Simple Families

Creating a more engaging home environment for our children can be difficult given the mounting sources competing for their attention. It take intentionality and hard work. Our guest Erin Loechner discusses how we can make some changes in our own lives, and our own screen-time use to foster a positive change in the lives of our kids.

Links from the episode

• Erin Loechner's Website: Designed for Mankind
• Simple Families Podcast Episode 302: Analog Curious I
• Simple Families Podcast Episode 303: Analog Curious II

Sponsors

• Storyworth: Perfect Father's Day or any day gift at storyworth.com/simple. Get $10 off your first purchase.
• Just Thrive Health: Visit justthrivehealth.com and use the promo code 'Simple' to receive 20% off a 90-day supply of Just Thrive Probiotics or Just Calm.
• KiwiCo: To build curiosity and fun, go to kiwico.com/simple to get 50% off your first month, plus free shipping.

Sometimes the road to self-improvement can also lead us toward self-doubt. Things that we previously thought we were doing okay on, we suddenly start to think we aren’t doing well enough. This especially happens in parenting. I hear from parents all the time that they want to “say the right thing”–but there is no clear wrong and right when it comes to parenting. You are doing better than you know.

Sometimes the road to self-improvement can also lead us towards self-doubt, things that we felt like we were doing okay on, now suddenly we feel like we're not doing well enough. This especially holds true in parenting. I get questions and emails all the time with people wondering how they should talk to their kids specifically what they should say to their kids. Now, if you're approaching unchartered territory, like the death of an animal, introducing the birds and the bees, or some other topic that you just have no idea where to start or no idea how to cover it. Then I think it's wise to seek out information and resources and friends who might have experience with these things. But what I'm seeing is this increasing trend towards getting it right and saying the right things in small, everyday interactions with our kids.

What do I say? When my kid gets upset with me? What do I say? When my kid gets left by a friend? What do I say? When my kid shows me a picture that he's really proud of? What do I say? When my kid hurts my feelings? When it comes to the social and emotional development of our kids, we so desperately want to get it right. We so want to say the right things for them to grow and thrive and be happy. We start on a path towards self-improvement, but the truth is most of these questions weren't answers that come from the heart that come from your authentic reaction. As a human, as a parent, there is no right and wrong. If your kid asks you a tough question or you come into a difficult situation and you flub it up, it'll be okay.

So that's what we're talking about today. Letting go of that self-doubt and the desire to say all the right things, to get it right every time and lean in just being ourselves and being human and being authentic with our kids. Even if that looks imperfect.

The post Self-Doubt appeared first on Simple Families.

When we speak to our kids, words do matter. We don’t have to get it right all.the.time, but I like to use the same phrases repeatedly to help drive home important lessons. Therefore, I’m sharing the 10 exact expressions my kids hear on a regular basis. Sometimes the simplest things can be the most impactful. You can either listen along or read–in today’s episode, I’m sharing how I use these and why they are important.

The post Simple Things I Say to My Kids appeared first on Simple Families.

Today I'm answering a listener's question on gift-giving. What do we do when a child asks for a holiday gift we don't want them to have?

Links from the episode

• Simple Families Episode 247: Over-gifter

Sponsors

• Kiwico – Get your first month of ANY crate line for 50% off at kiwico.com/simple.
• SEED – Visit seed.com/simple and use the code SIMPLE to redeem 20% off your first month of Seed's DS-01 TM️ Daily Synbiotics.

Sharing life stories will not only preserve family history but also simplify learning important life lessons. It was an absolute pleasure to speak to Devan Sandiford, distinguished writer and story-teller, who eloquently shares his life through stories of tragedy, race, parenting and what it means to be connected through stories of the human experience.

Links from the episode

• Devan Saniford's website
• Live Stories

Sponsors

• Nessle – Receive a $10 credit for one-on-one coaching, group sessions or any other services for parents by visiting www.nessle.com and using the referral code "SIMPLE."
• Thrive Market - Go to thrivemarket.com/simplefamilies for 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift.