From Struggling and Busy to Calm and Connected Parenting.

From Struggling and Busy to Calm and Connected.

Are You Noticing What You Don’t Want to See?
If you’ve found yourself caught in a cycle of reacting to your child’s challenging behaviours—nagging, correcting, or feeling constantly overwhelmed—you’re not alone. Parenting is demanding, and it’s easy to feel like we’re constantly firefighting. But there is a way forward. You can move from being the struggling busy parent to becoming the Better Parent—the one you want to be, and the one your family deserves.

Attention Is a Powerful Parenting Tool
Let’s start with this simple reflection: What behaviours are you focusing on? More often than not, our attention is drawn to what we don’t want to see—whining, fighting, refusing. And while it’s completely natural to notice what’s going wrong, it’s not always helpful. When we consistently respond to negative behaviours and overlook the positive ones, we unintentionally reinforce the very behaviours we’re trying to reduce.

What You Focus on Grows
Our attention is powerful. What we focus on grows. When your child sees that being kind, listening well, or showing effort earns your attention, praise, or a simple smile—they learn that these behaviours matter. On the other hand, if they only get your full focus when things go wrong, you’re teaching them—without meaning to—that misbehaviour is the quickest way to connect.

Try the Better Parent Shift: Acknowledge and Affirm
The Better Parent Approach reminds us to shift this dynamic with gentle intention. Acknowledgement becomes a key tool—noticing, naming, and celebrating the behaviours we want to see more of. It could be as simple as saying, “Thank you for using a calm voice,” or, “I noticed how patient you were with your brother just then.”

Model Calm, Stay Connected
When we learn to stay calm, regulate our own emotions, and mindfully redirect our focus to the positive, we model emotional intelligence. We become the lighthouse that gently guides our children’s behaviour—not through control, but through connection.

Small Shifts, Big Impact
Remember, parenting isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence. Make space to see the good, and let your children feel seen for it.
Choose today to catch your child doing something right. It’s a small shift with a powerful ripple effect.

I wish you joy in your parenting.