Dear Dr. Tracy

For so many, the holidays stir up so many emotions and old wounds. This is particularly true for parents while they sit in front of their children, seeing their own struggles and triggers being reflected back by their children - a window, an opening to be curious and to heal. And it often brings up questions of - where am I with my parent? How do I feel with them? What works and isn’t working anymore? What am I still holding on to? We’re going to tackle something big today.Abbey Williams, MSW, LSW is a behavioural health therapist, the found of You, The Mother, the producer and host of the You, The Mother Podcast, Author of “An ABC of Families,” and mother of 4. She is committed to supporting, empowering, and connecting with mothers in all seasons of motherhood. Abbey has been featured in PopSugar, Parents, Romper, and SheKnows. She navigates her blended family/co-parenting life with her husband, four kids, and two sister labs in Cincinnati, OH.In this episode, we discuss: Abbey’s healing journey as she navigates motherhood Acknowledging unhelpful dynamics between family members Grieving old parts of us that aren’t serving you anymore Abbey’s hardest moments on being a mother while also healing old wounds from her family The answer to this question: How do I know when I need to cut contact with my family? Grieving a mother she didn’t have  EPISODE LINKSYou The Mother WebsiteFollow You The Mother on InstagramFollow You The Mother on FacebookFollow You The Mother on TikTokLooking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again. Grab my 28 Days of Love email series built with evidence-based tools to help you and your partner start to reconnect.Ready to learn how to repair? Take my free masterclassLooking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Social media has recently become a place for mothers to connect and share their real, raw truths, but it hasn’t always been this way. For many, we open up our feeds and are flooded with highlight reels of the lives of others. Perfectly curated holiday pictures, clean homes, and women glowing - it can seem as though every other mother has their life together. Am I the ONLY mother who doesn’t love every aspect of motherhood? Am I the only one crying daily and feeling overwhelmed? Does anyone else feel a rush of anger that feels unrecognizable? In this episode I sit down with Libby Ward, the Honest Mom, to talk about the myths, shame, and emotions that show up with motherhood. Libby is a digital creator, speaker, and mental health advocate with a deep commitment to breaking the cycles of trauma. Focusing on today’s difficult and complex experiences of mental health, Libby is focused on reaching more women with her perspective-changing stories through her community of over 1.3M on social media.In this episode, we discuss: Anger and rage experienced in motherhood Resentment in relationships after having kids The changes in our identities after having children Supporting mothers in the context that they are mothering in Tackling shame and guilt in motherhood Be sure to check out Libby’s Guided Journal on Amazon! The Honest Mom JournalEPISODE LINKSConnect with Libby on InstagramFollow Libby on TikTokCheck out her websiteLooking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again. Want to be on the same page with your partner this holiday season? Grab the Same Page Parenting Holiday Webinar and feel like a team with family. Ready to learn how to repair? Take my free masterclassLooking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does it feel like a never-ending cycle with your partner when it comes to setting boundaries with the family? Maybe you both end up getting stuck on what you should do when your mother-in-law gives TEN gifts, when you both told her only two. What are the missteps in our relationship when it comes to boundaries?My husband and business partner joins me for today's episode on boundaries. Why bring in Greg? In a heterosexual cis-gender relationship, he has the other side of the experience when it comes to holiday boundaries. In this episode, we discuss: Who should set the boundaries with extended family What it means when we're at different points in our journey with boundaries (e.g., one gets defensive; one is critical) Important decisions to consider when it comes to setting boundaries with family  Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again. Want to be on the same page with your partner this holiday season? Grab the Same Page Parenting Holiday Webinar and feel like a team with family. Ready to learn how to repair? Take my free masterclassLooking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Being a parent brings new challenges to your life, but one that might have surprised you was constantly feeling touched out. Your child is tapping your arm, the furnace is humming, and you're beginning to feel like your head is going to explode. So why is this?In this episode, I sit down with Larissa Geleris, MS, OTR/L from Steady Parents to discuss parenting and sensory overload. Larissa is a licensed occupational therapist specializing in the identification and treatment of sensory processing dysfunction. Originally a pediatric therapist, Larissa experienced a life-altering concussion and experienced severe sensory and motor challenges. She soon realized the knowledge she used for her patients was helping her cope and that she could use this to help other parents who are experiencing overstimulation, overwhelm, and dysregulation. In this episode, we discuss: What is sensory processing? [9:44] The three senses you've probably never heard of [10:20] How parenting impacts our sensory processing [15:00] Why are noises and touch so triggering? [24:58] Proactive strategies for sensory overload [37:50] Larissa shares a strategy to use in the movement