Bonus: Inviting Peace In Times of Stress

PHEW! It has been a week over here. What about for you? Over here in the US we are just coming down from the stress of the election and are entering into a holiday season that is unlike any other (plus it's my birthday on Sunday Checkout my BIRTHDAY SALE!) and it's been more than a little stressful, and that's what I want to talk to you about! How we can intentionally bring PEACE into stressful, overwhelming times.

The holiday season is a time for gift-giving, parties, and fun-filled activities that are meant to bring us feelings of happiness and love. But it can also be a stressful time for us (especially parents!) and a time when we often feel a lot of pressure to BE a certain way and to have it GO a certain way, and this can lead us to unconsciously slip away from our true intentions and goals for our family.

In this little mini episode I would like to share with you some really practical tips for how to go about inviting peace and calm in the stressful moments in your life. Now, this holiday season will have its unique stressors, especially with everything going on in the world right now. And this gives us even more reason to be intentional and mindful of the emotional environment that we are cultivating in our homes and within us.

​So, how do we do that? Here are four steps to invite peace in times of stress in your life:

• Get clear on goals, priorities and values. Sit down with yourself, in a quiet moment, maybe with a cup of tea, and write down the things that you want out of this time. Who do you want to be during this time? What are the deeper values related to this time in your life that you want to focus on? Now, take these goals, priorities, and values, and use them to set your intentions.

• Set an intention. This is a wonderful way to keep your priorities and values at the top of your mind. You can take a few minutes in the morning, when the house is quiet to state your intention for the day and come back to them at peak moments of stress.

• Reduce reactivity so that you are responding consciously and intentionally rather than simply reacting. This means taking really good care of yourself.

  • Nourish your body with healthy delicious foods and movement that serves you well.

  • Nourish your mind, with positive, gentle, and loving self- talk

  • Nourish your soul with activities or experiences that fill you up, rather than drain you.

• Model the peace and calm and joy that you’re so wanting to see. When you do this, you put out a feeling, a sense of joy and peace that is really attractive and is encouraging calm and peace to others.

For more notes on how to have a safe, healthy, and intentional holidays in a pandemic, listen to episode 32 of The Balanced Parent Podcast.

​Also be sure to check out my birthday sale! Each year I offer a discount on my services and programs during the "Black Friday" period. My Birthday Sale starts NOW (November 20th) and goes through Cyber Monday (Nov. 30th). This year I'm turning 37, so I'm giving you all 37% off of all of my courses! So, go check out the options, and be sure to use the coupon code "BIRTHDAY" at check out to get the discount.
​
​I also have FIVE "birthday sessions" available this year. Birthday sessions are 37 minutes of coaching for 37 bucks! Now, usually I have more of these available, but with the pandemic and my parenting load I'm just not able to offer more. So these are first come, first serve, and when they are gone they are gone! Normally 1:1 coaching is only available to folks who are in my BalancingU Membership, so if you've been wanting 1:1 support and you aren't already in BalancingU, this is one of the only ways to get on my schedule! So don't wait on this one! (If you want in on the membership, that's on sale right now too! Yay!)

​If you have questions about the Birthday Sale, don't hesitate to reach out! I always love hearing from you!

Episode 33: How to Help Your Partner When They Are Triggered

​Tell me if this has happened to you:

You're with your family and the kids start squabbling or acting out and you can see your partner's blood start to boil. You can tell they are getting triggered and that their thoughts are going down a path that will lead them to start parenting outside of your goals and values...

Have you been there?

Me too! And it can be so hard to know what to do in the moment when you aren't the one who is triggered! On the one hand you feel pulled to step in, to help out and take over from your partner... But on the other hand you don't want to undermine them in front of the kids, right?

​So what do you do??

​In this episode, I will be pulling back the curtain a bit and sharing with you (with my husband's permission!) an experience where he was triggered over some jealousy between our kids over a piece of cake and how we handled it respectfully, AS A TEAM, without anyone feeling undermined.

​Here are tips on how to be in sync with your partner when dealing with parenting triggers:

• Have regular conversations. Talk with your partner about your core values, priorities, and how you want to show up as parents to your kids.

• Get to know your triggers as well as your partner's. This will help you see when triggers are brewing and get in there sooner to give each other support.

• Get to know each other's thoughts. Getting clear on what you and your partner are thinking during a trigger can help both of you restructure your thoughts and get back on track.

