Nurturing kids feels different now... and if you’ve been sensing that shift, you’re not alone.

In this episode of Southern Sisters, we’re talking about big feelings. The ones our kids are carrying, the ones we’re navigating as adults, and the courage it takes to hold space for both. We were so excited to welcome Dom Montoya as our special guest today to talk all things mental and emotion health of children. Drawing from her back ground as a middle school teacher for the last 6 years, we talk about everything from changing family dynamics to social media pressures to the emotional weight kids carry at younger ages than ever before, this conversation is honest, timely, and deeply needed.

We talk about what emotional health really looks like in children (hint: it’s not the absence of emotion), why validating feelings matters more than fixing them, and how creating safe spaces at home helps our kids learn, grow, and connect. We also reflect on how routines, consistency, and open communication give kids a sense of security in a world that often feels overwhelming.

Throughout the episode, we come back to sisterhood and faith, because parenting was never meant to be done in isolation. We share practical ways to support our children’s emotional development while also giving ourselves grace as we learn alongside them. Being a brave mom doesn’t mean having all the answers; it means showing up, listening well, and modeling what it looks like to feel deeply and trust God in the process.

If you’ve ever worried you’re saying the wrong thing… if you’ve felt overwhelmed by your child’s emotions… or if you just need reassurance that you’re not alone in this season… this episode is for you.

💛 Episode Highlights

• Why motherhood feels different in today’s world
• How technology and culture impact children’s emotional health
• The importance of validating feelings instead of dismissing them
• What it means to create safe spaces for kids to express emotions
• Why routines and consistency help children feel secure
• How faith can anchor families through emotional struggles
• The power of sisterhood in navigating motherhood

🔊 Sound Bites

• “Big feelings aren’t a parenting failure.”
• “Our kids don’t need fixing — they need to feel seen.”
• “You don’t have to do this alone.”

Have you seen Meggan’s Book? You can find a copy on Amazon here: Building Everyday Faith through GRIT and Grace

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