Now I have to pack everything I own… I know people mean well, but leaving the house with kids is never as simple as it sounds 💀 Before we even make it to the car, I’m running through a million things in my head. Did everyone eat? Do we have snacks? Water? Will someone need to use the potty 10 minutes into the drive? Is anyone already one minor inconvenience away from a full meltdown? Is this going to mess up nap time? And when they were babies it was bottles, diapers, wipes, extra clothes, pumping…. the checklist just changes with every stage. 😭😭😭😭 I appreciate the invite, I do! But like, I’ll see you in a couple years ok 😂

This can be a hard message to hear, and it is NOT meant to feel discouraging Children are ALWAYS learning from the adults around them. From how we handle stress, how we respond in tough moments, and what patterns get repeated over time. And no this doesn’t mean to try to do everything perfectly. We just want to encourage you to notice that those small, everyday interactions add up, and those moments shape a lot of what we see later on! Even small changes in OUR responses can support big changes over time. 😊

To the people who smile at the overwhelmed mom on the flight instead of judging her… thank you. You probably have no idea how much that means. 🤍

A little behind the scenes 😭 If you ever catch me randomly hitting mute during a parent coaching call, I promise I’m not ignoring you. I’m just protecting your ears from the occasional kid chaos happening in the background. 😭😭😭 This is also one of the reasons many of our coaching sessions are scheduled after bedtime. It gives us the best chance to have a quiet, uninterrupted conversation where we can really focus on you and your child! 😊 Parents... especially now that it’s summer, tell me I’m not the only one who occasionally has to multitask. 😅

This is a snippet from our latest podcast episode where we talk about the role of parents, especially when one parent becomes the “preferred parent.” One thing we want parents to know is that the preferred parent isn’t always the one carrying the biggest load. We talk to so many families where one parent is managing the routines, appointments, boundaries, homework, bedtime, and all the day-to-day responsibilities. Then the other parent, who may not be around as often, walks through the door and gets all the smiles, excitement, and requests to play. Tbh this can be hurtful…. If this is your reality, here are a few reminders: 🤍 Your child’s preference is not a measure of how much they love you. 🤍 Being the parent who provides structure, consistency, and meets daily needs is an act of love, even if it doesn’t always feel appreciated in the moment. 🤍 Try to create small moments of connection that aren’t centered around responsibilities. Even five or ten minutes of uninterrupted play or conversation can make a difference. 🤍 If possible, work as a TEAM. Talk with your partner about sharing both the fun moments and the everyday responsibilities so one parent isn’t always carrying the mental and emotional load. Parenting SHOULD NOT BE a competition. Every family looks different, and every parent brings something valuable to the relationship with their child.

People often talk about “finding your village,” but the truth is that every village looks different. For some, it’s grandparents around the corner. For others, it’s friends who become family, neighbors who step in, a partner who carries the load with you, or even the person who answers your late night text without hesitation. A village isn’t defined by how many people you have. It’s defined by the people who show up. Motherhood is beautiful, but it can also feel incredibly lonely. Having someone beside you through it all makes all the difference. I’m so incredibly grateful to have someone to share not only these moments with, but a best friend who listens, shows up, and is unconditionally there for me. 🤍 Tag your village in the comments below 🫂