Fresh Start Family Show

What if one of the most powerful things we can give our kids is freedom from pressure? In this episode, Wendy sits down with veteran educator and homeschool mentor Julie Ross to talk about how to opt out of pressure-filled schooling, whether your kids are in homeschool, public school, private school, or somewhere in between. Together, they explore how fear, performance, and constant pressure can steal the joy from learning, and what it looks like to create an educational life that feels more peaceful, connected, and developmentally aligned. Julie shares wisdom from more than 30 years in education, including her experience as a public school teacher, private school founder, homeschool hybrid leader, curriculum creator, and homeschool mom of five. Wendy also shares her own story of choosing a lower-pressure path inside the public school system and how that shift changed the trajectory of her daughter’s school experience. Inside this conversation, you’ll hear: Why slowness and unstructured play are essential for healthy development How parental pressure quietly shapes the emotional climate of learning Why resistance doesn’t always mean something is wrong How to replace control with connection, creativity, and partnership What it looks like to trust your child’s pace without becoming permissive How to think more wisely about screens, technology, and real learning If school has become a source of stress in your home, this episode will encourage you to step back, breathe deeper, and remember that education doesn’t have to come at the expense of your child’s joy, mental health, or connection with you. ➡️ Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.freshstartfamilyonline.com/314⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more info and links. 🌵 Raising a strong-willed cactus kid and need a little help? Grab my FREE 'Cactus Kids Survival Guide' today! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/cactus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📕 Pre-order your copy of Fresh Start Your Family: Powerful Parenting to Restore Peace in Your Home and claim your FREE Bonuses! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/preorder⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What if one of the most important things we teach our kids is how to handle hurt...without hurting back? In this episode, Wendy and Terry unpack revenge misbehavior, one of the four mistaken goals of behavior taught inside Fresh Start Family and featured in Chapter 12 of Fresh Start Your Family. They explore what revenge behavior looks like in everyday family life, hitting, biting, attitude, eye rolls, harsh words, and why it so often comes from a child’s deep sense of hurt, unfairness, or disrespect. But this conversation goes deeper than parenting. Wendy and Terry also draw a powerful parallel between the revenge cycles we see in homes and the same power-over, hurt-back patterns playing out in culture, leadership, and politics. When families are taught that force, fear, punishment, and humiliation are the way to control behavior, those same dynamics don’t stay in the home, they ripple outward into the world. Inside this episode, you’ll hear: What revenge misbehavior really is and how to spot it Why punishment keeps hurt cycles alive instead of ending them The role of humility in breaking revenge patterns How strong-willed kids often react to disrespect and hypocrisy Why the way we handle conflict at home shapes the future of our communities and world If you’ve ever wondered how to stop the hitting, attitude, or emotional jabs without becoming harsh or permissive, this episode will help you understand the root cause, respond with strength and compassion, and raise kids who know how to handle hurt in a different way. ➡️ Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.freshstartfamilyonline.com/313⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more info and links. 🌵 Raising a strong-willed cactus kid and need a little help? Grab my FREE 'Cactus Kids Survival Guide' today! ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/cactus⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📕 Pre-order your copy of Fresh Start Your Family: Powerful Parenting to Restore Peace in Your Home and claim your FREE Bonuses! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/preorder⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What if the reason you keep reacting in parenting isn’t a mindset problem… but a nervous system one? In this powerful conversation, Wendy sits down with nervous system specialist Carrie Montgomery to talk about how rewiring your brain and regulating your body can completely change the way you love, lead, and parent. They unpack: Why willpower isn’t enough when you’re in an emotional hijack What’s actually happening in your brain during reactive moments How nervous system repair creates real generational change Simple tools (like wall pushes and breathwork) you can use immediately If you’re tired of yelling, shutting down, or feeling out of control in hard moments with your kids… this episode will feel like hope. Because when you heal your nervous system, you don’t just change your reactions. You change your legacy. ✨ ➡️ Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.freshstartfamilyonline.com/312⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more info and links. 