
The Peaceful Parenting Podcast
Welcome to the Peaceful Parenting Podcast, the podcast where Sarah Rosensweet covers the tools, strategies and support you need to end the yelling and power struggles and encourage your kids to listen and cooperate so that you can enjoy your family time.
Each week, Sarah will bring you the insight and information you need to make your parenting journey a little more peaceful. Whether it's a guest interview with an expert in the parenting world, insight from Sarah's own experiences and knowledge, or live coaching with parents just like you who want help with their challenges, we'll learn and grow and laugh and cry together!
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Latest episodes

Feb 28, 2024 • 17min
143: When Your Child Argues With You About Everything
In this episode of the Peaceful Parenting Podcast, we tackle a common issue among parents - having a child who argues about everything. The episode provides insights into why this might happen and how parents can handle it effectively. A child continually arguing could be an indication of intelligence and lack of fear, considered good signs. However, we highlight the importance of evaluating your limits and strategies as a parent, discussing scenarios such as being too strict and controlling or being excessively permissive. Overall, parents are encouraged to value a child's perseverance and possibly channel it into activities where it would be considered an advantage, like joining a debate team. We talk about: 2:36 Evaluating our limits & Good Will bank 04:55 Being ‘too’ permissive 08:00 Too giving too many explanations 11:43 Empathy for our child and looking at our reaction 13:54 Kids feeling disconnected 15:28 Using superpowers for good Resources mentioned in this episode: Free ‘How to Stop Yelling’ Course: www.sarahrosensweet.com/yelling Join us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/peacefulparenting Newsletter: www.sarahrosensweet.com/newsletter Connect with Sarah Rosensweet Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahrosensweet/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/peacefulparentingfreegroup Website: https://www.sarahrosensweet.com Book a short consult or coaching session call: https://book-with-sarah-rosensweet.as.me/schedule.php

Feb 21, 2024 • 54min
142: Coaching with Kalista: A Highly Sensitive Mom Parenting A High Needs Child
In this episode of the Peaceful Parenting Podcast, Kalista, a full time working mother joins me for a coaching session. She shares her challenges as a neurodivergent mom in parenting her highly sensitive toddler. We talk about how to move from survival mode to simple life mode, the realization that perfection is not the goal, the usefulness of empathizing with our child's perspective, empowerment in making active choices, the value of self-compassion and understanding the functioning of the nervous system, and the concept of using tools like earplugs to manage overwhelming noise. We talk about: 2:44 Kalista's family background 4:02 How overwhelm impacts the enjoyment of her child 7:16 Taking a nervous system reset 14:42 Simplifying the things you need to do 17:38 Is the solution worse than the problem? 19:51 Emotional backpack 26:33 How does she calm her nervous system 36:18 Addressing the tactic for saying no or correcting behavior 43:14 Update 49:49 Not identifying as your emotions 52:09 Learning how to regulate together Resources mentioned in this episode: Free ‘How to Stop Yelling’ Course: www.sarahrosensweet.com/yelling Join us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/peacefulparenting Newsletter: www.sarahrosensweet.com/newsletter Connect with Sarah Rosensweet Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahrosensweet/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/peacefulparentingfreegroup Website: https://www.sarahrosensweet.com Book a short consult or coaching session call: https://book-with-sarah-rosensweet.as.me/schedule.php

