Simple Families Podcast: Parenting | Simple Living | Minimalism | Purposeful Life With Kids + Family

Music is one of life's simple pleasures that unites cultures and ages. Through my kid's Suzuki classes, I've found, music can teach big life lessons too. In this episode, I am speaking to Heather Watson Hardie about her musical journey as a child, a music teacher, and now a parent. Links from the episode Heather's Music School: Greenwhich Suzuki Academy What is the Suzuki Method? Sponsors Earth Breeze – Subscribe and save 40% on Earth Breeze laundry detergent Eco Sheets. Visit www.earthbreeze.com/simple. Indeed - Over 3 million businesses have used Indeed to hire the best Talent! Visit www.indeed.com/families.

Many of us idealize 'The Family Dinner'. You know the scene - whole family at the table, eating homemade food, with each member telling everyone how their day went. This is rarely a reality in the modern home. Today, I share tips for a more peaceful (and realistic) mealtime. Sponsors Prep Dish -- Get 2 weeks free meal planning, prepdish.com/families

While many parenting books detail the source of difficult childhood behavior or cover diagnoses, Dr. Ross Greene provides parents with a universal guide for dealing with challenging behaviors. In his bestselling book, The Explosive Child, Dr. Greene says children don't meet our expectations due to a lack of skills. Links from the episode Dr. Ross Greene's Website Sponsors KiwiCo - Get 50% off your first month with ANY crate line at kiwico.com/simple.

Sharing life stories will not only preserve family history but also simplify learning important life lessons. It was an absolute pleasure to speak to Devan Sandiford, distinguished writer and story-teller, who eloquently shares his life through stories of tragedy, race, parenting and what it means to be connected through stories of the human experience. Links from the episode Devan Saniford's website Live Stories Sponsors Nessle – Receive a $10 credit for one-on-one coaching, group sessions or any other services for parents by visiting www.nessle.com and using the referral code "SIMPLE." Thrive Market - Go to thrivemarket.com/simplefamilies for 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift.

As humans, we experience a vast array of emotions. We are sometimes confused about our own emotional experiences and often confused by the emotions of others (especially our kids!). Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett, psychologist, neuroscientist and distinguished professor joins us to talk about her revolutionary work on understanding emotions. Links from the episode Dr. Barrett's Website How emotions are made Dr. Barrett's Ted Talk Sponsors Earth Breeze – Subscribe and save 40% on Earth Breeze laundry detergent Eco Sheets. Visit www.earthbreeze.com/simple.

When I asked listeners to send me questions for a holiday episode of Q&A, I received so many inquiries. Interestingly, so many of them contained the word 'Scrooge!' I am answering your questions regarding gifts, extended family, compromise, and finding your why during the holidays. Links from the episode Simple Families episode 332: Appropriate Toys Simple Families episode 234: Comparison, Envy & FOMO Sponsors Native – Get 20% off your first order of personal care products at nativedeo.com/families or use the code 'families' at checkout. SEED – Visit seed.com/simple and use the code SIMPLE to redeem 20% off your first month of Seed's DS-01 ™️ Daily Synbiotic.

I went into this episode not a huge fan of Disney, but my mindset has been shifted. I learned a lot from Jen Hoffman & Lauren Gaggioli, who dissect the life lessons of Disney movies on their podcast Magical Mindset Moments. I really enjoyed this conversation and hope you do too. Links from the episode Magical Mindset Moments Podcast Sponsors Faherty – Get 20% off when you checkout at fahertybrand.com/simple, using the code 'simple.' SEED – Visit seed.com/simple and use the code SIMPLE to redeem 20% off your first month of Seed's DS-01 ™️ Daily Synbiotic.

Today I'm answering a listener's question on gift-giving. What do we do when a child asks for a holiday gift we don't want them to have? Links from the episode Simple Families Episode 247: Over-gifter Sponsors Kiwico – Get your first month of ANY crate line for 50% off at kiwico.com/simple. SEED – Visit seed.com/simple and use the code SIMPLE to redeem 20% off your first month of Seed's DS-01 ™️ Daily Synbiotics.

