When the goal is to raise a whole human… not an impressive resume
At Grassroots Parenting, we help moms
navigate the hallmark eye-rolls, blowups, and awkward firsts of the tween and teen years with more clarity than uncertainty, We offer science-backed strategies and practices so you can start the day with coffee and your kids instead of feeling angry and bewildered as they rush out the door because they’d rather be anywhere else than home.
Take the 2-minute quiz to discover your personalized next best step that actually works.
Reader Favorites
shift the paradigm. strengthen the connection.
Parenting Doesn’t Have To Feel Like a Barroom Brawl with Rabid Raccoons
Picture this: your sixteen-year-old is grunting and mumbling under his breath about…teen “stuff” and the injustices of the world in general, your twelve-year-old wants to know who took her makeup, and your fourteen-year-old is losing her mind and stomping back and forth through the kitchen because you didn’t buy the right berries, and the whole crew’s officially lost their ever-lovin’ minds.
You’re one hot second away from locking yourself in your closet with a bottle of wine and box of Little Debbie Zebra cakes and ignoring the whole hot mess. And they haven’t even gone to school yet.
But here’s the deal: families who know how to roll with the mayhem – without losing their minds – know two important skills. They know how to minimize things before they blow up, and how to repair relationships when things inevitably go sideways.
Think: I’m not waging war to stop the rain, but I have learned how to dance in it.
I can show you how to do both. We’ll combine the tools of emotional intelligence, compassionate communication, and the latest neuroscience to fend off impending disaster and repair when needed after a storm. First, I always explain the concepts; then I’ll show you why these concepts matter; and finally, I’ll show you how to put them all into practice.
Next time the household loses it (maybe even the puppy), you will be calm in the storm. And your calm is infectious. You’ll feel and grow closer because of it.
I needed this…
I couldn’t finish reading I was engulfed in tears.. you know exactly how my life is without even speaking with me… your truly a blessing and I thank you for writing this. Stay strong.
– Amy M.
This article was just what I needed
I love that you give moms permission to NOT overschedule. It seems like if they aren’t in 3 activities, you’re doing something wrong. My heart knows that’s not right and I’m so glad to hear another mom agrees! This was a breath of fresh air for this mama of 3 teens!
– Emily
Bless you for writing this…
Such a simple yet powerful lesson. I promise to try to remember it and do as you did – be present with my son when he needs it most.
– Drea S.
Emotional Intelligence
If you want to raise emotionally intelligent kids, it starts with how you show up.
Kids don’t learn emotional skills from lectures—they learn by watching us. I’ll show you how to model and teach your kids emotional intelligence in the everyday chaos using empathy, self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, and social skills. You’ll learn how to name emotions in real time, stay calm when things go sideways (because they will), and turn tough or awkward moments into opportunities to deepen your connection. You’ll discover how to help your child recognize and name their feelings, manage big emotions, and relate to others with kindness and confidence—all by practicing the same skills yourself, right alongside them.
Compassionate Communication
If you want more connection and less conflict, it starts with how you communicate—calmly, clearly, and with compassion.
Kids don’t need lectures—they need to feel seen, heard, and understood. I’ll show you how to describe behavior without judgment and recognize that all behavior stems from feelings that arise when needs are either met or unmet. You’ll learn how to name those feelings, connect them to the underlying needs, and make respectful requests that honor both—so you can move toward understanding and connection instead of power struggles and growing disconnection.
Science of Parenting
If you want to parent with confidence and intention, it starts with understanding the science behind your child’s behavior.
We’ll get curious about the needs beneath the surface and look to the research that helps make sense of it all—attachment science, nervous system regulation, and brain development. You’ll learn about the four styles of attachment and how they shape your child’s sense of safety and connection. You’ll discover how to calm your own nervous system so you can respond with clarity instead of reacting in the heat of the moment. We’ll explore the power of self-reflection in your interactions, and you’ll gain a solid understanding of how your child’s brain develops, so your expectations are not only realistic, but deeply attuned to where they are right now.
Want to Parent with More Confidence & Less Uncertainty?
Pick one list. Choose one shift. Try it out. that’s all.
Science of Parenting Quick Shifts
quiz
Discover Your Mama Superpower!
Every mama’s got a superpower. (In addition to finding all the lost things that everyone else somehow can’t see.)
Take this 2-minute quiz to uncover yours—PLUS get your personalized next best step so you can make it through dinner without getting the side-eye.
Find The Best Knowledge Nuggets
Here’s where you’ll find in-depth knowledge about emotional intelligence, compassionate communication, and the science of parenting. Plus, you’ll also find super practical, easily actionable “how to” advice at your fingertips when you’re in the thick of things. When you know better, you still have to learn what to do with that knowledge! Right?
No posts