Feb 14, 2024 • 52min
141: From Strict Disciplinarian to Peaceful Parenting Dad and Coach with Kyle Wester
In this episode of the Peaceful Parenting Podcast, Kyle Wester, a Peaceful Parenting coach and father of three, shares his journey from initially planning to spank his children to advocating for peaceful discipline. He sheds light on his transformation, prompted by uncovering the psychology of children's behavior and redefining what strength and discipline mean as a father. We talk about effective ways for dads to communicate with their children, handling anger, and the importance of creating a nurturing and safe environment for children to grow. We talk about: 6:24 Did he know that he wasn't going to spank? And how his kids were raised 11:43 What to do when one parent wants to peaceful parent and the other isn't on board yet 16:11 Advice that might help dads reach that ‘aha’ moment 21:55 Kyle’s biggest aha moment 27:21 Modeling behavior for your child in how to talk to your partner 31:48 Switching the energy and teaching your kids how you would like them to talk to you 44:29 The relationship development through different stages with your kids 45:41 The underlying fear that drives dads 49:20 Advice to his younger parent self Kyle Wester, Licensed Professional Counselor, MHR, is in full-time private practice having worked with families and children for over 15 years; working with a variety of clientele including children, adolescents, individual adults, and families. Wester specializes in providing counseling to individuals who have experienced trauma, parenting skills training, and working with children with challenging behaviors including anger, ADHD, opposition, and defiance, and children going through divorce. Wester received a Master's Degree in Human Relations (MHR) from University of Oklahoma (License number: LPC4892). Resources mentioned in this episode: Free ‘How to Stop Yelling’ Course: www.sarahrosensweet.com/yelling Join us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/peacefulparenting Newsletter: www.sarahrosensweet.com/newsletter Connect with Kyle Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artofraisinghumans/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artofraisinghumans Podcast: https://www.parentinglegacy.com/podcast https://www.parentinglegacy.com/ Connect with Sarah Rosensweet Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahrosensweet/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/peacefulparentingfreegroup Website: https://www.sarahrosensweet.com Book a short consult or coaching session call: https://book-with-sarah-rosensweet.as.me/schedule.php

Feb 7, 2024 • 1h 10min
140: Coaching with Sophie: A Sensitive Kid, A Sensitive Mom and Their Journey of Transformation
In this episode of the Peaceful Parenting Podcast, Sophie joins me for a coaching episode, where we cover the adoption of peaceful parenting techniques and emotional navigation in sensitive kids. Sophie is a single mother who's transformed her parenting style to manage her sensitive son Peter's big emotions effectively, leading to her growth as a confident parent. We talk about therapeutic strategies, coping mechanisms, and instilling responsibility in kids, especially with ADHD tendencies. We also talk about their family dynamics, highlighting the importance of tailored disciplinary actions, empathy, and tactful conversations. We talk about: 3:43 The work we have done together 6:20 Misunderstandings about attachment parenting 11:09 Reparenting herself 17:31 Sophie's background as a sensitive person and how it affects her parenting 24:34 Diving deeper into the problems surrounding getting out of the door in the morning 29:45 Adjusting expectations 37:16 How to get Peter to open up 49:23 Two-week check in 50:26 Update about her mental progress 53:20 Using incentives 58:50 Systems + resource for things completing tasks like cleaning a room 1:01:56 Using money as a reward Resources mentioned in this episode: Free ‘How to Stop Yelling’ Course: www.sarahrosensweet.com/yelling Join us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/peacefulparenting Newsletter: www.sarahrosensweet.com/newsletter Connect with Sarah Rosensweet Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahrosensweet/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/peacefulparentingfreegroup Website: https://www.sarahrosensweet.com Book a short consult or coaching session call: https://book-with-sarah-rosensweet.as.me/schedule.php

