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Parenting | Heidi Smith Luedtke
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Category Archives: Parenting

What’s Wrong with Attachment Parenting? Maybe nothing.

By Heidi Smith Luedtke on July 19, 2013
Categories: Detachment Parenting, Parenting

As the author of Detachment Parenting, I’m often asked “What’s wrong with attachment parenting?” because people assume detachment parenting must be the opposite of attachment parenting. But it’s not. At least not as I use the term Detachment Parenting. Actually, the techniques I describe for keeping your cool when kids melt down could be especially… [read more]

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]

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]

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]

My Parenting New Year’s Resolution – Words of Affirmation

By Heidi Smith Luedtke on January 3, 2013
Categories: Parenting, People Skills, Self and identity, Self-confidence, Self-development, Traits, Uncategorized

“The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice.” –Peggy O’ Mara Since I read this quote last month, it has been rattling around in my brain. It reminds me that language holds immense power – we can use words to educate, to inspire and to nurture. Or we can inadvertently drag… [read more]

How to Tend to Your Own Emotions

By Heidi Smith Luedtke on December 17, 2012
Categories: Cognitive Psychology, Detachment, Emotion, Parenting, self-awareness, Self-Care, Stress and Coping, Uncategorized

In the wake of last week’s tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, I feel a need to shift gears. My planned posts on gift-related rivalry and holiday family dynamics seem unimportant. Even disrespectful. It’s simply not possible to act as if nothing has happened. Raw sadness and anxiety bubble right below the surface. I’m… [read more]

I’m the Worstest Mom Ever!

By Heidi Smith Luedtke on December 7, 2012
Categories: Limit Setting, Parenting

Forget about that Dad in England who got oodles of media attention for the tough-love letter his adult child leaked to the press recently. I won a parenting award this week. Well, actually two awards. My son, Carson, gave me the coveted titles of “Meanest Mom Ever” and – when he still didn’t get what… [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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