Mastermind Parenting Podcast

Every parent has some version of this story. Your kid crosses a line that’s important to you. You exchange angry words, but eventually you talk it out and repair your rapport. Now you’re stuck with conflicting feelings. You don’t want to cause further disruption to your relationship with your child, but you also know their behavior isn’t likely to change without some consequence. This time, I’m sharing the experience of a Masterminder who was caught in this exact dilemma. We’ll discuss the difficult but necessary steps you can take to honor your values, communicate their importance to your children, and help them be better prepared for adulthood in the process.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why sometimes the way to step up for your kiddos means imposing consequences that neither of you is happy about.The long-term benefit of short-term discomfort, for your relationship with your kids and their relationship with the world.How vitally important followthrough is in your role as pack leader.And much more! As always, thanks for listening. Head over to Facebook, where you can join my free group Mastermind Parenting Community. We post tips and tools and do pop-up Live conversations where I do extra teaching and coaching to support you in helping your strong-willed children so that they can FEEL better and DO better. If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it!Get all the links, resources, and transcripts here: https://mastermindparenting.com/podcast-281About Randi RubensteinRandi Rubenstein helps parents with a strong-willed kiddo become a happier family and enjoy the simple things again like bike rides and beach vacays.She’s the founder of Mastermind Parenting, host of the Mastermind Parenting podcast, and author of The Parent Gap. Randi works with parents across the U.S.At Mastermind Parenting, we believe every human deserves to have a family that gets along.Randi’s Web and Social LinksWebsite: https://mastermindparenting.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermindparentingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mastermind_parenting/Resources Discussed/LinksOur 12-week Basics Bootcamp program is now available as a 100% online self-study course! https://mastermindparenting.com/minimasters/Live assessment: https://mastermindparenting.com/live-assessment/

Therapy can be a big help for some people. But for stressed-out parents, healing our old wounds and stepping up for our kiddos often requires a different approach. One of my Masterminders, Dr. Shawn Hondorp, has experienced this disconnect from the inside. Shawn is an experienced clinical psychologist who isn’t satisfied with the tools and techniques of the traditional diagnostic therapy methods. She’s developing a new approach to improving mental health.Shawn’s practices reject pathology and easy labels. Instead, they help you identify your old patterns of thoughts and feelings, understand why they were woven, and put them to work in ways that help rather than hinder your growth. I’m honored that working with me has helped her find the courage to share this new vision of what therapy can accomplish, and I can’t wait for you to learn about it!In this episode, you’ll learn:How a focus on efficiency and accomplishment can actually cost us - and our kiddos - more time and energy in the long run.The real reason why we struggle with negative self talk, and how that context can help you keep it from overwhelming you.Why pack leaders need other pack leaders they can lean on and grow with.And much more! As always, thanks for listening. Head over to Facebook, where you can join my free group Mastermind Parenting Community. We post tips and tools and do pop-up Live conversations where I do extra teaching and coaching to support you in helping your strong-willed children so that they can FEEL better and DO better. If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it!Get all the links, resources, and transcripts here: https://mastermindparenting.com/podcast-280About Randi RubensteinRandi Rubenstein helps parents with a strong-willed kiddo become a happier family and enjoy the simple things again like bike rides and beach vacays.She’s the founder of Mastermind Parenting, host of the Mastermind Parenting podcast, and author of The Parent Gap. Randi works with parents across the U.S.At Mastermind Parenting, we believe every human deserves to have a family that gets along.Randi’s Web and Social LinksWebsite: https://mastermindparenting.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermindparentingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mastermind_parenting/About Our GuestDr. Shawn Hondorp is a clinical psychologist whose goal is to create safe learning environments for those who want to explore innovative approaches to healing, one authentic conversation at a time. Learn more about her work, and subscribe to The Innovative Therapist Podcast, at https://drshawnhondorp.com/ Resources Discussed/LinksNo Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model, by Dick Schwartz https://ifs-institute.com/store/419Decolonizing Therapy: Oppression, Historical Trauma & Politicizing Your Practice, by Dr. Jennifer Mullan https://www.decolonizingtherapy.com/book Our 12-week Basics Bootcamp program is now available as a 100% online self-study course! https://mastermindparenting.com/minimasters/Live assessment: https://mastermindparenting.com/live-assessment/

