The Art of Parenting Jeanne-Marie Paynel, M. Ed.

How can you empower your child to embrace independence? Listen in to my guest, Lenore Skenazy as she shares her time-tested insights.
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Today’s guest was named “America’s Worst Mom” for supporting her son's desire to take the subway home 16 years ago. Since then, she has been on a mission to support parents and schools to help children regain their much-needed independence.
What We Talked About: Why fostering independence in children is crucial for their development, resilience, and confidence
How societal changes have increased parental fear and overprotection
Practical ways parents can encourage independence in their children
Balancing safety and freedom
How modern technology is reducing family communication
Benefits of Unstructured Free Play
Balancing technology and real-world experiences
Things to Remember “Parenting is recognizing that kids are going to be who they are. We have got to give them space and time to figure that out on their own.”
“Independence is so crucial to children and so natural. It's like a vitamin.”
“With parents being away, kids are called upon to do new things and recognize just how competent they can be.”
“The more control you think you have doesn’t actually make you more calm.”
“Give your kids chances to help you and to show you how capable, competent, and kind they are.”
“There's too much pressure on parents to know everything and to shape our children when we can’t.”
- Lenore Skenazy
“The child looks for his independence first, not because he does not desire to be dependent on the adult. But because he has in himself some fire, some urge, to do certain things and not other things.” - Dr. Maria Montessori
 
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Have you ever considered changing your family dynamics? Listen in as my guest, Linda Fruits, shares her journey of changing family dynamics.
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Sometimes, I encounter people whose life stories intrigue me. Today is no exception. Linda shares her family dynamics as it evolves from the stereotypical heterosexual to a multi-dimensional family unit. 
What We Talked About: Why Linda created  "Fruits of Motherhood.”
Navigating early motherhood's isolation and the illusion of social media perfection
The complexities of sexuality and relationships
The vital role that your support networks play in your and your family's well-being
The importance of open communication for healthy family and personal relationships
Revolutionizing family dynamics
Co-parenting with your ex 
Unconventional living in the eyes of traditional society
Nurturing supportive environments for our children
Things to Remember “Parenting is figuring out who you are while caring for kids.”
“When you’re in front of the people who make you feel good, you feel good.”
“No one was telling moms the hard parts.”
“If you don’t have examples of people who do things differently, you don’t know that you can subscribe to something different.”
“We all have roles in which we excel when it comes to parenting.”
“If you're not happy where you are, It doesn't matter what your sexual identity is. You need to have some harder conversations.”
“You have to be flexible with your expectations, not only with the baby but with yourself.”
“It's so easy to get so wrapped up in the things that we're not doing, and then we lose focus on the beautiful things we are doing.”
- Linda Fruits
 
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Are you burnt out working as a childcare provider? Listen in as my guest, Caroline Allen shares her insights on how to keep the joy and wonder alive.
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I can relate to Caroline’s words. When I started in a Montessori environment as a second career, some days were hard, yet that sense of wonder kept me going.
What We Talked About: How Caroline transformed her daycare settings into the first not-for-profit Montessori children's center in the UK
Observing children's behaviors and interests to foster their natural curiosity and learning
The importance of staying passionate and fresh in childcare and education.
Practical tips for caregivers and educators to avoid burnout and stay motivated.
The concept of leaving a lasting legacy for children
Things to Remember “We don't know our children inside out and never will. They're unique little beings that will always do things that fascinate us.”
“Try to retain that sense of wonder by looking at our children with fresh eyes and seeing them differently.”
“Adults are very quick to put an interpretation on what their children are doing.”
“Allow the wonders of the world to connect with your children.”
“Taking care of your child’s emotional, social, and physical development is the key to raising young adults.”
“We don't need to know everything about our little ones; we just need to work with whatever they're presenting to us in their journey into childhood and young adulthood.”
“We need to have parts of every single day where we are present to our children and give them the focus they deserve.”
-Caroline Allen
 
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Is your child's picky eating a sign of something more? Listen in to discover support and insights with my guest, Jaclyn Pederson.
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Feeding matters; parents often complain about their child's picky eating habits. We start to wonder if we’re doing something wrong, if our child is a picky eater, or if there’s more to this ordeal. Today, my guest sheds light on a little-known eating disorder that is way more prevalent than we imagine.
What We Talked About: Understanding Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) and how it differs from picky eating.
The Four Domains in Pediatric Feeding Disorder 
How should you proceed if you suspect our child has PFD? 
Early awareness of PFD and its impact on long-term health outcomes
Why is almost no one talking about PFD, even though it is more common than autism or cerebral palsy?
The challenges and complexities of treating PFD and how you can help your child.
Can lip and tongue ties be the culprits in the feeding journey?
The significance of establishing a supportive team including healthcare professionals
Things to Remember “Parenting is finding beauty in the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.”
“Feeding skills is something that a parent can help a child with. It is a learned task.”
“Children are picky, and it’s a very common thing that happens in toddler development.”
“It's definitely important for parents to always offer nutritious foods.”
“Take it slow and let your child lead the way. They control what goes in their body.”
“At the end of the day, you and your child are trying to establish a successful feeding.”
-Jaclyn Pederson
 
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Do you strongly feel that staying home would be best for your child? Listen in to find out why your hunch is correct and critical.
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We know in our mama's heart that staying home with our children is important because they need us to. Today, my guest confirmed this instinct we have as mothers and why it is critical to do so.
What We Talked About: Understanding why the first three years are critical for our child's long-term mental health
Why are daycare centers not equipped to support our children’s attachment needs
What is “consistency of care,” and why is it essential in the early years?
What are other critical stages for our children’s mental health?
The important revolution that needs to happen for the health of families
Things to Remember “There is no parenting without presence.”
“Without guilt, our conscience isn’t working.”
“The foundation of resilience is that feeling of security in the first three years.”
“Mothers are very attuned to babies' distress.”
“If you are present for your children in the first three years, you’re encouraging a tremendous amount of neural connections to be formed.”
“Your babies are not resilient; your babies are incredibly vulnerable, and they need you.”
-Erica Komisar
“There are many who hold, as I do, that the most important period of life is not the age of university studies, but the first one, the period from birth to the age of six. For that is the time when man's intelligence itself, his greatest implement, is being formed. But not only his intelligence; the full totality of his psychic powers.” - Dr. Maria Montessori
 
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Are you curious about the magic of daily rituals? Listen in and learn from my guest, Britta Bushnell, how they can transform your life.
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I’ve always been fascinated by the transformative process of birth, and why I became a birth doula. Today, I’m excited to be speaking with Britta, a seasoned childbirth educator to explore how birth is truly the first and most crucial initiation into parenthood.
What We Talked About: The importance of childbirth as an initiation into parenthood.
Mythology and storytelling as meaning-making practices for adults and kids. 
Incorporating rituals into family life to help you live and share your values.
How perfectionism can both hinder and help in our parenting
Practical tips for crafting seamless transitions between work and parenting
Things to Remember “Parenting is a messy, creative, unknowable magical thing that creates a being on the other side.”
“Parenthood is like a yoga practice, that idea of coming to the mat every day and knowing that some days are better and some days are worse, yet you still show up and do your best.”
“What causes us the most suffering is the resistance to what is happening.”
“Parenthood teaches us an openness to the unbidden.”
“Perfectionism is a strategy, and as a strategy, it most often gets in our way.”
“Infants respond well to rhythm and predictability in their lives.”
“To find ways to be tender with ourselves and to forgive ourselves. That is the true antidote to perfectionism's toxins.”
“Children help to create the fabric of the values of the family.”
-Britta Bushnell
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