Did We Grow Up in the Same House? How Family Roles Shape Your Mother Wound

In this episode, I break down common roles children play in families and how each one creates a mother wound that follows you into adulthood. Whether you were the parentified daughter who became a mini-adult too soon, the golden child living on a pedestal, the scapegoat blamed for family dysfunction, or the invisible child overlooked for being "easy," none of these roles were your choice; you were a child surviving in an established system. I explain the difference between healthy responsibility and parentification, why scapegoats are often truth-tellers who leave first, how golden children struggle with conditional love based on performance, and why invisible children learned that asking for attention was a burden. These roles don't just stay in childhood, they shape how you show up in relationships, careers, and your own parenting. I address mothers who recognize these dynamics in their families with compassion, explaining that awareness is the first step and it's never too late to repair if your children are willing. The power you have now as an adult is choosing who you are outside of that assigned role.

With this episode you'll be able to:

1. Identify if you played one of these family roles (parentified child, golden child, scapegoat, or invisible child) and how it shaped your mother wound
2. Understand why parentification is different from healthy responsibility
3. Recognize that scapegoats are often truth-tellers who had the courage to call out dysfunction and leave first
4. See how being the "easy" invisible child meant emotional neglect, not that you didn't need attention and support
5. Learn how these childhood survival strategies show up in your adult relationships, career, and parenting patterns
6. Practice stepping out of your assigned role by deciding who you want to be outside of family dynamics

Connect with Brittney:

1. Instagram: @theBrittneyScott
2. Website: www.brittneymscott.com
3. Consultation to work with Brittney
4. Free Resources

Don't forget you can submit your questions about mother-daughter relationships for me to answer in future episodes!

Help me reach more mothers and daughters by following the show & leaving a rating or review on Apple & Spotify!

Keyword tags: Family roles, parentified child, golden child, scapegoat, invisible child, sibling dynamics, mother wound, eldest daughter syndrome, emotional neglect, family dysfunction, truth tellers, conditional love, emotional support, family systems, breaking family...

Why Your Mother Wound Gets Triggered When Raising Small Children: Introducing Safety in Sisterhood Group

In this episode, I address mothers who've caught themselves sounding just like their own mothers and felt crushing guilt because they swore they'd never parent that way. I break down why motherhood activates mother wounds like nothing else: you're reliving your childhood in real time through each developmental stage, your stressed brain defaults to automatic patterns from your own upbringing, and the isolation of motherhood amplifies everything. I share my personal story of handling my daughter's tantrums during my husband's deployment, how sitting on the floor and offering a hug when she was ready changed everything for both of us. This episode explores why band-aid parenting solutions don't work when something in the middle is missing, why healing alone deepens shame spirals, and how community healing gives you permission to take care of yourself while breaking cycles in real time. I introduce Safety in Sisterhood, my 2026 group for mothers with young children who want to heal their mother wounds while actively parenting littles, not after they're grown.

With this episode you'll be able to:

1. Understand why each developmental stage your child goes through can trigger unresolved pain from that same age in your own childhood
2. Recognize automatic nervous system responses that revert to your mother's parenting style when you're stressed, tired, or overwhelmed
3. Learn why band-aid parenting solutions fail when you're missing the connection between knowing what to do and actually implementing it
4. See how healing in community breaks shame, provides real examples of cycle-breaking, and validates that your needs matter too
5. Discover the Safety in Sisterhood group for mothers with young children (birth through elementary) healing mother wounds while parenting littles
6. Accept that emotions are energy wanting to leave your body—let them out however they need to come rather than keeping them stuck

Click the link in the show notes to visit brittneymscott.com, learn more about Safety in Sisterhood, and fill out the interest form. This group is for mothers ready to break cycles now, not after their kids are grown.

