Guess what? It’s my blogiversary (insert noisemaker sound effect and fireworks here)!

On November 20, 2012, I began this blog with a post about giving thanks with your children. This Thanksgiving, I’m also grateful to my readers, subscribers, students, teachers, and fellow parents everywhere who believe in the benefits of calm and connected parenting.

 

I started writing to share my passion for helping people become the best parents they can be, focusing on their behavior, rather than making kids the center of attention. I’ve tried as much as possible to write about my own experiences and to share my parenting struggles, while offering suggestions and insights I’ve learned from making my own mistakes and discoveries.

 

I was really delighted when one reader named Larry noticed this and commented. He wrote: “The fact that you share so many of your own experiences makes your observations and suggestions believable so that I feel personally connected rather than being preached to.”

 

A year ago, I never could have imagined that so many people would follow the blog every week. It’s such an honor to read each one of your comments and learn about the positive impact the blog has made on your life.

 

♦ In response to “You Can’t Make Me,” Camesha wrote: “So much of what you said resonates with me…I have to stop and think often about the feelings of my three year old before I respond to him. I try to see things from his point of view. That changes my response to him every time. There are plenty of great nuggets in this post. Very helpful!”

 

♦ After reading “Put More Play In Your Day,” Angela said: “This is such an important reminder, thank you. I try to play with my kids a little each day and just be in the moment…but, it’s not as often as I’d like…I am going to try to be more intentional about it!”

 

♦ About “8 Essentials For Less Family Drama,” Michael responded: “This blog entry of yours could fit nicely into a blog I’d call ‘Less Drama Better Management.'”

 

♦ And Lauren commented on “What 10 Years Of Marriage Have Taught Me”: “Thank you! That’s really all I can say. My husband and I just got married in December and this first year has proved difficult…It’s nice to know I’m not alone.”

 

Thanks to all of you for supporting the ideas and practice of Less Drama More Mama over the past year.

 

Here are some fun statistics —

52 – number of posts in the first year
6,969 – number of times the blog has been viewed
72 – number of countries where the blog has been viewed
118 – highest number of blog views in one day
“Are You A Needy Parent?“ – post most read

 

As I embark on year #2, I’d like to know more about you — specifically, what struggles you’re dealing with and how I can help.

 

I’ve created a short survey below.  It will only take you two or three minutes to answer, and your responses will give me a better sense of who I’m writing for and what to write about for the next 52 weeks.  As an incentive, when you complete the survey, you can also enter to win a FREE 30-minute coaching call with me.  During the call I’ll help you problem-solve whatever you consider to be one of your toughest parenting dilemmas.

 

If you’d rather not enter the Giveaway, please still fill out the survey below and click “submit.”

 

Thanks in advance! I look forward to coaching three of you next month!

 

Free Coaching Giveaway

To enter for a chance to get free coaching, simply complete the survey below and click “submit.” Then, click on the Rafflecopter widget to earn your entry. Facebook fans of Less Drama More Mama will receive an additional entry.

 

The contest will be open until Monday, December 2 at 11:59pm EST. Three (3) winners will be randomly selected from all eligible entries. Winners will be announced in the December 3rd blog post and individually contacted via email.

 

*Some of the fine print (see the full Terms and Conditions on the Rafflecopter widget below). No purchase necessary. This giveaway is held by Less Drama More Mama and is in no way affiliated with Facebook. Winners will need to schedule their 30 minute coaching call for a mutually convenient time agreed to by Pam Howard and Winners. Winners will be responsible for any long distance charges incurred when calling Pam. If Winners fail to keep their appointment or cancel within 12 hours of their appointment time, their session will be considered forfeited. Winners will be asked to submit a coaching form at least 12 hours prior to the session in order to maximize session time. Coaching sessions must be redeemed during the month of December 2013.

Now, click below to enter the giveaway.

a Rafflecopter giveaway