In this episode of The Guiding Parent Podcast, Tammy and Shannon explore the power of turning an automatic “no” into a thoughtful “yes, when” or “yes, after.” They discuss how this simple shift can reduce power struggles while still maintaining healthy boundaries.

Kids need opportunities to make choices, negotiate, develop independence, and work toward what they want—but they also need to learn that sometimes the answer really is no.

In today’s episode we look at why explaining the reason behind a limit matters, how children learn to handle disappointment, and why giving kids appropriate opportunities to say “no” themselves helps build autonomy, critical thinking, resilience, and the confidence to stand up for themselves.

Highlights:

Parents can hold the boundary while supporting children through the difficult emotions that follow.

• Turning “no” into “yes, when” or “yes, after.”
• Understanding why you’re saying no.
• Explain the reason behind boundaries.
• Children need both autonomy and the ability to handle disappointment.
• Children also need to learn how to say “no.”

About the Hosts:

In addition to being Mom to four kids in a blended family and a “Gammy,” Tammy Ulrich, MA has always been passionate about making a difference for children and families. For more than 40 years, it has been her life's work—as founder and administrator of a Montessori preschool for 24 years, a college instructor in Child & Family Studies, and now through The Guiding Mindset. Tammy helps parents truly see and understand the unique little human before them. Through practical principles and tools, she supports parents as they nurture and guide their child while navigating their parenting journey with greater confidence and ease.

Shannon Achilles is Tammy’s daughter and the original guinea pig for the Guiding Mindset. Shannon’s a working mom with an exciting job as a grant analyst and is a 20+ year military spouse. She is attempting to train for a sprint triathlon, loves reading and building LEGOs.

Shannon is parenting her own son with the Guiding Mindset framework. She is well versed in the challenges facing parents in our ever-changing world. Shannon is excited to share The Guiding Mindset with other parents and families so we can all add more ease and joy to the adventure that is parenthood.

Connect with Tammy & Shannon:

Website: www.theguidingmindset.com

Linktree (has links to everything): https://linktr.ee/TheGuidingMindset

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGuidingMindset/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theguidingmindset

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammy-ulrich-43604028/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgVeKtu-X37BwzRqSzaSTxg

Our gift for you: As parents it seems there is always a reason we need to say “No!” But saying “Yes” eliminates the need for kids to push back. It’s hard to argue with yes!

Claim your gift: https://theguidingmindset.com/power_of_yes__download-501714

The Guiding Parent Podcast is proud to be on the Inspired Speaker Network.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Don’t forget to follow, rate & review. It helps us reach more people who want to create positive change in the world, like you.

Check out More Shows from the Network at https://inspiredspeakernetwork.com

Back-to-school season is exciting but can also bring big emotions and big changes for both kids and parents. In this episode, Tammy and Shannon share practical ways to make the transitions smoother — from creating supportive routines and easing difficult drop-offs to navigating after-school schedules and encouraging independence.

Discover how empathy, connection, and realistic expectations can help your child build resilience, regulate their emotions, and transition into the new school year with excitement and confidence.

The Shift Beneath the Words:

• Managing Your Own Emotions First
• Supporting Big Feelings Through Change
• Creating Predictable Routines
• Making Drop-Offs & Goodbyes Easier

Giving Kids Time to Decompress After School

This episode of The Guiding Parent Podcast explores how families can make vacations and other changes in routine smoother, more enjoyable, and less stressful for both parents and children.

Drawing from their own family travel experiences, Tammy and Shannon discuss the importance of preparing children for what to expect, maintaining key routines, balancing everyone’s needs, and setting realistic expectations. They also explore how understanding a child’s developmental stage—and recognizing when they may be hungry, tired, overstimulated, or simply out of their normal rhythm—can help parents respond to challenging behavior with greater patience and empathy.

The Shift Beneath the Words:

• Prepare children for changes in routine
• Create an itinerary that works for the whole family
• Protect important routines and basic needs
• Keep expectations realistic

Waiting their turn, experiencing boredom, doing an activity chosen by someone else, and coping with disappointment all help children develop important life skills. One practical strategy discussed is the “Story of Tomorrow”—talking children through the next day at bedtime so they know what to expect and feel more prepared for what’s ahead.

About the Hosts:

In addition to being Mom to four kids in a blended family and a “Gammy,” Tammy Ulrich, MA has always been passionate about making a difference for children and families. For more than 40 years, it has been her life's work—as founder and administrator of a Montessori preschool for 24 years, a college instructor in Child & Family Studies, and now through The Guiding Mindset. Tammy helps parents truly see and understand the unique little human before them. Through practical principles and tools, she supports parents as they nurture and guide their child while navigating their parenting journey with greater confidence and ease.

Shannon Achilles is Tammy’s daughter and the original guinea pig for the Guiding Mindset. Shannon’s a working mom with an exciting job as a grant analyst and is a 20+ year military spouse. She is attempting to train for a sprint triathlon, loves reading and building LEGOs.

Shannon is parenting her own son with the Guiding Mindset framework. She is well versed in the challenges facing parents in our ever-changing world. Shannon is excited to share The Guiding Mindset with other parents and families so we can all add more ease and joy to the adventure that is parenthood.

Connect with Tammy & Shannon:

Website: www.theguidingmindset.com

Linktree (has links to everything): https://linktr.ee/TheGuidingMindset

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGuidingMindset/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theguidingmindset

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammy-ulrich-43604028/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgVeKtu-X37BwzRqSzaSTxg

Our gift for you: As parents it seems there is always a reason we need to say “No!” But saying “Yes” eliminates the need for kids to push back. It’s hard to argue with yes!

Claim your gift: https://theguidingmindset.com/power_of_yes__download-501714

The Guiding Parent Podcast is proud to be on the Inspired Speaker Network.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Don’t forget to follow, rate & review. It helps us reach more people who want to create positive change in the world, like you.

Check out More Shows from the Network at https://inspiredspeakernetwork.com

In this debut episode, Tammy and Shannon share the personal journeys that inspired the Guiding Parent Podcast. Discover how Tammy’s decades of experience in early childhood education, parenting, and real-life family experiences shaped the Guiding Mindset philosophy. From Tammy's passion for helping children reach their full potential to Shannon's perspective as both a daughter raised with these principles and as a parent applying them today, this episode introduces the heart behind the podcast and the mission to help families parent with greater ease, peace, and joy. Join them as they invite you into a supportive village where practical guidance meets real-life parenting.

The Shift Beneath the Words:

• The personal journey behind the Guiding Mindset
• Why Tammy and Shannon started the podcast together
• The philosophy of parenting with greater ease, peace, and joy
• Why today's parents need a different approach

Tammy discusses how many parents either repeat the way they were raised or swing to the opposite extreme. She argues that today's children need a new parenting mindset—one focused on understanding children's needs, building healthy relationships, and using practical, compassionate strategies rather than control or permissiveness.

The Guiding Parent Podcast is for parents who want to raise confident, resilient children through greater connection, calm, and intention. Hosted by mother-daughter duo Tammy and Shannon, each episode blends expert parenting insights with honest conversations about the everyday challenges families face. Together, they share practical tools and compassionate guidance to help you better understand your child, respond with confidence, and navigate parenting with more ease, peace, and joy. Because parenting isn't about being perfect—it's about embracing a mindset that helps both you and your child thrive.