🌵 Raising a strong-willed cactus kid and need a little help? Grab my FREE 'Cactus Kids Survival Guide' today! ⁠⁠⁠https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/cactus⁠⁠⁠ 📕 Pre-order your copy of Fresh Start Your Family: Powerful Parenting to Restore Peace in Your Home and claim your FREE Bonuses! ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/preorder⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You want to grow. You’re reading the books. You’re learning new tools. And your spouse? Not so much. If you’ve ever felt like you’re parenting from two different playbooks under the same roof, this episode is for you. Wendy and Terry share their real-life journey of getting on the same page, what it looked like when one partner led the way, and how connection-based parenting transformed not just their kids, but their marriage. Inside this conversation, you’ll hear: Why one parent often goes first in the growth process How to invite a resistant spouse into learning without control or criticism The truth about “gentle” parenting and why firm-and-kind is not permissive How fathers especially benefit from prioritizing relationship What it really means to end generational cycles If you’re longing for unity, deeper connection, and less tension around discipline, there is a path forward, even if you feel like you’re walking it alone right now. ➡️ Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.freshstartfamilyonline.com/311⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more info and links. 🌵 Raising a strong-willed cactus kid and need a little help? Grab my FREE 'Cactus Kids Survival Guide' today! ⁠⁠https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/cactus⁠⁠ ☀️ Ready for a weekend to refill your soul, reset your peace, and transform your home? You can still grab your ticket to Freedom to Be - March 14-15th, in sunny San Diego, CA . Use the code FREEDOM for $150 off your ticket at checkout! ⁠⁠https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/freedom⁠⁠ 📕 Pre-order your copy of Fresh Start Your Family: Powerful Parenting to Restore Peace in Your Home and claim your FREE Bonuses! ⁠⁠⁠https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/preorder⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Parenting a strong-willed child can feel intense, exhausting, and isolating, especially when your kid has big emotions, strong opinions, and a “justice-seeking” spirit that won’t quit. In this episode of The Fresh Start Family Show, Wendy sits down with parenting coach and author Mary Van Geffen to talk about how to parent a “spicy one”, without losing your mind, your confidence, or their spark. You’ll learn how to set firm and kind boundaries, why repair matters more than perfection, and how simple shifts in your tone of voice, pace, and posture can change everything when your child pushes back. Mary also shares powerful mindset shifts from her new book Parenting a Spicy One, including the idea that your child isn’t your problem, they’re your curriculum. If you’re raising a strong-willed or “spicy” kid and you want more cooperation, less yelling, and a home that feels safer and more connected, this episode will feel like a deep exhale. ➡️ Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.freshstartfamilyonline.com/310⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more info and links. 🌵 Raising a strong-willed cactus kid and need a little help? Grab my FREE 'Cactus Kids Survival Guide' today! ⁠https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/cactus⁠ ☀️ Ready for a weekend to refill your soul, reset your peace, and transform your home? You can still grab your ticket to Freedom to Be - March 14-15th, in sunny San Diego, CA . Use the code FREEDOM for $150 off your ticket at checkout! ⁠https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/freedom⁠ 📕 Pre-order your copy of Fresh Start Your Family: Powerful Parenting to Restore Peace in Your Home and claim your FREE Bonuses! ⁠⁠https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/preorder⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What if nurturing a healthy, shame-free sex life could actually help us become calmer, more patient parents? In this heartfelt and honest conversation, Wendy Snyder is joined by Christian sex educator Carlie Palmer-Webb to explore the powerful connection between intimacy, nervous system regulation, and the way we show up for our families. Together, they unpack how harmful purity culture messages have left many adults disconnected from their bodies, their desire, and their sense of safety, and how healing our relationship with sex can ripple outward into our marriages and parenting. Carlie shares her personal journey growing up in purity culture, why so many women struggle with shame, pain, or obligation around sex, and how education, compassion, and curiosity can open the door to truly connected intimacy. Wendy reflects on how emotional and physical connection in marriage fuels patience, regulation, and resilience at home, especially for parents working hard to break generational cycles. This episode is a validating, hopeful invitation for couples to reclaim intimacy as something life-giving, empowering, and deeply supportive of the family legacy they’re building. ➡️ Head to ⁠⁠⁠https://www.freshstartfamilyonline.com/309⁠⁠⁠ for more info and links. 