Common Sense Parenting with Pam
"Common Sense Parenting with Pam" is a podcast dedicated to helping parents of children ages 2-12 navigate the joys and challenges of parenting with practical, no-nonsense advice. Each week, Pam, a social media influencer, parenting mentor, mom of four, and grandmother of eight, draws from her expertise in common sense parenting to offer bite-sized, actionable tips on managing behaviors, building strong family bonds, and raising resilient, responsible kids. Tune in every Tuesday at 8A for fresh insights and real-life strategies that will empower you to parent with confidence and calm. Perfect for busy parents looking for effective solutions that actually wor
School's Back: Navigating Teacher Respect and Bullying
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Back-to-school season brings familiar challenges for parents navigating the complex dynamics between children, teachers, and peers. Drawing from personal experience and professional expertise, I tackle two fundamental issues that shape our children's educational journey and character development.
First, we explore the critical importance of teaching children to respect their teachers. This isn't just about classroom management—it's about preparing kids for future relationships with authority figures throughout their lives. When teachers reach out about behavior issues, they're not doing it lightly. They're signaling genuine concerns that deserve our attention as parents. Ra...
Disrespect to Respect: Transforming How Your Kids Talk to You
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Disrespect from children isn't just about bad manners—it's often about children struggling with big emotions, lacking skills to express themselves, or testing boundaries. When children talk back or roll their eyes, our response determines whether the behavior becomes a pattern or remains a passing moment.
• Children often show disrespect due to frustration, feeling powerless, or lacking tools to express themselves
• Kids model behavior they've seen from adults, siblings, or media
• Testing limits is part of children's development at every age
• Matching their tone or attitude only reinforces disrespect...
Afraid to Ask, Ashamed to Fight: Breaking the Silence on Special Education
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www.specialneedspro.net
Afraid to Ask, Ashamed to Fight eBook
Nancy Perkins, special needs advocate and author, returns to discuss her new ebook "Afraid to Ask, Ashamed to Fight" which provides parents with essential guidance for navigating the special education system. She shares insights from both her professional experience and personal journey as the parent of a son with autism spectrum disorder.
• Title "Afraid to Ask, Ashamed to Fight" reflects parents' fear of appearing uninformed and intimidation when confronting school systems
• School administrators sometimes instruct teachers not...
You Are NOT a Bad Parent - You're Just Tired!
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Parenting during times of high expectations and social media perfection can make us feel like failures, but struggling doesn't mean you're failing—it means you're human. Good parents worry about doing it wrong and care about how their actions affect their children, while truly bad parents don't show up, try, or care.
• Fatigue is the number one issue reported by women in recent surveys
• Yelling, needing alone time, or relying on screen time doesn't make you a bad parent
• Lower your expectations and give yourself grace during difficult days
• Tr...
Three Discipline Mistakes That Sabotage Your Parenting (And How To Fix Them)
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Struggling with discipline? You're not alone. Most parents fall into the same three traps without even realizing it - and today I'm pulling back the curtain on these common pitfalls that sabotage our best parenting efforts.
The first mistake might surprise you: talking too much during corrections. When your child is in a reactive state, all those carefully crafted explanations go in one ear and out the other. I'll share a simple formula that cuts through the noise and gets results without the power struggle. Think fewer words, more clarity, and...
Instant Obedience: 10 Secrets to Getting Your Child Listen the First Time
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"Why won't my child listen the first time?" ranks among the top frustrations parents face daily. The cycle of repeating instructions, raising your voice, and feeling ignored doesn't just drain your energy—it teaches children they don't need to respond until you've reached your breaking point.
Drawing from years of experience working with families, I'm sharing ten game-changing secrets that transform how children respond to your voice. These aren't complicated techniques requiring psychology degrees—they're straightforward, common-sense approaches that work with real kids in real homes.
You'll discover why gett...
"No" Means Love
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The power of a simple "no" might be the most underrated tool in your parenting arsenal. Far from being harsh or damaging, saying "no" to your children—when done respectfully—is actually an act of profound love that prepares them for the realities of life beyond your protective embrace.
Throughout this illuminating episode, we unpack the crucial role boundaries play in raising resilient, emotionally intelligent children. Life inevitably serves up rejection and limitations, and sheltering our little ones from hearing "no" does them a profound disservice. But there's a significant difference betw...
Chart It and Chill: Parenting Made Simpler
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https://pamelapalanza.com
Struggling with morning chaos? Drowning in constant reminders to your children? You're not alone, and there's a solution that doesn't involve raising your voice or losing your patience.
Charts, schedules, and routines are the powerful trio that can transform your home from frantic to functional. When children understand what comes next, they gain security and confidence that manifests as cooperation and independence. Think about it: as adults, we rely on calendars, reminders, and to-do lists to navigate our days—children need similar structures to feel grounded an...
From Chaos to Capability: How Children Learn to Care for Their Things
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Ever found yourself picking up your child's belongings scattered throughout the house for the thousandth time? You're not alone. The struggle to teach children responsibility for their own things is universal, but it doesn't have to be a constant battle.
This episode dives deep into why children struggle with responsibility and provides practical, actionable strategies to help them develop this crucial life skill. We explore how simple systems—like designated spots for shoes, backpacks, and toys—create the foundation for organization. When children know exactly where their belongings should go, the frus...
Beyond the Shoulds: Finding Peace in Imperfect Parenting
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Parenting guilt – that persistent voice whispering you're falling short – affects us all. Today, we're tackling this universal struggle head-on, examining where this guilt originates and why it's actually working against your parenting goals.
From the perfectly curated social media feeds making us feel inadequate to the impossible standards we set for ourselves, guilt has many sources. But as we discover throughout this episode, there's a crucial difference between productive guilt that spurs positive change and unproductive guilt that keeps us trapped in negative thought patterns. The key question for every parent: "Is t...
Behavior Management 101
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Frustrated by tantrums, backtalk, and power struggles? You're not alone. Drawing from over 40 years of experience working with families, I'm sharing the behavior management secrets that actually work—without the complicated jargon or unrealistic expectations.
The magic happens with three core principles that transform challenging behaviors: consistency that builds trust, connection that opens communication, and positive reinforcement that encourages more of what you want to see. When children know exactly what to expect and feel genuinely understood, behavior challenges become significantly more manageable.
What works for your toddler won't wo...
How to Handle Backtalk Like a Pro
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This episode explores effective strategies for managing backtalk and disrespectful behavior in children. Parenting can be a challenge, especially when kids express their frustrations through disrespectful remarks.
• Discussing common reasons for backtalk
• Strategies to handle backtalk effectively
• Importance of modeling respectful behavior
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review that helps other parents find us. Feel free to share this episode with friends who may need parenting tips.
Special Needs Pro: Advocating for Your Child
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Special Needs Pro
Special education can be a labyrinth for parents, but today’s episode promises to equip you with the tools to navigate it. Join us and our special guest, Nancy Perkins, a seasoned special education advocate and licensed social worker, as she shares her wealth of experience and personal journey. As a mother of a child with autism, Nancy offers unique insights into the emotional and procedural hurdles that come with understanding diagnoses and maneuvering through the intimidating world of IEP meetings. Her professional and personal perspectives emphasize the cr...
Goodbye Meltdowns, Hello Smooth Transitions
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Transitions can be challenging for children and stressful for parents, leading often to meltdowns. The episode offers simple strategies to facilitate smoother transitions, aiming to empower parents with effective tools and a positive mindset.
• Exploring why transitions are challenging for young children
• Importance of giving advanced warnings to kids
• Utilizing timers, visual cues, and signals for smoother transitions
• Incorporating fun games and interactive approaches
• Emphasizing the role of consistency in handling transitions
• Encouraging parents to remain calm and avoid power struggles
• Acknowledging children’s emotions during transitions
Parenting 101
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PamelaPalanza.com
Ever felt like parenting is just one juggling act after another, and the system isn't cutting you any slack? Join me, Pam, as I share my candid thoughts on parenting reels that spotlight this very struggle. Today, we address the feeling many parents have—that the game is rigged when it comes to balancing work, home, and family life. It’s a discussion fueled by my experiences as a working parent, where I acknowledge the staggering demands but also the profound joys and nuances that come with raising kids. Thin...
Family Mornings: From Chaos to Calm
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Parenting Vault
PamelaPalanza.com
Transform your mornings from manic to magnificent with practical strategies designed to make family life smoother. Imagine starting your day with less stress and more smiles. Discover the secret weapons of successful morning routines, from the power of evening preparations to the magic of visual checklists that inspire children to take charge of their own tasks. Learn why a calming bedtime routine is essential for well-rested kids who greet the day with enthusiasm and ease. Plus, get tips on prepping breakfast in advance to make...
Follower Favorites: Parenting Tips that Changed the Game
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Parenting Vault
PamelaPalanza.com
Ever wonder how to transform everyday parenting challenges into opportunities for growth and connection? Join me, Pam, as we unpack common sense parenting strategies that truly work. This episode promises to equip you with invaluable insights gathered from a vibrant community of parents. Imagine turning routine car rides into heart-to-heart conversations or using household chores as a tool to foster responsibility early on. We delve into the art of maintaining open and honest communication with your children, all while keeping calm during those inevitable parenting storms...
Parenting with Empathy Not Fear
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pamelapalanza.com
Parenting Vault
Spanking may seem like a quick fix, but is it really the best way to foster respect and understanding in children? Join me, Pam, as we dismantle the age-old practice of spanking, challenging its effectiveness and highlighting its emotional toll. This episode is a heartfelt exploration into why spanking can teach fear instead of nurturing respect and understanding, often causing emotional trauma and normalizing aggression. I encourage us to rethink the "spare the rod, spoil the child" adage, suggesting it be seen more as a call...
Foundational Skills #10: Emotional Regulation
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Parenting Vault
PamelaPalanza.com
Discover why emotional regulation isn't just a buzzword but a vital skill your child needs for academic success, solid relationships, and long-term well-being. I share practical steps and modern approaches, along with my personal experiences, to help you guide your child on this crucial journey. From the launch of the Common Sense Parenting Vault—an incredible new resource packed with e-books, audiobooks, webinars, and courses—to hands-on tips for teaching emotional regulation, this episode promises to be your parenting mentor.
We'll also tackle the art...
Foundational Skill #9: Responsibility
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Parenting Vault
PamelaPalanza.com
Unlock the secret to raising responsible, independent kids with practical tips you can start using today! Join me, Pam, on Common Sense Parenting as we explore how instilling responsibility from an early age shapes your child's future success. From transforming tidying up into a fun game for toddlers to creating a homework checklist that encourages autonomy in preteens, this episode is packed with easy-to-implement strategies tailored to various age groups. We'll discuss why modeling responsible behavior is crucial, and how allowing natural consequences can be one...
Foundational Skills #8: Accountability
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Parenting Vault
PamelaPalanza.com
Unlock the secrets to raising accountable children with Common Sense Parenting with Pam. Have you ever wondered how fostering accountability from a young age can transform your child's development? In this episode, I promise to deliver actionable insights that will empower you to set age-appropriate expectations and use real-life scenarios to teach your children the value of owning their actions and understanding their impact on others. From toddlers learning to clean up spills to teens navigating problem-solving, you'll discover practical tips for instilling the art of...
Foundational Skills #7: Conflict Resolution
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Parenting Vault
PamelaPalanza.com
Unlock the secrets to raising resilient, empathetic children by mastering the art of conflict resolution. Imagine a home where siblings resolve disagreements peacefully, or your child navigates social challenges with confidence and poise. In this episode of Common Sense Parenting with Pam, we uncover practical strategies to teach your children these invaluable skills. With a focus on emotional regulation and problem-solving, we explore how modeling healthy conflict resolution can transform family dynamics. Discover how guiding toddlers and preschoolers through real-life scenarios—like taking turns or using a...
Foundational Skills #6: Resilience
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Parenting Vault
PamelaPalanza.com
Can resilience really transform your child's life? Join me on Common Sense Parenting with Pam as we unpack the profound impact of resilience on a child's development. Discover how resilience isn't just about bouncing back from setbacks but is an essential skill for navigating the complexities of life. Through compelling stories, like that of Spanx founder Sara Blakely, we reveal how embracing mistakes can unlock creative problem-solving and personal growth. This episode promises to equip you with practical techniques for fostering resilience at home, helping your...
Foundational Skills #5: Adaptability
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Parenting Vault
PamelaPalanza.com
What if we could turn life's unexpected twists into moments of growth for our children? On today's episode of Common Sense Parenting with Pam, we promise to reveal how teaching adaptability can empower kids to face life's changes with resilience and confidence. By sharing personal stories like coping with a canceled family picnic, we paint a vivid picture of how adaptability helps children manage stress, embrace new opportunities, and develop vital problem-solving skills. Imagine your child remaining calm and resourceful, even in the face...
Foundational Skills #4: Perseverance
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Parenting Vault
PamelaPalanza.com
Unlock the secrets to raising resilient children who approach life’s challenges with confidence and adaptability. On Common Sense Parenting with Pam, I promise you'll discover practical strategies and actionable tips for teaching perseverance, a vital skill that empowers children to tackle obstacles and achieve their goals. Whether it's learning to ride a bike or completing a complex puzzle, the episode emphasizes the importance of breaking down daunting tasks into smaller, achievable steps. By doing so, we prepare our children to face life's ups and downs wi...
Foundational Skills # 3: Respect for Others
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Parenting Vault
PamelaPalanza.com
Can teaching empathy and respect transform your child's future? Join me, Pam, on Common Sense Parenting as we unravel the deeper essence of respect beyond the pleasantries of "please" and "thank you." Discover how empathy and compassion are the cornerstones of raising socially adept children who can resolve conflicts peacefully and stand against bullying. I share practical strategies to foster these qualities at home, such as setting clear expectations and using role-playing scenarios for teaching respectful interactions. By modeling these behaviors, we lay the groundwork for...
Foundational Skills # 2: Self-Control
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Download our Calm Corner Checklist!
Parenting Vault
PamelaPalanza.com
What if teaching self-control to your child could be as simple as playing a game or creating a calming space? On this episode of Common Sense Parenting with Pam, we promise you'll gain insights into practical strategies that can help your child master the crucial skill of self-control. Discover why modeling this behavior in real-life scenarios can have a profound impact on your child's development. From engaging in turn-taking games to practicing deep breathing exercises, we share effective techniques to...
Foundational Skills #1: Problem-Solving
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Download our Problem Solving Chart!
Parenting Vault
PamelaPalanza.com
Unlock the secrets to nurturing a child's lifelong success by mastering the art of problem-solving skills—essential tools that every young mind deserves. Imagine empowering your child to face life's challenges with creativity and confidence, much like constructing a solid foundation for a future that's unshakeable. Join me, Pam, as I draw upon my 40 years of expertise in child care and parenting to guide you through the critical process of cultivating these skills in your little ones. Through real-life examples an...
