Hey there,

I remember when my daughter was in 4th or 5th grade...

At school pick-up, she started skipping our usual hug-and-kiss routine and heading straight for her bag. When I gently asked if it bothered her, she said, “Well… the hug is OK, but kisses are for babies.”

Oof. How can something be so funny and still sting at the same time?!

We adjusted — dropped the kiss, kept the hug, and carried on.

She’s 16 now. There was a stretch in the middle where — forget hugs — any public display of affection was off-limits. But these days, the hugs are back. 🥰

Growing up is full of these little shifts — and no one really prepares you for how bittersweet they can feel. If you’re in the thick of that “pulling away” stage, hang in there. It won’t last forever.

For now, check out this article by parent coach Sarah Rosensweet on how to stay connected and parent positively — even as your kids carve out their independence.

How to Be a Positive Parent When Your Growing Up Kids Don’t Want You Around

Inner Drive in Kids Masterclass

Our featured masterclass for you this week is the Inner Drive in Kids Masterclass with Ned Johnson based on the book The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives.

Ned Johnson is an author, speaker, and the founder of PrepMatters, an educational company providing academic tutoring, educational planning and standardized test prep. A battle-tested veteran in the fields of test preparation, anxiety management, and student performance, Ned coaches kids how to manage their stress while simultaneously motivating and empowering them to reach their full potential.

In this masterclass Ned shares with us:

• The fundamentals of autonomy-supportive parenting and the flow state, and why they are important for our kids;
• Radical downtime and how it helps us regulate our stress
• Why sleep is vital for kids to learn and be their best selves (and how to set up a culture of sleep as a family!)
• And so much more!

This masterclass is for you if you want to find ways to help your child develop intrinsic (inner) motivation; you find yourself offering rewards or punishments as a way to get your kids to do things and you know there must be another way; you are curious about meditation and other ways to create a family environment where you all will thrive; and more!

Academy members, Click here to watch this masterclass.

Not a member yet? Join us now and get your first 10 months for only $10/month with our limited time email subscriber exclusive!

Alright, that's it for today. Until next time, go be the best parent, and the best person you can be!

Talk soon,
Sumitha