In this weeks journal entry, I write a letter to my kids about something I almost missed: the quiet confidence with which they moved through their day, trying, failing, trying again. No ask for help. No need for guidance. Just deep trust in their own process. This is about learning to step back. To observe instead of direct. To listen instead of fix. And to trust that our children are led by something strong and sure, an inner guide that doesn’t need constant correction. As parents, especially f...
Jul 07, 2025•5 min•Season 2Ep. 54
This weeks journal entry, I reflect on a quiet, ordinary moment — watching my children stack wooden blocks with calm and care. It’s in these small, slow spaces that I’m reminded of what Montessori teaches us: to respect our children’s process, to trust their timing, and to meet them where they are — not where we wish they were. Patience isn’t just something we give to our kids. It’s something we grow inside ourselves, over and over again. And in that practice, there’s a softness — one that feels...
Jun 30, 2025•5 min•Season 2Ep. 53
In this weeks entry, we’re looking at the emotional world of children—not through the lens of control, but through the lens of connection. So often, we think our job is to manage our kids’ emotions: to fix the crying, calm the tantrums, or talk them out of being upset. But what if our real role is to model emotional regulation, not micromanage their experience? This is about what it means to be real, not perfect. It’s about being witnessed as a feeling person in front of your children and lettin...
Jun 23, 2025•4 min•Season 2Ep. 52
In this journal-style reflection, I explore what it means to truly trust in play—not as a break from learning, but as the learning itself. So often, we find ourselves packing every minute of our kids’ days with structured activities, worried they’ll fall behind or miss out. But what if the very thing we’re skipping—the unscheduled, open-ended, magical nothing time —is actually where the most important development happens? This episode is a letter to my kids, and to any parent who needs the remin...
Jun 16, 2025•6 min•Season 2Ep. 51
In this episode, I share a moment that started with a simple sock and turned into something much deeper—a lesson in patience, trust, and what it really means to raise capable kids. When our children try to do something hard—like get dressed, make their own breakfast, or zip up their coat—we often rush in. Not because we don’t believe in them, but because we’re tired, running late, or worried they’ll get upset. But what if those “inconvenient” moments are actually the ones that matter most? This ...
Jun 09, 2025•7 min•Season 2Ep. 50
What do birds sitting on wires, squirrels without hats, and early-morning curiosity have in common? They all showed up before 9am. In this episode, I reflect on a real-life, journal-style morning where my child asked 27 “why” questions before breakfast—and how I nearly missed the moment by trying to survive it instead of engaging with it. This isn’t just a story about being a tired parent (though, yes, there’s plenty of that). It’s a story about the beauty and brilliance of a child’s mind in ful...
Jun 02, 2025•9 min•Season 2Ep. 49
Ian Standard, a new dad and someone who really understands the emotional intelligence side of life skills and why those small moments of independence aren’t just about tasks, but about trust, resilience, and building a strong inner voice in our kids. My guest this month is: Ian Standard Say hello on Instagram. Sign up for our occasional newsletter HERE Start your own journal HERE Comment on this episode HERE Support the show by signing up for the Fragile Moments Community. Learn more and sign...
May 26, 2025•40 min•Season 2Ep. 48
This week we’re talking about daily routines like pouring milk, folding towels, loading the dishwasher, and why those small, often frustrating moments are actually where emotional development and confidence get built. And yeah, we'll talk about how to hand over control without the whole house burning down in the process. Say hello on Instagram. Sign up for our occasional newsletter HERE Start your own journal HERE Comment on this episode HERE Support the show by signing up for the Fragile Mome...
May 19, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 47
This weeks journal entry is a bit of a pause button. We’re talking about what it really means to slow down—not just for our kids’ sake, but for our own. And what might happen if we stop dragging them through our timelines, and start walking with them at theirs. Say hello on Instagram. Sign up for our occasional newsletter HERE Start your own journal HERE Leave a comment about the episode on Substack HERE Support the show by signing up for the Fragile Moments Community to join a supportive grou...
May 12, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 46
Regulating emotions can be a challenge. Have you ever seen what it looks like when someone tries to though? I did, and it was my 4yo son. Say hello on Instagram. Sign up for our occasional newsletter HERE Start your own journal HERE Leave a comment about the episode on Substack HERE Support the show by signing up for the Fragile Moments Community to join a supportive group of listeners and more. Learn more and sign up here. We also make What's Your Story? and Come Back To Earth. This is ...
