The Behavior Blueprint with Mandy Grass

The Summer Contract: Managing Chores, Screen Time, and Summer Chaos

Are you dreading the constant summer chorus of "I'm bored," "You never told me I had to do that," and endless screen time negotiations? You aren't alone. We all know how quickly summer can spiral into chaos, but this can be avoided if boundaries are established from day one! On this episode, Mandy shares the exact "Summer Contract" she created with her blended family. She breaks down how to differentiate rules for little kids versus teens and why having a "loose but explicit" schedule actually gives everyone more freedom. From the pages of the very contract she drew up, Mandy provides a humorous, realistic blueprint for holding both your kids and yourself accountable this summer! Tools & Resources Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠. Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

The Summer Transition: Surviving May and June So You Can Actually Enjoy July and August

Does it feel like May and June are somehow more exhausting than December? The end of the school year can be a nightmare for parents, but before you throw your hands up and abandon all structure on day one of summer, Mandy has the plan to help make this brief, but vital time period a manable one. Of course, the sudden loss of predictability often leads to irritable, fighting kids by day four. And sure, you might feel guilty for not hitting those pitch perfect summer notes that create those "core memories." No need to worry though, because this episode is here for you as Mandy shares a blueprint for setting up a loose but effective framework during those crucial first few weeks. By being intentional, you can ease into summer without creating bad habits you will have to fight until August. Tools & Resources Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠. Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

The Modern-Day Brady Bunch: Parenting Styles and Teamwork in a Blended Family with Seven Kids

If you think managing one or two kids is chaotic, imagine blending a family with seven children, two giant dogs, and up to 14 extracurricular activities! In this special episode of The Behavior Blueprint, Mandy welcomes her partner, Gerry, to share their story, how they went about blended Gerry's four boys and Mandy's three girls into a modern day Brady Bunch! Find out the thought behind why they waited months to introduce their kids and how they navigate their glaringly different parenting styles. Whether you are navigating a divorce, currently blending a family, or just want to hear how two parents can work together survive and thrive, this episode provides a candid look at building a cohesive, loving team! Tools & Resources Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠. Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

How We do It: The Shared Journal and the Five-Minute Rule

If you have ever listened to the show or seen one of Mandy's reels and thought, "does she actually do this in her own house?", this episode is for you! Mandy and two of her daughters are pulling back the curtain on their own family dynamics, as they share how they utilize shared journaling and the five-minute rule. In this special behind-the-scenes episode, Mandy, Lola, and Parker discuss how they utilize these tools, even sharing journal entries about hurt feelings, things they are personally working on, and navigating life with a stepparent. Whether you want to reduce lying or just find a way to get your kids to open up, this episode provides the blueprint Mandy and her family actually use for building trust and communication. Tools & Resources Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠. Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Behavior Blueprint Q&A: ADHD Meds, Perfectionism, Bathroom Potions, & More!

You asked, and Mandy is answering! In this special Q&A edition of the Behavior Blueprint, Mandy takes listener questions straight from Instagram to provide the deep dive answers that just won't fit into a 90-second reel. Covering everything from the logistics of starting an ADHD medication journey to managing those massive soap messes in the bathroom, this episode gets into what is on your mind as a parent. Whether you are trying to help a perfectionist child handle constructive feedback, teach an 8-year-old tone of voice, or survive bedtime with three kids sharing a single bathroom, this episode offers a comprehensive blueprint for everyday parenting dilemmas. Tools & Resources Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://thefamilybehaviorist.com%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0] Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠. Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]