They often happen because kids don't have the words to say what they're feeling. And most of us never learned those words when we were growing up, either. I certainly didn't.

In this episode of Lessons for Life with Gramma Kate, I'll show you how learning more feeling words can change everything. It helps you connect better with your kids and stops everyday fights before they start. I'll share my own stories, give you easy tips, and teach you a simple three-step plan to help kids (and parents!) feel it, name it, and reframe it — so big emotions turn into learning moments instead of big blowouts.

If you want calmer days, closer relationships, and kids who can actually tell you what's happening inside their hearts, this episode is for you.

✅ Most of us never learned feeling words growing up, but we can still change that now

✅ Naming feelings stops meltdowns by giving kids (and parents) ways to say what's really going on

✅ Kids copy what we do. When we say our feelings out loud, they start doing it too

✅ Feeling words help us connect deeper and understand what's really behind bad behaviour

✅ A simple daily habit of saying your feelings out loud teaches kids to feel it, name it, and reframe it

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📕Finding Lily’s Inner Magic: A Tale of Building Confidence

📕Lily’s Journey to Forgiveness: Letting Go of Hurt and Anger

📕Finding Jack’s Magic Within: A Lesson About Kindness

📕Consistency is Key: Self-Care Tips with Lily & Zach

📕Making the Team: Jack’s Missed Goal

📕I Believe You: Self-Care When Your Parent Struggles Emotionally

📕Living With Grandma and Grandpa: Jack and Alice’s Challenges

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Facebook

DISCLAIMER

The Lessons For Life With Gramma Kate Podcast and content posted by Cathy Barker are presented solely for general information, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified healthcare professional, nor is it intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have. They should consult their healthcare professional for any such conditions.

In this episode of Lessons for Life with Gramma Kate, I share the one simple SEL skill that completely transformed how I parent and grandparent — and why I wish I’d started sooner. For years, I thought “being thankful” was enough, but I’ve since discovered the deeper power of genuine gratitude.

I’ll tell you how one slight daily shift helped me stop carrying stress like a heavy backpack, changed the way my kids and grandkids handle frustration, and even rewired how my brain processes hard days. You’ll hear a funny (and messy!) story about a dog, a downpour, and a trip to three different stores that showed me firsthand how gratitude changes everything.

Whether you’re in the middle of daily power struggles, tired of yelling, or want to feel calmer and more connected as a parent, this episode gives you practical, 30-second ways to model gratitude that your kids will carry for life.

✅ Model the Pause — When chaos hits, show your kids what it looks like to stop, breathe, and find something good in the moment.

✅ Make Gratitude Specific & Verbal — Don’t just think it. Say it out loud: “I’m thankful for this time together” or “I love hearing you laugh.”

✅ Start Micro-Small — 30 seconds at bedtime, one comment at dinner, or a quick share at drop-off is enough to plant lifelong skills.

✅ Bonus Insight — Practicing gratitude consistently doesn’t just make you feel better. It rewires your brain to handle stress more calmly — and that ripple effect shapes your kids’ resilience for life.

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🔹 Follow me on YouTube for More Episodes
🔹 Subscribe & Leave a Review! Your support helps more people find this content.

📕Finding Lily’s Inner Magic: A Tale of Building Confidence

📕Lily’s Journey to Forgiveness: Letting Go of Hurt and Anger

📕Finding Jack’s Magic Within: A Lesson About Kindness

📕Consistency is Key: Self-Care Tips with Lily & Zach

📕Making the Team: Jack’s Missed Goal

📕I Believe You: Self-Care When Your Parent Struggles Emotionally

📕Living With Grandma and Grandpa: Jack and Alice’s Challenges

Instagram

Facebook

DISCLAIMER

The Lessons For Life With Gramma Kate Podcast and content posted by Cathy Barker are presented solely for general information, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified healthcare professional, nor is it intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have. They should consult their healthcare professional for any such conditions.

Not feeling like yourself lately?

You’re not alone. In this heartfelt and honest episode, I share the signs that told me I was slipping into depression, and the 11 gentle, easy steps I’m taking to beat depression and overwhelm. From setting boundaries to moving my body and choosing my circle wisely, these small shifts have helped me feel more like myself again.

If you’ve been feeling off, this conversation will remind you that you don’t have to do it all, you don’t have to do it perfectly, and you don’t have to push through alone.

✅ Recognize the early signs of depression before it takes a stronger hold.
✅ Replace negative self-talk with small, positive action steps.
✅ Set boundaries and communicate clearly to protect your emotional space.
✅ Prioritize movement and hydration to support your body and mind.
✅ Choose your circle carefully — surround yourself with people who accept you as you are.
✅ Allow self-care to be imperfect — it just needs to feel good, not look perfect.

🔹 Click for From Overwhelmed to Empowered - How to Set Boundaries – Learn how to set and enforce boundaries confidently!
🔹 Follow me on YouTube for More Episodes
🔹 Subscribe & Leave a Review! Your support helps more people find this content.

