Parenting Like a M*ther

Lindsay Wolf-Owczarek
  • 5.0 (3)
  • PARENTING

Parenting Like a M*ther is a refreshing and evidence-based podcast that explores the real challenges and joys of raising children in today's complex world. Each episode combines cutting-edge research with authentic stories from diverse caregivers, offering practical strategies while validating the many ways families can thrive. Join us as we build a supportive community where all caregivers can find their confidence, embrace their unique parenting journey, and access the tools they need to nurture both their children and themselves.

  1. 2D AGO

    Fifteen Months In: Our Family’s Type 1 Diabetes Journey

    In this deeply personal episode, I share what the last 15 months have been like since my youngest was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. From the initial hospitalization to daily life now, this journey has been filled with grief, growth, resilience, and a constant mental load that few people truly understand. I talk openly about:The relentless mental math – carb counting, insulin dosing, and the constant calculations that run in the background of every meal, snack, outing, and school day.The invisible vigilance – checking glucose numbers overnight, sleeping in shifts, responding to alarms, and managing exhaustion while continuing to parent, work, and function.Mood and behavior changes – how high and low blood sugars directly impact emotional regulation, memory, impulse control, and attitude — and why these shifts are biological, not character flaws.The emotional toll on the whole family – from grief and fear to the resilience of siblings and the delicate balance of avoiding parentification.Social challenges – navigating stares, questions, teasing, and the growing self-awareness that comes with being a 9-year-old managing a visible medical condition.Control, guilt, and advocacy – learning to trust others, setting boundaries around her care, and embracing the role of being “that parent” who checks the numbers — unapologetically.Food and balance – avoiding rigid restriction, protecting against disordered eating, and ensuring she still gets to be a kid who enjoys birthday cake and Christmas treats.I also share the gratitude — for supportive teachers, incredible coaches, educated grandparents, helpful technology like Loop, and a sibling who has stepped up in beautiful ways. This episode isn’t about strategies. It’s about reality. It’s about the grief of a lifelong diagnosis, the resilience of a child, and the complicated, exhausting, love-filled work of parenting a child with type 1 diabetes. If you’re parenting a child with T1D, you’re not alone. And if you’re not, I hope this gives you a window into what families are quietly carrying every single day.

    23 min

  2. FEB 6

    When You’re Maxed Out: Honoring Your Capacity as a Parent

    In this episode, I get real about what it feels like when your mental load is maxed out—and why that doesn’t make you a failure. I share a particularly rough week where workouts were skipped, work piled up, and even simple social interactions felt impossible. Through my own experiences—like a muted podcast recording, managing a full caseload, juggling office logistics, and parenting a child with chronic health needs—I explore the sneaky ways “shoulding” exhausts us and depletes our capacity. I dive into: The trap of “shoulding” – how the voice in our head that tells us what we “should” be doing can be exhausting, judgmental, and unhelpful.Capacity vs. character – low tolerance doesn’t mean you’re failing; it’s simply a reflection of your current capacity.Practical strategies to honor your needs – including identifying non-negotiables vs. negotiables, outsourcing tasks, and building intentional moments of joy and rest.Why self-care matters for your family – modeling awareness and honoring your own needs teaches your kids to do the same.I also share concrete examples from my weekend reset, like a silent massage, family support in the office, and playful experiences like puppy yoga, showing how small, intentional actions can restore energy and patience. The key takeaway: before judging yourself for low tolerance or feeling overwhelmed, pause and ask: What do I need right now? Giving yourself permission to rest and care for your own needs is not selfish—it’s essential for staying present and resilient in all areas of life.

    18 min

  3. JAN 30

    Intrusive Thoughts in Children and Teens

    In this episode, Lindsay dives into the world of intrusive thoughts in children and teens, drawing on her extensive experience treating OCD and anxiety. She explains that intrusive thoughts are sudden, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that can be upsetting or shocking, but importantly, do not reflect a child’s desires or character. These thoughts are common in kids with OCD and anxiety and often cause guilt, shame, and fear. Lindsay differentiates intrusive thoughts from regular anxiety, noting that anxiety typically relates to real-life situations and future concerns, whereas intrusive thoughts are ego-dystonic—they conflict with a child’s values and identity. Using relatable analogies like scary movies, pop-up ads, and junk mail, she illustrates how intrusive thoughts are essentially "brain noise" that lose power when approached calmly. The episode offers three practical strategies for parents: Normalize without over-reassuring – acknowledge the thought is scary but avoid giving repeated reassurance, which reinforces it.Separate the child from the thought – help children externalize the thought and recognize it as random brain noise.Allow the thought to exist without panic – teach children to notice the thought, label it, and continue with life, reducing its power over time.Lindsay also highlights when professional support is helpful, emphasizing the importance of therapists trained in OCD and exposure-response prevention (ERP). The key takeaway: intrusive thoughts are normal, manageable, and do not define a child. With calm, compassionate guidance, parents can help their children build resilience and respond to thoughts with understanding rather than fear, just like watching a scary movie multiple times until it’s no longer frightening.

