Before you jump into back-to-school schedules, rules, and to-do lists, I want you to set your goals and intentions for this school year. Because focusing on your mindset is what actually determines how this year will feel and how it all will go.In this episode, you'll learn:The back-to-school step you might be missing that makes a huge difference in how your year goesWhy mindset needs to come before logisticsExamples of thoughts you can use to feel the way you want to feelThe types of goals every family should set at the start of a new yearIf you don't decide on purpose how you want this school year to feel, the year will just happen to you. Instead of steering the ship, you’ll be reacting. But taking this 20 minutes with me to get clear on what you actually want will pay off all year long.Read the full show notes here.------------------------------------Free Resources:Get your copy of the Stop Yelling Toolkit!In this free guide you’ll discover:✨ A simple tool to stop yelling once you’ve started (This one thing will get you calm.)✨ 40 things to do instead of yelling. (You only need to pick one!)✨ Exactly why you yell. (And how to stop yourself from starting.)✨A script to say to your kids when you yell. (So they don't follow you around!)Download the Stop Yelling Toolkit hereConnect With Darlynn:Book a complimentary session with DarlynnLearn about the different parenting programs at www.calmmamacoaching.comFollow me on Instagram @darlynnchildress for daily tipsRate and review the podcast on Itunes

The truth is, meltdowns, mood swings, sibling squabbles, and up-and-down social feelings are all completely normal during the first week of school. Back to school is a transition, and it isn’t always a smooth one.The week starts out pretty great. Your kid is excited, they have a good first day, and then within a few days they start falling apart over a granola bar or refusing to get in the car or suddenly saying they hate their teacher.And you're thinking, “Wait, what happened? Weren't we doing okay? What has changed?”Nothing has gone wrong. This is just what the first week of school looks like.You’ll Learn:5 things to expect during the first week of school2 tools to help you get through back-to-school mornings and meltdownsWhy I don’t want you to deliver consequences in the morningHow to get through the back-to-school transition without losing your mindI'm walking you through what to expect, the top five challenges families face during back-to-school, and two tools that will help you get through the mornings and the meltdowns.Read the full show notes here.----------------------------------------Related Episodes:Episode 2.12: The CALM Break | Stop Yelling With This 4-Step Parenting ToolEpisode 190: Make Mornings Better with the Gentle HandoffEpisode 191: Eyeballs: A Simple Parenting Tool for Instant ConnectionFree Resource:Get your copy of the Stop Yelling Toolkit!In this free guide you’ll discover:✨ A simple tool to stop yelling once you’ve started (This one thing will get you calm.)✨ 40 things to do instead of yelling. (You only need to pick one!)✨ Exactly why you yell. (And how to stop yourself from starting.)✨A script to say to your kids when you yell. (So they don't follow you around!)Download the Stop Yelling Toolkit hereConnect With Darlynn:Book a complimentary session with DarlynnLearn about the different parenting programs at www.calmmamacoaching.comFollow me on Instagram @darlynnchildress for daily tipsRate and review the podcast on Itunes

The way to make the end of summer joyful instead of stressful is simple: stop trying to force your back-to-school routines into place early.Let go of the pressure to fix bedtimes, screens, and wake-ups this week, and spend these last days actually enjoying your kids instead. School itself will rebuild the routine for you within the first few days. You don't have to do it in advance.You'll Learn:Why you might be craving routine at this point in the summerWhat back-to-school and jet lag have in commonWhy forcing school routines early isn't worth itHow to savor the last days of summerMy favorite back-to-school traditionIf your kids are heading back to school in the next week or two, there's a good chance you're counting backwards from the first day, feeling the instinct to get it all organized: earlier bedtimes, less screen time, earlier wake-ups, chores back on the list.In this episode, I make the case that even if you put in all that effort, it won't actually work - and it'll turn your last week of summer stressful instead of enjoyable. I'll walk you through what's actually worth doing before school starts, what to let go of, and why savoring this week matters more than prepping for it.Read the full show notes here.---------------------------------------Free Resources:Get your copy of the Stop Yelling Toolkit!In this free guide you’ll discover:✨ A simple tool to stop yelling once you’ve started (This one thing will get you calm.)✨ 40 things to do instead of yelling. (You only need to pick one!)✨ Exactly why you yell. (And how to stop yourself from starting.)✨A script to say to your kids when you yell. (So they don't follow you around!)Download the Stop Yelling Toolkit hereConnect With Darlynn:Book a complimentary session with DarlynnLearn about the different parenting programs at www.calmmamacoaching.comFollow me on Instagram @darlynnchildress for daily tipsRate and review the podcast on Itunes