• Make a plan together. Know what to do. Know how to intervene in your partner's parenting in a way that it wouldn't feel undermining to your partner.

• Stop leaving this to chance. Don't wait until the next time you're both triggered to take action.

• Process and reevaluate your plan after it happens. This will help both of you know whether or not your plan works. Restructure your plan if the need arises.

​Ok, so, what questions do you have about this! Hit COMMENTand let me know about your and your partner's triggers and any roadblocks you may have to put this into practice! Also, if this is helpful, share a screenshot of the episode on your social and tag me with your questions! This lets us build a community and support each other!

Episode 32: How to Have Safe, Healthy, & Intentional Holidays w/ Dear Pandemic

As you pack away your Halloween decorations and begin looking toward the start of the holiday season if you're anything like me you're already feeling the worry and overwhelm starting to bubble up. The holiday season during ANY year can be stressful for families, especially moms who carry so much of that load.

But this year is a whole other story.

This year we have a pandemic to worry about...

And perhaps you're feeling pulled in a lot of different directions: Pressure from relatives who want to keep holiday traditions, guilt that your kids are missing out on so much right now, and overwhelm that it all seems to be on you. That you have to think about how to alter things to make it fun, and magical, and memorable, while also keeping everyone you love healthy and safe.

It's a lot.

But what if, instead of being weighed down by this pressure and (I'll admit it: GRIEF) we used this unique moment in time as an OPPORTUNITY to strip away the holiday "clutter" and come home to your true INTENTIONS for the holidays. What if we use this time to get clear on what we really want out of the holidays, what MATTERS to us (and to our children), and craft a holiday season with traditions and rituals that support those true, deeper intentions.

​There are many ways for us to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year that are meaningful, magical, and FUN, without putting our health at risk.

​In this episode, I am honored to have two of the "nerdy girls" behind Dear Pandemic join me in discussing how to be intentional and SAFE while we celebrate this holiday season. Dear Pandemic's mission is to educate and empower individuals to successfully navigate the COVID -19 overwhelm. They provide credibly, curated, and timely information about the pandemic. I was so excited to sit down with them (over zoom!) to discuss how to have a safe AND wonderful holiday season.

​Here are important notes for you to apply in the upcoming holidays:

• Be clear- Dig down into what's really important to you and the people you celebrate with (INCLUDING YOUR KIDS). It's ok to let go of a tradition that isn't serving you any longer.

• Be creative - If there are traditions that are meaningful to you that you don't want to lose, get creative on how to keep them going in a COVID-friendly way.

• Be curious- If there is resistance or anger about the changes, seek to understand what's under those feelings. Usually, there is something softer.

• Be compassionate- This is new and strange and hard for all of us, a little bit of compassion for ourselves and others goes a long way!

​Keep yourself updated with science-based information on COVID-19 and visit their website dearpandemic.org. Tune in to their Dear Pandemic Podcast as well and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Episode 31: How Releasing Control Can Help Fully Step Into Your Power as a Parent with Hannah & Kelty of Upbringing

Do you ever hear your mom's voice come out of your mouth? I know I do!

As we evaluate our parenting, we realize that what we do is reminiscent of how our parents raised us. And this traditional way of raising our kids, lead us to control, yell, isolate, and punish our kids when they resist or when they feel big emotions. If we continue this path, our kids will eventually pick up what we teach them and bring this with them into adulthood.

​A couple of weeks ago, we talked about the "No Rules" Approach with Dr. Jacob Kashiwagi and learned how letting go of control can help our kids decide on their own what they want and who they want to be. And then last week I shared how releasing control around food and sweets has helped my kids develop more self-regulation with food.

​But in this episode, we are going to further learn how releasing control can help you fully step into your power as parents and how this can help our children grow more fully into the amazing human beings they already are.

​Join me as I sit down with two wonderful women of the Upbringing, Hannah and Kelty. They are twins, moms raising their kids and themselves together, and certified coaches of parents for sanity and social change movement. Their general goal is for parents to grow along with their children specifically elevating their discipline practices one conversation at a time. And that's exactly what we do in this conversation!

​Here's an overview of what you're going to learn:

• The daily struggle of kids' resistance, how hard it is to support, and why it's important to encourage it

• Why traditional discipline does not help - controlling kids' resistance through punishment teaches them to control others that way

• The need for resistance for our kids' development, our relationship, and our collective future!