Last week’s conversation about ADHD got my brain firing about what a diagnosis can and can’t do for the parents of a highly sensitive child. Getting that label can be a starting point, but our mental health system doesn’t train medical professionals - or support struggling parents - to understand what those kiddos need to adapt and thrive. Membership Coordinator (and Mastermind Co-parent) Lindsey joins me on the mic this week, to share a success story from a new Masterminder. From there we talk about why diagnosis is just the start, medication isn’t a sure fix, and what leading your pack through a tough day with a strong-willed kiddo actually looks like.In this episode, you’ll learn:How a disjointed mental health system often leaves parents with more questions than answers.The important role of your intuition in deciding what works best for your family.Why a diagnosis can be helpful, and why it’s only one piece of a puzzle when it comes to helping your child navigate the world.The difference between understanding your kiddo’s big feelings and letting them hijack your household when they express those feelings.And much more!  As always, thanks for listening. Head over to Facebook, where you can join my free group Mastermind Parenting Community. We post tips and tools and do pop-up Live conversations where I do extra teaching and coaching to support you in helping your strong-willed children so that they can FEEL better and DO better. If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it!Get all the links, resources, and transcripts here: https://mastermindparenting.com/podcast-279About Randi RubensteinRandi Rubenstein helps parents with a strong-willed kiddo become a happier family and enjoy the simple things again like bike rides and beach vacays.She’s the founder of Mastermind Parenting, host of the Mastermind Parenting podcast, and author of The Parent Gap. Randi works with parents across the U.S.At Mastermind Parenting, we believe every human deserves to have a family that gets along.Randi’s Web and Social LinksWebsite: https://mastermindparenting.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermindparentingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mastermind_parenting/Resources Discussed/LinksOur 12-week Basics Bootcamp program is now available as a 100% online self-study course! https://mastermindparenting.com/minimasters/Live assessment: https://mastermindparenting.com/live-assessment/

An ADHD diagnosis can be a welcome answer for parents who are struggling to understand their child’s behavior. But a diagnosis doesn’t come with a user’s manual, and kids especially can have a hard time understanding what all the clinical terms mean for them and their needs. This time I’m in conversation with pediatric neuropsychologists Dr. Katia Fredriksen and Dr. Yael E. Rothman. They’ve written Different Thinkers: ADHD a kid-friendly guide that aims to help little ones understand and celebrate their neurodiversity.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why sleep issues, anxiety, and other sensitivities are often mistaken for signs of ADHD.How a collaborative approach involving parents, teachers, and medical professionals can help you understand and honor kids no matter their neurodiversity.That helping a highly sensitive child cope with an overstimulated world works best when you take it step by step.And much more! As always, thanks for listening. Head over to Facebook, where you can join my free group Mastermind Parenting Community. We post tips and tools and do pop-up Live conversations where I do extra teaching and coaching to support you in helping your strong-willed children so that they can FEEL better and DO better. If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it!Get all the links, resources, and transcripts here: https://mastermindparenting.com/podcast-278About Randi RubensteinRandi Rubenstein helps parents with a strong-willed kiddo become a happier family and enjoy the simple things again like bike rides and beach vacays.She’s the founder of Mastermind Parenting, host of the Mastermind Parenting podcast, and author of The Parent Gap. Randi works with parents across the U.S.At Mastermind Parenting, we believe every human deserves to have a family that gets along.Randi’s Web and Social LinksWebsite: https://mastermindparenting.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermindparentingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mastermind_parenting/About My Guests:Katia Fredriksen, Ph.D. and Yael E. Rothman, Ph.D. are pediatric neuropsychologists and the authors of Different Thinkers: ADHD, a child-friendly guide that strips away the stigmas, myths, and misconceptions associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. https://www.boystownpress.org/different-thinkers-adhd-softcover/ Resources Discussed/LinksThe Highly Sensitive Child: Helping Our Children Thrive When The World Overwhelms Themby Elaine N. Aron Ph.D. https://hsperson.com/books/the-highly-sensitive-child/Our 12-week Basics Bootcamp program is now available as a 100% online self-study course! https://mastermindparenting.com/minimasters/Live assessment: https://mastermindparenting.com/live-assessment/

Michaeleen Doucleff, an award-winning global health correspondent and author of Hunt, Gather, Parent, shares insights on empowering children through a 'do less' parenting approach. She highlights how doing too much for kids can stifle their independence and motivation. The discussion explores the importance of respectful communication, fostering autonomy, and embracing imperfection in parenting. By allowing children to contribute and encouraging authentic connections, parents can nurture confident, self-sufficient kids. Tune in for real stories and valuable strategies!