for sensory overload 40:20] How do we get our partners to understand what is happening to us? [42:00] EPISODE LINKSSteady Parents on InstagramSteady Parents WebsiteJOIN ME in my community!Ready to learn how to repair? Take my free masterclassJoin me in my monthly newsletter where I give you actionable tips that you can use today in your relationshipLooking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Season 4!With each season this community passes new milestones and continues to grow! I am incredibly grateful for you - your DMs, downloads, shares, and comments. Each week, you show up. You bring me your ah-ha moments, your wins, and your struggles. Thank you for joining me here and let's get started with another amazing season!To kick off the season, I am so excited to bring Dr. Becky Kennedy to this space. New York Times bestselling author and child psychologist, Dr. Becky is referred to as the parent whisperer of our time. If there is one thing that resonates with all of us from Dr. Becky's work, it is this: You are good inside. Your kids are good inside. Let's go into today's episode. In this episode, we discuss: What it means to sit with emotions [2:38] and what this looks like with our children [4:30]  The intergenerational legacy of feelings [8:20]  Why acknowledging, validating, and empathizing with others' emotions is not soft [13:15] What happens to a child when no one repairs for them and what it means to go back and repair with your child [23:00] EPISODE LINKSDr. Becky Kennedy Good Inside BookDr. Becky Good Inside MembershipJOIN ME in my community!Ready to learn how to repair? Take my free masterclassJoin me in my monthly newsletter where I give you actionable tips that you can use today in your relationshipLooking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are here! Already at the season finale.Season finales are bittersweet. I have gratitude for all the amazing conversations of this season and I feel sad that we are taking a break!I love ending the season by taking your questions.So here are three of YOUR questions that I will answer in this episode: How does one deal with the fear of abandonment when you are someone with anxious attachment? How do I get my partner to prioritize better? How do I navigate the mother wound while feeling low self-esteem, mom-guilt, and exhausted in general?  Did something resonate with you this episode? If so, be sure to share it with a friend!Ready to learn how to repair, feel closer after the fight, and connect with your partner? Join me in my FREE MASTERCLASS. I will teach you my 4 A’s on how to repair so that you can look at your partner and feel like a team again.Join me in my community! Curious about the relationship cycle you get stuck in? Take the free quiz Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected Join me in my monthly newsletter where I give you actionable tips that you can use today in your relationship Visit my website for more What’s Coming Next?We're taking a summer vacation! I'll be back in the fall with more great episodes and conversations. Be sure to leave me a review and send me a DM on Instagram about your topic ideas for next season. I love hearing from you!Subscribe and Review in iTunes"This podcast provides sound advice, examples, and information for the modern mother navigating a world full of opposing advice. I feel uplifted and empowered after listening." ~ Kat&Babe_I would love to hear from you. I would be so grateful if you left me a review on iTunes. I love hearing what you have to say about the episode, but also so that others who might benefit from listening to this podcast can find it!Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.” I can’t wait to hear from you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many people don't think of divorces as happy, which is why the story from today's guests is an important one!When Nikki DeBartolo and Benjamin Heldond got divorced, they devised a strategy to put their son's needs first.Together, they helped each other heal and build a new, blended, family. In this episode, we discuss: How Nikki and Ben came to be "Our Happy Divorce" The markers/moments that they knew it was time to divorce When you're trying to find the "right" way through separation Nikki's and Ben's response to someone who says "I have to stay for the kids" Their individual pain points in their divorce Their prioritization of their son The key piece of respect and mutuality For more from Our Happy Divorce: Follow them on Instagram Learn more about their book Head over to their website Ready to learn how to repair, feel closer after the fight, and connect with your partner? Join me in my FREE MASTERCLASS. I will teach you my 4 A’s on how to repair so that you can look at your partner and feel like a team again.Join me in my community! Curious about the relationship cycle you get stuck in? Take the free quiz Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected Join me in my monthly newsletter where I give you actionable tips that you can use today in your relationship Visit my website for more What’s Coming Next?The season finale where I answer YOUR questions!Subscribe and Review in iTunes"This podcast provides sound advice, examples, and information for the modern mother navigating a world full of opposing advice. I feel uplifted and empowered after listening." ~ Kat&Babe_I would love to hear from you. I would be so grateful if you left me a review on iTunes. I love hearing what you have to say about the episode, but also so that others who might benefit from listening to this podcast can find it!Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.” I can’t wait to hear from you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"My partner isn't willing to change - what do I do?"We love certainty and the only thing that is certain about our relationships is that we cannot control other people.It's really challenging when our partners are not interested in learning to shift - especially since a couple is two people that make up the struggles. In this episode, I discuss: What if your partner doesn't want to change? Can change happen when only one person is ready? Ready to learn how to repair, feel closer after the fight, and connect with your partner? Join me in my FREE MASTERCLASS. I will teach you my 4 A’s on how to repair so that you can look at your partner and feel like a team again.Join me in my community! Curious about the relationship cycle you get stuck in? Take the free quiz Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected Join me in my monthly newsletter where I give you actionable tips that you can use today in your relationship Visit my website for more What’s Coming Next?When change feels one-sided. What are we left to do?Subscribe and Review in iTunes"This podcast provides sound advice, examples, and information for the modern mother navigating a world full of opposing advice. I feel uplifted and empowered after listening." ~ Kat&Babe_I would love to hear from you. I would be so grateful if you left me a review on iTunes. I love hearing what you have to say about the episode, but also so that others who might benefit from listening to this podcast can find it!Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.” I can’t wait to hear from you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you find yourself asking…How do we feel close again after we just had a disagreement? My partner doesn’t like to come back and talk about the hard stuff. My partner doesn’t apologize. I always have to bring up the hard conversations.  I get it. This is a common experience in our relationships. The reality?We didn’t learn how to repair. It was never modelled to us or it came attached with a lot of shame.And yet, repairing is one of the most important things we need to do in our relationship because without it, we are more likely to build resentment and disconnection. In today’s episode, I get to sit with Dr. Morgan Anderson. A previous guest on the podcast (Season 2, Episode 21, a must listen), we talk about: What happens in relationships when you can’t work through conflict Why you need to repair Difficulties with repair through an attachment style lens Ready to learn how to repair, feel closer after the fight, and connect with your partner? Join me in my FREE MASTERCLASS. I will teach you my 4 A’s on how to repair so that you can look at your partner and feel like a team again.Learn More About Today's Guest:Dr. Morgan is a clinical psychologist and relationship coach, host of the “Let’s Get Vulnerable” podcast and creator of the E.S.L relationship method. She helps women break the toxic dating cycle, raise their self-worth and attract the healthy relationship they’ve always wanted. Make sure you head over to her IG page and send her a DM to say hello!Join me in my community! Curious about the relationship cycle you get stuck in? Take the free quiz Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected Join me in my monthly newsletter where I give you actionable tips that you can use today in your relationship Visit my website for more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the most common concerns I hear is, "My partner is struggling with their mental health, what do I do?"Dr. Kojo joins me on the podcast to discuss how mental health can show up in relationships.Dr. Kojo Sarfo, DNP, PMHNP-BC is a social media content creator, mental health nurse practitioner, and psychotherapist with over two million followers on all of his social media channels (TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Twitch, Triller).He posts skits, songs, and videos in order to bring people together and promote mental health awareness. On social media, he uses relevant trends and popular music to educate individuals about mental health conditions and the importance of self-care. Dr. Kojo is also the author of Amazon's best-selling book titled "You Already Won". He is also working on his second book, which will be a mental health workbook.He is also the host of Late Night w/Dr. Kojo - which is a daily live show that streams primarily on Facebook on Monday-Thursdays at 6pm PST/9pm EST.In this episode, we discuss: What inspired Dr. Kojo to start his TikTok videos and online media presence How does ADHD impact a couple? What are some things people should be aware of? What can people do in their relationships when their partner is coping with mental health difficulties What are the top three things you wish everyone know about mental health? Connect with Dr. Kojo: Follow him on Facebook Follow him on TikTok Follow him on Instagram Check out his YouTube channel Watch The Late Night with Dr. Kojo on Facebook Join me in my community! Curious about the relationship cycle you get stuck in? Take the free quiz Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected Join me in my monthly newsletter where I give you actionable tips that you can use today in your relationship Visit my website for more What’s Coming Next?Dr. Morgan Anderson on why you need to repair in your relationship.Subscribe and Review in iTunes"This podcast provides sound advice, examples, and information for the modern mother navigating a world full of opposing advice. I feel uplifted and empowered after listening." ~ Kat&Babe_I would love to hear from you. I would be so grateful if you left me a review on iTunes. I love hearing what you have to say about the episode, but also so that others who might benefit from listening to this podcast can find it!Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.” I can’t wait to hear from you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices