You know that moment: your child shouts “No!” or bursts into tears over something small, and suddenly you feel a rush of heat in your chest. Your voice gets sharper, your patience evaporates, and before you know it, you’re reacting in a way that surprises even you.
That’s what it feels like when our emotions boil over. But why? Why does something cause me to react and not my partner? Why is one developmental stage harder to manage? Why can I have complete compassion for one child and judgment over another, in the same situation?
Parenting is full of love, but it also pokes at the tender spots we carry on from our own childhoods. Some stages of childhood are almost tailor-made to stir up old memories and feelings (ask any parent of a 14 year old).
The good news: these moments aren’t just explosions waiting to happen. They’re opportunities for understanding ourselves and for healing.
Why Kids Can Feel Like Emotional Landmines
Children naturally pass through stages that challenge us in different ways. They nudge our old sore spots, Read more…
If you’ve ever sat across from your middle schooler, bewildered by their mood swings, sharp comments, or sudden silence, you are not alone. Most parents, myself included, describe these years as some of the most challenging in raising children. And most kids, if you ask them, will tell you that middle school just 
A common parental refrain we hear often is “I want my kids to grow up to lead happy, successful lives.” However, without realizing it, our hopes, dreams, and good intentions can turn into anxiety-laden roadblocks and place expectations on our kids that reflect our own dreams, fears, and ideas about success. 
You’ve probably seen it—another TikTok about the five missed signs of ADHD or an Instagram reel celebrating autism as a superpower. Conversations about neurodivergence are more visible than ever, and has even become a hot-button talking point in political circles. Experts, influencers, and practitioners are offering everything from behavioral strategies to nutrition tips to help families “manage” differently-wired brains.
Raising boys in today’s world can feel overwhelming. Parents want their sons to be strong, kind, and successful. But sometimes, without realizing it, we pass down messages that can hurt more than help. Fear, shame, blame, and aggression have been used for generations to shape boys into what society expects them to be. But there is a better way.
In the busy rhythm of daily life, it’s easy to overlook the small moments that create deep connections with our children. Between school drop-offs, work deadlines, and the never-ending to-do list, many parents find themselves moving from one task to another without pausing to truly engage with their child. Yet, it is in these ordinary moments that the foundation for connection is built. By incorporating simple rituals and routines into our daily lives, we create security, predictability, and joy—essential ingredients for strong parent-child relationships.
Q. My 13-year-old is constantly complaining about things at school. She complains about who is getting away with what, that the teacher is targeting and being mean to her, and that another long-time friend is talking behind her back. She had me ready to barge into school and take down the teachers, administration, and the mean group of girls. Then I checked in with a friend whose son is in the same class and she had a different perspective from a different point of view (her son’s) which made me reevaluate everything that my daughter was telling me. My question is how do you deal with your child’s drama without getting sucked in? 
Q. As I navigate my way through the influence of technology my fears are around knowing that I have a certain amount of control right now while my kids are 5 and 7, but what about later? I’ve taken the “Wait Until 8th” pledge, committing to not giving my kids phones until at least 8th grade. And even then, I would lean toward “dumb” phones. But perhaps what scares me most is how being on social media will affect them when they reach that stage. It’s something I never had to experience myself. The bullying, anxiety, eating disorders, and everything else that stems from the weight of that world frightens me. And what I hear from others and read in 
As far as I can tell, most parents want their children to reach launch-age fully capable of conducting their lives with responsibility and respect. When they leave the safety of their nests with self-confidence, feeling competent and resilient, with the drive to contribute positively to the world, they are ready to greet whatever comes at them. We want our children to go out into the world capable of finding success yet able to weather the bumps and storms with a strong sense of self.