Posts filed under ‘Parenting’
Writing, Teaching, Creating… and What’s Next ✨
🌟 Big Summer Updates! 🌟
This summer has been a season of growth and creativity:
✅ Finished 2 books (including my upcoming Father–Son book 🎉).
✅ Wrote a feature film screenplay based on Pampered Prince.
✅ Accepted into UChicago’s Polsky Exchange Market Navigator program!
As I get ready to teach at Chicago City Colleges this fall, I’m also excited to continue motivating parents through workshops and classes.
💌 Want details? Email me!
📚 Interested in hosting a book signing for Fathers & Sons: Raising Boys Through Dinosaurs, Testosterone & Girls? Let’s connect!
💜 Thank you for being part of my community. Your support keeps me inspired to write, teach, and share. Stay tuned—there’s so much more to come!
P.S. If you enjoyed this update, please share it with a friend or fellow parent who might find inspiration here too. 💫
C. Lynn Williams, #MsParentguru
Breakfast, a Cell Phone, and Space Between Fathers & Sons
Today, before I started working on this semester’s classes, my husband and I went out for breakfast. We were enjoying our meal when I noticed a young man—late teens, maybe early 20s—come in, get his breakfast, and sit alone at a table.
About 30 minutes later, a middle-aged man walked in. He took his time getting coffee and a danish before finally sitting at the same table as the young man. I assumed right away that they were father and son.
Here’s the part that caught my attention: the man stayed on his cell phone almost the entire time. He barely acknowledged the young man. No small talk. No eye contact. Just scrolling and talking. After a while, he tossed his coffee cup, stepped outside, and continued his call.
Now, maybe I should have minded my own breakfast. But my extroverted side got the best of me. I told my husband, “I’m going to see if he’ll talk to me.”
I walked over, smiled, and asked if I could join him. I told him I was writing a book about fathers and sons, and I was curious about his interaction with the man who’d just left. Was that his father?
“Yes,” he said, and explained that his dad was on a work call. No big deal. “We’re very close.”
I thanked him for his time and returned to my table.
On the way out, my husband made a good point: “You know, he would never tell you if he was annoyed or having problems with his dad. That’s not guy language to share with a stranger.”
That stuck with me. How many moments do fathers and sons spend together without really connecting—either because one is distracted, or because neither is in the habit of speaking openly? How often does love go unspoken because “that’s just not how guys talk”?
I believe those small everyday moments matter. Even if it’s just coffee and a Danish, even if there’s no deep conversation, the choice to be present—fully present—can strengthen a bond in ways words can’t always capture.
It’s moments like these that inspired me to write my upcoming book, Fathers & Sons: Raising Boys Through Dinosaurs, Testosterone & Girls. In it, I share stories, strategies, and real-life insight to help dads not just show up—but truly connect with their sons.
If you’re a father, son, or parent who wants to build that kind of connection, I’d love for you to be part of my community. You can follow me here, or visit clynnwilliams.com to stay updated on the book release and grab free resources for your parenting journey.
C. Lynn Williams, #MsParentguru
Part 2: You’re Not Asking Too Much – You’re Asking for Partnership
Today’s blog emphasizes the importance of discussing household responsibilities in partnerships to address imbalances that often burden women. It encourages open and honest conversations about shared responsibilities and emotional support. Effective communication is crucial to foster equity and strengthen relationships, ensuring both partners feel heard and valued.
Today, We’re Doing the Best We Can – And That’s Enough
Ever have one of those days where even your coffee needs a coffee?
Yeah… same here.
Parenting isn’t always polished. Some days we’re superheroes, and other days we’re hiding in the bathroom just to breathe for 2 minutes. (No judgment — we’ve all done it.)
Here’s the thing: your love, effort, and presence matter — even on the messy days. Especially on the messy days.
So if the dishes are still in the sink, your teen gave you attitude before breakfast, or your toddler is on their third meltdown of the hour… take a breath. You’re not failing. You’re just parenting.
