E015 Parenting Is Not About Raising Happy Children with Anita Cleare

Parenting isn’t about producing happy, perfect children - it’s about building a strong relationship with the child in front of you.In this episode of Coach Me If You Can, Peter Weller is joined by parenting expert Anita Cleare (postgraduate degree in Child Development, author, and founder of the Thinking Parenting blog). Together, they step into six real parenting case studies — two from the Weller household and four submitted anonymously by listeners through our survey:Toothbrushing Revolt (3, host household) — a nightly standoff with sealed lips and piercing screams.Lentil Soup Standoff (3, host household) — mozzarella wins, lentils lose, ice cream demands follow.Holiday Meltdown (6, listener household) — “I want to go home” on repeat during a dream trip to France.The Phone Glow (pre-teen, listener household) — when screens start to matter more than family.Mealtime Chaos (1.5 + 6, listener household) — siblings derail dinner until the TV saves the day.The Not Hearing Zone (7, listener household) — a child who only responds once parents yell.From tantrums to tech, Anita brings psychology, empathy, and strategy to the moments parents struggle with most. Along the way, she busts myths and reframes parenting’s toughest paradox:Parenting isn’t about controlling kids. It’s about managing ourselves in the storm.What you’ll learn in this episode:How to stay calm in the supermarket storm instead of panickingWhy toddlers and teens both turn routines into power strugglesHow to set limits on phones without losing connectionWhy giving in to a tantrum once won’t ruin your authorityThe real goal of parenting — not happiness, but relationshipSponsored by InnerBuddiesYour parenting energy starts with your health. Did you know your gut microbiome influences not just digestion, but also mood, focus, and resilience? InnerBuddies helps you understand your inner ecosystem with a personalized microbiome test.💡 Get 15% off with code: WELLERGUTS👉 www.innerbuddies.comDiscover more:Anita Cleare – Thinking Parenting Blog | Author of The Work/Parent Switch and The Working Parent’s Survival GuidePeter Weller – LinkedIn | Coach Me If You CanHave a question for Peter?Want to recommend a coach, request a topic, or volunteer to be coached on the show?✉️ Email: [email protected] & ShareIf this episode helped you, please subscribe — and share it with one parent who needs to hear this today. That’s how we grow this community and bring more calm into the chaos.