May 05, 2025•8 min•Season 2Ep. 45
Alyssa Carlene chose the path of healing. Not for a neat ending, but for a beginning. She became the mother she never had piece by piece, breath by breath. My guest this month is: Alyssa Carlene Say hello on Instagram. Sign up for our occasional newsletter, The Montessori Dad Sign up for the Fragile Moments Community to join a supportive group of listeners and more. Learn more and sign up here. We also make What's Your Story? and Come Back To Earth. Episode transcripts are posted on o...
Apr 28, 2025•39 min•Season 2Ep. 44
Little humans, big emotions. What does that look like when a 2yo breaks a 4yo’s heart by denying a before bedtime hug? Say hello on Instagram. Sign up for our occasional newsletter HERE Start your own journal HERE Leave a comment about the episode on Substack HERE Support the show by signing up for the Fragile Moments Community to join a supportive group of listeners and more. Learn more and sign up here. We also make What's Your Story? and Come Back To Earth. Episode transcripts are pos...
Apr 21, 2025•16 min•Season 2Ep. 43
Experience the world through a child’s eye they say. Thanks for pushing play on another journal entry. Say hello on Instagram. Sign up for our occasional newsletter HERE Start your own journal HERE Leave a comment about the episode on Substack HERE Support the show by signing up for the Fragile Moments Community to join a supportive group of listeners and more. Learn more and sign up here. We also make What's Your Story? and Come Back To Earth. Episode transcripts are posted on our webs...
Apr 14, 2025•10 min•Season 2Ep. 42
Celebrating my birthday is different when you’re kiddo actually knows how to count. Thanks for pushing play on another journal entry. Say hello on Instagram. Sign up for our occasional newsletter HERE Start your own journal HERE Leave a comment about the episode on Substack HERE Support the show by signing up for the Fragile Moments Community to join a supportive group of listeners and more. Learn more and sign up here. We also make What's Your Story? and Come Back To Earth. Episode tran...
Apr 07, 2025•7 min•Season 2Ep. 41
For much of my life, I was brought up in an environment where the phrase “follow the child” is the guiding principle. My guest this month is: Rhalyn David Say hello on Instagram. Sign up for our occasional newsletter, The Montessori Dad Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts Sign up for the Fragile Moments Community to join a supportive group of listeners and more. Learn more and sign up here. We also make What's Your Story? and Come Back To Earth. Check out our online shop....
Mar 31, 2025•54 min•Season 2Ep. 40
This week I discuss the fear of losing connection with my children as they grow up Thanks for pushing play on another journal entry. Say hello on Instagram. Sign up for our occasional newsletter, HERE Start your own journal HERE Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts Sign up for the Fragile Moments Community to join a supportive group of listeners and more. Learn more and sign up here. We also make What's Your Story? and Come Back To Earth. Check out our online shop. Episode t...
Mar 24, 2025•13 min•Season 2Ep. 39
This week I explore the meaning of a parenting quote I stumbled across that hit me deep. Thanks for pushing play on another journal entry. Say hello on Instagram. Sign up for our occasional newsletter, HERE Start your own journal HERE Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts Sign up for the Fragile Moments Community to join a supportive group of listeners and more. Learn more and sign up here. We also make What's Your Story? and Come Back To Earth. Check out our online shop. Epi...
Mar 17, 2025•11 min•Season 2Ep. 38
My kids ask if they can keep me forever, if I can be their friend, and what my favorite character in Star Wars is. Thanks for pushing play on another journal entry. Say hello on Instagram. Sign up for our occasional newsletter, The Montessori Dad Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts Sign up for the Fragile Moments Community to join a supportive group of listeners and more. Learn more and sign up here. We also make What's Your Story? and Come Back To Earth. Check out our onl...
Mar 10, 2025•14 min•Season 2Ep. 37
Yelling doesn't teach; it creates a cycle of negativity. My guest this week is: Kirk Martin Say hello on Instagram. Sign up for our occasional newsletter, The Montessori Dad Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts Sign up for the Fragile Moments Community to join a supportive group of listeners and more. Learn more and sign up here. We also make What's Your Story? and Come Back To Earth. Check out our online shop. Episode transcripts are posted on our website. Show Sponsors...
Mar 03, 2025•54 min•Season 2Ep. 36
I often forget what it must be like to see things for the first time. My kids like to remind me of that on a regular basis and this week they’ve done that at the dinner table. Thanks for pushing play on another journal entry. Say hello on Instagram. Sign up for our occasional newsletter, The Montessori Dad Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts Sign up for the Fragile Moments Community to join a supportive group of listeners and more. Learn more and sign up here. We also make Wha...