If you want to know more, download Hannah and Kelty's resources through their website www.Upbringing.co​

​Check them out as on Instagram, Youtube, and Pinterest!

Did you lose control and yell at your kids? Get crystal clear on how to change your thoughts and feelings so that you can RESPOND to your child instead of reacting unconsciously from old scripts. Here’s a workbook that will help you stay calm in the future. GET IT HERE.

AND FINALLY, I'd love to invite you to join me in the Empower Your Parenting Summit! Parenting is HARD, parenting during a pandemic can feel impossible! If you are feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or frustrated, then I have some exciting news for you.

​Sarah Scheldt, has invited me to join her latest project, and I know you will love it!

​She has pulled together amazing parenting experts, doctors, authors, and educators to share our best tips, strategies, and ideas to help you succeed as a parent, a partner, and as a complete person.

​The best part, it’s all coming to you FREE in the Empower Your Parenting Summit from November 9-23rd. Here’s just a small sample of what you’ll learn during the summit sessions:

​● Specific Strategies to handle ANY Behavior (even the most challenging ones)

● Finding Joy in ALL areas of your life, because you DESERVE IT

● Reconnecting with you own PASSION while being a PARENT

● Instilling LIFELONG LEARNING through POSITIVITY and LOVE

● Creating CONNECTION and TRUST through COMMUNICATION

● Plus much, much more!

​Basically everything we are looking to do here at The Balanced Parent, right? If having a family legacy that you can be proud of is important to you, then this is a must-attend event. You have nothing to lose!

​==> Get your free ticket here! ​rebrand.ly/ParentingSeries​

​If you do have any questions or concerns at all about this episode, please don't hesitate to hit me a reply or shoot me a message on Instagram @laurafroyenphd.

Episode 30: Balancing the Emotional Needs of Children in Different Ages and Stages

If you're parenting children of different ages, I could imagine how difficult it must have been for you to balance each of their needs. Each age brings it's own challenges, so how do we support everyone in a way that is developmentally appropriate for each individual kids??

​So, how do you balance your children's emotional needs at various stages of life?

How do you help each of your children with their big feelings, without leaving anyone feeling left out or left behind?

​In this week's podcast episode, I am doing something new and I am really excited to welcome two wonderful beautiful conscious parents Nikki and Brian on to the podcast for a live coaching session. They have a lovely blended family of teenagers and a five-year-old. And they are struggling right now to balance the boundaries and emotional needs of all their kids.

​So, join me as I do an on-air coaching with Nikki and Brian.

​I teach them strategies for helping kids with their feelings at ANY age, and I know this will be so helpful for them!

You can also help them build their self-regulation through fun games they will love. DOWNLOAD THE GAME HERE.

Bonus: Balanced and Evidence Based Approach to Halloween Candy

So, how can our kids have a healthy and safe (but fun!) Halloween?

Even though Halloween in the time of Coronavirus is looking like it will be a little different, one thing that will be the same is the increased access to candy and sweet treats our kids have this time of year. If you've ever wondered how to take a balanced, healthy, and evidence- based approach to halloween candy (and treats year round!) then this episode is for you!

Whether or not you celebrate Halloween, we are entering into the holiday season where many families are being faced with more candy and sweet treats.  While I know how important it is to you that your kids have a healthy diet for their growing minds and bodies, we also want them to have a healthy RELATIONSHIP with food too, right? That's why it is important to have a balanced approach towards candies and sweet treats. I know from personal experience that if you don't have the right mindset towards food, it'll be difficult to control what you eat and how much you eat, and you can pass that on to your kids. This is even more important with young children who are still learning to regulate themselves and understanding the relationship between their bodies and food. 

In this episode, we're having a replay of a classic and much loved Halloween Candy episode. I'll be sharing with you how my family handles sweets, how we moved from a family with kids who were preoccupied with sweets to where kids feel really relaxed and easy-going around sweets and are able to listen to their bodies. 

Here are things you'll learn to have a balanced approach towards candies and sweet treats:

• Have a good balance. Food is just food and assigning a label towards food as either good or bad will create an environment of guilt and shame towards it.

• Have an abundance vs. scarcity mindset.

• Teach kids self-regulation without interference. They will naturally choose a varied and balanced diet. 

If you want to learn more about how to have a healthy and safe Halloween, follow Dear Pandemic on Facebook.

