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For cycle-breaking parents who still face battles at bedtime and beyond, Sustainable Parenting teaches tools that actually change behavior when gentle parenting doesn't work.
Research shows 1 in 3 parents who try gentle parenting still end the day begging kids to listen and blaming themselves when the scripts don’t stop the tantrums. So if your 6-year-old still ignores you, your toddler screams over a broken banana, and bedtime still ends in tears—it’s not you, it’s the gentle parenting advice that’s failing you.
Unlike other podcasts that only tell you to “stay calm” or “validate feelings” while your toddler is throwing dinosaurs at your head, here you’ll get strategies to set limits kids respect without crushing their spirit so they grow into kind, confident humans, and you finally feel like the calm, in-control parent you want to be.
I’m Flora McCormick—a counselor, parenting coach, and mom of two. After 20 years helping families worldwide, I’ve helped thousands of parents raise confident kids while practicing parenting without yelling or shame. Parenting will always have hard moments, but raising respectful, emotionally healthy kids doesn’t have to be a constant battle.
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Feeling exhausted from doing everything — the school snacks, the bedtime routines, the constant reminders — and ready to just burn the whole thing down? What if being a "Lazy Parent" was the key to more joy and ease?! Spoiler alert - I think it is!! In this week’s episode, I invite you into a surprisingly freeing mindset: Lazy Parenting. No, it’s not about neglect or indifference — it’s about choosing intentional calm over chaos (trying to keep up with Insta trends), and k...
Today we explore why toddlers hit, bite, and grab at playdates and how to respond without shame or panic...and with tools that will shift the behavior for real! Did you know - these challenging child behaviors are VERY common in the early years of development?! Research shows that these behaviors are actually very common in early childhood. Studies find that between 26% and 70% of toddlers show some form of physical aggression — hitting, biting, pushing, or scratching — depending on how...
Does your child suddenly “lose their hearing” the moment you ask them to pick up their shoes, come to the table, or turn off the tablet? You’re not alone—and you’re not going crazy. In this episode, we’ll unpack why kids pretend not to hear you and how to break the exhausting cycle of repeating yourself over and over. By the time you finish listening, you will know: Why kids really tune us out (and it’s not because they’re disrespectful).The “connect before you direct” approach that makes kid...
Tired of repeating yourself 14 times a day, only to explode when your kids don’t listen? You’re not alone. In this episode, Flora McCormick, founder of Sustainable Parenting, shares the #1 tool most gentle parents overlook—and why it’s the secret to parenting without yelling and finding calm in the chaos. After listening, you’ll discover: Why inconsistency fuels tantrums, testing, and power struggles.How predictability calms your child’s nervous system (and yours).Simple scripts and routines ...
Does bedtime ever feel like the longest part of your day? You’re exhausted, ready for some peace, but your child suddenly transforms into a master negotiator—asking for just one more kiss, one more drink of water, or one more story. If you’ve ever felt torn between wanting to meet those sweet requests and desperately craving your own downtime, this Sustainable Parenting episode is for you. In today’s conversation with Flora McCormick, LCPC and sleep expert Matthew Wellington, we unpack the 5 ...
Ever felt that twinge of guilt when you consider taking time away from your family to pursue a hobby? You're not alone. As a mother of two and lifelong dancer, I recently found myself questioning whether my dance performances were worth the disrupted bedtimes and occasional complaints from my nine-year-old daughter. But what if those personal pursuits aren't selfish at all? What if they're actually essential to your BEST parenting, even? In this episode, I flip the script and share three su...
Ever notice how you're stuck in a cycle of constant reminders with your kids? You’re telling them to pack their lunch, grab their cleats, finish their homework—yet you’re torn between enjoying feeling needed and resenting this never-ending role. In this episode of Sustainable Parenting with Flora McCormick, we explore the powerful shift from being a micromanaging parent to a coaching parent. You’ll learn how to move from constant control into Positive Parenting Strategies that help kids build...
Tired of forcing your kids to say “I’m sorry,” only to have the apology come out flat, fake, or sarcastic? Do you find yourself insisting on the “right tone” until you are blue in the face, or even yelling at your child - and all the while the kid doesn't really seem to care? Here's the deal, friend. Most of the time, I've found apologizing doesn’t actually teach kids responsibility. It just teaches them how to act like they feel bad. In this episode of the Sustainable Pare...
Tired of having to nag and tell your kids everything they need to do (and sometimes yelling at your kids in the process)? Ready to set some new habits of responsibility this school year, and see your kids really step up to the plate? This week, I’m sharing five simple habits from Raising Mentally Strong Kids that help children take ownership—while you stay calm. You’ll learn: The 1 Page Miracle, A 4-step process for building responsibility, Tools to shift from “drill sergeant” t...