Feb 17, 2025•8 min•Season 2Ep. 35
How do we define masculinity and why should be viewing it differently? My guest this week is: Steph McFarland Say hello on Instagram. Sign up for our occasional newsletter, The Montessori Dad Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts Sign up for the Fragile Moments Community to join a supportive group of listeners and more. Learn more and sign up here. We also make What's Your Story? and Come Back To Earth. Check out our online shop. Episode transcripts are posted on our websi...
Feb 03, 2025•36 min•Season 2Ep. 34
First journal entry for the new season and for this episode we’re talking about those profound and existential questions from a toddler. Say hello on Instagram. Sign up for our occasional newsletter, The Montessori Dad Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts Sign up for the Fragile Moments Community to join a supportive group of listeners and more. Learn more and sign up here. We also make What's Your Story? and Come Back To Earth. Check out our online shop. Episode transcrip...
Feb 03, 2025•16 min•Season 2Ep. 33
New journal entries and interviews begin February 3. Say hello on Instagram. Sign up for our occasional newsletter, The Montessori Dad Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts Sign up for the Fragile Moments Community to join a supportive group of listeners and more. Learn more and sign up here. We also make What's Your Story? and Come Back To Earth. Check out our online shop. Episode transcripts are posted on our website. Show Sponsor: * BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/...
Jan 23, 2025•8 min
In the realm of parenting, it is natural to experience a range of emotions, both positive and negative. While it is common to feel love, joy, and pride, there are times when frustration, anger, and fear can arise. However, when it comes to responding to our children's behaviors, choosing compassion and grace over fear and anger is of paramount importance. My guest this week is: Sam Morris Say hello on Instagram. Sign up for our occasional newsletter, The Montessori Dad Follow the show and re...
Dec 30, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 32
When a couple with children decides to separate or divorce, one of the most important considerations is how to co-parent effectively. Co-parenting can be a challenging endeavor, but it is essential for the well-being of the children involved. My guest this week is: Diary For My Beloved Say hello on Instagram. Sign up for our occasional newsletter, The Montessori Dad Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts Sign up for the Fragile Moments Community to join a supportive group of listene...
Dec 16, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 31
There are many parts of us that we have to rethink and reevaluate when we become parents. Our health in all it’s many forms is one though that often seems to take a backseat, when really our health should be the first thing on our minds. My guest this week is: Patricia Siegel Say hello on Instagram. Sign up for our occasional newsletter, The Montessori Dad Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts: https://lnkfi.re/NjBFOG Sign up for the Storyteller Society to join a supportive commu...
Dec 02, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 30
In this episode, Matt Wilson, a 29-year-old from Abbeville, Louisiana, shares his unique journey from working in the oil field to writing a children's book. Matt discusses his upbringing in a large, loving but unconventional Cajun family, his diverse career path, and the inspiration behind his book. Despite not being a parent himself, Matt emphasizes the importance of imparting positive values and mindfulness to the next generation. He dedicates his book to his mother, who taught him about uncon...
Nov 18, 2024•36 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Losing a pregnancy is a devastating experience that affects millions of people worldwide. Despite its prevalence, there is still a significant stigma surrounding lost pregnancies, which can make it difficult for individuals and families to cope with their grief. My guest this week is: Lindsey Paulson Watch the video version of this episode HERE Say hello on Instagram. Sign up for our occasional newsletter, The Montessori Dad Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts: https://lnkfi.re/...
Nov 04, 2024•47 min•Season 1Ep. 28
In the journey of parenting, we often find ourselves reflecting on our own upbringing and considering how we want to raise our children. While some may choose to follow in the footsteps of their parents, others may opt to break the cycle and parent differently. This decision can be influenced by various factors, such as personal experiences, societal changes, and a desire to provide our children with a better and more nurturing environment.. My guest this week is: Jennifer McGinley Watch the vid...
Oct 21, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Have you ever noticed how young children are constantly asking "why"? It's a seemingly endless barrage of questions that can sometimes be exhausting for adults. But this incessant questioning is a crucial part of a child's development. My guest this week is: Rachael Choate Watch the video version of this episode HERE Say hello on Instagram. Sign up for our occasional newsletter, The Montessori Dad Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts: https://lnkfi.re/NjBFOG Sign up for the Stor...
Oct 07, 2024•50 min•Season 1Ep. 26
