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Betsy Brown Braun

Child Development and Behavior Specialist. Parent Educator. Best Selling Author

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Well Said

Betsy’s Favorite Expressions and Phrases

With over 40 years of experience working with parents and children, in education, and a best selling book to boot, it is no surprise that child development and behavioral specialist, Betsy Brown Braun, has developed some favorite expressions when talking to parents about parenting and their kids.

Below you will find a list of the expressions and phrases that Betsy is known for using in her  parenting groups, seminars, presentations, and  consultations.

  • You are who you are when not one is looking.
  • What goes in their ears goes out their mouths.
  • There is no mirror that shows your reflection quite as accurately as your children.
  • All behavior is motivated.
  • What you ignore, you permit.
  • There is no such thing as perfect.
  • Prepare the child for the path, not the path for the child.
  • Every problem is an opportunity in disguise.
  • You are only as happy as your least happy child.
  • The surest way to make life hard for your child is to make it too easy.
  • The best things in life aren’t things.
  • Hurt people, hurt people.
  • Children are the only ones who can grow their brains.
  • The fundamental job of a toddler is to rule the universe.
  • Children do not get better if they are not uncomfortable.
  • “No device or screen can match the HD quality of the actual world.” (Louis CK)
  • “A child who has not been bandaged has not been well parented.” (Dr. Benjamin Spock)
  • “Be quick but don’t hurry.”  (John Wooden)
  • “A parent’s full attention is a form of love.” (Daniel Goleman)
  • The best time to start talking to your child about money is when he will no longer eat it. 
  • One yes will sustain your child through a thousand no’s.
  • You choose the behavior, you choose the consequence.
  • Do I look like the kind of mommy who is going to change her mind?
  • “Do not lose sight of the fact that the most important door that a child walks through for his education is the front door.” (Rahm Emanuel)
  • “Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they never fail to imitate them.”  (James Baldwin)
  • “If a child feels right, he acts right.”  (Haim Ginott)
  • Wisdom is learning what to overlook.
  • Biology is NOT destiny.
  • “When your children are teenagers, it’s important to have a dog so that someone in the house is happy to see you.”  (Nora Ephron)
  • To be old and wise, first you must be young and stupid. (author unknown)

Expressions/Labels to Keep in Mind

  • The terrific twos;
  • The theatrical threes;
  • The f-#&%*ing fours;
  • The fabulous fives;
  • The satanic sixes;
  • The sour sevens;
  • The elated eights.
  • Learned deafness <(The affliction that grows in children of parents who talk too much.)
  • Reuterate (What the child who is so extremely attached to his mommy wants to do–climb back in!)
  • Praise addiction (The affliction of children who have been told “good job” too much.) 
  • Verbal doggie biscuits (The automatic expression of praise carelessly tossed out to a child – “good job”.)
  • Blah Blah Blah, Ginger (A reference to parents who talk too much.)
  • Affluenza (The illness that accompanies over-privilege.)
  • The Rotating Pill Position (The position held by the child in the family who is needing the most attention at that time. Among siblings, they take turns and no two children seem to be pills at the same time. It rotates.)
  • Lousy Local Conditions (When the environment sabotages a person’s ability to be his best self – too tired, too hungry, too many errands – or when the expectations are inappropriate to the child – asking a two year old to be quiet in the library.)


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"I do know so deeply what you have brought to me, Stephane, and the girls as a family.  They would definitely be little assholes without my Betsy’s wise words over the years LOL." -Katy Strouk - Mom of 2 girls--a teen and post college girl.

My wife and I watched your Discipline Video last night . It was ENORMOUSLY helpful...45 years of wisdom in 45 minutes!

-Brian Goldsmith, father of two young children

When you [Betsy] speak, everything just sort of clicks and all the chaos going on around us seems to have order once again. We really appreciate your help and insight.

-Carter Horton Thomas, father of two girls

Betsy is quite simply pure magic. Through the ups and downs of parenting, she is a constant source of tremendous guidance, , wisdom, and comfort. Having Betsy as a trusted resource, as I navigate life with two boys, is truly a blessing.

