
Peace and Parenting: How to Parent without Punishments
Are you sick of parenting with the ideas of yelling and shame and looking for something that feels better, is different, but still has a sense of boundaries and limits?Welcome to Peace and Parenting! Michelle is a former teacher, counselor, certified parenting coach, mom of two teens, recovering yeller, and perfectionist who parents without using punishments altogether. And guess what? It works! On this show, you’ll learn the how behind having kids who are entirely UNPUNISHED but who are also successful, kind, loving, and know how to follow directions. Twice a week, Michelle shares her insights and expertise on connective parenting through solo episodes and interviews with experts and other struggling parents. If you have exhausted all other options and don't know what to do next, this could be the parenting strategy you've been searching for.
Latest episodes

Oct 10, 2024 • 14min
Why Restricting Social Media Could Be More Dangerous Than You Think
Are you worried about your child’s safety on social media? It's easy to jump to the idea of banning electronics, parties, or risky behaviors altogether, but do restrictions really protect them? Today i open up a can of worms as I tackle the tough topic of social media and explore a different approach to keeping our kids safe. In This Episode:Should you restrict social media completely?Why strong connections reduce risky behaviorHandling tricky situations like parties and curfewsBalancing autonomy with guidance for teensCreating open dialogue around social media usage🔗 Interested in group or 1:1 Coaching? Book a Discovery Call today.💌 Enjoy today’s episode? Please share it with a fellow parent or leave a rating and a review.📖 Check out my book UNPUNISHED!Follow Peace and Parenting:YouTube: @peaceandparentinglaInstagram: @peaceandparentingFacebook: @peaceandparentinglaPeace and Parenting Facebook GroupInterested in learning how to balance parenting and technology? Join my Plugged in Parenting seminar on April 29-30: https://peaceandparentingla.com/event-understanding-kids-technologyOur Sponsors:* Check out Blueland: https://blueland.com/peace* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code PEACE for a great deal: https://happymammoth.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Oct 8, 2024 • 17min
Case Study: How to Respond When Your Child Withdraws
How do you handle it when your child withdraws in tough moments? We've all been there, right? We want our kids to open up about their feelings, but we’re faced with silence or resistance. This can leave us feeling helpless and unsure of how to connect with them when they seem to shut down emotionally.Today, I talk with a listener named Stevie, who shares her struggles with her 9-year-old daughter’s reluctance to express her emotions, especially after witnessing conflict at home. I share with her how our urgency to “fix” things can often create even more distance, and explore how empathy, patience, and a shift in mindset can bring us closer to our children without pushing them to talk before they’re ready.In This Episode:How to respond when kids shut downWhy space and empathy matter more than wordsThe power of repair in front of your kidsBreaking the cycle of parenting from guiltHow to honor your child's emotional boundaries🔗 Interested in group or 1:1 Coaching? Book a discovery call by sending an email to: askpeaceandparenting@gmail.com💌 Enjoy today’s episode? Please share it with a fellow parent or leave a rating and a review.📖 Check out my book UNPUNISHED!Follow Peace and Parenting:YouTube: @peaceandparentinglaInstagram: @peaceandparentingFacebook: @peaceandparentinglaPeace and Parenting Facebook GroupInterested in learning how to balance parenting and technology? Join my Plugged in Parenting seminar on April 29-30: https://peaceandparentingla.com/event-understanding-kids-technologyOur Sponsors:* Check out Blueland: https://blueland.com/peace* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code PEACE for a great deal: https://happymammoth.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Oct 3, 2024 • 15min
What My Daughter Really Thinks About My Parenting
