Summer is coming, and this episode is your permission slip to get intentional about it. We're sharing hard-won lessons about summer parenting, starting with the power of identifying your stressors and expectations early so everyone in your household can thrive. From navigating screen time without the extremes, to hiring a summer nanny with clear goals, to making sure whoever is caring for your kids understands your priorities around food and nutrition, we cover the practical stuff. Amy gets personal about a scary moment with her youngest last summer that became a powerful reminder of why simple safety measures matter so much. The heart of this conversation is one big, clarifying question: what does a successful summer actually look like for your family?

Key Topics Covered:

• Abby's reminder to leave room for spontaneous fun and why those unplanned moments often become your kids' favorite summer memories
• How to set your nanny up for success by communicating your goals and food standards from the start
• A reframe on screen time as a helpful tool rather than something to fear or eliminate
• Amy's personal story about her son's accident and the simple safety precautions that made all the difference
• How to define your top summer priorities, because not everything can be treated as equally important

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

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This episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change Network.

In this "Greatest Hits" episode we revisit one of our most impactful conversations with child development expert Claire Lerner. As parents who have personally navigated the challenges of raising children who don't respond to traditional gentle parenting approaches, we share how isolating and exhausting that experience can be and how Claire's expertise changed everything. Claire breaks down why some kids are simply wired differently, explains that challenging behaviors aren't manipulation but rather a need for boundaries and support, and offers practical strategies for helping children self-regulate. From rethinking timeouts to surviving big family gatherings, this episode is a must-listen for parents of strong-willed or highly reactive kids.

Key Topics Covered

• Why some children are "wired differently" and don't respond to gentle parenting.
• Understanding child behavior — why kids act out and what they actually need.
• Claire's concept of the "safe space break" as a modern alternative to timeouts.
• How to help children self-regulate during moments of aggression toward others.
• Managing big family gatherings and holiday triggers for highly reactive kids.
• How to talk to family members and teachers about your child's unique needs.
• The importance of community and reducing parental isolation and burnout.

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

Meet Claire.

Visit Claire's website.

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HERSELF INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/herselfpodcast

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MEET ABBY: http://instagram.com/abbyrosegreen

This episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change Network.

Life in your 40s can hit hard, and if you're feeling the weight of it all right now, you are not alone. In this episode, Abby gets real and personal about a difficult situation she's been navigating with one of her kids, and how the stress of it has started to feel like so much more than just "situational anxiety." Between caring for our families, keeping up with the house, showing up at work, and being everyone else's emotional rock, it can feel impossible to also take care of ourselves. But here's the thing: it IS possible, and it looks different for everyone.

Key Topics Covered:

• What situational anxiety actually is and how it can slowly start to feel all-encompassing.
• Why our 40s often bring a wave of hard life events, for us and the people we love most.
• Amy's observation about why Abby handles stress better than almost anyone she knows.
• The difference between situations we can't avoid and ones where we actually do have a choice.
• Practical things we do to take care of ourselves when life feels overwhelming.
• Why our brains crave predictability and what to do when life refuses to give us that.

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

BETTERHELP: 10% off first month at: http://betterhelp.com/herself

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Let’s connect!

HERSELF INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/herselfpodcast

MEET AMY: http://instagram.com/ameskiefer

MEET ABBY: http://instagram.com/abbyrosegreen

This episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change Network.