Sustainable Parenting | The kind and firm solution for resilient kids and dependable calm.

By Flora McCormick, LCPC, Parenting Coach

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Category: Parenting

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Episodes: 139

Description

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. 


Follow Sustainable Parenting and start listening today.


Episode Date
138. Stop Arguing And Start Calming: How To Get Real Cooperation
Dec 10, 2025
137. Is Gentle parenting wrecking your holidays? Holiday Meltdowns, Real Solutions
Dec 03, 2025
136. Defiance Decoded: How to Respond Without Yelling
Nov 26, 2025
135. One Gentle Shift that Gets Kids to Listen More
Nov 19, 2025
134. Positive Parenting Strategies From A Nine-Year-Old
Nov 12, 2025
133. 3 Positive Discipline Tools to End Power Struggles With Kids, and Fights With Your Partner
Nov 05, 2025
132. How to get Kids to Sleep in Their Own Beds, Even if They Beg You to Stay | Karen Winter
Oct 29, 2025
131. How to End the Day Calmly Without Feeling Touched Out or Snappy
Oct 22, 2025
130. How to Be a Lazy Parent in the Best Way - 2 Keys to Less Stress & More Joy
Oct 15, 2025
129. Playdates Without Panic: 3 Steps to Solve Hitting, Scratching or Grabbing.
Oct 08, 2025
128. The One Phrase That Works When Kids Ignore You
Oct 01, 2025
127. The One Tool Most Gentle Parents Miss
Sep 24, 2025
126. 5 Pillars for Peaceful Bedtimes | Matthew Wellington
Sep 17, 2025
125. How Taking Time for Yourself Makes You a Better Parent
Sep 10, 2025
124. How Letting Kids Struggle Supports Raising Resilient Kids
Sep 03, 2025
123. Why Forced Apologies Don’t Teach Kids Responsibility and What to Do Instead
Aug 20, 2025
122. Raising Responsible & Independent Kids with 5 School-Day Routines
Aug 13, 2025
121. How to Parent as a Team When You Don’t See Eye to Eye | Rachael Maher
Aug 06, 2025
120. How to Help Kids Stop Saying “I’m Stupid” or “Nobody Likes Me”
Jul 30, 2025
119. What Parents Don’t Realize When Kids Talk Back or Slam Doors
Jul 23, 2025
118. Why “I’m Failing as a Mom” Is the Biggest Lie We Tell Ourselves
Jul 16, 2025
117. Why Kids Have Angry Outbursts at Home (But Not in Public)
Jul 09, 2025
116. 3 Ways to Control Your Anger as a Parent (Without Yelling)
Jul 02, 2025
115. How to Get Kids to Listen Without Yelling
Jun 25, 2025
114. 3 Smart Consequences for Children (That Actually Work)
Jun 18, 2025
113. How to End Playtime Without a Meltdown
Jun 11, 2025
112. How to End Tech Time Battles and Get Kids Off Screens Without a Fight
Jun 04, 2025
111. How to Handle 5 Common Summer Trouble Spots with Calm and Connection
May 28, 2025
110. Three Simple Solutions That Get Kids to Listen
May 21, 2025
109. How to Stay Calm When Kids Push Boundaries Without Feeling Like You’re Failing
May 14, 2025
108. Why Your Family Needs a Mission Statement (and How to Make One)
May 07, 2025
107. How to Stop Feeling Guilty When You Take Time for Yourself
Apr 30, 2025
106. Five Simple Phrases That Stop Sibling Fights Fast
Apr 23, 2025
105. Finding Common Ground When You and Your Spouse Parent Differently
Apr 16, 2025
104. Why Explaining Doesn’t Work When Kids Misbehave (and What to Do Instead)
Apr 09, 2025
103. How Parents Accidentally Block Their Partner’s Help and Burn Themselves Out
Apr 02, 2025
102. Why Unmet Needs Are the Root of Your Mom Rage
Mar 26, 2025
101. Spring Break Made Easier with Kids Car Rides, Outings, and Bedtimes
Mar 19, 2025
100. The Hidden Link Between Phones and Your Child’s Mood Swings | Joanna Bertken
Mar 12, 2025
99. Organize Family Routines and End the Scheduling Chaos | Jessica Etting
Mar 05, 2025
98. Is Montessori Elementary Right for Your Child? What Parents Need to Know
Feb 26, 2025
97.⁠ ⁠How to Be Firm With Kids Without Yelling or Punishment
Feb 19, 2025
