A Wonderful Mess Podcast

Kathryn Barbash, PsyD
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  • Parenting
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Navigating parenthood with humor, compassion and common sense. kathrynbarbash.substack.com

  1. May 4

    Ready or Not!

    I have something to share. In the fall, I will be the parent to a middle-schooler. I don’t know how this happened. I want to go back to notating the contents of diapers and trying to interpret different cries and facial expression. Or when my child was thoroughly entertained by undoing my baby-proofing efforts, crawling on a dirty floor, or even some light cleaning. I wasn’t navigating the digital life of teens and trying to prepare them for all that’s out there. I don’t really want to return to those times. I was so very tired. However, in hindsight, the tasks of baby and toddler care feel so practical and straightforward. (This is where I pause to say to those who are reading this and are still in the phase of having babies and toddlers, this viewpoint comes later, like way later, when you are no longer there. When you are in it, it’s 1,000% overwhelming!) But now I have a tween. Deep sigh. Am I ready for this? *I am an affiliate of bookshop.org. If you purchase through this link, I will earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) As always—Just a little reminder: The content on A Wonderful Mess posted by Dr. Kathryn Barbash, PsyD, is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical, clinical, legal, or professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk. Always seek the advice of your licensed mental health professional or other qualified health provider. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kathrynbarbash.substack.com

    7 min

  2. Apr 20

    Parenting Content Gets Consistency Wrong

    As always—Just a little reminder: The content on A Wonderful Mess posted by Dr. Kathryn Barbash, PsyD, is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical, clinical, legal, or professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk. Always seek the advice of your licensed mental health professional or other qualified health provider. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kathrynbarbash.substack.com

    8 min

  3. Mar 16

    Everything Changes

    With the help of some picture books, some notes on impermanence today. *I am an affiliate of bookshop.org. If you purchase through this link, I will earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) As always—Just a little reminder: The content on A Wonderful Mess posted by Dr. Kathryn Barbash, PsyD, is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical, clinical, legal, or professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk. Always seek the advice of your licensed mental health professional or other qualified health provider. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kathrynbarbash.substack.com

    8 min

  4. Mar 2

    You Don’t Have to Laugh Instead of Cry

    The use of humor can be characterized as a defense or avoidance of difficult topics. And that definitely happens, but in my experience, humor has allowed me to be right next to the hard stuff. A laugh can be like a nightlight in the dark, giving off enough light to help you avoid the sharp edges of the furniture. Related Links: Books mentioned: Road to Tender Hearts* by Annie Hartnett Humor Me: How Laughing More Can Make You Present, Creative, Connected, and Happy* by Chris Duffy Humor, Seriously: Why Humor Is a Secret Weapon in Business and Life (And how anyone can harness it. Even you.) by Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas   Additional articles: https://relationalriffs.substack.com/p/the-punchline-to-better-relationships https://open.substack.com/pub/kathrynbarbash/p/damn-my-mom-is-actually-funny?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web   You can find more about A Wonderful Mess at kathrynbarbash.substack.com. Want to support my coffee drinking habit to write this publication? You can here at my buy me a coffee page.   *I am an affiliate of bookshop.org. If you purchase through this link, I will earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you)   As always—Just a little reminder: The content on A Wonderful Mess posted by Dr. Kathryn Barbash, PsyD, is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical, clinical, legal, or professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk. Always seek the advice of your licensed mental health professional or other qualified health provider.     This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kathrynbarbash.substack.com

    15 min

  5. Feb 2

    Want to Support Play? Try Some Mindfulness

    Today, we are going to bring some mindful tools into your kids’ play. A little mindful mindset on our part as parents can play out to everyone’s benefit (oh yes, pun intended).   Listen for more… Related Links: National Institute for Play  Books: Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul by Stuart M Brown, MD But I’m Bored: Discover the Power of Independent Play to Raise Confident, Resilient Kids* by Lizzie Assa, MSEd How to Tell Stories to Children* by Joseph Sarosy and Silke Rose West Making It Up: A Revolutionary Way to Bond with Your Kids Through Play* by Chris Mannino   You can find more about A Wonderful Mess at kathrynbarbash.substack.com   *I am an affiliate of bookshop.org. If you purchase through this link, I will earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you)   As always—Just a little reminder: The content on A Wonderful Mess posted by Dr. Kathryn Barbash, PsyD, is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical, clinical, legal, or professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk. Always seek the advice of your licensed mental health professional or other qualified health provider. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kathrynbarbash.substack.com

    16 min

  6. Jan 5

    Your 2026 Reading Life

    This post is part of Reading While Parenting, a monthly feature at A Wonderful Mess, where we delve into exactly how parents can read and what reading can add to parenthood. Take a listen and then share any reading goals or intentions you have this year! *I am an affiliate of bookshop.org. If you purchase through this link, I will earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) As always—Just a little reminder: The content on A Wonderful Mess posted by Dr. Kathryn Barbash, PsyD, is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical, clinical, legal, or professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk. Always seek the advice of your licensed mental health professional or other qualified health provider. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kathrynbarbash.substack.com

    5 min

  7. 12/29/2025

    Don't Change this New Year

    II’ve got some questions for you today. These are questions to ask on December 31st (or March 22nd, July 3rd, or any date of the year). I am not a fan of New Year’s resolutions. The idea that on a certain date, we should all think of something we want to change about ourselves is not an idea I want to support. Change is not a bad thing, let me be clear. It’s just the idea that we all need to do it right now to become “better” somehow; it seems forced and unnecessary. Listen for more… Related Links: Dr. Amber Groome’s Article on Values You can find more about A Wonderful Mess at kathrynbarbash.substack.com *I am an affiliate of bookshop.org. If you purchase through this link, I will earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) As always—Just a little reminder: The content on A Wonderful Mess posted by Dr. Kathryn Barbash, PsyD, is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical, clinical, legal, or professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk. Always seek the advice of your licensed mental health professional or other qualified health provider. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kathrynbarbash.substack.com

    8 min

  8. 12/15/2025

    It's the Holidays, So Someone Must Be Sick

    The present moment is a foundational piece of mindfulness practice. The definition seems somewhat self-explanatory but for review: The present moment is the here and now. Not the future or the past but the now. But sometimes the now is not a fun place to be... You can find more at kathrynbarbash.substack.com As always—Just a little reminder: The content on A Wonderful Mess posted by Dr. Kathryn Barbash is not intended to be a substitute for medical, clinical, legal and professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk. Always seek the advice of your licensed mental health professional or other qualified health provider. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kathrynbarbash.substack.com

    11 min
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About

Navigating parenthood with humor, compassion and common sense. kathrynbarbash.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Kathryn Barbash, PsyD
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Kathryn Barbash, PsyD
  • Show Website
    A Wonderful Mess Podcast