![]() Ah, summer. The season of sunshine, popsicles, sprinklers, and freedom. No early wake-ups for school. No lunch-packing marathons. Just wide-open days to enjoy our kids, make memories, and soak in all the magic. But if we’re being honest… that’s not the full picture, is it? Behind the smiling social media posts and sunny family outings, many parents feel something else creeping in: anxiety, overwhelm, and dread. Here’s what summer really looks like for many caregivers:
Summer removes structure, and for many kids (and adults), that predictability is what helps regulate emotions and behavior. So yes—challenging behaviors often increase. Yes—siblings get on each other’s nerves. Yes—you will hear the words “I’m bored” 300 times in a single afternoon. And while summer can be fun, it can also be exhausting. Especially when you're carrying the emotional load for everyone in your home. So what can you do? Take a Pause—On Purpose You don’t need a weekend away or a big “self-care” plan. Start small. Take one mindful pause each day. Ask yourself: What is one thing I can do today that fills my cup, even a little bit?
Give Yourself Permission…
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![]() Let’s get real for a second: parenting is hard. There’s no script, no step-by-step manual—just you, your kid(s), and the beautiful chaos of figuring it all out. If you’ve ever walked away from a hard parenting moment thinking “That didn’t go how I hoped…”, you’re not alone. The truth is, we all hit bumps. And those "mistakes" are actually invitations to grow. Today, I’m sharing three common parenting pitfalls I see all the time (and have totally done myself) — plus some gentle ways to shift course without guilt or shame. 1. Over-Explaining or Over-Correcting When our kids are having a hard time, most of us think that talking to them or lecturing them will help the behaviors change; however, the opposite is true. When our child’s “emotional brain” takes over (think Fight, Flight or Freeze), their “thinking brain” goes offline. Dr. Dan Seigel calls this “Flipping Your Lid”. Because our child can’t access the thinking part of their brains they are unable to comprehend what we are trying to lecture them on. Instead, use few words - “No hurts.” “Be gentle and kind.” “Use your words.” You can then revisit the situation calmly, later, when their thinking brain is back online. 2. Forgetting to Repair We all have moments we wish we could redo. What matters most is repair. A sincere “I’m sorry for how I spoke earlier—I was frustrated, and I want to do better,” is powerful. It models humility and shows them that relationships are resilient. 3. Focusing Only on Behavior, Not the Need Underneath most “bad” behavior is an unmet need—connection, rest, attention, food, autonomy. Before reacting, ask yourself: What’s really going on here? All behavior is communication, and when we meet the need, the behavior often shifts on its own. It takes a mindshift to realize that meeting our kids’ needs is not the same as rewarding bad behavior. You don’t need to be a perfect parent. You just need to be a growing one. Every moment you choose curiosity over control, connection over correction—you’re building something strong and lasting. Keep going. You’re doing beautiful, important work. When’s the last time you sat down and thought about what methods you use to motivate your child? Maybe you use sticker charts or candy, or words of encouragement. Maybe you use consequences or threats. Maybe you offer privileges or give them an allowance. I’ve found that keeping my kids engaged requires me to reassess my motivators to keep things interesting. In case you’re in the same boat, I’ve got you covered!
Rewards don’t have to be big or expensive to be effective. Children thrive on recognition, autonomy, and shared experiences. When rewards are thoughtfully chosen, they reinforce positive behavior and strengthen the parent-child bond. Whether your child is working hard on a new skill, completing chores without being asked, or showing kindness to a sibling, offering meaningful rewards can keep them motivated and engaged. Here are 7 simple and fun motivators: ![]() We all have tough days—those moments when the stress of work, errands, and life spills over, leaving little room for meaningful connection with our kids. But here’s the good news: reconnecting doesn’t have to take hours. Just a few intentional minutes can make all the difference. Here are 5 simple ways to rebuild that bond:
Want more ideas for connecting with your kids? Follow me on Instagram or Facebook and check out "Make-It-Count Mondays." Let’s face it - it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the demands of daily life. Add parenting on top of whatever else is already going on in your life and it can be downright chaotic. The pressure to do it all, and to do it all well, can be intense. Here are a few strategies to simplify some key areas to help you create a more balanced and peaceful family environment.
Time Commitments: Prioritize What Matters Time is a limited resource, and how we choose to spend it profoundly impacts our family life. Sports practices and games, church youth group, band or choir concerts, dance, therapy, school clubs and other extracurriculars add up quickly; multiply it by a few kids and you can have a wild schedule to navigate. |
AuthorDana Parisi Archives
April 2025
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