    22 min

  4. JAN 23

    Reassurance Loops & Helping Anxious Kids

    Happy New Year! I’m back after a longer break and excited to dive into one of my favorite topics: anxiety and OCD in kids. In this episode, we’re talking about reassurance—why kids ask the same questions over and over (“Did I pack my lunch?” “Will everything be okay?”) and why telling them “you’ll be fine” actually doesn’t help. I break down what’s happening in the brain, why reassurance can make anxiety worse, and three practical shifts parents can make: Validate the feeling, not the fearOffer confidence, not certaintyGently reduce repeated reassuranceIf your child struggles with worry or OCD, this episode will help you understand the reassurance loop and give you tools to help them cope with uncertainty—without wearing yourself out.

    20 min

  5. 2025-10-10

    Navigating the Alberta Teacher Strike as a Family

    How can parents support their child’s learning and emotional wellbeing during an unexpected school closure — and could this disruption actually be an opportunity for growth? In this timely episode of Parenting Like a Mother, recorded on October 6, 2025, as Alberta’s 51,000 teachers began the province’s first strike since 2002, host Lindsay talks with Julie Diamond, founder of Diamond Teachers Group and a certified teacher with over 15 years of experience. Together, they explore how parents can help children stay grounded, confident, and connected during this period of uncertainty — drawing lessons from Ontario’s previous strikes and the COVID-19 school shutdowns. This conversation focuses on what families can control: emotional support, maintaining structure, and creating meaningful learning moments at home. You’ll learn why emotional validation must come before academics, how to support learning without pressure, and ways to reframe this disruption as a time to build confidence, independence, and curiosity. ________________________________________ In This Episode, We Discuss: •    The 2025 Alberta teachers’ strike and its impact on 730,000 students province-wide •    The emotional ripple effects for kids — from confusion to anxiety to empathy for their teachers •    Why checking in with your child’s feelings is the best first step •    How to keep routines predictable to provide a sense of safety •    Creative learning alternatives that make learning fun: Minecraft math, baking chemistry, nature walks, and board games •    How to close learning gaps and boost confidence through small wins •    Building executive functioning and a sense of accomplishment outside traditional schoolwork •    Setting realistic goals for the strike period — whether it lasts a week or a month •    Protecting social connection to prevent isolation and loneliness •    Talking with kids about advocacy and fairness in age-appropriate ways •    Balancing screen time with both educational and creative content •    Supporting your own wellbeing as a parent and focusing on what’s within your control •    When and how to reach out for extra support through tutors or community resources ________________________________________ Guest Expert Julie Diamond is the founder of Diamond Teachers Group (formerly Teachers to Go), an online tutoring company established in 2011. She’s a certified teacher in BC and Ontario and has served on the Toronto District School Board’s Special Education Advisory Committee, representing students on the autism spectrum. ________________________________________ Resources: 🟢 Green Door Clinic 🟣 Parenting Like a Mother on Instagram 🔵 Diamond Teachers Group ________________________________________

    25 min

  6. 2025-09-12

    Finding Calm in the Chaos

    How do you find yourself when you're constantly switching between parent mode and professional mode — and why "balance" might be the wrong goal entirely? Join us for this episode of Parenting Like a Mother, where we explore the unique cognitive load of being a professional and parent simultaneously. Drawing on research from UCLA's Center for Everyday Lives and Families and Harvard's Dr. Alison Daminger, we examine why parents switch contexts every 19 minutes during peak hours and how this constant role-switching creates an invisible mental load that's often undervalued. Through personal reflections on the "shrinking self" phenomenon and the modern working parent paradox, we discover why today's parents spend more time with their children than ever before yet feel more overwhelmed. This episode challenges the myth of perfect balance and introduces the concept of "good enough parenting" as a more sustainable approach. You'll learn practical micro-strategies for creating calm in your daily transitions and why giving yourself permission to be exactly where you are might be more valuable than any optimization system. Topics discussed in this episode include: The constant role-switching between breakfast coordinator, professional strategist, and bedtime story readerUCLA research showing parents switch contexts every 19 minutes during peak hoursThe four invisible processes of mental load: anticipating, identifying, deciding, and monitoringHow becoming a parent literally rewires our brains to be more vigilant and anxiousThe "shrinking self" phenomenon and disappearing personal momentsWhy working parents today spend 4.5 more hours per week with children than parents in 1975The "good parent trap" and pressure to optimize every aspect of children's experiencesDr. Jody Carrington's insight that "balance is b******t"The difference between emotional availability and processing every emotionCreating micro-moments of calm through transition breaths and sacred spacesReframing life as seasons rather than seeking perfect balanceThe physiological sigh technique from Dr. Huberman for nervous system regulationEnergy audits and sustainable presence over perfectionismWhy "good enough parenting" (responsive, consistent, resilient modeling) is actually idealGreen Door Clinic: https://www.greendooryeg.ca Parenting Like a Mother on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parenting_like_a_mother

