Stop Comparing with Support
When I first started going to support groups, I was a little confused. Not because anything was wrong—but because it was new. The format, the phrases, the way people spoke—it all took time to get used to. But I didn’t feel like an outsider. I heard people share stories and I related. I felt comforted […]
Listen Without Fixing with Support
One of the most powerful things I’ve experienced in support groups is how people share without interrupting or offering advice. No fixing. No jumping in. Just listening. In the groups I attend, there’s a guideline called “no crosstalk.” That means no interrupting, no giving advice, and no directly responding to someone else’s share. When someone […]
Take What Works with Support
A few years ago, I started going to a support group. I was nervous about joining because I grew up in an environment with a lot of rules—the kind where stepping outside of expectations brought shame, not just on you but on your whole family and community. So when I first heard the phrases and […]
Take Care Like a Parent
There’s a reason airlines tell you to put your own oxygen mask on first. Not because you matter more—but because if you’re gasping for air, you’re no good to anyone else. Parents give so much of themselves. They sacrifice time, energy, sleep, and space. It’s part of the job. But even the most loving parent […]
Navigate Transitions Like a Parent
One of the things parents work hard at is helping kids through transitions. From bedtime to bath time, screen time to dinner—those shifts are rarely easy. Even fun changes, like getting ready for a birthday party, can lead to resistance. Kids don’t always know how to stop one thing and start another. So parents step […]
Let Go Like a Parent
Parents start by doing everything—tying shoes, zipping jackets, holding little hands across the street. But eventually, kids have to try things on their own. Even when it’s messy. Even when it’s hard to watch. Stepping back can feel wrong, but it’s what allows them to build confidence and learn what they’re capable of. That same […]
Celebrate Small Wins Like a Parent
When you’re raising a human from scratch, everything is new. Holding a spoon, taking a step, babbling a word that almost sounds like something real—it all gets celebrated. And it should. That’s how kids learn what matters. They try, someone cheers, and their brain says: “Let’s do more of that.” Parents don’t wait for perfection. […]
Lead by Example Like a Parent
One of the biggest lessons we learn from parents doesn’t come from what they say—it comes from what they do. Children may hear rules and guidance, but what really shapes them is the behavior they’re surrounded by. When kids see patience, they learn patience. When they’re spoken to with kindness, they internalize kindness. When a […]
Use the Right Tool Like a Chef
Sometimes when I cook, I flip the food in the pan with my fingers. Not because it’s the best way—but because I don’t want to dirty a spatula or a pair of tongs. To keep going, I end up reaching for whatever’s nearby—a fork, a spoon, the wrong lid—just so I don’t have to clean […]
Find Patience Like a Chef
Patience is tough—especially in the kitchen, where waiting feels optional. I’ve been completely full by the time I finished cooking a meal, just from all the tasting. I’ve thrown ingredients into the pot too soon, turned the heat up too high, or skipped steps because I was too impatient to wait. But every time I […]
