#39 Thinking of leaving your husband? Listen to this first - the truth no one will tell you
Hi, Fam!
"Why do good women want to leave good men?" If you're married to someone who's loyal, faithful, and not abusive—but you sometimes find yourself thinking "maybe we're just not compatible" or "maybe it would be easier without him"—this question might hit closer to home than you'd like to admit. You're not alone in these thoughts. There's a growing trend of women in their late 30s and early 40s walking away from perfectly good marriages, and the reasons aren't what you'd expect. Not infidelity. Not abuse. Not addiction. Something else entirely. But what if these feelings aren't actually...
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#38 How To Tell if Your Husband is a Narcissist?
Hi, Fam!
“I think my husband’s a narcissist…” If you’ve whispered those words to yourself — in the dark, after another disconnected conversation, or mid-scroll through TikTok — this video is for you. We live in a culture quick to diagnose, quick to label, and even quicker to tell women to walk away. But what if the truth is more complex… and more hopeful? In this episode, I gently unravel the difference between a truly narcissistic partner — and one who is imperfect, avoidant, or simply different from you. I share the hard-earned truths I learned in my own marriage, and the lessons...
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#37 The Mental Load Moms Carry — and What to Do About It
Hi, Fam!
"The mental load is crushing me." If you've ever felt this way—tracking every appointment, remembering every snack preference, carrying the invisible weight of running your household—you're not the only one! The internet is full of women sharing their exhaustion, their resentment, and their anger about shouldering this "unfair burden." But what if everything you've been told about the mental load is making your marriage worse, not better? In this video, I'm challenging the popular narrative that's turning normal adult responsibilities into a crisis. While TikTok coaches teach you to...
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#36 Parenting is Political
Hi, Fam!
What happens when parenting becomes a battlefield for something much bigger? You’ve probably felt it. Heard it. Maybe even argued about it. In this episode I explore what’s really going on beneath the surface — and why it matters more than ever. 👀 You might be surprised where the conversation leads. 🔥 Ready to stop parenting to political trends and start building the family culture you actually believe in? Join the Studio: https://hifam.com/studio
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#35 Why I Never Play With My Kids (And How We Bond Instead)
Hi, Fam!
"I Don't Like Playing With My Kids—And That Makes Me a Better Parent" Finally, someone's saying what you've been thinking. You love your children fiercely, but toy cars and dollhouses just aren't your thing. Before you spiral into parent guilt... this might actually be your secret weapon for deeper connection. The parenting world has convinced us that meaningful bonding requires endless hours of pretend play, but what if that advice is actually keeping you from the authentic relationship you're craving? What if your resistance to forced fun is your intuition telling you there's a better...
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#34 How to Love Your Son Without Creating a 'Mama's Boy'
Hi, Fam!
Do you ever worry that your nurturing instincts might be holding your children back from true independence? Today I'm diving into the strange world of "son-bands" - when a mother attaches to her son in a way that's more appropriate for a partner. In this episode, I explore how modern parenting culture has blurred the boundaries between healthy attachment and unhealthy dependence. You'll discover: - The shocking social media trend normalizing mother-son enmeshment - Why the "devouring mother" phenomenon prevents children from launching - How gentle parenting can accidentally create...
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#33 7 Parenting Personality Types - Which Are You?
Hi, Fam!
Ever feel like you're not measuring up as a parent? Like everyone else has it figured out while you're just trying to make it through the day? In this episode, I reveal the 7 different parenting superpowers that make families thrive - and help you identify which one is YOUR zone of genius! The truth is, none of us excel at everything in parenting (or in life). We each have unique strengths that are shaping our children in powerful ways - strengths that might come so naturally to you that you don't even recognize them as special. Stop comparing yourself to other parents and start...
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#32 Digital Detox for Families | Our Weekly Screen-Free Ritual
Hi, Fam!
Ever wonder what would happen if your family just unplugged completely? No phones, tablets, TV, or devices - even for just a few hours? While this might sound challenging in today's digital world, my family takes a complete technology break for 25 hours every weekend. What started as a religious practice has become the cornerstone of our family connection, creating space for what truly matters. In this glimpse into our screen-free time, I share: - What actually fills those hours when Netflix isn't an option - How kids naturally return to imaginative play without prompting - The simple...