Let’s give ourselves (and our kids) a little more grace today.
💜 P.S. If today feels heavy or uncertain, know this: you are not alone.
Whether you’re raising littles, guiding teens, or navigating adult children – you’re doing your best.
And that is enough.
✨If you need a little extra encouragement or practical tools, my books are here for you – just like I am.
📚 clynnwilliams.com/books might be the boost you need this week. 💪🏽
Let’s keep giving ourselves (and our kids) the grace to grow.
C. Lynn Williams, #MsParentguru
Parent Coach, Author & Speaker
When Your Spouse Is Driving You Nuts: Speak Now, Later… or Not at All?
Let’s talk about the moments we don’t post on Instagram.
The ones where your spouse is not charming, thoughtful, or helpful—but is instead being downright obnoxious, insufferable, or just plain irritating.
Maybe it’s snapping for no reason. Or saying things with a tone that makes you want to sleep in another room.
Or maybe it’s insisting on going on vacation while coughing up a lung, ignoring both your concern and the fact that we still live in a world where germs exist.
Yes—this happened. We were packed, ready, and excited. And he insisted, “I’ll be fine,” while hacking into his sleeve like it was no big deal. I wanted to say, “What about me? What about everyone else?”
But instead, I bit my tongue. At least at first.
So what do you do when your spouse is being… a lot?
You ask yourself:
Do I speak now? Wait until later? Or let it go entirely?
✅ Speak Now — if you’re calm
In that moment, I wasn’t calm. I was irritated, worried, and frustrated. So instead of speaking from a centered place, I would’ve spoken from a triggered one. That would have made things worse.
But if you can speak in the moment from a grounded place, you might say:
“Hey, this doesn’t feel thoughtful of me—or others. Can we slow down and talk through this?”
⏳ Speak Later — when emotions settle
On day two of that trip, when we were both more relaxed, I brought it up. I told him how I felt—about the germs, yes, but also about the disregard. It wasn’t about the cough. It was about how he made the decision without considering me.
That conversation went better because we weren’t in the heat of the moment.
🤐 Say Nothing? Sometimes…
There are times when silence is grace. But it can’t be your go-to if you’re feeling disrespected or unseen. Otherwise, silence becomes a slow burn of resentment.
Here’s the truth:
Marriage is full of moments like these. And navigating them takes more than patience—it takes intention.
So the next time your spouse is acting out or acting up, ask yourself:
What will serve this relationship best—right now, later, or letting it go?
Not every moment needs a fight. But every relationship needs honesty, even if it comes with a cough. 😷
C. Lynn Williams, #MsParentguru
Your Presence is the Gift, Your Wisdom the Legacy
In a world that celebrates doing, fixing, and achieving, it’s easy for grandparents to feel like they have to “do it all” for their grandchildren—bake the cookies, show up at every event, solve the problems, and protect little hearts from ever hurting.
But let’s take a breath and remember this truth: Your presence is the gift. Your wisdom is the legacy.
As a grandparent, you don’t have to compete with Pinterest-perfect snacks or try to parent all over again. What your grandkids really need—what they will remember long after the toys and treats—is you.
They’ll remember how you made them feel safe. How your hug melted their worries.
How you listened—really listened—without judgment or distraction.
How you shared your stories, even the hard ones, because they helped your grandchildren know they come from strong, resilient people.
I know this because I had a “Goose”.
That’s what I called my grandmother.
If you’ve ever played Hide & Seek, you know the feeling—when you finally reach the “Goose,” you’re safe.
That’s exactly what my grandmother was to me. Her home was peaceful and loving, a soft place to land when life felt too loud. Somehow, she seemed to peer into my soul and just know when my worlds were colliding.
She didn’t have to say much. She was calm, steady, and deeply present.
She was my heart. ❤️✌️
So if you ever wonder whether you’re doing “enough,” remember this: showing up with love and wisdom is enough.
In fact, it’s everything.
💬 Reflect & Share:
Think back to a moment with your grandparent—or a grandparent figure—that left a lasting impression on you. What did they say or do that made you feel deeply loved or understood?
👉🏽 Share your memory in the comments. Or, if you’re a grandparent, tell us: What legacy do you hope to leave your grandchildren?
Want to learn more about how to get along with your family members? Contact me – Ms. Parent Guru to receive information about my inspiring parenting programs for Mothers and Daughters, Mothers and Sons, Fathers and Daughters or Fathers and Sons.
Click Here to become a part of my parenting community.
C. Lynn Williams, #MsParentguru
Parent Coach, Author & Speaker
3 Ways to Reclaim Your Identity Without Mom Guilt
As moms, we’re conditioned to give.
We give our time.
Our energy.
Our sleep.
Our peace.
And often, we do it so automatically that we don’t even realize how much of ourselves we’ve poured out—until we’re running on empty, feeling resentful, or lost in the constant shuffle of motherhood, work, and expectations.
But here’s the truth:
You deserve to be on your own priority list.
You deserve balance that doesn’t feel like a juggling act.
You deserve boundaries that protect your peace.
You deserve to feel whole—not just as a mom, but as you.
✨ Here are 3 simple ways to start reclaiming your identity—without the mom guilt:
- Schedule “You Time” Like an Appointment
Even 15 minutes a day to journal, walk, read, or just be can remind you that your needs matter too. Don’t cancel on yourself. - Say “Yes” to Help and “No” to Overload
You don’t have to do it all to be a good mom. Saying “no” isn’t selfish—it’s self-respect. - Reconnect with What Lights You Up
Whether it’s painting, dancing, writing, or brunch with friends—do more of what feels like you. The more you nourish your spirit, the more you can pour into others with joy, not depletion.
You are still you. And you’re allowed to take up space—in your life and in your family—without guilt.
Click Here to become a part of my parenting community.
C. Lynn Williams, #MsParentguru
Parent Coach, Author & Speaker
A Hug for Fathers 💙
To the Fathers Who Read These Words
This Father’s Day season, I wanted to offer you something simple, but full of meaning:
A hug in a poem—for all you fathers who show up, quietly and courageously, every day.
A Hug for Fathers
By C. Lynn Williams
This is your moment, just take it in—
A breath, a pause, a whisper within.
You do so much, you give your all,
You show up strong, though you may fall.
You carry weight no one can see,
But still you lead your family.
With quiet hands and thoughtful eyes,
You teach your children how to rise.
Whether you’re changing diapers, making meals,
Coaching from sidelines, or making deals—
Whether your home is full or your heart still waits,
You are a father, and that’s something great.
So here’s a hug tucked in this rhyme,
A thank-you for your love and time.
For every “yes,” for every “try,”
For being there—you are the why.
Keep leading, loving, growing, too.
The world is better because of you.
From my heart to yours—Happy Father’s Day.
And to my own dad, whom I miss every day—thank you for showing me what love looks like. 💙
C. Lynn Williams
Coach | Speaker | Mom Advocate
The Bond That Shapes Us: A Heartfelt Look at Mother-Daughter Relationships
The relationship between mothers and daughters is complex, embodying both comfort and heartache. It shapes emotional resilience and nurturing. Healing strained connections requires understanding, grace, and vulnerability. It’s never too late to rebuild trust and reconnect with love. Supportive resources and coaching are available for those seeking harmony in these relationships.
Raising Responsible Kids: How Small Tasks Build Big Character
Ms. Parentguru reflects on the importance of household chores in childhood, emphasizing how they teach responsibility, character, and a sense of ownership. By entrusting children with tasks slightly beyond their abilities, parents foster growth and encourage a mindset focused on contribution rather than entitlement, ultimately shaping a strong work ethic and resilience.
Staying Sane While Raising Your Teens 
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