In today's fast-paced world, raising emotionally resilient children can feel like an uphill battle. With screens, noise, and pressure coming at us from all sides, how can we create a nurturing environment for our little ones to thrive?

Enter Sarah Boyd, child development expert and founder of Resilient Little Hearts. In this enlightening conversation, Sarah shares her wisdom on fostering emotional health and connection in our overstimulated world.

Nurturing Emotional Literacy and Connection

Sarah emphasizes the importance of teaching children to identify and express their feelings from an early age. She offers practical tips for introducing emotional vocabulary to toddlers and maintaining open communication as they grow.

We explore the concept of co-regulation and how parents can provide emotional stability for their children, especially during the turbulent teen years. Sarah also highlights the value of unstructured playtime in strengthening parent-child bonds.

Navigating the Digital Landscape

In our technology-driven era, finding balance can be challenging. Sarah introduces the idea of a "technology Sabbath" - a designated day to unplug and reset our dopamine levels. This practice not only benefits parents but also models healthy tech habits for children.

Understanding Overstimulation vs. Defiance

Ever wonder if your child's meltdown is a tantrum or something more? Sarah breaks down the key differences between defiance and overstimulation, offering insights to help parents respond effectively to their child's needs.

Supporting Neurodivergent Children

For parents of neurodivergent children, Sarah provides compassionate guidance on embracing your child's unique journey and scaffolding their development without comparison or shame.

Here's what you'll gain from this episode:

• Strategies for teaching emotional literacy from toddlerhood through adolescence
  The importance of play in strengthening parent-child connections
  How to implement a "technology Sabbath" for family well-being
  Tips for distinguishing between tantrums and overstimulation
  Insights on supporting neurodivergent children with empathy and understanding

Sarah's approach reminds us that parenting isn't about perfection - it's about presence, connection, and creating a calm environment where our children can flourish.

Follow Sarah Here! https://www.instagram.com/resilientlittlehearts/

Learn more about Resilient Little Hearts here: https://www.resilientlittlehearts.com/about/

Parenting teens can feel like navigating uncharted waters, but it doesn't have to be a journey filled with fear and frustration. In this soul-stirring episode, I sit down with Kirsten Cobabe, affectionately known as the "teen whisperer," to explore the sacred art of raising adolescents.

Kirsten invites us to shift our perspective on the teen years, viewing them not as a problem to be solved, but as a precious opportunity for growth and connection. She emphasizes that our role as parents isn't to fix, control, or rescue our teens, but to show up with presence, attunement, and trust.

Key insights from our conversation:

• Understanding the teen brain and why typical "teen behavior" isn't a problem, but a natural part of development
• The importance of creating a safe space for open dialogue, even when it's uncomfortable
• How to set clear boundaries while fostering trust and openness
• Navigating the digital landscape with your teen and fostering a healthy relationship with technology
• Building a supportive "village" for your teen and yourself as a parent

Kirsten shares practical strategies for deepening your connection with your teen, including how to repair after conflicts and ways to champion your child's unique gifts and passions. She reminds us that our presence - not perfection - is what our teens need most.

Follow Kirsten here: https://www.instagram.com/kirstencobabe/

As parents, we all yearn for that magical village to help raise our children. But in today's fast-paced world, finding and nurturing those connections can feel overwhelming. That's why I'm thrilled to welcome Mandy Arioto, president and CEO of MomCo, to the Prep Table for a heartfelt conversation about building community, embracing imperfection, and rediscovering the joy in motherhood.

Mandy's journey from young mom to leader of a global movement supporting millions of mothers is truly inspiring. She shares candidly about her early struggles balancing work, family, and personal growth - experiences that will resonate deeply with many of us.

We explore how MomCo (formerly MOPS) has evolved to meet the changing needs of modern moms, creating spaces for authentic connection and growth in over 100 countries. Mandy offers practical wisdom on:

• Why true belonging often feels inconvenient (but is so worth it)
• Practical ways to cultivate meaningful friendships as a busy mom
• The power of small gestures in creating community

• Balancing screen time with real-world experiences
• Empowering tweens and teens to use social media wisely
• Surrounding our children with positive influences beyond the family

• Why striving for perfection actually hurts us (and our kids)
• Finding ways to inject more fun into family life
• How our "invisible" work as moms shapes the future

This conversation left me feeling uplifted and re-energized about the profound impact we have as mothers. Mandy's blend of humor, vulnerability, and practical advice is exactly the encouragement many of us need right now.

So pour yourself a cup of coffee (or wine - no judgment here!), settle in, and join us for a dose of motherhood realness. You'll leave feeling seen, supported, and inspired to build the village your family deserves.

Follow Mandy Here! https://www.instagram.com/mandyarioto/

Look more about MomCo Here! https://www.instagram.com/themomco_/

Purchase her book Here!