Sept. 22, 2026

Transitions

Parenting through our children's milestones can be hard and exciting at the same time. We talk about the grief, anxiety, and nostalgia of watching kids grow up, plus how to support independence while staying connected.

We want our kids to grow and stretch their wings, but that doesn't mean every milestone is easy for parents. We talk about the complicated emotions that come with parenting transitions, from starting school to getting a driver's license to moving into a first apartment.

We discuss:

  • Why a child's growing independence can bring sadness, anxiety, nostalgia, and even a loss of identity for parents
  • The "second arrow of suffering," aka beating yourself up for having perfectly normal feelings about your kids' milestones
  • How to talk about your emotions without making your child responsible for them
  • Practical ways to navigate difficult transitions during parenting


Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in the episode:

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What Fresh Hell is co-hosted by Margaret Ables and Amy Wilson.

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