Is connected parenting accidentally leading moms to burnout? I think a lot of us have been doing something exhausting in the name of good parenting, including myself. Today, I'm showing you the big shift that stops connection from turning into exhausting, all-day emotional labor.You’ll Learn:What intensive parenting is (and why it’s not required for connection)My thoughts on the “Beta Mom” movementWhy you don’t have to solve every feelingThe most important gift you can give your kidThe exhaustion that you’re feeling doesn’t mean that you’re not doing a good job. It might just be a sign that you’re doing more emotional labor that is actually required.Read the full show notes here.-----------------------------------------Related Episodes:Episode 82: Simplify Your LifeSeason 2, Episode 16: The Connection ToolFree Resources:Get your copy of the Stop Yelling Toolkit!In this free guide you’ll discover:✨ A simple tool to stop yelling once you’ve started (This one thing will get you calm.)✨ 40 things to do instead of yelling. (You only need to pick one!)✨ Exactly why you yell. (And how to stop yourself from starting.)✨A script to say to your kids when you yell. (So they don't follow you around!)Download the Stop Yelling Toolkit hereConnect With Darlynn:Book a complimentary session with DarlynnLearn about the different parenting programs at www.calmmamacoaching.comFollow me on Instagram @darlynnchildress for daily tipsRate and review the podcast on Itunes

Summer doesn't have to be perfect. It just has to be good enough. If your kid is melting down, bored, complaining, or grumpy this summer, that doesn't mean you're doing something wrong.Today I'm talking about mom guilt - specifically the kind that shows up in the summer - and challenging the idea that you need to fix it all. I'll show you how to take the pressure off yourself and embrace the "good enough" summer.You’ll Learn:Why summer isn’t actually easier than the rest of the yearWhere summer mom guilt comes fromWhy doing less is actually good for your kidsHow to have a “good enough” summerRead the full show notes here.------------------------------------------Related Episodes:Check out our curated Calm Summer Mama podcast playlist on SpotifyGet the Stress-Free Summer ToolkitEpisode 2.22: Creating Good Summer Vibes | A Calm Parenting GuideEpisode 77: Summer Sibling SquabblesEpisode 128: Encouraging BoredomEpisode 13: Dealing with a Grumpy MoodFree Resources:Get your copy of the Stop Yelling Toolkit!In this free guide you’ll discover:✨ A simple tool to stop yelling once you’ve started (This one thing will get you calm.)✨ 40 things to do instead of yelling. (You only need to pick one!)✨ Exactly why you yell. (And how to stop yourself from starting.)✨A script to say to your kids when you yell. (So they don't follow you around!)Download the Stop Yelling Toolkit hereConnect With Darlynn:Book a complimentary session with DarlynnLearn about the different parenting programs at www.calmmamacoaching.comFollow me on Instagram @darlynnchildress for daily tipsRate and review the podcast on Itunes

