It's Christmas… but it doesn't feel like Christmas.

You've booked the sleigh ride. Said yes to the cookie exchange. Nailed the elf antics, the concerts, the gifts, the matching pajamas. And somewhere between the peppermint lattes and the Pinterest-perfect moments… it hit you.

"This doesn't feel like joy. This feels like pressure."

In this heartfelt episode, Jenn gets real about the Christmas breakdown moment — that point in the season where the to-do list has taken over and the magic feels just out of reach. She invites moms, dads, caregivers, and overextended holiday heroes to take a deep breath and ask:

What do I really want this season to feel like?

Jenn shares gentle wisdom, a few stories from the frontlines of frazzled parenting, and practical ways to reclaim the peace, presence, and connection we all long for in December. This is your permission slip to stop chasing the "perfect Christmas" and start creating a meaningful one.

Whether you're baking while crying or just trying to keep up with the wrapping paper whirlwind, this episode is your warm cup of clarity and calm.

Because Christmas isn't something we perform. It's something we live — together.

Did you love this episode? Help us reach more parents by hitting follow or subscribe and leaving a review!

P.S. If you are struggling to slow down this season. Reach out, let's book you in for a free strategy call today!

In this episode, psychotherapist and parenting coach Todd Sarner shares powerful insights into defiance, attachment, and the instincts driving our children's behavior.

We explore why kids resist, what's really behind "challenging" behavior, and how understanding their emotional needs can transform how we respond. Todd brings clarity and compassion to the parenting journey, helping us move from reactivity to connection—with tools rooted in attachment theory and neuroscience.

Perfect for any parent wanting to go deeper than discipline and discover the why behind their child's behavior.

When we understand the why, everything begins to change.

Who is Todd?

Todd Sarner, MFT, is a psychotherapist, parenting coach, and founder of Transformative Parenting, where he helps high-achieving parents move beyond daily power struggles and emotional overwhelm into deeper connection, lasting peace, and real cooperation at home. A former Faculty Member of the Neufeld Institute and longtime student of developmental attachment theory, Todd blends cutting-edge neuroscience with practical, compassionate strategies that work in the real world. His signature Transformative Parenting Process guides parents to become the calm, confident leaders their children need—without punishment, yelling, or losing themselves in the process.

Connect with Todd:
www.transformativeparenting.com
www.facebook.com/tparenting

Interested in his upcoming book launch?
Todd is launching his new book "The Calm & Connected Parent: An Attachment-First Guide to Raising Resilient Kids in the Age of Screens and AI" on November 18th, 2025

Looking for more podcasts on this topic?

Anxiety in Our Kids

Why Are Kids Bad After School?

Defiance! When Your Kids Say NO!

🎉 Season 7 Launch! 🎉
We're kicking off a brand new season of the Families Matter Most podcast—and Jenn is diving straight into a big one: Anxiety in our kids.

From toddlers to teens, anxiety shows up differently in every personality and age. In today's episode, Jenn breaks it down:
💭 What anxiety might really look like (hint: it's not always obvious)
🤝 How you can support your child with confidence and compassion
🚩 When it's time to seek extra help—and how to do it

Whether you're seeing signs of anxiety in your child or just want to be prepared, this episode has something for every parent. You're not alone—and you can help your child feel safe, seen, and supported.

🔔 Hit follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode.
🌐 Looking for more parenting tools? Visit www.familiesmattermost.com for coaching, courses, and resources to help your family thrive.

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of death, domestic violence, substance use, and strong language related to grief. Please listen with care.

In this powerful and deeply vulnerable season closer, we welcome a guest whose story holds the weight of every parent's worst fear. One year ago, Tammy received a call that shattered her world—her daughter had been stabbed to death. What followed was a journey through grief no parent imagines walking.

Tammy joins us to share the unfiltered truth of what it's like to survive the unimaginable. With raw honesty and unshakable courage, she opens up about the moment that changed everything, the dark valleys she's walked through since, and the lifelines that have helped her keep going. From the anger and numbness to the small flickers of healing, Tammy brings us inside her experience—offering hard-earned wisdom, fierce love, and a message every parent needs to hear.

Together, we explore:

• The brutal reality of "that call" and the shock that follows

• What helped Tammy hold on when everything fell apart

• The role of community in grief—how to build one that truly holds you

• How to be a safe place for your kids

• The deep strength of a mother's love, even in unspeakable loss

This episode is tender, gritty, and real. It's a reminder that while we cannot always protect our children from this world, we can be their anchor in it—and find our own healing in the process.

To every parent who has ever feared "the call"—this episode is for you. To those who are living it—you are not alone.

Resources Mentioned in today's episode:

Clare's Law

211- text, call, or use the website in Saskatchewan.

Thank you to Tammy, Linda, and Regina Police Services

If this episode has shaken you, and you need to talk to someone please reach out.
Book a free strategy call or email us.

This Mother's Day, we're celebrating YOU—the heart of your home—with something special. In this episode of Families Matter Most, we're gifting you a behind-the-scenes look at one of our favorite sessions from the No More Yelling course. It's a powerful, grace-filled sneak peek that offers real tools to help you respond—not react—when parenting gets hard. If you've ever wished for more patience, more calm, or just a moment to breathe, this one's for you. And as our gift to you this Mother's Day, the full No More Yelling course is 50% off until midnight on Mother's Day.

Let's be honest—anger can feel like the "bad emotion" no one wants to admit they have, especially as a parent. But the truth is, anger is human. It's often a sign that something needs attention: our boundaries, our needs, or even our exhaustion. In this episode, Jenn opens up about her own journey with anger and offers four practical, grace-filled strategies to help you handle those fiery moments with intention instead of shame. You'll learn how to pause before reacting, name what you're feeling, create a physical release, and return with repair—a roadmap that helps you stay grounded and connected, even in the storm. This isn't about being a "perfect" parent. It's about showing up with courage, curiosity, and compassion—for your child, and for yourself.