Here is a free printable sign for a safe Halloween from them: https://dearpandemic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/lawn_sign_2.pdf

For more info on how we as ADULTS can have a healthier relationship with halloween candy, check out the awesome info from the Balance365 Life podcast: https://www.balance365life.com/episode139/

Episode 29: The "No Rules" Approach to Parenting with Dr. Jacob Kashiwagi

Growing up you were likely told by your parents what to do, how to do things, how to behave, etc. And because of how you were brought up, you bring with you these learned values in parenting your children. And even though you are working toward embracing more relationship-focused, respectful approaches, you likely still have the tendency to control your kids' lives (I know I do!).

But what if you grew up in a house with no rules...

In this new podcast episode, I am joined by Dr. Jacob Kashiwagi who is an author of the No-Influence Leadership Theory. He believes that letting go of control, stepping back, and giving your kids the freedom to experiment on what they like to do and what they're capable of, will make them more confident and more responsible.

So, here is the overview of the principles you need to follow in LETTING GO OF CONTROL IN RAISING YOUR CHILDREN according to Dr. Kashiwagi:

• Individual-centered - Observe your child as an individual and follow their lead so that understand who your child truly is.

• Simplicity-structured - Kids need simplicity in their lives. If you need to tell them something or give them instructions, keep it short, sweet, and simple. Say less. Keep the environment simple and uncluttered.

• Action-focused - Let your kids learn by doing, and encourage them to take the next right action. Just do something different that will take them to the next step in their self-defined goals.

Connect with Dr. Jacob Kashiwagi on LinkedIn to know more about his work and check out his books HERE. You can download a free preview copy of his book “Understanding Teenagers and Encouraging Their Success” and other books of your choice.

If you are looking to find more balance in your lives and in your parenting, join me in conversations with my free Facebook Group: Balanced Parenting Community. See you there!

Episode 28: How to be Intentional in Dividing Parenting Roles with Stacy Spensley

The transition from being a couple to becoming new parents is overwhelming. You're SLEEP DEPRIVED, EXHAUSTED, AND ISOLATED. And it's even more challenging when you and your partner have misunderstandings about your roles as parents.

So, is there a way for you not to feel overwhelmed and isolated? Is there a way for you and your partner to find balance and know what your roles are?

In this episode, that is exactly Stacy Spensley and I will be talking about. It is a privilege for me to interview Stacy, who is a coach, a teacher, and Semi Crunchy Mama to 3 amazing kids. She's one of the persons that helped me overcome my challenges as I started my journey as a parent (even though we didn't really know each other! I was just a fan of her blog).

Join us as we discuss the strategies to be intentional in dividing your parenting roles. Here are a few tips that we will be talking about:

1) Be clear on what your true needs are. Your partner cannot expect to meet your needs if they don't know exactly what you need from them.

2) Communicate with your partner with clarity and compassion.

3) Consistently check-in and figure out what's working and what's not.​

If you want to know more about Stacy Spensley and how to be a Semi-Crunchy Mama, visit here website HERE. You can also follow her through her Facebook and Instagram.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE TRUE PARTNERS IN PARENTING?

Do you believe you and your partner need to be a "united front" for this parenting thing to work, but you don't know how to get there? I AM HERE TO HELP YOU GET CLEAR, CONNECTED, AND ALIGNED WITH YOUR PARTNER.

Episode 27: How to Truly Feel your Feelings to Access Healing, Resilience, and True Happiness with Dr. Jen Riday

You know, a lot of us FEEL VERY UNCOMFORTABLE when big feelings come up. Feelings such as FEAR, ANXIETY, SADNESS, FRUSTRATION, and any other negative emotions can easily make us freak out and panic. They are uncomfortable and trigger unwanted thoughts such as "I can't handle this" or "this is horrible, I need to push it down" linger on our minds which makes us even more anxious. And the more you try to numb your negative feelings, the more it backfires. It's this vicious cycle.

Dr. Jen Riday who is a mom of 6 with a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies and host of the Vibrant Happy Women Podcast and she gives you ALL THE TOOLS to help you regulate those emotions and move from panic and despair to vibrancy & joy.

So, in this episode, I am thrilled to have discussed with her these tools that you can add to your toolbox and access HEALING, RESILIENCE, AND TRUE HAPPINESS. Here is an overview of what you are going to learn:

1) FEEL IT TO HEAL IT METHOD - You need to face any negative situation and the emotions that come with it. Learn to actually embrace and regulate your feelings, and when you do, your emotional wounds will be healed and you'll be a lot stronger.