🌵 Raising a strong-willed cactus kid and need a little help? Grab my FREE 'Cactus Kids Survival Guide' today! https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/cactus ☀️ Ready for a weekend to refill your soul, reset your peace, and transform your home? You can still grab your ticket to Freedom to Be - March 14-15th, in sunny San Diego, CA . Use the code FREEDOM for $150 off your ticket at checkout! https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/freedom 📕 Pre-order your copy of Fresh Start Your Family: Powerful Parenting to Restore Peace in Your Home and claim your FREE Bonuses! ⁠https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/preorder⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What if misbehavior isn’t defiance, manipulation, or disrespect, but communication? In this honest, reflective conversation, Wendy and Terry invite us to upgrade our parenting lenses and see our kids, and ourselves, more clearly. Using a powerful “lens” metaphor, they unpack how much of our reactivity is shaped by old conditioning, inherited beliefs, and unconscious power struggles, and how different everything feels when we remove the glare. Together, they explore why kids act out when needs go unmet, how power struggles form, and what happens when we stop trying to control behavior and start responding with curiosity, leadership, and connection. With real stories from their own family and 15+ years of lived experience, Wendy and Terry show how shifting our paradigm doesn’t just change our parenting, it changes our relationships, our nervous systems, and the legacy we’re building. If you’ve ever felt triggered, stuck, or unsure how to respond when emotions run high, this episode will help you slow down, see differently, and lead with confidence and compassion. Head to ⁠⁠https://www.freshstartfamilyonline.com/308⁠⁠ for more info and links. 🌟The Fresh Start Experience membership is open for a limited time! Learn more about this full support parenting program at https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/jointoday 📕 Pre-order your copy of Fresh Start Your Family: Powerful Parenting to Restore Peace in Your Home and grab your FREE Bonuses! https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/preorder 🗺 The Firm & Kind Parenting Blueprint is your step by step plan & video training to help you build the family of your dreams. Click here to learn more! 👉⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/firmandkind ⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Threats might feel like they work in the moment, but they quietly erode trust, connection, and long-term cooperation. In this episode, Wendy and Terry break down why threats, bribes, and countdowns keep families stuck in power struggles, and what to do instead. They explore the difference between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation, why so many of us default to control without realizing it, and how a simple shift in language and leadership can completely change the tone of your home. You’ll learn Wendy’s favorite strategy for replacing threats with firm, kind guidance that actually teaches self-control, builds respect, and supports your child’s inner motivation, without fear, shame, or endless battles. A must-listen for parents who want calmer days now and stronger relationships long-term. Head to ⁠https://www.freshstartfamilyonline.com/307⁠ for more info and links. 🌟 Save your seat for the⁠ Empowered Parenting Reset workshop⁠ happening Jan 28th! 🗺 The Firm & Kind Parenting Blueprint is your step by step plan & video training to help you build the family of your dreams. Click here to learn more! 👉⁠⁠⁠⁠https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/firmandkind ⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of The Fresh Start Family Show, Wendy and Terry explore how honesty, humility, and radical responsibility give parents the power to create real change at home. They share why breaking generational patterns starts with looking at our own reactions, not blaming kids, and how compassionate discipline builds trust, safety, and lasting connection. Through honest stories and practical insight, they show how becoming a calm, accountable leader helps your child feel safe coming to you when it matters most. A grounding listen for parents who want less reactivity and more peace, connection, and confidence. Head to https://www.freshstartfamilyonline.com/306 for more info and links. 🌟 Save your seat for the Empowered Parenting Reset workshop happening Jan 28th! 📕Grab my FREE Quick Start Learning Bundle & discover 3 secrets to empower, connect, and build true collaboration with your strong-willed child! Head here to learn more! 👉⁠https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/thrive 🗺 The Firm & Kind Parenting Blueprint is your step by step plan & video training to help you build the family of your dreams. Click here to learn more! 👉⁠⁠⁠https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/firmandkind ⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of The Fresh Start Family Show, Wendy invites parents into a powerful reset, one that goes far beyond New Year’s resolutions. She explores how fresh starts are created through intention, nervous system safety, and the courage to imagine something better for your family. Wendy unpacks why misbehavior is often a signal, not a problem, and how breaking generational cycles begins with understanding what’s happening beneath the surface, for both parents and kids. You’ll hear how collective energy, community support, and regulation-first parenting can help you move from reactive patterns into more peace, joy, and connection at home. This episode is a grounding, hopeful reminder that it’s never too late to rewire old habits, rebuild trust, and create family dynamics that truly feel good. If you’re ready to reset your parenting approach and start the year with clarity and confidence, this conversation will meet you right where you are. Head to https://www.freshstartfamilyonline.com/305  for more info and guest links. 