1:1 Coaching Call

Transforming the Toddler Years

The Blog

 

“Parenting is really one big, beautiful story and

I love telling it.”

Cara Tyrrell, Founder Core4Parenting
Worried You Toddler's Not Empathetic? character emotional awareness empathy foundational skills parenting skill development

"You can each pick one thing" I said to each of my girls as we entered the store. 

With that statement I released any attachment to what that item was.

Whether it was healthy or junk, a tube of bubbles or colored, lined index cards. (Even as a tiny Caroline already had a thing for...

Continue Reading...
Helping Kids Listen behavior character collaborative parenting foundational skills listening

"Ok, it's time to clean up. Help me put these blocks back in the box please."

I was wrapping up a home visit and the recently-turned one year old looked at me and smiled. 

She then did these three things in quick succession:

  1. Picked up a block
  2. Put it in the wooden box
  3. And dumped all the...
Continue Reading...
Mindset Vs Perspective character foundational skills growth mindset parenting perspective raising children

“Mom, what do you think I should do?” 

 

My daughter Caroline just started her first semester at Temple University, Japan. Her night is my day, and vice versa, so I often wake up to messages, pictures, or voice memos from her.  It’s a great way to start the day...

Continue Reading...
Does Conscious Parenting Really Work? collaborative parenting conscious parenting core 4 foundational skills growth mindset parenting

Parents & Early Educators ask me a short list of questions, on repeat. And this always makes the top three!

 

My job is to be honest with you. So here it is.

 

Consciousness is only HALF of the formula for raising and teaching well rounded, whole kids.

 

So why is conscious...

Continue Reading...
Why Toddlers Don't Follow Directions behavior foundational skills listening raising children skill development

“My toddler just won’t listen to me! And don’t even get me started on how they don’t follow directions.”

If I had a dollar for every time I heard a parent navigating the toddler years say this…

But here’s the thing.

Hearing isn’t the same as...

Continue Reading...
What IS Kindergarten Readiness? covid generation education foundational skills kindergarten school

True, effective communication is based on real, authentic connection.  

 

When I really need a kiddo to hear me I touch my nose and say, “look at my nose so I know you can hear me”.  They often giggle, sometimes look at me funny as they get the joke, but I always...

Continue Reading...
Stop Apologizing for Your Child's Behavior. Do this Instead behavior conscious parenting foundational skills parenting

Toddlers misbehave: at home, in public, at school.

 

They are small humans exploring the world and testing to see who will hold boundaries with love, consistency and compassion, regardless of where they are.

 

As parents, the urge to apologize for their behaviors is strong. But when you...

Continue Reading...
Why Sharing Really Matters conscious parenting emotional regulation foundational skills parenting parenting tips sharing

My husband is terrible at sharing.  I am not throwing him under the bus. It's true and he’ll tell you as much.  He doesn't like sharing food off his plate.  He refuses to share his tools. And, although he will eventually hand over a sweatshirt when I ask to borrow it, he...

Continue Reading...
Holding Boundaries Without Power Struggles behavior boundaries conscious parenting foundational skills parenting tips

Toddlers are born salespeople. They refuse to take NO for an answer. 

They show up consistently. 

They exhibit persistence.

They use creativity to pose other potential solutions that get them what they want.

 

You, to say YES.

 

The truth is that these skill sets are vital...

Continue Reading...
How to Talk to Kids Who Can't Talk Back Yet foundational skills language skills parenting tips skills speaking

When parents find out I have a degree in Linguistics they ask me one of two questions:

 

How do I talk to my baby when they can’t talk back yet? 

or

How do I help my late-talking toddler manage their communication frustration?

 

And my answer is always the same. 

 

...
Continue Reading...
My Toddler Won't Stop Kicking Me! conscious parenting core 4 emotional regulation foundational skills parenting

Today we’re talking about physical behavior with our kids, how they come at us physically and how we are going to manage that.  One of my clients who's a Transforming the Toddler, Toddler Years course graduate, still works with me and we work very deeply together monthly. Here’s...

Continue Reading...
Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner first time mom foundational skills mom life parenting skill development skills

Why your baby often crawls backwards before forwards.

Dirty Dancing is one of my favorite movies of all time. Seriously, I was ten years old when the movie came out, and spent two years begging my parents to let me watch it, primarily because I loved dancing so much. 

And at the ripe old age...

Continue Reading...
1 2