96. How to Handle the ‘That’s Not Fair!’ Sibling Fights
Feb 12, 2025
95. Why Kids Talk Back and How to Respond with Respect and Calm
Feb 05, 2025
94. How to Respond When Your Toddler Climbs, Dumps, and Gets Into Everything
Jan 29, 2025
93. How to Build Self-Motivation and Responsibility in Kids for Homework and Chores
Jan 22, 2025
92. 3 Parenting Habits that Bring More Cooperation and Less Stress
Jan 15, 2025
91. 3 Key Tools from Dr. John Sommers-Flanagan
Jan 08, 2025
90. Our Top 5 Parenting Episodes to Help You Stop Power Struggles and Tantrums
Jan 01, 2025
89. How to Avoid Tantrums and Tensions Over Holiday Breaks
Dec 18, 2024
88. 3 Habits That Get Kids Helping Without Complaints
Dec 11, 2024
87. How to Prevent Spoiled or Entitled Kids
Dec 04, 2024
86. Bonus | A Special Thank You to Our Parenting Community
Nov 27, 2024
85. Will AI Tools Actually Make Family Routines Easier for Parents?
Nov 20, 2024
84. How to Give Kids Safe Outlets for Anger Without Hurting Anyone
Nov 13, 2024
83. Tired of Saying “No” All Day? How to Get Kids to Listen Without Power Struggles
Nov 06, 2024
82. 3 Positive Parenting Strategies to Get Toddlers to Listen and Cooperate
Oct 30, 2024
81. The Parenting Mistake Most of Us Make (and How to Avoid It)
Oct 23, 2024
80. How to Respond When Kids Demand Your Attention Nonstop
Oct 16, 2024
79. How to Get on the Same Page - Parenting Together With Kindness & Firmness.
Oct 09, 2024
78. How to Stop Toddler Hitting
Oct 02, 2024
77. The Three H's to Use When Kids are Crabby or Complaining
Sep 25, 2024
76. Why “Do Whatever You Want” Backfires With Kids (and What to Teach Instead)
Sep 18, 2024
75. How to Support Kids Who Are Gifted and Struggle With Learning Differences | Victoria Williams
Sep 11, 2024
74. 3 Simple Affirmations to Boost Your Child’s Confidence
Sep 04, 2024
73. How to Stop Yelling and Create Calmer, Easier Days with Your Kids
Aug 28, 2024
72. Three Keys to Responding Calmly and Confidently to Power Struggles
Aug 21, 2024
71. 3 Steps That Get Kids To Listen Without Pushback
Aug 14, 2024
70. 3 Steps to Make School Routines Run Smoothly
Aug 07, 2024
69. How to Stop Backtalk and Teach Kids to Speak With Respect
Jul 31, 2024
68. The Simple Phrase That Gets Kids to Listen the First Time
Jul 24, 2024
67. How to Handle In-Law Visits Without Losing Your Parenting Confidence
Jul 17, 2024
66. How to Relax When Grandparents or Relatives Watch Your Kids
Jul 10, 2024
65. How to Support Kids Who Resist Change and Struggle With Transitions
Jul 03, 2024
64. Three Steps to Rebuild Connection After You Lose Your Cool
Jun 26, 2024
63. How to Set Clear Rules for Toys, Tech, and Treats Without Daily Power Struggles
Jun 19, 2024
62. How to Stay Patient With Kids While Managing Chronic Illness | Jonathan Stewart
Jun 12, 2024
61. How to Stop Emotional Eating When Parenting Feels Overwhelming | Meredith Ries, LCPC
Jun 05, 2024
60. What to Say When Kids Whine So They Learn to Ask Respectfully
May 29, 2024
59. How to Be Both Kind and Firm With Kids | Jane Nelsen
May 22, 2024
58. How to Be Both Kind and Firm With Kids | Jane Nelsen
May 15, 2024
57. How to Be Both Kind and Firm With Kids | Jane Nelsen
May 08, 2024
56. How to Ask for What You Need as a Mom (Without Feeling Guilty)
May 01, 2024
55. How to Break Free from Parenting Struggles and Find Calm that Lasts
Apr 24, 2024
54. How to Handle Parenting Differences With Your Partner Without Fighting
Apr 17, 2024
53. How to Get Kids Ages 5–12 Off Screens Without Daily Battle
Apr 10, 2024
52. How to End Power Struggles and Encourage Cooperation With Your Three-Year-Old
Apr 03, 2024
51. 5 Simple Self-Care Habits Busy Moms Can Actually Stick To
Mar 27, 2024
50. How to Get Young Kids to Sit at the Table and Eat Without Whining
Mar 20, 2024
49. How to Enjoy Spring Break Without Meltdowns (Vacation or Staycation)
