Balanced Parenting
A 5-Part Series For Parents and Caregivers of Children
Featuring: Dr. Jennifer Hays-Grudo & Dr. Amanda Sheffield Morris
Reparenting The Inner Child
Featuring Jennifer Hays-Grudo, Phd & Amanda Sheffield Morris, PhD
Balanced Parenting
Dr. Jennifer Hays-Grudo & Dr. Amanda Sheffield Morris
A Parenting Series That Meets You Where You Are. Balanced Parenting is a 5-part video series for parents and caregivers of children ages 0–14. Designed to be practical, heartfelt, and easy to follow, the series helps you stay grounded, connected, and confident, even when parenting feels overwhelming.
You’ll learn how to regulate your own stress, respond to big emotions, hold boundaries with love, and repair after tough moments. Each short episode is rooted in research and real-life wisdom, created in partnership with child development experts Dr. Jennifer Hays-Grudo and Dr. Amanda Sheffield Morris. Because parenting doesn’t need perfection. It just needs presence and the right support.
WATCH THE TRAILER
- PROGRAM DETAILS:
- VIDEO
- 65 Minutes
- 5 Episodes
- Self-Help
- Personal Growth
- TARGET AUDIENCE:
- Parents
- Teachers
- Child Care Professionals
- Child Development Professionals
- Social Workers
- Mental Health Professionals
- Wellness Professionals
- TOPICS COVERED:
- Parenting
- Resilience
- Child Development
- Self-Care
- Trauma-Informed Family Dynamics
- Intergenerational-Trauma
When you feel calm and connected, your child does too. This series helps you get there with short, powerful lessons you can use right away.
HOW TO WATCH
EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE AT
PERSONAL GROWTH:
Included with your Personal Growth Membership subscription.
STANDALONE COURSE:
Also available as a single one time purchase for non-members.
Access Details:
• Personal Growth Membership: Get access to this program and all of our self-help / personal growth programs with an active membership.
• One-Time Purchase: Buy this course on its own and receive lifetime access, including additional materials & resources at courses.wholehearted.org
MEMBERSHIP IS NOT REQUIRED TO PURCHASE THE COURSE.
*Active Personal Growth Members may request access to full course materials while their membership is active.
PROGRAM DETAILS
“When you regulate yourself, you teach your child, without words, that emotions are safe and connection is always possible.”
– Dr. Jennifer Hays-Grudo
A 5-Part Video Series to Help You Parent with Confidence, Compassion, and Connection.
Parenting isn’t about getting it perfect. It’s about showing up with presence, even in the messiest moments. Balanced Parenting is a heartfelt video series created to support parents and caregivers of young children in building stronger, more connected relationships, starting with yourself.
Across five gentle and insightful episodes, you’ll explore how to stay grounded in your values, regulate your own nervous system, set boundaries with love, and repair when things go sideways. This isn’t about fixing your child. It’s about rediscovering the power of connection, emotional safety, and trust, tools that help your child thrive and help you breathe a little easier.
Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or simply want to grow, this series offers practical tools and encouragement that meet you right where you are.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to regulate your own stress so you can co-regulate with your child
- What it means to hold boundaries with kindness and consistency
- Why repair after conflict is one of the most important parenting skills
- How to align your parenting with your core values
- Simple practices to stay grounded and connected, even on hard days
This Series Is For You If:
- You’re a parent or caregiver of a young child
- You want to feel more confident and calm in your parenting
- You’re open to learning and unlearning with curiosity, not shame
- You believe that connection is more powerful than control
What’s Included:
- 5 beautifully filmed video lessons (around 10–15 minutes each)
- Actionable takeaways and real-life examples in every episode
- Supportive guidance from experts who get it
A warm, judgment-free tone rooted in compassion and growth. Let this be your invitation to step into parenting with more grace, clarity, and heart.
Disconnection happens. What matters most is how we come back, repair, and remind our children that love never leaves the room.
OVERVIEW OF EPISODES
Watch Episode One
Jennifer Hays-Grudo, PhD
Wholehearted Thought Leader
Developmental Psychologist, Author, Professor
- Notable Works:
- Director, Center for Integrative Research on Childhood Adversity (CIRCA)
- Tulsa Children’s Project (2008–2013)
- Co-Creator of the PACEs Framework
- Mass Media:
- Reparenting The Inner Child
- Balanced Parenting Series
- Raising A Resilient Child (late 2025)
- Raising A Resilient Child in a World of Adversity
- Adverse and Protective Childhood Experiences
ABOUT THE PRESENTER
“The first step to balanced parenting is knowing what kind of parent you want to be, and returning to that vision with compassion when you fall short.”
Dr. Jennifer Hays-Grudo is a developmental psychologist whose work has illuminated how early relationships shape lifelong health and resilience. As a leading expert on trauma, adversity, and protective experiences, she has spent decades researching what helps children not just survive but truly thrive.
In Balanced Parenting, Jennifer brings her deep knowledge and gentle wisdom to support caregivers in building strong, secure foundations with their children. Her research on how love, safety, and connection buffer against stress is woven into every lesson, offering parents not only science-backed guidance, but also the reassurance that small moments of presence make a lasting impact.
Jennifer’s work reminds us that even in the chaos of everyday parenting, there is always room for healing, growth, and connection. She co-developed the PACEs (Protective and Compensatory Experiences) framework and is co-author of Adverse and Protective Childhood Experiences: A Developmental Perspective and Raising A Resilient Child in a World of Adversity.
