Sometimes a Mastermind parent struggles with an issue that’s so damn relatable, we can’t help but share it. If you’ve lived through the middle school years, you’ve probably seen your kid struggle with changing social dynamics, and rejection by kids who used to be their friends. It’s not only heartbreaking to watch, but our instinct to protect often only makes things worse. The key to helping them through this emotionally challenging stage of life is helping them face it on their terms. In this episode, you’ll learn:How to cultivate the trusting environment your child needs to feel comfortable with sharing when peers are mistreating them.Why your kiddo might have some sympathy for the person bullying them, and why you should, too.Physical activities for combating stress and helping kids open up.The similarities between the embodied experience of physical and emotional pain.
 And much more!  As always, thanks for listening. Head over to Facebook, where you can join my free group Mastermind Parenting Community. We post tips and tools and do pop-up Live conversations where I do extra teaching and coaching to support you in helping your strong-willed children so that they can FEEL better and DO better. If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it! Get all the links, resources, and transcripts here: https://mastermindparenting.com/podcast-249 About Randi Rubenstein Randi Rubenstein helps parents with a strong-willed kiddo become a happier family and enjoy the simple things again, like bike rides and beach vacays. She’s the founder of Mastermind Parenting, host of the Mastermind Parenting podcast, and author of The Parent Gap. Randi works with parents across the U.S. At Mastermind Parenting, we believe every human deserves to have a family that gets along. Randi’s Web and Social LinksWebsite: https://mastermindparenting.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermindparenting Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mastermind_parenting/
Resources Discussed/Links Live assessment: https://mastermindparenting.com/live-assessment/  

Middle School Mean Girls

Welcome to Randi Rubenstein’s Mastermind Parenting Podcast. So, the big question is this - How do parents like us know that we aren’t messing up the biggest role of our lives, especially when we happen to have a strong-willed kiddo that is constantly pushing our buttons? We’ve all heard that kids don’t come with a manual, so how can we know for sure that we are saying the right things or that we’re getting this parenting thing right. On this podcast for parents of toddlers to teens, we’ll be giving you real tools you can use right away so that your kids will feel like they can talk to you about absolutely anything and everything. At Mastermind Parenting, we believe when your thoughts grow, the conversations in your home flow. This podcast will help you make a crucial shift in your home from the old lecturing style to convos that feel collaborative, connecting and most importantly…PRODUCTIVE.

Kids & Family

Parenting

Mother’s Day is so loaded for so many reasons. Now that it’s in the rearview for another year, this is a great time to share some more of my most embarrassing/inspiring mothering mistakes. Embarrassing because they seem painfully obvious in hindsight. Inspiring because they’re a loving reminder from me to you that no parent is perfect. We all want to do better for our kiddos than our parents did for us. The way to do that isn’t to obsess over never messing up, or keep our mistakes secret. It’s to own our falibility and let our kids see us as whole, complicated, loving human beings. In this episode, you’ll learn:Some of the oops moments that have shaped my kiddos and our relationship over the years.Why I’m happy to let them roast me a little when we’re reminiscing about times I’ve made a mess of things.How love and humor can grow out of being honest with yourself, your family, and the world about your parenting screw ups. 
And much more!  As always, thanks for listening. Head over to Facebook, where you can join my free group Mastermind Parenting Community. We post tips and tools and do pop-up Live conversations where I do extra teaching and coaching to support you in helping your strong-willed children so that they can FEEL better and DO better. If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it! Get all the links, resources, and transcripts here: https://mastermindparenting.com/podcast-288 About Randi Rubenstein Randi Rubenstein helps parents with a strong-willed kiddo become a happier family and enjoy the simple things again like bike rides and beach vacays. She’s the founder of Mastermind Parenting, host of the Mastermind Parenting podcast, and author of The Parent Gap. Randi works with parents across the U.S. At Mastermind Parenting, we believe every human deserves to have a family that gets along. Randi’s Web and Social LinksWebsite: https://mastermindparenting.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermindparentingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mastermind_parenting/
Resources Discussed/Links My chat with my son Alec about his needle phobia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0BXoDVVo_A Mindset: The New Psychology Of Success, by Carol S. Dweck https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/44330/mindset-by-carol-s-dweck-phd/ Mother Hunger: How Adult Daughters Can Understand and Heal from Lost Nurturance, Protection, and Guidance, by Kelly McDaniel https://kellymcdanieltherapy.com/books/#motherhunger Our 12-week Basics Bootcamp program is now available as a 100% online self-study course! https://mastermindparenting.com/minimasters/ Live assessment: https://mastermindparenting.com/live-assessment/

