the Confident Parent

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How to Talk about the Tough Stuff

Jul 8, 2025

36:05

In today’s episode, we dive into a tough—but crucial—topic: how to talk to our kids about the difficult things happening in the world. From rising antisemitism to unsettling headlines, our children are absorbing more than we realize—and they’re looking to us for guidance, safety, and perspective.Join me as we explore:💬 Why silence doesn’t protect our kids—but thoughtful conversation can🧒 Age-appropriate ways to open up the conversation👂 Practical scripts for when you don’t know what to say🙏 How to help your child feel safe, empowered, and proud to be JewishYou’ll walk away with:Confidence to approach these conversations with clarity and calmTools to strengthen your child emotionally and spirituallyAnd a renewed understanding of the power of being a guiding voice in your child’s lifeWhether your child is asking tough questions—or you’re wondering when and how to start the conversation—this episode is for you.🎧 Listen now and let’s walk this journey together.

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22. Going to Bat – Showing Our Kids They Are Our Priority

Feb 12, 2025

14:20

As parents, we want our kids to know they are deeply loved, valued, and supported. But how do we show them—through our actions, words, and daily choices—that they are our priority? In this episode, we dive into what it means to truly "go to bat" for our kids, whether it's advocating for them at school, standing up for their needs, or simply being present in their everyday lives.No matter what stage of parenting you're in, this episode will encourage you to take small, meaningful steps to make sure your kids know they matter—always.Let’s keep the conversation going! Share your thoughts and experiences on Instagram @itsgilaross or email us at [email protected]

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2 Truths & a Lie: Parenting Complex Kids with Dr Ilyssa Bass

Jan 30, 2025

34:40

Check out my book, Living Beautifully! https://amzn.to/49zrC6z -- Dr Ilyssa Bass is passionate about helping parents connect to their most difficult children. After training as a clinical psychologist at the University of California, Santa Barbara and studying developmental psychology at Stanford University she thought she was super-prepared to be a mommy. But really, her kids taught her things academia never could have. In this episode packed full of wisdom and insights she talks us through 3 popular ideas about parenting complex kids and tells us which one is a lie. Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences! How do you teach values to your children in a positive way? Share your stories with us on Instagram @itsgilaross or send us an email at [email protected]. Subscribe and Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and subscribe. Your feedback helps us reach more parents like you who are striving to raise confident, values-driven kids. Let’s navigate the parenting journey together—one teachable moment at a time! Let me know if you'd like to expand on any section!

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2 Truths & a Lie: Navigating Bullying & Our Kids Mental health

Jan 19, 2025

22:08

Check out my book, Living Beautifully! https://amzn.to/49zrC6z -- After a fabulous first episode, Chavie Bruk is back with some more wisdom about how to help our kids navigate difficult social situations and their mental health. Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences! How do you teach values to your children in a positive way? Share your stories with us on Instagram @itsgilaross or send us an email at [email protected]. Subscribe and Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and subscribe. Your feedback helps us reach more parents like you who are striving to raise confident, values-driven kids. Let’s navigate the parenting journey together—one teachable moment at a time! Let me know if you'd like to expand on any section!

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21. Teaching Values Positively - Without Telling Off

Jan 6, 2025

15:15

Check out my book, Living Beautifully! https://amzn.to/49zrC6z -- In this insightful episode, we explore the delicate art of instilling values in our children while maintaining a positive and encouraging environment. Parenting is full of teachable moments, but how do we guide our kids toward making good choices without constantly correcting or scolding them when they misstep? We share practical strategies and inspiring insights to help parents model and teach values effectively, fostering a deeper connection and mutual respect within the family. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The importance of modeling the values you want your kids to learn. Positive reinforcement techniques that encourage good behavior. Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences! How do you teach values to your children in a positive way? Share your stories with us on Instagram @itsgilaross or send us an email at [email protected]. Subscribe and Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and subscribe. Your feedback helps us reach more parents like you who are striving to raise confident, values-driven kids. Let’s navigate the parenting journey together—one teachable moment at a time! Let me know if you'd like to expand on any section!

