We talk a lot about transitions for children, but rarely about how hard they are for parents. In Episode 22 of Not Just Theories, we flip the focus and explore why transitions hit adults so hard, especially in the constant context-switching of parenting.

This episode unpacks what’s happening in the nervous system when you’re asked to move quickly from one role to another (from work brain to parent brain, from calm to chaos, from rest to responsibility), often without warning or recovery time. If you’ve ever snapped, shut down, or felt completely flooded during “normal” parts of the day, this episode is for you.

We also talk through practical, realistic ways to support yourself through transitions: creating micro-pauses, using transition rituals, lowering expectations during switch points, and understanding why buffer time matters even when it feels impossible.

This episode isn’t about becoming more flexible or coping better - it’s about recognising that transitions are genuinely demanding, and learning how to meet yourself with more compassion when they don’t feel easy.