Your Kids Don’t Suck: Cultivating Closeness with your Kids through Non-Coercive, Conscious ParentingExplicit

by Cara Tedstone and Rythea Lee

Non-coercive, conscious parenting is a radical departure from mainstream, traditional parenting practices. The essence of the mindset involves collaboration and mutuality with our children.

Through in-depth discussion and disclosure, therapists and parents Rythea and Cara explore the personal and societal challenges of choosing this uncommon parenting philosophy. The intention behind this podcast is to empower parents  ... 

 ...  Read more

Podcast episodes

  • Season 2

  • A Parent’s Therapeutic Process: Using the six steps of Inner Bonding® to resolve reactivity around bedtime or other issues

    Explicit

    A Parent’s Therapeutic Process: Using the six steps of Inner Bonding® to resolve reactivity around bedtime or other issues

    Explicit

    Content Advisory: This episode contains discussion of childhood sexual trauma in a therapeutic context In this episode, therapist Rythea Lee introduces the episode's focus on navigating bedtime struggles with her 12-year-old daughter. Rythea explores how her childhood trauma currently impacts her relationship to bedtime triggers, and discusses how it challenges her ability to problem-solve or think clearly about the issue. She takes herself through a process called Inner Bonding®, an emotional, psychological modality that helps resolve wounded patterns from the past This episode is aimed to give parents an example of what a therapeutic process looks like and how it leads to personal accountability, and then closeness with our children. Rythea shares the deep, painful roots of reactivity that surfaces at night when it is bedtime. This is a template for processing any issue that can arise with our kids. Rythea goes through the six steps of the Inner Bonding® process to show you how it works: Main Content: 1. Understanding Inner Bonding®: - Step 1: Tuning into feelings and how it connects to the body - Step 2: Moving into an intent to learn about feeling - Step 3: Dialogue with the inner child and finding out the false beliefs - Step 4: Connecting with higher self and getting the truth about the false beliefs in the present time - Step 5: Taking loving action - Step 6: Evaluating the effectiveness of actions, returning to the process if needed 2. Application in Real-Time: - Rythea shares her experience of applying Inner Bonding® during bedtime struggles - Cara asks insightful questions and offers reflections to deepen Rythea's understanding of her process 3. Update on Progress: - Rythea provides an update on how Inner Bonding® has impacted her bedtime interactions with her daughter - Despite challenges, she notes a significant shift in their dynamic towards more understanding and connection Additional Resources: - Link to Inner Bonding steps: [Inner Bonding - The Six Steps] (https://rythea.com/inner-bonding-the-six-steps)

  • Neurodiversity and OccuPLAYtional Therapy in School: A Conversation with Kelise Olds

    Explicit

    Neurodiversity and OccuPLAYtional Therapy in School: A Conversation with Kelise Olds

    Explicit

    Welcome back to Your Kids Don't Suck! Today, we're thrilled to have Kelsie Olds, also known as The Occuplaytional Therapist on social media. Kelsie is a parent and occupational therapist specializing in child-led and neurodiversity-affirming occupational therapy. We discuss: Kelsie's Training and Approach: Rythea and Cara delve into Kelsie's background as an occupational therapist, exploring what this means and how it shapes her approach to working with children. The Child-Centered Approach: Kelsie discusses her approach to working with kids, emphasizing child-led methods and its alignment with her non-authoritarian parenting style. She contrasts this with mainstream practices, highlighting the differences and benefits. Navigating Neurodiversity: The conversation shifts towards neurodiversity and how Kelsie transitions from a behaviorist lens to a more connected and conscious approach both as a parent and professional. Support in Schools: Kelsie shares insights into her work (and play) within school settings, detailing how she supports children, teachers, and staff in the strong direction of non-coercive practices. The hosts inquire about steps parents can take if they feel their child isn't receiving adequate support in schools. Advice for Educators: We seek advice from Kelsie on how educators can become more conscious and connected in their approach to teaching and supporting children. Find Kelsie on socials: https://www.occuplaytional.com/ @occuplaytional on Instagram https://www.facebook.com/occuplaytional -- If you want to be on our newsletter and get an announcement each time a new episode is released, please send us your email information to Rythea@crocker.com Get in touch with Rythea and Cara, buy our books and watch our content at https://linktr.ee/yourkidsdontsuck Find all our episodes at https://rss.com/podcasts/yourkidsdontsuck It’s important and essential to put our voices (Rythea and Cara) in a context. We are two white, cis-gender, straight, middle-class women living with financial and societal privilege. Because of this, our perspectives are limited and do not reflect the realities of all our listeners. This podcast will feature guests with expertise around conscious parenting who differ in gender, race, class, abilities, sexual orientation, and histories from us, to broaden the conversation and reflect the lives of as many people as possible. 25% of the proceeds of this podcast will go to creators of color who have been mentors and influences on our work and in our growth as parents. You can donate to this podcast by going to https://linktr.ee/yourkidsdontsuck

  • You Asked Us: Navigating Conflict with Siblings, and Co-Parenting Challenges!

    Explicit

    You Asked Us: Navigating Conflict with Siblings, and Co-Parenting Challenges!