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20. Empathy: Real-Life Strategies to Connect with Your Kids

Jan 1, 2025

11:15

Check out my book, Living Beautifully! https://amzn.to/49zrC6z Parenting with empathy is more than just understanding—it’s about connecting with your child on a deeper level, even during challenging moments. In this episode, we explore how to practice empathy in the real world and share practical exercises to help you build stronger, more compassionate relationships with your kids. Join us as we discuss: What empathy in parenting really means and why it’s so essential. How to see the world through your child’s eyes, even when their behavior is frustrating. Practical exercises to enhance your empathetic responses in everyday situations. Practical Exercises: Pause and Reflect: When your child is upset, pause before reacting. Ask yourself, “What might they be feeling right now?” Empathy Role-Play: Practice imagining yourself in your child’s shoes. Consider their perspective based on their age, personality, and experiences. Reflection Questions: Are there moments where you could pause and approach the situation with more empathy? How can modeling empathy improve your relationship with your child? Connect With Us: Follow us on Instagram @itsgilaross for more parenting tools and insights. Share your experiences or favorite empathy-building strategies at [email protected] Empathy isn’t just a skill—it’s a gift we can give to our children to help them thrive emotionally and build strong connections with others. Tune in and discover how to bring more empathy into your parenting journey!

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19. 3 Elements of Effective Listening

Dec 23, 2024

17:47

Check out my book, Living Beautifully! https://amzn.to/49zrC6z Listening is one of the most powerful tools in parenting—but it’s often easier said than done. In this episode of The Confident Parent Podcast, we break down the three essential elements of effective listening and explore how mastering this skill can transform your connection with your kids. Reflection Questions: Do you give your full attention when your child talks to you? How do you react when your child shares difficult emotions? Are there ways you can model good listening skills in your daily interactions? Actionable Tips: Be Present: Put away your phone, make eye contact, and use body language that shows you’re engaged. Use Reflective Listening: Repeat back what your child says in your own words to confirm understanding. Pause Before Responding: Resist the urge to interrupt or jump in with advice; sometimes silence is the best tool. Connect With Us: Follow us on Instagram: @itsgilaross for parenting tips and episode updates. Share your feedback or stories about using incentives by emailing [email protected] Listening is a skill that builds connection and confidence—for both you and your child. Tune in to learn how to make this powerful tool a part of your parenting approach!

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18. Incentives: Motivating Kids the Right Way

Dec 17, 2024

15:31

Check out my book, Living Beautifully! https://amzn.to/49zrC6z Should parents use incentives to motivate their kids? And if so, what kind of incentives work best, and when are they appropriate? In this episode, we dive into the often-debated topic of incentives in parenting. We explore the balance between fostering intrinsic motivation and using external rewards to encourage good behavior or achieve goals. Join us as we unpack: The pros and cons of using incentives. Different types of incentives—material rewards, experiences, praise, and privileges. Guidelines for using incentives to empower kids rather than create dependency. Reflection Question: How can you connect the use of incentives to your family’s values and goals? Connect With Us: Follow us on Instagram: @itsgilaross for parenting tips and episode updates. Share your feedback or stories about using incentives by emailing [email protected] Using incentives is not just about getting kids to comply—it’s about helping them grow into motivated, self-driven individuals. Tune in to this episode for practical insights and strategies to make incentives a meaningful part of your parenting toolkit!