Parenting disagreements can feel overwhelming — especially when emotions run high. In this short episode of our weekly podcast, couples therapist Rachael Maher shares how understanding attachment science can bring more calm, connection, and teamwork to your marriage. You’ll discover how parenting conflicts often go deeper than surface-level disagreements — and how to approach them with gentle parenting principles. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why parenting conflicts often hit at the “...
That crushing moment when your child says, “I’m stupid” or “Nobody likes me” can leave you feeling helpless. You’ve tried everything — reassurance, distraction, even giving in — but the negative thought loops just won’t quit. In this episode of the Sustainable Parenting podcast, we dive into one of the most common parenting challenges: those Automatic Negative Thoughts (what brain psychologist Daniel Amen calls ANTs) that sneak into our children’s minds. These thoughts not only affect their m...
Ever feel like nothing works when your child lashes out—no matter how calm you try to be or how many consequences you give? Friend, you’re not alone. And you’re not doing it wrong. This weekly podcast episode is for every parent who’s felt worn down by rude words, angry outbursts, or aggressive behavior—and is craving a better way. A way that actually works and feels good in your heart. In this short episode, we’re digging into three common mistakes that loving parents often make (through no ...
Do you ever lie awake at night feeling like you're failing your children? You’re not alone. Research shows a staggering 78% of mothers believe they aren’t doing enough for their kids. But what if everything we’ve been told about perfect parenting is wrong? This short episode of our weekly podcast delivers a truth that might just set you free: According to Circle of Security research spanning decades and thousands of families, you only need to “get it right” about 30% of the time for your chil...
Why do kids seem to save their biggest meltdowns for home? You watch them stay polite and calm at school or during a family gathering—but the moment they’re back with you, it’s like a switch flips. Suddenly, there’s whining, power struggles, or a full-blown tantrum. If you’ve ever wondered why they hold it together for others but fall apart with you, this short episode of the Sustainable Parenting Weekly Podcast offers clarity, compassion, and parenting tips & tools that really work. In t...
Have you found yourself yelling at your child—and then feeling waves of regret? You’re not alone. Many loving parents think the solution is simply “having more patience.” But in this short episode of our weekly podcast, you’ll discover why patience isn’t the answer—and how three powerful P-words can help you bring more calm confident parenting into your home. The truth is, anger often comes from what I call “time travel”—mentally jumping backward into regrets or forward into fears about your ...
If you’ve ever wondered why yelling seems to “work” in the moment but leaves you feeling disconnected from your child, this episode is for you. We’re exploring how to create a stronger parent-child connection by balancing kindness and firmness—so you can practice calm confident parenting without the guilt or frustration. In this short episode of our weekly podcast, you’ll discover: Why kids push boundaries and what they’re really asking forHow to get kids to listen without yelling or shamingW...
Ever felt like the consequences you’re using just aren’t working? Maybe you’ve taken away screen time, treats, or even big events—only to see the same behavior again. It’s frustrating and confusing when nothing seems to make a difference. In this short episode of our weekly podcast, we’ll explore gentle parenting strategies that actually work—without yelling, shaming, or losing connection. Through Sean’s story, you’ll see how shifting from big punishments to calm, step-by-step guidance ...
We’re diving into how to stop power struggles with kids and solve transition battles in a way that builds parent-child connection and makes moving from one activity to the next easier and more joyful. By the time you finish listening to this short episode of our weekly podcast, you’ll know how to replace the “coo-coo cycle” of commands and consequences with a powerful approach rooted in gentle parenting and kind and firm parenting strategies—C.E.O. (Connection, Encourage Cooperation, Ownershi...
Friend, if you’re tired of constant tech battles with your kids—especially with summer approaching—this short episode of our weekly podcast is packed with gentle parenting tips & tools to help you create more peace around screens. You’ll learn how to reduce screen dependency, strengthen your parent-child connection, and encourage creative alternatives that keep kids engaged (without constant fights). By the time you finish listening, you’ll know: 3 key habits to stop and 3 key habits to s...
Do you ever look ahead to summer and feel a mix of excitement and dread—wondering if the constant battles will leave you counting down the days until school starts again? In this short episode of our weekly podcast, we’ll explore gentle parenting strategies that make summer smoother and more joyful, even when challenges arise. By the time you finish listening, you’ll know: What to do when you reach the end of your rope so you can respond with calm confident parenting instead of frustrat...
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