• Why disliking play often isn't about the play itself, but about the messages you received growing up about productivity and your worth
• How comparing yourself to your partner (who seems to play effortlessly) can trigger shame that makes it even harder to be present with your child
• The connection between childhood grief and difficulty setting boundaries with your own children
• Three specific strategies to make Special Time more enjoyable: focusing on activities you actually like doing together, using playtime as mindfulness practice, and having problem-solving conversations about recurring challenges
• Why your child's challenging morning behaviors (like stealing your bookmark or throwing blankets over your head - as well as behaviors like resisting leaving the house, doing things you find annoying, hitting siblings, and resisting bedtime) are actually bids for connection
• How to structure an "ideal morning" conversation with your family that identifies everyone's needs and finds strategies to meet them
• Why boundaries should be your second-line tool, not your default approach
• How meeting your child's needs more consistently actually makes them more receptive to boundaries when you do need to set them

• Why emotional suppression techniques often backfire and create "emotional rebound" effects
• How to distinguish between Values-Aligned Anger (pointing to systemic problems) and Reactive Anger (signaling overwhelm or triggers)
• The HEAR method for responding to anger constructively while maintaining family connection
• Practical strategies for addressing the mental load and inequitable parenting responsibilities
• How to model healthy anger responses that teach children their emotions have value
• When to focus on systemic changes versus personal healing and self-care
• Why your anger about impossible parenting standards reflects legitimate concerns about family-unfriendly systems
• How to break the Anger-Guilt Cycle that keeps parents stuck in suppression and explosion patterns

• SYPM 017: Reparenting ourselves to create empathy in the world with Amy
• 178: How to heal your inner critic
• 193: You don't have to believe everything you think

• 056: Beyond “You’re OK!”: Modeling Emotion Regulation
• 082: Regulating emotions: What, When, & How
• 129: The physical reasons you yell at your kids

• 183: What I wish I'd known about parenting
• 154: Authoritative isn't the best parenting style

The Cut article: Petrow, J. (2023, March 22). Is gentle parenting effective? The Cut. https://www.thecut.com/2023/03/is-gentle-parenting-effective.html

New York Times article: Blinder, A. (2015, April 1). Atlanta educators convicted in school cheating scandal. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/02/us/verdict-reached-in-atlanta-school-testing-trial.html

• What is unschooling and how does it work?
• How is unschooling different from homeschooling?
• Can you homeschool while working full time?
• What are the pros and cons of homeschooling?
• How to get started with homeschooling?
• Is homeschooling better than traditional education?
• What are the advantages of homeschooling?
• What's wrong with the traditional education system?
• How do you handle judgment about homeschooling decisions?
• Do homeschooled children get into college?
• How do homeschooled children get socialization?
• What's the role of parents in unschooling?
• How do you balance work and alternative education as a family?
• What happens to children's natural curiosity in traditional school?

• Turn everyday moments into rich learning opportunities (just like Laura does with her daughter)
• Support your child's interests and curiosity without becoming the "teacher" parent
• Create a home environment that enhances rather than competes with whatever educational approach you choose

• What does interest-based learning look like in real family life?
• How can parents support learning without taking over their child's exploration?
• What is scaffolding in education and how do you do it effectively?
• How do you identify and follow your child's genuine interests?
• What are learning explorations and how do they differ from traditional teaching?
• How can working parents implement interest-led learning with limited time?
• What role should documentation play in supporting children's learning?
• How do you overcome perfectionism when supporting your child's education?
• What does "following the child" mean in practice?
• How can parents build their child's creative problem-solving skills?

• Identify your child's genuine interests (not just the random ones they announce when you ask: “What do you want to learn about?”);
• Scaffold their learning by asking the right questions instead of providing answers;
• Turn everyday moments into meaningful learning explorations;
• Document your child's discoveries without the overwhelm;
• Build their creative problem-solving and critical thinking skills;
• Support their learning even when they're in traditional school.

• Why the 8-12 age range creates optimal conditions for developing business skills without academic or social pressure
• How kid businesses naturally teach organization, time management, and systems thinking that parents struggle to instill through traditional methods
• Practical examples of how young entrepreneurs develop emotional regulation, boundary setting, and clear communication about their capacity and needs
• The "guide on the side" approach to supporting kids without taking over their learning process
• Safety protocols and systems that protect young business owners while building real-world confidence
• How to identify service-based business opportunities that match your child's interests and community needs
• The compound effect of early financial literacy, including retirement savings strategies for kid entrepreneurs
• Why neurodivergent children often thrive in business contexts where their differences become strengths rather than challenges
• The answers to common parental concerns about childhood, safety, education, and an excessive focus on money
• Real-world examples from a successful 10-year-old pet sitting business, including client interactions, problem-solving scenarios, and financial outcomes

The Learning Membership helps you become the "guide on the side" who follows your child's true interests and supports them in developing the crucial capabilities they will need.

We'll get you notified when doors reopen! Click the banner to learn more!

• Why the "hockey stick" graphs showing teen mental health decline might be misleading, and what factors like better screening and diagnostic changes actually explain
• The surprising truth about social media research - including why studies showing harm have major flaws and why effect sizes are incredibly small
• What the international data really shows about teen mental health across countries with similar smartphone adoption rates
• Why family relationships, not screen time, are the strongest predictor of teen wellbeing according to emergency room data
• How control-based approaches like phone bans create sneaking, secrecy, and damaged trust instead of healthier habits
• The real reasons teens turn to phones - and how to address underlying needs for autonomy, connection, and relevance
• Evidence-based strategies for supporting teen mental health that focus on connection over control
• Why different communities experience teen distress differently, and how this affects our understanding of social media's impact
• How to have technology conversations with your teen that build trust rather than create power struggles
• Practical approaches for creating compelling offline experiences and supporting your teen's individual needs