📆 Save the date for my FREE workshop - The Empowered Parenting Reset - happening January 28. Mark your calendar bc you're not going to want to miss this... 📕Grab my FREE Quick Start Learning Bundle & discover 3 secrets to empower, connect, and build true collaboration with your strong-willed child! Head here to learn more! 👉https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/thrive 🗺 The Firm & Kind Parenting Blueprint is your step by step plan & video training to help you build the family of your dreams. Click here to learn more! 👉⁠⁠https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/firmandkind ⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wendy and Terry kick off the new year with an honest, heart-led reflection on 2025, the moments that stretched them, shaped their family, and changed them in ways they didn’t fully recognize at the time. From navigating grief and faith to watching their kids step into confidence, leadership, and generosity, they share what this past year taught them about trust, commitment, and listening to intuition, even when outcomes weren’t guaranteed. They talk candidly about what it really takes to stay all-in through uncertainty, in parenting, marriage, and everyday life. They also share their Word of the Year for 2026, inviting listeners into a simpler, more trusting way of moving forward and choosing what truly matters next. This episode is reflective, real, and deeply encouraging, perfect for parents who want to begin the year feeling connected, clear, and anchored in what matters most. Perfect for parents reflecting on the past year and stepping into a more intentional new year of family life. Head to https://www.freshstartfamilyonline.com/304 for more info and guest links. 📕Grab my FREE Quick Start Learning Bundle & discover 3 secrets to empower, connect, and build true collaboration with your strong-willed child! Head here to learn more! 👉https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/thrive 🗺 The Firm & Kind Parenting Blueprint is your step by step plan & video training to help you build the family of your dreams. Click here to learn more! 👉⁠⁠https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/firmandkind ⁠⁠ 🔔 Don't forget to check us out over on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What if your cycle wasn’t something to “get through”—but a secret superpower? In this empowering episode, Wendy sits down with hormone health practitioner Kate Nguy to explore how syncing with your hormonal rhythm can transform the way you parent, work, and care for yourself. Kate shares her personal story of healing infertility, the surprising truth about cortisol and stress, and how understanding the four seasons of your cycle—spring, summer, fall, and winter—can help you regulate your nervous system, communicate with more ease, and parent with greater patience and presence. 🔍 What You’ll Learn: How your cycle impacts mood, energy, communication, and parenting capacity Simple ways to align your life with your hormonal phases Nervous system support through hormone awareness Real-life parenting hacks for each “season” of your cycle Whether you’ve felt unstoppable one week and overwhelmed the next—this conversation will help it all make sense. You’ll walk away feeling seen, validated, and equipped to stop fighting your body and start honoring it. Head to https://www.freshstartfamilyonline.com/303  for more info and guest links. ⭐️​Grab my FREE Quick Start Compassionate Discipline Learning Bundle today and discover how to build a strong, compassionate, FIRM & effective discipline toolkit that works with kids of ALL ages!! 👉 https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/discipline 🗺 The Firm & Kind Parenting Blueprint is your step by step plan & video training to help you build the family of your dreams. Click here to learn more! 👉⁠⁠https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/firmandkind ⁠⁠ 🔔 Don't forget to check us out over on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Want to help your child build real emotional resilience—without power struggles or shame? In this heart-centered and science-backed episode, Wendy sits down with educator, content creator, and former Sesame Street director Anna Housley Juster, Ph.D., LICSW to explore how play, brain science, and emotional literacy help kids build true self-regulation. Anna explains how the amygdala works, why threat responses show up so fast, and how connection, storytelling, and simple co-regulation tools can help both kids (and parents) feel safe and calm during big emotional moments. 🧠 What You’ll Learn: How to spot real vs perceived threats in kids' behavior Why emotional literacy is key to nervous system regulation Playful, brain-aware tools that soothe big feelings How to model co-regulation without being perfect This is a grounded, hopeful conversation filled with practical strategies to build emotional safety, resilience, and lifelong mental health—starting right where you are. Head to https://www.freshstartfamilyonline.com/302 for more info and guest links. ⭐️​Grab my FREE Quick Start Compassionate Discipline Learning Bundle today and discover how to build a strong, compassionate, FIRM & effective discipline toolkit that works with kids of ALL ages!! 