Instagram Feed

FOLLOW @balancedlivingwithleah

I am STILL working emancipate myself from my cultu

I am STILL working emancipate myself from my cultural and religious upbringing that generally taught girls and woman (and boys and men) to be people-pleasers.

When we know better, we do better - so I am now intentionality making steps towards raising children who can stand on their own two feet and rooted in their own values, as they face the world.
.
.
.
.
#parentingjourney #parentingtips #parenting #parentingskills #parentingsupport #parentlife #positiveparenting #positiveparentingstrategies #positiveparentingskills #positiveparentingcoach #navigatingparenting #consciousparenting #consciousparentingtools #consciousparentingcoach #consciousparents #intrinsicmotivation #postmormonparenting #parentingaftermormonism #lifestyleaftermormonism #formermormon #balancedlivingwithleah #partnershipparenting

Relationship "success" isn’t based on what other

Relationship "success" isn’t based on what others assume about you or how they react to you. When it comes to faith transitions, we are often offered a peak into others' inner world, specifically into what feels fearful for them.

Knowing this, we can choose compassion, and appropriate boundaries, as we experience that fear, worry and concern projected onto us at times.

We are completely responsible for how we show up in relationships with others, and with ourselves, like 100% responsible. No one can "make" us whatever. The opposite is also true - other people are completely responsible for how they show up in relationships with others and with themselves, like 100% responsible.
.
.
.
.
#intentionalrelationships #relationshipgoals #relationships #relationshipcoach #relationships101 #realloveinmarriage #realloveinparenting #activelistening #proactiverelationships #selfworth #selfwork #selfgrowth #realationshiptools #selfimprovement #relationshipimprovement #selfworthjourney #balancedlivingwithleah #choosejoy #feelfreefeed #meetthemoment #seekthesimplicity

We start our Sunday’s with family brunch. My hus

We start our Sunday’s with family brunch. My husband, Cody, fixes the meal and we alternate sharing a lesson/message. Today the message focused kindness and inclusion.

Cody shared a short video about reaching out to others’ and a family discussion ensued. The conversation eventually turned to Aspen as Cody highlighted her efforts to befriend a girl in her school who is gay. This girl has shared with Aspen how she’s been made fun of in hurtful ways. As we discussed Aspen’s efforts and desire to be a true friend to her, my Mother’s Day felt complete♥️

Today I’m celebrating girls and women who choose inclusion and love for our planet, for the animals on it and for the entire human race. Together we are mothering in meaningful ways!
.
.
.
.
#positiveparentingcoach #navigatingparenting #consciousparenting #consciousparentingtools #consciousparentingcoach #consciousparents #intrinsicmotivation #postmormonparenting #parentingaftermormonism #lifestyleaftermormonism #formermormon #balancedlivingwithleah #partnershipparenting

It's natural to want to protect our child(ren) fro

It's natural to want to protect our child(ren) from the negative consequences of poor choices and look for reasons to let them off the hook. This tendency however, will ultimately interfere with their ability and/or willingness to take full responsibility for their behavior.

It's important for us to believe in our children without idealizing them, and also to recognize our value and importance in their lives even when, perhaps especially when, we resist the urge to bail them out or fix their problems for them.
.
.
.
.
#parentingjourney #parentingtips #parenting #parentingskills #parentingsupport #parentlife #positiveparenting #positiveparentingstrategies #positiveparentingskills #positiveparentingcoach #navigatingparenting #consciousparenting #consciousparentingtools #consciousparentingcoach #consciousparents #intrinsicmotivation #postmormonparenting #parentingaftermormonism #lifestyleaftermormonism #formermormon #balancedlivingwithleah #partnershipparenting

Going through our faith transition, and investing

Going through our faith transition, and investing in professional coaching throughout, taught me many skills that significantly improved my life. One of those skills was learning about and consistently practicing genuine self-compassion.

How do you show up for yourself when feeling lonely, misunderstood, worried, anxious and stressed? If you’re not sure how to answer that question, scroll left and take some time to ponder what your personalized self-compassion "toolbox" could entail.

Someone out there has the ability to be gentle and kind towards you. They have the power and intuition to help you heal emotional wounds. They can thoughtfully guide you through challenging relationship dynamics. That person is you!
.
.
.
.
#lifetransition #aftermormonism #mormontransformation #mormontransition #mormons #faithtransition #lifechange #mormontransitionsupport #mormontransitioncoach #lds #exmormon #thoughtfultransition #transitiontools #relationshiptools #navigatingfaithtransitions #newjourney #thebestisyettocome #balancedlivignwithleah #mormonstories #lifetransitions #transitionscoach #findhealing #healingispossible

Setting and modeling healthy boundaries helps kids

Setting and modeling healthy boundaries helps kids feel safe. Children thrive in environments with secure and dependable structures and boundaries. Setting boundaries helps build the child's respect for their parent(s) and teaches them how to set their own limits as they grow.

When boundaries are too loose in a family, children may have inappropriate power and control. When children are calling the shots, they can feel terrified deep down of the power they have over their parents.
.
.
.
.
#parentingjourney #parentingtips #parenting #parentingskills #parentingsupport #parentlife #positiveparenting #positiveparentingstrategies #positiveparentingskills #positiveparentingcoach #navigatingparenting #consciousparenting #consciousparentingtools #consciousparentingcoach #consciousparents #intrinsicmotivation #postmormonparenting #parentingaftermormonism #lifestyleaftermormonism #formermormon #balancedlivingwithleah #partnershipparenting

Trust your child’s ability to make good decision

Trust your child’s ability to make good decisions. Your confidence in your growing child(ren) is informing them of their capabilities as they develop a sense of self.

Offer age appropriate choices you know your child can handle. As she grows, gaining skills and confidence, begin to widen the number of options you offer and limit the number of choices you make FOR her.
.
.
.
.
#parentingjourney #parentingtips #parenting #parentingskills #parentingsupport #parentlife #positiveparenting #positiveparentingstrategies #positiveparentingskills #positiveparentingcoach #navigatingparenting #consciousparenting #consciousparentingtools #consciousparentingcoach #consciousparents #intrinsicmotivation #postmormonparenting #parentingaftermormonism #lifestyleaftermormonism #formermormon #balancedlivingwithleah #partnershipparenting

I recently asked what type of support would feel m

I recently asked what type of support would feel meaningful and had several comments about challenges within sibling relationships as a result of differing beliefs.

This is tricky terrain, and there are many, many variables to consider. It’s not as simple as “to be vulnerable/transparent or not to be.”

All relationships are so different, even within the same family, we have different relationships with different siblings. Taking time to be intentional about how we engage/boundaries around engagement, can save us from unnecessary damage and suffering.

As you read these considerations, I’d encourage some self-reflection. Are you capable of showing up for your believing siblings in the same supportive ways as you hope they will show up for you? It really needs to go both ways doesn’t it?
.
.
.
.
#lifetransition #aftermormonism #mormontransformation #mormontransition #mormons #faithtransition #lifechange #mormontransitionsupport #mormontransitioncoach #lds #exmormon #thoughtfultransition #transitiontools #relationshiptools #navigatingfaithtransitions #newjourney #thebestisyettocome #balancedlivignwithleah #mormonstories #lifetransitions #transitionscoach #findhealing #healingispossible

At first, you may feel selfish, guilty, or embarra

At first, you may feel selfish, guilty, or embarrassed when you set a boundary. Do it anyway. You have the right to self-care. Don’t let anxiety, guilt, or fear prevent you from setting boundaries.

Reminders:

1. You are not responsible for the other person’s reaction to the boundary you are setting.

2. You are responsible for communicating your boundary respectfully.

3. Plan to be tested on your boundary. Expect it. Remain firm.

4. You cannot successfully establish a clear boundary if you send mixed messages by apologizing.

5. Learning to set healthy boundaries takes time. It is a process.

6. Setting boundaries might shed light on controlling, abusive, or manipulative relationships. It may mean you have to face eliminating toxic relationships from your life.
.
.
.
.
#intentionalrelationships #relationshipgoals #relationships #relationshipcoach #relationships101 #realloveinmarriage #realloveinparenting #activelistening #proactiverelationships #selfworth #selfwork #selfgrowth #realationshiptools #selfimprovement #relationshipimprovement #selfworthjourney #balancedlivingwithleah #choosejoy #feelfreefeed #meetthemoment #seekthesimplicity

When I went through my faith transition I dropped

When I went through my faith transition I dropped a lot of unnecessary expectations I had for myself around what it meant to be a “good” parent.

My current parenting “rod of iron” includes two primary focuses:

1. How safe do my children feel to be completely open and honest with me about anything.

2. Who am I, how do I show up, and how does that inform/teach my children. This encompasses a lot.

I do believe that the most powerful parenting tool we have is our own personal example, how we mentor the little humans in our care.
.
.
.
.
#parentingjourney #parentingtips #parenting #parentingskills #parentingsupport #parentlife #positiveparenting #positiveparentingstrategies #positiveparentingskills #positiveparentingcoach #navigatingparenting #consciousparenting #consciousparentingtools #consciousparentingcoach #consciousparents #intrinsicmotivation #postmormonparenting #parentingaftermormonism #lifestyleaftermormonism #formermormon #balancedlivingwithleah #partnershipparenting

I know you want to explain yourself. I know you wa

I know you want to explain yourself. I know you want to be understood. Here are a few considerations based on both my personal experiences and my coaching experience:

- choose very wisely where you spend your energy in terms of attempting to explain your position.

