Parenting school-age kids comes with a unique set of challenges—from overflowing backpacks and sports schedules to snacks, lunches, uniforms, and the endless drop-offs and pick-ups. It’s a lot to manage, and the truth is: no one can do it all alone. We open up about what it looks like in our households to share the parenting load and how we’ve learned to find balance with our partners over the last 10 years.

You’ll hear the different ways our families divide responsibilities—whether it’s one partner planning while the other executes, or one person taking a task from start to finish. Abby also shares how Colin’s work travel adds another layer to family dynamics, but the systems they’ve created together help keep things running smoothly.

The conversation also dives into helicopter partnering, letting go of control, and trusting that even if your partner’s way looks different (or happens on a different timeline), the important thing is that the task gets done. We also lean on our community—asking for help when needed and offering support in return.

This episode is a reminder that building independence in kids, sharing the load with your partner, and proactively communicating can make family life feel more balanced and joyful.

If you’re navigating the busy school years and wondering how to better share the load at home, this episode will give you both perspective and practical takeaways.

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

COZY EARTH: 20% off with code HERSELF https://cozyearth.com/

PATREON: Join our exclusive community where we drop a bonus episode every single week: https://www.patreon.com/herselfpodcast

JONES Dairy Farm: High quality, responsibility sourced meats you can feel confident feeding to your family. Check them out: https://www.jonesdairyfarm.com/

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