How to Take Control of Your Parenting Triggers

A dad holding his ears from a parenting trigger: his child screaming in his ear

Do you have parenting triggers? Do little things set you off easily? A regular mindfulness practice will not only help you become less reactive, but it will also help you understand why you respond so strongly in certain situations. Using mindfulness to increase self-awareness will help you better identify patterns and root issues that may be fueling your stress and making parenting harder.  Check out how to become more aware of your parenting triggers with a mindfulness exercise.

Emotional Regulation for Parents: The Mindfulness Strategy

A mother holding a jar of angry emotions as emotional regulation for parents

Are you overwhelmed as a parent? What are key strategies for emotional regulation for parents? It can be hard to get your point across to your kids when you’re angry and stressed. No matter how hard the job can be, you need to regulate your own emotions to set an example for your children. Here’s how parents can use mindfulness to regulate themselves in times of stress.

The RAIN Meditation for Parents: Accepting Your Emotions

A mother meditating with her baby in her lap

How helpful is meditation for parents? What’s the RAIN meditation? Hunter Clarke-Fields says that developing a mindfulness practice and increasing your self-awareness can help minimize your stress and emotional outbursts. However, she emphasizes that difficult emotions are natural—for parents and children—and you shouldn’t feel any shame for having them.  Continue reading to learn how meditation can change your life as a parent.

Conflict Resolution for Parents: 4 Steps to Come to a Solution

A mother calmly talking to her sad daughter in a moment of parenting conflict resolution

What’s the most productive method of conflict resolution for parents? How can you tell your child “no” without causing a tantrum? Mindful parenting recognizes that conflicts often arise when there are competing needs between a parent and a child. Rather than resorting to power struggles or permissiveness, mindful parenting aims to resolve conflict through mutual understanding and collaborative problem-solving. Let’s look at how to practice conflict resolution for parents who want to keep their cool.

Parenting Communication Skills: Respect and “I” Statements

A mother talking to her daughter at eye-level, using respectful parenting communication skills

Why doesn’t yelling work when teaching your child right from wrong? How can you communicate to your child with respect? If you want to be closer to your child, communicate with them respectfully. They may be younger and smaller than you, but when you talk to them like adults, they’ll show the same respect back. Take a look at essential parenting communication skills you need to pick up on.

How to Be a Better Parent: 2 Practices to Strengthen Bonds

A mother and father who understand how to be better parents, holding their happy baby outside

Do you want to be the best parent for your child? How does simplifying your space improve your child’s life? According to Hunter Clarke-Fields, building your relationship with your child doesn’t happen all at once. To strengthen your connection, she recommends two key practices: spending focused time with your child and creating a simple, low-stress environment at home.  Discover how to be a better parent by using these two practices.

Active Listening for Parents: Paying Attention to a Child’s Input

A parent practicing active listening with his child

How can you show your child you’re invested in what they have to say? What are the three levels of listening? Listening lays the groundwork for a stronger relationship, writes Hunter Clarke-Fields. When you really listen to your kids, you send them the powerful message that they matter. Keep reading for Clarke-Fields’s advice on active listening for parents.

Mental Health Help for Teens: 6 Strategies for Parents

A teenage girl attending therapy as part of mental health help for teens.

How can parents help teenagers with mental health issues? How can you transform your home to create a more comfortable environment for teens? If your teenager is struggling with depression or anxiety, there are several actions you can take to help them. Among these actions are open communication, professional help, and making your home a sanctuary. Check out six strategies that deliver mental health help for teens.