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All-or-nothing thinking is a common mental pattern in children that can be frustrating for parents who want to help their kids gain perspective and stay emotionally grounded. We explore what's happening beneath the surface when kids think in extremes, and how we can gently support more balanced and resilient thinking.

• Children's brains are still developing, especially in the prefrontal cortex responsible for complex thought and emotional regulation
• Binary thinking (black and white, all good or all bad) is a normal developmental stage, not a flaw to be fixed
• The emotional centers of a child's brain develop before their reasoning centers, explaining many extreme reactions
• Identifying when your child is stuck in all-or-nothing thinking is the first step to helping them
• Validate emotions without reinforcing extreme statements - say "losing feels frustrating" instead of "you don't always lose"
• Model continuum thinking by verbalizing your own balanced thoughts out loud
• Use language that adds nuance like "sometimes" and "a part of me feels..."
• Praise effort, courage, and learning rather than just outcomes to build a growth mindset
• Recognize that moving from all-or-nothing to nuanced thinking is a developmental journey

*Did you know?

I'm currently opening a few one-to-one coaching spots for moms who are ready to go deeper and get personalized support as they build their own resilience. If that sounds like something you're craving, just head to LeeGerman.com and click on one-to-one coaching. We'll set up a free call to talk about where you are, where you want to be, and whether coaching is the right next step for you.

If you'd like to get the show notes for this episode, head to:

https://leighgermann.com

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Back-to-school season is officially here—which means earlier mornings, longer to-do lists, and a lot of big feelings. If you're feeling a little sad, scattered, or guilty about how summer went (or didn’t go), you're not alone. In this heartfelt and humor-filled episode, I’m unpacking what makes this transition so emotionally messy and sharing simple, actionable steps to help your child—and yourself—adjust with more grace and less chaos. Whether you’re clinging to summer or counting the minutes until the school bell rings, this episode is for you.

If you'd like to get the show notes for this episode, head to:

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Do you know what one of the most pervasive challenges of modern motherhood is? Guilt. This seemingly logical approach is actually dangerous to our well-being and our parenting. In this episode, you'll learn the crucial difference between helpful guilt and unhelpful guilt, and we explore a practical framework for recognizing guilt, assessing whether it serves you, and learning how to respond with wisdom instead of reactivity. This episode offers both emergency tools for overwhelming moments and lasting strategies for breaking free from the guilt cycle that steals your peace and presence. Take a listen- I think you'll walk away knowing that you don't have to feel guilty to be a good mom—

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Do you find yourself caught in the exhausting cycle of "perfect or disaster" thinking? One missed bedtime routine becomes evidence you're a terrible mom. One imperfect day means you're failing at everything. This all-or-nothing mindset isn't just draining—it's keeping you from seeing the progress you're actually making and modeling rigid thinking for your children. In this episode, discover the science behind why our brains default to extremes, learn five practical strategies to embrace the beautiful gray areas of life, and find out how to teach your kids that growth happens in the middle ground between perfect and catastrophic. It's time to trade the exhausting pursuit of perfection for the peace of "good enough"—and watch both you and your family thrive.

If you'd like to get the show notes for this episode, head to:

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Motherhood can be all-consuming—and in the process of caring for everyone else, many women lose sight of who they are. In this powerful episode, we explore how reconnecting with your core values can become your inner compass, helping you feel more grounded, confident, and alive in the life you’re already living. You’ll discover practical ways to excavate your deepest values, integrate them into your rhythms and routines, and parent from a place of alignment rather than exhaustion. This episode is a heart-opening guide for every mom ready to move from surviving to thriving—by leading from her truth.

If you'd like to get the show notes for this episode, head to:

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Ever feel like you're about to completely lose it as a mom? You're not alone, and you're not broken. In this episode, we dive deep into what emotional overwhelm really looks like for mothers and why traditional advice like "just take deep breaths" doesn't work when you're already in meltdown mode. I'll walk you through the science behind why we get so triggered, share my proven SAFE framework for emotional regulation, and give you emergency tools you can use the very next time you feel that volcano rising inside. This isn't about becoming a perfect, zen mother—it's about having real strategies that work in real moments with real kids who are having real meltdowns.

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Far from being just a buzzword, self-awareness is the first step to feeling more grounded, making calmer choices, and modeling emotional regulation for your kids. You’ll learn why it matters, how it shows up in your daily life, and simple, actionable steps to start practicing today—even in the middle of chaos. If you’ve ever felt reactive, disconnected, or overwhelmed, this episode will help you reconnect with yourself and lead your family with greater intention and compassion.

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Big changes—like moving, starting a new job, or shifting family plans—can feel overwhelming for kids, especially when they had no say in the decision. In this episode of Leadership Parenting, we dive into a powerful listener question: “What do I do when my kids are upset about a move we decided to make?” If you’ve ever had to make a necessary decision your child didn’t like, you’re not alone. This episode will walk you through how to stay strong in your leadership role and emotionally connected to your child. You’ll learn the key tools that help kids cope, how to validate their big feelings without backpedaling, and how to foster resilience—even when your decision brings discomfort.

If you'd like to get the show notes for this episode, head to:

https://leighgermann.com