Shows
Good Enough ParentingHolding Hope: A Good Enough GoodbyeThis week’s episode is a special one.It’s the final episode of the Good Enough Parenting podcast — and saying that out loud feels both tender and true. Bittersweet, in the way meaningful things often are.Over the past few years, this podcast has been a place of connection. A reminder that you don’t have to get it right all the time. A soft landing on hard parenting days. A voice in your earbuds when things felt lonely, overwhelming, or just plain heavy.In this episode, I share a bit of the stor...
2026-02-2614 minGood Enough ParentingEncore! Play Therapist Approved Holiday Toy GuideHoliday gift shopping stressing you out? I can’t recommend what to get your Aunt Margaret, but I've got you covered in the toy department. Tune in to hear the three categories of toys you want to have represented in your playroom plus favorite board games for fostering self-regulation and sibling cooperation. And don’t worry – Santa is a fan of “Good Enough Parenting” so he’ll make sure to deliver some toy handcuffs if Target runs out…. Happy shopping!To get Carley’s free video teaching you 4 play therapy techniques...
2025-12-1012 minGood Enough ParentingEncore! "Good Enough" Holiday SeasonThis time of year is filled with celebrations, excitement and STRESS. If you're raising young kids, it can feel like a never ending marathon of to dos and temper tantrums. Lack of sleep, too much sugar and disruptions in schedules can lead to big emotional hangovers in kids.Today I share how to do less and be more this holiday season. From delegating to boundary setting to remembering the sacred, tune in to find out how you can have a happier holiday season without burning out.To get Carley’s free video teaching you 4 play th...
2025-12-0319 minGood Enough ParentingParenting for the Planet: How Composting Can Build Character 🍃Ever find yourself wishing you could raise kids who think beyond themselves, show emotional resilience, and eat their veggies without a bribe? Well tune in and buckle up. This week on the Good Enough Parenting podcast, I sat down with Sarah Robertson-Barnes, sustainability writer, educator, and host of Sustainable in the Suburbs — and she’s here to remind us that parenting with the planet in mind doesn’t have to mean going full homestead (or giving up take out).We talked about the small, practical ways we can parent more sustainably — and how those cho...
2025-11-1933 min
Be Still and Live#06: Peaceful Parenting: How to Regulate, Reconnect, and Bring Play Back Home with Carley AroldiPeace at home isn’t a personality trait, it’s a practice.In this conversation, Gillian talks with Carley Aroldi, clinical play therapist and childhood mental health expert, about why parenting feels so hard right now, and how small, steady shifts can bring calm back to family life.They explore the thermostat vs. thermometer idea, how parents set the emotional tone, and share simple, science-backed tools to move from stress to connection: co-regulation, playful moments, and everyday habits that reset the nervous system.From Candy Land to nature walks, Carley shows how...
2025-11-1146 minGood Enough ParentingPaging Mary Poppins: How to Find (and keep!) the Right Nanny for Your FamilyHiring a nanny sounds simple—until you realize you’re basically trying to find a magical Mary Poppins who can keep your kids alive and make healthy snacks and not judge the state of your laundry room and somehow feel like part of the family without actually being family. No pressure, right?Enter the magnificent Sarah Davis, founder of Olive You Nanny. On this week’s Good Enough Parenting episode, I sat down with Sarah to talk about the art (and heart) of finding the right caregiver for your family. She’s been in the childcare...
2025-10-1540 minGood Enough ParentingAdvice from a Kid-Free FriendBefore I had kids, I was sure I’d never use screens to entertain my kids at restaurants, I’d never threaten consequences without follow through. And I’d never change the core of who I was just because these little beings entered my life. Oh, the confidence of those pre-parenting days.Fast forward to today, and sometimes my reality looks more like threatening to cut my daughter’s hair when she won’t shower or accidentally letting my son stay up all night on video games because I fell asleep on the couch.It got me thi...
2025-09-1833 minGood Enough ParentingMid-Summer Madness or Magic? Let's ResetIt’s officially late July, which means we’re deep in the season of sticky popsicles, sunscreen battles, and the kind of sibling squabbles that make you rethink that “no screens before noon” rule. In this week’s episode, we’re pressing pause on the chaos to do a little mid-summer check-in.Is summer feeling more magical mischief or creepy cult vibes? (Looking at you, Midsommar’s Florence Pugh.) Either way, now’s a great time to ask:What’s actually working for your family right now?What habits need a little tweak (or a full-on overhaul)?What doe...
2025-07-2414 minGood Enough ParentingADHD, Anxiety and Full Spectrum Parenting 🌈How did you pick your kid’s name? It’s my favorite question to ask families as soon as I meet them. It tells me about:Partnership Dynamics “Oh we got in a big fight over that one! But my wife had the final say like she always does…”Family History “My grandmother had died a few weeks before she was born so we named her after her”And MOST importantly it tells me The vision they had for their kid even before they were...
2025-06-1814 minGood Enough ParentingEncore! Sweet SummerENCORE EPISODE! The summer season is officially upon us! Which means it’s time to wrestle your toddler to the ground so you can apply some ghost-whitening sunblock while your six year old screams “I hear the ice cream truck! Can we get one?” at 10am. Are you already counting the days until Labor Day? Fear not! There are ways we can find more sweetness and less stress this summer with our families. On today’s “Good Enough Parenting” podcast, I’ll share with you my favorite tips for not just surviving but actu...
2025-05-2918 minGood Enough ParentingShowers, Stinky feet, and Saving your sanityYou know that moment when your kid comes home from a full day of school and sports—covered in mystery smudges and smelling like a locker room—and then acts personally offended when you suggest a shower? Yeah, me too. If your kid melts like the Wicked Witch the moment they hear the water running, you’re not alone.This week on Good Enough Parenting, I’m joined by Sabrina Yavil, mom of 3 boys, former beauty executive and founder of Gryme, a personal care brand created just for kids. We talk about why bath time can feel...
2025-05-1443 minGood Enough ParentingEncore! How to Have a Happy Mother's DayIn honor of Mother's Day, we are revisiting one of our most popular episodes "How to Have a Happy Mother's Day" because who couldn't use a littler reminder that the day is actually supposed to feel good for YOU ❤️A few years ago, I got a call around 3:00 on Mother’s Day. A dear friend asked me if I would be able to meet her for a drink before dinner. Hell yes. We had both had less than ideal days that were meant to celebrate us but instead were filled with cranky kids and unmet...
2025-05-0308 minGood Enough ParentingHow To Talk To Your Kids About MoneyI try not to stay too tuned into the daily news cycle (because going into an anxiety spiral every time my phone dings with a news alert is not my favorite way to spend the day) but it’s hard to ignore just how bananas things feel right now. This is especially true in our economy - inflation, tariffs, layoffs, budget cuts—it’s enough to make any adult anxious. But guess what? Our kids feel it too. If we’re feeling unsettled as adults, imagine how it feels for our kids, who only catch snippets of grown-up c...
2025-04-1122 minGood Enough ParentingThe Secret to Making Sticker Charts WorkThe number one question I get from parents is... How do I get my kid to just… DO the things I need them to do ??And if you’ve been with me for a long time, you know my usual answer: Don’t start a sticker chart! It’s a short term solution that usually leads to more stress than success. BUT (get ready for it)… today I’m going to tell you that when done right sometimes sticker charts can workYep...
2025-03-2619 minGood Enough ParentingSugar, Screens and SanityFebruary is rough. The winter blues are real, the kids are bouncing off the walls, and if your family has managed to dodge the flu, norovirus, and pink eye this season—tell me your secret!This past weekend, my husband and I got a much-needed break while the grandparents took over. And while I love that my kids get this time with them, it also meant one thing: a weekend filled with sugar and screens.So today, we’re diving into the ever-evolving world of screens. What’s too much? What actually matters more t...
2025-02-1917 minGood Enough ParentingStop "Shoulding" On Your Kids!Happy New Year! We made it to 2025. And if the first few weeks are any indication, it looks like we might be in for a bit of a bumpy ride.Which is why I open this month’s “Good Enough Parenting” episode with the reminder that tapping into things that bring us joy is not a luxury as parents – it’s a necessity for your family’s well-being. Whether it’s catching a movie, meeting up with a friend or simply savoring a quiet coffee, prioritizing things that fill your cup isn’t selfish; it’s essential.To start my y...
2025-01-2216 minGood Enough ParentingInfants, Elders and Everything In BetweenThis month, we’re diving into the sacredness of multi-generational family time. After returning from a vacation with 20 relatives—ranging from babies to grandparents—I’m reflecting on why these connections matter so much for our kids and for us as parents.We’ll talk about how spending time with multiple generations helps kids develop empathy, responsibility, and self-worth (yes, even when they complain). Plus, I share why parenting wasn’t meant to be a solo act and how leaning on a larger community—whether it’s relatives or chosen family—can help us stay calm and grounded.Wh...
2024-12-1816 minGood Enough ParentingStop, Drop and Roll With ItIn this episode, we’re taking a classic fire safety rule—Stop, Drop, and Roll—and turning it into your new secret weapon for navigating those fiery parenting moments. Remember how often the fire department visited your elementary school to drill this into our heads? Turns out, that advice is just as helpful for when your kid is melting down over the color of their cup as it is for actual flames.I share a recent moment where I found myself at the edge of a parenting meltdown (yes, even therapists have those!) and how Stop, Drop, and Ro...
2024-11-2114 minGood Enough ParentingBuilding BraveryFear Isn’t the Enemy 👾 We often think we need to protect our children from things that scare them, but in reality it's better to help them face it.“Fairy Tales do not tell children the dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children that dragons can be killed.” ~GK Chesteron Kids know that scary sh*t is out there. But their biggest fear is not the monster under the bed or the bully on the playgr...
2024-10-1613 minGood Enough ParentingEncore! Tricky TransitionsOh dreaded transitions. Anytime we’re asking our kids to move from one activity to another (“stop playing and come to dinner” or “head upstairs to brush your teeth”) a whole host of things need to happen in their brain and body to turn their boat in a new direction. Transition struggles are the biggest complaint I hear from families I support. It is incredibly frustrating when you have to yell “Get your shoes on!!” 600 times before your kid hops to it. But there are some ways to make transitions easier (or at least slightly le...
2024-09-0414 minGood Enough ParentingEncore! Mommy Don't Go! Handling Separation StressHave you ever had to peel your 4 year old off your leg at daycare drop off? Or tried to convince your 7 year old that they’ll have fun at school when they’re begging you to stay home because the idea of leaving you makes them want to puke? Separation anxiety is tough. And unfortunately many of the strategies that parents try, like being logical (“You love your teacher – you’re going to have a great day!”) or bribing (“If you don’t cry on the way to school you’ll get a cupcake!”) actually make things worse. On toda...
2024-08-2820 minGood Enough ParentingEncore! Mini-Meditators: Helping Your Kids Find Their ZenYour kid doesn’t need to sit cross legged, chanting OM while praying for world peace in order to get introduced to the benefits and power of quieting the constant chatter in our brains and connecting to something bigger than ourselves. On today’s “Good Enough Parenting” podcast, I share the SIMPLE and EASY loving kindness meditation practice I use in my house to calm bodies & minds, reduce stress, and foster empathy and compassion for ourselves and our communities. No mala beads or sanskirt words required. You may not reach nirvana with your nine year o...
2024-08-2109 minGood Enough ParentingEncore! Game OnIf only there was a way we could connect with our kids, foster their social/emotional skills, develop their executive functioning while also having fun as a family. Oh wait! The answer has been hiding inside our cluttered closet the whole time…. Games! Structured games are an incredible way to help kids learn to manage their emotions (who hasn’t wanted to punch the candy land board when you get pulled back to gingerbread land mere steps away from the candy castle!), practice calming themselves when anxious (thanks Perfection!) and understand the importance of bein...
2024-08-1428 minGood Enough ParentingEncore! Anxiety vs. AutonomyHave you heard of the new book “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness” by Jonathan Haidt? From PBS to TikTok – everyone’s talking about it. And when something strikes a chord this deeply across our culture, it means something big is resonating. And here’s the headline – our young adults are showing more signs of anxiety and depression than ever before. And Haidt draws a very convincing connection between how modern parents have overprotected our children in the real world and underprotected them online. BIG food for thought...
2024-08-0716 minGood Enough ParentingEncore! Everything Sets My Kid Off!If every problem in your kid's life feels like a level 10 catastrophe, this episode is for you. Tune in to learn a game-changing parenting tool called "Pebble, Rock, Boulder." In essence, you share with your child that some problems are pebbles (a pencil breaking, running out of milk), some are rocks (having a hard time with math, fighting with friends) and some are boulders (natural disasters significant illnesses). When we are overtired, hungry, or cranky (or 4 years old) pebbles can feel like boulders. The goal (for kids and grown ups!) is to pause, fig...
2024-07-3110 minGood Enough ParentingEncore! Picky Eater's ClubIf you've got a kid who would rather eat boogers than broccoli, this episode is for you. Today I share a conversation with Caitlin Kiare, registered dietician nutritionist and founder of "Mom 'N Tot" Nutrition. We talk about how all foods fit, what parents do to actually fuel unhealthy eating habits and how to shift your meal time energy so your kid will be open to trying new things. If you want to work with Caitlin, you can find her athttps://momntotnutrition.com/To get Carley’s free video teaching you 4 play therapy te...
2024-07-2433 minGood Enough ParentingEncore! 80's BabiesThere are some things the 80s got wrong (Halloween candy wasn't dangerous and turns out greed is not so good) but there are many things 80s parents got right. Today, I share four parenting trends we should bring back from the decade of slinkys and should pads to give kids and parents more freedom to make mistakes and missteps - in fashion and in family life.To get Carley’s free video teaching you 4 play therapy techniques you can use TODAY to calm your emotional child and bring joy and freedom back to family life click here!
2024-07-1714 minGood Enough ParentingEncore! Limits are LoveThe number one question families ask - how do we set limits with our kids without screaming, yelling and threatening! In this episode, I share how to set boundaries in your home with calm, clarity, consistency and compassion and explain why limit setting is so crucial in fostering feelings of safety and security with your kids. Because even if they claim otherwise, your kid does not want to be the boss of the house!To get Carley’s free video teaching you 4 play therapy techniques you can use TODAY to calm your emotional child and bring joy an...
2024-07-1011 minGood Enough ParentingEncore! The Magic of PlayPlay is a child’s first language. It’s how they communicate what they’re feeling, thinking and where they’re struggling. If we can access the playful side of ourselves and speak to our children in a language they understand in their bodies and brains, parenting gets so much easier (and fun!) Today I share a story of how I handled my child’s fears by harnessing the power of play. To get Carley’s free video teaching you 4 play therapy techniques you can use TODAY to calm your emotional child and bring joy and freedom back to famil...
2024-07-0308 minGood Enough ParentingWhy Good Enough WorksIt’s the end of June, my kids are out of school and the lazy days of summer are laid out before us. I used to pack our summers with outings and activities because it was hard being home all together. But as my kids have gotten older and more independent and I’ve learned the value of doing less as a parent, I now look forward to quiet days where the biggest question on our mind is what’s for lunch. So in summer I pause. I move slow. I play. I appreciat...
2024-06-2611 minGood Enough ParentingWhat Do You Want?Our culture has a bit of an obsession with “having.” We’re always looking for the next new thing (app, supplement, couch cover!) we can “have” that might make a change for us. There is a fun assessment I play with kids in my practice. I tell them they have a key to a magic room and when they open the door they will find something that makes them happier than they could imagine – but the trick is you can’t buy it with money. Then I ask them to draw it on a special piece of paper. I...
2024-06-1908 minGood Enough ParentingHow We GrowYou know those fun timelines of your child’s development that you get at the pediatrician’s office or see in books like “What to Expect in the First Year?”They paint such a succinct, rosy picture of what your baby will be doing at 6 months (eating solids!), 12 months (first steps!), 2 years (welcome to the world of tantrums!) They’re not a bad way of preparing for the years ahead, but unfortunately they give the impression that growth is this straightforward process where you move from a-z with no bumps in between. What a lie.
2024-06-1206 minGood Enough Parenting3 Types of Mom FriendsMy favorite movies and tv shows are female buddy comedies. Give me some Boys on the Side, Baby Mama, Bad Moms and especially Broad City and I’m happy for days. I just recently went to see “Babes” with my best girlfriends and almost had to leave the theater I was laughing so hard. Female friendships have always been essential for me. But once kids entered the picture, it was a lot harder to maintain these relationships. It’s like your whole life gets turned upside down and shaken up and the first thing to fa...
2024-06-0517 minGood Enough ParentingFamily Travel TipsTraveling with kids can suck. Traffic, airport delays, an endless chorus of “are we there yet” can make any parent question whether spending a small fortune on a family trip is really worth it. But getting our families out of their at home comfort zone has endless benefits. Not only do we see what life is like outside of our little bubbles, but we also create lasting memories and return from trips with a fresh perspective on our OWN family life. Traveling adventures can make for an amazing ca...
2024-05-2918 min
Run Your Damn Business | Grow Your Online Business, Evergreen Sales, Passive Income, Start a Podcast, Make Money Online#264: Your ULTIMATE Summer Game Plan for Balancing Business & MotherhoodLet's get real... trying to run your business while being a full-time parent during the summer is no joke! And, it can stir up a lot of those pandemic memories we’d rather forget.So, how can we balance parenting and business during school breaks?In this episode, I'm thrilled to chat with Carley Aroldi, a brilliant clinical play therapist and childhood mental health expert, who’s here to spill the secrets on how to master the summer hustle and keep your business thriving.You'll uncover Carley’s golden nuggets for structuring your day to...
2024-05-2839 minGood Enough ParentingHow to Have a Sweet Summer with Your KidsThe summer season is officially upon us! Which means it’s time to wrestle your toddler to the ground so you can apply some ghost-whitening sunblock while your six year old screams “I hear the ice cream truck! Can we get one?” at 10am. Are you already counting the days until Labor Day? Fear not! There are ways we can find more sweetness and less stress this summer with our families. On today’s “Good Enough Parenting” podcast, I’ll share with you my favorite tips for not just surviving b...
2024-05-2218 minGood Enough ParentingAnxiety vs AutonomyHave you heard of the new book “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness” by Jonathan Haidt? From PBS to TikTok – everyone’s talking about it. And when something strikes a chord this deeply across our culture, it means something big is resonating. And here’s the headline – our young adults are showing more signs of anxiety and depression than ever before. And Haidt draws a very convincing connection between how modern parents have overprotected our children in the real world and underprotected them online. BIG...
2024-05-1516 minGood Enough ParentingGame OnIf only there was a way we could connect with our kids, foster their social/emotional skills, develop their executive functioning while also having fun as a family. Oh wait! The answer has been hiding inside our cluttered closet the whole time…. Games! Structured games are an incredible way to help kids learn to manage their emotions (who hasn’t wanted to punch the candy land board when you get pulled back to gingerbread land mere steps away from the candy castle!), practice calming themselves when anxious (thanks Per...
2024-05-0829 minGood Enough ParentingHow to Have a Happy Mother's DayA few years ago, I got a call around 3:00 on Mother’s Day. A dear friend asked me if I would be able to meet her for a drink before dinner. Hell yes. We had both had less than ideal days that were meant to celebrate us but instead were filled with cranky kids and unmet expectations. We needed to commiserate.And at the risk of sounding like a terrible mother I’m going to be honest – our cocktail hour was the best part of my day. We laughed, we cried and we went back to our famili...
2024-05-0108 minGood Enough ParentingGot a sick kid?If your family is having a year like ours, you might be stuck in an endless cycle of SICK. And just when the illnesses are fading away…. here come the spring allergies! I’m thankful every day for medical treatments that help my family stay healthy and heal quickly – my kids are not so appreciative. Especially when they have a huge needle headed their way. But we’ve found ways to make scary things a little less frightening and help give our kids a sense of control when it comes to wha...
2024-04-2412 minGood Enough ParentingDr. FeelgoodHave you read “Bittersweet” by Susan Cain? If you consider yourself (or your child) a big feeling person I can’t recommend it highly enough. As she says, if you like listening to sad music, enjoy a rainy day or feel overwhelmed by beauty sometimes, you can identify with a bittersweet state of mind. We used to think these deeper, more complex emotions were only felt by adults. But now we understand that children feel the full rainbow of feelings too. And here’s a big thought
2024-04-1714 minGood Enough ParentingHow to Make Lasting ChangeWhen we are having big struggles with our kids, we often want to make big changes right away. “Let’s start a whole new morning routine!”“Let’s ban screens!”“Let’s do a ‘yes’ day to reconnect as a family!” (Ever since watching that movie my daughter has been demanding her very own ‘yes’ day. Curse you Jennifer Garner and your family-oriented movie magic!) But what helps the most is not when we make big proclamations and attempt big transformation. Real change comes from little and often pra...
2024-04-1007 minGood Enough ParentingTricky TransitionsOh dreaded transitions. Anytime we’re asking our kids to move from one activity to another (“stop playing and come to dinner” or “head upstairs to brush your teeth”) a whole host of things need to happen in their brain and body to turn their boat in a new direction. Transition struggles are the biggest complaint I hear from families I support. It is incredibly frustrating when you have to yell “Get your shoes on!!” 600 times before your kid hops to it. But there are some ways to make transitions easier (or at least slightly le...
2024-04-0314 minGood Enough ParentingSetting Better BoundariesSetting boundaries with our kids is a tricky, tricky dance. We’re always trying to find the balance between overly authoritarian (i.e. setting boundaries just to show we are the ones “in control”) and overly permissive (i.e. not setting limits because we’re afraid of how our kid might respond). I wish there was a formula I could share that gets it right all the time. But the truth is your boundaries are going shift depending on what you and your kid are experiencing in the moment. And that’s ok. ...
2024-03-2709 minGood Enough ParentingWhy Chore Charts Don't WorkHow many chore charts have you startedand abandoned in you parenting journey? “You get a sticker for cleaning up your toys!” “Here’s a stamp for sweeping the kitchen!” Parents are always full of hope that these nicely structured (and sometimes beautifully decorated!) systems will turn entitled children into responsible, helpful and courteous kids.Spoiler alert: You probably have a junk drawer full of half-completed charts, half-used sheets of stickers and kids who would rather lay on the couch than empty the trash. Ent...
2024-03-2009 minGood Enough ParentingMini Meditators: Help Your Kids Find Their ZenYour kid doesn’t need to sit cross legged, chanting OM while praying for world peace in order to get introduced to the benefits and power of quieting the constant chatter in our brains and connecting to something bigger than ourselves. On today’s “Good Enough Parenting” podcast, Carley shares the SIMPLE and EASY loving kindness meditation practice she uses in her house to calm bodies & minds, reduce stress, and foster empathy and compassion for ourselves and our communities. No mala beads or sanskirt words required. You may not reach nirvana with your nine year o...
2024-03-1309 minGood Enough ParentingWhat Do You Need?When was the last time you asked yourself, "What do I need right now?" My guess is it's been a while. As parents (especially moms) we are conditioned to put our kid's needs before our own. And that makes sense - babies come into this world completely dependent on the big people around them for survival. But as our kids grow and become more self-sufficient, our brains don't often get the message and we continue to suppress our own bodies' needs in order to meet their constant demands. It is hard work to re-p...
2024-03-0609 minGood Enough ParentingMommy Don't Go! Handling Separation StressHave you ever had to peel your 4 year old off your leg at daycare drop off? Or tried to convince your 7 year old that they’ll have fun at school when they’re begging you to stay home because the idea of leaving you makes them want to puke? Separation anxiety is tough. And unfortunately many of the strategies that parents try, like being logical (“You love your teacher – you’re going to have a great day!”) or bribing (“If you don’t cry on the way to school you’ll get a cupcake!”) actually make things worse. On toda...
2024-02-2820 minGood Enough ParentingStop Screaming!What sound sets you off? Nails on a chalk board? Your co-worker loudly noshing on pretzels? Neighborhood leaf blowers? If you’re like most parents, hearing your kid scream (at their sibling, at you, at their friend) triggers you more than any landscaping equipment or loud breather. And so often we respond by screaming back “Stop yelling!” and then we’re caught in a fun little dance with our kid called “who can get louder.” Good times. But there is a way we can use play and imagination to change the volume level in o...
2024-02-2108 minGood Enough ParentingEverything Sets My Kid Off!If every problem in your kid's life feels like a level 10 catastrophe, this episode is for you. Tune in to learn a game-changing parenting tool called "Pebble, Rock, Boulder." In essence, you share with your child that some problems are pebbles (a pencil breaking, running out of milk), some are rocks (having a hard time with math, fighting with friends) and some are boulders (natural disasters significant illnesses). When we are overtired, hungry, or cranky (or 4 years old) pebbles can feel like boulders. The goal (for kids and grown ups!) is to pause, fig...
2024-02-1410 minGood Enough ParentingHow to be less annoyed by your kidKids are pretty annoying. They are unruly, demanding, and leave a trail of mess wherever they go.And often as parents, we get caught up in seeing the annoying traits of our kids, especially if they are in the middle of challenging phase or just happen to have come into the world with big feelings and deep sensitivities. But when we only see the negative “story” about our kid, we miss the good. And what we appreciate (aka pay attention to and focus on), appreciates. So the more bad we see, the more bad w...
2024-02-0710 minGood Enough ParentingBetter Behavior with Brain BasicsWant a better behaved kid? Begin by teaching them about their brain. This helps your kid externalize their struggles – they go from feeling shame (I’m a bad kid for acting this way) to self-compassion (sometimes I have a hard time and my downstairs brain takes over). Reducing shame, reduces challenging behavior. As childhood expert Pam Leo reminds us,“You can’t teach children to behave better by making them feel worse. When children feel better, they behave better.” When we teach kids about their brains and help them understand what triggers them...
2024-01-3113 minGood Enough ParentingWintering With KidsThink of this season more about what is essential for your family’s “survival” rather than “best living.” Do I need to make sure everybody gets outside for 5 minutes? Do I need to renew my subscription to Disney+ so that my kids have endless hours of content to watch because I can’t stand cleaning up another pillow fort? Do I need to phone a friend and ask for a kid swap so I can have 2 hours to myself? On today’s “Good Enough Parenting” podcast, Carley shares insights on how to ride the waves of winter by focusing on your...
2024-01-2410 minGood Enough ParentingDiscipline Rule #1The root of the word discipline means to teach, not to punish. And when our kids are flooded with big, emotional energy they are not available to learn. They need you to “save” them, to help them return to their calmer selves where you can then teach the lessons. And they can actually hear them. On today’s episode, Carley shares her #1 discipline rule (quoted from Gary Landreth, the father of play therapy!): WHEN YOUR KID IS DROWNING, DON’T TEACH THEM TO SWIMTune in today to find out what that means...
2024-01-1712 minGood Enough ParentingSuccessful School MorningsHow do school mornings go in your house? Are you and your kids waking up, invigorated, ready to great the day? Do they jump out of bed, have a quick breakfast, brush their teeth and declare “I’m ready for school mom!”Yeah, didn’t think so.School mornings are tough. School mornings in January are THE WORST.They’re dark, it’s cold, you’re just coming off a break and the march to spring feels like forever.But there’s hope! On today’s “Good Enough Parenting” podcast Carley shares “7 Tips for Suc...
2024-01-1016 minGood Enough ParentingChildcare ChoicesChoosing a childcare can be an overwhelming experience. Many parents don't know what to look for, what questions to ask and how to tell the quality of the programs they're touring.Lindsay Pearson to the rescue! Lindsay is the Assistant Director of Early Childhood Education Programming Montclair State University's Center for Autism and Early Childhood Mental Health and basically the wonder woman of determining quality in early childhood education.On today’s “Good Enough Parenting” podcast Lindsay and Carley chat about how to determine the best childcare fit for your family. Spoiler - bells and whistle...
2024-01-0321 minGood Enough ParentingNew Year's Celebrations for the Whole FamilyIf the thought of keeping your little ones up until midnight sends shivers down your spine, this episode is for you! Tune in to hear how we can celebrate the new year with our kids without them turning into sleep-deprived monsters. Carley shares simple practices to help your family celebrate what was accomplished in 2023, release what we no longer need, set intentions for the year ahead and look forward to celebrations to come. To get Carley’s free video teaching you 4 play therapy techniques you can use TODAY to calm your emotional child and bring joy...
2023-12-2709 minGood Enough ParentingRegulate Yourself FirstOn today's episode, Carley shares a roadmap for finding calm and clarity when you're feeling overwhelmed. Because we can't help our kids regulate unless we're regulated ourselves. Tune in to hear the four step process that helps you take care of your brain and body when activated so you can connect with your growing people. To get Carley’s free video teaching you 4 play therapy techniques you can use TODAY to calm your emotional child and bring joy and freedom back to family life click here!http://www.paceparent.com/play To get Carley’s free...
2023-12-2007 minGood Enough ParentingHelping Kids Find Their VoiceBig day on the podcast! Carley is joined by Broadway star Jeanna de Waal (Wicked, Diana Sweeney Todd) to talk about how we can use theater and music to help kids create community, foster creativity and build confidence. If you're looking for a sure fire way to help your kid (or yourself!) find their voice, feel safe enough to be vulnerable and quiet the endless monkey chatter of anxiety in their brain, tune in today!To get Carley’s free video teaching you 4 play therapy techniques you can use TODAY to calm your emotional child and...
2023-12-1323 minGood Enough Parenting"Good Enough" Holiday SeasonThis time of year is filled with celebrations, excitement and STRESS. If you're raising young kids, it can feel like a never ending marathon of to dos and temper tantrums. Lack of sleep, too much sugar and disruptions in schedules can lead to big emotional hangovers in kids. On this week's episode, Carley shares how to do less and be more this holiday season. From delegating to boundary setting to remembering the sacred, tune in to find out how you can have a happier holiday season without burning out. To get Carley’s free video te...
2023-12-0619 minGood Enough ParentingToy Gift Guide from a Play Therapist!Holiday gift shopping stressing you out? We can’t recommend what to get your Aunt Margaret, but we've got you covered in the toy department. Today’s “Good Enough Parenting” podcast features a toy gift guide from a play therapist! Tune in to hear the three categories of toys you want to have represented in your playroom plus favorite board games for fostering self-regulation and sibling cooperation. And don’t worry – Santa is a fan of “Good Enough Parenting” so he’ll make sure to deliver some toy handcuffs if Target runs out…. Happy shopping!
2023-11-2812 minGood Enough ParentingSpoiled Child SyndromeWant to avoid raising a spoiled kid? It's hard to do in today's consumerist culture where we're constantly be told that more is better. But there are some simple ways you can guide your kid toward gratitude over gimmes. On today's episode, Carley shares how to help your kid focus on what they do have rather than crying over what they don't. To get Carley’s free video teaching you 4 play therapy techniques you can use TODAY to calm your emotional child and bring joy and freedom back to family life click here!http://www.paceparent.co...
2023-11-2219 minGood Enough ParentingKids & Cancel CultureDoes your kid feel safe enough to screw up? On today's episode, Carley shares the importance of being a safe space for kids to come to when they make a mistake. And why punishing kids for their mistakes doesn't lead to better behavior - it just makes them better at hiding their bad deeds. Always choose compassion and understanding over shame and punishment. For your kid's mistakes and your own. To get Carley’s free video teaching you 4 play therapy techniques you can use TODAY to calm your emotional child and bring joy and freedom bac...
2023-11-1512 minGood Enough ParentingJudy Blume & Tough TalksIn her books, Judy Blume never shies away from tough topics. And neither should parents. Although it can feel scary to have hard conversations with our kids, NOT having them actually causes more fear and worry because kids FEEL something going on even if the adults don't tell them what it is. In today's episode, Carley shares how to talk about tough stuff with kids. From global tragedies to personal losses, we all will need to have big conversations with little ones. Tune in to learn the steps you should take to guide your kids in these...
2023-11-0815 minGood Enough ParentingPicky Eater's ClubIf you've got a kid who would rather eat boogers than broccoli, this episode is for you. Today Carley shares a conversation with Caitlin Kiare, registered dietician nutritionist and founder of "Mom 'N Tot" Nutrition. They talk about how all foods fit, what parents do to actually fuel unhealthy eating habits and how to shift your meal time energy so your kid will be open to trying new things. If you want to work with Caitlin, you can find her at https://momntotnutrition.com/To get Carley’s free video teaching you 4 play therapy tec...
2023-11-0135 minGood Enough Parenting80's BabiesThere are some things the 80s got wrong (Halloween candy wasn't dangerous and turns out greed is not so good) but there are many things 80s parents got right. Today, Carley shares four parenting trends we should bring back from the decade of slinkys and should pads to give kids and parents more freedom to make mistakes and missteps - in fashion and in family life. To get Carley’s free video teaching you 4 play therapy techniques you can use TODAY to calm your emotional child and bring joy and freedom back to family life click here!
2023-10-2514 minGood Enough ParentingBattling Parental BurnoutIf you’re a parent in 2023, you’re battling burnout. Never before have the expectations of parenting been so high with support for families so lacking. Fortunately, you don’t need a day at the spa or a weekend retreat to get back into balance. A little attention to your own nervous system goes a long way. In today's episode, Carley shares 10 ways you can reduce your stress and reset your nervous system so that you can lend your calm to your challenging kid. Because if we aren't calm, they're not cooperative. To get Carley’s free vi...
2023-10-1816 min
The Sheila Botelho ShowPlay & Childhood Mental Health with Carley Aroldi - Episode 333It’s interview day on the podcast!Carley Aroldi is a clinical play therapist, childhood mental health expert, mom of two and founder of Peaceful Parenting. She is here to reimagine what family life can look and feel like, especially for parents who are overwhelmed by their “big feeling” kids. She specializes in mindful family dynamics, trauma-informed practices and the power of play and creativity. Carley holds a B.A. in film and media studies, an M.A. in Mental Health Counseling and a Post-Master’s Graduate Certificate in Infant/Early Childhood Mental. ...
2023-10-1835 minGood Enough ParentingLimits are Love!The number one question families ask - how do we set limits with our kids without screaming, yelling and threatening! In this episode, Carley shares how to set boundaries in your home with calm, clarity, consistency and compassion and explains why limit setting is so crucial in fostering feelings of safety and security with your kids. Because even if they claim otherwise, your kid does not want to be the boss of the house! To get Carley’s free video teaching you 4 play therapy techniques you can use TODAY to calm your emotional child and bring joy an...
2023-10-1109 minGood Enough ParentingDo I Have to Play?You might already know that play is a great way to improve your relationship with your kid while also reducing challenging behavior. But you still don’t want to do it! Today Carley shares why slowing down to play is so challenging for today’s parents and gives ideas on how to make playing a little easier, even if you feel like another trip around the Thomas track will break you. To get Carley’s free video teaching you 4 play therapy techniques you can use TODAY to calm your emotional child and bring joy and freedom back to fami...
2023-09-2110 minGood Enough ParentingThe Magic of PlayPlay is a child’s first language. It’s how they communicate what they’re feeling, thinking and where they’re struggling. If we can access the playful side of ourselves and speak to our children in a language they understand in their bodies and brains, parenting gets so much easier (and fun!) Today Carley shares a story of how she addressed her child’s fears by harnessing the power of play. To get Carley’s free video teaching you 4 play therapy techniques you can use TODAY to calm your emotional child and bring joy and freedom back to famil...
2023-09-2007 min
Good Enough ParentingBe The Thermostat!Welcome to Good Enough Parenting! In this debut episode, you'll meet Carley, learn why it's important to release the idea of perfect parenting and get some tips on how to bring more peace into your family life. Take a break, tune in and remember - if you're not yelling at your kids sometimes, you're not spending enough time with them! To get Carley’s free video teaching you 4 play therapy techniques you can use TODAY to calm your emotional child and bring joy and freedom back to family life click here!http://www.paceparent.com/play
2023-09-0814 min
Speak Out Stand Out by Green CommunicationsThe Power of PlayThis week, we’re talking with play therapist Carley Aroldi about how play and movement are closely tied to strong communication skills in developing children. She gives us strategies for using play to foster confidence in our kids - even if pretend play isn’t your cup of tea.She helps us understand that play is more than just a way to fill free time. Play is a child’s language, and if we want to communicate with kids, we need to speak their words. From creating a soundtrack with a 10-year-old to helping a seven...
2023-06-0534 min
DishWithDina059. Dishing with Carley Aroldi, Child/Family Play Therapist, Educator, and SpeakerDina and Carley dish about how the sensory experiences and early exposure to flavors and cultures can affect our eating habits, growing up in their respective grandmothers' houses, and focusing on specialty areas of practice.
Carley Aroldi (she/her) is the founder of Peaceful Parenting (www.peacefulparentingnj.com) in the New York Metropolitan area. As a Licensed Professional Counselor and child/family play therapist, Carley understands the importance of early childhood experiences in shaping how we view the world and ourselves in it.
Carley holds a B.A. in film and media studies from Fordham...
2023-04-1153 min