Teach Through Love

Hi Reader, As a kid, my shutdowns often looked like defiance. But, I swear, I wasn’t trying to be difficult. 😆 I just didn’t know how to say, “I need help.” I wanted to do what everyone asked:“Pay attention.”“Just sit still.”“Answer your mother!” But inside... I was drowning in noise, worries I couldn’t name, pressure, and (sometimes unreasonable) expectations.👉 “You know better than that!” the adults often screamed before they walked away. I learned that when things got hard, adults would...

Thank you, Reader! Last week, our community proved that small acts of compassion do matter! Between store proceeds and an additional $50 contribution from me, we donated a total of $126. While it might not sound like much in the face of such huge needs, it's over 900 meals. 👏🏼👏🏼 🥕 $88 to Feeding America (880 meals)🍎 $38 to Philabundance (76 meals) Thank you for reminding me that we’re not powerless. And since hunger doesn’t end when a campaign does, I’ll continue to donate 10% of proceeds...

Hi Reader, If you’re currently being affected by the SNAP cuts, please take care of yourself. Food insecurity is the nervous system in crisis. Here’s one small resource to help. For those who aren't directly affected but want to take action, this is one way that feels right to me. It’s hard to focus on much these days. 🫩 I keep thinking about the parents forced to decide which basic need they'll meet this week. I don’t want to normalize what’s happening by ignoring it. Pretending I don’t see...

Hi Reader, What inspired you to choose a conscious parenting path? I didn’t need to be convinced that empathy was the right choice. It’s just that the alternative of repeating what I lived through 🥴 wasn’t an option. For me, empathy wasn't a “style of parenting. " It was about making sure my child felt what I never did: Loved. Worthy. Connected. 🤔 But parenting after a lifetime of toxic family relationships doesn’t come with a “gentle” manual. And when viewed through the lens of a...

Reader — really quickly, are you following me on YouTube? You’ll get these video tips even faster when you subscribe. I've always tried to give my strong-willed child (now-young adult) agency over her life (while also keeping her safe). But keeping kids safe isn't just about teaching them “stranger danger.” And following the rules doesn’t only happen because “we say so." ”It's about showing kids how to trust in their body’s wisdom in everyday, ordinary moments. What if instead of constantly...

Reader— If you're a lifelong learner like me, your inbox is probably full of hard-to-pass-up offers. And I'm here to help simplify your life, not add to a noisy inbox. But I don't want today to go by without reminding you that Parenting Essentials closes tonight, 9/26 @midnight. 🎉 But Lori, I'm already overwhelmed! Do I have to listen to all of the information? It seems like a lot. Noooo, you're getting it all, so you don't have to feel like you are: Missing out on the full picture because of...

Reader— I could never have guessed that 18 years would fly by so quickly. I've tried my hardest (with lots of humble pie) to follow my heart and put our relationship over EVERYTHING else. Through all the tense moments, and there have been many (hello, high school, graduation, college), staying committed to her emotional health has rewarded me with something truly special. Our bond is stronger than the obstacles we face. I guess we're both stepping into something new, Reader. I'm navigating an...

Reader— Feeling judged.Taking it personally.Lashing out. We might feel guilty for how we react to our kids, especially when we're stressed out. I hated feeling like I was repeating the same cycle my parents did. But if you ever wrestle with the urge to snap, cave, or clamp down on your child's behavior... hey, GOOD news! You're a conscious parent. Noticing our own behavior is a huge first step to stopping our terrified inner child from parenting our kids. If you grew up with an iron fist...If...

Reader— This has been a long time coming. My energy for work has been very up and down. And it’s taken me a while to find my words, and these are definitely not all of my words.But it’s a start. (You can also watch a video version of this email here.) The once-a-year Parenting Essentials special was ending today (9/22), but I didn't feel right sending emails over the weekend when the world felt so heavy. So I'm extending our special through this week. If you've been meaning to find your inner...