This week, we’re featuring an episode from a podcast you should check out. The Whole View, hosted by Stacy Toth, is an alternative health podcast that helps guide you on new ways to be your best self! Each week Stacy and her expert guests myth bust some of the most popular health and wellness fads and help you focus on the importance of being your best self. Available wherever you get your podcasts.

As a neuropsychologist with over 40 years of practice, Dr. William Stixrud has seen many parenting trends come and go. His best-selling book The The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives with co-author Ned Johnson is on my must-read list for parents. It was a pleasure to speak to one of my all-time favorite scientists, authors and practitioners about motivating our children, screen time, and the root causes of stress. Links from the episode Dr. William Stixrud Website The Self-Driven Child: The Science & Sense of Giving your kids More Control over their Lives Dr. Stixrud's Band: Larry and the Flames Simple Families Episode 302 - Analog Curious: Part I Simple Families Episode 303 - Analog Curious: Part II Sponsors Native – Get 20% off your first order on your favorite deodorant at nativedeo.com/families and use promo code "Families." Indeed – Visit indeed.com/families for an all-inclusive hiring platform. Seed – A different probiotic that work

FRILUFTSLIV is the Norwegian word describing a popular Nordic way of life: Passion for nature and getting outdoors. I loved learning more about this concept (and cultural differences) from Linda Åkeson McGurk, and author and mother who has raised children in the US and Scandinavia in her new book The Open-Air Life. Links from the episode Linda's Website The Open-Air Life Simple Families Episode 90: There's no Such a Thing as Bad Weather Sponsors Faherty – Get 20% off your first order of quality & comfort on fahertybrand.com/simple and use code "Simple." Indeed – Visit indeed.com/families to start hiring. Organifi – Visit organifi.com/simple and use the code SIMPLE to get a 20% discount on your entire order.

I'm answering several listener questions today on a wide variety of parenting topics, including: extracurricular activities, handling challenging behavior at dinnertime, volunteering at your child's school, and an update on my wardrobe. Links from the episode Manageable (Imperfect) Mornings Sponsors Kiwi Co - Give Awesome this holiday season with Kiwico. Get your first month of any crate line free at kiwico.com/simple. Organifi – Visit organifi.com/simple and use the code SIMPLE to get a 20% discount on your entire order. Prep Dish -- Get 2 weeks free meal planning, prepdish.com/families

Parents are faced with all sorts of complicated questions from their children. Today, Mary-Robb Wilson is here to give us her wisdom to answer some big questions in her new book Soulshine. Links from the episode Soulshine Book Website: www.soulshinebook.com Instagram @soulshinebook Simple Families Episode 322: Parenting & Poetry Sponsors Indeed – Visit indeed.com/families to start hiring now. SEED – Visit seed.com/simple and use the code SIMPLE to redeem 20% off your first month of Seed's DS-01 ™️ Daily Symbiotics. Organifi – Visit organifi.com/simple and use the code SIMPLE to get a 20% discount on your entire order.

The addition of children is one of the most pivotal changes experienced in a partnership or marriage. Reconnecting and strengthening partnerships in the parenthood stage is what we are chatting about today with Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Abby Nordquist. Links from the episode LoveWell by Abby Nordquist Take the LoveWell Quiz HERE Simple Families Episode 312: I Can't Believe I Just Did That ft. Eve Rodsky Simple Families Episode 323: Boundaries Sponsors Cozy Earth – Get 35% off site wide using the code SIMPLE at CozyEarth.com. LUS Brands – Get 15% off your first haircare order of $50 at LUSBrands.com using the code SIMPLE. SEED – Visit seed.com/simple and use the code SIMPLE to redeem 20% off your first month of Seed's DS-01 ™️ Daily Symbiotics.

