Case Study: What To Do When "Special Time" Backfires [Fan Favorite]

Case Study: What To Do When "Special Time" Backfires [Fan Favorite]

Author: Michelle Kenney, M. Ed June 10, 2025 Duration: 29:53
Peace and Parenting: How to Parent without Punishments
KidsKids & FamilyEducationFamilyHow ToParenting

Do you feel like you’re doing everything “right”? You’ve started implementing special time and focusing on connection, yet it creates more chaos. The kids might have meltdowns when the timer goes off, or sibling squabbles seem endless. You may question whether connected parenting works. You are not alone, and there is a way through it.


In this episode, I have a wonderful chat with Katie, a mother of three girls from the UK. She’s been practicing connective parenting for just a few weeks and is already seeing incredible results, but she came to me with some very common and relatable challenges. We dive deep into the nitty-gritty of making special time work, especially when your children don’t want it to end. We also explore how to navigate the intense emotions of sibling rivalry without taking sides and how our own childhoods, especially if we were told to be “seen and not heard” can make it so hard to tolerate our children’s big, loud feelings. 


This was such a rich and supportive conversation, and Katie’s journey is one I know will resonate with so many of you.


In This Episode, You'll Learn:

👉 Navigating the end of "special time"

👉 Handling sibling fights with neutrality

👉 Why special time consistency is key

👉 Letting go of being the "feelings police"

👉 Creating calm and connected mornings

👉 Using play to address tough behaviors

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🎧 As I mentioned, my sweet dad recently passed away. Your continued listening and understanding mean the world to me. In his memory, and as promised, I wanted to share this episode from when he came on the show to discuss Connected Grandparenting with me. Thank you for your support during this time.


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You know the principles of gentle parenting and value attachment, but the day-to-day reality of raising kids can leave those ideals feeling just out of reach. If you’re exhausted by cycles of yelling, shame, and frustration, and you’re searching for a practical, grounded alternative that still provides clear boundaries, you’ve found a thoughtful space to explore. Peace and Parenting: How to Parent without Punishments is hosted by Michelle Kenney, M. Ed, who brings her perspective as a former teacher, counselor, certified parenting coach, and a mom of two teenagers. She also openly shares her own journey as a recovering yeller, making her guidance deeply empathetic and real. In this podcast, Michelle moves beyond theory to discuss the actual application of peaceful parenting. Conversations focus on dismantling the urge to punish and replacing it with connection-based strategies that actually work during tough moments. You’ll hear honest discussions about setting limits with respect, navigating emotional outbursts (both yours and your child’s), and fostering a home environment rooted in cooperation rather than control. Each episode aims to provide actionable insights that help you build a calmer, more respectful family dynamic, one conversation at a time. It’s a resource for anyone ready to parent in a way that feels better, honors the relationship, and genuinely moves away from punitive measures.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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Peace and Parenting: How to Parent without Punishments
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