Megan Whitesides Coaching

 How to Raise a Child Who Loves Reading If there is one gift you can give your child that will benefit them for the rest of their life, it's a love of reading. Children who enjoy reading don't just become better readers. They become curious learners, stronger communicators, better problem solvers, and more empathetic people. Reading opens doors to new ideas, different perspectives, and endless opportunities. The goal isn't to make your child read. The goal is to help them want to read. Here are a few simple ways to help cultivate a lifelong love of books. Read to them before they can read themselves One of the greatest predictors of a child becoming a reader is having someone read to them regularly. Reading together builds vocabulary, strengthens attention, sparks imagination, and creates positive memories around books. Even after your child learns to read independently, don't stop reading aloud. Listening to stories together exposes them to richer vocabulary an...

When Your Child Is Upset… and You Feel It Too Have you ever noticed how easy it is to match your child’s mood? They’re annoyed… and suddenly you’re annoyed. They’re mad at you… and now you’re mad right back. This is called mirroring . And honestly, it’s something we all do. But here’s the problem when we mirror our kids, we’re not actually helping the situation. We’re just adding fuel to it. Instead of calming things down, everything escalates.  We’re often the ones left feeling guilty about what we said or how we reacted. What This Looks Like in Real Life The other day, my son told me I “ruined his hair” because I combed the back down. My first reaction? Roll my eyes. Get annoyed. Say, “Fine, do it yourself then.” Or when your child is upset with you, it’s so tempting to get defensive… or even have that quiet thought of, “ I’ll show you .” But that never works. It just makes things worse for them and for us. 3 Ways to Stop Mirroring Your Child 1. Notice It Awarenes...

We all know that if we want stronger muscles, we have to use them. We don’t get stronger by sitting still we get stronger by doing things that take effort. Our brains work the same way. If we want our kids to have stronger, smarter, more resilient brains… they need opportunities to use them. That means: doing hard things trying new things working through things that feel a little uncomfortable solving puzzles or figuring things out That’s how the brain grows. Simple, everyday activities can do this in a big way especially for young kids. One of those activities is using both hands at the same time to follow patterns like zig-zags or dots. It might look like just a fun little exercise, but there’s actually a lot happening inside the brain.  You can see an example HERE. When kids use both hands together, they’re activating both sides of the brain and strengthening the connection between them through the corpus callosum . And just like a muscle, the more that conn...

Most parents think boredom is a problem. Something to fix. Something to avoid. Something that means we’re not doing enough. So we jump in… We hand them a screen. We suggest an activity. We solve it for them. But what if boredom isn’t the problem?  What if it’s actually the solution? Boredom Is Where Growth Begins We live in a world where kids are constantly entertained. And because of that… they rarely get the chance to think for themselves. Boredom feels uncomfortable.  That’s why we try to get rid of it so fast. But that uncomfortable feeling?  It’s actually what pushes kids to grow. What Research Says About Boredom Researcher Arthur C. Brooks explains that boredom isn’t something to avoid it’s something we need. When we’re bored, the brain shifts into a mode where it starts to wander, reflect, and make connections. This is when we begin to ask: What do I want to do? What am I interested in? What could I try? That’s where creativity and proble...

  Learn How to Say Less… And Get Better Results I heard a quote once that has stuck with me for the past few days it went something like this: “Moms who don’t listen end up with kids who have nothing to say.” That hit me. Because recently, I noticed something in myself that I didn’t like. When my son talks to me, I sometimes feel… annoyed. He says “like” a lot. He tells me the same story over and over. And instead of really listening, I catch myself being critical in my head. Not out loud. But I know he can feel it. And I don’t want to be that kind of mom. I don’t want to be someone my kids slowly stop talking to. The Moment That Changed Me The other day, that quote came back into my mind. And I stopped. I looked at my son and apologized and said,  “I want to hear everything you have to say.” It was a small moment, but it mattered. Because the truth is… Our kids don’t just hear our words. They feel our presence. They feel when we’re distracted. They feel...

I love Dr. Becky Kennedy. She said: "Maximizing ease and happiness in childhood doesn't create well-adjusted adults." That stopped me for a minute. Because as parents, many of us are trying to make things easier for our kids. We try to prevent frustration. We try to keep everyone happy. But that’s not actually what helps kids grow. What they really need is connection . Most parents think they have a discipline problem. But what they really have is a connection problem . When kids feel connected: they listen more they cooperate more they trust you more Connection makes everything else easier. When a child feels safe and seen by you, they are much more willing to work with you. The good news? Connection doesn’t require hours of extra time or elaborate plans. It usually happens in small moments throughout the day. Here are a few simple things you can start doing today. Simple Ways to Connect With Your Child Today Get on their level Instead of talking down to t...