Mar 13, 2024
48. 3 Sleep Strategies for Kids Who Resist Bedtime | Myra Hartzheim
Mar 06, 2024
47. How to Stop Sibling Fights and Help Kids Work Together
Feb 28, 2024
46. What to Say When Your Child Says "You're Mean!"
Feb 21, 2024
45. How to Reconnect With Your Partner When You’re Exhausted From Parenting | Lindley Gentile
Feb 14, 2024
44. The Easiest Way to Get Kids to Listen When You're Exhausted
Feb 07, 2024
43. What Do Teens Wish Parents Knew? An 18-Year-Old Explains | Isabel Minor
Jan 31, 2024
42. Why Explaining and Reasoning Don't Work With Neurodivergent Kids and What Helps Instead
Jan 24, 2024
41. Why Young Kids Hit, Tease, and Put Others Down and How to Respond
Jan 17, 2024
40. How to Let Go of Mom Guilt When You Take Time for Yourself
Jan 10, 2024
39. Balancing Parenting Goals and Family Life for a Calmer Year
Jan 03, 2024
38. 3 Simple Steps to Stress Less and Enjoy Parenting More
Dec 27, 2023
37. How to Help Kids Calm Down Without Time Out
Dec 20, 2023
36. How Getting Curious Helps You Stay Calm When Kids Refuse or Ignore You
Dec 13, 2023
35. How to Handle a Child Who Argues About Everything
Dec 06, 2023
34. What to Say When Your Child Says “No” So They Listen Without a Fight
Nov 29, 2023
33. Does Forcing Kids to Say “Sorry” and “Thank You” Build Respect or Backfire?
Nov 22, 2023
32. How to Get Kids to Listen in 10 Seconds or Less
Nov 15, 2023
31. The First Step to Connect With Your Child Before Correcting Behavior
Nov 08, 2023
30. How to Help Your Child Build Grit by Letting Them Struggle (Without Stepping In Too Soon)
Nov 01, 2023
29. 2 Simple Tricks to Prevent Meltdowns and Candy Battles This Halloween
Oct 25, 2023
28. How to Handle After-School Meltdown Without Turning on Screens
Oct 18, 2023
27. The Biggest Mistakes Parents Make in Meltdowns and the #1 Phrase That Calms Faster
Oct 11, 2023
26. How to Get Kids to Actually Help With Chores Without Complaining
Oct 04, 2023
25. How to Handle Whining and Clinginess While Building Toddler Independence
Sep 27, 2023
24. 5 Surprises No One Warns You About in Early Parenthood
Sep 20, 2023
23. 5 Playful Tricks to Get Kids to Cooperate Without a Fight
Sep 13, 2023
22. How to Build a Stronger Bond With Your Child in Just Minutes a Day
Sep 06, 2023
21. The #1 Way to Start Enjoying Time With Your Kid Again
Aug 30, 2023
20. 3 Ways to Create Calm, Cooperative Mornings and Stop Meltdowns
Aug 23, 2023
19. The Quick Fix for School Drop-Off Anxiety
Aug 16, 2023
18. How to Handle Public Tantrums Without Embarrassment
Aug 09, 2023
17. 3 Mistakes That Make Gentle Parenting Backfire and How to Fix Them
Aug 02, 2023
16. The One Mistake to Avoid When Your Kid Lies or Steals
Jul 26, 2023
15. 3 Phrases That Get Your Kids to Listen on the First Try
Jul 19, 2023
14. The Quickest Way to End Bedtime Battles
Jul 12, 2023
13. How to Teach Kids Gratitude So They Don’t Act Entitled
Jul 05, 2023
12. Why Fault Finding Keeps Kids Fighting
Jun 28, 2023
11. How to Survive the Newborn Stage Without Losing Sleep or Your Marriage | Dr. Gabe McCormick
Jun 21, 2023
10. How to Turn Kids’ Boredom Into Creative Screen-Free Fun
Jun 14, 2023
9. Insider Secrets to Being a Calm Confident Mama
Jun 07, 2023
8. The Secret to Raising Confident Kids
May 31, 2023
7. How to Stop Sibling Fights Without Yelling
May 24, 2023
1. How to Break Free from the Gentle Mom Monster Mom Cycle
May 17, 2023
2. 3 Effective Consequences for Kids That Actually Work
May 17, 2023
3. Two Simple Steps to End Homework & Chore Fights With Your Child
May 17, 2023
4. How to Calm a Meltdown in 30 Seconds or Less
May 17, 2023
5. How to Stay Calm With Young Kids During Tantrums and Power Struggles
May 17, 2023
6. How to Earn Your Child’s Respect by Making a Clear Plan
May 17, 2023
Trailer | Welcome to the Sustainable Parenting Podcast!
Apr 05, 2023