👉 https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/discipline 🗺 The Firm & Kind Parenting Blueprint is your step by step plan & video training to help you build the family of your dreams. Click here to learn more! 👉⁠⁠https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/firmandkind ⁠⁠ 🔔 Don't forget to check us out over on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Raising Kids with a Faith Rooted in Love—not Fear In this tender and hope-filled episode, Wendy talks with author Mariko Clark and illustrator Rachel Eleanor, creators of The Book of Belonging—a reimagined children’s Bible centered on original goodness, emotional literacy, inclusive imagery, and a deeply compassionate view of God. Together, they explore what it means to raise kids with a faith rooted in love, equity, and belonging—especially when you’re navigating your own journey of healing from high-control theology or rethinking inherited beliefs. 💛 What You’ll Learn: How to introduce Scripture without fear, shame, or pressure Why representation in spiritual spaces matters deeply for kids How embodied, relational practices help children feel safe with God The story behind The Book of Belonging and its gentle theology Whether you’re deconstructing, rebuilding, or somewhere in the beautifully messy middle—this conversation will remind you: you’re not alone. Head to https://www.freshstartfamilyonline.com/301  for more info and guest links. ⭐️​Grab my FREE Quick Start Compassionate Discipline Learning Bundle today and discover how to build a strong, compassionate, FIRM & effective discipline toolkit that works with kids of ALL ages!! 👉 https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/discipline 🗺 The Firm & Kind Parenting Blueprint is your step by step plan & video training to help you build the family of your dreams. Click here to learn more! 👉⁠⁠https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/firmandkind ⁠⁠ 🔔 Don't forget to check us out over on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feeling overwhelmed by the pace of modern life? You’re not alone. In this episode, Wendy sits down with the inspiring Sarah Boyd, author of Turn Down the Noise, to talk about staying grounded, calm, and connected in a world that rarely slows down. Sarah shares her journey from aggressive cancer at 27 to motherhood, and how that season reshaped everything she teaches about resilience. Together, they break down simple brain science, why parents feel so overstimulated today, and small shifts that help kids and adults reset. You’ll learn: • How stress affects the prefrontal cortex • Daily habits that help you regulate through overwhelm • Ways to slow family life so kids build resilience • How to trust your intuition instead of parenting by comparison A warm, hopeful conversation that helps you breathe again. Head to https://www.freshstartfamilyonline.com/300 for more info and guest links. ⭐️​Grab my FREE Quick Start Compassionate Discipline Learning Bundle today and discover how to build a strong, compassionate, FIRM & effective discipline toolkit that works with kids of ALL ages!! 👉 https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/discipline 🗺 The Firm & Kind Parenting Blueprint is your step by step plan & video training to help you build the family of your dreams. Click here to learn more! 👉⁠⁠https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/firmandkind ⁠⁠ 🔔 Don't forget to check us out over on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Didn’t start out as a gentle parent? You’re not alone — and the best time to begin again is today. Psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Vanessa LaPointe joins Wendy to explore how to parent right from the start—and what to do if you didn’t. From inner-child healing and nervous system safety to practical, firm-and-kind boundaries, Dr. Vanessa offers a compassionate roadmap for raising kids without shame or fear. You’ll hear why “we parent as we were parented,” how to spot (and soothe) your own age-regressed reactions, and what Dr. Vanessa calls parental swagger—the calm, confident presence kids lean into at every age. If you’re parenting tweens or teens, don’t miss her reframe: it’s not too late—it’s prime time. Perfect for parents of strong-willed kids, caregivers rethinking punishment, and anyone ready to trade compliance for connection. Head to https://www.freshstartfamilyonline.com/299  for more info and guest links. ⭐️​Grab my FREE Quick Start Compassionate Discipline Learning Bundle today and discover how to build a strong, compassionate, FIRM & effective discipline toolkit that works with kids of ALL ages!! 👉 https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/discipline 🗺 The Firm & Kind Parenting Blueprint is your step by step plan & video training to help you build the family of your dreams. Click here to learn more! 