2) BE HER Morning Ritual - Breathe, Exercise, Hydrate, Embody, and Read (Be sure to listen to learn more!)

To know more about Dr. Riday and what she does, visit her website and follow her on Instagram and Facebook.

Soothe yourself when you are triggered so you can parent consciously and intentionally. Practice SELF COMPASSION MEDITATION BY DOWNLOADING THIS AUDIO.

And if you LOVE this conversation, be sure to check out her upcoming, all-inclusive retreat! I'm going, and while I'll be teaching a session on Respectful Parenting, I'll also be participating and learning. I'd love to do that alongside you and get to meet you in person, in a safe, socially distanced way! MORE INFO HERE.

Episode 26: How to Use Mindfulness in Your Parenting with Megan Harris

You know, just like us parents, our kids have big feelings when they are stressed. Just like us they feel overwhelmed, angry, sad; the full range of human emotions. But unlike us, their brains aren't fully developed and they have less experience regulating those emotions, which leads to big displays of feelings, like tantrums and meltdowns that can leave parents feeling confused and overwhelmed.

So, the question is, how can we help our kids learn more about their feelings and how to regulate them, while at the same time regulating ourselves? This is where mindful awareness of our emotions and states come in. It not only helps us be better-regulated parents, who can take a breath, soothe, and then RESPOND rather than REACT to our kids, but we are also modeling really powerful skills for our kids. And we teach them that their feelings are valid, that it's okay to not be okay sometimes, and that they are never alone with their big feelings; they have a partner.

In this episode, I am excited to discuss MINDFULNESS IN YOUR PARENTING with Megan Harris. She's a wonderful mom who aims to empower us to parent through thoughtful instruction, natural consequences, and emotional connection. Here is an overview of our wonderful talk:

1. How to teach mindfulness to your child

• My freebie Build Self-Regulation through Play can help your kids self-regulate their emotions through fun activities they will love! DOWNLOAD IT HERE.

2. Why is mindfulness useful for your child

3. How can parents benefit from practicing mindfulness

Episode 25: After A Fight - How to Repair and Reconnect

We've all been there. What starts out as a simple disagreement gets away from us. We get angry or triggered, we say things we don't mean. And now we feel misunderstood and disconnected. It's so hard in that moment to know what to do to bridge that gap, to make up, to reconnect. But it is SO IMPORTANT that you do.

Because fights and arguments are inevitable. No matter what you do, there will be instances where you and your partner disagree because you're human and that's part of being in a long-term relationship with someone! In fact, research tells us that successful couples and couples that break up have the same amount of disagreements, on average, but the WAY successful couples disagree is different. And one thing that successful couples consistently do is repair and reconnect after a disagreement.

So in this episode, join me as I share the strategies to repair and reconnect with your partner after you've had a fight.

Here’s an overview of what I will be talking about:

1. How to nurture resilient relationships:

• Preventive Maintenance - If the relationship is important to you, then you have to invest in filling your emotional bank account with positivity. So that when things get hard, you have a positive relationship to fall back on.

  • My relationship building game: Random Acts of Connection is a great way to do that! DOWNLOAD IT HERE.

• Take a break - Recognize that your body needs it and accept it. During these breaks, calm and soothe your nervous system.

• Apologize - I'll teach you how to apologize the "right" way!

2. How to reconnect after a fight:

• Talk to your partner and determine the best way for you to reconnect

• Know your partner’s love language

• Reaffirm your commitment with one another

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE TRUE PARTNERS IN PARENTING?

Do you still find yourself having the same disagreements over and over, without actually resolving anything? Let me help you GAIN CLARITY, UNDERSTANDING, AND START COMMUNICATING with your partner through my course PARTNERS IN PARENTING.

​​LEARN MORE HERE!​

​The course starts on October 1st, and since this is the first time I've offered the course you can get in now at a great price.

Episode 24: Liberated Living - Decolonizing Parenting and Education

School is different this year. It just is. For many of us it may seem that we have very little say in the matter, and very little support as we try to figure this all out. But what if we flipped that script?

