In this solo episode of Holding Space, I’m diving into one of the most common and quietly painful questions I hear from parents (and ask myself too):

Why am I so reactive?

If you’ve ever found yourself snapping before you even realized what was happening, crying over something small, or wondering, what is wrong with me? This episode is for you. You're not broken. You're carrying a lot. And reactivity is often your nervous system’s way of trying to protect you.

In this episode, I explore the deeper layers beneath reactivity and offer practical ways to create just enough margin to respond instead of react.

I talk about:

• How emotions are messengers
• What your nervous system is trying to tell you when you feel flooded
• Why fawn, fight, freeze, flight, and flock responses are so common in parenthood
• The invisible labor of caregiving, and how it fuels burnout and shutdown
• Sensory overwhelm in modern parenting and why it hits so hard
• How your hormones and cycle shape your emotional capacity

Want to go deeper?

Come hang out with me on Substack! This post includes every reflection, tool, and prompt from the episode...plus a few extras.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

→ Dr. Haver’s provider directory: https://thepauselife.com/pages/recommended-physicians

→ Substack: A Little Space, Please: https://drcassidy.substack.com/

→ Other related episodes:

136: How to Carry Less While Enjoying Motherhood More

127: How to Rest (Realistically) as a Modern Day Parent

103: The Default Parent

94: The Depleted, Distracted, Grumpy, Guilty Parenting Cycle

Download my free triggers guide here!

Learn more about our therapy services for California and New York parents here: https://www.drcassidymft.com/

In this episode of Holding Space, I welcome parenting educator and content creator behind the account Mother Could, Myriam Sandler, for a real and refreshing conversation about play in parenthood.

Together, we unpack the pressure many parents feel to “play the right way,” especially in today’s era of intensive parenting.

Episode highlights:

• How perfectionism and productivity culture shape our expectations around play
• Why boredom matters—and how it supports creativity and independent play
• The role of accessibility in helping kids play independently
• What to do when your child wants to play with you—but you need space
• How to identify your own “play superpower” (even if it’s not getting on the floor)
• Practical tips for setting up multi-age play spaces at home

Whether you love crafting sensory bins or prefer connecting through board games, 3D printing, or sports, this episode invites you to reclaim play in a way that honors your capacity and your child’s uniqueness.

Resources Mentioned:

• Playful by Design by Myriam Sandler
• Follow Myriam on Instagram @mothercould

In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Cassidy sits down with Megan McNamee, a registered dietitian nutritionist and co-founder of Feeding Littles, to discuss the intersection of perfectionism, parenting, and feeding children. Megan shares insights on how parents can move away from the pressures of perfectionism, especially in the context of feeding their kids, and embrace a more intuitive and balanced approach to mealtime.

We dive into common struggles parents face when it comes to feeding their kids, such as dealing with picky eating, the pressures of packing lunches, and the stress of meeting societal expectations. Megan offers practical advice on how to navigate these challenges while keeping mealtime enjoyable and stress-free.

Resources Mentioned:

• Feeding Littles Lunchbox Book
• Follow Feeding Littles on Instagram