Do you make time for Special Time? Don't fret if you don't...yet! We know that spending just a few minutes putting aside distractions and letting children lead play can boost our relationship with them, but that doesn't stop us running away from this type of Special Time. On this week's episode Abigail and Elle look at the times they put off Special Time, and the ways they try to "cheat" the tool by using shortcuts. Abigail admits this tool is her weakest as well as the (unlikely) reason it feels hard, while Elle says she skimps on setting up the time properly! They look at what causes parents to squirm around Special Time:  Declaring Special Time Resisting the timing element. Is that mean? Bargaining at the end of Special Time Not wanting to listen to a child's upsets when Special Time ends  If you find yourself wanting to do Special Time while NOT wanting to do Special Time this episode is for you! Get your freebies! Watch these videos on why Special Time is so incredible for you and your child and get a checklist to help run it (without cheats!) Our non cheatsheet is here for you whenever you need a nudge. And it's printable! Keep Connected We’d love to hear about the issues affecting you and your family. You can follow Hand in Hand on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Be sure to drop Elle and Abigail a message You can contact Abigail Wald about parenting courses and consultations at realtimeparenting.com Sign up for our Monthly Newsletter   

Special Time: Great for Kids, Difficult for Adults?

When children's behavior is difficult, parents need support, good information, and practical tools to reduce stress, understand their child's emotions, and build cooperation and warm connection in the family. Join Elle Kwan and Abigail Wald as they share the Hand in Hand Parenting approach with useful examples and stories from real parents like you.

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Now that the Hand in Hand podcast is on hiatus, are you wondering where to get parenting support direct to your eats? You're invited to join Abigail during the hiatus for her  Mother Flipping Awesome podcast where she does a deep dive with one mama in each show. And you get to listen in. #mindflip #parentingtransformed

What's Next? How About a Mind Flip

This week: Handling Halloween Using the Hand in Hand Tools So, your kids are fighting over the Halloween candy stash, and their sugar highs (and begging for more) send your blood pressure soaring. Maybe you have a child who is scarred by scare season's ghosts and ghouls - or simply refuses to be a part of the festivities. Have no fear! Elle and Abigail show you how to handle common Halloween howls using the Hand in Hand tools. Settle back with your pumpkin latte and get tricks you can use to make Halloween the family-centred treat you deserve. Take a sneak peek into this week's podcast:  Why Halloween can bring out the worst in our kids What happens to a child’s brain when they are melting down and how you can respond in a way that reaches and nurtures Which Hand in Hand tools are most useful for handling the Halloween howls Abigail's genius route to peaceful resolutions when two or more kids are going at it How to play your way out of scare season fear and even anger  Listen now! Get more great resources for handling Halloween with calm and confidence:  For kids that are scared or fearful: How to Help Kids Face Their Fears with Play For help setting limits on candy: Loving the Candy (Setting Limits at Halloween)  Free Guide to Sibling Rivalry Fights over candy, toys, time and your attention? You need this free guide on Surviving Sibling Rivalry using Hand in Hand Parenting tools and ideas. Sign up to Abigail's New Podcast Every week Abigail will walk along with a parent, right in their shoes, working with them to flip their parenting challenges. Visitwww.motherflippingawesome.com/mfapodcast

Handling the Halloween Howls Using the Hand in Hand Tools

Happy 100! This week - for our 100th episode - we turned the microphone over to you all. And we are SO excited to share this episode. You'll hear just what led parents to the Hand in Hand podcast, the breathtaking transformations you have seen happen in your parenting, and the different ways you all use the podcast from week to week. We're thrilled and humbled by the community that has gathered since we started the Hand in Hand Parenting podcast two years ago! This Week We Listen To Your Voices Take a listen and see if you hear yourself! There's comments that'll make you laugh, comments that'll have you nodding your head in agreement, and comments that will surely tug at your heartstrings. But at the centre of it all is immense caring, movement and community. And it's so powerful! Your good work is a force for change. You're telling us how your perspectives are shifting, and with them, your struggles. We hear how you are becoming more playful with your kids and more understanding. You are embracing being the parents you knew you could be. Triple yee-haa! We wanted to thank you so much for being with us each week because you are as much of this podcast as us. Get ready to be uplifted hearing all that you are and all that you aspire to be. Listen to You're Invited To The Celebration now. We can't wait for you to hear this. Oh, and a million hugs and thanks for everyone who sent messages and emails to be included in this episode. We are touched and honored by your contributions More Resources for Getting The Support You Need As A Parent This episode shows just how valuable regular support and guidance can be to your parenting. Do these three things to ensure that you get that support for yourself:  Join our Group. Did you know you can dive into our free Parent Connect group? Our instructors are in there daily sharing tools, ideas and advice on Hand in Hand Parenting. Not on Facebook? We hear you, but this was the most accessible platform we could find. We think it's worth joining just for this group. Keep up with Abigail. Abigail is about ready to release her own podcast. Every week she'll be walking along with one parent, right in their shoes, working with them to flip their parenting challenges. Visit www.motherflippingawesome.com to see when it's happening. Get weekly Hand in Hand Parenting inspiration right to your inbox. Every week we highlight strategies around a parenting challenge, share freebies and checklists, new videos and interviews, and show you how to make the most of Hand in Hand Parenting. You'll also be the first to know when the podcast returns for its second series.  Get it here.  