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#31 Adolescence on Netflix: What's Truly Harming Our Kids
Hi, Fam!
Everyone’s talking about Adolescence on Netflix — toxic masculinity, Andrew Tate, and the crisis in teen boys. But what if we’re all looking in the wrong direction? In this episode, I react to Adolescence and the public conversation around it — and I share a different perspective on what’s really going on with boys today. You’ll hear: - Why I believe the current narrative is missing the mark - What Adolescence got right — and what it left out - The uncomfortable truth we don’t want to face as parents - And the one question we should be asking, but aren’t If you’re...
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#30 How to Raise Emotionally Strong Kids in a World Full of Victims
Hi, Fam!
Our culture teaches kids to be fragile. I'm here to show you how to do the opposite. If you want strong, confident, emotionally stable kids who don't crumble at every slight, you need to raise them differently — and it starts with you. In this episode, I break down: ⚡ How to move past endless pity parties and teach real accountability. ⚡ Why endless empathy backfires — and what your child actually needs. ⚡ The 2 questions every child must ask when insulted (game changer). ⚡ How to teach your kids to laugh, let go, and stay cool under fire. Fragile kids grow into fragile adults....
info_outlineIn this episode you’ll get to listen in on a conversation I had with Rachel Rainbolt from Sage Parenting. Rachel is a coach, writer, podcaster, and advocate of all things gentle parenting, natural homeschooling, and simple living.
We know you’ll get a lot out of this conversation with two mommas who don’t always get it right, who sometimes lose their cools or get overwhelmed, but always try to do what’s best for their ever-changing children and families.
[4:13] Find the overlap between your child’s needs and your concerns and collaborate with them to find a solution that addresses both.
[5:02] Example of overlap.
[6:30] “It feels really great to treat children like actual human beings, deserving of respect, and honoring our own needs and feelings in the process.”
[6:59] Some mistakenly believe this only works for older kids.
[8:18] Sometimes we have unrealistic expectations or have this “template” we try to use. We need to keep our expectations aligned with each unique, individual child.
[10:48] Have grace for yourself...we're not all born as great parents. It takes effort and work.
[11:23] Narrate out loud what's going through your head.
[11:36] We all lose it sometimes. Model what it looks like to ask forgiveness and make repairs.
[13:55] Get yourself out of that fight, flight, or freeze response so you can think and respond instead of reacting.
[14:48] Rachel’s approach to homeschooling.
[16:17] Started out in public school, but it didn't feel right.
[18:27] This is how children naturally learn and develop.
[22:16] When you hold space for your child's preferences & desires, they'll do the same for you.
[25:09] Some parents need a little more structure around their child's education, and that's ok. Find a balance.
[26:52] Relax on the timelines of what they're supposed to learn. don't need to push things so early.
[31:30] Rachel’s approach with screens at home.
[32:52] Don't fear technology. Screens are like a tool or part of the environment.
[37:38] We're all unique, and you have to do what works best for your family.
[40:59] What is the bucket system?
[45:02] Rachel’s approach to minimalism and simple living.
[45:32] We all need to simplify our lives to give us space to work on the things that are most meaningful.
[47:28] Involve your children in conversations about finances.
[50:13] You can bring your kids into money conversations without adding the burdensome or stressful elements of your financial situation.
[53:39] Many necessary life skills aren't learned in school.
[58:17] Keep a list of things that each child wants. As holidays or birthdays approach, revisit the list and ask if there’s anything they no longer want.
[58:43] Give things away to other families/children and allow your children to see the positive effect it has on that family.
If you make it a priority to discover and honor your child's preferences & desires, you’ll find that they'll do the same for you and it will completely change the dynamics of your family!
If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway. Take a selfie of you listening or a screenshot of the show, post it to instagram stories, and tag me @parentingjunkie or feel free to DM me on instagram, I try to reply to as many as I can!
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Links & resources mentioned:
- Rachel’s website, Sage Parenting
- @SageParenting on IG
- Free to Learn by Peter Gray
- The Opposite Of Spoiled by Ron Lieber
Show Notes: https://www.theparentingjunkie.com/47