Like with any skill we learn and master, independence and autonomy is taught in bite sized lessons from when our kids are really small. How can you break down the steps to teach your kids the things they need to safely move in the world on their own?

I don't like the word fail, I prefer to see it as learning. The truth is that we need to learn how to handle disappointment and turn a supposed failure into a moment of learning. How can we support our kids on their journey? How can we create a safe environment for them to learn?

Were you told to stop doodling in school? I was, and it turns out that they were wrong. Doodling while listening and learning helps us and our kids retain and process information more efficiently. How can you incorporate this information into your parenting?

I recently read love defined as radical acceptance and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. 

What skills are going to be most valuable for our kids in the future? It looks like creativity, critical thinking and collaboration are things worth focusing on in our kids. How do you mix teaching these skills into your parenting?

How has going slower and deeper during this time at home taught us more empathy and consideration for others? For some of us it has, for some of us it hasn't. This is a little rant about yet another elusive silver lining of shelter in place.

What are our kids really saying when they are having arguments or meltdowns that seem irrational from a grown up's perspective?

When we were little, my brother and sister and I bought a pony over the phone when our parents were out of town. This needs a little bit of context. It makes us seem a little less crazy. Not a lot but a little less.There are so many things to unpack in this story.

It feels like one of those eighties movies where the kids grew up on their bikes and came home when it got dark kind of thing. It probably was. Or like a cartoon where the grown up people are just legs with voices that make noise. Our parents were away, and I have no memory of who was watching us. If someone was. I bet someone was, just not well.

My daughter has always been feisty, and it is thanks to my amazing midwife Tekoa that I had the guidance to mother her without taking out the flame. 

Today Tanel joins me on the podcast to talk gentle and peaceful parenting. Tanel is a parenting coach from Estonia and he shares his stories of raising independent, confident, bilingual kids living a nomadic life out of a camper van. I am so excited to share this conversation with you :)