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.
Many parents wonder if asking kids to say sorry and thank you actually teaches respect or just creates tension. These small moments play a big role in shaping how children learn kindness, connection, and responsibility. Thank you can guide kids to notice and appreciate the good around them, while sorry can feel empty when forced.
Episode 63 | Sustainable Parenting | Flora McCormick, LCPC 0:04 – Stress Solutions for Parents8:43 – Ending Bedtime Battles and…
Power struggles can show up fast. One minute you are calmly trying to help your child brush their teeth, and the next minute you are juggling two battles at once: a resistant kid and a frustrated partner who jumps in with a firmer approach.