The Psychologist Next Door | Heidi Smith Luedtke

4 Great Books for 4th of July: Countdown ’til Daddy Comes Home

By Heidi Smith Luedtke on July 2, 2013
Categories: 4th of July Giveaway, Books, Coping skills for kids, Deployment, Military Life, Parenting, Relationships

On Day 2 of the 4 Great Military Spouse Books for 4th of July Giveaway, I welcome fellow Air Force spouse Kristin Ayyar, mom of three kids and author of Countdown ‘til Daddy Comes Home. Her gorgeous new children’s book helps parents prepare kids for a parent’s upcoming deployment and offers loads of creative ideas… [read more]

4 Great Books for 4th of July – 1001 Things to Love About Military Life

By Heidi Smith Luedtke on July 1, 2013
Categories: 4th of July Giveaway, Books, Emotion, Military Life, Relationships, Uncategorized

Today I’m happy to share a guest post from the authors of 1001 Things to Love About Military Life – long-time military spouses Tara Crooks, Star Henderson, Kathie Hightower and Holly Scherer. Two of these spouses – Kathie and Star – are also veterans. All four inspire and encourage other spouses to get connected, be… [read more]

Summertime Celebration of Military Wife Life – 4 Great Books for the 4th of July Giveaway

By Heidi Smith Luedtke on June 29, 2013
Categories: 4th of July Giveaway, Books, Military Life, Relationships

As a mom, I see summer as a time of transition. My big kid is moving up from kindergarten to 1st grade, and he’s eager to show the new kindergarteners the ropes next fall. Apparently, he’s still an expert at everything — just like I described in this article in Parents Magazine, Preschool Know-It-All. My… [read more]

Does Detachment Parenting Stifle Self-Expression?

By Heidi Smith Luedtke on May 19, 2013
Categories: 3GT, Books, Children and emotions, Detachment Parenting, Parenting, Self and identity

My writing colleague and mentor, Christina Katz, is hosting a month-long giveaway of books written by women authors. Today, I’m happy to be the featured author. I am giving three copies of Detachment Parenting to three lucky winners. Hop by her site to read a quick interview I did with her on the topic of… [read more]

What does mothering mean? And how do you mother yourself?

By Heidi Smith Luedtke on May 12, 2013
Categories: Coping skills for moms, Emotion, Holidays, Parenting, Self and identity, Self-development, Uncategorized

My writing coach and friend, Christina Katz, is currently hosting what must be the mother of all giveaways! Each year in May she celebrates moms and women authors with a giant book (and e-book) giveaway. You can see the list of authors and prizes here. To enter the drawing, readers must respond to the question… [read more]

Stages of Motherhood: Take a Look on the Light Side

By Heidi Smith Luedtke on May 7, 2013
Categories: Children and emotions, Coping skills for moms, Detachment Parenting, Happiness 101, Parenting, self-awareness

In my article, Grow with the Flow (How to Thrive at Each Stage of Motherhood), I interviewed moms about their biggest challenges and joys at their current stage of parenting. The article appears in several regional parenting magazines this month, including Atlanta Parent. You can read it here. Of course, I gave each stage… [read more]

Teaching Kids about Disappointment (Or, Why I’m Not Going on the Kindergarten Field Trip)

By Heidi Smith Luedtke on May 6, 2013
Categories: Children and emotions, Detachment Parenting, Disappointment, Parenting

My son’s kindergarten field trip is coming up this week and I am sad to say I won’t be going. The kids will be visiting a historical sight here in northern Virginia, and the class is allowed to take 4 parent chaperones along for the adventure. In order to make it fair for all parents… [read more]

Are You In a Bad Mood? Change Your Words to Change Your Perspective

By Heidi Smith Luedtke on March 9, 2013
Categories: Children and emotions, Coping skills for kids, Coping skills for moms, Emotional Kids, Self-Care, Stress Management Techniques for Kids, Stress Management Techniques for Moms

The power of words never ceases to amaze me. And I don’t say that just because I am a writer. Words have a powerful influence on the way people experience the world. If you are in a bad mood, the chances are pretty good that it’s been caused — or complicated — by the words… [read more]

Stress Management Techniques for Moms: 3 Ways to Give Up Control

By Heidi Smith Luedtke on March 6, 2013
Categories: Children and emotions, Coping skills for kids, Coping skills for moms, Emotion, Emotional Kids, Stress and Coping, Stress Management Techniques for Kids, Stress Management Techniques for Moms

The stress of being a mom can be overwhelming, especially when kids’ emotions get out of control. I often wish I had 36 hours in a day and an extra set of arms attached to my body. Eyes in the back of my head would help, too. Let’s face it: I am more interested in… [read more]

How to Break Out of Bad Moods

By Heidi Smith Luedtke on February 21, 2013
Categories: Detachment, Emotion, Parenting, Relationships, Self-Care, Stress and Coping, Work

Some days I think bad moods are more highly contagious than the flu. Sitting in stalled traffic on our morning commute, one driver honks and surges forward in frustration. Those around him start driving more aggressively as well. In classes or meetings, I sense the frustration of people around me and find myself growing impatient… [read more]