Author: Flora McCormick

When Kids talk back, we suggest you “Let them.” Here’s Why (and it’s backed by powerful research).

Goodbye gentle parenting, hello hybrid parenting. A shift is happening in 2026, and it is not about tossing everything out. It is more of a return to approaches that have worked for decades, now blended in a way that feels balanced and sustainable for families today.

Toddler hitting can be challenging, but understanding it is key. Often, when toddlers hit, bite, or grab, they are trying to communicate something important. It might be excitement, curiosity, or even frustration. For example, a child may hit a friend out of eagerness to play, not out of anger. When we look at it this way, we can respond with kindness instead of reacting with anger.

Holiday comes with the wish lists. For many families, those lists include technology like phones, watches, video games, and tablets.
I want to share this with you gently. These are some of the top things parents reach out to me about after the holidays. Families gift these devices with care and love, and then find themselves facing more tension, more arguments, and more power struggles than they expected.

Handling demanding behavior in kids can feel overwhelming for many parents. It’s not uncommon to find ourselves navigating a world where our kids seem to hold all the power or what I call, “tiny terrorists”.

If you’ve ever walked into a playdate hoping for five peaceful minutes — maybe a warm cup of coffee, maybe an actual adult conversation — only to hear a sudden scream or see your child hit, scratch, or grab… oh friend, I’ve been there too.

Why yelling works is a question many parents wonder about. If you’ve ever found yourself raising your voice just to get kids moving, you’re not alone. It can feel like yelling is the only way to get kids to listen.

Do you ever wish you could stop nagging kids about the same things day after day, like packing their lunch, grabbing their soccer gear, or finishing homework? It can seem like they won’t follow through unless you’re standing right there reminding them.

Parenting brings so many moments of joy, but it also brings days when things feel extra hard. Maybe your child is pushing limits, asking “why” over and over, or calmly saying they will not do what you asked. In those moments, it can feel like your patience is shrinking by the second. Many parents tell themselves they simply want more of it, but patience is not what creates real change.

If you have ever tried to calmly explain what went wrong while your child goofed off, tuned you out, or kept repeating the same behavior, you are not alone. Many parents share that they want more cooperation and less conflict, yet the conversations that feel important to us often fall flat. We say the words, we offer the logic, and nothing seems to land.