Post Mother’s Day: Some of My Mothering Mistakes

When kids don't do simple things for themselves, it's easy to future trip and freak out. But what if you knew that they'd be okay and it will all turn out just fine? What if you could have that reassurance? Would it change how you show up now when you're feeling fed up about them not knowing how to make a hair appointment, make a sandwich, or do their own laundry? If you could drop the panic, what would you do instead? How could you course correct when you want your kids to learn basic "life-ing" skills? In this episode, you’ll learn:How to take a breath and get perspective instead of panicking when your kid needs help to complete a basic “grownup” task.To keep a sense of humor around the things your kids have (and haven’t) learned to do for themselves.Why blaming ourselves for doing too much can drive a wedge between us and the kid whose independence we want to support. 
And much more!  As always, thanks for listening. Head over to Facebook, where you can join my free group Mastermind Parenting Community. We post tips and tools and do pop-up Live conversations where I do extra teaching and coaching to support you in helping your strong-willed children so that they can FEEL better and DO better. If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it! Get all the links, resources, and transcripts here: https://mastermindparenting.com/podcast-287 About Randi Rubenstein Randi Rubenstein helps parents with a strong-willed kiddo become a happier family and enjoy the simple things again like bike rides and beach vacays. She’s the founder of Mastermind Parenting, host of the Mastermind Parenting podcast, and author of The Parent Gap. Randi works with parents across the U.S. At Mastermind Parenting, we believe every human deserves to have a family that gets along. Randi’s Web and Social LinksWebsite: https://mastermindparenting.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermindparentingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mastermind_parenting/
Resources Discussed/Links Our 12-week Basics Bootcamp program is now available as a 100% online self-study course! https://mastermindparenting.com/minimasters/ Live assessment: https://mastermindparenting.com/live-assessment/

Spoiler Alert: Your Kid Won't Fail To Launch

Raising our kids to understand and share our values is a central part of being a parent. But so often when we send them out into the world, they come back using words or acting in ways that conflict with the things we’ve tried to teach them. Recently, a Mastermind mom shared that her six-year-old came home from playing at a neighbor’s house and called something “gay” like it meant “bad.” This resonated extra strongly with me. All three of my own kids, when they were younger, heard the exact same thing on the playground. As tough as it can be to hear that, it’s also an amazing opportunity to help strengthen your relationships with your kids while also reinforcing the values that your family holds dear.  In this episode, you’ll learn:How to instill your family’s values without resorting to “because I said so.”Why it’s worth pausing to inform yourself when your kiddo is asking why.The lifelong closeness you can nurture when you’re not afraid to have tough conversations with your kids.
And much more!  As always, thanks for listening. Head over to Facebook, where you can join my free group Mastermind Parenting Community. We post tips and tools and do pop-up Live conversations where I do extra teaching and coaching to support you in helping your strong-willed children so that they can FEEL better and DO better. If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it! Get all the links, resources, and transcripts here: https://mastermindparenting.com/podcast-286 About Randi Rubenstein Randi Rubenstein helps parents with a strong-willed kiddo become a happier family and enjoy the simple things again like bike rides and beach vacays. She’s the founder of Mastermind Parenting, host of the Mastermind Parenting podcast, and author of The Parent Gap. Randi works with parents across the U.S. At Mastermind Parenting, we believe every human deserves to have a family that gets along. Randi’s Web and Social LinksWebsite: https://mastermindparenting.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermindparentingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mastermind_parenting/
Resources Discussed/Links Our 12-week Basics Bootcamp program is now available as a 100% online self-study course! https://mastermindparenting.com/minimasters/ Live assessment: https://mastermindparenting.com/live-assessment/

