Ask Mom Parenting with Sue Donnellan

Sue Donnellan
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Biweekly

Are you a parent about to snap? I’m Sue, with 25+ years helping parents make sense of the behavior that leaves them thinking, “What do I do now?” Each episode unpacks what’s behind the lying, arguing, tantrums, pushback, screen battles and sibling fights, then gives you practical ways to get kids listening without losing your authority. We’re not just trying to survive today. We’re raising capable adults who trust you, count on themselves and still call when they’re grown. Tonight can go differently. Start with the episode that sounds most like your house.

  1. Aug 12

    How to Motivate an Unmotivated Child | 3 Powerful Parenting Strategies That Work

    What if the key to motivating your child is to stop trying to motivate them? The reality is that motivation grows when kids learn one simple truth: What I do now affects what I get later. In this episode, I pull back the curtain on why trying to manufacture ambition in your kids will drive you crazy, and how shifting the structure around them puts responsibility squarely in their hands.I am sharing practical examples from setting up a family structure where responsibilities come first to using a child's dream to anchor daily habits. I break down how to handle power struggles, screen time battles, and constant nagging without lecturing, so you can help your child build true accountability. If you’ve ever asked yourself: How do I get my kid to care without having to invent a new lecture every week?What can I say instead of "get off your game and do your homework" to avoid an argument?How do I step back and hand responsibility over when it's so much faster to just do it myself?…this one’s for you. What You’ll Learn: How to reverse the traditional order of your day so that responsibilities are completed before kids unlock screens, freedom, and fun.How connecting today's effort to the bigger goal helps your child discover their own "why" and how you can frame daily choices around the future they say they want.Why transitioning from constant reminding to handing complete ownership back to your child will help them build true capability. Motivation isn't something you can force; it naturally grows when you set clear boundaries around earned access and let your child experience the real link between today's choices and tomorrow's freedom. When we stop over-functioning and step into the passenger seat, kids gain the space to step up and own their lives. Resources: Join the Yell-free Parenting ⁠Facebook Group⁠: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yellfreeparentingforexhaustedmoms/ Read Sue's book, ⁠Secrets to Parenting Without Giving a F^ck: https://shorturl.at/lrcF2Connect with Sue on Instagram at @AskMomParenting

  2. Jul 29

    How to Raise Kids Who Make Good Decisions (Even in a World Built to Distract Them)

    "Good judgment doesn't suddenly appear when they turn 18. It has to be built in with small everyday moments long before the stakes become higher." In this episode, we talk about how to raise kids who can think critically, pause, and make wise choices in a fast-paced, soundbite-driven world. With stories like my son's sudden college decision over a diner breakfast and real talk about social media algorithms, teenage peer pressure, and empathy , I am breaking down how to give your kids actionable tools for lifelong decision-making. If you’ve ever asked yourself: How do I stop my child from taking one headline, clip, or opinion as absolute fact?How can I teach my teenager to look at the long-term impact of their choices instead of just seeking immediate gratification?What can I do to help my kids slow down their judgment and show empathy when dealing with conflict?…this one’s for you. What You’ll Learn: How to teach kids the 360-degree thinking process for making strong decisions.How real-life experiences build the wisdom needed for good choices.How practicing empathy helps kids pause and remove judgment before deciding. By staying shockproof as a parent and teaching your kids to mentally roll around in a decision from every angle, you help them develop strong discernment and trust their own gut. Providing low-stakes real-world experiences and encouraging empathy turns fast reactions into thoughtful, lifelong judgment. Resources: Join the Yell-free Parenting ⁠Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yellfreeparentingforexhaustedmoms/Read Sue's book, ⁠Secrets to Parenting Without Giving a F^ck: shorturl.at/lrcF2Connect with Sue on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/askmomparenting

  3. Jul 15

    Child Safety Tips: What Kids Need to Know About Secrets, Pressure, and Unsafe Adults

    "Nice and safe aren't always the same thing." In this episode, I pull back the curtain on the realities of child safety, moving far beyond the outdated "stranger danger" speech. With the insight I gained from serving on a state grand jury for child sexual assault cases and what I've learned professionally about secrecy, grooming behaviors, and peer pressure, we're breaking down how you can empower your kids with practical, non-fear-based safety skills they can use for the rest of their lives. If you’ve ever asked yourself: How do I teach my child to recognize unsafe boundaries without making them overly fearful? What should I say to my kids about sleepovers and monitoring who else is in the home? How can I encourage my child to trust their gut instinct over being polite to adults? …this one’s for you. True protection comes from building an open, non-judgmental circle of trust at home so your children always feel supported to speak up. By layering these safety skills into everyday, low-stakes conversations, you transform fear into lifelong empowerment. Resources Watch the show on YouTube at ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@askmomparenting571 ⁠⁠Join the Yell-free Parenting ⁠Facebook Group⁠: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yellfreeparentingforexhaustedmoms/ Read Sue's book, ⁠Secrets to Parenting Without Giving a F^ck: https://shorturl.at/lrcF2Connect with Sue on Instagram at @AskMomParenting: Instagraminstagram.com/askmomparenting

  4. Jun 24

    Am I a Bad Mom? The Truth About Parenting Burnout!

