Heidi Smith Luedtke

Does Detachment Parenting Stifle Self-Expression?

Heidi Smith Luedtke — Sun, 19 May 2013 11:40:12 +0000

My writing colleague and mentor, Christina Katz, is hosting a month-long giveaway of books written by women authors. Today, I’m happy to be the featured author. I am giving three copies of Detachment Parenting to three lucky winners. Hop by her site to read a quick interview I did with her on the topic of [...]

What does mothering mean? And how do you mother yourself?

Heidi Smith Luedtke — Sun, 12 May 2013 14:47:38 +0000

My writing coach and friend, Christina Katz, is currently hosting what must be the mother of all giveaways! Each year in May she celebrates moms and women authors with a giant book (and e-book) giveaway. You can see the list of authors and prizes here. To enter the drawing, readers must respond to the question [...]

Stages of Motherhood: Take a Look on the Light Side

Heidi Smith Luedtke — Tue, 07 May 2013 20:10:05 +0000

In my article, Grow with the Flow (How to Thrive at Each Stage of Motherhood), I interviewed moms about their biggest challenges and joys at their current stage of parenting. The article appears in several regional parenting magazines this month, including Atlanta Parent. You can read it here. Of course, I gave each stage [...]

Teaching Kids about Disappointment (Or, Why I’m Not Going on the Kindergarten Field Trip)

Heidi Smith Luedtke — Mon, 06 May 2013 09:33:43 +0000

My son’s kindergarten field trip is coming up this week and I am sad to say I won’t be going. The kids will be visiting a historical sight here in northern Virginia, and the class is allowed to take 4 parent chaperones along for the adventure. In order to make it fair for all parents [...]

Are You In a Bad Mood? Change Your Words to Change Your Perspective

Heidi Smith Luedtke — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 11:59:11 +0000

The power of words never ceases to amaze me. And I don’t say that just because I am a writer. Words have a powerful influence on the way people experience the world. If you are in a bad mood, the chances are pretty good that it’s been caused — or complicated — by the words [...]

Stress Management Techniques for Moms: 3 Ways to Give Up Control

Heidi Smith Luedtke — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 14:55:25 +0000

The stress of being a mom can be overwhelming, especially when kids’ emotions get out of control. I often wish I had 36 hours in a day and an extra set of arms attached to my body. Eyes in the back of my head would help, too. Let’s face it: I am more interested in [...]

How to Break Out of Bad Moods

Heidi Smith Luedtke — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 12:59:20 +0000

Some days I think bad moods are more highly contagious than the flu. Sitting in stalled traffic on our morning commute, one driver honks and surges forward in frustration. Those around him start driving more aggressively as well. In classes or meetings, I sense the frustration of people around me and find myself growing impatient [...]

Bra is Good

Heidi Smith Luedtke — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 14:17:40 +0000

When you’re learning a foreign language, it helps to use tricks to remember the details. Mnemonic devices are mental strategies that connect new facts with previous learning so they get hooked into your memory system instead of floating around in your brain untethered. These connections make it easier to retrieve information by giving us cognitive [...]

Let Them See You Sweat

Heidi Smith Luedtke — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 10:08:46 +0000

When was the last time you did something so far outside your comfort zone that it made you anxious? I’m not talking about “What if this recipe flops and we have to order pizza?” jitters. I’m talking about “What if I made a complete fool of myself and have to cry it out in the [...]

My Parenting New Year’s Resolution – Words of Affirmation

Heidi Smith Luedtke — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 15:54:50 +0000

“The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice.” –Peggy O’ Mara Since I read this quote last month, it has been rattling around in my brain. It reminds me that language holds immense power – we can use words to educate, to inspire and to nurture. Or we can inadvertently drag [...]