Have you ever worried that being "too soft" might set your kids up for failure in the harsh realities of life? Or maybe you’ve heard that using connection instead of consequences will spoil your children. Today is a special episode for me because I sit down with my oldest daughter Esme, who’s just about to leave for college, to reflect on our 18-year parenting journey. Together, we debunk the myths surrounding connective parenting and explore how it has shaped her into a self-assured, empathetic young adult.In This Episode:Misconceptions about “soft” parenting and disciplineHow empathy fosters resilience and self-esteemBenefits of letting kids learn responsibilityThe impact of no punishments on long-term behaviorEncouraging independence through connection🔗 Interested in our 1:1 Coaching? Book a discovery call by sending an email to: askpeaceandparenting@gmail.com💌 Enjoy today’s episode? Please share it with a fellow parent or leave a rating and a review.📖 Check out my book UNPUNISHED!Follow Peace and Parenting:YouTube: @peaceandparentinglaInstagram: @peaceandparentingFacebook: @peaceandparentinglaPeace and Parenting Facebook GroupInterested in learning how to balance parenting and technology? Join my Plugged in Parenting seminar on April 29-30: https://peaceandparentingla.com/event-understanding-kids-technologyOur Sponsors:* Check out Blueland: https://blueland.com/peace* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code PEACE for a great deal: https://happymammoth.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Oct 1, 2024 • 27min
Case Study: Struggling with Boundaries? This Should Help
Ever feel like you’re stuck between what you know is best and what your instincts tell you to do in the heat of the moment? You’re not alone! Today I am tackling a battle many parents face, choosing connection over consequences when setting limits for our kids.Today, I talk with podcast listener Cecilia, a mom of three, as we discuss the struggles many of us face when balancing connective parenting with the pressures to revert to punishments. We talk about everything from the challenges of setting boundaries with empathy to how we can reframe our kids’ misbehavior as a moment of dysregulation, not defiance.In This Episode:Reframing behavior as a moment of dysregulationWhy punishment doesn’t foster lasting changeStrategies for setting limits with empathy and playHow to build connection in tough momentsShifting your mindset to create lasting change🔗 Interested in our 1:1 Coaching? Book a discovery call by sending an email to: askpeaceandparenting@gmail.com💌 Enjoy today’s episode? Please share it with a fellow parent or leave a rating and a review.📖 Check out my book UNPUNISHED!Follow Peace and Parenting:YouTube: @peaceandparentinglaInstagram: @peaceandparentingFacebook: @peaceandparentinglaPeace and Parenting Facebook GroupInterested in learning how to balance parenting and technology? Join my Plugged in Parenting seminar on April 29-30: https://peaceandparentingla.com/event-understanding-kids-technologyOur Sponsors:* Check out Blueland: https://blueland.com/peace* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code PEACE for a great deal: https://happymammoth.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Sep 26, 2024 • 13min
The #1 Factor for Raising Successful Children
Are You Taking Care of Yourself as a Parent? We all want our kids to thrive, but what if the key to their success lies in our own happiness? In this episode, I dive into the research from the University of Ohio that explores the profound impact a mother’s happiness has on her child’s success. This study found that a mother’s well-being is the most crucial factor for a child’s development, more important than anything else. But what does that really mean for us as parents?In This Episode:The importance of parental happiness for child successBalancing self-care with parenting demandsHow children are attuned to their parents’ emotionsThe connection between self-care and parentingReal-life examples of managing happiness as a parent🔗 Interested in our 1:1 Coaching? Book a discovery call by sending an email to: askpeaceandparenting@gmail.com💌 Enjoy today’s episode? Please share it with a fellow parent or leave a rating and a review.📖 Check out my book UNPUNISHED!Follow Peace and Parenting:YouTube: @peaceandparentinglaInstagram: @peaceandparentingFacebook: @peaceandparentinglaPeace and Parenting Facebook GroupInterested in learning how to balance parenting and technology? Join my Plugged in Parenting seminar on April 29-30: https://peaceandparentingla.com/event-understanding-kids-technologyOur Sponsors:* Check out Blueland: https://blueland.com/peace* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code PEACE for a great deal: https://happymammoth.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Sep 24, 2024 • 24min
Case Study: How to Stop Fixing Your Child's Feelings