    One hard moment doesn't define you as a parent, but burnout can make it feel that way. Have you ever gone to bed after a tough day with your kids and wondered if you're doing any of this right? In this episode, I'm talking about the moments that make so many parents question themselves, like the bedtime battles, the meltdowns, the yelling, the exhaustion, and the guilt that follows. When we're running on empty, it's easy to confuse a hard day with a parenting failure.   I'll share why parenting can feel so overwhelming, how fear and self-doubt can quietly take over our thinking, and what often gets mistaken for "bad parenting." Most importantly, we'll talk about what parents really need when they're stretched too thin and why the answer may be simpler than you think.   If You've Ever Asked Yourself... Am I a bad mom or dad because I lost my patience today?Why do I feel like I'm failing when my child is struggling?How do I stop spiraling after a hard parenting moment?Why does my child's behavior affect my confidence so much?How can I tell the difference between burnout and actual parenting problems?What should I do when I feel completely overwhelmed?How do I keep one bad day from turning into a story about who I am?...then listen to this one for all the answers.   Parenting was never meant to be perfect, and you don't have to carry the hard days alone!   Watch the show on YouTube at ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@askmomparenting571 ⁠⁠   Resources: Learn how you can work with Sue at: https://www.askmomparenting.com/coaching/Connect with Sue on Instagram at @AskMomParenting: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/askmomparenting/Grab a copy of Sue's book, Secrets to Parenting Without Giving a F^ck: ⁠⁠https://shorturl.at/lrcF2

  5. Jun 10

    Co-Parenting When It’s Messy: How to Keep Your Child Out of the Middle

    When co-parenting, you can't control the other parent...but you can protect your child from getting caught in the middle!   Co-parenting can feel exhausting when you're trying to navigate different parenting styles, unresolved emotions, schedule changes, and the constant worry about how it all affects your child. In this episode, I'm sharing a different way to approach co-parenting when things feel messy, tense, or completely out of your control.   Rather than focusing on what happens in the other home, we'll talk about where your real influence lives and how creating stability, emotional safety, and consistency in your own home can make a bigger impact than you may realize. If you've ever felt caught between wanting to protect your child and wanting to prove a point, this conversation is for you. If you've ever asked yourself... "How do I co-parent with someone who does things completely differently than I do?""What should I do when I disagree with what's happening in the other home?""How can I keep my child from feeling stuck in the middle?""Is it possible to co-parent well when communication feels difficult?""How do I protect my child's emotional well-being during a separation or divorce?""What should I do when my child comes home upset, overwhelmed, or confused?""How can I stay calm when co-parenting conflicts keep showing up?""Where should I focus my energy when I can't control the other parent?"...then listen to this one for all the answers.   Creating a safe, steady home for your child doesn't require controlling someone else's parenting. It starts with leading your own home with confidence and consistency!   Watch the show on YouTube at ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@askmomparenting571 ⁠⁠   Resources: Learn how you can work with Sue at: https://www.askmomparenting.com/coaching/Connect with Sue on Instagram at @AskMomParenting: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/askmomparenting/Grab a copy of Sue's book, Secrets to Parenting Without Giving a F^ck: ⁠⁠https://shorturl.at/lrcF2

  6. Jun 3 ·  Bonus

    Gentle Parenting, Military Life & Raising Independent Kids | Conversation with Joy Alfred Brand

