What Dogs Can Teach Us About Raising Children
Andrea Robbins • April 28, 2025
Sit! Stay! Snack!
What If I Raised My Kids the Way I Treat My Dog?
As a mother, parenting coach, and dog owner, I’ve found myself wondering: What if I raised my kids the way I raise and treat my dog?
It’s a funny question at first, but the more I think about it, the more powerful it feels.
If I treated my children like I do my dog, I would:
Meet their needs without hesitation.
When my dog is tired, I let her rest. When she’s restless, I play with her or take her outside for fresh air and exercise. I trust her needs are real, and I respond without judgment or question.
Expect mistakes and stay calm about them.
If my dog ruins a toy or has an accident, I don’t think, She’s being bad. I know she’s learning and doesn’t know better. I don’t question if she’s a “good dog” or if she’s being manipulative.
Celebrate small wins.
When she listens, when she sits, when she leaves the garbage alone, I am her biggest fan and cheer her on, like she just won the Olympics. Every success is worth a joyful, encouraging celebration.
Show unconditional love, every single day.
Whether she’s behaving well or having a hard day, my love for her doesn’t change. She knows she is safe and loved with me, NO MATTER WHAT.
Imagine raising our kids with that lens:
- Meeting their needs without judgment.
- Understanding and expecting mistakes as part of growth.
- Celebrating steps forward.
- Offering love that doesn’t waver based on behavior or performance.
If I raised my kids like I treat my dog, I imagine they would grow up believing they are capable, worthy, and resilient. They would take risks, bounce back (and learn) from mistakes, and feel confident in who they are, because they would trust that they are enough.
And the truth is, we don’t have to imagine it.
We can start today!
Lead with love
Respond with patience
Celebrate every small win
Our kids don’t need perfection from us. They need our consistency, our patience, our understanding, and our unwavering belief in their growth and who they are becoming.
Let’s work together! I’d love to support you on your journey.
You can schedule a FREE consultation call here
and take the first step!
How to build resiliency
Help your child repair and learn from mistakes
There's a reason why your child does better on school days
I'm really excited to share something new I've been working on! I'm creating a Parenting Toolkit , and the first resource of the bunch, The Cooperation Playbook, is finally here! The idea rose from my work with parents, where I kept seeing the same need: parents who want practical tools they can use in the moment, something they can easily access when they're completely overwhelmed and wondering, "What now?!" If you're a parent who is tired of repeating yourself (only to have your child still not listen) and getting stuck in power struggles, this is for you. In the Playbook , I break down the challenges behind your child not listening. Here you'll learn 6 tools to meet your child where they are, hold boundaries, and gain cooperation without yelling, threats, bribes, or rewards. You can find The Cooperation Playbook here or The full Cooperation Bundle here. The bundle includes: The Cooperation Playbook (11 pages), 2 bonus cooperation tools, a cooperation script library, and a guide on how to motivate your child for lasting cooperation I'm happy to answer any questions; you can respond directly to this email. Warmly, Andrea Robbins, M.Ed | Parent Coach | Parenting Vistas
Tips for a smoother start
What Charlie Brown was Trying to Tell Us
...and how it relates to parenting
The dreaded public meltdown
5 Simple Ways to Connect With Your Toddler (That Actually Leads to Cooperation and Resiliency) Connection isn’t something extra to do when there’s “time”. It's something you build into your everyday moments, and it’s what makes everything else work. 1. Get on their level Sit on the floor, make eye contact, and enter their world. This instantly decreases power struggles and invites connection (and cooperation) 2. 10 minutes of “Special Time” Let your toddler lead the play. No phone. No directing. Even 10-minutes of child-led play will fill their connection cup 3. Narrate: “I see you” “You're stacking the blocks so tall.” This helps your toddler feel seen and builds language at the same time. 4. Make transitions playful Transitions are hard for many toddlers, and they will resist being met with control. Toddlers typically respond better to connection and playfulness. This will lower resistance instantly. “Can you hop like a bunny (stomp like a dinosaur) to put your shoes on (brush your teeth)?” 5. Redo & Repair When things go off the rails, “Want a do-over?” “Can you try asking me again?” We all lose it sometimes, “I don’t like how I yelled. I’m working on staying calm.” These allow for learning from mistakes and building skills without shame. “Perfect” parenting is never the goal, but authentic parenting is. If you want to parent this way, but find yourself getting stuck in the moment, that's exactly what I help with in my program. Come join!
Connection Changes Everything in Parenting Most parenting advice focuses on behavior: how to get kids to listen, follow directions, and cooperate. But under all that is something powerful: CONNECTION! Connection is what makes your parenting effective. (It’s not being loud, strict, or controlling) Connection is the foundation on which everything else is built. From the moment your child is born, you begin building this relationship. It is shaped day by day through how you respond, the way you set limits, and the way you show up. At its core, connection is what helps your child feel safe, understood, and secure with you. And when that’s in place, your guidance has somewhere to land. Why Connection Matters When connection is strong, things shift. Your child is more apt to cooperate. Power struggles don’t escalate as quickly. There’s more ease and willingness Not because you’re forcing it, but because of your relationship, your child wants to stay connected to you. This doesn’t mean everything becomes easy, but it does mean you’re working with your child instead of always pushing against them. What Connection Looks Like Connection isn’t big, grand gestures. It’s built in small, consistent ways: Giving your child your full attention, even for a few minutes Getting down on their level and being physically present Acknowledging their feelings without rushing to fix them Moments of play and lightness Following through on boundaries in a calm, predictable way These moments build trust over time, and that makes your parenting more effective. In the Hard Moments This is where connection matters most. When your child is melting down, refusing, or pushing limits, it can be easy to react quickly and escalate the situation, but connection gives you another way. Instead of meeting intensity with intensity, you can pause, get close, and lower your voice. You can hold a boundary and still communicate, “I’m here. You’re safe. I’ve got this.” This calm leadership and emotional safety are what will help your kids settle and re-engage. It’s Not About Being Perfect Connection doesn’t mean you never lose your patience or yell. You will. What matters is that you come back. You repair. You reconnect. Authenticity builds a strong, lasting relationship, and that’s the goal, not perfection. Any questions? Reach out. I'd love to hear from you. Best, Andrea Robbins, M.Ed | Parent Coach | Parenting Vistas