-Rebecca Jonah, mother of two boys

I have participated in Betsy’s groups and private consultations over the past decade-plus. I find her guidance to be experience and research-based. And I respond to her no-bullshit directness. Her support helps me feel like I am working to be the best mom I can be; knowledgeable, present, and open. Being in the groups has given me so much confidence as a parent, plus camaraderie and lifelong friends with my fellow mom members. Betsy is the rock, sounding board, expert, and friend everyone needs while navigating the parenting journey.

-Meredith Alexander, mother of two boys

Betsy is quite simply pure magic. Through the ups and downs of parenting (and life!), she is a constant source of tremendous guidance and wisdom and comfort. Having Betsy as a trusted resource (who has literally seen it all) as I navigate life with two boys is truly a blessing.

-Rebecca Jonah, mother of two boys

You’re like a drug and it’s hard to get enough of your wisdom so thank you!

-Maryam Shahrokhi, Pediatrician in LA

Your voice is so often in my head as I navigate the adventures (good, bad, and yes, sometimes ugly) of parenting. I can’t imagine what I would have done all these years without it...it’s like a touchstone that keeps me on track.

-Thea Andrews Wolf, mom of 2 middle school boys

We’ve been overwhelmed by the outpouring of positive response in our community from the PA Forum Betsy held for our Middle and High School parents. We are all discussing our implementation of her practical, meaningful advice - from how to respond to our teen's and tween’s meltdowns to how to deal with their messy rooms. Additionally she helped frame parenting (and over-parenting) during this challenging time as well as normalize our parental anxieties.Thank you Betsy!

-Leigh Morales, MS PA Forum Chair, The Greenhill School, Dallas TX

A parenting guru.

-The New York Times

Betsy offers the clearest, calming, and most helpful advice there is on parenting...She's like having the smartest, coolest, and amazingly right mom just a phone call away.

-Jane Buckingham, Author of The Modern Girls Guide to Life and The Modern Girls Guide to Motherhood

Betsy Brown Braun is a fine observer of children…

-Dr. Robert M. Landaw, Pediatrician

Betsy keeps it real. She respects parents and children and gives parents the straight scoop about productive communication. I turn to her insights again and again.

-Alexis Bircoll Martin, mother of two

Your talk really helped me in becoming a more “open” parent and less worried about little things that really don’t matter and restrict kids in a negative way.

-Nina Hong, mother

Betsy got me over the bumps of raising two young boys and over the moguls of raising teenage boys. She is my rock.

-Deidra Hall

Betsy’s private consultations are fabulous. She has a gift for understanding all different types of children and giving advice that works for your particular child.

-Craig Mallery

I love the way you think and how clear you make the issues seem. You are so brilliant and I love how perceptive and straightforward you are. You anchor me and the things you say make a lot of sense.

-Leigh Nickoll, Marriage and Family Counselor

Betsy is always able to come up with simple and unique approaches to common parenting problems as well as more complex issues. What she says makes good sense and always works...

-Joanna VanTrees Cowitt, mother of a boy and a girl, Los Angeles, CA

Betsy Brown Braun is a master teacher and one of the wisest parenting experts I have ever known.

-Steven Carr Reuben, Ph.D., author of Children of Character

Betsy is a wise, humorous, and caring advisor... Due in large part to Betsy, we are smarter parents and our children are happier and healthier as a result.

-Steven Webber, father of two boys

Betsy Brown Braun’s class has been an incredible experience for me. Her wisdom, combined with a rare and wonderful sense of humor, has helped me become a better parent.

-Deborah Gleiberman, mother of three children

Betsy is our modern-day version of the ‘village elder’ from whom we all seek counsel. Her suggestions have enabled me to respond to my children’s questions and curiosity in a way that respects their intelligence without confusing them.

-Paulina Ladreyt, mother of twin boys, Santa Monica, CA

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Seminars, groups and consulting
Engagements, media, presentations, and video seminars
Just Tell Me What to Say and You’re Not The Boss of Me. Buy them today!
On Demand Parenting Seminars.
Read the latest blog posts from Betsy.

Betsy Brown Braun

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