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Empowering Kids with ADHD: Advocacy, Support, and Growth

Dec 10, 2024

35:02

Parenting a child with ADHD can be both challenging and rewarding. In this episode, we tackle the essential tools and strategies for supporting kids with ADHD while becoming their strongest advocate. From navigating school systems to fostering self-confidence, we dive deep into what it means to empower our children to thrive. Take Action: Share your questions or ADHD parenting tips with us on Instagram or at [email protected] Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review—it helps us reach more families like yours! Know a parent who could use this advice? Forward this episode their way. Together, we can help our kids shine bright and embrace their unique brilliance! 🌟

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17. Incentives and Consequences: Striking the Right Balance in Parenting

Dec 2, 2024

14:21

This episode explores the nuanced and often debated topic of using incentives and consequences in parenting. Are incentives motivating or counterproductive? Do consequences teach accountability or lead to resentment? Join us as we delve into the psychology behind these strategies, examine their impact on child development, and share practical tips for fostering a positive and supportive parenting environment. Key takeaways: 1. Understanding Incentives and Consequences: Definition and examples of incentives (e.g., praise, privileges) and consequences (e.g., loss of screen time, natural outcomes). The role of reinforcement and accountability in shaping behavior. Call to Action: We’d love to hear your take! How do you use incentives and consequences in your parenting style? Share your stories and insights with us on social media or via email [email protected]. Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with fellow parents who are navigating these strategies!

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On Adoption, Shame & Advocating for Your Child with Chavie Bruk

Nov 20, 2024

32:14

Get my almost sold-out book, Living Beautifully! https://amzn.to/49zrC6z Chavie Bruk adopted 5 kids and talks to us about her story of building a diverse family and shares so much of her wisdom with us! We discuss using our intention in raising our kids, how to share from a healthy place, and how to advocate for our kids. It's a must listen to!! Chavie describes herself as a juggler: leading a Jewish community with her sushi loving husband, caring for her five rambunctious kids (who are adopted), and living in the Wild West of Montana, where it’s ALWAYS winter (or so it feels). It’s an art to be juggler, to live our fullest potential and still have very real lives. Not the perfect, glossy, manicured ones we so often encounter. Subscribe and Share: If you found this episode helpful, subscribe to our podcast for more on parenting, child development, and family well-being. Share it with other parents who may be navigating similar challenges – we’re all in this together!

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16. Managing Tantrums & Resistance

Nov 11, 2024

12:08

Get my almost sold-out book, Living Beautifully! https://amzn.to/49zrC6z In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most common reasons behind tantrums: the need for control. Young children are naturally driven to test boundaries and assert independence, often leading to intense outbursts when things don’t go their way. As parents, knowing how to handle these situations with calmness and clarity can make all the difference. Subscribe and Share: If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our podcast for more insights on parenting and building positive relationships with our kids. Share with friends or family who might find these tips helpful, too!

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15. Tantrums & Overwhelm

Nov 5, 2024

15:44

In this episode, we dive into the emotional world of children and discuss what’s behind those overwhelming tantrums. Tantrums are a normal part of childhood but can often leave parents feeling confused or helpless. We explore the reasons why kids experience intense emotions, especially when they’re feeling overwhelmed or overstimulated, and how we as parents and caregivers can best respond in these moments. Through expert insights and practical tips, we unpack the developmental reasons for tantrums and offer tools to help your child regulate their emotions, express themselves more effectively, and feel understood. By learning to navigate these challenging situations with empathy and patience, we can foster a calmer, more supportive environment that helps kids feel safe and loved. While tantrums can be exhausting, they’re also opportunities to help your child learn essential life skills in emotional regulation and self-awareness. With the right support and consistency, kids can feel empowered and calm through even the most challenging emotions. Subscribe and Share: If you found this episode helpful, subscribe to our podcast for more on parenting, child development, and family well-being. Share it with other parents who may be navigating similar challenges – we’re all in this together!