This is your time to grow, heal, and lead with love—even when voices rise. You're not alone, and you don't have to figure it all out on your own. Let's do this, together.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all you mama's out there!

Use code: MOTHERSDAY at checkout.
Click Here to get your course today!

Love what you heard today? Hit Follow, leave a review or rate us to hear more and help us reach more families like you.

This week, we're honored to spotlight the launch of Shelter Movers Regina, led by the incredible Lisa Williams. As the 11th chapter of Shelter Movers in Canada, this life-saving service is opening a path to safety for women and children fleeing abuse—right here in our community.

Shelter Movers began in Toronto in 2016 with one father, Marc Hull-Jacquin, who was on parental leave when he realized the gap in support for survivors of domestic violence. Since then, it has grown into a national organization, offering free moving and storage so that women don't have to choose between staying in danger or fleeing with nothing.

For moms escaping violence, it's often not as simple as just leaving. Without this kind of help, many are forced to stay—or end up on the streets. Shelter Movers partners with local agencies to create a safe, coordinated exit, helping with logistics like moving dates, pet care, and essential resources.

What makes Shelter Movers different is their focus on dignity and autonomy. They offer secure storage so you can hold onto your children's favorite toys, your family photos, or furniture—your safe items. You might not have a place for them today, but when you're ready, they'll be there.

This episode is a tribute to the brave mothers, women, and families who make the hardest choice—and to the compassionate hands that help carry them forward.

Volunteer, Support or Connect with Shelter Movers: Click Here.

About Lisa Williams:

With her extensive experience in community outreach and deep commitment to supporting survivors of abuse, Lisa Williams is poised to lead the chapter in its mission to offer safe and dignified moving and storage to those in need. When asked about her new role in ensuring the successful launch of Shelter Movers services in Regina, Lisa says:

"Our community needs this service and the agencies that serve folks experiencing family violence are eager for a solution that will help save lives. Leaving a violent home is the worst day of their lives for women, their children and their pets. We support their brave choice to leave. Our unique organization will take care of their belongings and the move during an already stressful transition. I am honoured to bring this option to Regina this summer for families who need a safe moving option."

If you liked this weeks podcast hit follow, subscribe, rate or leave a review. Your support helps us create more podcasts and be seen by more viewers like you!

"The age I get the MOST phone calls for is seven-year-olds—but do you know what age comes in second? Nine. That's right. Nine-year-olds are often underestimated and misunderstood, and today we're diving deep into why this age is such a turning point."

In this episode, I unpack the beautiful complexity of parenting nine-year-olds—a stage that often sneaks up on us with its big emotions, growing independence, and surprising maturity. At nine, our kids are no longer the little ones tagging behind their toddler siblings, but they're also not quite tweens.

We'll explore:

• Why nine-year-olds really need to feel seen and respected

• How to challenge them in ways that build confidence, not defiance

• What's happening developmentally at this age (spoiler: it's a lot!)

• Common parenting pitfalls—and how to shift our mindset

• Ways to strengthen your bond while still holding structure and boundaries

You'll walk away with practical tools, compassionate insight, and a reminder that this age can be one of the most rewarding stages—if we learn to meet them where they are.

If you've ever thought, "I don't know what happened to my sweet little kid!"—this one's for you.

✨ Let's make nine a year of growth, joy, and deeper connection. Press play.

Like what you heard today? We would love for you to hit follow, subscribe, or leave a review.

Looking for more episodes like this one?

Teaching Littles Self Control

7 Year Olds

HELP! Why Has My Child Suddenly Changed?

Parenting isn't just about keeping up with schedules and snack times—it's about leading with confidence, making quick decisions under pressure, and managing the mental load of home, work, and social life. Sound familiar? These are the same skills top performers in the NFL, FBI, and Fortune 500 companies need to succeed!

In this episode, internationally recognized mental performance coach Gary Chupik shares his Whole Life Excellence philosophy, helping parents develop the mindset of elite athletes and business leaders. Learn how to remove hesitation, trust your gut without guilt, and make confident choices—even in the chaos of parenting.

Can we be humble, well-equipped, and confident enough to thrive under the high-pressure demands of parenting? Absolutely. Tune in and discover the tools to lead your family like a pro!

About Our Guest: Gary Chupik

Gary Chupik is internationally recognized as one of the top mental performance coaches in the world. Gary UNLOCKS performance in professional teams, athletes, business
professionals, and those wanting to find their next level in performance. Gary's unique methods and process are unprecedented in the sports and business worlds and brings out the very best in each client.

Gary is an international speaker, writer, Professional Member of the Association of Applied Sport
Psychology, Certified Professional Leadership Coach through the ICF (International Coaching
Federation), ordained minister of 27 years, and Chaplain of the Seattle Thunderbirds for 7 years.
Gary's client list includes players, coaches, and executives from the Houston Texans, Washington
Huskies, Idaho Vandals, Stanford University, USA Figure Skating, Seattle Mariners, Limitless Minds
(Russell Wilson's company), Houston Texans, National Motocross Association, Crossfit Olympics, and more. He's worked with high-performers in business from Microsoft, the FBI, Amazon, Nick Marietta Real Estate, Thrivent Financial, Boeing, NTT Global, and many more. Gary is a sought after speaker, coach, and consultant.

Contact Gary: www.EliteMindsetNation.com

Love Today's Episode? We would love a review, follow, share or rating to help our podcast reach more families struggling through this parenting journey.

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