    If modern parenting feels exhausting, overwhelming, or way more complicated than it needs to be, this conversation will feel like a deep breath. In this episode, I sit down with Joy Alfred Brand for an honest conversation about gentle parenting, military family life, raising independent kids, and what it really means to lead at home without trying to control every move your child makes. We talk about motherhood, entrepreneurship, military marriage, deployments, and the pressure so many parents feel to do everything “right” while quietly wondering why parenting feels so hard. I also share parts of my own story, going from one child to triplets, learning through Montessori, building a business, navigating military life, and slowly realizing that raising capable kids does not come from yelling, over-parenting, or managing every moment for them. It comes from leadership, structure, trust, boundaries, and letting kids build real skills inside the family. If you’re trying to raise respectful, resilient, independent kids without losing yourself in the process, I hope this conversation gives you some encouragement and a little more confidence in the long game. Thank you for listening and being part of this parenting community. If you like this conversation please like or comment your thoughts and subscribe for more updates. Watch the show on YouTube at ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@askmomparenting571 ⁠⁠ Resources: Learn how you can work with Sue at: https://www.askmomparenting.com/coaching/Connect with Sue on Instagram at @AskMomParenting: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/askmomparenting/Grab a copy of Sue's book, Secrets to Parenting Without Giving a F^ck: ⁠⁠https://shorturl.at/lrcF2

  7. May 27

    How to Help Your ADHD Child Before Medication

    What if your ADHD child doesn't need more reminders, but a better system? Your child knows where the shoes go. They know the backpack needs to make it to school. And yet somehow, every morning still feels like a scavenger hunt mixed with a power struggle. In this episode, I’m talking about one of the biggest mindset shifts parents can make when it comes to ADHD: stopping the cycle of constant reminders and starting to build systems that actually support how your child’s brain works.   I’m sharing practical ways parents can create calmer routines, reduce chaos at home, and help ADHD kids build lifelong skills without turning every moment into a lecture or battle. This conversation is all about helping parents feel empowered again and showing kids that they’re capable, supported, and understood...not “the difficult one” in the family. If you’ve ever asked yourself… Why does my child forget things even when I know they heard me?How do I help my ADHD child without constantly yelling or nagging?Is my child being lazy… or genuinely stuck?What can I do at home before jumping straight to medication?How do I create routines that actually work for my child’s brain?Why do mornings and transitions feel so exhausting in our house?How can I help my child become more independent over time?…then listen to this one for all the answers.   Small shifts at home can change the entire tone of parenting! This episode will help you start looking at your child, and your systems, through a completely different lens.   Watch the show on YouTube at ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@askmomparenting571 ⁠⁠   Resources: Learn how you can work with Sue at: https://www.askmomparenting.com/coaching/Connect with Sue on Instagram at @AskMomParenting: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/askmomparenting/Grab a copy of Sue's book, Secrets to Parenting Without Giving a F^ck: ⁠⁠https://shorturl.at/lrcF2

  8. May 15

    Are You a People Pleaser Raising a Strong-Willed Child?

    Parenting a strong-willed kid as a people-pleaser can lead to constant power struggles... but it doesn't have to be that way! If you’ve spent your life trying to keep the peace, avoid conflict, or make everyone happy, raising a strong-willed child can feel exhausting and confusing. In this episode, I’m breaking down one of the biggest parenting patterns I see: people-pleasing parents unintentionally giving away their leadership because they’re uncomfortable holding firm boundaries. It might feel kinder to over-explain, soften the “no,” or avoid upsetting your child, but with strong-willed kids, that approach often leads to more negotiating, more pushback, and bigger power struggles. In my own parenting journey, I realized that constantly explaining, negotiating, and trying to avoid conflict was actually teaching my child that my boundaries were flexible. In this episode, I’ll walk you through the mindset shifts that changed everything for me, plus how to lead your child with calm authority without becoming controlling, harsh, or disconnected. If you've ever asked yourself... Why does my child push back on everything I say?How do I hold boundaries without feeling guilty?Why do I keep giving in even when I know I shouldn’t?How do I stop negotiating every little thing with my child?Why does saying “no” feel so emotionally hard for me?What actually works with strong-willed kids without yelling or constant punishment?…then listen to this one for all the answers. The more you shift from people-pleasing to steady leadership, the easier it becomes to parent your strong-willed child with confidence, clarity, and connection. Watch the show on YouTube at ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@askmomparenting571 ⁠⁠ Resources: Learn how you can work with Sue at: https://www.askmomparenting.com/coaching/Connect with Sue on Instagram at @AskMomParenting: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/askmomparenting/Grab a copy of Sue's book, Secrets to Parenting Without Giving a F^ck: ⁠⁠https://shorturl.at/lrcF2 ⁠⁠

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About

Are you a parent about to snap? I’m Sue, with 25+ years helping parents make sense of the behavior that leaves them thinking, “What do I do now?” Each episode unpacks what’s behind the lying, arguing, tantrums, pushback, screen battles and sibling fights, then gives you practical ways to get kids listening without losing your authority. We’re not just trying to survive today. We’re raising capable adults who trust you, count on themselves and still call when they’re grown. Tonight can go differently. Start with the episode that sounds most like your house.

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