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14. Resolving Sibling Conflicts

Oct 29, 2024

15:11

Check out my book, Living Beautifully! https://amzn.to/49zrC6z Sibling rivalry is something every parent encounters at some point. Whether it’s fights over toys, attention, or who gets to sit in the front seat, conflict between siblings can be frustrating and draining for both parents and children. In this episode, we’ll explore two more powerful tools to help you manage sibling rivalry more effectively. These strategies focus on fostering cooperation, reducing jealousy, and helping siblings build healthy, lasting relationships. -- If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and share it with other parents who might benefit from these tips on dealing with misbehavior in a calm and consistent way! -- To send a question or topic you'd like covered, email [email protected] Sponsored for the merit of the soul of Yoseph Alter, a"h, Ben Yitzchak (יוםף אלטר בן יצחק )

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13. 2 Tools for Sibling Rivalry

Oct 16, 2024

16:56

Check out my book, Living Beautifully! https://amzn.to/49zrC6z Sibling rivalry is something every parent encounters at some point. Whether it’s fights over toys, attention, or who gets to sit in the front seat, conflict between siblings can be frustrating and draining for both parents and children. In this episode, we’ll explore two powerful tools to help you manage sibling rivalry more effectively. These strategies focus on fostering cooperation, reducing jealousy, and helping siblings build healthy, lasting relationships. -- If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and share it with other parents who might benefit from these tips on dealing with misbehavior in a calm and consistent way! -- To send a question or topic you'd like covered, email [email protected] Sponsored for the merit of the soul of Yoseph Alter, a"h, Ben Yitzchak (יוםף אלטר בן יצחק )

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12. Practical Examples of Effective Discipline

Oct 10, 2024

17:50

Hear from some other parents about how they implemented this effective discipline strategy plus a review of the 3 stands we need to take as parents. Every child will have moments of misbehavior, but with the right approach, we can guide them in ways that foster growth and learning. By responding calmly, remaining consistent with our rules, and using effective discipline strategies, we teach our children valuable life skills—while also maintaining harmony in the home. -- If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and share it with other parents who might benefit from these tips on dealing with misbehavior in a calm and consistent way! -- Check out my book, Living Beautifully! https://amzn.to/49zrC6z To send a question or topic you'd like covered, email [email protected] Sponsored for the merit of the soul of Yoseph Alter, a"h, Ben Yitzchak (יוםף אלטר בן יצחק )

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11. When Kids Cross the Line: Correcting Compassionately

Sep 22, 2024

20:00

In this episode, we explore how to handle our children's misbehavior in ways that are calm, consistent, and effective. Missteps and minor misbehaviors are a natural part of growing up, but how we respond as parents can shape a child's ability to learn from their mistakes. We’ll discuss a practical strategy to guide children toward better behavior while maintaining a peaceful and structured approach. Every child will have moments of misbehavior, but with the right approach, we can guide them in ways that foster growth and learning. By responding calmly, remaining consistent with our rules, and using effective discipline strategies, we teach our children valuable life skills—while also maintaining harmony in the home. -- If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and share it with other parents who might benefit from these tips on dealing with misbehavior in a calm and consistent way! -- Check out my book, Living Beautifully! https://amzn.to/49zrC6z To send a question or topic you'd like covered, email [email protected] Sponsored for the merit of the soul of Yoseph Alter, a"h, Ben Yitzchak (יוםף אלטר בן יצחק )

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10. Positive Limit Setting

Sep 9, 2024

16:28

The big one!! How do we set limits with our children in a positive way? How do we enforce those limits? Listen to this episode to find out! -- Check out my book, Living Beautifully! https://amzn.to/49zrC6z To send a question or topic you'd like covered, email [email protected] Sponsored for the merit of the soul of Yoseph Alter, a"h, Ben Yitzchak (יוםף אלטר בן יצחק )

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9. Try this So Your Kid will Listen!