Recently I had a conversation with my son who is serving a mission for our church.  During our call he started sharing some of the things he had been thinking and feeling. He was being really hard on himself. He was judging himself and comparing himself to others. I think most of us do this to some extent. It’s easy to look around and feel like everyone else is doing better, working harder, or having more success. As I listened, I realized I had an opportunity to help him see something important how the way he was thinking was affecting his whole experience. Before I shared anything, I asked him if he'd be open to a little coaching? This is such an important step. Instead of jumping in with advice, it gives the other person a choice. When people feel invited instead of corrected, they are much more open to listening. He said yes. So I shared a simple model I learned when I became certified as a life coach through The Life Coach School . This framework helps us understand how...

 Kindness Begins With Me There is a Primary song that says, “I want to be kind to everyone, for that is right you see. I say to myself, remember this kindness begins with me.” Those words have been on my mind a lot lately. As I hear things in the news, things happening in my town, and even things my kids tell me about school, I keep coming back to that simple line: kindness begins with me. If I want more love in the world, more patience in my home, and more peace in my community, it has to start with my own heart. Recently I listened to a talk by Gary E. Stevenson titled Blessed Are the Peacemakers . Several things he said really stood out to me. “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” He taught that being a peacemaker begins in the most basic place in our hearts. We replace contention and pride with forgiveness and love. We build bridges of cooperation and understanding. We respond with kindness. We deliberately build others up instead ...

 The Complaint Box: A Simple Way to Have Less Complaining at Home There are times when I can handle my child’s complaints with patience and calm. And then there are those other times … You know the ones when all your ears hear is whining, complaining, and negativity. Your patience is gone. Your mood is already thin. And every complaint feels like it’s drilling into your brain. That’s exactly when the Complaint Box is one of the best tools I’ve found. What Is a Complaint Box? A complaint box is exactly what it sounds like: a box where your child can “submit” their complaints instead of repeating them out loud. Here’s how it works: If your child starts complaining, instead of arguing, correcting, or shutting them down, you calmly say: “Put it in the complaint box.” Then they write down what they’re upset about and drop it inside. You read it later when you’re in a better mood and can respond more calmly. Why It Works So Well (Especially for Older Kids) I’ve been doing this ...

I don't remember where I read this quote so long ago, but it's been on my mind recently.   “Moms who don’t listen will end up with kids who have nothing to say.” Not because moms don’t care — but because most of us are busy, tired, and juggling a million things at once. We hear our kids all day long. But listening is different. Here are a few simple ways to become a better listener — and what they can look like in everyday life. 1. Listen to listen — not to respond When our kids talk, our instinct is often to fix, correct, or defend ourselves. But listening means staying curious instead of reactive. If your child says, “You never play with me,” instead of responding with, “That’s not true,” try pausing and saying, “It sounds like you wish we had more time together.” No fixing. No arguing. Just listening. 2. Listen without judging Kids shut down quickly when they feel judged. Eye rolls, sighs, or minimizing their feelings can teach them it’s safer not to talk. If your child s...

One easy parenting strategy that can reduce whining and fighting is surprisingly simple: agree with your child . When a child says things like, “You never listen to me,” our instinct is often to defend ourselves. But instead of arguing, try agreeing. You can say, “Okay,” or “You’re right.” Even if it’s not completely true, ask yourself honestly—are there times you don’t listen? Of course there are. We’re human. If your child says, “I want ice cream instead of potatoes,” you can respond with, “I believe you,” or “Me too.” If they say, “I don’t want to go,” simply agree. Agreeing does not mean you’re changing the plan or giving in. It just means you’re letting your child know they’ve been heard. Children don’t always want explanations or lectures. Most of the time, they just want connection. When we stop trying to convince them and start acknowledging their feelings, the tension drops almost instantly. This simple shift—believing your child and agreeing with them—can lead to...

