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Transforming the Toddler Years

The Blog

 

“Parenting is really one big, beautiful story and

I love telling it.”

Cara Tyrrell, Founder Core4Parenting
Marriage and Motherhood husband marriage motherhood partnership relationships self identity

Motherhood isn’t your identity. Neither is being a wife. They are relationships. And before them, there was you.

 

You worked hard for years to grow into who you are, to own your sense of self, and step into confidence, clarity, and create a vision for who you wanted to be in this...

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Keeping Kids Safe When They Have No Stranger Danger back to school parenting safety scripts skills

I looked at my toddler, smiled and said “It’s my job to keep you…” 

 

 “SAFE” she yelled with an ear to ear smile on her face.

 

From the moment my kids were born there was an inner shift. All of a sudden my only job was to keep them safe,...

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Back to School! back to school conscious parenting parenting

My daughter clung to my leg like it was her life force. I took one awkward step, knowing I had to go, that by staying I was only making it harder for both of us, as the teacher pulled my three year old off my body. 

 

She was bawling. And by the time I got to the car, so was I. 

...

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Why Toddlers Don't Follow Directions behavior foundational skills listening raising children skill development

“My toddler just won’t listen to me! And don’t even get me started on how they don’t follow directions.”

If I had a dollar for every time I heard a parent navigating the toddler years say this…

But here’s the thing.

Hearing isn’t the same as...

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What IS Kindergarten Readiness? covid generation education foundational skills kindergarten school

True, effective communication is based on real, authentic connection.  

 

When I really need a kiddo to hear me I touch my nose and say, “look at my nose so I know you can hear me”.  They often giggle, sometimes look at me funny as they get the joke, but I always...

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Stop Apologizing for Your Child's Behavior. Do this Instead behavior conscious parenting foundational skills parenting

Toddlers misbehave: at home, in public, at school.

 

They are small humans exploring the world and testing to see who will hold boundaries with love, consistency and compassion, regardless of where they are.

 

As parents, the urge to apologize for their behaviors is strong. But when you...

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How to Avoid Raising Overcommitted Kids conscious parenting family parenting raising children

I did not have sporty kids,  And I'm not going to lie, I was relieved.  I watched my sister and brother in law, who have three VERY sporty kids, lose their heads juggling the number of practices, games, and tournaments… per sport, per kid, every season of the year. 

 

...

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Journaling: My Love/Hate Relationship journaling mom life motherhood self care

I have a love/hate relationship with journaling. As in, I LOVE the idea of it: pick the prettiest one, get my special pen, sit in a quiet space, then climb so far into my head that I don’t know what to write, freeze, and end up reinforcing my belief that I’m bad at journaling. 

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Mindset Shifts for Staying Positive When Kids Are Diagnosed with Medical Conditions medical issues mindset mom life parenting

My kids were medical kids. Seriously, Claire's first five years of life were peppered with diagnoses, doctors, specialists and surgeries.

 

After the stillborn loss of our first daughter, I worked hard to keep all her medical struggles in perspective, repeating this mantra daily: At least...

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Fostering Body Positivity From Birth conscious parenting emotional awareness mom life motherhood parenting tips self identity sense of self

“Those pants don't really do you any justice.”

 

My (then) best friend said this to me as we were getting ready to go out dancing for the night. 

 

I was 18 years old and had spent adolescence and young adulthood hating my body. I self described as...

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The Digital Generation: Why Your Toddler's Digital Footprint Matters conscious parenting digital parenting first time mom kids and tech parenting parenting tips raising children

My three kids were born between 2000 and 2005. Their early years were filled with friends and family wanting to give them digital toys that talked, LeapPads, and hand-me-down Ipods. (remember those?)

 

And me, politely saying “No thank you. I don’t want them to think of...

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Why Sharing Really Matters conscious parenting emotional regulation foundational skills parenting parenting tips sharing

My husband is terrible at sharing.  I am not throwing him under the bus. It's true and he’ll tell you as much.  He doesn't like sharing food off his plate.  He refuses to share his tools. And, although he will eventually hand over a sweatshirt when I ask to borrow it, he...

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