Aug 28, 2024

16:10

In the day to day of raising children there are so many things that we need them to do - brush their teeth, be nice to other people, the list is long!! And it can be so confrontational and draining to try and get them to listen to us. Here's a fantastic tool that will help us communicate with our children in a way that elicits co-operation and builds them up. -- Check out my book, Living Beautifully! https://amzn.to/49zrC6z To send a question or topic you'd like covered, email [email protected] Sponsored for the merit of the soul of Yoseph Alter, a"h, Ben Yitzchak (יוםף אלטר בן יצחק )

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8. Raising Confident Kids

Aug 19, 2024

16:38

How do we raise confident kids? In this episode we hear from some parents about a powerful and easy tool you can use to help your kids feel seen and an easy way to help your kids build their confidence in themselves. -- Check out my book, Living Beautifully! https://amzn.to/49zrC6z To send a question or topic you'd like covered, email [email protected] Sponsored for the merit of the soul of Yoseph Alter, a"h, Ben Yitzchak (יוםף אלטר בן יצחק )

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2 Truths & a Lie about Social Media with Rachel Tuchman LMHC

Jul 5, 2024

20:02

How do you navigate social media usage with your kids (and yourself!)? How do you feel about your kids being on social media? Does it frighten you? A bit? Or more than a bit? Social media has changed the world that our kids are navigating, let's talk about how to help our kids navigate social media. Can you guess the lie? 1. Don't let your kids use social media in the dark 2. Social media is the root of our unhappiness 3. Tell your kids to follow more accounts on social media Guess which one is the lie, now listen and see if you got it right! ---- Check out my book, Living Beautifully! https://amzn.to/49zrC6z To send a question or topic you'd like covered, email [email protected] Sponsored for the merit of the soul of Yoseph Alter, a"h, Ben Yitzchak (יוםף אלטר בן יצחק )

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7. The Greatest Gift for Our Kid

Jun 19, 2024

13:01

What's the greatest gift we can give our kids and how do we build their self-esteem? - ---- Check out my new book, Living Beautifully! https://amzn.to/49zrC6z To send a question or topic you'd like covered, email [email protected] Sponsored for the merit of the soul of Yoseph Alter, a"h, Ben Yitzchak (יוםף אלטר בן יצחק )

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6. The Video Games approach to Boundaries & Self-Esteem

Jun 5, 2024

14:30

Rules and boundaries are important for the functioning of our home. Let's learn from what our kids love - video games how to teach rules and build our kid's self esteem at the same time. --- Check out my bestselling book, Living Beautifully! https://amzn.to/49zrC6z To send a question or topic you'd like covered, email [email protected] Sponsored for the merit of the soul of Yoseph Alter, a"h, Ben Yitzchak (יוםף אלטר בן יצחק ) -- To get in touch with Gila, find her on Instagram @gilaross or on +44 7990 333 946.

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Skills for Social Emotional Development with Miriam Campbell

May 30, 2024

36:55

Having a child who struggles socially or emotionally is so difficult. I'm thrilled to welcome Miriam Campbell onto the podcast to talk about how we as parents can deal with it and how we can help our kids grow their social and emotional skills. Miriam Campbell, MA SLP-CCC, MSW, is a Speech Language Pathologist and Social Worker who specializes in nurturing social skill development. She empowers parents with practical tools to grow relevant child’s emotional, language, and cognitive skills. Thousands of parents have benefited from her coaching, groups, and social skills book Bubble Double: visualizing skills for connection. To join her Parent WhatsApp Group or find out about 1:1 coaching and upcoming courses, email [email protected]. -- Check out my bestselling book, Living Beautifully! https://amzn.to/49zrC6z To send a question or topic you'd like covered, email [email protected] Sponsored for the merit of the soul of Yoseph Alter, a"h, Ben Yitzchak (יוםף אלטר בן יצחק )

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Q&A: When kids push back

May 22, 2024

11:58

We've gotten some great questions about what to do when kids push back, whether it is when we are giving them attention for positives or just against boundaries we are putting in place, so in this episode we look at what to do when kids push back and why we need rules - and why it's important to be able to answer that question! -- ---- Check out my new book, Living Beautifully! https://amzn.to/49zrC6z To send a question or topic you'd like covered, email [email protected] Sponsored for the merit of the soul of Yoseph Alter, a"h, Ben Yitzchak (יוםף אלטר בן יצחק )

