"My mom's a parenting coach and yes, it's annoying."  Hear this, and more, in today's episode.

Today my special parenting expert guest is... my daughter, Eva! This is a chance for you to hear how we talk through challenges, problem-solve, and think about ways to manage tough situations. 

In this episode, we explore how kind and firm parenting works, from the perspective of a 9-year-old.  

Eva shares a child’s-eye view of what works, why “Annoying but effective” limits help, and how simple cues beat constant nagging.

• teaching through everyday observations without judgment
• revising consequences that don’t change behavior
• using charts as a neutral "third party bad guy."
• weekly screen-time tracking with visible limits
• chore clarity through shared calendars
• validating all feelings while limiting harmful actions
• reset choices: 1)silent hug or 2) space to calm down, so your child is able to calm down.
• disengaging from yelling while keeping connection open.

I hope you enjoy this very REAL life view at our family communication.

✨Want more?

✨ Schedule a FREE 20 min clarity call with Sustainable Parenting, so we can answer any questions you may have. Together, we'll make a plan for your best next steps to have more calm & confidence in parenting - while having kids that listen!:)

✨NEW✨ pdfs and short video lessons on Respect, Bedtimes, Power Struggles and More: ON ETSY!

✨ Download the FREE pdf. on getting kids to listen, for strategies that take you out of the "gentle mom - monster mom" cycle, with effective positive parenting strategies.

✨ Sign up for an upcoming LIVE ONLINE workshop with Flora, or purchase a past replay: https://sustainableparenting.com/workshop where you get 30 min. of learning and 30 min. of LIVE Q & A time, with replays sent afterwards.

✨ Buy a 3 session Coaching Bundle (saving you $100) - for THREE 30-min sessions 1:1 with ME, where we get right to the heart of your challenges, and give you small, powerful shifts that make a huge difference f...

If you're having bedtime, out-the-door, or morning battles where your partner swoops in mid-meltdown, sending you into a rage, you’re not alone.

In this episode, Flora McCormick, LCPC — parenting coach and host of the Sustainable Parenting Podcast — shares 3 simple Positive Discipline tools that help you end power struggles without yelling, shaming, or giving in.

You’ll learn:
 ✨ How to use one powerful c-word  to get your children to listen more quickly. 
 ✨ How to reset the whole family system that has been right in these tug-o-wars.  

 ✨ How to invite cooperation instead of barking orders that fuel defiance

These tools work whether you’re guiding toddlers or tweens — and they help you and your partner stay on the same team, even in the toughest parenting moments.

Because calm, confident parenting isn’t about perfection. It’s about having the right tools to bring connection and structure back to your home — one day, one conversation at a time.

🎧 Tune in for Positive Parenting Strategies that actually work — helping you raise resilient, respectful kids while creating peace between you and your partner.

✨Want more?

✨ Schedule a FREE 20 min clarity call with Sustainable Parenting, so we can answer any questions you may have. Together, we'll make a plan for your best next steps to have more calm & confidence in parenting - while having kids that listen!:)

✨NEW✨ pdfs and short video lessons on Respect, Bedtimes, Power Struggles and More: ON ETSY!

✨ Download the FREE pdf. on getting kids to listen, for strategies that take you out of the "gentle mom - monster mom" cycle, with effective positive parenting strategies.

✨ Sign up for an upcoming LIVE ONLINE workshop with Flora, or purchase a past replay: https://sustainableparenting.com/workshop where you get 30 min. of learning and 30 min. of LIVE Q & A time, with replays sent afterwards.

✨ Buy a 3 session Coaching Bundle (saving you $100) - for THREE 30-min sessions 1:1 with ME, where we get right to the heart of your challenges, and give you small, powerful shifts that make a huge difference f...

If nighttime currently feels like a hostage situation — tiny footsteps down the hall, endless requests for “one more kiss,” or a child who can only fall asleep if you stay glued to the side of their bed — you are so not alone. 

So many loving parents find themselves exhausted by bedtime battles, thinking, “I cannot have this battle right now. I’m done. I’m exhausted. Why does this have to be so hard?!”