 One small word can make a big difference in our kids’ behavior: notice . When we use the word notice , it lands differently than praise. It feels more real and more personal. Instead of evaluating our kids, we’re simply seeing them. A simple way to practice this is at bedtime. Each night, when you say goodnight, tell your child one thing you noticed about them that day. “I noticed you said thank you at dinner.” “I noticed you shared with your sister.” “I noticed you hung your backpack up when you got home.” “I love you.” That’s it. You don’t need to add anything else. Just notice. We don’t have to decide if what they did was good or bad. We don’t have to say “good job” or “great work.” There’s nothing wrong with those phrases, but they’re vague and can start to sound flat over time. Noticing is specific, and kids feel it. When we notice our kids, they feel seen. And the more we notice the positive things, the more we begin to see them. Then, naturally, our kids do more o...

Recently, my twins had their birthday. They’d given me a short list of things they wanted, and I was fully prepared to sit down and order everything. But the truth is…I don’t love shopping. The idea of scrolling through pages of products or heading out to a store wasn’t exactly lighting me up. Then it hit me: What if I just gave them the money and let them order their own gifts—and surprise us in the process? When I suggested it, their faces lit up. They were so excited. And honestly, the whole experience turned out to be far more fun than if I had done it myself. What I hadn’t expected was just how much they would learn from it: How to navigate purchasing things online How to cancel an order on Amazon How to compare prices, read reviews, and choose the best product How to budget their money How to wrap a present (always a useful life skill!) The best part? They each spent less than I was originally planning to give them. And on their birthday, we actually got to...

 As parents, we all want our kids to grow up confident — to believe in themselves, take initiative, and handle challenges without fear. But true confidence doesn’t come from constant reassurance or praise. It comes from competence. When kids are given chances to do real things for themselves, they begin to see what they’re capable of. That success, however small, fuels their confidence. Then, because they feel more confident, they’re more likely to try new things — which helps them build even more competence. It’s a powerful feedback loop that starts with us stepping back. Think about all the little tasks we do for our kids that they could actually do for themselves. Here are a few simple examples: Let them make their own haircut or dentist appointments . Encourage them to order their own food at a restaurant. If you’re staying at a hotel, have them call the front desk to ask for an extra pillow or find out when breakfast is served. Let them talk to the cashier w...

As parents, our instinct is to help. We see our child fumbling with a puzzle piece, struggling to tie a shoe, or getting frustrated trying to buckle a seat belt — and we want to jump in. We hate to see them struggle. But here’s the truth: when we step in too quickly, we rob them of the chance to build frustration tolerance — a skill that will serve them in every area of their lives. Frustration tolerance is the ability to stay calm, think, and keep trying even when something feels hard. It’s what helps a child not give up when math homework gets confusing, when a friendship feels tough, or when life throws them challenges later on. So next time your child is working on something — tying shoes, building a Lego set, making a sandwich, making a phone call or finishing that tricky puzzle — resist the urge to take over.   Instead, take a breath, step back, and let them work through it. It might take longer. It might get messy. They might get frustrated. But that’s exactly the point....

Connection is a feeling.  If you want to feel more connected to your kids then it comes from what you think.   Connection doesn’t have to be complicated—it’s usually the little, consistent things that matter most. Here are three practical things parents can start doing right away: 1. Journal Each night before you go to bed write down something you noticed about your child. Something funny they said or did, something nice they said or did. Anything goes. I have done this for years, and it's so fun to look back on and my kids enjoy it too. I also pay more attention to and notice the good in them. 2. Share their world.  Connection doesn’t only happen in big conversations—it’s in the everyday moments. Show interest in what they care about, even if it's not your thing. Ask questions about their favorite: Youtube video, toy, sport or whatever. Sit next to them while they play a game or play with them (even chess🤪) When you show curiosity about what they care about i...

I was always terrified to have teens. I can honestly say that it's been way more fun than I ever thought. I have worked hard on myself, certified as a life coach, and been coached and continue to get coached A LOT, and have learned to love the way I parent and learned to love my kids for who they are. From 18 years of experience with my own kids, teaching for 19 years and 5+ years of coaching I have found these 4C's are the most beneficial in helping parents in their parenting and maximizing the relationship with their kids. I am teaching a class on each of these 4C's starting in October. You'll learn more about them and how to apply them. All of these in conjunction with coaching make parenting easier and more fun. PLUS it'll help you with your teens. Relationships contribute to our overall happiness. You have the power to create the relationships you want. 1. Connection ➡ Building strong bonds and presence. Learn how to be intentional with time and attenti...