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2 Truths & a Lie: Can Play Help You Parent? With BrookLynne Dukes

May 16, 2024

25:49

Can play help us bring more joy into our parenting? Let's play 2 truths and a lie. Which one is the lie? 1. It’s important for caretaking activities to be joyful 2. Playfulness diffuses power struggles 3. Rewards are a tool that adds joy to learning new skills Guess! Then listen to this insightful episode and see if you were right! ---- Check out my new book, Living Beautifully! https://amzn.to/49zrC6z To send a question or topic you'd like covered, email [email protected] Sponsored for the merit of the soul of Yoseph Alter, a"h, Ben Yitzchak (יוםף אלטר בן יצחק )

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4. Teaching Values Through Recognition

May 8, 2024

12:09

A totally new and positive way to teach our children the values we hold dear and to teach them what we want them to learn and develop. Building on episode 3 we're going to lay the foundations to build a really strong relationship with our kids where they feel seen and we take a stand to absolutely energize our kids success. In this episode we lay out an easy habit to develop that will make a massive difference! ---- Check out my new book, Living Beautifully! https://amzn.to/49zrC6z To send a question or topic you'd like covered, email [email protected] Sponsored for the merit of the soul of Yoseph Alter, a"h, Ben Yitzchak (יוםף אלטר בן יצחק )

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Compassion for You And Your Kid with Blimie Heller

Apr 18, 2024

39:09

As we approach Pesach, Blimie Heller from Unconditional Parenting talks about how we can learn to work with our kids. She talks about having empathy and compassion both for ourselves and for our kid(s). A really helpful and timely conversation!! -- For more insights on how to bring meaning, joy and love into your life, check out my book Living Beautifully- https://amzn.to/49zrC6z To send a question or topic you'd like covered, email [email protected] Sponsored for the merit of the soul of Yoseph Alter, a"h, Ben Yitzchak (יוםף אלטר בן יצחק

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1 Easy Thing to Help Your Child Feel Seen

Mar 17, 2024

15:20

One of the most frequent questions I get is related to discipline and boundaries, how do we set and enforce boundaries? Over the next few episodes we're going to lay the foundations to build a really strong relationship with our kids where they feel seen and we take a stand to absolutely energize our kids success. In this episode we lay out an easy habit to develop that will make a massive difference! ---- Check out my new book, Living Beautifully! https://amzn.to/49zrC6z To send a question or topic you'd like covered, email [email protected] Sponsored for the merit of the soul of Yoseph Alter, a"h, Ben Yitzchak (יוםף אלטר בן יצחק )

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5 Parenting Tools: boundaries, empowerment, validation and more

Mar 10, 2024

16:14

Here are 5 tools to keep in your parenting toolbox to help you work with your children, strengthen your relationship with them and gain their cooperation. 1. Boundaries create more space for love 2. Empower often 3. Noone can hear until they've been heard. 4. Unique not uniform 5. Live the message --- Check out my new book, Living Beautifully! https://amzn.to/49zrC6z To send a question or topic you'd like covered, email [email protected] Sponsored for the merit of the soul of Yoseph Alter, a"h, Ben Yitzchak (יוםף אלטר בן יצחק )

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What's your Goal?

Mar 4, 2024

14:19

Welcome to the Confident Parent Podcast! In this episode we zoom out and take a look at what is the goal of parenting? Like any worthwhile endeavor we need to know what we want to achieve. We also look at what we will be covering in future episodes. To send a question or topic you'd like covered, email [email protected] Check out my new book, Living Beautifully! https://amzn.to/49zrC6z Sponsored for the merit of the soul of Yoseph Alter, a"h, Ben Yitzchak (יוםף אלטר בן יצחק )

the Confident Parent

the Confident Parent

More by Gila Ross