In this episode, Flora welcomes Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant Karen Winter of Winter Slumber: https://winterslumber.com/ to bring relief, clarity, and a fresh dose of hope. 

Through the lens of kind and firm parenting, we explore practical strategies that maintain connection while helping kids learn the life skill of sleeping in their own space.  Why? Because at Sustainable Parenting we believe in guiding kids to become confident sleepers, while also having a loving bond.  We believe you don’t have to turn yourself into a prisoner of nighttime wake-ups, in order to be a “good mom”.

By the time you finish listening, you will discover:

• How to respond when your child pops out of bed again (and again).

• Loving boundaries that end the cycle of “one more drink…” requests.

• A step-by-step approach for kids who rely on you lying next to them to fall asleep.

• Tools for discipline during night wake-ups, without yelling OR giving in.

• How night-time wake-ups are actually a great space to practice growing new skills for raising a resilient kid.

This conversation is your ticket to being the calm, confident parent you really want to be (even at the end of the day). 

Freedom from bedtime battles is possible, and you do not have to do it alone. Tune in to learn how even gentle parenting can have firm boundaries, so everyone can finally rest easy. 🌙✨ You can give comfort without giving up your evenings. You can offer reassurance while still guiding your child toward independence. You can support emotional needs without sacrificing your own sleep.

✨Want more?

✨ Schedule a FREE 20 min clarity call with Sustainable Parenting, so we can answer any questions you may have. Together, we'll make a plan for your best next steps to have more calm & confidence in parenting - while having kids that listen!:)

✨NEW✨ pdfs and short video lessons on Respect, Bedtimes, Power Struggles and More: ON ETSY!

✨ Download the FREE pdf. on getting kids to listen, for strategies that take you out of the "gentle mom - monster mom" cycle, with effective positive parenting strategies.

✨ Sign up for an upcoming LIVE ONLINE workshop with Flora, or purchase a past replay: https://sustainableparenting.com/workshop where you get 30 min. of learning and 30 min. of LIVE Q & A time, with replays sent afterwards.

✨ Buy a 3 session Coaching Bundle (saving you $100) - for THREE 30-min sessions 1:1 with ME, where we get right to the heart of your challenges, and give you small, powerful shifts that make a huge difference f...

Do you ever end the day feeling touched out, snappy, or like you’ve run a marathon no one saw you train for?

 This episode is your permission slip to stop trying to do it all.

Flora McCormick, LCPC — parenting coach and host of the Sustainable Parenting Podcast — shares simple Positive Parenting Strategies to help you end your day calmly, without guilt or exhaustion.

Instead of trying to be productive, present, and peaceful all at once (hello, burnout!), you’ll learn a gentle mindset shift that blends Kind and Firm Parenting and Positive Discipline principles — so you can stop power struggles, connect with your kids, and reclaim your peace.

By the end, you’ll know how to:
 ✨ Use Calm Parenting Tips to reset your evenings and your energy
✨ End the day with connection, not chaos — and Parent Without Yelling
✨ Focus on what matters most, so you can Raise Resilient, Confident Kids
✨ Finally feel like the calm, confident parent you’ve always wanted to be

Because when you stop beating yourself up for not doing everything for everyone, you unlock something better: joy, freedom, and that calm confidence that truly lasts. 🌿

✨Want more?

✨ Schedule a FREE 20 min clarity call with Sustainable Parenting, so we can answer any questions you may have. Together, we'll make a plan for your best next steps to have more calm & confidence in parenting - while having kids that listen!:)

✨NEW✨ pdfs and short video lessons on Respect, Bedtimes, Power Struggles and More: ON ETSY!

✨ Download the FREE pdf. on getting kids to listen, for strategies that take you out of the "gentle mom - monster mom" cycle, with effective positive parenting strategies.

✨ Sign up for an upcoming LIVE ONLINE workshop with Flora, or purchase a past replay: https://sustainableparenting.com/workshop where you get 30 min. of learning and 30 min. of LIVE Q & A time, with replays sent afterwards.

