Real World Peaceful Parenting

If you feel stuck in constant negotiations, repeated asking, or daily power struggles, this episode is for you. Lisa breaks down the most common boundary mistake parents make without realizing it and explains why vague, flexible, or mood-based limits actually create more testing and meltdowns. You’ll learn why kids need clarity to feel safe and exactly how to shift from “we’ll see” to calm, clear boundaries that reduce conflict and build trust.

What You'll Learn:
Why vague boundaries like “maybe” or “we’ll see” increase testing instead of reducing it
How unclear limits dysregulate your child’s nervous system and create power struggles
The difference between being flexible and being unclear with boundaries
Age-appropriate examples of clear boundaries for toddlers, kids, tweens, and teens
Simple language to replace vague limits with calm, confident clarity
A practical framework to decide, state, and follow through on boundaries consistently
What if your child actually listened the first time… without yelling, punishments, or power struggles?

Join parenting coach Lisa Smith for a FREE 90-minute live class to learn how to discipline your strong-willed child without damaging your relationship—or their self-esteem.
Register today:
https://thepeacefulparent.com/class

In this final episode of Lisa Smith’s January Boundary Series, Lisa gives parents the exact words to use when kids push back, melt down, or argue against limits. Instead of freezing, snapping, or feeling like the “bad guy,” you’ll learn how to hold firm boundaries while staying deeply connected. Through real-life examples, age-specific scripts, and the powerful “I know… and…” formula, Lisa shows how to be both kind and clear, without giving in or blowing up.

What You'll Learn:
Why the problem isn’t setting boundaries, but how they’re delivered
The simple “I know… and…” formula that helps kids feel seen while limits stay firm
Exact scripts to use for common struggles like screen time, bedtime, snacks, homework, and leaving the park
How to respond when kids keep pushing back, negotiating, or comparing you to other parents
What to say during full meltdowns while staying calm and connected
How to repair when you lose your cool and turn mistakes into moments of trust and safety
What if your child actually listened the first time… without yelling, punishments, or power struggles?

Join parenting coach Lisa Smith for a FREE 90-minute live class to learn how to discipline your strong-willed child without damaging your relationship—or their self-esteem.
Register today:
https://thepeacefulparent.com/class

Have you ever wondered why your child is cooperative, polite, and regulated everywhere else but completely falls apart with you? In this episode, Lisa Smith breaks down the psychology and neuroscience behind why kids save their hardest moments for their safest person. You’ll learn why this behavior is not a sign of failure, but a powerful indicator of secure attachment. Lisa shares real-life stories, research-backed insights, and a practical framework to help you respond to after-school meltdowns, boundary testing, and emotional explosions with clarity, confidence, and connection.

What You'll Learn:
Why children often “hold it together” all day and fall apart at home
How your child’s nervous system shifts from performance mode to safe mode
Why testing boundaries is often a sign of trust, not disrespect
The four core questions your child is asking when they melt down or push back
How to reframe challenging behavior so you stop taking it personally
A step-by-step framework to respond with connection while still holding firm boundaries
What if your child actually listened the first time… without yelling, punishments, or power struggles?

Join parenting coach Lisa Smith for a FREE 90-minute live class to learn how to discipline your strong-willed child without damaging your relationship—or their self-esteem.
Register today:
https://thepeacefulparent.com/class

If you’re starting the new year carrying guilt about how you showed up during the holidays, this episode is for you. In this powerful and practical conversation, parent coach Lisa Smith breaks down why repair, not perfection, is the key to peaceful parenting.
You’ll learn why common apologies often miss the mark, how effective repair actually strengthens your relationship with your child, and a simple four-step framework you can use anytime you lose your cool. Through personal stories, neuroscience, and real-life examples, Lisa shows you how to repair without shame, overexplaining, or making things worse, and how these moments can become some of the most meaningful in your child’s life.

What You'll Learn:
Why repairing after you yell is more important than never yelling at all.
The three most common repair mistakes parents make and why they don’t work.
How to repair in under 60 seconds without guilt, excuses, or overexplaining.
The four essential steps to effective repair that actually restore connection.
How repair helps regulate your child’s nervous system and build secure attachment.
Why consistent repair breaks the shame cycle and helps you become a calmer parent over time.

This episode is part of our December Calm & Connection Toolkit - four of our most downloaded episodes designed to help you find peace through the holiday chaos. Whether you’re brand new to this podcast or revisiting these essential tools, this series will help you understand your nervous system, your triggers, and your child’s developing brain during one of the most stressful times of the year.
In this eye-opening episode, Lisa Smith shares a powerful story from her own parenting journey that transformed how she understood children’s behavior. Discover why your child’s dysregulation isn’t defiance but a result of their brain being overwhelmed. Lisa breaks down the science of dysregulation across different ages, explains the key signs to watch for, and provides actionable steps to move from chaos to connection. Whether your toddler is melting down or your teenager is slamming doors, this episode will give you the tools to handle these moments with compassion and confidence.

What You'll Learn:
Why dysregulation isn’t about defiance but your child’s brain being overwhelmed.
How to recognize the early signs of dysregulation in toddlers, school-aged kids, and teenagers.
The critical difference between correcting behavior and connecting with your child.
Why traditional discipline methods often fail in moments of dysregulation.
Two key steps to transform your reactions: noticing patterns and tracking your responses.
How to begin helping your child regulate their emotions for better cooperation and trust.