Today, I’ve invited therapist and author Cyndi Horwitz on the podcast to talk about something I’m very passionate about: Healing and supporting women when they’re going through difficult times. We’re talking about how to get out of the trap of self-abandonment and take excellent care of yourself so that you can manage mom stress and show up even in hard seasons.You’ll Learn:Why you can’t plow through painWhat self-abandonment looks like & why we do itHow to start coming back to yourselfThe practice that helps you feel held and cared forSimple exercises to ease anxiety and fearThis conversation is an invitation to tap into the belief that you are okay in this moment. We’re always breathing. Tap into it.We’re always moving. Do it intentionally.We’re always having conversations in our heads. Invite yourself to a lovelier one.Click here to read the full show notes.----------------------------------------------Related Episodes:The 6-part “How To Heal” series, beginning with episode 161: Radical Self LoveFree Resources:Get your copy of the Stop Yelling Toolkit!In this free guide you’ll discover:✨ A simple tool to stop yelling once you’ve started (This one thing will get you calm.)✨ 40 things to do instead of yelling. (You only need to pick one!)✨ Exactly why you yell. (And how to stop yourself from starting.)✨A script to say to your kids when you yell. (So they don't follow you around!)Download the Stop Yelling Toolkit hereConnect with Cyndi:Pre-order the book, Held by the Tide: A Journey of Hope and Healing Through Breath, Movement, and LoveFollow her on Instagram @healing.in.practice and TikTok @cyndi.horwitzVisit her website: www.cyndihorwitz.comConnect With Darlynn:Book a complimentary session with DarlynnLearn about the different parenting programs at www.calmmamacoaching.comFollow me on Instagram @darlynnchildress for daily tipsRate and review the podcast on Itunes

Mom guilt is real. And it's stopping you from being the calm parent you want to be. In this episode, guest Mary Skinner helps you understand why you feel guilty, where it comes from, and how to stop blaming yourself. We’re also getting into our own journeys of learning how to drop guilt, set better boundaries, and become the leaders of our families. There are so many little nuggets of wisdom in this episode that I can’t wait for you to hear. You'll Learn:Problems with gentle parentingWhere mom guilt comes fromHow to stop feeling so much mom guiltWhy boundaries are so important (and how to get better at them)A simple mantra to help you drop self-judgment and guiltMary Skinner is a holistic birth and postpartum doula, founder of the Lotus Doula Tribe, mother of three children, yoga instructor, and all-around amazing mom and person. I hope you love our conversation!---------------------------------------Free Resources:Get your copy of the Stop Yelling Toolkit!In this free guide you’ll discover:✨ A simple tool to stop yelling once you’ve started (This one thing will get you calm.)✨ 40 things to do instead of yelling. (You only need to pick one!)✨ Exactly why you yell. (And how to stop yourself from starting.)✨A script to say to your kids when you yell. (So they don't follow you around!)Download the Stop Yelling Toolkit hereRelated Episodes:Episode 176: This One’s For the Working MomsEpisode 133: Your Kid’s Happiness Isn’t Your JobEpisode 69: The Problem with Modern MotherhoodEpisode 56: Being a “Good” Mom Doesn’t Prevent PainConnect with Mary: Learn more about Mary Skinner and her work at https://lotusdoulatribe.com/ Follow her on Instagram @LotusDoulaTribeLike her on FacebookConnect With Darlynn:Book a complimentary session with DarlynnLearn about the different parenting programs at www.calmmamacoaching.comFollow me on Instagram @darlynnchildress for daily tipsRate and review the podcast on Itunes

