HERself

Growing up as millennials, we were often told not to be too loud, not to ask for help, and to push our feelings down. Attachment therapist and author Eli Harwood joins us to unpack how our upbringings shaped us and how we can break generational cycles as parents. Eli opens with a powerful reframe: our parents truly did the best they could with what they knew. From there, we dive deep into what childhood trauma actually looks like (and why so many of us don't recognize it as trauma), how to build resilience in our kids, and why the way we parent almost always traces back to how we were parented. Whether you struggle with patience, saying no, or knowing when to discipline versus when to have a conversation, Eli offers practical, connection-focused tools to help us show up differently for our kids.

Key Topics Covered:
What secure attachment looks like and why Eli centers her work on connection and relationship rather than control and behavior.
How to identify the childhood experiences you may be carrying into adulthood without realizing they are traumas.
Finding the middle ground between raising independent kids and raising kids who feel safe asking for help.
The number one predictor of long-term resilience in children and how to actively foster it.
Why millennial parents may struggle with patience, and why the birthing parent often has less of it than their non-birthing partner.
Punishment versus conversation: how to rethink your approach when your child does something wrong.
Why saying no feels so hard for millennial parents and what to do if you want to change that pattern.

CONNECT WITH ELI:

Instagram & Threads (@attachmentnerd): https://www.instagram.com/attachmentnerd/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/attachmentnerd

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@attachmentnerd

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@attachmentnerd

Get Your Copy of Eli’s Book: https://amzlink.to/az09tHmrRU6NT 

LINKS AND RESOURCES:
 
BETTERHELP: 10% off first month at: http://betterhelp.com/herself

LMNT: Free Sample Pack with purchase:  drinkLMNT.com/HERSELF 

Let’s connect!

HERSELF INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/herselfpodcast

MEET AMY: http://instagram.com/ameskiefer

MEET ABBY: http://instagram.com/abbyrosegreen

This episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change Network.

Abby's 40th birthday served as the perfect launching pad for an honest conversation about aging and all the feelings that come with it. With most of our 30s spent raising kids, we are stepping into this new decade with a fresh perspective, and we're keeping it real about the insecurities, the mindset shifts, and the things we actively do to feel and look our best. We also explore the power of having older women in our lives as role models, share a meaningful mantra from Abby's grandma, and wrap up with a reminder that making peace with aging is so much easier when you're surrounded by people who own it unapologetically.

Key Topics Covered:
Finding your personal balance between embracing aging and doing the things that make you feel confident and youthful.
How dressing for your changing body can support a more positive relationship with it.
The reality of working out as you get older, including injuries and setbacks, and knowing you're not alone in facing them.
Why surrounding yourself with people who are unapologetic about their age can shift your entire outlook.

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

LMNT: Free Sample Pack with purchase:  drinkLMNT.com/HERSELF 

BETTERHELP: 10% off first month at: http://betterhelp.com/herself

Patreon Book Club: https://www.patreon.com/herselfpodcast

Hair Supplement: https://amzlink.to/az0kELnE6fNiV

Let’s connect!

HERSELF INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/herselfpodcast

MEET AMY: http://instagram.com/ameskiefer

MEET ABBY: http://instagram.com/abbyrosegreen

This episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change Network.

As parents, control feels like protection. It feels like we can prevent our kids' mistakes, soften their pain, and steer them away from decisions that might hurt them. But here's the truth: control protects us, not the relationship. In this episode, we sit down with board-certified child psychiatrist Dr. Willough Jenkins to talk about one of the trickiest parts of parenting: helping our kids navigate friendships. 

In this episode:

Is it developmentally normal when kids suddenly want to drop a friend?
How to support a child with an anxious attachment style when friendship gets hard.
When (and whether) to get the other kid's parents involved.
What to do when your child is hanging out with kids who don't bring out their best and being honest that our kids aren't always angels either.
How to handle mean girl dynamics if you have a daughter going through it.
Signs that your child may genuinely struggle with making friends, and what you can actually do about it.
Tactics for staying a safe, trusted place your kids will actually come to when friendship gets tough.

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

Follow Dr. Willough on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drwilloughjenkins/

Dr. Willough’s Website: https://www.willoughjenkins.com/

LMNT: Free Sample Pack with purchase:  drinkLMNT.com/HERSELF 

HERSELF PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/herselfpodcast

Let’s connect!

HERSELF INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/herselfpodcast

MEET AMY: http://instagram.com/ameskiefer

MEET ABBY: http://instagram.com/abbyrosegreen

This episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change Network.

Summer is coming, and this episode is your permission slip to get intentional about it. We're sharing hard-won lessons about summer parenting, starting with the power of identifying your stressors and expectations early so everyone in your household can thrive. From navigating screen time without the extremes, to hiring a summer nanny with clear goals, to making sure whoever is caring for your kids understands your priorities around food and nutrition, we cover the practical stuff. Amy gets personal about a scary moment with her youngest last summer that became a powerful reminder of why simple safety measures matter so much. The heart of this conversation is one big, clarifying question: what does a successful summer actually look like for your family?

Key Topics Covered:
Abby's reminder to leave room for spontaneous fun and why those unplanned moments often become your kids' favorite summer memories
How to set your nanny up for success by communicating your goals and food standards from the start
A reframe on screen time as a helpful tool rather than something to fear or eliminate
Amy's personal story about her son's accident and the simple safety precautions that made all the difference
How to define your top summer priorities, because not everything can be treated as equally important

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

BETTERHELP: 10% off first month at: http://betterhelp.com/herself

Let’s connect!

HERSELF INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/herselfpodcast

MEET AMY: http://instagram.com/ameskiefer

MEET ABBY: http://instagram.com/abbyrosegreen

This episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change Network.

In this "Greatest Hits" episode we revisit one of our most impactful conversations with child development expert Claire Lerner. As parents who have personally navigated the challenges of raising children who don't respond to traditional gentle parenting approaches, we share how isolating and exhausting that experience can be and how Claire's expertise changed everything. Claire breaks down why some kids are simply wired differently, explains that challenging behaviors aren't manipulation but rather a need for boundaries and support, and offers practical strategies for helping children self-regulate. From rethinking timeouts to surviving big family gatherings, this episode is a must-listen for parents of strong-willed or highly reactive kids.

Key Topics Covered
Why some children are "wired differently" and don't respond to gentle parenting.
Understanding child behavior — why kids act out and what they actually need.
Claire's concept of the "safe space break" as a modern alternative to timeouts.
How to help children self-regulate during moments of aggression toward others.
Managing big family gatherings and holiday triggers for highly reactive kids.
How to talk to family members and teachers about your child's unique needs.
The importance of community and reducing parental isolation and burnout.

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

Meet Claire.

Visit Claire's website. 

LMNT: Free Sample Pack with purchase:  drinkLMNT.com/HERSELF 

HERSELF AMAZON STOREFRONT: https://amzlink.to/az0BrkLl5pX9u 

Let’s connect!

HERSELF INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/herselfpodcast

MEET AMY: http://instagram.com/ameskiefer

MEET ABBY: http://instagram.com/abbyrosegreen

This episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change Network.