by smaclaughlin | Sep 3, 2021 | communication, discipline, emotional intelligence, family, handling meltdowns, positive parenting, problem-solving
You’re ready to get out and enjoy some time with your family. You make a plan, get organized, and prep everyone for your outing and then—there’s a stick thrown in the spokes. Maybe it’s a small thing you can manage quickly, like a poopy diaper or a shoe tying battle....
by smaclaughlin | Nov 18, 2020 | books, communication, parenting, what to say
My first book is short and sweet and didn’t make such a splashy entrance 10 years ago. But she sure has staying power. Still in print, selling like hotcakes, and making “best of” lists. I was delighted to recive an email the other day alerting me to...
by smaclaughlin | Nov 4, 2019 | communication, family, fatherhood, gender bias, marriage, motherhood, parenting
What is gatekeeping and what does it have to do with parenting? gate·keep·ingˈɡātˌkēpiNG/: 1. noun the activity of controlling, and usually limiting, general access to something. I first heard about gatekeeping from a mother for whom I worked as a nanny. She used the...
by smaclaughlin | Jun 28, 2018 | books, brain development, communication, cooperation, discipline, emotional intelligence, positive parenting, problem-solving
Three Simple Steps. Can it really be so easy? In a word: yes. First off, I LOVE that this book makes many positive assumptions about children: Your child is capable. She wants to listen and learn. He’s wired for empathy. She wants to help. He wants to feel like...
by smaclaughlin | Mar 12, 2018 | books, co-parenting, communication, marriage, positive parenting
Why is this so hard? Two people who are parenting together but don’t exactly see eye-to-eye is very common. Sometimes co-parenting relationships are strained, but even those who consider their partnerships really healthy can struggle (*raises hand*). We want to...
by smaclaughlin | Aug 7, 2017 | anger, communication, discipline, limits, mindfulness, my life, self-regulation
I’m thinking about rebranding my entire website and business to be entitled Kind AF. This makes sense as you may have seen we’ve quite embraced swearing at our house. I’m also itching for a vanity plate (ORDERED!) and a wrist tattoo (that will need to wait). And why...