✨ Buy a 3 session Coaching Bundle (saving you $100) - for THREE 30-min sessions 1:1 with ME, where we get right to the heart of your challenges, and give you small, powerful shifts that make a huge difference f...

Feeling exhausted from doing everything — the school snacks, the bedtime routines, the constant reminders — and ready to just burn the whole thing down? 

What if being a "Lazy Parent" was the key to more joy and ease?!  

Spoiler alert - I think it is!!

In this week’s episode, I invite you into a surprisingly freeing mindset: Lazy Parenting.

 No, it’s not about neglect or indifference — it’s about choosing intentional calm over chaos (trying to keep up with Insta trends), and kind and firm parenting instead of over-functioning (doing everything for everyone).

And guess what?! This actually makes parenting feel easier and sustainable.  

When you are done listening, you will know:

• Why doing less for your kids helps them become more responsible and resilient.
• The simple mindset shifts that end daily power struggles without yelling.
• How to reclaim your energy and connection using gentle discipline that actually works.

If you’re ready to parent with more ease — and finally see your kids listen without all the nagging — this episode will be your permission slip to relax, breathe, and raise confident kids the sustainable way.

✨Want more?

✨ Schedule a FREE 20 min clarity call with Sustainable Parenting, so we can answer any questions you may have. Together, we'll make a plan for your best next steps to have more calm & confidence in parenting - while having kids that listen!:)

✨NEW✨ pdfs and short video lessons on Respect, Bedtimes, Power Struggles and More: ON ETSY!

✨ Download the FREE pdf. on getting kids to listen, for strategies that take you out of the "gentle mom - monster mom" cycle, with effective positive parenting strategies.

✨ Sign up for an upcoming LIVE ONLINE workshop with Flora, or purchase a past replay: https://sustainableparenting.com/workshop where you get 30 min. of learning and 30 min. of LIVE Q & A time, with replays sent afterwards.

✨ Buy a 3 session Coaching Bundle (saving you $100) - for THREE 30-min sessions 1:1 with ME, where we get right to the heart of your challenges, and give you small, powerful shifts that make a huge difference f...

Today we explore why toddlers hit, bite, and grab at playdates and how to respond without shame or panic...and with tools that will shift the behavior for real!

Did you know - these challenging child behaviors are VERY common in the early years of development?! 

Research shows that these behaviors are actually very common in early childhood. Studies find that between 26% and 70% of toddlers show some form of physical aggression — hitting, biting, pushing, or scratching — depending on how it’s measured.  And in real-life parent reports, around 50–60% of children ages 1-3 hit or lash out at least occasionally when frustrated.

So first off.. not need to think you are failing or raising a psychopath. 

When your child hits, spits, or scratches at a playdate, it can feel mortifying — but these moments are actually powerful teaching opportunities. 

In this episode, I'll share 3 Playdate Reset Tips, including:

• How to remember what really matters, 
• How to teach your child the new behaviors in a way that will finally STICK.
• How to get the end results of more FUN and EASY playdates, without any amount of panic.

Don't forget, we'd be honored to have you share this episode with a friend. Give a five star review, or subscribe - so that you don't miss anything in the future.

✨Want more?

✨ Schedule a FREE 20 min clarity call with Sustainable Parenting, so we can answer any questions you may have. Together, we'll make a plan for your best next steps to have more calm & confidence in parenting - while having kids that listen!:)

✨NEW✨ pdfs and short video lessons on Respect, Bedtimes, Power Struggles and More: ON ETSY!

✨ Download the FREE pdf. on getting kids to listen, for strategies that take you out of the "gentle mom - monster mom" cycle, with effective positive parenting strategies.

✨ Sign up for an upcoming LIVE ONLINE workshop with Flora, or purchase a past replay: https://sustainableparenting.com/workshop where you get 30 min. of learning and 30 min. of LIVE Q & A time, with replays sent afterwards.