👉⁠⁠https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/firmandkind ⁠⁠ 🔔 Don't forget to check us out over on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is step-parenting feeling harder than you expected? You’re not alone — and you’re not doing it wrong. In this heartfelt and practical episode, Wendy talks with Cameron Normand, founder of Step Family Solutions and host of The Stepmom Diaries, about the five most common mistakes stepparents make — and what to do instead. Drawing from her own experience as a stepmom of four (including one with special needs) and years of coaching stepfamilies, Cameron shares real-world tools for building connection, setting boundaries, and finding peace in the beautiful chaos of blended family life. You’ll learn: ✨ Why striving for perfect only fuels burnout (and how to shift to “present & good enough”) ✨ How to practice connection before correction and redefine discipline in stepfamilies ✨ Why kind boundaries are essential self-care for every stepparent ✨ The “circle of control” reframe that protects your energy and confidence ✨ How to stop comparing your stepfamily to a “first family” and build your own positive memory bank Head to https://www.freshstartfamilyonline.com/298  for more info and guest links. ⭐️​Grab my FREE Quick Start Compassionate Discipline Learning Bundle today and discover how to build a strong, compassionate, FIRM & effective discipline toolkit that works with kids of ALL ages!! 👉 https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/discipline 🌱 Head to ⁠http://freshstartfamilyonline.com/kidsoils⁠ to get your hands on the kids essential oils kit that helps fill your home with peace one deep breath at a time. 🗺 The Firm & Kind Parenting Blueprint is your step by step plan & video training to help you build the family of your dreams. Click here to learn more! 👉⁠⁠https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/firmandkind ⁠⁠ 🔔 Don't forget to check us out over on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When one in three births in the U.S. is a C-section, why aren’t we talking more openly about what those experiences feel like? In this heartfelt conversation, journalist and author Rachel Somerstein joins Wendy to discuss the hidden trauma many parents carry after surgical birth — and how awareness, preparation, and compassion can change everything.  Together they explore: • What a “gentle C-section” really means • How language like “failure to progress” fuels shame • Ways to prepare emotionally and physically for surgical birth • Tools for healing afterward — from EMDR to somatic movement This episode offers validation, hope, and practical ways to advocate for yourself and others — whether you’re preparing for birth or still making peace with the one you already had. Kind note: This episode includes discussion of surgical birth, emergency procedures, and difficult postpartum experiences. Please listen with care.Head to https://www.freshstartfamilyonline.com/297  for more info and guest links. ⭐️​Grab my FREE Quick Start Compassionate Discipline Learning Bundle today and discover how to build a strong, compassionate, FIRM & effective discipline toolkit that works with kids of ALL ages!! 👉 https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/discipline 🗺The Firm & Kind Parenting Blueprint is your step by step plan & video training to help you build the family of your dreams. Click here to learn more! 👉⁠https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/firmandkind ⁠ 🌱 Head to http://freshstartfamilyonline.com/kidsoils to get your hands on the kids essential oils kit that helps fill your home with peace one deep breath at a time. 🔔 Don't forget to check us out over on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this enlightening episode of the Fresh Start Family show, Wendy welcomes educator, coach, and host of the Enlightening Motherhood podcast Emily Hamblin to talk about impulsivity in neurodivergent kids and what actually helps. Drawing from her work with families and her own parenting journey, Emily shares simple brain science, the ways wiring and conditioning interact, and playful practices that help kids build self-control without shame. Together, Wendy and Emily explore practical strategies for setting firm-and-kind boundaries, reframing challenging behaviors, and recognizing the strengths hidden inside “impulsivity.” This conversation is hopeful, compassionate, and packed with “try it today” ideas to bring more calm and confidence into your home. Head to https://www.freshstartfamilyonline.com/296  for more info and guest links. ⭐️​Grab my FREE Quick Start Learning Bundle​ & discover 3 secrets to empower, connect, and build true collaboration with your strong-willed child!  🗺 The Firm & Kind Parenting Blueprint is your step by step plan & video training to help you build the family of your dreams. Click here to learn more! 👉⁠https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/firmandkind ⁠ 🔔 Don't forget to check us out over on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of The Fresh Start Family Show, Wendy talks with authors Kelsey McGinnis and Marissa Burt about their new book, The Myth of Good Christian Parenting. Together they explore how spanking culture took root in many church communities, what Scripture really says (and doesn’t say), and how parents can move toward a faith-aligned, compassionate approach to discipline. This conversation is full of hope, healing, and encouragement. You’ll walk away with tools to release old fears, respond with calm and connection, and build the kind of legacy your kids will carry with joy. Head to https://www.freshstartfamilyonline.com/295  for more info and guest links. ⭐️ ​Grab my FREE Quick Start Learning Bundle​ & discover 3 secrets to empower, connect, and build true collaboration with your strong-willed child! 🗺 The Firm & Kind Parenting Blueprint is your step by step plan & video training to help you build the family of your dreams. Click here to learn more! 👉 ⁠https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/firmandkind ⁠ 🔔 Don't forget to check us out over on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices