Help me out...

My book is behind on pre-sales and I'm trying to make up a lot of ground before release on January 28th, 2025. If you love the podcast, please consider preordering—it’s the best way to support me right now. If you don't typically read parenting books, I also have the audiobook version! Thank you so much!

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Description

This week on The Whole Parent Podcast, why is change is so hard? How can we finally stick to our parenting resolutions this year? Katy Milkman's book "How to Change" has answers. If you want 2025 to be the year you parent with purpose and patience, this episode is for you.

Here’s what I talked about:

1. Traditions
   I reflected on my family’s holiday traditions—both the people we’ve lost and the new faces who’ve joined us. Traditions aren’t just fun; they ground us in who we are and what we value.
2. Why Change is Hard
   I explained how our brains are wired for routines and why we fall back on old patterns, even when we desperately want to do things differently. Spoiler: it’s not your fault. It’s science.
3. The Fresh Start Effect
   One of my favorite insights from Katie Milkman’s book How to Change is the idea of using milestone moments, like New Year’s, to kick-start a fresh start. It’s a game-changer.
4. Identity-Based Resolutions
   I shared why your resolutions should focus on who you want to be rather than just what you want to do. For me, it’s about being the kind of parent who stays calm, listens, and leads with curiosity.
5. The Power of Community
   I talked about why the people you surround yourself with can make or break your goals—and how to build a community that supports the parent you want to become.

My Key Takeaways for 2025:

• Start Fresh: Use moments like New Year’s to reset and feel optimistic about change.
• Anchor Your Goals in Identity: Instead of saying, “I’m going to stop yelling,” say, “I’m the kind of parent who stays calm under pressure.”
• Surround Yourself with the Right People: Community is essential to lasting change.

A Few Quotes I Love:

• "It’s not about trying harder; it’s about trying smarter."
• "Every choice becomes an opportunity to affirm the parent you long to be."

Your Turn:

I’d love to hear your parenting resolutions for 2025!

Email me at podcast@wholeparentacademy.com—research shows that when you share your goals with someone, you’re three times more likely to stick with them.

If you’re curious, my resolution this year is simple: I am a punishment-free parent. It’s a journey, not a destination, but I’ve made so much progress by grounding my goals in the kind of parent I want to be.

A Special Thank You:

Thanks to everyone who sent in their resolutions to share on this episode. Listening to your goals inspires me, and I hope it inspires the rest of our community too.

Resources I Mentioned:

• How to Change by Katie Milkman
• My upcoming book: Punishment-Free Parenting: The Brain-Based Way to Raise Kids Without Raising Your Voice (available for pre-order now!)
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Thanks for listening to this special New Year’s episode. I hope it helps you step into 2025 with clarity, optimism,

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Want to get ME a Christmas Present?

My book is behind on pre-sales and I'm trying to make up a lot of ground before release on January 28th, 2025. If you love the podcast, please consider preordering—it’s the best way to support me right now. If you don't typically read parenting books, I also have the audiobook version! Thank you so much!

Preorder the Book

Preorder the Audiobook

Merry Christmas... sorta.

The holidays are here, and if you’re anything like me, you’re juggling a million things at once—holiday parties, work deadlines, family traditions, and trying to make everything feel magical for your kids. It’s a lot.

But the truth is, it’s not just the holidays. Everyday life as a parent feels more overwhelming than ever, and that’s exactly what we’re talking about in this special Christmas episode of The Whole Parent Podcast.

I’m sitting down with Dr. Aditi Nerurkar, one of the world’s leading experts on stress and resilience, to talk about why parenting today feels so heavy—and, more importantly, what we can actually do about it.

We dive into simple, science-backed strategies from her book The Five Resets that can help us change the way we experience stress. You’ll learn how to use tools like Stop, Breathe, Be and create digital boundaries that protect your mental health and your sleep.

Dr. Nerurkar has so much wisdom to share, and I can tell you this conversation has already made a difference in my own life. If you want to go into the new year with less stress and more calm—not just during the holidays but every day—this episode is for you.

Links Mentioned:

• Follow Dr. Aditi Nerurkar: @DrAditiNerurkar
• Check out her book The Five Resets
• Subscribe to her Substack: It's Not You It's, Your Stress

Take a deep breath, hit play, and let’s figure this out together.

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I need your help!

My book is behind on pre-sales and I'm trying to make up a lot of ground before release on January 28th, 2025. If you love the podcast, please consider preordering—it’s the best way to support me right now. If you don't typically read parenting books, I also have the audiobook version! Thank you so much!

Preorder the Book

Preorder the Audiobook

It’s the ultimate parenting conundrum: Do you tell your kids the truth about Santa? In this episode, I dive into the psychology, cultural traditions, and ethical questions behind the Santa myth. Why do kids believe so wholeheartedly, and how do we respond when the questions about Santa’s reality start rolling in? Plus, I explore the tricky balance between keeping the magic alive and maintaining honesty and trust with your children.

This episode includes insights from child development experts, My personal parenting reflections, and an adorable interview with my own kids about their own feelings on Santa Claus.

Whether you’re Team Santa or Team No Santa, this episode will help you navigate the holidays with intention and a deeper understanding of how magical traditions impact your kids’ development and emotional well-being.

What We Covered in This Episode:

1. The Big Question:
   • When your child asks, “Is Santa real?” how do you respond in a way that honors both their wonder and your values?
2. The Psychology of Belief:
   • Why kids naturally embrace magical thinking until around age seven.
   • How the Santa myth fosters imagination, perspective-taking, and moral reasoning.
3. The Controversy:
   • Should parents perpetuate the Santa myth?
   • The downside of using Santa (and Elf on the Shelf) for behavior modification.
   • Why the “naughty and nice list” might be doing more harm than good.
4. Navigating Tricky Conversations:
   • How to approach the Santa topic with sensitive or skeptical kids.
   • Why honesty at the right age builds trust and helps children process big truths.

Resources Mentioned:

• Alfie Kohn’s book, Punished by Rewards, for understanding the impact of extrinsic motivation on kids.
• The 1973 episode of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood where Fred Rogers talks about Santa Claus.
• Jon’s upcoming book, Punishment-Free Parenting: The Brain-Based Way to Raise Kids Without Raising Your Voice.

How to support Whole Parent:

• Subscribe, Rate, and Review: Your feedback keeps the podcast going and helps other parents find it!
• Share with Friends: Know someone grappling with the Santa conversation? Share this episode with three friends who have kids between ages 3 and 10.
• Pre-order Jon’s Book: Available in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook formats. Pre-order now to support the release and start 2025 with fresh parenting strategies!

Thank you for tuning in! Wishing you and your family a joyful and meaningful holiday season, whether you’re celebrating with Santa or creating your own traditions. See you next week! 🎄

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