- be very thoughtful about who you open up to vulnerably and how much you share.

- let go of the illusion that if you just say the right thing, in the right way, that you’ll avoid judgment and/or have the power to change someone’s perception of you.
.
.
.
.
#lifetransition #aftermormonism #mormontransformation #mormontransition #mormons #faithtransition #lifechange #mormontransitionsupport #mormontransitioncoach #lds #exmormon #thoughtfultransition #transitiontools #relationshiptools #navigatingfaithtransitions #newjourney #thebestisyettocome #balancedlivignwithleah #mormonstories #lifetransitions #transitionscoach #findhealing #healingispossible

Here’s just a few reasons why setting boundaries

Here’s just a few reasons why setting boundaries is so valuable. Healthy boundaries help us protect and take good care of ourselves and our relationships.

Stay tuned - examples of what boundaries can sound like coming up in my next relationship post.
.
.
.
.
#intentionalrelationships #relationshipgoals #relationships #relationshipcoach #relationships101 #realloveinmarriage #realloveinparenting #activelistening #proactiverelationships #selfworth #selfwork #selfgrowth #realationshiptools #selfimprovement #relationshipimprovement #selfworthjourney #balancedlivingwithleah #choosejoy #feelfreefeed #meetthemoment #seekthesimplicity

We want to raise children who ultimately spread th

We want to raise children who ultimately spread their wings and fly independently. Cultivating a home environment that moves towards this emancipation process begins very early on in a child’s life.

From supporting our children as they face everyday challenges to creating systems that foster contribution and proactivity, our conscious choices matter.

As John Rosemond (one of my favorite parenting mentors), once said “think of what kind of human you want your child to be at age 30, and consistently parent with that picture in your mind.”

Three cheers for raising independent, capable, self-starting, self-managing, self-assured children. A parenting job that comes with minimal acknowledgement, a lot of hard work day after day after day, but one that ultimately provides the greatest “insurance policy” for healthy independence long term.
.
.
.
.
#parentingjourney #parentingtips #parenting #parentingskills #parentingsupport #parentlife #positiveparenting #positiveparentingstrategies #positiveparentingskills #positiveparentingcoach #navigatingparenting #consciousparenting #consciousparentingtools #consciousparentingcoach #consciousparents #intrinsicmotivation #postmormonparenting #parentingaftermormonism #lifestyleaftermormonism #formermormon #balancedlivingwithleah #partnershipparenting

Statements like this can feel triggering when expe

Statements like this can feel triggering when experiencing an already devastating faith transition. Remember this:

YOU DO NOT NEED PERMISSION FROM ANYONE FOR YOUR EXPERIENCE TO BE VALID. And you don’t need to prove anything to be worthy or lovable.

When we recognize that statements like this are indicators of the messengers discomfort and fear, and actually not about us, we can have greater compassion as we offer acknowledgments.

Acknowledging is simply reflecting back to the other person what you are hearing is important for them. If a question is added into their “truth statement,” you can choose to answer it, or not to answer it. You get to make that decision, always.
.
.
.
.
#lifetransition #aftermormonism #mormontransformation #mormontransition #mormons #faithtransition #lifechange #mormontransitionsupport #mormontransitioncoach #lds #exmormon #thoughtfultransition #transitiontools #relationshiptools #navigatingfaithtransitions #newjourney #thebestisyettocome #balancedlivignwithleah #mormonstories #lifetransitions #transitionscoach #findhealing #healingispossible

Yesterday I asked questions within my “story”

Yesterday I asked questions within my “story” to gain greater understanding as to what support feels most meaningful for those of you who follow me here. Thanks to all those who answered!

One theme that emerged was relationship/personal boundaries. I LOVE this topic, because my experience is that boundaries facilitate healthier people and relationships all around! All things boundaries will be the focus of my upcoming relationship posts.
.
.
.
.
#intentionalrelationships #relationshipgoals #relationships #relationshipcoach #relationships101 #realloveinmarriage #realloveinparenting #activelistening #proactiverelationships #selfworth #selfwork #selfgrowth #realationshiptools #selfimprovement #relationshipimprovement #selfworthjourney #balancedlivingwithleah #choosejoy #feelfreefeed #meetthemoment #seekthesimplicity

Load More... Follow on Instagram