Have you ever told your child to “calm down” only to watch their meltdown intensify? In this episode, Lisa shares why the phrase “calm down” often backfires—and what your kids really need instead. Learn how to replace shutdown phrases with words that build connection, safety, and emotional intelligence. Plus, discover simple scripts you can use in everyday moments to support your child through big feelings—without yelling or dismissing.

What You'll Learn:

• Why “calm down” shuts connection down—and what your child hears instead
• What’s happening in the brain during a meltdown (and why logic doesn’t land)
• Five powerful phrases to say instead of “calm down”
• How your calm presence helps your child’s brain come back online
• How to make connection—not correction—your first move
• A simple weekly practice to start replacing default reactions with peaceful responses

In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode, Lisa is joined by Hive member and devoted mama Stephanie, who shares the powerful parenting insight that inspired this conversation: just because your child storms with you doesn’t only mean they feel safe—it could be a signal that something deeper is going on. Together, they explore how to shift from reacting to storming behavior to responding with curiosity, compassion, and clarity. Through stories, tools, and real-life reflections, this episode invites you to move from judge to scientist—and learn what’s really going on underneath the behavior.

What You'll Learn:

• Why a child’s meltdown may be a signal, not just a sign of safety
• How to shift from taking behavior personally to getting curious instead
• The importance of moving from “judge” to “scientist” in your parenting mindset
• How knowing your child’s unique rhythms can prevent future storming
• Practical questions to ask when your child is melting down
• Why connection before correction is the secret to real change

Do you ever feel like your kids won’t listen unless you yell? You’re not alone—and you’re not failing. In this powerful episode, Lisa Smith breaks down what’s really going on when kids don’t listen and why yelling doesn’t work (even if it feels like the only option in the moment). She shares a better path—one rooted in connection, emotional regulation, and respectful communication. Plus, Lisa invites you to her free 3-day live challenge: Get Your Kids to Listen Without Yelling or Giving In.

What You'll Learn:

• Why kids often don’t listen—and how their nervous system plays a role
• What yelling really signals (for you and for your child)
• How to pause and regulate before the volcano erupts
• The importance of connection before giving directions
• What to say instead of yelling when you're frustrated
• How to shift from control and compliance to connection and cooperation

If you’ve tried grounding, timeouts, or taking things away—and your strong-willed child just seems to push back even harder—you’re not alone. In this game-changing episode, Lisa unpacks the real reasons traditional discipline doesn’t work with strong-willed kids and what you can do instead. You'll walk away with compassion, clarity, and the tools to connect deeply—even when the storm hits.

What You'll Learn:

• 10 reasons why punishment-based strategies often backfire with strong-willed kids
• The difference between punishment and discipline—and why it matters
• What’s really happening in your child’s nervous system when they push back
• The 5 tools that do work with strong-willed kids (and build lifelong skills)
• Real-world stories from parents who ditched the punishment and found connection
• How to start shifting from control to calm—without sacrificing limits

In today's episode of Real World Peaceful Parenting, Lisa Smith sits down with Jennifer, a long-time Hive member, to share her powerful transformation from chaotic parenting to building deep, lasting connections with her two boys. Jennifer opens up about the struggles of co-parenting, fear-driven decision-making, and the journey to embracing peaceful parenting. Her story serves as an inspiring reminder that even in the toughest moments, leading with love, empathy, and connection is what helps foster a healthy, respectful relationship with our kids. Tune in for valuable insights on how to prioritize the relationship over the behavior and how the long game of peaceful parenting truly pays off.

What You'll Learn:

• Peaceful Parenting is a Long Game: Transforming your relationship with your kids takes time, patience, and consistent effort, but the rewards are worth it.
• Prioritize Connection Over Behavior: Building a relationship based on empathy and respect leads to fewer conflicts and better communication, even in difficult situations.
• Parenting Through Fear vs. Connection: Jennifer shares how shifting from fear-driven parenting to a connection-focused approach helped her communicate more effectively with her kids.
• How to Handle Emotional Reactions: Learn how taking a pause and choosing to respond with calm presence can diffuse emotionally charged situations with your kids.
• Modeling Healthy Conflict Resolution: Jennifer's story highlights how teaching kids to express themselves and respect boundaries helps them become more self-regulated and resilient.
• The Power of the Hive: Jennifer’s journey in the Hive shows how having ongoing support, coaching, and a community can make a huge difference in implementing peaceful parenting strategies.