📕Finding Lily’s Inner Magic: A Tale of Building Confidence

📕Lily’s Journey to Forgiveness: Letting Go of Hurt and Anger

📕Finding Jack’s Magic Within: A Lesson About Kindness

📕Consistency is Key: Self-Care Tips with Lily & Zach

📕Making the Team: Jack’s Missed Goal

📕I Believe You: Self-Care When Your Parent Struggles Emotionally

📕Living With Grandma and Grandpa: Jack and Alice’s Challenges

Instagram

Facebook

DISCLAIMER

The Lessons For Life With Gramma Kate Podcast and content posted by Cathy Barker are presented solely for general information, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified healthcare professional, nor is it intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have. They should consult their healthcare professional for any such conditions.

Have you ever felt unsure of yourself — like no matter what you do, it’s not quite enough? Maybe you’ve looked in the mirror and questioned your worth, or held back from something you wanted because self-doubt crept in.

Low self-esteem and uncertainty often go hand in hand. And in this episode, I’m talking about both. Where those feelings come from, how they start (especially in childhood), and what you can do to break free from them.

I’ll walk you through 9 powerful ways to overcome low self-esteem when you're feeling uncertain, based on what helped me heal and finally believe in myself again. And if you're a parent, you’ll also learn how to help your kids build self-worth early — so they don’t carry the same heavy doubts we did.

✅ Understand how low self-esteem and uncertainty are often rooted in childhood experiences
✅ Learn how self-doubt develops, even when you’re successful on the outside
✅ Discover 9 powerful ways to rebuild confidence and trust in yourself
✅ Challenge the negative inner voice that tells you you’re not good enough
✅ Use practical tools to shift from self-criticism to self-compassion
✅ Learn how to support your child’s self-esteem through everyday interactions

🔹 Click for From Overwhelmed to Empowered - How to Set Boundaries – Learn how to set and enforce boundaries confidently!
🔹 Follow me on YouTube for More Episodes
🔹 Subscribe & Leave a Review! Your support helps more people find this content.

📕Finding Lily’s Inner Magic: A Tale of Building Confidence

📕Lily’s Journey to Forgiveness: Letting Go of Hurt and Anger

📕Finding Jack’s Magic Within: A Lesson About Kindness

📕Consistency is Key: Self-Care Tips with Lily & Zach

📕Making the Team: Jack’s Missed Goal

📕I Believe You: Self-Care When Your Parent Struggles Emotionally

📕Living With Grandma and Grandpa: Jack and Alice’s Challenges

Instagram

Facebook

DISCLAIMER

The Lessons For Life With Gramma Kate Podcast and content posted by Cathy Barker are presented solely for general information, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified healthcare professional, nor is it intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have. They should consult their healthcare professional for any such conditions.

Have you ever started second-guessing yourself in a relationship, like maybe you’re too sensitive or just imagining things? In this episode, I’m talking about how to recognize the signs of a toxic husband or boyfriend, and how to start trusting yourself again. If you've been feeling confused, drained, or like you’ve lost your voice, this one’s for you.

✅ What emotional gaslighting looks like in toxic relationships
✅ Common phrases toxic partners use to make you doubt yourself
✅ The difference between lying and emotional manipulation
✅ Why trusting your gut is your greatest protection
✅ How to stop self-gaslighting and start rebuilding self-trust
✅ Five empowering steps to help you heal and reclaim your voice

🔹 Click for From Overwhelmed to Empowered - How to Set Boundaries – Learn how to set and enforce boundaries confidently!
🔹 Follow me on YouTube for More Episodes
🔹 Subscribe & Leave a Review! Your support helps more people find this content.

📕Finding Lily’s Inner Magic: A Tale of Building Confidence

📕Lily’s Journey to Forgiveness: Letting Go of Hurt and Anger

📕Finding Jack’s Magic Within: A Lesson About Kindness

📕Consistency is Key: Self-Care Tips with Lily & Zach

📕Making the Team: Jack’s Missed Goal

📕I Believe You: Self-Care When Your Parent Struggles Emotionally

📕Living With Grandma and Grandpa: Jack and Alice’s Challenges

Instagram

Facebook

DISCLAIMER

The Lessons For Life With Gramma Kate Podcast and content posted by Cathy Barker are presented solely for general information, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified healthcare professional, nor is it intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have. They should consult their healthcare professional for any such conditions.

Have you spent years keeping the peace in your family — only to realize you're being ignored, dismissed, or disrespected? In this episode, I share a personal story about drawing the line and finally being heard. If you're tired of being the “nice one” who never gets a say, this episode will show you exactly how to set boundaries without becoming the bad guy.

