In this heartfelt episode, Lisa shares a personal moment with her almost 21-year-old son, Malcolm, that proves peaceful parenting isn't about luck—it's about legacy. She unpacks how choosing connection over control, repair over shame, and regulation over reactivity transforms not just our kids’ behavior, but their entire lives—and ours. This episode is your invitation to believe it’s never too late to build a relationship rooted in trust, not fear, no matter where you’re starting.What You'll Learn:Why your child’s trust is built through a thousand small choices, not grand gestures.How to pause and regulate before reacting, even when triggered.The difference between connection and control—and why connection wins every time.How repairing after mistakes teaches your child safety and accountability.Why unconditional love (especially when your child is struggling) is the foundation for lifelong connection.That it’s never too late to create a relationship with your child built on trust, respect, and love.
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24:03
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24:03
235: The Hidden Reason You Keep Focusing on What’s Wrong With Your Child
What story are you telling yourself about your child? In this transformative episode, Lisa explores the power of confirmation bias—how your thoughts about your child shape the way you see (and miss) their behavior. She shares how you can shift out of the “difficult child” narrative and start catching your kids being amazing, even in everyday moments.Through personal stories, neuroscience insights, and practical tools, Lisa helps you adjust your lens and rewire your brain to focus on your child’s strengths—leading to more connection, cooperation, and peace at home.What You'll Learn:What confirmation bias is and how it silently shapes your parenting experienceHow to recognize and shift negative thought patterns about your childThe neuroscience behind “catching your kids doing something right”Simple examples of everyday moments you might be missing (and how to spot them)How to reframe unhelpful thoughts into empowering beliefsAge-specific phrases to help you affirm your child’s effort, growth, and character
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21:24
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21:24
234: The One Thing Your Child Craves More Than Your Love (And How to Give It to Them)
Before cooperation and connection come attending—the often-missed first step in peaceful parenting. In this episode, Lisa explains how attending (fully seeing your child without fixing or judging) can transform your connection, co-regulate your child’s nervous system, and build deep trust over time. Learn how to step back, truly see your child, and create the safe space they need to open up, cooperate, and feel valued.What You'll Learn:Why attending is the gateway to connection and cooperation in your family.What attending actually is (and what it’s not).Practical, age-appropriate examples of how to attend without fixing, judging, or rushing.The neuroscience of how your calm, observing presence co-regulates your child’s nervous system.Common mistakes parents make when trying to “attend” and how to avoid them.A simple homework practice to begin attending today and build trust in your parent-child relationship.
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23:31
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23:31
233: Chaos Happens — Your Calm is the Solution
What if staying calm — not child compliance — is the true measure of parenting success? In this powerful episode, Lisa Smith shares how your self-regulation is the greatest gift you can give your kids. Learn how your calm becomes their calm, how to build your regulation muscle, and how to pause and respond instead of react — even in life’s most chaotic moments.What You'll Learn:Why your calm is more impactful than your child’s perfect behavior.The science of co-regulation and how your nervous system influences your child’s.How to pause and respond rather than react during your child’s big feelings.Simple tools to check and strengthen your self-regulation in daily life.Real-life examples of regulated parenting across ages — from toddlers to teens.How your calm today builds your child’s emotional intelligence and resilience for life.
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21:54
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21:54
232: Boredom Isn't a Problem—It's a Gift
What if boredom wasn’t something to fix—but something to welcome? This week, Lisa unpacks one of the most freeing concepts in peaceful parenting: Boredom is not an emergency. Learn how to stop treating your child’s discomfort like a crisis and start supporting their creativity, confidence, and resilience instead. With real stories and actionable scripts, you’ll learn to step out of the entertainment role and into true connection.What You'll Learn:Why boredom isn’t something to fix—and how to reframe it as a powerful growth opportunityWhat’s really going on in your child’s brain when they say “I’m bored”How constant stimulation (especially from screens) impacts creativity and regulationWhat transition dysregulation is—and how to respond with empathy and boundariesAge-specific responses for handling boredom at every stageThe nine developmental gifts your child receives when you don’t rescue them from boredom
Are you tired of yelling at your kids? Do you sometimes feel like they don’t listen or respect you? Do you feel like the worst parent EVER? You’re not alone, there is hope!Join Lisa Smith -- Mom, Master Certified Parent Coach, Author and Speaker -- as she helps turn frustrated parents -- who regularly default to yelling, threatening and punishing -- into peaceful leaders within their households. As a former dominant parent, she has found the path to Peaceful Parenting and is dedicated to helping other parents find their way too! But be warned, this is not a “foo-foo” podcast that’s going to tell you to let your kids do whatever they want without any rules or limitations. Each week Lisa will share the exact methods and step-by-step strategies she used to transform from an angry, controlling mom who was constantly upset with her son and husband, into a calm, confident, and connected leader in her home.To connect with Lisa visit https://thepeacefulparent.com/
South Africa