That's So Gay: Talking To Kids About Hurtful Language

When our kids are talking down about themselves, of course our first instinct is to push back. But even though we say “you’re so beautiful,” or “you’re so smart,” or “you’ll get better if you practice,” the message we send is “I’m not listening and understanding your experience.” If you want to know the secret to tackling your kiddo’s insecurities without undermining their agency and self-determination, this ep is for you! I just coached one of my fabulous Mastermind moms through this, and I know you’ll be inspired by how she stepped up for her child. In this episode, you’ll learn:The tools you can use to reorient your child’s perspective when they’re feeling bad about themselves. Why it’s so much more important to listen than to argue with a kid who’s struggling with their self-worth.How insecurities that are papered over with praise can turn into meanness.
And much more!  As always, thanks for listening. Head over to Facebook, where you can join my free group Mastermind Parenting Community. We post tips and tools and do pop-up Live conversations where I do extra teaching and coaching to support you in helping your strong-willed children so that they can FEEL better and DO better. If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it! Get all the links, resources, and transcripts here: https://mastermindparenting.com/podcast-285 About Randi Rubenstein Randi Rubenstein helps parents with a strong-willed kiddo become a happier family and enjoy the simple things again like bike rides and beach vacays. She’s the founder of Mastermind Parenting, host of the Mastermind Parenting podcast, and author of The Parent Gap. Randi works with parents across the U.S. At Mastermind Parenting, we believe every human deserves to have a family that gets along. Randi’s Web and Social LinksWebsite: https://mastermindparenting.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermindparentingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mastermind_parenting/
Resources Discussed/Links Our 12-week Basics Bootcamp program is now available as a 100% online self-study course! https://mastermindparenting.com/minimasters/ Live assessment: https://mastermindparenting.com/live-assessment/

I'm So Ugly! How Can You Handle Kids' Insecurities?

If you’re a parent with a kiddo who’s constantly angry and acting out, a diagnosis of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) can seem like an explanation for a lot of disruptive behavior. But what if that defiance and opposition are actually caused by other sensitivity? I’ve worked with so many parents who struggle to understand why their strong-willed kid is lashing out. An ODD diagnosis can seem like an answer, but the label doesn’t come with the tools to actually help their sensitive little human cope with their big feelings. Let’s talk about why I think ODD is a symptom, not a cause, and how to approach your struggling kiddo with the empathy they need to become a success story. In this episode, you’ll learn:Why I’m convinced the behavior we label as oppositional and defiant is really our kids asking for help the only way they know how. All the other sensitivities and specialness that an ODD label can cause us to overlook.What strong-willed kids are looking for when they use external conflict to compensate for internal discomfort.Why we try to think our way through situations when we should learn how to feel through them instead.
And much more!  As always, thanks for listening. Head over to Facebook, where you can join my free group Mastermind Parenting Community. We post tips and tools and do pop-up Live conversations where I do extra teaching and coaching to support you in helping your strong-willed children so that they can FEEL better and DO better. If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it! Get all the links, resources, and transcripts here: https://mastermindparenting.com/podcast-284 About Randi Rubenstein Randi Rubenstein helps parents with a strong-willed kiddo become a happier family and enjoy the simple things again like bike rides and beach vacays. She’s the founder of Mastermind Parenting, host of the Mastermind Parenting podcast, and author of The Parent Gap. Randi works with parents across the U.S. At Mastermind Parenting, we believe every human deserves to have a family that gets along. Randi’s Web and Social LinksWebsite: https://mastermindparenting.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermindparentingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mastermind_parenting/
Resources Discussed/Links https://mastermindparenting.com/call Dr. Steven Storage on ODD as a symptom rather than a diagnosis: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C40o3PyL8C_ Our 12-week Basics Bootcamp program is now available as a 100% online self-study course! https://mastermindparenting.com/minimasters/ Live assessment: https://mastermindparenting.com/live-assessment/

Middle School Mean Girls

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