No parent loves to admit feeling annoyed by their kids. It’s tempting to dismiss little problems, and try to ignore the frustration they cause inside us. This is extra hard if we’ve experienced gaslighting in the past. If we’ve gotten the message from partners or parents that our emotions aren’t trustworthy, it can be so easy to repeat that pattern and not trust our reactions. But if we pay attention to them, small frustrations can give us big info about what’s going on with our kiddos. And if you approach the annoying behavior with a curious, understanding mindset, you can address the root causes before they turn into bigger issues down the road.In this episode, you’ll learn:A real-life example of a small annoyance that could have turned into a big deal if this Mastermind mom ignored her feelings.Why it’s so important to treat a kid who’s acting out like a teammate rather than an adversary.How to listen to your inner voice when it’s telling you that a little deal behavior is hinting at a bigger problem.And much more! As always, thanks for listening. Head over to Facebook, where you can join my free group Mastermind Parenting Community. We post tips and tools and do pop-up Live conversations where I do extra teaching and coaching to support you in helping your strong-willed children so that they can FEEL better and DO better. If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it!Get all the links, resources, and transcripts here: https://mastermindparenting.com/podcast-276About Randi RubensteinRandi Rubenstein helps parents with a strong-willed kiddo become a happier family and enjoy the simple things again like bike rides and beach vacays.She’s the founder of Mastermind Parenting, host of the Mastermind Parenting podcast, and author of The Parent Gap. Randi works with parents across the U.S.At Mastermind Parenting, we believe every human deserves to have a family that gets along.Randi’s Web and Social LinksWebsite: https://mastermindparenting.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermindparentingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mastermind_parenting/Resources Discussed/LinksOur 12-week Basics Bootcamp program is now available as a 100% online self-study course! https://mastermindparenting.com/minimasters/Live assessment: https://mastermindparenting.com/live-assessment/

Emotionally immature parents set us up for lots of challenges in our own role as family pack leaders. One of the most difficult ways that shows up is when our actual kiddos act in ways that echo behavior we endured from emotionally immature grown-ups. This week I invite you to listen in on some coaching I did with two of my amazing Masterminders. They’re making huge strides recognizing the behavior that’s triggering their instinctive responses, and using their pack leadership skills to break the cycle of blame and disappointment.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why so much of what we think of as “bad” behavior comes down to our own unrealistic expectations for our kids.How building your pack leadership can help you be more conscious of the skills your kids haven’t developed yet, and provide the guidance and certainty they need to learn them.The ways your own upbringing influences those expectations, and how understanding the connection can help you lead with empathy rather than judgment.And much more! As always, thanks for listening. Head over to Facebook, where you can join my free group Mastermind Parenting Community. We post tips and tools and do pop-up Live conversations where I do extra teaching and coaching to support you in helping your strong-willed children so that they can FEEL better and DO better. If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it!Get all the links, resources, and transcripts here: https://mastermindparenting.com/podcast-275About Randi RubensteinRandi Rubenstein helps parents with a strong-willed kiddo become a happier family and enjoy the simple things again like bike rides and beach vacays.She’s the founder of Mastermind Parenting, host of the Mastermind Parenting podcast, and author of The Parent Gap. Randi works with parents across the U.S.At Mastermind Parenting, we believe every human deserves to have a family that gets along.Randi’s Web and Social LinksWebsite: https://mastermindparenting.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermindparentingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mastermind_parenting/Resources Discussed/LinksAdult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents, by Lindsay C. Gibson https://www.newharbinger.com/9781626251700/adult-children-of-emotionally-immature-parents/Our 12-week Basics Bootcamp program is now available as a 100% online self-study course! https://mastermindparenting.com/minimasters/Live assessment: https://mastermindparenting.com/live-assessment/

Look out, listener, I have another new book crush, and I can’t wait to discuss her work with you! I’ve recently been captivated by Lindsay C. Gibson and her book Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents. It spoke to so much of my experience with my own parents and their resistance to reflecting on how they raised me, and it also explains the conditioning that so many of my Mastermind parents are struggling against! I’m ready to start a whole conversation on the topics this book raised. I’m glad you’re here to be part of it!In this episode, you’ll learn:Why it can be so hard for our parents to face the mistakes they made raising us, and how we can learn from their resistance to self-reflection.How the concept of emotional immaturity can help you understand your own healing, and help you keep that behavior out of your own parenting. Why highly-sensitive kids are uniquely equipped to see through the pretense and performance that we use to mask our insecurities as parents.And much more! As always, thanks for listening. Head over to Facebook, where you can join my free group Mastermind Parenting Community. We post tips and tools and do pop-up Live conversations where I do extra teaching and coaching to support you in helping your strong-willed children so that they can FEEL better and DO better. If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it!Get all the links, resources, and transcripts here: https://mastermindparenting.com/podcast-274About Randi RubensteinRandi Rubenstein helps parents with a strong-willed kiddo become a happier family and enjoy the simple things again like bike rides and beach vacays.She’s the founder of Mastermind Parenting, host of the Mastermind Parenting podcast, and author of The Parent Gap. Randi works with parents across the U.S.At Mastermind Parenting, we believe every human deserves to have a family that gets along.Randi’s Web and Social LinksWebsite: https://mastermindparenting.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermindparentingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mastermind_parenting/Resources Discussed/LinksAdult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents, by Lindsay C. Gibson https://www.newharbinger.com/9781626251700/adult-children-of-emotionally-immature-parents/Author and podcaster Glennon Doyle https://momastery.com/ Our 12-week Basics Bootcamp program is now available as a 100% online self-study course! https://mastermindparenting.com/minimasters/Live assessment: https://mastermindparenting.com/live-assessment/

