Connected Parenting

One of the most common things I hear from parents is, “What if I had found you sooner?”

It’s such a powerful question, and my answer is always the same—it’s never too late. Whether your kids are young, teenagers, or fully grown adults, repair is possible, and it can transform your relationships.

Parenting is a delicate dance between setting boundaries and nurturing your child’s emotional well-being. It’s challenging, especially when your child might be thrashing against the world or trapped in anxiety.

Repair helps bridge those moments when things don’t go as planned.

In this episode, I share personal stories and practical advice on how embracing connected parenting as a philosophy—not just a strategy—builds trust and stability within families. I also explain how the Calm Technique allows you to develop emotional capital, so even when things go off track (as they sometimes will), you can always find your way back to connection.

Jennifer's Takeaways:

• Understanding Repair in Connected Parenting (01:55)
• Situational Repair and Apologies (04:59)
• The Calm Technique and Its Components (07:38)
• Practicing Repair and Self-Regulation (11:17)
• The Flow of Connected Parenting (14:57)

Meet Jennifer Kolari



Jennifer Kolari is the host of the “Connected Parenting” weekly podcast and the co-host of “The Mental Health Comedy” podcast. Kolari is a frequent guest on Nationwide morning shows and podcasts in th US and Canada. Her advice can also be found in many Canadian and US magazines such as; Today’s Parent, Parents Magazine and Canadian Family.

Kolari’s powerful parenting model is based on the neurobiology of love, teaching parents how to use compassion and empathy as powerful medicine to transform challenging behavior and build children’s emotional resilience and emotional shock absorbers.

Jennifer’s wisdom, quick wit and down to earth style help parents navigate modern-day parenting problems, offering real-life examples as well as practical and effective tools and strategies.

Her highly entertaining, inspiring workshops are shared with warmth and humour, making her a crowd-pleasing speaker with schools, medical professionals, corporations and agencies throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

One of the nation’s leading parenting experts, Jennifer Kolari, is a highly sought- after international speaker and the founder of Connected Parenting. A child and family therapist with a busy practice based in San Diego and Toronto, Kolari is also the author of Connected Parenting: How to Raise A Great Kid (Penguin Group USA and Penguin Canada, 2009) and You’re Ruining My Life! (But Not Really): Surviving the Teenage Years with Connected Parenting (Penguin Canada, 2011).

Today, I'm excited to share an insightful conversation with Laurie A. Couture, a licensed mental health counselor, author, and developer of the Couture Protocol.

Laurie specializes in childhood development, trauma, and attachment, providing crucial guidance to families and professionals serving children and youth.

Join us as we dig deeper into her groundbreaking approach to treating developmental and generational trauma and discuss how we can nurture and empower our children through holistic mental health practices.

Jennifer's Takeaways:

• Focusing On Attachment & Integration (08:45)
• The Impact Of Digital Technology On Brain Chemistry (16:58)
• Children's Brain Development & Attachment (26:56)
• Parenting Strategies For Screen Addiction & Chemical Addiction (31:14)
• The Importance Of Meeting Children's Needs (35:49)
• Strategies For Secure Attachment With Children (40:13)
• Emphasis On Spending Quality Time With Children (44:50)
• Parenting & Creating Positive Memories With Children (51:31)

About

Laurie A. Couture is a licensed mental health counselor and the author of Instead of Medicating and Punishing and the best seller, Nurturing and Empowering Our Sons. She is developing The Couture Protocol, an evidence-based, whole-child program of treating developmental and generational trauma in children, youths, and their families. Laurie provides consulting, presentations, training, and research reports to industries, agencies, and programs that directly serve children, youths, and families.

Connect with Laurie A. Couture



Website: https://laurieacouture.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurieacouture/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurieACoutureAuthor/

Twitter: https://x.com/laurieacouture

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/LaurieACouture

Meet Jennifer Kolari

Jennifer Kolari is the host of the “Connected Parenting” weekly podcast and the co-host of “The Mental Health Comedy” podcast. Kolari is a frequent guest on Nationwide morning shows and podcasts in th US and Canada. Her advice can also be found in many Canadian and US magazines such as; Today’s Parent, Parents Magazine and Canadian Family.

Kolari’s powerful parenting model is based on the neurobiology of love, teaching parents how to use compassion and empathy as powerful medicine to transform challenging behavior and build children’s emotional resilience and emotional shock absorbers.

Jennifer’s wisdom, quick wit and down to earth style help parents navigate modern-day parenting problems, offering real-life examples as well as practical and effective tools and strategies.

Her highly entertaining, inspiring workshops are shared with warmth and humour, making her a crowd-pleasing speaker with schools, medical professionals, corporations and agencies throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

One of the nation’s leading parenting experts, Jennifer Kolari, is a highly sought- after international speaker and the founder of Connected Parenting. A child and family therapist with a busy practice based in San Diego and Toronto, Kolari is also the author of Connected Parenting: How to Raise A Great Kid (Penguin Group USA and Penguin Canada, 2009) and You’re Ruining My Life! (But Not Really): Surviving the Teenage Years with Connected Parenting (Penguin Canada, 2011).

Today, we're diving into the power of play, especially for kids with big emotions that feel too large for their small bodies to handle. These big-feeling kids often experience surges of emotion that can lead to outbursts, clinginess, or even cycles of frustration and shame.

But with the right kind of play, we can help them release these overwhelming feelings and teach them how to self-regulate.

In this episode, I’ll share specific, playful strategies designed to calm and engage children who have these intense emotional needs. Through therapeutic play, we can offer them a safe way to discharge pent-up energy and reset their emotional state, creating moments of connection and calm that help them—and us—break out of negative cycles.

