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Happiness 101 | Heidi Smith Luedtke
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Category Archives: Happiness 101

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]

Recipe for a Perfect Holiday

By Heidi Smith Luedtke on December 10, 2012
Categories: Detachment Parenting, Happiness 101, Holidays

If you are anything like me, you’re hoping for the perfect holiday. And there’s no shortage of inspiring images to make you feel a little bit less than perfect. Case in point: Pinterest. It’s chock-full of gorgeous photos of holiday decorations, food and gifts I could never achieve. (For instance, this holiday cake is just… [read more]

Why Grown-Ups Should Act Silly More Often

By Heidi Smith Luedtke on October 23, 2012
Categories: Emotion, Happiness 101, Parenting, Stress and Coping

One of the gifts young children give their parents is an endless supply of silly behavior. My daughter wears underwear on her head. And not just her own. My son shakes his booty when he dances, and acts like a backseat DJ when a thumping song comes on the radio, moving one hand like he’s… [read more]

Disappointed? Feel Your Way Forward

By Heidi Smith Luedtke on October 17, 2012
Categories: Detachment, Emotion, Happiness 101, mindfulness, Motivation, self-awareness

I like to focus on the positive whenever possible: Smiling activates good thoughts and feelings and sends welcoming signals to people around us. But constantly telling yourself to suck it up and act happy isn’t healthy. You (and I) have every right to feel let down, hurt, frustrated and angry sometimes. And it’s important that… [read more]

Three Reasons to Smile

By Heidi Smith Luedtke on September 27, 2012
Categories: Emotion, Happiness 101, Psychology Research, Self-Care, Stress and Coping

In response to my last post on the upside of emotional contagion, my friend Mary Lou commented: “another good reason to smile often.” And I couldn’t agree more. In fact, when it comes to happiness I’d advocate a “fake it ‘til you make it” approach. Here are three reasons to put on a happy face.… [read more]

The Upside of Emotional Contagion

By Heidi Smith Luedtke on September 24, 2012
Categories: Cognitive Psychology, Emotion, Happiness 101, Relationships, Social Psychology, Stress and Coping

Have you ever felt the rush of anxiety in your own body when you watched your child take center stage? Or maybe you waited in line behind a disgruntled customer at the checkout and felt twinges of frustration take root and grow as you watched? Elaine Hatfield, John Cacioppo and Richard Rapson first used the… [read more]

Four No-Cost Uplifts to Give Today

By Heidi Smith Luedtke on September 19, 2012
Categories: Books, Emotion, Friendship, Happiness 101, Health Research, Parenting, People Skills, Psychology Research, Relationships, Stress and Coping

These days we spend a lot of time complaining about how little time we have. And many of us struggle to make family and friends a priority because there are always more tasks on the to-do list. Last week, I encouraged you to give yourself daily uplifts. Today, I want you to give mood-boosting treats… [read more]

Cool Concept: Facial Feedback

By Heidi Smith Luedtke on October 5, 2011
Categories: Emotion, Happiness 101, Psychology Research

When was the last time you smiled? Can’t remember? Psychologists who study the phenomenon of facial feedback show that smiling can be a cause of happiness, not just a consequence.That’s right. Smiling makes you feel better. Strack, Martin and Stepper (1988) conducted one early test of the facial feedback hypothesis, using a sneaky lab technique.… [read more]

Motives Matter: Volunteering to Help Others Improves Longevity

By Heidi Smith Luedtke on September 23, 2011
Categories: Happiness 101, Health Research, Psychology Research, Uncategorized

The road to health may be paved with altruistic intentions, according to a new study published in the online journal Health Psychology. Researchers studied the motives of participants in the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, which has followed a group of more than 10,000 people since their high-school graduation in 1957. Those who volunteered because of their… [read more]

Talk Yourself Out of Social Insecurities

By Heidi Smith Luedtke on September 9, 2011
Categories: Beliefs, Emotion, Happiness 101, People Skills, Psychology Research, Relationships, Self and identity, Self-development

Everyone has some social insecurity. Jitters. Self-consciousness. Cold feet. Apprehension. “What does she think of me?” “I bet he won’t call.” “Do I look like a fool?” Our anxious thoughts swirl out of control, threatening to carry us out to sea where we’ll drown in our own self-defeating behavior. The script goes something like this:… [read more]

Do you wish you were a calm, cool and kid-focused parent? Now you can be.
What People Are Saying

Detachment Parenting is a terrific, go-to guide for those difficult moments in parenting. Dr. Luedtke's warm voice and user-friendly format make this book a pleasure to read. ---Harriet Lerner, Ph.D., author of The Dance of Anger and Marriage Rules: A Manual for the Married and the Coupled Up.
See More Reviews

Detachment Parenting is an excellent guide for busy parents. Broken down into easy-to-navigate sections, Heidi provides solutions to everyday problems that can help you step back, compose yourself, communicate more effectively and find peaceful solutions with your children in even the most difficult moments. As a mother of 3, I found this book to be practical, relevant and encouraging. My favorite tip is #27, Make Me Time and Space. Read it and find your favorite tip too. You’ll be glad you did! —April O’Leary, Life Coach, Author and Founder of UofMoms.com

Finally, a parenting e-book that tells us what to do and how to do it! As a parent…you are your child’s coping instructor. Unfortunately, when children spin out of control, parents often become reactive as opposed to proactive. Detachment Parenting gives parents concrete and creative strategies on how to respond in a productive, teaching way. This easy-to-use book is a must have for all who are faced with the most demanding profession on the planet…PARENTING! — Julia Cook, M.S., National Award Winning Children’s Author/Parenting Expert

As the mother of a 2-year-old, and a self-described “attachment parenting mom,” I found Heidi Luedke’s book, Detachment Parenting, to be an excellent source of realistic strategies to help me be the mom I want to be. The book easy to read and full of practical ideas I will use in my everyday life. For example, Detachment Parenting taught me what to do when I feel myself getting upset, and how to interact with my son when he is upset (including how to really listen to him and help him understand, label, and work through his feelings). This is a book I will come back to again and again! —Colleen Ament Rasey, mom of one very busy toddler

Psychologist and mom Heidi Luedtke has created an essential primer for parents of young kids. In this highly readable, to-the-point book, she helps parents learn to step out of frustrating meltdown-minefields by avoiding toxic emotional contagion, guiding kids toward emotion regulation, and building stronger, happier parent-child bonds. Each of her 33 tactics is thoroughly, expertly explained and easy to implement. You’ll wish you read it sooner! —Malia Jacobson, health journalist, mom of two, and author of Ready, Set, Sleep

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