You're Invited To The Celebration - 100th Episode Podcast Party Starring YOU

Where were you two years ago in parenting? Sometimes we get so caught up in the present-day challenges we forget to look back and see the progress we've made.  And we should!  A week before the 100th episode of the Hand in Hand Parenting Podcast,  Elle and Abigail do just that, with an affectionate look back over the last two years they’ve been making the podcast. Abigail talks about how her kids have adopted, rely on, and now take ownership of the tools, and Elle recalls the  sleeping and eating challenges they’ve overcome, plus how emotionally aware her kids are since the tools have become a regular feature of family life. Now, your turn! Here's why we need to look back sometimes... This episode serves as a reminder of all the miraculous change and good you are doing now and can expect more of in the future. Listen this week and then scan back over your own milestones, challenges and successes and drink in how far you've come.  How many can you chalk up? Listen to So, How Far Have Your Come in Your Parenting? Come celebrate the amazing work you are doing as parents.  More support for your parenting Get these five ideas to make parenting less stressful to keep close when things get hard Read  A Love Letter to Parents Can't chalk up any recent high points? Listen to  Are You Headed for Parent Burnout? Stay connected We’d love to hear about your parenting challenges. You can follow Hand in Hand on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Be sure to drop Elle and Abigail a message at podcast@handinhandparenting.org   Listen on iTunes. Listen on Stitcher  Don’t forget to subscribe!  Get weekly tips, ideas, and inspiration for your parenting in our newsletter    

So, How Far Have You Come in Your Parenting?

   Your heart sinks as you join the long line of people snaking the aisle at the grocery store. Your baby is already making those noises she makes when she wants you to hold her, and there are about 15 minutes until she needs feeding. You are pretty sure this line will take double that. How did this happen? You tried to get out to the store all day, but between your friend dropping in, the late nap, and your  toddler refusing to get on his shoes you arrived late. (There's 15 playful ideas for getting out the house  here).  Now, he’s begging for snacks, your baby’s cries are escalating and this line doesn’t seem to be moving. You pull your baby out of the cart and land her on your hips and she quiets for a few minutes. But with about three people ahead of you, she’s screaming again. She’s late for her feed. You notice your son has dumped a few fistfuls of candy bars into the cart, and he wails as your dump them back out. The baby cries harder, and you quickly unbutton your shirt so she can feed, you can pay, and you can all get to the car. You fumble in your bag for the dried apples your son likes and hand him one.  You breathe. It’s going to be ok... An Already Hard Situation Gets Harder And then a stranger taps you on the shoulder. “The feeding room is over there,” she nods. “You shouldn’t breastfeed here. It's offensive." The Best Ways to Rise Strong after Mom Shame  Have you ever been mom-shamed? Or felt judgment in your parenting choices? That moment when things are already feel bad and some person moves in and just makes things feel a hundred times worse? Join us this week as Abigail describes the gut-wrenching time she got mom-shamed smack bang during one of her most desperate times in parenting. She explains the exact advice she got that helped her rise strong and move on from mom shame, and we talk about how you can too.   See mom-shaming for what it really is Who to turn to when you've been mom-shamed Why you deserve support when parenting gets hard Small but mighty ways you can help empower other moms and pass mom caring on  Bounce back from parent shame. Join us this week for The Best Ways to Rise Strong After Mom Shame. Get More Resouces For Rising Strong After Mom Shame Abigail invites you to join this intimate call with five of the wonderful mom's she's worked with. Find out what transformations they made in their families, and how you can too. Sign up now - spots are limited. Join here: https://www.motherflippingawesome.com/meet-mfa-mamas

Special Time: Great for Kids, Difficult for Adults?

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