Can “Mean Moms” Raise Happy Kids? Denise Schipani On The Home Hour Episode 39

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Has anyone ever told you that you’re a “mean mom?”

Today I’m happy to welcome my good friend, author and blogger Denise Schipani, who takes pride in her “mean mom” title.

Even though on the surface Denise and I might seem different (she’s the meanie and I’m all about the happy), in reality, we have a lot in common: we both love our kids like crazy, treasure family time, and gladly assume a role of authority in our homes.

So what does it really mean to be a “mean mom”, and how can it actually be good for kids? How can we learn to embrace the word “no”? And how can we move past the idea that we’re too busy and distracted to set limits and create family traditions?

This is an interview from the very early days of this podcast, when it was still called “The Kitchen Hour” and most of you weren’t listening yet. Since that episode somehow managed to fall off of iTunes and I can’t seem to get it back, I thought now was a great time to bring it back with some new commentary from yours truly.

Listen now! (Or scroll down to find links to some of the stories and resources we discussed in the show.)

Resources and links from the show:

• In the show, Denise and I discussed the impact of modern-day technology and whether it’s really given us “more time”. I mentioned an article I had recently read. The link to the article no longer seems to be working, but you can read a summary and my commentary as well as my thoughts on Lillian Gilbreth of “Cheaper by the Dozen” fame.
• If you want to fall further down that “Do our appliances really make our live easier?” rabbit hole, you can check out this book: More Work for Mother.
• Buy Denise’s book Mean Moms Rule or follow her on Facebook!

Would you like to ask me a question and have it answered on the podcast?

Just record it right in your browser below, and your question might become part of the show! (Don’t see the record button? Just click this link to record.)

P.S.: If you liked this show, I’d LOVE for you to subscribe or leave a rating or review on iTunes. Here’s how to do it: 

• Visit the podcast page here and click “View in iTunes.”
• From there you’ll see an option to subscribe, and all new episodes will download to your computer or device automatically. You’ll also see a tab in iTunes called Ratings and Reviews.