Connect with Brittney:

1. Instagram: @theBrittneyScott
2. Website: www.brittneymscott.com
3. Consultation to work with Brittney
4. Free Resources

Mentioned resources:

1. Safety in Sisterhood group program (starting 2026)

When Your Daughter Pulls Away: Introducing Bridge Builders Group for Mothers Facing Estrangement

In this honest and compassionate episode, I address mothers whose adult daughters have distanced themselves or cut off contact completely, a pain that's hard to explain to anyone who hasn't lived it. I break down why daughters pull away: accumulated unaddressed pain, different perspectives on the same childhood, boundary violations, or being the first in the family to break generational patterns. The hard truth is that partners, therapists, and friends aren't turning your daughter against you, they're giving her permission to do what she's already been feeling. I walk you through what you can and can't control during estrangement, how real apologies sound (hint: "I'm sorry you feel that way" doesn't cut it), and why doing this healing work alone keeps you stuck. This episode introduces Bridge Builders, my 2026 group program for mothers willing to examine their own patterns, take accountability, and find a path forward whether reconciliation happens or not. Because if you're questioning yourself this deeply, your daughter probably isn't pulling away for no reason, and there's work you can do.

With this episode you'll be able to:

1. Understand the common reasons daughters pull away including accumulated pain, perspective differences, boundary violations, and cycle-breaking
2. Distinguish between what you can control (your behavior, accountability, healing) and what you can't (her timeline, feelings, or decisions)
3. Learn what real apologies sound like by acknowledging specific harm without excuses like "I did my best"
4. Recognize why doing this healing work alone through shame and isolation keeps you stuck in defense mode
5. Discover the Bridge Builders group program starting in 2026 for mothers seeking understanding, accountability, and a path toward reconciliation
6. Accept that good mothers make mistakes—what matters is taking accountability and being willing to repair the relationship

Click the link in the show notes to visit brittneymscott.com, learn more about Bridge Builders, and fill out the interest form. This group is for mothers ready to do the hard work of understanding what happened and taking real steps toward healing.

Mentioned resources:

1. Bridge Builders group program (starting 2026)
2. Reconnection Rescue program for mother-daughter pairs
3. Interest form available at brittneymscott.com

Help me reach more mothers and daughters by following the show & leaving a rating or review on Apple & Spotify!

Keyword tags: Mother-daughter estrangement, estranged daughters, low contact, adult daughters pulling away, accountability in parenting, mother-daughter reconciliation, Bridge Builders, estrangement grief, taking responsibility, perspective differences, boundary violations, cycle breaker daughters, mother support groups, healing estrangement, reconnecting with adult daughters

Why You Don't Have to Heal Your Mother Wound Alone - Introducing The Mother Wound Circle

You've been doing the work: going to therapy, reading the books, doing the inner child exercises, but you still feel like you're healing in isolation. In this episode, I'm breaking down why community matters in mother wound healing, what changes when you're not doing it alone, and how I'm creating a specific space for exactly this kind of healing. Society tells us mothers are sacred, so admitting your mother hurt you feels taboo. The shame keeps you isolated and quiet, which stalls any real healing. You start to doubt your own reality when no one validates what you experienced. You need other people to say, "Yes, that was real, and it makes sense that it hurts." I'm sharing the five shifts that happen when you heal in community instead of alone, and I'm introducing The Mother Wound Circle, one of four groups I'm launching in 2026 specifically designed for women healing from painful relationships with their mothers. Whether you have kids or not, whether you're early in healing or years into it, whether your mother is living or has passed, whether you're estranged or in contact, this group is for women who are tired of trying to heal all of this by themselves.

With this episode you'll be able to:

1. Understand why healing mother wounds in isolation keeps you stuck and doubting your reality
2. Recognize how societal taboos around mother-daughter pain create shame and silence
3. Learn the five ways healing in community differs from healing alone
4. Discover how collective witnessing validates your pain in ways individual therapy sometimes can't
5. Understand the power of being needed, not just needy, in your healing journey
6. Get all the details about The Mother Wound Circle group launching in 2026
7. Address common concerns about sharing your story and feeling safe in a group setting
8. Find out how to join the interest list and get first access to group enrollment

Don't forget you can submit your questions about mother wound healing for me to answer in future episodes!