If you’ve listened to the podcast, you’ve probably heard me mention how much I love television. Since I was a kid, TV has been a place where I could escape from reality for a little while. But it’s also helped me to understand what kind of family relationships I want, and modeled the kind of parent I want to show up as. I recently rediscovered The Mary Tyler Moore Show, which was a favorite when I was in college. An episode I just watched showed me that our worries about perfection aren’t a new thing. We’ve felt this pressure to perform and be the perfect parents since at least 1970. Let me (and Mary) show you where that pressure comes from, and what to do about it.In this episode, you’ll learn:How we got so caught up in the wisdom of parenting books and the advice of experts, and stopped trusting ourselves.Why we worry so much about saying the wrong thing and screwing our kids up forever.How the performance of parenting prevents us from being authentic and real (until we’re too pissed off to keep up the act).And much more! As always, thanks for listening. Head over to Facebook, where you can join my free group Mastermind Parenting Community. We post tips and tools and do pop-up Live conversations where I do extra teaching and coaching to support you in helping your strong-willed children so that they can FEEL better and DO better. If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it!Get all the links, resources, and transcripts here: https://mastermindparenting.com/podcast-273About Randi RubensteinRandi Rubenstein helps parents with a strong-willed kiddo become a happier family and enjoy the simple things again like bike rides and beach vacays.She’s the founder of Mastermind Parenting, host of the Mastermind Parenting podcast, and author of The Parent Gap. Randi works with parents across the U.S.At Mastermind Parenting, we believe every human deserves to have a family that gets along.Randi’s Web and Social LinksWebsite: https://mastermindparenting.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermindparentingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mastermind_parenting/Resources Discussed/LinksThe Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown https://brenebrown.com/book/the-gifts-of-imperfection/Our 12-week Basics Bootcamp program is now available as a 100% online self-study course! https://mastermindparenting.com/minimasters/Live assessment: https://mastermindparenting.com/live-assessment/

My mind is on fire with all the things we’re discovering in my new Pack Leadership group. One of our newest Masterminders is experiencing a very familiar kid scenario: pulled in too many directions, never enough time, her energetic daughter is seeking attention by acting out. Usually, I’d send her to our NICE Framework, to help her better understand her daughter’s behavior. But this time, I took a step back and asked about HER day-to-day experience. It turns out she’s got her own patterns and triggers, and no amount of compassion for her child is going to help if she’s not taking care of herself. I can’t wait for you to hear a recent voice message I left for the group, where we talked about why it feels like there’s so much potential in this different approach. In this episode, you’ll learn:Why we don’t usually think about self-understanding and compassion when we’re focused on addressing behavioral challenges. What drives kids to act out and misbehave when they can’t express their need for more attention.How to think about being present with your kids so you’re not just going through the motions of spending time with them.And much more! As always, thanks for listening. Head over to Facebook, where you can join my free group Mastermind Parenting Community. We post tips and tools and do pop-up Live conversations where I do extra teaching and coaching to support you in helping your strong-willed children so that they can FEEL better and DO better. If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it!Get all the links, resources, and transcripts here: https://mastermindparenting.com/podcast-272About Randi RubensteinRandi Rubenstein helps parents with a strong-willed kiddo become a happier family and enjoy the simple things again like bike rides and beach vacays.She’s the founder of Mastermind Parenting, host of the Mastermind Parenting podcast, and author of The Parent Gap. Randi works with parents across the U.S.At Mastermind Parenting, we believe every human deserves to have a family that gets along.Randi’s Web and Social LinksWebsite: https://mastermindparenting.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermindparentingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mastermind_parenting/Resources Discussed/LinksIntro to my NICE Framework: https://mastermindparenting.com/222-1-the-framework-that-transforms-strong-willed-kids/Our 12-week Basics Bootcamp program is now available as a 100% online self-study course! https://mastermindparenting.com/minimasters/Live assessment: https://mastermindparenting.com/live-assessment/