In this episode, we’re talking about what it’s really like to parent through summer—when routines are loose (or non-existent), snack requests are endless, and emotions are running high (theirs and ours).

We wanted to have an honest conversation about the mental load of summer—how much falls on caregivers to create the magic, keep the peace, and somehow still get things done. If you're feeling a little tapped out right now, you're not alone.

We get into how we're navigating screen time, camp decisions, sibling dynamics, quiet time, boredom, and the (sometimes unrealistic) pressure to make every moment meaningful. We also share what’s working for us, what’s not, and how we’re trying to create pockets of rest and connection—without burning ourselves out.

This one’s a mix of empathy, strategy, and gentle reminders:

*You don’t have to be the full-time cruise director.

*Boredom is okay (and good).

*You're allowed to set boundaries, need breaks, and change your mind.

Summer is a season—not a performance. Let’s make space for joy and mess and real-life memories.

Your kids are gonna remember how they felt during these summers— not what you did.

Check out:

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In this episode, we’re diving into procrastination and work avoidance—those moments where you know exactly what you should be doing, but you find yourself doing literally anything else. Maybe you’re deep-cleaning your kitchen, maybe you’re lost in the seventh layer of TikTok, or maybe you're just... frozen. We’ve all been there. And we want to talk about it with some honesty, some science, and a lot of grace.

Because procrastination is about managing emotions, not time. Work with your rhythms, not against them.

Check out:

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In this episode, we talk about how we view priorities. This is something we’ve mentioned before in previous episodes, and we wanted to dedicate an entire episode to this concept.

The word is “Priority”, being singular, which means that there can only be ONE most important thing.

It wasn't until the 20th century that the concept was pluralized into "priorities." The shift reflects a change in thinking, from the understanding that one could only have a single 'first' thing to the modern idea that several 'first' things can be juggled simultaneously. Yet, this modern interpretation also reveals a paradox; if many things are 'first,' the essential meaning of 'prior'—to be before something else—is diluted.

— Jeff Kays, from this article, which is really good!

There are a few tried-and-true methods that can help sort priorities. One of the most famous is the Eisenhower Matrix, where you break tasks into four categories:

1. Urgent and important (do these first)

2. Important but not urgent (it might seem like urgent would come first but actually doing what is important should come first)

3. Urgent but not important (urgent to whom? How urgent?)

4. Neither urgent nor important (why even do these? Are they must-dos? Can you get rid of or outsource them?)

Here is a link to download a PDF of this that you can fill in to keep yourself on track!

Psychologist Dr. Susan David, whom we are loving right now, is an award-winning Harvard Medical School psychologist and named one of the world's most influential management thinkers. She calls this “emotional agility”, which she has written a book about, so check that out. And BTW, there’s an emotional agility quiz on her site, you know we are all about that. (https://www.susandavid.com/quiz/) This is about letting your values—not your calendar—guide your choices. That way, even if your day is full, it’s full of things that mean something.

Three questions to ask yourself to determine your day’s priorities:

• What’s urgent AND important?

• What’s just noise?

• What would help me breathe better if it was done first?

  
  

Try setting ONE priority at a time and then be fully present for that.

We saw a little trick recently, that if you have trouble saying no, make a punch card for yourself and for every time you say no to something that doesn’t align, punch the card and then after 10 get yourself a little treat.

Here’s the link to download our punch card! Cause we all love little treats, let’s be real.

“When everything is a priority, nothing is a priority.”

“A person with a priority does what matters, while a person without a priority does what is urgent.” — Anastasia Mudrova

Check out:

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠You Handled That Perfectly™ Playlist on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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