Mentioned resources:

1. The Mother Wound Circle group program (launching 2026)
2. Interest form at brittneymscott.com
3. Additional group offerings coming in 2026

Connect with Brittney:

1. Instagram: @theBrittneyScott
2. Website: www.brittneymscott.com

Partnership Over Pressure: Building Trust During Test Prep with Athena Savino

In this unique episode, I interview Athena Savino, CEO of Top Marks Prep and longtime tutor, who has witnessed countless mother-daughter dynamics play out during the high stress world of standardized test preparation. Athena shares how well intentioned moms often become taskmasters—constantly asking about study hours and scores—which strains relationships and increases test anxiety rather than improving performance. She introduces the partnership model: sitting down with your daughter before prep even begins to set shared goals, co-create study plans, and establish buy in so she feels ownership over the process. We discuss how test anxiety is the number one thing hurting scores (not lack of knowledge), why validation and motivation matter more than teaching fractions, and how parents should react when scores come back, letting daughters respond first and celebrating effort over outcomes. This conversation reveals how the test prep journey offers lessons beyond the score: trust building, emotional regulation, and the powerful message that your daughter's worth isn't measured by a number. Whether facing SAT, ACT, or entrance exams, this episode shows mothers how to stay partners instead of becoming overseers.

With this episode you'll be able to:

1. Shift from taskmaster to partner by co-creating study plans and setting shared goals with your daughter before test prep begins
2. Recognize that test anxiety, not lack of knowledge, is the number one factor hurting scores and learn how emotional support reduces it
3. Provide validation and motivation throughout the journey rather than micromanaging study hours or teaching content
4. React appropriately when scores arrive by letting your daughter respond first and celebrating effort regardless of the number
5. Use car conversations and journaling to check in emotionally without creating pressure or awkward face-to-face confrontations
6. Build trust by separating your daughter's identity from test performance and highlighting areas where she excels beyond academics

Don't forget you can submit your questions about mother-daughter relationships for me to answer in upcoming episodes! Connect with Athena Savino on LinkedIn or at athena@topmarksprep.com for test prep support.

Connect with Brittney:

1. Instagram: @theBrittneyScott
2. Website: www.brittneymscott.com
3. Consultation to work with Brittney

Announcing Raising Teens Differently: A New Group Coaching Program for Mothers of Teen Daughters

In this announcement episode, I'm introducing my first group coaching offering for 2026, "Raising Teens Differently," designed specifically for mothers navigating the push-pull dynamics of raising teenage daughters. If you're watching your daughter seek independence while struggling to keep connection strong, this 8-week closed group starting in February 2026 is for you. I break down why teenagers pull away (identity formation, brain development, social media pressure, school stress) while still desperately wanting connection beneath the eye rolls and attitude. This group will teach you how to maintain trust and communication during adolescence, set healthy boundaries while respecting her growing autonomy, pick your battles wisely, find common interests that strengthen your bond, and take care of yourself so you can fully show up for her emotional needs. You'll join a community of mothers in the same stage who understand the unique pressures of raising teens today, from COVID's social impact to social media's influence, creating the kind of support that feels like a hug when you need it most.

With this episode you'll be able to:

• Understand why your teenage daughter pulls away while still craving connection, acceptance, and unconditional love from you
• Recognize the developmental reasons behind teenage behavior including brain development, identity formation, and independence-seeking
• Learn what the Raising Teens Differently group will cover: maintaining connection, building trust, managing independence battles, and self-care strategies
• Discover the power of community healing with other moms in the same stage who understand today's unique parenting challenges
• Get program details: 8-week closed group starting February 2026, weekly meetings, capped enrollment for intimate support
• Access the interest form through the show notes link to secure your spot before the group fills

Learn more about Raising Teens Differently, and fill out the interest form. Don't wait, enrollment is capped to ensure every member feels heard and supported!

Connect with Brittney:

• Instagram: @theBrittneyScott
• Website: www.brittneymscott.com
• Consultation to work with Brittney
• Free Resources

Help me reach more mothers and daughters by following the show & leaving a rating or review on Apple & Spotify!

