Hi, I’m Michelle.
I help parents who want to parent peacefully—but who also feel overwhelmed, triggered, and human.
When my kids were small, I was stuck in a yelling pattern followed by intense shame. I didn’t want to yell… but I didn’t know how to stop.
Today’s topic might be one of the most important pieces of the puzzle:
The Voice Inside: Shifting Your Inner Dialogue
This is a piece almost every parent overlooks.
Not your child’s tone.
Not your child’s attitude.
Your inner voice.
Specifically:
what you say about yourself and what you say about your child in hard moments.
Let’s look at how this plays out.
The Dog-Walking Story
Picture this:
You ask your child to walk the dog during the morning rush.
And they say:
“No.”
“Why me?”
“This is stupid.”
“Why do I always have to?”
Groaning. Complaining. Eye-rolling.
Your body reacts before you even think.
Your inner dialogue kicks in:
- “They’re so disrespectful.”
- “Who do they think they are?”
- “I would NEVER talk to my parents like that.”
- “This kid is going to turn out…”
- “If I don’t crack down, this will get worse.”
Just reading that probably brings tension into your shoulders.
Now pause. Let’s go deeper.
What’s Actually Going on Inside You?
Rewind a recent sideways moment with your child.
On the surface you felt:
- frustration
- anger
- irritation
- exhaustion
But under that?
Ask yourself:
- What does this moment make me believe about myself as a parent?
- What do I worry it means about my child?
- What fear do I have about the future?
Most parents discover:
→ fear their child won’t respect authority
→ fear about school or future behavior
→ fear of “raising a rude kid”
→ fear of being judged
→ fear of failing
And when those fears take over, your inner dialogue turns harsh and catastrophic.
Your brain shifts into “always” and “never” thinking:
- “They ALWAYS do this.”
- “They NEVER listen.”
In that moment, you forget the last kind thing they did.
You forget their strengths.
You forget they are a whole human having a tough moment—not a reflection of your parenting.
This is how we get hijacked.
Why Shifting Your Inner Dialogue Matters
Because what you tell yourself determines how you respond.
If your inner voice says:
“My kid is rude and out of control,”
you’ll escalate.
If your inner voice says:
“My kid is having a hard time,”
you can stay grounded, firm, and connected.
This is what we will practice in the course.
➡️ Parents report that after shifting their inner voice, they feel FAR more agency in hard parenting moments.
A Common Objection
“I’m not that hard on myself and I need to be hard on myself.”
Unfortunately, shame and self-criticism won’t support you in making the changes you desire.
Curiosity and compassion do.
This Week’s Connection Play Idea
Offer 2–3 outdoor activities (basketball, nature walk, baseball)
Let your child choose.
Keep it short—10–15 minutes.
Free Gift For You
Download the Guided Audio Pause & Regroup
CompassionateHeartMindfulLife.com
A reminder: This content is intended for educational purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for private psychotherapy services. Compassionate Heart Mindful Life does not provide psychotherapy services in any capacity.
I am a therapist but I am not your therapist and this is not therapy and should not be a substitute for mental health treatment. If you need mental health treatment please find a qualified professional in your area.