#25 You Are More Than Your Hormones!
Hi, Fam!
What if one of the most “empowering” trends for women… is actually making us feel more powerless? A recent conversation with one of my students completely stopped me in my tracks. She said: “I feel like a walking bag of hormones.” And it opened up a much bigger conversation about modern hormone culture, cycle syncing, female identity, emotional resilience, and what young women are being taught about themselves. Now to be clear: Hormones are real. PMS is real. Postpartum is real. Perimenopause is real. But somewhere along the way, many women started absorbing the message...
info_outline
#24 The Shift Most Parents Never Make
Hi, Fam!
Parenting a 5-year-old and parenting a 15-year-old are completely different jobs. But most of us never consciously make that shift. We keep using the same approach… and slowly, the relationship starts to suffer. In this episode, I’m walking you through the 5 roles every parent needs to move through—from early childhood all the way to raising an independent adult. Because... It’s not just about what you do as a parent. It’s about who you are in each stage. And when you get this right, everything changes— your connection, your influence, and your teen’s future. If you're...
info_outline
#23 3 Parenting Mistakes That Pushed My Teens Away
Hi, Fam!
Your teen pulls away… gets rude… wants more freedom… And suddenly parenting feels high stakes in a way it never did before. In this episode, I’m breaking down the 3 biggest mistakes parents make with tweens and teens (ages 10+)—the ones that quietly damage connection, create entitlement, and leave your child more influenced by the world than by you. Because the truth is... Your teenager doesn’t need less from you. They need a different kind of leadership. Inside, you’ll learn: – Why pulling back at the wrong moment can cost you connection – What’s really behind teen...
info_outline
#17 If You Don’t Lead Your Kids… Someone Else Will
Hi, Fam!
Ready to step into your role as a confident, inspiring parent? 👉 Join my FREE 5-Day Family Reset Challenge and get clear on the rules, values, and leadership your family needs: There’s a quiet crisis happening in modern parenting… We’ve been told to step back. To not impose. To “just let them be happy.” But when parents step out of leadership, something else steps in. In this episode, I’m breaking down: - Why “happy and healthy” isn’t actually a clear parenting goal - How a lack of vision creates confusion (not freedom) for your kids - The leadership vacuum that...
info_outline
#16 5 Phone Rules Every Parent Needs
Hi, Fam!
Ready to feel calmer, clearer, and more confident as a parent? Join the Family Reset—it’s free and will change how you show up at home: If you’ve ever felt like you’re losing control of your child’s phone… you’re not alone. We all know screens, social media, and smartphones are affecting our kids’ mental health — anxiety, sleep, attention, and even their relationships. And yet… most of us still give in. In this episode, I’m sharing: * Why parents *know* screens are a problem… but still struggle to set boundaries * The real reason it feels so hard to say no * And the...
info_outline
#15 You're Overthinking Motherhood (Here's Why)
Hi, Fam!
Ready to feel calmer, clearer, and more confident as a parent? Join the Family Reset—it’s free and will change how you show up at home: Parenting today feels heavier than it used to. Not because we care more… but because we’re carrying more. More information. More pressure. More comparison. And somewhere in all of that, many parents lose their confidence. In this episode, I’m sharing what changed for me after raising five children: - What I stopped worrying about - What actually matters - What I would do completely differently if I were starting again. Some of these shifts...
info_outline
#14 This Parenting Mistake Is Reniforcing Bad Behavior
Hi, Fam!
Tired of tantrums, power struggles, and repeating yourself? Join my free "Family Reset Workshop" and learn how to create clear rules, calm authority, and real consistency in your home 💛 👉 What if your empathy is actually making things worse? That sounds wrong… especially if you’re trying to be a calm, connected, conscious parent. But there’s a subtle pattern many of us fall into— and once you see it, you can’t unsee it. It’s the reason some behaviors keep repeating… even when you’re doing “all the right things.” In this episode, I’m breaking down: • The...
info_outline
#13 Less Talking, More Listening | What Parents Get Wrong
Hi, Fam!
If you’re tired of repeating yourself, it’s not about saying more—it’s about having clear expectations. Join my free Parenting Reset Workshop and I’ll show you exactly how to create that clarity in your home 💛 Most parents think the solution is to explain more. More talking. More validating. More conversations. But what if that’s the exact reason your kids aren’t listening? There’s a moment where words stop working… And actually start making things worse. In this episode, I’m breaking down: • Why kids tune parents out (and how we accidentally train this) • The...
info_outline
12 This One Mistake Makes Kids Lie MORE
Hi, Fam!
My child looked me in the eyes… and lied. And what I did next completely changed the outcome. If your child has ever lied to you (and let’s be honest—most do), this episode will help you understand why it happens and, more importantly, how to respond in a way that builds trust instead of breaking it. Because... 👉 The way we react can actually make our kids better liars… or braver truth-tellers. In this episode, I’m sharing a 5-step approach that helps you: • Stay calm in triggering moments • Understand what the lie is really telling you • Create safety for honesty •...
info_outline
#11 Are We Damaging Our Kids by Fighting?
Hi, Fam!
Don't believe the lies that either he changes or you need to leave. There is a third option and Married-U is it. Get the dream marriage you want with the partner you've already got! Check out Married-U today! ___________________________ In this episode, I answer two deeply honest questions: • When I get flustered, talk faster, interrupt, and leave to calm down — my husband says I’m aggressive and stonewalling. I know I’m dysregulated… but how do I explain that to him? • How do we avoid undermining each other in front of the kids? And is it harmful for them to see us disagree? ...
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!
Are you subscribed to my podcast? Subscribe here so that fresh episodes are delivered directly to you.
Those shiny 5-star ratings and sweet reviews have me all gushy, thank you. But more importantly, they help other parents discover the Parenting Junkie Show and spread the word about Loving parenting and Parenting from Love. If you have a moment to spare, those reviews mean the world to me, you can leave one here.
Want to connect to like-minded parenting junkies?
Join our (free & awesome) FB community Love Parenting with Avital.
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