Parenting is one of the most rewarding yet challenging roles we take on in life. From managing meltdowns to setting boundaries, every stage comes with its unique hurdles. As a parent, I found myself constantly wondering if I was doing it “right.” My MomShine journey began with a deep desire to create a structured, loving environment that worked for my family—without second-guessing myself every step of the way.

In my early days of navigating parenting challenges, I felt like I was winging it, juggling long startup hours and home life. I knew I needed a playbook—something practical, effective, and judgment-free. That’s when I enrolled in Polly Ely’s MFT Parent School and started learning simple yet powerful ways to make parenting easier.

If you’ve ever struggled with setting rules, managing your child’s emotions, or simply feeling overwhelmed by the day-to-day, here are some of the best parenting strategies that helped me navigate common challenges with more confidence.

1) Set Clear Family Rules to Overcome Parenting Challenges

Creating easy-to-follow family rules was my first step toward building a healthy family dynamic. Rules provide structure and eliminate constant decision-making in emotionally charged moments. But here’s the key—they need to be simple and visible so everyone can follow them.

In our home, we established a Family Code of Conduct, which includes:

  • Refusal to participate isn’t an option
  • Taunting, teasing, or name-calling is unacceptable
  • Mistreating yourself, others, or animals is a no-go
  • Process frustration without being mean
  • Sharing is caring

Our youngest would often get frustrated when toys were taken from him, so we started focusing on #5. Teaching generosity has become a game-changer. We even made it fun by giving our family a team name, rotating every so often. Right now, we’re “Team Candy,” and the kids love it!

💡 Parenting Tip: Involve your kids in setting the rules! They are more likely to follow guidelines they help create.

2) Maintain the Family Hierarchy

Many parenting challenges arise when kids push boundaries to test authority. That’s natural! However, allowing them too much decision-making power too soon can lead to confusion and conflict.

For example, bedtime is non-negotiable in our house. Instead of letting our kids dictate who puts them to bed or who helps with homework, we stick to a clear system. Similarly, we don’t respond to barking demands—instead, we teach them to ask politely.

💡 Pro Tip: Stay consistent. The moment kids realize rules can be bent, they’ll keep pushing.

3) Keep Communication Clear & Calm During Misbehavior

One of the hardest parenting challenges is keeping calm when your child’s behavior is frustrating or hurtful. The natural instinct is to react—but the goal is to respond instead.

A study published in The Journal of Child Development found that children who are frequently yelled at develop low self-esteem, anxiety, and behavioral issues. However, let’s be real—every parent yells sometimes. The difference is in what happens next.

Repairing the connection after an outburst is crucial. I always try to follow up with:

✅ Acknowledge feelings – “I was upset, but I want to talk about it.”
✅ Model self-regulation – “I took a breath. Let’s figure this out together.”
✅ Reinforce respect – “We can be upset, but we don’t speak hurtfully to each other.”

💡 Pro Tip: When emotions are high, take a 30-second pause before reacting. Even splashing cold water on your face can reset your response.

4) Set Boundaries to Support Emotional Growth

Setting boundaries is one of the most essential parenting strategies for raising emotionally secure children. Boundaries teach self-discipline, respect, and decision-making—skills they will carry into adulthood.

Some simple boundary-setting strategies that work in our home:

  • Personal items are off-limits – My purse, makeup, and special belongings are mine.
  • Respect personal space – Knocking before entering a room is required.
  • Emotion regulation – We say, “You can be mad, but not mean.”

By setting clear emotional and physical boundaries, kids learn self-control and respect in a safe environment.

5) Stop Worry Parenting & Build Confidence Instead

One of the biggest parenting challenges I faced was overprotecting my kids. I’d constantly remind them to “be careful!”—but I realized this was fueling anxiety instead of confidence.

Instead, I started replacing “Be careful!” with:
👉 “You got this!”

This small shift encourages self-trust and problem-solving skills, helping kids face challenges independently.

💡 Parenting Tip: When kids stumble, let them try again before stepping in. Competence grows through experience!

6) Teaching Kids to Ask for Help (Without Over-Reliance)

Encouraging kids to ask for help the right way fosters independence and resilience. Two fun strategies we use at home include:

1️⃣ Table Manners with Secret Signals

Instead of overwhelming kids with all the rules at once, focus on one at a time. We use code signals to help them remember. If a child interrupts, I lightly touch my nose—a subtle reminder to wait their turn.

2️⃣ Running the Morning Bases

Mornings can be chaotic, so we turned it into a game! Our kids have “bases” to complete (e.g., brushing teeth, getting dressed, packing bags). They can run the bases in any order, making it fun while teaching responsibility.

💡 Pro Tip: Encourage kids to solve small problems on their own before stepping in.

7) Leading by Example—The Golden Rule of Parenting

Perhaps the biggest parenting challenge of all? Being the example we want our kids to follow.

When I launched MomShine, I was searching for ways to reduce screen time for my kids. But the biggest realization? It starts with me.

Now, we have a no-phone rule during:
✅ Dinner time
✅ Vacations (except for pictures!)
✅ Family weekends

Kids learn by watching more than listening. When I’m intentional about how I use technology, they naturally follow suit.

💡 Final Tip: Model the behavior you want to see—it’s the most powerful parenting tool you have.

Final Thoughts: Parenting Challenges Can Be Overcome with Simple Shifts

There’s no perfect way to parent, but small changes can make a big impact. The more consistent, calm, and confident you are in your parenting, the easier it becomes.

✅ Set family rules
✅ Maintain structure
✅ Communicate calmly
✅ Establish boundaries
✅ Encourage independence
✅ Ask for help when needed
✅ Lead by example

Every challenge is an opportunity to teach and grow—both for us as parents and for our kids.

💡 Want more parenting tips? Download our free guide for 20 Quick Tips to Shine and take your parenting journey to the next level!