Someone recentlyadmitted to me that “mommy guilt” is “getting old” and that moms are wearing it like a badge of honor. Like it’s the ailment du jour and it’s hip to feel guilty (luckily, I don’t count Britney Spears as “hip” since I doubt she suffers from mommy guilt).
 I can see her point. While I’m quite sure guilt about mothering has been around a long time (although let’s face it—our ancestors didn’t compare themselves on blogs, Twitter and Facebook–we have it SO MUCH harder!), it’s really been only recently that …

I remember back in the ’90s there was a hilarious comedy routine that Jeff Foxworthy did called, “You might be a redneck if…”He’d drawl, “You might be a redneck if you mow your grass and find five cars” or “You might be a redneck if you think the stock market has a fence around it.” I started thinking that it’d be great to use this same humorous “You might be a….” formula and apply it to guilt-ridden moms. Not that mother guilt is anything to laugh about. But then again, …

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…or is that just name of a holiday song? No matter what you’re you’re celebrating this month, there’s sure to be a lot going on. Here’s the equation that happens in homes across America: holiday preparations + high expectations + more to do than usual =stress, power struggles, and other “gifts” of the season!
Rather than be all “coachy” about it (in other words, speak in that impersonal voice of a coach), let me just be real and say that if there were ever going to be …

If you live in the Seattle, WA area, you’ll be able to see me on Channel 5 KING TV’s Evening Magazine program this evening at 7pm PST. I was interviewed, along with one of my client families, and the segment will be aired tonight.
If you’re not in the Seattle area, or won’t be around at 7pm, you can see the interview right here:

Know anyone who doesn’t want a happy family? Books and other resources abound about how to have one. There is a lot of misinformation out there that encourages parents to feel guilty about NOT having the perfect, happy, healthy family. Who on earth can do all the books and websites describe? Is it even necessary? Here are some of the myths about having a happy family that I think do  parents a huge disservice by keeping them mired in guilt:
Myth #1: Never Yell At Your Kids. Not that I think yelling works. It’s …

People ask me all the time why I would call my business and my website “The Guilt Free Mom” when guilt is such a natural part of our lives. We all live with it, so is it really possible to be absolutely, 100% guilt-free?
Excellent question. It all depends on how you define guilt. There have been several helpful books on the market dealing with motherhood and guilt (Mommy Guilt, I Was A Really Great Mom Before I Had Kids, Motherhood Without Guilt, among others). One thread that runs throughout such books is that moms …

If you’re anything like me (and if you have a strong-willed child, I’m betting we have a few things in common!), this thought has crossed your mind at least once: “Is it my fault my child is so difficult to parent?” A simple request to your child can result in her melting down into a temper tantrum. Too much noise or stimulation can mean excess energy–I’m thinking of my own strong-willed daughter zooming around the house the other night, exclaiming with glee, “I just LOVE the holidays! They give me …

If you’re a mom who struggles with feeling “good enough” (and who among us hasn’t?), you may be prone to comparing yourself to other moms. Thanks to the beauty of the internet, moms can now compare themselves 24/7! Just the other day I was reading a blog post about a mom who is pregnant with her fourth child and yet who makes the time to do amazing art projects and organic cooking sessions with her children, all of whom are under the age of 6! The pictures on her blog …

Ever wonder what you did to be “blessed” with a spirited, strong-willed child? Amidst your ponderings, did you ever think, “What would life be like if I didn’t have to deal with these discipline issues day to day?” I have. And I bet you have too, at least once. Almost every mom I’ve ever worked with has revealed in a guilty whisper, “I wish I didn’t feel this way–you know, like it’s not fair that I have to be the one with a strong-willed child. Do good moms feel this way?” …

Motherhood and guilt don’t have to go hand in hand. But sometimes they do anyway. When your child’s behavior throws you for a loop, what’s your “default?” If it’s either yelling/threatening or giving in, you’re in good company. Here’s where the guilt comes in. If your “default” means you are behaving in ways that you later regret (or just plain don’t work in the long run), the guilt you feel can be just as bad as your child’s behavior! The reason it’s so important to know this is that disciplining positively …