What happens when your kid’s wild night out turns into a parent’s unexpected moment of pride?

In this episode of Parents of the Year, we dig into something deep: What happens to our identity as parents when the kids start growing up and heading out?

We talk about losing ourselves in parenting, struggling to find hobbies again, and the messy, honest journey of reclaiming who we are outside of being “Mom” or “Dad.” Real stories, real laughs, and some hard-hitting questions about what comes after the parenting hustle.

Homework Ideas

Journal Prompts:

• What parts of “me” have gone quiet, were left behind or put on hold in the parenting years? What would it look like to bring some of those back?
• When do I feel most like myself?
• What activities or hobbies used to bring me joy before parenting
• What are things I would love to try?
• What have I always said I’d do ‘when I had more time’?
• What do I want the next few years to look and feel like, just for me?

Couple Chat: With your partner, pick one of the following (or other ideas you have!) then commit to one small thing to try again in the next month.

• What (3 things) did we used to love doing together?
• What do we miss (and want to bring back)?
• What’s something new we’ve always talked about trying?

Create a "Next Chapter" Bucket List: Write out 10 things you want to do, learn, or explore for yourself as the kids become more independent. These don’t have to be big—they just have to matter to you.

Values Check-In: Highlight the 3-5 values that feel most important to you right now. Then write HOW you could live each value more fully. Examples include
- Connection
- Growth
- Adventure
- Creativity
- Peace
- Wellness
- Contribution
- Curiosity
- Fun
- Autonomy

Create Your Plan: Using what you’ve written above, fill this in:
This month, I will…
This week, I will…
Today, I can…

·

Enjoying the show? Help us out by rating us on Apple! https://apple.co/3du8mPK

Follow us on Facebook and join our Facebook Community! Access resources, get support from other parents, and ask Caroline and Andrew your questions! Follow FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566206651235and
FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/674563503855526

Helping Kids Follow Through—Without Nagging or Fighting

It’s one thing to want kids to take initiative—getting their learner’s permit, challenging an unfair grade, picking up a new skill—but it’s a whole other thing when our "help" just gets ignored (or explodes into a full meltdown).

In this episode of Parents of the Year, Caroline and Andrew share stories and practical strategies to help kids tackle challenges without pushing them away. From setting goals to managing anxiety around tests, we share ways to guide your kids without nagging, lectures, or power struggles.

Tune in for:

· How to set a goal without it backfiring

· Why open-ended questions are your secret weapon

· When (and how) to offer advice without triggering shutdowns

· Helping anxious kids build confidence, one step at a time

· Why letting kids own the “how” makes all the difference

Listen now and find out how to stay connected — even when your kids resist every suggestion you make!

Homework Ideas

Practice Open-Ended Questions
Instead of giving advice, try asking:

• “What’s your plan for getting ready for the test?”
• “How did you get good at ____? What could you borrow from that?”
• “What kind of support would be helpful?”

Set a Gentle Deadline
Collaboratively pick a realistic date (e.g., for a test, learner’s permit, etc.). Ask if they want help working backward to create a plan — but only if they want it.

Watch and Wait
After offering support, step back. Let them come back to you when they're ready — even if it's hard!

Enjoying the show? Help us out by rating us on Apple! https://apple.co/3du8mPK

Follow us on Facebook and join our Facebook Community! Access resources, get support from other parents, and ask Caroline and Andrew your questions! Follow FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566206651235and
FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/674563503855526

In this episode of Parents of the Year, we're getting real about kids, hygiene, and how much of it is your job — and how much might be better left to peer pressure.

From stinky kids turning into fashion divas overnight, to whether you should keep nagging about teeth-brushing, Andrew and Caroline share stories and smart strategies that meet kids where they’re at.

If you’ve ever wrestled with letting go, setting limits, or just figuring out when to step in, you’ll love this honest take on growing up... and letting them grow up, too.

Homework Challenge:

• Pick one hygiene habit your child needs to own (e.g., brushing teeth, putting on deodorant, changing clothes).
• Let them choose how they want to take responsibility for it. No nagging — just offer brainstorming support if they want it.
• Try helping them pair the habit with something they already do daily (like peeing = deodorant).
• Hold the boundary if it affects you (e.g., "You can go to school stinking, but if you're watching TV with me, you need to be clean.")

Enjoying the show? Help us out by rating us on Apple! https://apple.co/3du8mPK

Follow us on Facebook and join our Facebook Community! Access resources, get support from other parents, and ask Caroline and Andrew your questions! Follow FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566206651235and
FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/674563503855526