Jan 31, 2024 • 51min
139: Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) with Casey Ehrlich
In this episode of the Peaceful Parenting Podcast, guest expert Casey Ehrlich from At Peace Parents joins me to discuss Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). She provides an in-depth understanding of PDA, a profile of autism that is characterized by a consistent survival drive for autonomy and equality, and shares how it can affect everything from an individual's eating and sleeping habits to maintaining safety. Casey's approach centers on accommodating rather than activating the individual's nervous system. For parents raising PDA children, she shares an effective cost-benefit decision making framework that offers radical acceptance of the situation. She also touches on the hard choices parents sometimes need to make, including separating siblings for safety and allocating resources for help. We talk about: 5:10 Definition of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) 7:32 How she found out that her son was PDA 13:44 5 Characteristics of PDA 25:51 Is Masking a form of Freeze 26:11 Do you talk about FON with PDA 29:59 How common is PDA 31:05 Strategies for parents 40:35 What do you do if one sibling is PDA and one is not? 45:25 How PDA adults manage this in terms of their relationships 52:12 Advice to her younger parent self Casey Ehrlich, Ph.D. (she/her) is a social scientist, parent coach and educator, the CEO and founder of At Peace Parents, and a leader of the first peer-reviewed studies of PDA in the United States. Casey brings 15 years of work experience and expertise in social science methodology to help parents and therapists understand how to connect with and accommodate PDA Autistic children. She specializes in teaching parents and therapists practical skills in the home or clinical setting to accommodate neuroception-driven demand avoidance and nervous system differences through creative techniques. Her original research as a social scientist was conducted on post-conflict reconciliation, social capital, trust, and trauma in Colombia, South America - themes she brings to her work with parents, therapists, and teachers. She has served more than 1,000 families raising Autistic, PDA Autistic, ADHD and traumatized children since 2020 and is also raising a PDA autistic son. Resources mentioned in this episode: Free ‘How to Stop Yelling’ Course: www.sarahrosensweet.com/yelling Join us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/peacefulparenting Newsletter: www.sarahrosensweet.com/newsletter Connect with Casey https://www.instagram.com/atpeaceparents/ https://www.facebook.com/atpeaceparents/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP92MJiCpuWTpgtOaFty2Cw https://www.atpeaceparents.com/ Connect with Sarah Rosensweet Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahrosensweet/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/peacefulparentingfreegroup Website: https://www.sarahrosensweet.com Book a short consult or coaching session call: https://book-with-sarah-rosensweet.as.me/schedule.php

Jan 29, 2024 • 3min
Special announcement! TIME SENSITIVE
Join us inside The Peaceful Parenting Membership! Doors close Tuesday PM Jan 30 Learn more: https://www.sarahrosensweet.com/membership/

Jan 24, 2024 • 32min
138: Understanding and Loving Spicy Kids with Mary Van Geffen
In this episode of the Peaceful Parenting Podcast, Mary Van Geffen, a parenting coach, mom of spicy kids, and former marketing MBA executive, shares about her experiences and learnings from parent coaching. She explains the difference between a 'spicy kid' and a 'spirited kid', emphasizing that both include elements of overlap, but their understanding depends on the perspectives and expectations of the parents. Mary discusses methods of self-care for parents, the importance of creating healthy relationships within and beyond the family, and the power of maintaining a positive outlook towards your kid. We talk about: [4:43] Definition of Spicy Ones [6:33] The difference between Spicy and Spirited children [10:53] What's great about spicy kids [12:13] Knowing what is truly important in your life and where boundaries need to be [17:19] How did her mother deal with her growing up [19:30] How has her relationship with herself changed through her parenting journey [23:37] Building what she’s teaching other parents [25:18] Best ways parents can support themselves [30:35] Advice to her younger parent self Resources mentioned in this episode: Free ‘How to Stop Yelling’ Course: www.sarahrosensweet.com/yelling Join us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/peacefulparenting Newsletter: www.sarahrosensweet.com/newsletter Connect with Mary https://www.instagram.com/maryvangeffen/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/parentcoachforspicyones http://www.maryvangeffen.com/ Connect with Sarah Rosensweet Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahrosensweet/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/peacefulparentingfreegroup Website: https://www.sarahrosensweet.com Book a short consult or coaching session call: https://book-with-sarah-rosensweet.as.me/schedule.php

Jan 17, 2024 • 20min
137: Why Kids Blame and What to Do About It
In this episode of the Peaceful Parenting Podcast, we discuss why kids try to blame somebody else, and how they often blame others when they're hurt or upset. We explore reasons why this happens, including the fight, flight, or freeze response and a subconscious attempt to avoid difficult feelings. We cover tips to help parents effectively respond when a child blames someone for something. I also talk about my free and upcoming 'Peaceful Parenting Reset' event that helps parents better manage and empathize with their children. We talk about: [3:00] Why kids want to blame somebody else [5:48] Anger as a secondary emotion [7:23] What we can do about blame [9:23] Not needing to make everything a teachable moment [12:24] How to respond when our child is blaming us [17:12] Understanding our strong feelings Resources mentioned in this episode: Free ‘How to Stop Yelling’ Course: www.sarahrosensweet.com/yelling Join us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/peacefulparenting Newsletter: www.sarahrosensweet.com/newsletter Free reset: www.sarahrosensweet.com/reset Connect with Sarah Rosensweet Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahrosensweet/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/peacefulparentingfreegroup Website: https://www.sarahrosensweet.com Book a short consult or coaching session call: https://book-with-sarah-rosensweet.as.me/schedule.php