What if we didn't need to fix our children's feelings? Imagine if the key to a peaceful household lies not in solving every problem but in simply being present. Today, we explore the transformative power of witnessing our children's emotions.In today's case study, I chat with Shweta, a mother to two children, about the struggle of managing her nine-year-old daughter’s anxiety. Shweta shares the weight of feeling responsible for her child's emotional well-being and the pressure she places on herself to "fix" everything. We unpack the importance of validating our children's feelings without rushing to solutions and how this practice can lead to deeper connections and fewer anxiety-driven outbursts. In This Episode:Why the need to fix our children’s feelings is a mythThe importance of witnessing and validating emotionsLetting go of guilt and controlEmbracing tantrums for emotional releaseBuilding deeper connections through empathy🔗 Interested in our 1:1 Coaching? Book a discovery call by sending an email to: askpeaceandparenting@gmail.com💌 Enjoy today’s episode? Please share it with a fellow parent or leave a rating and a review.📖 Check out my book UNPUNISHED!Follow Peace and Parenting:YouTube: @peaceandparentinglaInstagram: @peaceandparentingFacebook: @peaceandparentinglaPeace and Parenting Facebook GroupInterested in learning how to balance parenting and technology? Join my Plugged in Parenting seminar on April 29-30: https://peaceandparentingla.com/event-understanding-kids-technologyOur Sponsors:* Check out Blueland: https://blueland.com/peace* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code PEACE for a great deal: https://happymammoth.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Sep 19, 2024 • 14min
Punishments Won’t Help Your Kid Prepare for the “Real World”
Today, I tackle one of the most common concerns I hear from parents: Am I doing my kids a disservice by not using punishments and consequences? Many argue that without experiencing the "real world" of control and manipulation, children won’t be able to cope when they face it as adults. But is that really true?I believe raising children with connection, empathy, and unconditional love doesn’t leave them unprepared for the real world, it actually makes them more resilient. Instead of learning to accept harsh treatment, my kids know how to walk away from it. They understand the value of boundaries, and they seek out relationships that nurture rather than control. Let’s redefine what it means to truly prepare our children for the world ahead. It’s not about toughening them up; it’s about teaching them to thrive.In This Episode:Why connection builds true resilience in kidsHow gentle parenting prepares kids for the real worldThe harmful myth of “necessary” consequencesTeaching children to walk away from toxic situationsEncouraging kids to expect kindness in relationships🔗 Join my Connected Parent Mastermind, designed for parents who want to strengthen their connection with their children, experience more love, and reduce frustration.🔗 Interested in our 1:1 Coaching? Book a discovery call by sending an email to: askpeaceandparenting@gmail.com💌 Enjoy today’s episode? Please share it with a fellow parent or leave a rating and a review.📖 Check out my book UNPUNISHED!Follow Peace and Parenting:YouTube: @peaceandparentinglaInstagram: @peaceandparentingFacebook: @peaceandparentinglaPeace and Parenting Facebook GroupInterested in learning how to balance parenting and technology? Join my Plugged in Parenting seminar on April 29-30: https://peaceandparentingla.com/event-understanding-kids-technologyOur Sponsors:* Check out Blueland: https://blueland.com/peace* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code PEACE for a great deal: https://happymammoth.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Sep 17, 2024 • 19min
Case Study: Why Rewards Aren't Working in Your Potty Training Journey
Is your child resisting potty training? What if the secret to smoother potty training is all about connection? Join me today as I tackle a common parenting dilemma: potty training with one of my Instagram followers, Jamie. We'll discuss her experiences with potty training her spirited three-year-old daughter.Jamie shares her challenges, from her daughter’s resistance to potty training to the battles around diaper changes. I'll share strategies prioritizing connection, empathy, and letting go of control and guide Jamie on adopting a more connective approach, highlighting the effectiveness of special time and play in resolving conflicts.In This Episode:Connecting through special timeSetting limits with empathyAvoiding control battles in potty trainingUnderstanding the impact of new siblingsReframing diaper changes with play🔗 Interested in our 1:1 Coaching? Book a discovery call by sending an email to: askpeaceandparenting@gmail.com💌 Enjoy today’s episode? Please share it with a fellow parent or leave a rating and a review.📖 Check out my book UNPUNISHED!Follow Peace and Parenting:YouTube: @peaceandparentinglaInstagram: @peaceandparentingFacebook: @peaceandparentinglaPeace and Parenting Facebook GroupInterested in learning how to balance parenting and technology? Join my Plugged in Parenting seminar on April 29-30: https://peaceandparentingla.com/event-understanding-kids-technologyOur Sponsors:* Check out Blueland: https://blueland.com/peace* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code PEACE for a great deal: https://happymammoth.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Sep 12, 2024 • 12min
Why Don’t My Kids Listen?