✨ Buy a 3 session Coaching Bundle (saving you $100) - for THREE 30-min sessions 1:1 with ME, where we get right to the heart of your challenges, and give you small, powerful shifts that make a huge difference f...

Does your child suddenly “lose their hearing” the moment you ask them to pick up their shoes, come to the table, or turn off the tablet? You’re not alone—and you’re not going crazy. In this episode, we’ll unpack why kids pretend not to hear you and how to break the exhausting cycle of repeating yourself over and over.

By the time you finish listening, you will know:

• Why kids really tune us out (and it’s not because they’re disrespectful).
• The “connect before you direct” approach that makes kids instantly more responsive.
• How to stop the power struggle of the child ignoring and you repeating yourself 17 times... all the while getting to the end of your rope, ready to scream.
• The one magic phrase that cuts through the ignoring act almost every time.

Friend, parenting with kindness and firmness doesn’t mean raising your voice—it means finding simple tools that bring more calm and cooperation at home. This episode will show you how.

✨Want more?

✨ Schedule a FREE 20 min clarity call with Sustainable Parenting, so we can answer any questions you may have. Together, we'll make a plan for your best next steps to have more calm & confidence in parenting - while having kids that listen!:)

✨NEW✨ pdfs and short video lessons on Respect, Bedtimes, Power Struggles and More: ON ETSY!

✨ Download the FREE pdf. on getting kids to listen, for strategies that take you out of the "gentle mom - monster mom" cycle, with effective positive parenting strategies.

✨ Sign up for an upcoming LIVE ONLINE workshop with Flora, or purchase a past replay: https://sustainableparenting.com/workshop where you get 30 min. of learning and 30 min. of LIVE Q & A time, with replays sent afterwards.

✨ Buy a 3 session Coaching Bundle (saving you $100) - for THREE 30-min sessions 1:1 with ME, where we get right to the heart of your challenges, and give you small, powerful shifts that make a huge difference f...

Tired of repeating yourself 14 times a day, only to explode when your kids don’t listen? You’re not alone. In this episode, Flora McCormick, founder of Sustainable Parenting, shares the #1 tool most gentle parents overlook—and why it’s the secret to parenting without yelling and finding calm in the chaos.

After listening, you’ll discover:

• Why inconsistency fuels tantrums, testing, and power struggles.
• How predictability calms your child’s nervous system (and yours).
• Simple scripts and routines that blend kind and firm parenting.

If you’ve been searching for positive parenting strategies and want a roadmap to calm, confident parenting, this episode will help you create more cooperation, connection, and peace at home.

✨Want more?

✨ Schedule a FREE 20 min clarity call with Sustainable Parenting, so we can answer any questions you may have. Together, we'll make a plan for your best next steps to have more calm & confidence in parenting - while having kids that listen!:)

✨NEW✨ pdfs and short video lessons on Respect, Bedtimes, Power Struggles and More: ON ETSY!

✨ Download the FREE pdf. on getting kids to listen, for strategies that take you out of the "gentle mom - monster mom" cycle, with effective positive parenting strategies.

✨ Sign up for an upcoming LIVE ONLINE workshop with Flora, or purchase a past replay: https://sustainableparenting.com/workshop where you get 30 min. of learning and 30 min. of LIVE Q & A time, with replays sent afterwards.

✨ Buy a 3 session Coaching Bundle (saving you $100) - for THREE 30-min sessions 1:1 with ME, where we get right to the heart of your challenges, and give you small, powerful shifts that make a huge difference f...

Does bedtime ever feel like the longest part of your day? You’re exhausted, ready for some peace, but your child suddenly transforms into a master negotiator—asking for just one more kiss, one more drink of water, or one more story. If you’ve ever felt torn between wanting to meet those sweet requests and desperately craving your own downtime, this Sustainable Parenting episode is for you.

In today’s conversation with Flora McCormick, LCPC and sleep expert Matthew Wellington, we unpack the 5 Pillars for Peaceful Bedtimes—practical, evidence-based strategies that help kids settle more smoothly and give you back your evenings. This is Sustainable Parenting at its best: kind and firm solutions that work in real life.

