Today I share how the stress I was under 7 1/2 years ago resulted in a lifelong tendon disorder.

I was so busy running our household and putting everyone else first, I did not pay attention to my health.

I really want you to learn from my mistake.

Today's show focuses on how our stress isn't just bad for us. It's bad for our kids, too.

We also dig into the stresses of "intensive" parenting (a.k.a. helicopter or lawnmower parenting). And as you'll see, that form of parenting stresses everybody out.

(Know what else stresses everybody out? Potty training, and temper tantrums… During today's break I share about a free guide I offer for each of these stressors:

• Click here for the FREE video and checklist to handle every temper tantrum
• Click here for the FREE video and checklist to successfully potty train your child)

In this episode I offer three ways for you to be less stressed, not just now as we get into the holiday season (and everyone is pretty well at the end of their rope) but about how you can be less stressed over the long haul.

It's Part 3 of the "how to raise successful, fulfilled, happy people" series, and I hope it helps you enjoy the time you spend with your littles!

Go to weturnedoutokay.com/253 for:

• A cheat sheet on the 3 ways you can alleviate stress
• Links to the articles I quote from today
• What's up in the We Turned Out Okay universe, including tons of free resources : )
• The video of the week: "Good behavior at meals, good behavior at the park"

And thank you so much for listening!

Thanksgiving is supposed to be fun, right? It's time with family, one last deep breath before December's insanity.

But when our kids were small I used to worry.

It's such a big meal. It takes such preparations. And it goes on for such a long time… How could I keep my boys quiet and happy on this day?

Then, there were the issues of stranger anxiety, and of small kids in a crowded space, with lots of treasured knickknacks and plants for them to hurt or break "on accident"… How could I give them a sense of security, and everyone else the sense that "here's a kid who won't destroy everything in sight"?

In this bonus episode I give you 5 ways to alleviate these problems, just in time for tomorrow's celebrations!

I am SO thankful.

This is Ninja Parenting Community (NPC) member Jen, with her two little girls. Jen is a rockstar member of NPC! She brings not just great questions, but help and support for other members, a "parenting can be fun" sensibility, and also adorable pictures like this one. I am so grateful for Jen.

In this episode I share an announcement about something happening right now: the "I'm thankful" special, where you can join our exclusive parent coaching community for just $1 for the first month.

One member of the Ninja Parenting Community (NPC for short) recently shared in our forums:
"What a difference this has made!!!… I truly cannot thank you enough."

When she wrote those words I felt so grateful. To know that the work I do strengthens the bond between a parent and child; to know that I have expertise that brings families together?
Nothing feels better than that to me.

I am so thankful, and I want to share that gratitude with you.

If you've been thinking about jumping into NPC, but but you weren't sure that membership would be worthwhile, reread those words from NPC member Mama Llama above.

This is PJ Jonas and family; PJ, my guest in episode 173, shared so much about getting to the fun parts of family life. I'm so grateful for our conversation.

And then:

Imagine a December in which, when your young child acts up, you've got a place to come and get help right away.

Imagine bringing your kids to a family gathering without being fearful of what their behavior could be.

Imagine that instead of feeling gut-wrenching worry, instead of the guilt or sadness you feel when you shout or spank your little one, you could enjoy this special family time.

Then: click here to try NPC, for just $1, for your whole first month.

The "I'm grateful" special also includes a special discounted rate for every consecutive month you're in NPC (you can cancel at any time, so there's no risk)…

So make your dreams of happy family time a reality by clicking the link above!

(This offer ends the Thursday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 29. I know you don't want to miss out!
Click the link above today.)

Happy listening, and happy Thanksgiving!

I did a happy dance a few weeks ago when I read that American Academy of Pediatrics has revised its guidelines on spanking and corporal punishment. This 67,000-doctor organization is coming out strongly against spanking, humiliating, and frightening children as discipline.

Today I'm rebroadcasting my conversation with former AAP president, Dr. Benard Dreyer. Dr. Dreyer gave such wonderful advice for parents as we raise our kids, and to my surprise it's been more than 2 years since this interview first aired! Time flies.

In the preshow, before our conversation, I read from the newspaper article that had me doing my happy dance, "Spanking is harmful, ineffective, group says."

Hope you enjoy this episode, and that it helps you remember to keep your discipline positive!

Go to weturnedoutokay.com/252 for:

• The link to the article about the AAP's stance on spanking
• What's up in the We Turned Out Okay universe, including tons of free resources : )
• The video of the week: Off this week, returning after Thanksgiving

And thank you so much for listening!

"What's a reasonable consequence for when I ask my young child to stop running away, and he doesn't stop, at the park?"
This is the gist of a recent question from one mom in our We Turned Out Okay Facebook group.

I shared what I think is a pretty good answer… and then other parents in the group shared their ideas. These ideas were so great – and so different from mine – that I knew I needed to talk about this issue on the podcast.

So, hope you enjoy this episode, dedicated to helping you set limits, and enjoy more of your time, when you are at a park or playground or out in the world with your young child!

Go to weturnedoutokay.com/251 for:

• A breakdown of how you can reign in your young child, without overdoing it or losing your mind
• What's up in the We Turned Out Okay universe, including tons of free resources : )
• The video of the week: "Good behavior at meals, good behavior at the park"
• The sign-up for our upcoming 'When to potty train, How to potty train' free online class

And thank you so much for listening!

The term "parenting style" feels so nebulous.

But what if your parenting style – what you do in day-to-day interactions with your young child – makes it harder for you to connect, to be happy as you raise your family?

What if it affected, not just your young one's childhood, but their whole life?

Framed like that, the parenting style we bring isn't so much nebulous, as important.
Key, even.

Today's episode digs into the 3 different parenting styles, how they affect your child's life, and yours.

It's part two of our "raising successful, fulfilled kids" series, and I hope it's useful for you!

Go to weturnedoutokay.com/250 for:

• A cheat sheet on these 3 parenting styles
• What's up in the We Turned Out Okay universe, including tons of free resources : )
• The video of the week: "Am I smothering my child with love?"
• The sign-up for our upcoming 'When to potty train, How to potty train' free online class

And thank you so much for listening!