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Welcome to Chalkboard to Kitchen Table with Trish and Eileen!

In this episode, we talk about after-school activities and how easily they can take over family life. We talk about the pressure to keep kids busy, the rising costs, and how packed schedules can lead to injuries, exhaustion, and burnout for kids and parents. At the same time, we acknowledge why families sign up in the first place: sports and activities can be great for building skills, confidence, friendships, and a sense of belonging.

Rather than framing it as “good or bad,” we focus on finding the sweet spot where kids still get the social and developmental benefits of extracurriculars without losing downtime or family connection. A big takeaway is making intentional decisions based on what truly works for your family not comparisons, not outside pressure, but choices that fit your values, your schedule, and your child’s needs, season by season.

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Welcome to Chalkboard to Kitchen Table with Trish and Eileen! 

In this episode, we’re talking about going analog and why less screen time can actually be a huge gift to our kids. Not because screens are “bad,” but because kids need real, unplugged time to build emotional strength, focus, and resilience.

We share how intentional screen-free moments ... like bored afternoons, outdoor play, family games, or even just sitting with big feelings help kids learn to self-regulate, stretch their attention, and bounce back from frustration. When screens aren’t always there to rescue them, kids get better at problem-solving, creativity, and handling emotions.

This conversation is about choosing connection over constant distraction and why going analog, even in small ways, can make a big difference for our kids.

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Welcome to Chalkboard to Kitchen Table with Trish and Eileen! 

Hear us out ... Taylor Swift might secretly be helping us parent. Because the more we listened to her songs, the more we realized: this is basically a parenting manual set to music.

In this episode of Chalkboard to Kitchen Table, we talk about how Taylor’s lyrics sound exactly like the thoughts running through our heads as parents. The big feelings. The mistakes. The learning as we go. Every era feels like a different season of parenting from the fearless early years, to the emotional moments, to setting boundaries and holding steady when things get hard.

We laugh, we reflect, and we connect her music to real-life parenting moments; teaching kids how to feel their feelings, grow from hard stuff, and know they’re loved through every phase. It’s light, relatable, and full of those “wait… yes, that’s it” moments.

If you’ve ever turned up a Taylor song in the car and thought, "why does this feel like my life right now? " this episode is for you.

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Welcome to Chalkboard to Kitchen Table with Trish and Eileen. 

In this episode, we talk about the quiet power of one family anchor that one steady thing your child can count on when everything else feels big, loud, or overwhelming. When kids struggle with anxiety or depression, they don’t need perfect parents or endless fixes. They need something predictable that reminds them, “I’m safe. I’m not alone.”

As teachers and moms, we’ve seen how a simple anchor like a nightly check-in, a weekly walk, Sunday pancakes, or a consistent phrase of reassurance can calm anxious minds and give kids a sense of control in an unpredictable world. That one anchor becomes their emotional home base, helping them regulate, reset, and build resilience over time.

We share practical, realistic ways parents can create or strengthen a family anchor, even on busy days, and why consistency matters more than length or perfection. If your child is carrying big feelings, this episode will remind you that small, steady moments of connection can make a powerful difference.

Because sometimes, one safe place is enough to help a child breathe again.

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Welcome to Chalkboard to Kitchen Table with Trish and Eileen.

Ever feel like your child is speaking a totally different language?
In this episode, we talk about translating kid-talk because what kids say isn’t always what they really mean.

“I’m fine” might mean I’m overwhelmed.
“You’re the worst” might really be I’m disappointed and don’t know how to say it.
“I don’t care” could be I care so much it feels safer not to try.

As moms and teachers, we break down the hidden messages behind common kid phrases and show parents how to respond to the feeling underneath the words without taking it personally or jumping straight to fixing.

This episode is all about slowing down, listening between the lines, and staying connected when emotions run high. Because when we translate their words with empathy, we teach our kids that they are understood and that’s where trust grows.

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Welcome to Chalkboard to Kitchen Table with Trish and Eileen!

Thinking about this past year and taking a moment to reflect, we’re reminded that letting go doesn’t mean letting go of love - it means letting love change shape. As our kids grow, our role shifts from holding tight to staying steady. From the kitchen table to the classroom, we’ve learned that staying close doesn’t always look like doing more… sometimes it looks like trusting more.

This year taught us that showing up still counts - quietly, consistently, imperfectly. It’s in the check-ins, the listening without fixing, and the steady presence that lets our kids know exactly where to come back to.

As we begin the new year, we’re reflecting on what mattered most and carrying those lessons forward because parenting isn’t about doing it all, it’s about being there when it matters most. 

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Welcome to Chalkboard to Kitchen Table with Trish and Eileen!

In this episode, we share The 2026 Parenting Starter Pack - a simple, grounding reset that makes parenting feel lighter, calmer, and even fun again. Instead of doing more, we focus on doing less… but doing it better.

We walk through three go-to scripts to use in tough moments, three powerful “Let Them” statements that bring peace back into your home, one simple boundary that protects your family’s energy, one essential skill set every parent and child should learn, and one mindset shift that changes everything.

This episode gives you practical tools you can actually use so you feel more confident, more connected, and more at ease in your parenting every single day.

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Welcome to Chalkboard to Kitchen Table with Trish and Eileen!

As parents, we spend so much time reacting to the day-to-day that we rarely pause to ask: How did this year really go? In this episode inspired by Mel Robbins’ End-of-Year Audit, we walk you through a simple, meaningful reflection ritual that helps you close out the year with clarity and step into the new one with purpose.

We’ll guide you through what worked for your family this year, what didn’t, and what you want to carry with you into the months ahead. We’ll even show you how scrolling through your photos can help you rediscover the moments, routines, and habits that actually made your life easier… and the ones that drained you.

This isn’t about perfection or pressure. It’s about taking an honest, compassionate look at the patterns of your family life so you can make small, intentional changes that pay off big for your kids and for you.

Join us as we reflect, reset, and step into the new year with confidence and calm.

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Welcome to Chalkboard to Kitchen Table with Trish and Eileen! 

In this festive episode, we unwrap a simple truth: the holidays should feel magical for parents too ... not just like a marathon we’re all trying to survive. Between school concerts, shopping lists, family gatherings, and the endless pressure to “make it perfect,” it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and miss the joy right in front of us.

This episode is your permission slip to slow down, simplify, and savor the season. We share practical tips to help you manage expectations, protect your peace, and create meaningful traditions that bring connection instead of chaos. From choosing what truly matters to letting go of the rest, you’ll learn how to keep the magic alive for your kids and yourself.

Listen in and discover how to enjoy the holidays with more presence, more laughter, and far less stress  because this season is meant to be experienced, not just survived.

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Welcome to Chalkboard to Kitchen Table with Trish and Eileen! 

In this episode, we dive into one of the most common parenting traps ... comparison. Whether it’s between siblings, classmates, or friends, it’s easy to slip into measuring one child’s progress against another’s. But comparison doesn’t inspire growth but it steals joy, confidence, and connection.

As moms and teachers, we share real stories from the classroom and our own homes about how even lighthearted comments can shape how kids see themselves. We talk about why every child deserves to be celebrated for who they are, not how they measure up, and how parents can nurture individuality, confidence, and a sense of belonging.

Listen in for practical ways to shift from comparison to appreciation because when we stop comparing, we start truly seeing our kids shine.

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