Ever feel like every request turns into a battle with your kids? You ask them to put their shoes on, help with chores, or even just sit down for dinner, and instead of cooperation, you get resistance or silence. It’s frustrating, right? But here’s the big question: What if their refusal has less to do with defiance and more about how they FEEL about the relationship?Today, I tackle why our kids may not cooperate and how it relates to our connection. I explore how common parenting techniques, like punishments and rewards, often backfire, creating distance instead of understanding. If we shift our approach, it can transform daily interactions with our kids, bringing more peace and cooperation into our homes without resorting to punitive measures.In This Episode:Why do kids refuse to listen or cooperateDefiance or disconnection, what’s really happening?The negative effects of punishments and rewardsHow to use empathy and play to encourage cooperationAdjusting expectations for more harmony at home🔗 Interested in our 1:1 Coaching? Book a discovery call by sending an email to: askpeaceandparenting@gmail.com💌 Enjoy today’s episode? Please share it with a fellow parent or leave a rating and a review.📖 Check out my book UNPUNISHED!Follow Peace and Parenting:YouTube: @peaceandparentinglaInstagram: @peaceandparentingFacebook: @peaceandparentinglaPeace and Parenting Facebook GroupInterested in learning how to balance parenting and technology? Join my Plugged in Parenting seminar on April 29-30: https://peaceandparentingla.com/event-understanding-kids-technologyOur Sponsors:* Check out Blueland: https://blueland.com/peace* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code PEACE for a great deal: https://happymammoth.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Sep 10, 2024 • 22min
Case Study: How to Stop Fighting Over Screen Time
Is your child constantly glued to their screen? Do you feel torn between setting strict boundaries and fostering trust? In today’s world, technology is everywhere, and balancing it with real-life connection can feel overwhelming. How do we guide our kids through it without falling into the trap of punishments and control?In this episode, I talk with Melissa, a fellow mom, about the daily challenges of managing her daughters' screen time and maintaining a healthy relationship with them. I share with her the tricky balance between allowing technology in our kids’ lives and ensuring they are still grounded in the real world. We also tackle the challenges of not letting electronics become the villain in every sibling dispute and why letting our kids learn from their own screen habits can be more powerful than strict rules. In This Episode:Managing screen time without creating conflictHow to set limits without controlSibling fights: When the phone isn’t the issueThe importance of open conversations about online safetyWhy connection is the best defense against tech risks🔗 Interested in our 1:1 Coaching? Book a discovery call by sending an email to: askpeaceandparenting@gmail.com💌 Enjoy today’s episode? Please share it with a fellow parent or leave a rating and a review.📖 Check out my book UNPUNISHED!Follow Peace and Parenting:YouTube: @peaceandparentinglaInstagram: @peaceandparentingFacebook: @peaceandparentinglaPeace and Parenting Facebook GroupInterested in learning how to balance parenting and technology? Join my Plugged in Parenting seminar on April 29-30: https://peaceandparentingla.com/event-understanding-kids-technologyOur Sponsors:* Check out Blueland: https://blueland.com/peace* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code PEACE for a great deal: https://happymammoth.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy