How do our own childhood wounds shape our parenting? Certified conscious parenting coach Shelly Robinson reveals that our most triggering moments with our children often stem from unhealed parts of ourselves - even when we had seemingly idyllic childhoods.

Through a powerful story about a bath time battle with her four-year-old that escalated into screaming, Shelly shares how this moment became her wake-up call. "I didn't want to do that ever again," she explains, describing how the incident led her to discover that her disproportionate anger wasn't about her son's behavior at all, but about moments from her own childhood when she felt unheard and insignificant.

The conversation explores practical strategies for breaking generational cycles, including understanding developmental expectations, practicing self-awareness before reacting, and learning to repair relationships through sincere apologies. Shelly's approach is refreshingly humble, acknowledging that perfect parenting isn't the goal - compassionate awareness is. She introduces her family's "Communication Station" practice, where family members take turns speaking while others practice deep listening without judgment - a simple but transformative tool for developing conflict resolution skills.

For parents of tweens and teens wondering if it's too late to change established patterns, Shelly offers heartening advice: "It's never too late. Children never stop wanting secure attachment with their parents." The pathway forward involves ownership of past mistakes, genuine apologies, and consistent change. Whether you're just beginning your parenting journey or looking to strengthen relationships with older children, this conversation provides both the inspiration and practical tools to create the connected, calm family life you've been seeking.

Connect with Shelly

Visit her website, or connect on Facebook or Instagram. Grab the Connected Kid Toolkit here.

Get a free mini lesson plus 52 prompts so your kids can practice every week here!

Thanks for Listening to Speak Out, Stand Out

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Kim Hartrum from the National Alliance on Mental Illness South Carolina shares her personal journey with mental health challenges and how she now helps students recognize warning signs of mental illness and suicide. Through her lived experience with anxiety since childhood and a suicidal episode as an adult, Kim offers invaluable insights for parents on maintaining open communication with children about mental health.

• Anxiety in children often manifests as physical symptoms like stomachaches or resistance to attending school
• Young children can experience suicidal ideation - Kim's daughter asked "why she wanted to die" at just eight years old
• Mental health should be treated with the same urgency and normalization as physical health conditions
• Warning signs to watch for include withdrawal from activities, changes in sleep patterns, and extreme mood changes
• Resources available include NAMI support groups, school counselors, private therapists, and crisis lines
• Creating an environment where children feel comfortable sharing their feelings is crucial to early intervention
• Parents should learn their child's "red flags" and be prepared to act when multiple warning signs appear
• Isolation can be the most damaging aspect of mental health struggles
• Therapy can benefit children even before crisis points are reached to build coping skills

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, help is available 24/7 through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.

Get a free mini lesson plus 52 prompts so your kids can practice every week here!

Thanks for Listening to Speak Out, Stand Out

Like what you hear? We would love if you would rate and review our podcast so it can reach more families.

Also - grab our free mini lesson on impromptu speaking here. This is ideal for kids ages 6+.

Interested in checking out our Public Speaking & Debate courses? Find more here!

Richard Reed, behavioral psychologist and organizational consultant, shares strategies for developing charisma in children through emotional intelligence, mindfulness practices, and creating psychological safety.

• Charisma is fundamentally about connecting with others and generating appropriate emotions within them
• Both extroverts and introverts can be charismatic in different ways
• Emotional intelligence forms the foundation of charisma—recognizing our emotions creates capacity to consider others
• Children need opportunities to experience and tolerate boredom to develop emotional regulation
• Simple mindfulness practices like eating in silence for one minute help build emotional vocabulary
• Becoming comfortable with conversational silence creates space for deeper connections
• Small shifts in conversation style (asking "what was that like?" instead of yes/no questions) elicit more meaningful responses
• Creating psychological safety allows children to express themselves fully and develop their authentic presence
• Modeling humility and discussing our own mistakes helps children develop a growth mindset

Check out Richard's new book "Charisma Unlocked" on Amazon for more practical insights on developing these connection skills.

Get a free mini lesson plus 52 prompts so your kids can practice every week here!

Thanks for Listening to Speak Out, Stand Out

Like what you hear? We would love if you would rate and review our podcast so it can reach more families.

Also - grab our free mini lesson on impromptu speaking here. This is ideal for kids ages 6+.

Interested in checking out our Public Speaking & Debate courses? Find more here!