In this heartfelt season finale of the MomForce Podcast, Vanessa Quigley is joined by Chatbooks CMO, and fellow mom, Karen Peterson for a conversation that every parent will feel in their bones. Together, they open up about the emotional rollercoaster of parenting milestones, from preschool graduations and big-kid beds to the life-shifting moment of sending a child off to college.

They reflect on the beauty of “lasts and firsts,” the myth of control in motherhood, and the power of reframing painful transitions as sacred moments. Karen shares her personal journey raising her son Gavin, a sought after D1-bound wheelchair basketball athlete who defied the odds after being born with spina bifida. She recounts the early years, where simple, difficult moments like coaxing Gavin through tears with a walker at the back of Costco laid the foundation for the independence and strength he now carries into adulthood.

They also talk candidly about the grief and growth that comes with change, the emotional whiplash of summer parenting, and how moms so often hold themselves to impossible standards. Whether you’re deep in toddler chaos or navigating an emptying nest, this episode is a reminder that you're doing better than you think. 

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5:15 Reframing lasts into firsts 

5:45 We are supporting characters in our children's lives 

7:20 Realizing you have a lot less control than you think you actually do 

9:45 The reality of being a parent of a D1 athlete 

10:56 Our kids are our greatest teachers 

14:00 Every stage of motherhood has hard moments 

15:29 Photos help remind us of all of the hard things we've made it through 

18:48 Life transitions are all about the "and" to process all the feelings 

22:40 You are the perfect parent for your child. You know what your child needs even if other parents judge you. 

25:40 Live in the moment this summer. Chatbooks will be there for you when school is back in session!