    Explicit

    In this episode, hosts Rythea Lee and Cara Tedstone delve into listener questions about navigating conflicts between children and/or siblings, and co-parenting with differing parenting styles. Drawing from their expertise in non-coercive, collaborative parenting, Rythea and Cara provide insightful guidance on fostering connection with your child(ren) within difficult family dynamics. Rythea emphasizes the crucial role of active and involved parenting in resolving conflicts between children and siblings. She advocates for removing blame, maintaining transparency when unsure how to help, and developing regular collaboration with children to address problems. Cara shares practical family therapy advice on effective communication with children during conflicts. The hosts advise parents on what to say and what not to say, emphasizing the significance of validating children's experiences and emotions. By implementing these strategies, parents can find the through-line of empathy and closeness with their child. Rythea and Cara explore the complexities of co-parenting when faced with differing parenting styles. They offer recommendations for navigating these differences while prioritizing the child's well-being. The discussion delves into techniques for maintaining consistency and respect across households, ensuring that the child's experience remains at the forefront of decision-making. -- If you want to be on our newsletter and get an announcement each time a new episode is released, please send us your email information to Rythea@crocker.com Get in touch with Rythea and Cara, buy our books and watch our content at https://linktr.ee/yourkidsdontsuck Find all our episodes at https://rss.com/podcasts/yourkidsdontsuck It’s important and essential to put our voices (Rythea and Cara) in a context. We are two white, cis-gender, straight, middle-class women living with financial and societal privilege. Because of this, our perspectives are limited and do not reflect the realities of all our listeners. This podcast will feature guests with expertise around conscious parenting who differ in gender, race, class, abilities, sexual orientation, and histories from us, to broaden the conversation and reflect the lives of as many people as possible. 25% of the proceeds of this podcast will go to creators of color who have been mentors and influences on our work and in our growth as parents. You can donate to this podcast by going to https://linktr.ee/yourkidsdontsuck

  • Class, Capitalism, and Community: Decolonizing Our Parenting with Yolanda Williams

    Class, Capitalism, and Community: Decolonizing Our Parenting with Yolanda Williams

    Welcome to another episode of "Your Kids Don't Suck"! In this episode, hosts Rythea Lee and Cara Tedstone engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Yolanda Williams, a radical justice educator, mother, and conscious parenting coach. Rythea and Cara delve into a crucial discussion with Yolanda on the pervasive influence of capitalism on our lives and, more specifically, on self-care. Together, they explore how societal structures impact our ability to prioritize our well-being and the subsequent implications on our parenting. This conversation includes differences in class, equity, and resource options in families. Yolanda sheds light on how traditional parenting practices are entwined with colonial ideologies and the importance of dismantling these structures not only for the empowerment of our children, but in service to fostering love and closeness with our kids. We also touch on topics around building community, raising a neurodiverse child, owning our limitations in the dynamic with our children, and when it is time to seek help. Rythea, Cara and Yolanda illuminate the path towards conscious and empowered parenting, challenging societal norms for the well-being of our children. Find Yolanda on her website: https://parentingdecolonized.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prntgdcolonized/ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/parenting-decolonized/id1538348623 -- If you want to be on our newsletter and get an announcement each time a new episode is released, please send us your email information to Rythea@crocker.com Get in touch with Rythea and Cara, buy our books and watch our content at https://linktr.ee/yourkidsdontsuck Find all our episodes at https://rss.com/podcasts/yourkidsdontsuck It’s important and essential to put our voices (Rythea and Cara) in a context. We are two white, cis-gender, straight, middle-class women living with financial and societal privilege. Because of this, our perspectives are limited and do not reflect the realities of all our listeners. This podcast will feature guests with expertise around conscious parenting who differ in gender, race, class, abilities, sexual orientation, and histories from us, to broaden the conversation and reflect the lives of as many people as possible. 25% of the proceeds of this podcast will go to creators of color who have been mentors and influences on our work and in our growth as parents. You can donate to this podcast by going to https://linktr.ee/yourkidsdontsuck

  • Controversial Topic Alert: Navigating Screen Time!

    Explicit

    Controversial Topic Alert: Navigating Screen Time!

    Explicit

    It's an episode you've been waiting for - Cara and Rythea tackle the ever-controversial topic of screen time. As parents themselves and therapists working with families, they delve into the complexities surrounding this issue and offer practical insights for navigating screen time boundaries within family dynamics. We start by exploring why screen time has become such a polarizing and emotionally charged subject for parents. Drawing from our own experiences and observations, we unpack the underlying anxieties and societal pressures that contribute to the intense scrutiny of screen usage in modern family life. We share strategies for maintaining connection and conscious awareness of triggers and emotions as parents, emphasizing the importance of open communication and mutual respect. Cara and Rythea reiterate the importance of approaching screen time discussions with empathy, curiosity, and flexibility - by reframing the conversation and prioritizing connection over control, families can navigate the complexities of screen time with greater ease and harmony. -- If you want to be on our newsletter and get an announcement each time a new episode is released, please send us your email information to Rythea@crocker.com Get in touch with Rythea and Cara, buy our books and watch our content at https://linktr.ee/yourkidsdontsuck Find all our episodes at https://rss.com/podcasts/yourkidsdontsuck It’s important and essential to put our voices (Rythea and Cara) in a context. We are two white, cis-gender, straight, middle-class women living with financial and societal privilege. Because of this, our perspectives are limited and do not reflect the realities of all our listeners. This podcast will feature guests with expertise around conscious parenting who differ in gender, race, class, abilities, sexual orientation, and histories from us, to broaden the conversation and reflect the lives of as many people as possible. 25% of the proceeds of this podcast will go to creators of color who have been mentors and influences on our work and in our growth as parents. You can donate to this podcast by going to https://linktr.ee/yourkidsdontsuck