Episode 221: Empowered Parenting

This week, Chief Joy Officer, Faith Guy, is joined by dedicated parenting coach and good friend, Jodi Slein! Jodi brings a unique perspective to her coaching with her personal experience with her three sons, one of which is adopted. Faith and Jodi speak all about parenting, emotional intelligence and regulation, and the benefits of learning self-awareness to become a better person and parent!

Takeaways:

Parent from the Inside Out: One of the foundational principles Jodi emphasizes is the importance of parenting from the inside out. This means that effective, empowered parenting begins with self-awareness and personal growth. Before we can guide our children, we need to understand ourselves — our own childhood experiences, our attachment styles, and the emotional triggers we bring into parenting. Many of our reactions to our children are actually rooted in unresolved patterns from our past. Jodi encourages parents to pause and reflect on where those patterns come from. Are we reacting out of fear? Are we trying to avoid the mistakes our own parents made, perhaps swinging too far in the opposite direction? By bringing awareness to our inner world, we can show up more intentionally and choose responses that align with our values instead of reacting on autopilot. This inner work may be challenging, but it creates a strong foundation for authentic, connected parenting.

Regulation is the Game Changer: Emotional regulation is a game-changing skill in parenting, and Jodi highlights it as a non-negotiable part of the process. Children naturally have big emotions, and they look to the adults around them to co-regulate and model calmness. However, this becomes impossible if parents themselves are dysregulated. Jodi stresses that it is our responsibility as parents to do the work of learning how to regulate our own nervous systems — especially in moments of conflict, chaos, or stress. Techniques such as deep breathing, grounding, mindfulness, and even simply pausing before reacting can help us regain our emotional balance. When we are regulated, we are better equipped to respond to our children with empathy, curiosity, and compassion. More importantly, we model for them what healthy emotional regulation looks like, giving them tools they’ll carry with them throughout life.

Empowered Parenting is Not Passive: Empowered parenting does not mean being permissive or letting children do whatever they want. In fact, Jodi is clear that empowered parenting involves setting clear and consistent boundaries but doing so with empathy and respect. This style of parenting is not based on control, fear, or punishment, but rather on mutual respect and trust. Setting boundaries teaches children about responsibility and consequences while still preserving their dignity. Jodi encourages parents to be firm but kind, to stay present even in the tough moments, and to remember that consistency is key. Empowered parenting is active, intentional, and often requires deep patience and presence. It’s about showing up again and again with purpose, even when it’s hard.

Repair Builds Trust: Mistakes are inevitable in parenting, and that’s okay. What matters most is what we do after those mistakes happen. Jodi shares how powerful the process of repair can be. When a parent owns up to their mistakes, apologizes sincerely, and makes an effort to do better, it strengthens the relationship rather than weakens it. Repair communicates to a child that they matter, that their feelings are valid, and that their parent is willing to grow. This kind of vulnerability builds a deep sense of safety and trust. Jodi’s approach shows that it’s not about being perfect, but about being accountable and human. Kids learn that relationships can survive hard moments and that it’s safe to be honest about their own mistakes, too.

Connection Over Perfection: Above all, Jodi advocates for prioritizing connection over striving for perfection. No parent gets it right all the time, and trying to be the “perfect” parent can actually create distance rather than closeness. What children need most is to feel emotionally safe, seen, and valued. When they feel that connection, everything else — cooperation, communication, discipline — flows more naturally. Jodi’s story illustrates how building emotional safety and connection with her kids allowed for open dialogue, mutual respect, and long-term influence. It’s through that consistent connection, not control or perfectionism, that trust and growth happen.

Links:

Check out Jodi’s Coaching: https://alwayshopemindfulgrowth.com/

Sign up for an AMP Adventure: https://centerforvictory.kartra.com/page/9Gn85

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