    19 min

  7. 2025-08-22

    Navigating the Back-to-School Transition: Understanding Your Child's Brain During September Stress

    Join us as we dive into the fascinating neuroscience behind why every child—regardless of temperament or previous experience—needs extra time and support to adjust to returning to school. We explore why even excited children experience elevated cortisol levels and behavioral changes during school transitions, understanding how children's developing prefrontal cortex affects their ability to manage change and regulate emotions. Lindsay breaks down the phenomenon of "restraint collapse"—why your child might be perfect at school but fall apart at home—and explains how this is actually neurologically normal rather than manipulation. Through evidence-based strategies, we cover everything from sleep regulation (which takes two weeks to fully adjust) to environmental preparation, morning routines, and age-appropriate adjustment timelines. Whether your child is starting kindergarten, transitioning to middle school, or moving to a new district, this episode provides practical tools for supporting them through this universal yet challenging experience. We also address special considerations for children with anxiety, ADHD, autism spectrum needs, and those in after-school care programs. Topics discussed in this episode include: Why children's brains prioritize emotional processing over logical thinking during transitionsHow the underdeveloped prefrontal cortex (until age 25) affects children's ability to manage changeWhy your child's nervous system registers school as a potential threat—and why this is evolutionary protectionUnderstanding "restraint collapse" and why children fall apart at home after being good at schoolAge-specific adjustment timelines: 3-4 weeks for preschoolers, 2-3 weeks for elementary, 2-6 weeks for teensWhy sleep regulation should begin two weeks before school starts for optimal adjustmentHow controlled exposure to school environments can reduce anxiety by familiarizing the brainThe importance of comfort items, which can reduce anxiety by up to 60%Morning routine strategies and why protein-rich breakfasts sustain attention for 3-4 hoursBetter conversation starters than "How was school?" to connect with overstimulated childrenSpecial considerations for children with anxiety, ADHD, and autism spectrum needsWarning signs that indicate professional support may be needed Green Door Clinic: https://www.greendooryeg.ca Parenting Like a Mother on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parenting_like_a_mother

    23 min

  8. 2025-06-20

    Risky Play

    Why taking risks might be the safest thing your child can do — and how to support them through it. Join us for this episode of Parenting Like a Mother, where we explore the crucial psychological benefits of age-appropriate risk-taking and how parents can manage their own anxiety while fostering resilience in their children. Drawing on groundbreaking research from Dr. Ellen Sandseter on "risky play" and Dr. Peter Gray's work on overprotection, we uncover why our protective instincts might actually be making our children less equipped to handle life's challenges. Through the host's experience as both a psychologist and mother — including her daughter's recent gymnastics injury — we examine how setbacks can build both physical and psychological resilience. This episode reveals the "overprotection paradox" and how well-meaning parents can inadvertently increase anxiety and decrease problem-solving capabilities in their children. You'll learn to distinguish between manageable challenges that promote growth and genuine hazards that require intervention, while discovering practical strategies to support your child's natural drive toward independence and competence. Topics discussed in this episode include: The six categories of risky play and their developmental benefitsHow overprotection paradoxically increases anxiety and decreases resilienceThe crucial difference between challenges (manageable risks) and hazards (genuine dangers)Neuroscience research showing how risk-taking builds neural pathways for problem-solvingPersonal insights from a gymnastics injury and recovery processRisk compensation theory and natural behavior adjustment in childrenAge-appropriate risk guidelines from toddlers through adolescenceHow to manage parental anxiety while supporting child explorationDeveloping risk assessment skills through guided conversationsCreating graduated challenge environments at home and in activitiesResponding to failures and injuries as learning opportunities rather than disastersWhy junior high is the perfect time for manageable failuresPractical strategies for building confidence and metacognitive skills Green Door Clinic: https://www.greendooryeg.ca Parenting Like a Mother on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parenting_like_a_mother

    26 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Parenting Like a M*ther is a refreshing and evidence-based podcast that explores the real challenges and joys of raising children in today's complex world. Each episode combines cutting-edge research with authentic stories from diverse caregivers, offering practical strategies while validating the many ways families can thrive. Join us as we build a supportive community where all caregivers can find their confidence, embrace their unique parenting journey, and access the tools they need to nurture both their children and themselves.

Information

  • Creator
    Lindsay Wolf-Owczarek
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Lindsay Wolf-Owczarek
  • Show Website
    Parenting Like a M*ther