Empowered Parenting Blog

Learn how to handle lying in toddlers with age-appropriate consequences. Understand why young children lie and gentle approaches to teach honesty.

At Jai, we hold a core belief: Every person, whether a child or adult, is doing the best they can with the tools they have in the moment. Doing our best doesn’t mean we’ll always act “good.” It means we act in ways that reflect how much or little we feel safe, connected, or regulated on the inside. When we or our children act out with challenging behaviors (and let’s be honest, adults do it too), it’s usually because there’s pain, unmet needs, or nervous system dysregulation underneath the surface. Try this on:  “If you could, you would. And when you can, you will.” What do you notice in your body as you read that? A softening? An eye roll? Resistance? Relief? Whatever it is… that’s a doorway into deeper self-understanding. Here’s what brain science tells us: The brain doesn’t grow from shame, criticism, or punishment. It grows through support, safety, and relationships. Think of the best teacher or mentor you’ve ever had. Were they yelling at you to “do better”? Or were they firm, respectful, and deeply invested in your success? When children feel empowered, they grow. When parents feel empowered, they grow, too. That’s what we do at Jai. We help parents reconnect to their power. Not power over their children, but power with—the kind that comes from self-awareness, emotional attunement, and conscious leadership. It begins with us…Looking inward…Getting curious about why we parent the way we do and exploring what’s possible when we start to shift.

Discover how different parenting styles affect child development and which parenting approach best supports emotional intelligence and resilience.