Leadership Parenting

Ever wondered how to stay energized and resilient amidst the chaos of busy summer months or big life changes? Join us for an empowering episode where we uncover the secrets to recharging your energy bank, especially for moms navigating the whirlwind of family life. Through personal stories and practical tips, you'll learn how to identify and integrate small yet impactful moments of self-care into your daily routine, ensuring you're always ready to tackle whatever comes your way. Discover how playful interactions can not only reduce your stress but also strengthen the bonds within your family, making those hectic days a little more manageable and a lot more joyful.

If you'd like to get the show notes for this episode, head to:

https://leighgermann.com

Digital usage has snuck up on us. . It's up to us to understand what the landscape is right now in our digital world and it keeps changing and it's up to us to prepare our kids to know how to handle that changing landscape. 
Today I'm starting with your most powerful tool, and that's you, because, like anything in life, your kids are going to be most influenced by you, by your daily example, by your beliefs and values and by your conversations with them. One of the biggest problems I think we have with our devices is the separation between what we do and what we want our children to do, and that concept of being and doing what we want our kids to be and do. That's actually the core of what we are all about here at Leadership Parenting. We are working to be resilient ourselves so we can teach our kids how to do it, and they are going to learn the most by just watching us day in and day out,  how we handle our emotions, how we take care of ourselves, how we treat others. They learn to do these things by observing us doing them. Managing the electronic and digital world is absolutely no different. The first step in helping our kids have a healthy relationship with technology comes from how WE create a healthy relationship with technology.

If you'd like to get the show notes for this episode, head to:

https://leighgermann.com

Can stress actually be your body's way of telling you that everything is functioning as it should? In this episode, we explore the stress cycle and the dire consequences of burnout. By recognizing the natural on-and-off pattern of stress and allowing time for recuperation, we can protect ourselves from severe health issues like high blood pressure, heart disease, and anxiety. Parenting presents its own unique set of stressors, often making the idea of a perfectly calm household seem like a distant dream. But, there's hope. We delve into practical strategies for managing stress within parenting roles, emphasizing the importance of accepting unavoidable stressors, setting boundaries, and aligning expectations with reality. Listen in and equip yourself with the tools to better manage stress for you and your family.

If you'd like to get the show notes for this episode, head to:

https://leighgermann.com

Join me as we tackle the challenges of parenting when values between a parent and child seem worlds apart. In this episode, we explore a mother's struggle with her need for order and calm contrasted with her nine-year-old son's preference for play and silliness. We dive into the importance of understanding children's developmental needs for exploration and noise, and how parents can stretch their perspectives to accommodate these differences. We'll provide insights into bridging the gap between a parent's need for calm and a child's need for fun, helping to foster connection and harmony within the family.

If you'd like to get the show notes for this episode, head to:

https://leighgermann.com

When we learn about ourselves and HOW to work with ourselves, we're empowering ourselves to be able to show up and be strong, and I don't mean strong like we don't feel the impact of the hard things, but that we've got this core strength internally to handle the challenges no matter what life throws us. This is resilience! In today's episode we celebrate the one year anniversary of Leadership Parenting by reviewing the top few things that help us become resilient. It's a quick review but one that can help us remember how far we have come in learning these concepts!  By regularly revisiting resilience concepts, we can train our brains to adopt a resilient mindset, leading to a life filled with confidence and joy. Join me for an insightful conversation on building resilience and discovering joy amidst life's unpredictable journey.

If you'd like to get the show notes for this episode, head to:

https://leighgermann.com

We all experience  automatic negative thoughts. They come really without our choice, and they can also make our life feel really heavy and hard when we're worrying about the future or unforgiving of mistakes or maybe even thinking of the worst things that could happen in our life.  Negative thoughts tend to become habitual thinking and come so fast into our heads that we're totally at their mercy. One of the ways to deal with this is to create alternative thoughts that give us more possibility and that match more of how we want to think. This is what affirmations do, they counter detrimental thoughts with empowering truths about ourselves, 

In this episode, I show you how to draft affirmations that are not mere platitudes but reflections of your deepest strengths. Whether you're affirming "I am safe" or celebrating that "There is more love in my life than fear," you can cultivate a practice of affirmations that mirror the support you'd give to a cherished friend!  Join me as we talk about affirmation so we can think better and feel better!

If you'd like to get the show notes for this episode, head to:

https://leighgermann.com

In this episode, we delve into the powerful role that automated negative thoughts (ANTs) play in shaping our mental health and provide you with a comprehensive understanding of how ANTs can trigger detrimental emotional reactions.

We also look at  practical techniques to help us work with our thoughts.  These strategies are designed to combat negative emotional responses and foster a resilient, positive mental atmosphere. By mastering these techniques, you can develop the skills to navigate the landscape of your mind more effectively, learning how to quiet negative thought patterns and enhance your overall mental health.

If you'd like to get the show notes for this episode, head to:

https://leighgermann.com

Ever found yourself in the throes of frustration, fists clenched, and patience worn thin? We've all been there, and in this episode, I pull back the curtain on the elusive art of frustration tolerance. It's not just about biting your tongue or counting to ten; it's a journey through the emotional wilderness that teaches us resilience, patience, and adaptability. Patience isn't just a virtue—it's a skill, and one that's particularly tested in the realm of parenting. In this episode, we tackle the herculean task of aligning our expectations with the ever-changing developmental stages of our children. By planning for those car seat battles or the painstakingly slow shoe-tying sessions, we're not just teaching our kids; we're learning patience ourselves.  By challenging our assumptions and working with our expectations, we can model better behavior for our children, making for a more resilient and joyful experience in our families.

If you'd like to get the show notes for this episode, head to:

https://leighgermann.com

Every day, we have to handle our feelings while trying to do the things that we feel are most important to us. I call this being emotional driven or value driven- and it actually matters which way we decide to go.  Do we prioritize values or emotions?  This choice is something few of us are even aware that we can make. Because emotions come quickly and often, we will do anything to avoid the painful ones, maybe even at the expense of what matters most to us. Ultimately, "The Choice" challenges us to explore whether we want to live a life dictated by avoiding painful emotions or one anchored in enduring values. In today’s episode, we look at how to navigate this choice and emerge confident in our ability to effectively manage our emotions and show up the way that serves us best.

If you'd like to get the show notes for this episode, head to:

https://leighgermann.com

We all face moments when life's demands seem to eclipse our capacity to cope. A great framework to understand when this is happening is that of the Window of Tolerance: a tool that's crucial for maintaining our emotional equilibrium. In this episode, we talk about what the Window of Tolerance is, how you know you have been bumped out of it and how to get back into it! I share strategies that range from mindfulness practices to embracing everyday frustrations with grace. We also look at how to train to expand your Window of Tolerance through mindfulness, controlled exposure to discomfort, and the cultivation of frustration tolerance. I emphasize the role of self-care and the power of compassion over judgment, as we steer through life's challenges. This episode unpacks the balance between resilience and vulnerability, and how both are vital in fostering confidence and joy in ourselves and our children. I hope you’ll join me!

If you'd like to get the show notes for this episode, head to:

https://leighgermann.com