When mom guilt takes over, it's hard to feel like the calm mama you want to be. In this episode, guest Jessica Tomich Sorci shares why moms feel bad about themselves, along with mindful parenting tools to break the cycle. Learn how self-compassion isn't selfish; it's the foundation for confident parenting and real emotional connection with your kids.You’ll Learn:How to have a better relationship with yourself as a human, a woman, and a momWhat being an empty-nester looks like for me right nowWhat I like to say to myself when I’m feeling anxiousWays to love all the parts of you - even the challenging onesWhat surprised me about my Mom Parts assessmentJessica Tomich Sorci is a licensed marriage and family therapist, as well as a specialist in Internal Family Systems (IFS). Her focus is on maternal mental health. She’s here today talking about her new book, When Good Moms Feel Bad: An Empowering Guide to Transforming Guilt, Anxiety and Anger Into Compassion, Confidence and Connectedness, which she wrote along with Rebecca Gushuri. ----------------------------------------Resources/Previous Episodes:Episode 183: Internal Family Systems (IFS, part 1)Episode 184: Finding Your SELF (IFS, part 2)Episode 185: Being What Your Kids Needs (IFS, part 3)Episode 197: Freedom From the Good Mom Myth with Dr. Angele CloseEpisode 198: Letting Go of Mom Shame with Dr. Angele CloseFree Resources:Get your copy of the Stop Yelling Toolkit!In this free guide you’ll discover:✨ A simple tool to stop yelling once you’ve started (This one thing will get you calm.)✨ 40 things to do instead of yelling. (You only need to pick one!)✨ Exactly why you yell. (And how to stop yourself from starting.)✨A script to say to your kids when you yell. (So they don't follow you around!)Download the Stop Yelling Toolkit hereConnect With Darlynn:Book a complimentary session with DarlynnLearn about the different parenting programs at www.calmmamacoaching.comFollow me on Instagram @darlynnchildress for daily tipsRate and review the podcast on ItunesConnect with Jessica Tomich Sorci:Take the Mini Mom Parts quiz (and listen to the full podcast episode to hear Darlynn’s results!)Get the book - When Good Moms Feel Bad: An Empowering Guide to Transforming Guilt, Anxiety and Anger Into Compassion, Confidence and ConnectednessFollow Jessica on IG @jessicatomichsorci Learn more on her website: https://www.jessicatomichsorci.com/for-moms

Today I'm getting into a topic that I hear about constantly from parents - lying. Is lying normal? What does it mean? And most importantly, what do we actually do about it?There are a bunch of reasons that kids lie. When you understand why it's happening, it becomes much easier for you to respond in a calm way - without getting really angry, blowing up, shutting them down, or criticizing.You'll Learn:Why kids lie (and yes, it's totally normal)What to do when your kid lies (with lots of scripts and examples)How to combine compassion and consequences5 ways to encourage honesty in your familyRead the full blog post here.----------------------------------------Related Episodes:Episode 2.15: 3 Essential Beliefs Kids for Emotional HealthEpisode 2.16: The Connection ToolEpisode 2.20: Preventing Meltdowns | Teaching Kids Self Control Long-Term (How to have a coaching conversation)Free Resources:Get your copy of the Stop Yelling Toolkit!In this free guide you’ll discover:✨ A simple tool to stop yelling once you’ve started (This one thing will get you calm.)✨ 40 things to do instead of yelling. (You only need to pick one!)✨ Exactly why you yell. (And how to stop yourself from starting.)✨A script to say to your kids when you yell. (So they don't follow you around!)Download the Stop Yelling Toolkit hereConnect With Darlynn:Book a complimentary session with DarlynnLearn about the different parenting programs at www.calmmamacoaching.comFollow me on Instagram @darlynnchildress for daily tipsRate and review the podcast on Itunes

I think we can all relate to wanting our kids to be more responsible, have more self control, and make good decisions. Today, I'm talking about teaching kids how to make good choices (and it’s not as complicated as you might think).You’ll Learn:The link between connection and coachingWhy lectures don't work (and what to do instead)The 3 steps of a coaching conversationHow to use help kids make good choices and become more responsible with the STAR toolThe powerful difference in these conversations is that you're not just telling your kid what to do. You're walking beside them, helping them figure it out.Read more in the full blog post.----------------------------------------Related Episodes:Episode 2.16: The Connection Tool [New & Improved]Episode 2.20: Preventing Meltdowns in the Long TermFree Resources:Get your copy of the Stop Yelling Cheat Sheet!In this free guide you’ll discover:✨ A simple tool to stop yelling once you’ve started (This one thing will get you calm.)✨ 40 things to do instead of yelling. (You only need to pick one!)✨ Exactly why you yell. (And how to stop yourself from starting.)✨A script to say to your kids when you yell. (So they don't follow you around!)Download the Stop Yelling Cheat Sheet hereConnect With Darlynn:Book a complimentary session with DarlynnLearn about the different parenting programs at www.calmmamacoaching.comFollow me on Instagram @darlynnchildress for daily tipsRate and review the podcast on Itunes