Keyword tags:

Raising teenagers, teenage daughters, mother-daughter relationship, teen independence, parenting teens, maintaining connection with teens, group coaching, adolescent development, teen brain development, social media impact on teens, navigating conflict with teens, building trust with teenagers, mother-daughter groups, parenting support groups, teen rebellion

From Strong to Well: Unlearning the Strong Black Woman Narrative with Dr. Cecily Moore

In this episode, Dr. Cecily Moore, a licensed therapist, researcher, and self-proclaimed "recovering strong black woman,"shares her dissertation research on unlearning the Strong Black Woman narrative. After experiencing postpartum depression and realizing her mother and grandmother couldn't give what they didn't have, she discovered this trauma-rooted narrative passes through maternal lineages, teaching daughters strength without support and creating cycles of silent suffering. Dr. Moore breaks down the unlearning journey, introduces the shift from "strong" to "well-resourced" Black woman, and explains "seed planting," sharing your healing without forcing family to change. We discuss why this narrative starts in girlhood, creating homes demanding strength everywhere with softness nowhere, and explore practical ways to have vulnerable conversations with friends while protecting your peace.

With this episode you'll be able to:

• Understand how the Strong Black Woman narrative originated in slavery and gets passed down as generational trauma through maternal lineages
• Recognize the unlearning process: catalyst moments, letting go of indoctrination, self-discovery, self-investment, and boundary setting
• Shift from "strong black woman" to "well-resourced black woman" by investing in accessible healing like reading and community support
• Practice "seed planting" with family members, sharing your healing journey without taking responsibility for their outcomes or forcing change
• Navigate the hardest places to unlearn (familial/intimate relationships and work) by prioritizing self-awareness and safety
• Have vulnerable conversations with friends by asking for consent, checking capacity, and being the support you want to receive

Connect with Brittney:

• Instagram: @theBrittneyScott
• Website: www.brittneymscott.com
• Consultation to work with Brittney
• Free Resources

Don't forget you can submit your questions about mother-daughter relationships for me to answer in future episodes! Connect with Dr. Cecily Moore at drcecilymooore.com for free reading resources and newsletter updates.

Mentioned resources:

• Dr. Cecily Moore's website: drcecilymooore.com (free reading resources and newsletter)
• Books by Audre Lorde and other Black authors on the Strong Black Woman narrative
• Dr. Moore's dissertation research on Black women unlearning the Strong Black Woman narrative

Help me reach more mothers and daughters by following the show & leaving a rating or review on Apple & Spotify!

Keyword tags:

Strong Black Woman narrative, generational trauma, Black maternal mental health, postpartum depression, unlearning strength narratives, well-resourced Black women, seed planting healing, mother wound in Black families, asking for help,...

How Your Mother Wound Shows Up in Your Romantic Relationships

Do you keep attracting the same type of partner? Find yourself doing all the emotional work in relationships? Struggle with trust, intimacy, or constantly choosing people who can't meet your needs? Your mother wound might be running the show in your love life. Your relationship with your mother is your first relationship template, it's where you learned what love looks like, what connection feels like, and what you can expect from people who are supposed to care about you. Whether you're single and keep repeating painful patterns, or already in a relationship and realizing how your mother wound has shaped your dynamic, this episode will give you the awareness and tools you need to create the love you actually deserve.

With this episode you'll be able to:

• Understand how your relationship with your mother became your first relationship template
• Identify specific ways your mother wound influences who you choose as a romantic partner
• Recognize how childhood patterns create your attachment style and relationship behaviors
• Learn why "chemistry" might actually be trauma recognition, not healthy attraction
• Discover the seven practical steps to break painful relationship cycles
• Understand what healthy love actually looks like and feels like
• Assess whether your current relationship can heal and grow or needs to end
• Practice asking for what you need and creating new patterns with a willing partner

Don't forget you can submit your questions about mother wounds for me to answer in future episodes!

Connect with Brittney:

• Instagram: @theBrittneyScott
• Website: www.brittneymscott.com
• Consultation to work with Brittney
• Free Resources

Mentioned resources:

• The Mother-Daughter Relationship Show podcast
• Mother wound healing therapy and coaching
• Inner child work resources
• Attachment style therapy and support

Help me reach more daughters healing their mother wounds by following the show & leaving a rating or review on Apple & Spotify!

Keyword tags:

mother wound, romantic relationships, dating patterns, attachment styles, mother daughter relationship, anxious attachment, avoidant attachment, partner selection, emotional unavailability, parentification, relationship patterns, childhood trauma, generational trauma, healing mother wound, healthy relationships, setting boundaries, inner child work, therapy, relationship coaching, Brittney Scott, mother daughter podcast, breaking cycles