I would love to introduce you to one of my favorite podcasts. 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms is hosted by Rachel Nielson, who is a lover of practical ideas, conversations with kindred spirits, and her two wild miracle children who keep life interesting. She combined all of these passions when creating her podcast. After a long fight to become a mother through adoption and IVF, Rachel truly believed that she would thrive as a mom from day one. Her transition into motherhood was a little bumpier than she had imagined, and she sought the help of professionals for actionable advice. 3 in 30 is a podcast for women who want to love motherhood as much as they love their children. Since moms are short on time and brain space, each 30-minute episode offers 3 actionable takeaways to help you make your family life a little better each week. If this sounds up your alley, listen to 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms on your favorite podcast listening app.  In this excerpt, Rachel interviews Dr. Jen Riday about how to be a more emotio

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. While many of us know someone or have been a victim of bullying ourselves, it remains a source of great pain for some of our youth with long-lasting effects. Kayla Taylor is a mom who lived through the pain with her child and shares her experience in her new the book, Canaries among us: A mother's quest to honor her child's individuality in a culture determined to negate it. Links from this Episode Canaries among us: A mother's quest to honor her child's individuality in a culture determined to negate it. SPONSORS Cozy Earth – Get 35% off site-wide using the code SIMPLE at CozyEarth.com. Indeed – Visit indeed.com/families to start hiring now. Prep Dish -- Get 2 weeks free, prepdish.com/families

It's more than a month into the new school year, and many parents are feeling stress getting out the door in the morning for school and/or work. Although a consistent, smooth morning routine is never guaranteed, I am sharing some simple things you can do to increase your chances of success during before school hours. Links from this Episode Simple Families Episode 211: Reward Charts Telling Time Teaching Clock SPONSORS Faherty Brand – Get 15% off every order with code SIMPLE at Faherty.com/simple LUS Brands – Get 15% off your haircare order with promo code SIMPLE at LUSBrands.com Little Spoons – Enter SIMPLE50 at checkout to get 50% off our first order of delicious and healthy meals and snacks for kids at Littlespoon.com

I'll be honest, cooking and meal planning has never come easy to me. If you've listened to Simple Families for long, you've heard me sing the praises of a meal-planning company called PrepDish and its founder Allison Schaaf. Although this episode of my chat with Allison is not sponsored, I couldn't wait to share more about how the simple tool PrepDish provides, in the form of a weekly PDF, has simplified my life around around family meals. Links from this Episode PrepDish Website (for two weeks free) Simple Families Episode 304: Procrastination. SPONSORS Cozy Earth – Get 35% off on Oprah's Favorite sheets and new lounge wear (site wide) using the code SIMPLE at CozyEarth.com. KiwiCo - Get 50% off your 1st month's order & Free Shipping with Code SIMPLE at KiwiCo.com.

When it comes to setting boundaries, clarity saves relationships. Implementing boundaries is a vital component to building a healthy relationship, whether with a partner, relative or friends. After reading Nedra Glover Tawwab's book Set Boundaries, Find Peace, it's become clear just how important boundaries are for every relationship. If you've ever struggled to communicate your needs and limits, then this episode is for you. Links from this Episode Nedra's Website Set Boundaries, Find Peace Nedra on Instagram SPONSORS LUS Brands – Get 15% off your haircare order through September 30, 2022 at LUSBrands.com. Indeed – Visit indeed.com/families to start hiring now.

I've always been intimidated by poetry. However, Maggie Smith has changed that. Not only have I found myself enjoying poetry, but I've also found it to be a way to get off auto-pilot and center myself on the hard days. Maggie is on the show today to share some of her poems on parenting, loss and life. Not only does Maggie write beautifully, but her work is so relatable and thought-provoking I find that each poem brings me a mini-mindfulness break. Links from this Episode Maggie's Website Maggie's Books and Poetry Maggie on Instagram Poem: Small Shoes - Moving Poems SPONSORS Cozy Earth – Get 35% off on Oprah's Favorite sheets and site wide using the code SIMPLE at CozyEarth.com. Indeed – Visit indeed.com/families to start hiring now.