Welcome to HeartFirstParenting
Hi, I’m Gulden — a mother, lifelong learner, and the heart behind HeartFirstParenting. This space was born from my personal journey as a mom of two boys: a curious toddler and a bright 10-year-old who was diagnosed with ADHD at an early age. Parenting him has taught me more than any book or course ever could—about patience, resilience, and the deep power of truly seeing and supporting your child for who they are.
HeartFirstParenting is where I share what I’ve learned (and am still learning) through everyday parenting, trial and error, and an ever-growing commitment to understanding kids’ emotional worlds.
My Parenting Philosophy
I believe parenting is less about getting it all “right” and more about staying connected—heart first.
I focus on:
Seeing behavior as communication
Supporting emotional needs before solving problems
Building trust through empathy, consistency, and calm
Creating strong relationships that grow with your child
You won’t find one-size-fits-all advice here. Instead, this space is built on real experiences, thoughtful reflection, and a shared belief that parenting with presence and heart makes all the difference.
What You’ll Find on HeartFirstParenting
Whether you’re navigating a diagnosis, trying to connect with your tween, or just surviving toddlerhood with your sanity intact, this blog is here to support you.
I write about:
Understanding kids’ emotional needs (especially with ADHD or sensitive temperaments)
Gentle, relationship-centered discipline
Building deeper connections with your children
Real talk on parenting wins, struggles, and everything in between
Creative ways to connect with teens and tweens (inspired by my experience with my four nephews)
A Bit More About Me
Though I’m not a parenting expert by profession, I’ve become a passionate student of childhood development, behavior, and emotional resilience. With two boys of my own and a close relationship with my four teenage nephews, I’ve had a front-row seat to a wide range of ages, personalities, and parenting challenges.
At heart, I’m someone who believes that families grow stronger when we share our stories—and that no parent should feel like they’re figuring it out alone.
Let’s Stay Connected
If something you read here resonates with you, I’d love to hear from you. You can reach out through the Contact page or connect with me on Pinterest.
Thank you for being here. I hope HeartFirstParenting gives you a little more clarity, comfort, and confidence as you raise your amazing humans.
From my heart to yours,
Gulden