The other day, my friend texted me:
“What’s your opinion on the idea of making toddlers say they’re sorry? I’ve seen a lot of opinions on that from child development/parenting experts online and I was wondering what your two cents is!”

It’s such a great question—and one that comes up often.

Here’s my take:
I don’t suggest forcing children of any age to say “I’m sorry.”

It’s a question nearly every parent has asked: “How do I teach my child to share?” We picture our little ones playing kindly side by side, happily taking turns with their toys. But the path to sharing doesn’t always look that peaceful—especially with toddlers.

Most of us were taught that sharing means giving up a toy the moment someone else wants it. And in the heat of a playdate conflict, it can be tempting to step in and say, “You’ve had it long enough—give your friend a turn.” But while well-intentioned, this kind of forced sharing doesn’t actually help children develop generosity or empathy.

If you’ve ever been tempted to promise your child a treat in exchange for good behavior, you’re not alone. Bribery often feels like an easy way to get through challenging moments—whether it’s surviving a grocery store meltdown or coaxing your toddler into their car seat. But while bribes can seem effective in the moment, they come with significant drawbacks that can impact your child’s long-term development and your relationship with them.

Let’s explore why bribes may not be the best parenting strategy and discuss what you can do instead to foster cooperation and mutual respect.

We all have moments we wish we could take back. Maybe you yelled. Maybe your tone was sharper than you meant. Maybe you slammed a door or said something that made your child’s eyes well up.

If you’re here because you lost your cool with your child, first—take a breath. You’re not alone. And this moment, while hard, can become a powerful opportunity for connection and growth.

We’ve all been there—your thoughts are racing, your chest feels tight, and before you know it, you’re imagining the worst-case scenario. This experience, often called spiraling, can feel overwhelming and disorienting. But the good news is: you can learn to interrupt the cycle.

Parenting is one of the most rewarding—and challenging—adventures we take on as partners. It brings out our deepest values, our childhood memories, and sometimes, our fears. So, what happens when you and your spouse realize you have very different ideas about how to raise your kids?

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.

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 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.