Teach Through Love

Reader— It's another week when my words fail me. The growing, tragic loss of life. The heartbreak of thousands and thousands of people. 😢💔 I'm fully aware that suffering, death, and tragedy are not new. But it doesn't make my heart ache any less for the victims of the Texas floods. My heart goes out to everyone affected by this tragedy. I join the millions around the country who are praying for your peace and comfort. 🙏🏼 I don't ever want to become numb to unnecessary death and destruction....

Reader — How has the pursuit of curiosity been going? I wouldn't be surprised if said... 🤔 Nope. No curiosity because I'm too tired! I just don't have enough compassion left for my kids! I'm so tired of them whining about the same things over and over. When will they get over it? What if they never do? I need to fix this. 🚨 These are signs of listening burnout (where you do not have one ounce of patience left). When you've been jumping into the empathy pool without your own life jacket for...

Reader, Did you hear? Popular opinion on conscious parenting is out. We've gone too far and raised a generation of anxious, entitled brats. Apparently, it's Gen X's fault. (Funny, we've finally been remembered, only to be blamed. 😆) I'm not convinced. If we've "overcorrected," it's certainly not because we listened to our kids' feelings TOO much. If anything, it's that we forgot to pay enough attention to our own. Too many of us jump in with empathy before we've learned how to offer ANY to...

Reader: What do you think? "I think kids need to have a healthy sense of fear. I feared my mother, and it was needed." A colleague said this to me recently. In the past, hearing something like this would fire me up instantly. 🔥 I'd feel defensive, frustrated, and ready to retreat (or rage) rather than engage. Growing up steeped in the dysfunction of psychological warfare left me cool on emotional manipulation masked as "discipline." But over time (and with a lot of support), I've learned to...

Reader — How can I make sure I'm not coddling my kid? That's a question I used to ask myself a lot. “The roots of resilience…are to be found in the sense of being understood by and existing in the mind and heart of a loving, attuned, and self-possessed other.” ―Diana Fosha, Psychologist I was raised to believe I had to be "firm" — that if I didn't hand out consequences, I would be seen as being too "lenient" or if my child wasn't AFRAID, then how would they learn? Obedience means respect,...

Reader! The first time I heard this song in our weekly "Family Song" music circle, I spontaneously burst into tears. Like a piece of my soul just cracked open. How could anyone ever tell youyou were anything less than beautiful?How could anyone ever tell youyou were less than whole?How could anyone fail to noticethat your loving is a miracle?How deeply you're connected to my soul. - Lyrics by Libby Roderick It hit me like a wave. Not because I didn't know those words should be true, but...

Reader! What season of parenting are you in? Are you on-call 24/7 in a starring role? Or are you more of a background player, watching from the sidelines? These days, I’m mainly in the background (hoping for more face time). My daughter’s away at school, “living her life,” as she puts it. The days and decisions at this stage are different, but the hum of “Am I doing this right?” still lingers. And walking the path of neurodivergence (AuDHD) has always spiced up our conversations. Over time,...

Reader, Last time, we talked about giving ourselves permission to pause. So many of you wrote back to say how much you needed that! Today, I want to remind you why any of this matters. Empathy, non-punitive discipline, and nervous system regulation aren't just personal growth tools or parenting goals—they're acts of resistance for our children. 💙 To preserve their hearts in the face of a cruel world. ✨ To show them how to set personal boundaries without fear or force. 🙏🏼 To teach them what to...

I'm so grateful for all the well wishes for my surgery!! 🙏🏼 Thank you!! It's nerve-wracking for sure, but by the time you read this, I hope I'm on my way to healing after years of vertigo, hearing loss, and other icky symptoms. Even though I'll be out for a bit, I've got all kinds of things scheduled for you while I'm away! 🫶🏼 Lori "Reader - Kids are often blamed for behaviors they're using to soothe and regulate themselves. Constant movement/talking. Not starting projects. Being late....