Amanda Sheffield Morris, PhD
Wholehearted Thought Leader
Developmental Scientist, Resilience Researcher, Author, Professor
- Notable Works:
- Principal Investigator, HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study
- Contributor, Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study
- Co-Creator of the PACEs Framework
- Mass Media:
- Reparenting The Inner Child
- Balanced Parenting Series
- Raising A Resilient Child (late 2025)
- Raising A Resilient Child in a World of Adversity
- Adverse and Protective Childhood Experiences
ABOUT THE PRESENTER
“A boundary held with kindness teaches more than a punishment ever could.”
Dr. Amanda Sheffield Morris is a nationally recognized expert in child development, emotion regulation, and parenting. Her research has shaped how we understand the emotional lives of children and how adults can support them with empathy, boundaries, and trust.
In Balanced Parenting, Amanda offers insight into what’s happening beneath the surface of a child’s behavior, guiding parents to become calm, emotionally attuned leaders in their child’s life. She helps caregivers understand the powerful role of co-regulation and how to bring more intention and connection into daily moments of stress and uncertainty.
Amanda’s work is rooted in the belief that parents don’t need to be perfect to be effective; they need to be present, curious, and open to learning alongside their child. She is co-creator of the PACEs framework and co-author of Adverse and Protective Childhood Experiences: A Developmental Perspective and Raising A Resilient Child in a World of Adversity. Her work continues to influence how caregivers, teachers, and clinicians support the next generation.
“Boundaries held with love are not walls. They are invitations to feel secure inside a relationship that can handle big feelings.”
- PROGRAM AUTHOR: AJ Foxx
- A/V PRODUCTION TEAM: Kyle Spencer, Sterling Knight, Ethan Webster, Michael Dugan, Colt Warren
- PHOTOGRAPHY: Lukas Foxx
- CREATIVE, ART, AND SET: AJ Foxx, Kyle Spencer, Sterling Knight, Lukas Foxx
- POST PRODUCTION & EDITING: Kyle Spencer, Tanner Mets, Kevin Milvik, Robin Livingston, Josh Gonyea-Reding
- GRAPHIC DESIGN: Jazmine Walker, Kyle Spencer
- TEAM SUPPORT, TECH, & PUBLISHING: Kevin Milvik, Dr. Julie Chatigny, Tom White
- PROGRAM TITLE: Balanced Parenting
- PRESENTED BY: Jennifer Hays-Grudo, PhD & Amanda Sheffield Morris, PhD
- YEAR PUBLISHED: 2025
- PUBLISHER: Wholehearted Publishing
- PRODUCED BY: AJ Foxx
- LANGUAGE: English, English Subtitles
- WITH GRATITUDE & LOVE FOR:
- The dedicated team at Wholehearted.org
- Jennifer & Amanda, for their excellence, integrity, support, wisdom, & steadfast dedication to science & humanity
Additional Details & FAQ
Who is this series for?
This series is for parents and caregivers of children ages 0 to 14 who want to build stronger, more connected relationships with their kids. Whether you're new to parenting, facing daily challenges, or looking for grounded and compassionate guidance—Balanced Parenting is here to support you.
Do I need any prior knowledge or training to benefit from this series?
Not at all. Balanced Parenting is made for real-life parents and caregivers. The content is warm, accessible, and filled with examples you can relate to—no special background required.
How long is each episode, and how much time will this take?
Each episode is between 10–15 minutes long. You can watch the whole series in about an hour, but most parents take it one episode at a time. You’re welcome to revisit the content whenever you need a refresh.
Is this therapy or a replacement for professional help?
No. This is not therapy or a substitute for mental health care. Balanced Parenting is an educational resource based on evidence and expertise—it’s here to support your growth and confidence, not to diagnose or treat.
What age of children is this most helpful for?
The tools and insights shared in this series are especially helpful for caregivers of children between the ages of 0 and 14. That said, the core principles—like co-regulation, emotional safety, and repair—apply to children of all ages.
Can I watch this with my partner or co-parent?
Absolutely. Watching together can spark meaningful conversations and help you build a shared approach to parenting. It’s also a great way to deepen understanding and mutual support.
Is there a cost to access the series?
The first episode is completely free to watch. If you’re a Wholehearted.org subscriber, the full series is included in your membership. Not a member? You can still purchase the entire series as a standalone course for just $49—no subscription required. That includes lifetime access.
Do I have to watch all the episodes in order?
Not at all. Each episode stands on its own and offers practical tools you can use right away. Watching in order can provide a helpful foundation, but you can jump around based on what you need most.
Can I share this with friends or my parenting group?
Yes, and we hope you do. Wholehearted.org is here to make healing and support more accessible. If you find the series helpful, please share it with others in your circle.
Are there worksheets or reflection guides?
Yes. We provide optional companion materials to help you reflect on what you’ve learned and apply it in everyday life. These can be downloaded directly from the series or course pages.
HOW TO WATCH
EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE AT
PERSONAL GROWTH:
Included with your Personal Growth Membership subscription.
STANDALONE COURSE:
Also available as a single one time purchase for non-members.
Access Details:
• Personal Growth Membership: Get access to this program and all of our self-help / personal growth programs with an active membership.
• One-Time Purchase: Buy this course on its own and receive lifetime access, including additional materials & resources at courses.wholehearted.org
MEMBERSHIP IS NOT REQUIRED TO PURCHASE THE COURSE.
*Active Personal Growth Members may request access to full course materials while their membership is active.