Jennifer's Takeaways:

Sensory Play for Kids with Big Feelings (00:00)

Understanding Kids' Emotional Surges (03:25)

Therapeutic and Sensory Play Ideas (04:29)

Additional Sensory and Grounding Techniques (08:28)

Outdoor and Low-Sensory Activities (10:56)

Teenagers and Adrenaline Play (14:34)

Resources and Final Thoughts (16:27)

Meet Jennifer Kolari



Jennifer Kolari is the host of the “Connected Parenting” weekly podcast and the co-host of “The Mental Health Comedy” podcast. Kolari is a frequent guest on Nationwide morning shows and podcasts in th US and Canada. Her advice can also be found in many Canadian and US magazines such as; Today’s Parent, Parents Magazine and Canadian Family.

Kolari’s powerful parenting model is based on the neurobiology of love, teaching parents how to use compassion and empathy as powerful medicine to transform challenging behavior and build children’s emotional resilience and emotional shock absorbers.

Jennifer’s wisdom, quick wit and down to earth style help parents navigate modern-day parenting problems, offering real-life examples as well as practical and effective tools and strategies.

Her highly entertaining, inspiring workshops are shared with warmth and humour, making her a crowd-pleasing speaker with schools, medical professionals, corporations and agencies throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

One of the nation’s leading parenting experts, Jennifer Kolari, is a highly sought- after international speaker and the founder of Connected Parenting. A child and family therapist with a busy practice based in San Diego and Toronto, Kolari is also the author of Connected Parenting: How to Raise A Great Kid (Penguin Group USA and Penguin Canada, 2009) and You’re Ruining My Life! (But Not Really): Surviving the Teenage Years with Connected Parenting (Penguin Canada, 2011).

In today's episode, we're diving into the world of fatherhood—the struggles, the joys, and the unique challenges that dads face.

Here to share his insights and perspectives on all things Dad, I am thrilled to welcome a very special guest who is incredibly important to me: my husband, Barrett.

So if you are a Dad or are soon to be a Dad this episode is for you.

Happy Father's Day!

Jennifer's Takeaways:

• Intro (00:00)
• Strategies For Connecting With Kids (0:00)
• Emphasizing Empathy And Connection (05:40)
• The Importance Of Dads (11:04)
• Taking Risks And Being Present (16:19)

Meet Jennifer Kolari

Jennifer Kolari is the host of the “Connected Parenting” weekly podcast and the co-host of “The Mental Health Comedy” podcast. Kolari is a frequent guest on Nationwide morning shows and podcasts in the US and Canada. Her advice can also be found in many Canadian and US magazines such as; Today’s Parent, Parents Magazine and Canadian Family.

Kolari’s powerful parenting model is based on the neurobiology of love, teaching parents how to use compassion and empathy as powerful medicine to transform challenging behavior and build children’s emotional resilience and emotional shock absorbers.

Jennifer’s wisdom, quick wit and down to earth style help parents navigate modern-day parenting problems, offering real-life examples as well as practical and effective tools and strategies.

Her highly entertaining, inspiring workshops are shared with warmth and humour, making her a crowd-pleasing speaker with schools, medical professionals, corporations and agencies throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

One of the nation’s leading parenting experts, Jennifer Kolari, is a highly sought- after international speaker and the founder of Connected Parenting. A child and family therapist with a busy practice based in San Diego and Toronto, Kolari is also the author of Connected Parenting: How to Raise A Great Kid (Penguin Group USA and Penguin Canada, 2009) and You’re Ruining My Life! (But Not Really): Surviving the Teenage Years with Connected Parenting (Penguin Canada, 2011).

Some parents shy away from using rewards or positive consequences, fearing it might feel like bribery or paying their kids to behave.

While overusing this method can backfire, when used thoughtfully, positive reinforcement can be a powerful way to encourage better behavior, build positive habits, and instill confidence in your child.

Join me as we dig deeper into this often overlooked tool.

Jennifer's Takeaways:

• Positive Reinforcement in Parenting (00:00)
• Understanding the Pleasure-Pain Continuum (00:53)
• The Role of Dopamine in Rewards (06:39)
• Implementing Positive Consequences (08:29)
• Practical Tips for Positive Reinforcement (11:00)
• Balancing Rewards and Consequences (14:51)
• Addressing Individual Needs (15:03)
• The Importance of Consistency (15:19)
• Encouraging Pro-Social Behavior (15:32)

Meet Jennifer Kolari



Jennifer Kolari is the host of the “Connected Parenting” weekly podcast and the co-host of “The Mental Health Comedy” podcast. Kolari is a frequent guest on Nationwide morning shows and podcasts in th US and Canada. Her advice can also be found in many Canadian and US magazines such as; Today’s Parent, Parents Magazine and Canadian Family.

Kolari’s powerful parenting model is based on the neurobiology of love, teaching parents how to use compassion and empathy as powerful medicine to transform challenging behavior and build children’s emotional resilience and emotional shock absorbers.

Jennifer’s wisdom, quick wit and down to earth style help parents navigate modern-day parenting problems, offering real-life examples as well as practical and effective tools and strategies.

Her highly entertaining, inspiring workshops are shared with warmth and humour, making her a crowd-pleasing speaker with schools, medical professionals, corporations and agencies throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

One of the nation’s leading parenting experts, Jennifer Kolari, is a highly sought- after international speaker and the founder of Connected Parenting. A child and family therapist with a busy practice based in San Diego and Toronto, Kolari is also the author of Connected Parenting: How to Raise A Great Kid (Penguin Group USA and Penguin Canada, 2009) and You’re Ruining My Life! (But Not Really): Surviving the Teenage Years with Connected Parenting (Penguin Canada, 2011).