The “good mom” label is a trap — one that ties our worth to our children’s behavior and leaves both mother and child crushed under the weight of impossible expectations.

In this powerful conversation, certified transformational life coach, hypnotherapy practitioner, and former early childhood educator Diane Sorensen shares how her daughter’s mental health crisis became the wake-up call that shattered her perfectionism, people-pleasing, and emotional burnout. With over 30 years of experience supporting children and families, and as the creator of the Beautiful Behavior podcast and coaching programs, Diane knows the cost of living for approval — and the freedom that comes from shifting from control to connection.

We dig into the generational and cultural patterns that keep moms stuck, the difference between approval and love, and why curiosity is the key to raising kids who like themselves. If you’ve ever felt the crushing pressure to prove your worth as a mother, this episode might just be the permission slip you need to drop it for good.

If you’re ready to take this shift even deeper, join me inside LEGEND — my 16-week group program where high-achieving women break free from perfectionism, reclaim their energy, and create extraordinary lives that are still allowed to be beautifully messy. We start August 27, and spots are still open. Get all the details here: www.brookejeanllc.com/legend

Connect with Diane:
Podcast on Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/diane-sorensen1
Podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beautiful-behavior/id1537667173
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dianesorensen.bb/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diane.sorensen.589
Website: https://www.dianesorensen.net/
Free Gift – Drama to Empowerment Workbook: https://www.dianesorensen.net/drama-to-empowerment

Get Unstuck: 5 Therapeutic Steps to Take Aligned Action: https://www.brookejeanllc.com/get-unstuck

More on The Unperfected® Pod (all platforms) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

 

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Watch the VidMe Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmMra9sD7T0

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Connect with Brooke Jean:

Website: Brooke Jean LLC

Facebook: Brooke Jean

LinkedIn: Brooke Jean

Instagram: @brookejeanunperfected

 

Episode Chapters:

00:00 – 05:03 How a mental health crisis cracked the “good mom” illusion

05:03 – 14:01 The hidden cost of generational “good girl” rules

14:01 – 28:58 Breaking free from performance-based parenting

28:58 – 37:05 Curiosity over control — the shift that changes everything

37:05 – 49:44 Balancing boundaries and freedom without fear

49:44 – 59:43 Raising kids who actually like themselves

59:43 – End Creating a legacy of love, not pressure