Jan 10, 2024 • 58min
136: Picky Eating, Food Anxiety, and Meeting Nutritional Needs with Kids in Eat in Color founder Jennifer Anderson
In this episode of the Peaceful Parenting Podcast, I sit down with Jennifer Anderson, Registered Dietitian and founder of Kids Eat in Color. Jennifer, a leading expert in addressing picky eating and food anxiety in children, shares the importance of the 'division of responsibility' in feeding kids, noting that parents decide what food is provided, when, and where, but children decide if and how much they eat. We also talk about promoting healthy eating habits without instilling fear of 'bad food,' and explore how diet culture, neurodivergence, and parental fears can influence children's relationships with food. We talk about: [6:33] Why it’s important to get kids to eat a variety of foods [10:15] Age as a factor in picky eating [11:50] Sensory issues with picky eating, and reasons kids might not just ‘grow out’ of picky eating [16:31] Realizing our own capacity and releasing parental guilt [18:33] Child led exposure therapy vs. ARFID [19:45] The line between doing feeding therapy out of concern vs. pressuring kids into eating more [26:42] Two sides to a good relationship with food [28:04] Drawing the line between genuine needed concern and diet culture influence [33:28] Good food vs. Bad food [39:33] Suggestions for how parents can talk about food [42:48] Support families around feeling their kids are eating too much or little [55:45] Advice to her younger parent self As a mother, wife, registered dietitian, and founder of Kids Eat in Color®, Jennifer Anderson faced challenges in feeding her children, especially when her first child began falling off the growth chart. This experience led her to specialize in child nutrition and picky eating. After extensive research, she developed an approach involving small, evidence-based adjustments to mealtime routines that effectively reduced food-related stress. She established Kids Eat in Color and assembled a team of experts to offer practical strategies and resources to parents struggling with similar issues. Recognizing the impact of small changes and variety in a child's diet, her platform provides guides, courses, and tools to help parents manage mealtime challenges and promote their children's health. Resources mentioned in this episode: Free ‘How to Stop Yelling’ Course: www.sarahrosensweet.com/yelling Join us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/peacefulparenting Newsletter: www.sarahrosensweet.com/newsletter Connect with Jennifer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kids.eat.in.color/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kids.eat.in.color Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/kidseatincolor/ https://kidseatincolor.com/ Connect with Sarah Rosensweet Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahrosensweet/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/peacefulparentingfreegroup Website: https://www.sarahrosensweet.com Book a short consult or coaching session call: https://book-with-sarah-rosensweet.as.me/schedule.php

Jan 3, 2024 • 1h 19min
135: Coaching with Melanie: Spirited Children, Big Feelings and Cooperation Issues
In this episode of the Peaceful Parenting Podcast, I sit down with Melanie for a coaching episode. Melanie is a mom of two spirited boys – Ben and Eamon. We talk about the challenges Melanie is facing, from managing often intense energy levels and instances of aggression to understanding strong emotions and dealing with non-cooperation in daily routines. I give Melanie solutions, like introducing one-on-one time and sensory activities, prioritizing problem-solving situations, and reminding children that their parents are on their side. We talk about: [3:49] When Melanie’s son gets lost in play and becomes physically aggressive [5:58] Handling meltdowns at dinner [12:53] Running in the street to the car [16:28] Random acts of aggression [21:31] Finding your own triggers and then knowing what to do about them [30:20] Prevention tips of physical violence between the two boys [37:00] Sensory issues [46:40] Check in and update [55:51] Eamon's random acts of violence [1:08:27] Helping Ben when he is tuning everything out Resources mentioned in this episode: Free ‘How to Stop Yelling’ Course: www.sarahrosensweet.com/yelling Join us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/peacefulparenting Newsletter: www.sarahrosensweet.com/newsletter Connect with Sarah Rosensweet Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahrosensweet/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/peacefulparentingfreegroup Website: https://www.sarahrosensweet.com Book a short consult or coaching session call: https://book-with-sarah-rosensweet.as.me/schedule.php