Paul S is the lead dad to his three daughters. What is that exactly, you ask? He’s the main parent that takes on most or all of  the daily responsibilities for the kids. He loves his role with his kids but finds that navigating the social dynamics within the mom community as a Dad is complicated. He finds it rather difficult to break through the “playground mom mafia”. He’s wondering what he can do to get lead moms to engage when it comes to birthday parties, playdates and chatting on the playground. Listen along for some strategies to encourage your partner to take on more lead responsibilities and why it’s okay and important to embrace lead dads in your mom community.

This week on The Parenting Mentor:

What exactly is a lead dad? Practicing transparency and openness around the topic of lead dads. Using humor to create bonds on the playground for both the lead moms and dads. Creating open and direct communication around this modern parenting style  The power of moms letting go of control and allowing space for a partner to take on more responsibilities.  “I think part of the challenge is that the mom has to genuinely give up control” -Sue Groner

Meet the Parenting Mentor

If you want to reduce the everyday stress and anxiety that inevitably come with parenting and learn to be a happier and more relaxed parent, then this is the place for you.

Here, you can listen in on real sessions with parents who open up about the specific challenges they face with children from 2 to 22. Listen along and gain perspectives and strategies to help you parent with sanity and joy.

Visit theparentingmentor.com for notes on this show, more episodes, and all the ways to subscribe, and don’t forget to pick up my book, Parenting with Sanity and Joy: 101 Simple Strategies, which includes my Nine Golden Rules of Parenting.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts!

Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart Radio I TuneIn I Google Podcasts

Jes L is a mother to two girls, 11 years old and a 15 months old. While her first daughter was fairly easy as a baby, Jes is finding the experience with her second daughter to be entirely different - she is intense and refuses to listen to the word “NO”. Jes and her husband have told her numerous times not to do things like stick her finger in the electric socket yet she is determined to defy them.

The word “no” is optional in Jes’s daughter’s eyes and she goes into tantrum - mode when she hears it too many times. She also loves to play on the edge by attempting to turn on the oven or open and close drawers (sometimes on her finger). Jes comes to us for the next steps on how to turn this around.

Today we talk about the word “no” and how we can actually switch out the word to something like “danger” or “pain”. We also talk about how you can help your child learn to do something in a safe way by practicing them together - like opening and closing a drawer. We talk about the importance of validating your child’s feelings, and expressing to them that you understand that hearing the word “no” is hard. It’s also about connecting with your child in a tone that makes them feel seen and heard.

This week on The Parenting Mentor:

Tangible tips and tools for dealing with your kid’s resistance to “NO”.  Tips for validating using a non-judgemental tone and communication and why this creates empathy and understanding. Changing up your language and practicing patience when approaching your child.  The power of allowing your kids to learn for themselves to an extent. Giving them a reminder of the consequence without having to constantly say “Don’t do that”.

Meet the Parenting Mentor

If you want to reduce the everyday stress and anxiety that inevitably come with parenting and learn to be a happier and more relaxed parent, then this is the place for you.

Here, you can listen in on real sessions with parents who open up about the specific challenges they face with children from 2 to 22. Listen along and gain perspectives and strategies to help you parent with sanity and joy.

Visit theparentingmentor.com for notes on this show, more episodes, and all the ways to subscribe, and don’t forget to pick up my book, Parenting with Sanity and Joy: 101 Simple Strategies, which includes my Nine Golden Rules of Parenting.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts!

Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart Radio I TuneIn I Google Podcasts

Tina V has two boys, 3 years old and 1 year old. She has been struggling with potty training her 3 year old who is resistant to the process. She has tried bribing him with toys and chocolate and although this worked for a bit, he eventually stopped responding to these offers.

Tina has even set up a special potty training box for him in the bathroom that includes pull ups, underwear, wipes and books to help him independently overcome this issue. However, none of this has worked. Tina turns to me for the answers on how to move past this as quickly as possible especially with the pressure from his school.

Today we talk about how to deal with your child not being ready to go to the potty. We talk about why it might actually be best to take everything away and accept that he’s just not ready. The truth is your child will eventually use the potty at some point, it’s just not now. My advice allows both parents and children to let go of stress, embrace trust and practice patience.

“Just say “I know someday you are going to use the potty and it will be fine but right now let’s stop worrying about it. When you are ready, you let me know. You are a great kid, don’t worry about this.” - Sue Groner

This week on The Parenting Mentor:

Tangible tips and tools for dealing with your child’s resistance to the potty. Tips for validating using a non-judgemental tone and communication and why this creates empathy and understanding. Practicing patience and acceptance when your child is not ready for something.  Dealing with schools and third parties that place demands on your child’s timeline.  Meet the Parenting Mentor

If you want to reduce the everyday stress and anxiety that inevitably come with parenting and learn to be a happier and more relaxed parent, then this is the place for you.

Here, you can listen in on real sessions with parents who open up about the specific challenges they face with children from 2 to 22. Listen along and gain perspectives and strategies to help you parent with sanity and joy.

Visit theparentingmentor.com for notes on this show, more episodes, and all the ways to subscribe, and don’t forget to pick up my book, Parenting with Sanity and Joy: 101 Simple Strategies, which includes my Nine Golden Rules of Parenting.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts!

Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart Radio I TuneIn I Google Podcasts