​
When I was young, I was taught to ignore my instincts.

Not out of any desire to cause harm, but because the adults around me didn't realize what they were teaching.

"Just give him a hug. He's lonely."
"He meant well — let it go."
"You shouldn't feel that way."

I learned that my discomfort didn't matter.
I learned that my anger was shameful.
I learned to forgive harm — but never how to set and maintain a boundary.
I learned to prioritize the emotional comfort of others over my own.

It took me decades to reconnect with the voice inside that was trying to protect me all along.

I wrote about it this week — and what I wish every parent raising daughters (and sons) understood about protecting their children's instincts instead of teaching them to abandon themselves.

Read the full essay here ↓

If this resonated with you; either because of similar experiences, or because you recognize that danger for your own kids and you don't want to do that to them, I am holding an event just for you.

I created Emotionally Strong Kids for parents who want to do it differently.

It's a 4‑day, 30‑minute‑a‑day, experience to help you slow down, reconnect, and learn how your everyday words become the voice your child carries inside — and how to make it one of safety, trust, and courage.

Because the way you talk to your children now becomes the voice they'll hear in their head for life.

☕ Join Me

We start April 13-16, 8:30-9am MDT
​
Short (30 minute) live sessions, because I know you're busy, and replays if the live time doesn't work for you.
​
This is designed to be a slow relaxing exhale for your mama heart. No judgement here. Only enouragement and simple parenting practices that ACTUALLY WORK!​
​
Take a breath. Take a pause. Let's grow brave together.

— Carrien

P.S. If you know a mom who needs to read this essay — or who could use four days of calm and connection — I'd be grateful if you'd share it with them.

PPS: If you clicked that link before for the registration page, you might have noticed that I changed the dates.
Here I was, going along, planning all the things, and completely forgot about spring break... ain't nobody got time for a parenting retreat when their kids are home all week wanting to do things with them, including me.
It's been postponed until spring break is over, an optimal time for you to get a pause, a deep breath, and a bit of a reset.