EMPATHY AND SELF-REGULATION IN PARENTING SPIRITED CHILDREN | MARY VAN GEFFEN
“You’re not responsible for your kid’s feelings, but you are responsible for your reaction to them.”
In this episode, I sit down with Mary Van Geffen, the beloved parenting coach who specializes in guiding parents of 'spicy' children. Mary shares her personal journey and her expertise in parenting spirited children, compassionately addressing the challenges and rewards of guiding strong-willed, intense, and sometimes neuro-divergent children.
Raising children with big personalities can be really hard, and parenting is a journey of constant learning and adaptation. Mary shows us the transformative power of empathy in parenting, how to foster autonomy in your growing kids, and offers lots of practical tips for regulating YOURSELF instead of trying to fix your kids.
Episode highlights
00:00: Mary Van Geffen on redefining success in parenting intense children.
03:00: The journey from overwhelmed parent to empowering coach.
07:00: A transformative moment: Facing and overcoming personal challenges.
10:00: The impact of cultural and religious beliefs on parenting styles.
14:00: Breakthroughs in parenting: Celebrating small victories.
19:00: Mellisa shares a personal anecdote highlighting the journey of self-regulation.
21:00: Initiating the shift towards gentle parenting.
28:00: Tools and strategies for managing spirited and neurodivergent children.
34:00: Exploring ADHD's influence on parenting and personal growth.
38:00: Evolving the parent-teen relationship: Fostering autonomy and mutual respect.
Our Guest - Mary
Mary Van Geffen is an acclaimed parenting coach, renowned for her expertise in assisting mothers with the unique challenges of raising "spicy" children. Her approach emphasizes maintaining calmness and nurturing warmth, aiding parents who are adept in various life aspects but find motherhood overwhelming. Mary's impactful daily parenting tips on Instagram are a source of inspiration and self-compassion, guiding parents towards positive family dynamics.
Through her signature 8-week program "Moms of Spicy Ones," Mary empowers mothers to adopt gentle and respectful parenting methods. Her personal success story is reflected in the harmonious relationships she has cultivated with her own family, including her daughter, son, and husband. Bringing her wealth of coaching and teaching experience to our podcast, Mary shares invaluable insights into the journey of parenting and personal growth.
“I don’t want any child to grow up feeling like they’re wrong or they’re broken or they’re too much.”
Resources
Follow Mary Van Geffen on Instagram
Courses offered by Mary:
CALM Self regulation 101 for parents and other leaders.
KIND Effective gentle parenting techniques to replace yelling, shaming, and punishing with respect and warmth.
FIRM Set strong and sensible limits with your little boundary pusher.
TWEENS & TEENS Shift your parenting to stay connected.
MOMS OF SPICY ONES Keep your cool and cultivate a warm connection with your big-feeling human.
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