Matthew Wellington is a Registered Behaviour Analyst and Board Certified Behaviour Analyst based in Ontario, Canada. He is the founder of Sleep Behaviourally, a consultancy dedicated to helping families and busy professionals improve their sleep through evidence-based behavioural strategies. With a deep commitment to making science practical, Matthew empowers parents and individuals to implement simple, effective changes that lead to lasting rest and wellbeing. His work blends behavioural science with compassion, making him a trusted guide for anyone seeking better sleep and healthier daily routines.

✨ After listening to this episode, you’ll know:

• How to set up the right sleep schedule so your child actually feels tired at bedtime.
• Why a predictable routine matters—and how to use visuals to cut down on nagging and power struggles.
• What environmental cues (light, sound, temperature) can make or break sleep success.
• How to create calming pre-bed activities that cue “wind down” instead of “rev up.”
• Simple ways to minimize those bedtime-stalling behaviors without guilt.

If you’ve been looking for Positive Parenting Strategies that truly help with Getting Kids to Listen, reduce tantrums, and support you in Raising Confident Kids, you’ll find this episode full of simple, sustainable answers to the nightly parenting challenges around bedtime.

Here are the resources by Matthew Wellington: https://sleepbehaviourally.com/resources/

✨Want more?

✨ Schedule a FREE 20 min clarity call with Sustainable Parenting, so we can answer any questions you may have. Together, we'll make a plan for your best next steps to have more calm & confidence in parenting - while having kids that listen!:)

✨NEW✨ pdfs and short video lessons on Respect, Bedtimes, Power Struggles and More: ON ETSY!

✨ Download the FREE pdf. on getting kids to listen, for strategies that take you out of the "gentle mom - monster mom" cycle, with effective positive parenting strategies.

✨ Sign up for an upcoming LIVE ONLINE workshop with Flora, or purchase a past replay: https://sustainableparenting.com/workshop where you get 30 min. of learning and 30 min. of LIVE Q & A time, with replays sent afterwards.

✨ Buy a 3 session Coaching Bundle (saving you $100) - for THREE 30-min sessions 1:1 with ME, where we get right to the heart of your challenges, and give you small, powerful shifts that make a huge difference f...

Ever felt that twinge of guilt when you consider taking time away from your family to pursue a hobby? You're not alone. As a mother of two and lifelong dancer, I recently found myself questioning whether my dance performances were worth the disrupted bedtimes and occasional complaints from my nine-year-old daughter. But what if those personal pursuits aren't selfish at all? What if they're actually essential to your BEST parenting, even?

In this episode, I flip the script and share three surprising reasons your passions aren’t selfish at all—they’re a gift to your kids. From modeling healthy fun, to showing them you’re a whole person, to teaching empathy, you’ll walk away ready to embrace your hobbies without guilt.

In a world that often equates good parenting with self-sacrifice, that might be the most valuable lesson of all. 

Ready to reclaim a hobby you've been putting off? 

Your children—and your future self—will thank you for it.

✨Want more?

✨ Schedule a FREE 20 min clarity call with Sustainable Parenting, so we can answer any questions you may have. Together, we'll make a plan for your best next steps to have more calm & confidence in parenting - while having kids that listen!:)

✨NEW✨ pdfs and short video lessons on Respect, Bedtimes, Power Struggles and More: ON ETSY!

✨ Download the FREE pdf. on getting kids to listen, for strategies that take you out of the "gentle mom - monster mom" cycle, with effective positive parenting strategies.

✨ Sign up for an upcoming LIVE ONLINE workshop with Flora, or purchase a past replay: https://sustainableparenting.com/workshop where you get 30 min. of learning and 30 min. of LIVE Q & A time, with replays sent afterwards.

✨ Buy a 3 session Coaching Bundle (saving you $100) - for THREE 30-min sessions 1:1 with ME, where we get right to the heart of your challenges, and give you small, powerful shifts that make a huge difference f...