Ever felt sucker-punched by your child’s behavior? Like their words or actions were aimed straight at your heart? You’re not alone—and you’re not failing. In this episode, I’ll walk you through what’s really going on beneath those big reactions (yes, even the slammed doors and the “I hate yous”). You’ll hear real stories from parents just like you and learn the powerful mindset shift that can turn conflict into connection.

Because your child isn’t giving you a hard time… they’re having a hard time. And when we know better, we can show up better.

What You'll Learn:

• Why your child’s meltdowns, backtalk, and refusals aren’t about you
• The critical shift that happens when you stop taking behavior personally
• How to use connection—not correction—as your first response
• Why “get curious, not furious” is a peaceful parent’s secret weapon
• The importance of being the safe place—even when it’s hard
• One simple but powerful mindset tool that changes everything in the heat of the moment

On today’s episode of Real World Peaceful Parenting, Lisa welcomes college prep expert Dr. Pamela Ellis for a must-hear conversation for parents of tweens, teens, and college-bound students. With over 30 years of experience and $27 million in scholarships secured for families, Dr. Pamela shares her proven five-part framework to help you and your child find the right college fit—academically, emotionally, culturally, and financially.

Tune in to learn how to save money, support your teen with intention, and stay connected during one of parenting’s most emotional transitions.

What You'll Learn:

• Why college planning should start with your teen’s why, not rankings or sticker price
• Dr. Pamela’s Five Factors of Fit to help you find a college that truly feels like home
• The power of early, honest conversations about money and affordability
• Why involving an outside advisor can protect the parent-child relationship
• The top mistakes parents and teens make—and how to avoid them
• How to stay regulated and supportive while your teen navigates a stressful process

On today’s episode of Real World Peaceful Parenting, Lisa Smith is back with part two of the Boundaries Workshop series. This time, we’re diving into what happens after you set and enforce a limit — the inevitable pushback from your child. Whether you’re raising a tiny negotiator, a master arguer, or a strong-willed soul who seems to challenge everything, this episode will help you reframe their resistance and respond with calm confidence. Spoiler: that pushback? It’s not a problem — it’s a sign you’re doing something right.

Tune into this week’s episode for a powerful mindset shift and practical tools to help you stay steady when your child tests the boundaries.

What You'll Learn:

• Why your child’s pushback is developmental, not personal
• How to reframe resistance as a hidden compliment to your parenting
• The difference between healthy pushback and true disrespect
• What limit-testing looks like at different developmental stages
• How to hold boundaries with kindness and firmness (with age-specific examples)
• Why staying calm + consistent builds your child’s long-term security and confidence

On today’s episode of Real World Peaceful Parenting, Lisa Smith breaks down one of the biggest challenges parents face—setting and enforcing limits with kindness and firmness. Many parents set limits but struggle to hold them when faced with meltdowns, pushback, or guilt. Lisa dives into why enforcing limits is tough, why it actually makes kids feel more secure, and how to do it without feeling mean. Plus, she shares practical strategies and mindset shifts to help you stay consistent, even when emotions run high.

What You'll Learn:

• Why setting consistent limits makes kids feel safe, not restricted.
• How to hold firm without feeling guilty or like the "mean parent."
• The biggest mistakes parents make when enforcing boundaries—and how to fix them.
• A simple script for setting limits with empathy and authority.
• Why kids test limits (and why that’s actually a good thing!).
• The one phrase that will help you stay calm and follow through every time.

Ever find yourself losing it after your child’s after-school meltdown? You’re not alone. These emotional explosions aren’t just about what happened today—kids are often unloading all the pressure they’ve been holding in. In this episode of Real World Peaceful Parenting, Lisa Smith shares why these meltdowns happen, how to keep your cool when they do, and a step-by-step strategy to stop reacting with yelling and start responding with connection.

What You'll Learn:

• Why after-school (or after-practice, after-weekend, etc.) meltdowns happen & what they really mean
• The "volcano effect" and how to recognize your own warning signs before you erupt
• 3 powerful regulation tools you can use in the heat of the moment to calm your nervous system
• How to respond to meltdowns with curiosity instead of control—without letting go of boundaries
• A simple 3-step repair process to reconnect after you’ve lost your cool
• How to create a transition routine that helps prevent meltdowns before they start