​What if we saw the opportunity in this unique moment in time. What if we used this school year to make more conscious and informed decisions when it comes to our children's education? What if we used this as a catalyst to look more closely at a system that isn't just broken and failing, but was actually built to be that way? What if we embraced this moment in history as an opportunity to re-think how and what children should learn?
​
When my guest this week on the podcast, Chemay Morales-James, who is a social liberation education activist, became a parent and looked the educational resources available to her family, she didn't see her child in any of the materials. She wanted them to grow up seeing themselves and knowing that their histories, perspectives, and futures matter. Out of this, My Reflection Matters was born. She writes more about why we should really think hard about going back to schooling as usual, when we can choose freedom instead here, and she raises a lot of great points.
​
As an avid fan of her work for years, I was THRILLED when she agreed to come and chat with us. In this episode, join us as we discuss decolonizing parenting and education and what it takes to raise a truly liberated child. Chemay shares her ample experience as an educational equity consultant and tells us about her new parent-support resource: My Reflection Matters Village, which is still enrolling. The mission of the village is to create a co-learning space where the power of education is placed back in the hands of families and gives families the opportunity and guidance they need to "opt-out" of an educational system built on control and oppression.

​More info here: https://my-reflection-matters.mn.co/​

​I'm so excited to share this episode with you. The resources and materials that My Reflection Matters provide have been helpful for me over the years as I have tried to supplement my child's public education and encouraged her teachers to be more inclusive and culturally aware. I hope you at the very least go and follow them on Facebook!

DOWNLOAD THE THREE R’s WORKBOOK HERE to create rhythms, rituals, and routines that will keep you grounded in your values as you deal with the new mode of education during the pandemic.

Episode 23: The Path to Dynamic Joy with Dr. Lynyetta Willis

In this episode, join me as I sit down with Dr. Lynyetta Willis, a psychologist, and a family coach. We will talk about how you can bring harmony and joy to your family, parenting, and relationships. Ultimately, preventing yourself from falling into a pit of stable misery.

She will be sharing with you the roadmap to joy through P.A.T.H.S:

• Perspective - Be mindful of the stories you tell yourself and evaluate it if it is true or helpful to you

• Awareness - Be aware of your emotions and how people respond to you. And learn from it.

• Tools - Know the tools that are helpful to you in dealing with your stresses such as taking deep breaths or reading books

• Heal - Help each other in your family to come up with solutions for them to heal what needs to be healed

• Self-empowerment - Figure out ways and find out where can you find power in uncontrolled situations.

To get a copy of the Release Stable Misery Roadmap workbook, download it here:

www.healingstablemisery.com

Follow her on her website and social media accounts:

Website: www.drlwillis.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/drlwillis

Facebook: www.facebook.com/DrLWillis

If you want to bring more connection, ease, and joy to your daily life, DOWNLOAD THE THREE R’S WORKBOOK (A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Rhythms, Routines, and Rituals) HERE:

https://laurafroyen.mykajabi.com/pl/153682

Bonus Episode! After School Meltdowns

Back to school is ALWAYS hard on kids and parents. The transitions, change, new expectations, all make this time taxing on little one's growing brains and bodies. And you can expect this to be even more intense this year. I'm hearing from parents from all over the world, in all different learning settings, that this time is really challenging.

I'm here to help! In this "Back to School" Edition of the podcast we will explore WHY after school meltdowns happen and HOW to help our kiddos (and ourselves).

Don't forget to share the show on Instagram and tag me @laurafroyenphd! 

Here is an overview of what I will be talking about:

1. Causes of your child's after school meltdowns:

• It is developmental. Your kids, no matter how old, may have a hard time regulating themselves at school or attending virtual classes. And it takes a lot of regulation and executive functioning to stay quiet and stay seated, to focus on screens so long AND navigate new social interactions and norms. It is EXAUSTING for their sweet little brains and bodies.

• You are a safe place for them. You are the person that they know who will love them even if they act unlovable. And so they unload on you and show you all the sides of themselves they've been pushing down all day.

2. Three things to do when meltdowns happen:

• Shift your mindset - These meltdowns are not personal but they're developmental. Allow your kids to have these meltdowns because it can be very healthy and healing for them. They NEED it and they need YOU to help them co-regulate.

• Figure out how to restock their self-regulation stores. Do they need a snack and water? Do they need a giggle fest or a wrestling match? Do they need a big cry or a warm bath?

• Hold space for their big feelings. Just accept them and love them.

Ok, so now it's your turn to tell me: How has the start of the school year gone for you?
​
​And if this episode helps you, please do a screen-grab video of your favorite bit and share it on Instagram and tag me.

Parents everywhere need to know they aren't alone in experiencing these after school meltdowns and they NEED these strategies! Sharing really helps get the word out!

