Happier Childhoods
Happier Childhoods is a podcast for adults shaping childhood through movement, play, and connection.
Hosted by Carrie Speed of PlayMotion Kids, this show offers honest conversations and practical ideas for parents, teachers, childcare directors, social workers, caregivers, enrichment instructors, and child-focused professionals who want to support kids in meaningful, doable ways.
Each episode explores childhood wellbeing, child development, behavior, emotional regulation, resilience, sensory needs, trauma-informed care, play-based learning, mindfulness, movement, and the everyday science of connection.
You’ll hear conversations about what it really takes to help children feel safe, supported, and connected while also supporting the adults who care for them.
Carrie is a social worker and the founder of PlayMotion Kids, a movement, music, and mindfulness enrichment program for children. She also certifies and licenses instructors who want to bring movement, mindfulness, and whole-child learning to children in their own communities.
Because when adults are supported, equipped, and encouraged, happier childhoods become possible.
If you care about creating healthier, happier childhoods, you belong here.
www.playmotionkids.com
www.playmotionkids.com/businessowners
Happier Childhoods
Ep 19 From Control to Connection: Rethinking Discipline with Kristin Schmoke
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What if your child’s behavior isn’t something to control, but something to understand?
In this episode of Happier Childhoods, Carrie is joined by parent coach, educator, and mom of four Kristen Schmoke, who helps families build calmer homes and stronger relationships. We talk about what happens when parents shift from control to collaboration, and why kids’ behavior is often communication, not defiance, disrespect, or a personal attack.
Kristen shares how her own parenting journey helped her rethink traditional discipline and start paying closer attention to what her child’s behavior was really telling her. We get into emotional regulation, repair after hard moments, family values, sharing, boundaries, trust, and why slowing down can completely change the way we respond to kids.
This conversation is especially helpful for parents, educators, caregivers, and anyone working with children who wants to create more connection, calm, and trust without letting go of boundaries.
What we cover:
Why control often leads to more pushback
How to shift from reacting to responding
What it means to lead with curiosity instead of judgment
Why your child’s behavior is not about you
How to repair after yelling or “scary mommy” moments
Why family values matter when setting boundaries
A different way to think about sharing
How to reinforce positive behavior without relying on sticker charts
Why trust matters more than control
How to start noticing what’s going right
Connect with Kristen Schmoke
Instagram: @Kristen.Schmoke.Parenting
Organization: Empowered Educator
Program: Listen Up parent program
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Parenting Challenges
02:37 The Journey of Self-Discovery in Parenting
04:42 Shifting from Control to Collaboration
07:50 Practical Strategies for Mindful Parenting
11:24 Modeling Behavior for Children
12:42 Balancing Autonomy and Boundaries
19:51 Transforming Perceptions of Child Behavior
21:37 Understanding Emotional Responses in Parenting
26:20 The Importance of Sharing and Empathy
31:22 Control vs. Trust in Parenting
33:59 Reinforcing Positive Behaviors
41:44 Shifting Focus: Finding the Good in Parenting
45:17 Conclusion and Connecting with Kristen Schmoke
FB & IG: playmotionkids
Website: www.playmotionkids.com
Want to bring movement, music, and mindfulness to parents and children in your community? Learn more at www.playmotionkids.com/businessowners
IG: better.childhood.project