✅ Why being the “peacekeeper” can silently train people to ignore your needs
✅ How to set a boundary without yelling, guilt-tripping, or shutting people out
✅ The difference between a boundary and a rule (and why this matters for kids!)
✅ Real-life example of holding someone accountable with calm, assertive communication
✅ How your response to being disrespected teaches people how to treat you
✅ Five parenting strategies to model and teach healthy boundaries at home
✅ Why teaching your child to say “no” is one of the greatest gifts you can give
✅ The truth about boundaries: it’s not rejection — it’s respect

🔹 Click for From Overwhelmed to Empowered - How to Set Boundaries – Learn how to set and enforce boundaries confidently!
🔹 Follow me on YouTube for More Episodes
🔹 Subscribe & Leave a Review! Your support helps more people find this content.

📕Finding Lily’s Inner Magic: A Tale of Building Confidence

📕Lily’s Journey to Forgiveness: Letting Go of Hurt and Anger

📕Finding Jack’s Magic Within: A Lesson About Kindness

📕Consistency is Key: Self-Care Tips with Lily & Zach

📕Making the Team: Jack’s Missed Goal

📕I Believe You: Self-Care When Your Parent Struggles Emotionally

📕Living With Grandma and Grandpa: Jack and Alice’s Challenges

Instagram

Facebook

DISCLAIMER

The Lessons For Life With Gramma Kate Podcast and content posted by Cathy Barker are presented solely for general information, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified healthcare professional, nor is it intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have. They should consult their healthcare professional for any such conditions.

Is your child acting out, feeling down, or saying things like “I’m dumb” or “No one likes me”? You’re doing your best to help, but nothing seems to work, and it’s frustrating.

In this episode, I’m sharing a simple yet powerful tool that can make a significant difference: daily affirmations. These are short, positive sentences that help your child develop a positive self-image.

You’ll learn why your words matter so much and how five daily phrases can help your child feel more confident, loved, and ready to handle whatever comes their way.

Whether you're a parent, grandparent, teacher, or caregiver, this episode will help you bring more encouragement and self-worth into a child’s life one phrase at a time.

✅ 5 important ways daily affirmations help children grow
✅ Simple affirmations you can start using right away
✅ How to use affirmations in everyday routines (without making it awkward)
✅ Why consistency matters more than perfection
✅ How to model positive self-talk so your child learns by watching you

🔹 Click for From Overwhelmed to Empowered - How to Set Boundaries – Learn how to set and enforce boundaries confidently!
🔹 Follow me on YouTube for More Episodes
🔹 Subscribe & Leave a Review! Your support helps more people find this content.

📕Finding Lily’s Inner Magic: A Tale of Building Confidence

📕Lily’s Journey to Forgiveness: Letting Go of Hurt and Anger

📕Finding Jack’s Magic Within: A Lesson About Kindness

📕Consistency is Key: Self-Care Tips with Lily & Zach

📕Making the Team: Jack’s Missed Goal

📕I Believe You: Self-Care When Your Parent Struggles Emotionally

📕Living With Grandma and Grandpa: Jack and Alice’s Challenges

Instagram:

Facebook

DISCLAIMER

The Lessons For Life With Gramma Kate Podcast and content posted by Cathy Barker are presented solely for general information, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified healthcare professional, nor is it intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have. They should consult their healthcare professional for any such conditions.

You’re not alone. In this episode, I’m opening up about what happens when we stay silent for too long and how speaking up, calmly and respectfully, can bring inner peace into our lives.

I’ll walk you through 5 easy tips to help you have those hard conversations with the people who matter most: your spouse, your ex, your kids, or your stepkids. You’ll learn how to prepare, when to speak, what to say, and why calm truly is your superpower.

And remember, every time you speak up for yourself, you’re teaching others how to treat you with respect.

✅ Silence doesn’t erase the need to speak. It just buries it and makes it difficult over time.
✅ Speaking up is how we teach others to treat us with respect..
✅ You can prepare for hard conversations without scripting every word.

✅ The right time and setting matter: choose a quiet moment, not a chaotic one.
✅ Assertive communication isn’t about blame—it’s about being honest while still caring for the relationship.
✅ You can’t control how someone else reacts, but you can stay grounded in your truth.
✅ Speaking up gives others a chance to clarify misunderstandings or reveal who they truly are.
✅ The more you practice hard conversations, the easier they become and the more at peace you’ll feel.

🔹 Click for From Overwhelmed to Empowered - How to Set Boundaries – Learn how to set and enforce boundaries confidently!
🔹 Follow me on YouTube for More Episodes
🔹 Subscribe & Leave a Review! Your support helps more people find this content.

📕Finding Lily’s Inner Magic: A Tale of Building Confidence

📕Lily’s Journey to Forgiveness: Letting Go of Hurt and Anger

📕Finding Jack’s Magic Within: A Lesson About Kindness

📕Consistency is Key: Self-Care Tips with Lily & Zach

📕Making the Team: Jack’s Missed Goal

📕I Believe You: Self-Care When Your Parent Struggles Emotionally

📕Living With Grandma and Grandpa: Jack and Alice’s Challenges

Instagram

Facebook

DISCLAIMER

The Lessons For Life With Gramma Kate Podcast and content posted by Cathy Barker are presented solely for general information, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified healthcare professional, nor is it intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have. They should consult their healthcare professional for any such conditions