder to deal with a spirited child but let’s face it: It's easier to lose your sh*t inside your own home!

It's hard for a parent to feel good when you are engaged in power struggles with your children and are having a hard time seeing them as more than a problem or nuisance. 

How can parents learn to ride a strong-ass wave if they don't know how to surf? Should you fear the spirited child? Can you LOVE them just as much as their more demur siblings? Do you secretly, slightly loathe them (even if that’s embarrassing to admit)?

What if we view these challenging attributes from another perspective? Might a stubborn child with an "iron will" grow up to trust their intuition more than a people-pleaser? So is being stubborn a good thing or a bad thing? At some point Robert realized that he wanted strong-willed children who can grow up to trust their gut instincts.

In this episode of 'I Am the Worst Parent Ever' podcast, Robert and Nicole tackle the joys and “waves” of raising spirited children and how parents can learn to to laugh more even when little Johnny is bouncing off the walls

How do you condition yourself to be your own laugh therapist? Robert has a few suggestions. Check it out.

Nicole is NOT “the fun one” in her house and she’s only half embarrassed to admit it. Robert may not think of himself as the more jovial parent in his home, but he can tell you that his #dadjokes make his kids groan.

In most (definitely not all) households, dads get the pleasure and benefit of being the family’s joy-maker. So why are moms so serious?

Are we weighed down by the infamous ‘mental load’?
Is it fear of outside judgment?
Are we fueled by our innate or self-developed anxiety?
And what should moms do about it? 

In this episode of ‘I Am The Worst Parent Ever’ podcast, Robert and Nicole discuss how both partners can bring their authentic personalities to the table. That way, their children get to view and feed at the full “life buffet.”

A family is like a machine. To work, it needs all its parts.

Sure, it would be great to be the fun one, to be able to play all the time, to lose ourselves in the moment with our loved ones. We admire parents who can put their expectations, worries, and fears aside with a presence of mind and a grateful heart.

BUT it’s also impressive to be the selfless one who will “take one for the team” even if we are a bit more rigid and schedule-driven.

Our children need both of us, the fun one and the not fun one. They will encounter both types of people outside of the home. One day you may be the fun one and the next day you won’t be. Nicole and Robert take solace in knowing that their roles may be fluid. But, guess what? Your children will always need you no matter what.

Nicole is NOT “the fun one” in her house and she’s only half embarrassed to admit it. Robert may not think of himself as the more jovial parent in his home, but he can tell you that his #dadjokes make his kids groan.

In most (definitely not all) households, dads get the pleasure and benefit of being the family’s joy-maker. So why are moms so serious?

Are we weighed down by the infamous ‘mental load’?
Is it fear of outside judgment?
Are we fueled by our innate or self-developed anxiety?
And what should moms do about it? 

In this episode of ‘I Am The Worst Parent Ever’ podcast, Robert and Nicole discuss how both partners can bring their authentic personalities to the table. That way, their children get to view and feed at the full “life buffet.”

A family is like a machine. To work, it needs all its parts.

Sure, it would be great to be the fun one, to be able to play all the time, to lose ourselves in the moment with our loved ones. We admire parents who can put their expectations, worries, and fears aside with a presence of mind and a grateful heart.

BUT it’s also impressive to be the selfless one who will “take one for the team” even if we are a bit more rigid and schedule-driven.

Our children need both of us, the fun one and the not fun one. They will encounter both types of people outside of the home. One day you may be the fun one and the next day you won’t be. Nicole and Robert take solace in knowing that their roles may be fluid. But, guess what? Your children will always need you no matter what.