When was the last time someone asked what your favorite ice cream is and you actually knew the answer? In this episode, host Sarah Dooley sits down with Dr. Julie Fernandes, an occupational therapist, coach, and mom of three, to talk about what it really means to restore yourself after years of pouring into everyone else.

Julie brings her OT lens to family life in the most grounding way. We talk about why your home environment shapes your mental state more than you realize, how boundaries are actually an expression of love rather than control, and why setting clear expectations for your kids may be the most supportive thing you can do for your family right now.

We also get into tech boundaries at home, how Julie uses AI as a practical tool (not a magic fix), and why she believes parents have far more influence than they give themselves credit for.

If you have been feeling stretched thin, disconnected from yourself, or unsure where your authority ends and your anxiety begins, this conversation is for you.

Topics covered in this episode:

• The flamingo analogy that explains why moms lose their glow (and how to get it back)
• OT-informed strategies for managing clutter, routines, and mental load
• Why boundaries are love, and how to set them without the guilt
• Navigating screen time and AI with kids in a thoughtful, age-appropriate way
• How AI supports Julie's family life in small, practical ways
• Finding yourself again in the middle of the motherhood season

Guest: Dr. Julie Fernandes | @juliefernandesco on Instagram

Host: Sarah Dooley | @aiempoweredmom on Instagram