In "The Myth of the Spoiled Child," Alfie Kohn challenges the widespread belief that today's children are overindulged, entitled, and spoiled. He argues that much of what we hear about "coddling" kids is not only exaggerated but also based on outdated notions of discipline and child-rearing. Here's what parents can take away from Kohn's book:

Parenting is deeply rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming, exhausting, and full of self-doubt. No one hands you a manual when you bring a child into the world, and many parents find themselves navigating challenges they never expected. That’s where parent support groups come in.

Research shows that joining a parent support group can have a profound impact—not just on your confidence as a parent, but on your overall well-being and even your child’s development. Here’s why:

Play is one of the most important ways young children learn about the world, and playgroups provide a unique space for that learning to flourish. Beyond being a fun activity, playgroups offer numerous benefits for both children and parents, helping to build strong foundations for social, emotional, and cognitive development.

When children are respectfully included in problem-solving—like creating their own routine charts—they feel more capable and motivated. By involving them in decisions about daily tasks, they not only build responsibility but also a sense of ownership over their day. This is a guide for creating sustainable routines for your family.

A guide to my favorite family-friendly places for coffee, food, restaurants, and fun in Hamilton County, IN (Carmel, Westfield, Zionsville, and Noblesville).

A guide to my favorite family-friendly places for coffee, food, restaurants, and fun around Indianapolis, IN.

Positive Discipline, inspired by the principles of Adlerian psychology, is a relationship-focused approach that guides parents, teachers, couples, and community leaders in fostering respectful, responsible, and resourceful relationships. Popularized through the Positive Discipline book series by Jane Nelsen, Lynn Lott, and others, this model supports adults and children alike in building meaningful connections, which are key to personal and communal growth.

As parents, dealing with hitting can be frustrating and confusing. The good news is that hitting is a developmentally normal behavior at certain ages, and there are effective strategies to address it. Let’s break it down by age to better understand what’s happening and how you can respond.

If you’ve ever noticed your toddler repeating the same actions over and over—like dumping out every bin of toys, pushing cars back and forth, or stacking blocks only to knock them down—you might be observing a play schema in action. These seemingly repetitive behaviors are more than just busy work–and they’re not destructive; they’re essential to your child’s development. Let’s explore what play schemas are and how they support your toddler’s learning.

When you begin working with a professional to improve your family dynamics, it’s important to choose the right type of support. While both parent coaching and marriage counseling can help strengthen your family, they serve different purposes and approach challenges in distinct ways. Below is a comparison to help you understand the differences and decide what is best for your family’s needs.

Learn to use a tool called the cross-sectional formulation to explore the relationship between your moods, thoughts, and actions. This approach breaks down how various elements interact in your life.

Parenting in the digital age can feel overwhelming. Social media is saturated with influencers, businesses, and programs claiming to have the “secret sauce” for raising happy, successful kids. While some content can be helpful, it’s important to pause and critically evaluate the guidance we’re consuming.

As someone deeply invested in supporting parents and children, I want to offer a few thoughts on navigating the vast sea of parenting advice.

Learn why bribes don’t work and what to do intead.

Learn what issues a parent coach can help you with.

Change is hard. As parents, we may often feel the pull to improve—whether it's to be more patient, communicate better, or create consistent routines. We want the best for our children, and yet, even with the strongest intentions, implementing meaningful changes in our parenting can feel daunting. Why is that?

The answer lies in understanding the continuum of change.

Parenting is a journey filled with countless decisions, one of which is how to guide our children toward becoming kind, responsible, and capable adults. Discipline is an essential part of this journey, but it’s often misunderstood. Many parents equate discipline with punishment, yet the two concepts are fundamentally different. Understanding this distinction can transform your parenting approach and strengthen your connection with your child.

Learn about the four parenting types and how they impact your child’s development.

Learn how you can best prepare your child for kindergarten.

Overwhelmed searching for a Montessori program for your little one? Allow me to offer some guidance on what to look for.