It’s been a year since I started Solo Parent Life, and I can hardly believe it! Thank you to all of you who have listened and offered feedback and support for me during this exciting journey. Today’s episode is simply a chance for me to pause and reflect on the insights that I have gained doing a year of podcasting. I’ll cover my favorite episodes, favorite guests, and challenging topics that I have used to grow as a parent. You are not alone out there, friend! Thanks for coming along on this journey with me.

More from this episode:

• I’ve been learning to trust myself.
• How to turn the volume down on your self-criticism.
• What this community has served to do in my life.
• Being present with our kids when they most need it is our greatest work in progress.
• I share some of my favorite episodes!

Links:

Feel free to reach out to me at soloparentlife@gmail.com or go to soloparentlife.com/coaching to get started with your free 15-minute consultation.

Now that school is in full swing and the kids are (hopefully!) back in a routine, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to bring out this pre-recorded interview with Michelle Gale. Michelle is a kind and compassionate mother, who is encouraging parents with her own podcast, “Mindful Parenting in a Messy World.” Today, we sit down and chat a little about how to compassionately and mindfully connect to our children in the messy moments of life. 

Michelle is going to share with us today her practical, easy to use strategies to increase our awareness in the middle of our messy lives. Along the way, you’ll pick up a few memorable moments from our own adventures in parenting. All of Michelle’s wisdom comes with a healthy dose of compassion, so if you need a pick-me-up, this episode is for you. Take a breath. Let it out. And let’s begin with Mindfulness! 

More to learn in this episode: 

• Michelle shares how she teaches Mindfulness to everyone. 
• Why pausing and being Mindful brings power to your parenting.
• Let’s dispel some of the common myths of Mindfulness. 
• Learning to be present in any moment. Even the dull ones. 
• Michelle spills the beans on her new book. 
• How to cultivate self compassion. 
• How the S.T.O.P acronym can help you in the heated moments. 
• Practice Mindful Listening after school this week. 

Don’t forget to grab your copy of Michelle’s Book!

Mindful Parenting in a Messy World : 

https://www.michellegale.com/

I think now is the perfect moment to pause. Pause for a moment, and be thankful for your kids, your support team, and community. From that heart of gratitude, I want to offer comfort and assistance to those who have been in the midst of tragedy. My heart goes out to the victims of the Las Vegas shooting and their families. Locally, we are also experiencing some terrible forest fires that have left many people homeless. As I am reaching out to offer my aid, I am also reaching inward towards my kids.

With tragedy and insecurity in the back of my mind, I am especially grateful today for my conversation with my guest, Scott Noelle. Scott is a passionate parent coach who has built up an incredible model called “Path Parenting.” This parenting style focuses on a cooperative partnership with your child, and without the sense of authoritarian control. I think Scott has a vital perspective on parenting that is so essential while our world feels a little unsteady. When we learn the language of Path Parenting, we can remain more secure in our partnership with our children in what is definitely a tumultuous time. He emphasizes compassion, leadership, and trust above all else, and I think that is just the kind of message we need to hear today. You are going to learn so much from Scott today, so let’s begin!

More in this episode:

• Learn ways to filter through the noise and trust your parenting intuition.
• Scott’s own experiences with his parents informed and inspired his love of helping parents.
• We describe the collaborative dynamic between parents and children.
• Path Parenting applied through the development stages.
• Combating our control-obsessed culture.
• Leadership begins when the parent models behaviors and attitudes.
• How Trust Orientation can transform your relationship with your kids.

Resources:

Sign up for Scott’s Daily Groove newsletter for a little inspiration right to your inbox!

https://www.dailygroove.com/about

A Daily Groove Post Related to our talk:

https://www.dailygroove.com/terrible-not/

The Continuum Concept

http://www.continuum-concept.org/book.html

Welcome back, everyone! What a gift it is to see our Solo Parent Community grow and grow as we take this crazy journey together. I love that you have all been so honest with me about the triumphs and the struggles that you experience. Lately, I have been hearing from many solo parents that they struggle with feeling like they are never “good enough.” Being a single parent is tough and isolating. Our feelings of inadequacy can affect not just our self-esteem, but how we react towards our kids. Today, I want to talk a little bit about how to battle the “Not Enough” monster while also staying strong for our kiddos.

You’re tired. It’s the weight-of-the-world kind of tired. Sometimes, it feels like everything has been placed on your shoulders. How are you expected to carry that weight and pay the bills and raise healthy, bright kiddos? I’ve been there! I want to share with you how I learned to manage my unmet expectations, set boundaries, and talk through my own feelings of inadequacy. You are not alone in the journey! Reach out and let’s talk. The dishes can wait!

More in this episode:        

• Let’s pick apart the “I’m not Good Enough” Mentality.
• How to sort through your unmet expectations.
• Boundaries are a big deal! Tips from my family to yours for creating boundaries.
• I share the story of when my self-confidence took some hard knocks.
• Unlock the power of listening.
• Know when to slow down on your own and slow down with your kids.

 Links:

Join one of our Parent Coaching Groups

soloparentlife@gmail.com