And, if you're interested in helping your kids develop more self regulation, check out this new freebie I made for you! It has my absolute favorite games for helping kids build impulse control and executive functioning. These things are like muscles and the more we practice them the easier they get, leaving kids better equipped to handle the stress and demands of school.
​
​Grab your copy here!

Episode 22: Understanding How Technology Affects the Brain

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Shimi Kang, who is an award-winning, Harvard-trained doctor, and author of the book The Tech Solution. With the changes brought by the pandemic, we revert to the use of technology to fill in our daily normal routine. This mindless use of technology can lead to health consequences. So, Dr. Kang will share with us how technology will affect the brain and the ways on how to manage our children’s tech consumption.

Here’s an overview of what we will be talking about:

• The Kinds of Tech

• The 3 C’s of Healthy Tech Use

• How-to Guide Your Children towards Healthy Tech Use

You can find all of her website and social media here:

Website: https://www.drshimikang.com/

Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/drshimikang/

https://www.facebook.com/drshimikang

https://twitter.com/drshimikang

DOWNLOAD THIS WEEK’S BALANCED BITE!

This balanced bite will give you ways on how to have a healthy approach towards the use of technology.

Episode 21: Why the Pandemic is so Hard on Kids in the 3-5 Range, and How to Help Them

The pandemic had brought so many changes in society. It affected the way we live and how we socially interact with others. For kids in the 3-5 age range who are still developing social skills, this situation is quite discouraging for them, leading them to act out. 

So in this episode, I will be discussing the following key developmental reasons why your children in this age range are struggling with the changes we are experiencing right now:

• Reliance on parents for self-regulation

• Difficulty deriving a sense of security and stability

• Missing their friends

• Means of Communication

• The difficulty of making meanings

DOWNLOAD THIS WEEK’S BALANCED BITE!

This balanced bite teaches you ways to help your kids in the 3-5 age range in coping up with social isolation due to the pandemic.

Episode 20: How to Manage Differences Between You and Your Partner When it Comes to Parenting

When you've already been in a conflicting conversation with your partner, there's an environment of criticism, blame, and defensiveness. In this episode, I talk about how to manage parenting differences between you and your partner.

Here's an overview of what I'll be discussing in this episode:

• Start having more positive conversations around parenting.

• Really working hard on your personal delivery when you're asking or requesting change.

• Focus on modeling what you want to see.

I am also sharing my free Partners in Parenting workbook which you can download here:

• GET THE PARTNERS IN PARENTING WORKBOOK HERE

And, if you’re ready to take the next step and get real support in finally feeling like you and your partner are a team, I’d love to invite you to check out my new course:

Partners in Parenting

If you do have any questions or concerns at all about this episode, please don't hesitate to shoot me a message on instagram @laurafroyenphd. For shownotes and more episodes checkout www.laurafroyen.com/podcast

Episode 19: Your Health Matters

In this episode, I welcome you my new guest Alison Coombs, a personal trainer and a Pelvic Health Specialist. We discuss about how to stay balanced when you feel grounded.

You'll also learn the importance of having a community that supports you. And understand that we don’t have to get to that rock bottom in order for us to realize that our health matters. 

DOWNLOAD THIS WEEK’S BALANCED BITE!

You can find links to all of Alison’s social media account, website, and upcoming free class below:

Website:

www.alisoncoombs.com

Social Media:

IG- www.instagram.com/alisonvcoombs

Sign up for Alison’s free class HERE!

Bonus Episode! 10 Lessons from 10 Years of Marriage

Did you know that marital satisfaction plummets after you have your first child and it doesn't start to recover after that child is 3 years old? In this bonus episode, I share 10 lessons from 10 years of marriage. Enjoy and let me know if you have questions!

Episode 18: How to move from Reactivity to Responsiveness

In this episode, I sit down with Mariela Ortiz, a wellness coach for moms and their kids. We discuss the process of moving from being reactive to being responsive as a parent, what to do when you’re triggered, and some more tips on how to respond from your deeper goals and intentions for your child and for your relationship with them.

DOWNLOAD THIS WEEK’S BALANCED BITE

You can find links to all of Mariela's social media accounts, website, and upcoming summit below:

Website:

www.marielaortiz.com

Social media:

IG- @marielaortiz.wellness

Facebook- marielaortiz.wellness

Sign up for Mariela’s summit HERE!