Teaching our children how to effectively handle uncomfortable emotions – frustration, disappointment, etc – starts with talking to them about these emotions. But what do we do when our children refuse to talk about these feelings (their Yuck) with us? In this episode, you’ll learn why kids resist talking about their Yuck with their parents, Long Game strategies we can use to make it more likely that they’ll open up, and what to do if they absolutely refuse to have these conversations (so we don’t feel helpless!). 

Navigating mornings with children can be difficult for all parents -- but even more so when our children have big emotions. Dealing with irritability and procrastination can mean a stressful and negative start to everyone’s day. In this episode, you’ll learn why morning routines can be especially difficult for children with big emotions, what kids really need from their parents in the mornings, and two Long Game Parenting strategies that reduce family stress and build your child’s independence for long-term success.

It can be difficult to set boundaries effectively with children who have big emotions. Traditional parenting strategies like punishments or nagging don’t really work in the long run, and they tend not to feel good for us or our kids. In this episode, you’ll learn why common parenting strategies for setting limits often don’t work with kids with big emotions (you’re not imagining it!) and how to effectively set boundaries using a strategy that is completely in your control.

As school begins, life gets busier. And often we don’t have the time to do the things we “should” do – like letting our kids have their emotions so that they can act more responsible. Sometimes we just need them to get their shoes on, go to bed, get their homework done, etc. So what do we do in those situations? In this episode, you’ll learn how to handle emotions in a time crunch and what you can do to prevent these situations from happening to begin with.

Times of change can be difficult for children with big emotions. You may notice that during these times children are more irritable, more sad, or more demanding. But often our attempts to reassure them and help them through transitions aren’t effective. In this episode, you’ll learn the reason why transitions are hard for kids with big emotions, two simple Long Game strategies to support children through changes, and what you can do to foster long-term resilience.

So many of us spend a lot of energy trying to make our kids act and feel better. Even though it would seem that these are “long game” strategies because we’re hoping to create a better future for them, they’re actually “band aid parenting” strategies that ultimately exhaust us and negatively affect our relationship. In this episode, you’ll learn why we need to stop trying to “fix” our children, what we can do instead, and why this does NOT mean that they’ll become less responsible or more entitled.

Most of us disagree and argue with our spouse. It’s natural! But is it better for parents to argue behind closed doors so we don’t burden our children with our arguments? In this episode, you’ll learn why arguing with a spouse in front of children can be helpful, what factors need to be considered for healthy and productive arguments, and how the Long Game Method can help kids handle the discomfort that they may feel when parents (or other adults) argue.

Sometimes, even when our kids appear to be doing well, they still tell us about the negative things they’ve experienced – at a birthday party, the ice cream flavor was wrong; at a soccer game they won, the coach didn’t compliment them enough. It can be frustrating and worrisome when our kids always focus on things that don’t go well. Not only is it difficult to be around now, but we may also fear that if that’s how they view life, they will always be unhappy. In this episode, you’ll learn why people with big emotions tend to notice the negative first, what to do instead of forcing kids to see the “bright side,” and how the Long Game Method can help kids think more flexibly and see situations differently.

Let’s be honest -- raising a child with big emotions is not easy. (In fact, it can feel exhausting.) In this episode, you’ll learn one simple shift that will reduce the amount of energy you need when you’re addressing your child’s big emotions. This shift can also improve your relationship with your children and how they feel about themselves! 

If you are raising a child with big emotions, you know how upset they can get when things don’t go their way. Their lack of flexibility may impact many areas of our lives – from mealtimes to sibling interactions to vacations and other family activities. In this episode, you’ll learn why children with big emotions insist things go their way (it’s not just that they’re selfish!), what they need in order to be more flexible, and how the Long Game Method can help you work with your child’s brain instead of against it.