Emotions With Ease

In one family, dropping by unannounced means "We love you!" In another, it means "Wait, you're already in the driveway?" Pesa Shayo joins me to talk about navigating in-law pressure, getting on the same page as parents, and making room for both cultures at home.

3 key takeaways

• Get curious about "normal." Ask what your partner grew up with and what that tradition means to them.

• Agree on the boundary and a Plan B. Decide together what you'll do if Grandma says no, then let each partner lead conversations with their own family.

• Build your own family culture. Choose traditions from both sides so your kids can see themselves in each.

Try saying this

"Mom, thanks for watching the kids. We're keeping TV to one show, so we packed a few activities for afterward. Would that work for you?"

Links from the transcript

• Live Your Best Marriage and the free United Front Quiz

• https://www.facebook.com/liveyourbestmarriage/

For more support, book a discovery call and grab your free feelings charts for the whole family.

Want support with big feelings? Book a discovery call and grab your free feelings charts for the whole family.

Your child has approximately 400 feelings before breakfast—but only three words for them? In this episode, we explore "catch," the step in the calming cycle that helps kids put feelings into words, and practical ways to build that vocabulary together.

3 key takeaways

• Start small, then grow. Begin with happy, sad, and mad, then introduce words like frustrated, lonely, and disappointed.

• Connection before precision. Welcome your child's words without correcting their emotional label. You're building a skill, not grading a vocabulary quiz.

• Model "I feel…" Name your own feelings aloud to help kids practice and recognize that emotions are experiences they can move through.

Try this script: "You really wanted that cheese stick. I wonder if you feel frustrated. Did I get that right?"

Resources mentioned

• Atlas of the Heart — Brené Brown

• The Color Monster — pop-up edition

• Inside Out and Inside Out 2

Want support with big feelings? Book a discovery call and grab your free feelings charts for the whole family.

How to Teach Kids Belly Breathing for Big Emotions

The favorite sweatshirt is still wet, your child is melting down, and "just take a deep breath" makes things worse. Let's talk about why breathing helps and how to make it a tool your family can actually use.

Key takeaways:

• Practice belly breathing during calm moments—bedtime, the school run, or while blowing bubbles.
• Model it yourself: notice your tight shoulders and take a slow breath out loud.
• If your child says no, try "low and slow": lower your voice, slow your words, and stay nearby.

Try this script:

"I can see you're upset. I'm going to take a slow breath. I'm right here."

For more support, book a free discovery call and grab your free feelings charts for the whole family.

Also mentioned: Breathe, Catch, Release, Breathe YouTube video series

Homework getting a little…heated? Former math teacher and homeschooling mom Courtney shares simple ways to help kids tackle difficult schoolwork, without giving them the answers or losing your ever-loving mind.

• Start with the hardest subject while your child's brain is still fresh.

• If your child is angry, crying, or shut down, pause the teaching. Try movement, fresh air, cuddling on the couch, or GoNoodle before returning to the work.

• Don't say, "This isn't hard." Validate the struggle, then help them find the next small step. If the problem continues, reach out to the teacher early.

"I can tell this feels really big. We don't have to solve it all at once. Let's take it one problem at a time."

• GoNoodle movement breaks

• ChatGPT or Claude for step-by-step explanations—ask it to teach the concept, not simply provide the answer.

Need individualized support? Book a discovery call and grab the free feelings charts for the whole family.

What do you do when the hard season keeps going—and there's no finish line in sight? Jami talks with Sherrie Williams of Intentional Motherhood about feeling your feelings, finding God in the messy middle, and enduring without simply white-knuckling your way through.

3 Key Takeaways

• Trusting God doesn't mean you won't feel anxious, angry, disappointed, or exhausted. Your emotions can be honest—and God can still be working.
• You don't need polished prayers. Sometimes crying, groaning, or simply sitting in God's presence is enough.
• Ask, "Where did God show up today?" Noticing one small sign of goodness can help you stay present while you wait.

A Simple Script

"How big does this problem feel—a 2 out of 10 or a 10 out of 10? You don't have to make it smaller. I'm right here with you."

Resources Mentioned:

Hope in the Waiting: Living with Expectancy and Trust in the In-Between

Follow Sherrie on Instagram

When the Heart Groans Study Guide

Ready for more support? Book a no-pressure discovery call and grab the free feelings charts for your whole family.

Author Kayla Craig (Our Daily Breath Devotional) shares how a hospital ICU led her to breath prayer. It's a simple pause you can do mid-chaos, with no perfect words needed. Perfect for the mama who can't add one more thing.

Key Takeaways:

• A breath prayer is just 2-4 words: one on the inhale, one on the exhale. (Yes, "Jesus, take the wheel" counts.)
• Slowing your breath calms your nervous system, so you can pause before you react.
• Feeling angry or triggered? Ask yourself: "Is this helpful? Is this hopeful?"

Try this script: Inhale: "You are with me."

Exhale: "In every breath."

Links:

Grab Kayla's book, Our Daily Breath Devotional: kaylacraig.com/ourdailybreath

More from Kayla: kaylacraig.com

Kayla's Substack

Kayla's Facebook

Follow Kayla on Instagram: @liturgiesforparents and @kayla_craig

Grab your free feelings chart for everyone in the family here!

Jami sits down with Nia Howard from Centerstone's Be Well Initiative to talk about the load moms carry and never mention. Community isn't a nice extra, it's what keeps you upright, plus the sneaky signs it's time to ask for backup.

Key Takeaways:

• Community isn't optional, it's oxygen. One walk, one text, one "me too" from a friend, and suddenly you can breathe again.
• Two-plus weeks of bad sleep, nonstop worry, snapping at everyone, or just not feeling like you? That's your brain waving a little flag.
• Mid-chaos (hi, marker on the wall), try Nia's BEES: breathe, move, eat, sleep. Unglamorous. Shockingly effective.

Script to try: "This is the first time I've been this mom, and the first time you've been this kid. We're figuring it out together."

Loved this one? Book a free discovery call, or snag your free Land Before you Launch PDF and start feeling steadier by tonight.

Resources Mentioned:

988- Suicide and Crisis hotline (call or text)

[email protected]

Be Well Besties Podcast

When your child lies, your brain can go from "That wasn't true" to "Future criminal?!" in about 12 seconds. 😅 In this episode, I use the DIG Method to help you look beneath the behavior, stay regulated, and respond with connection and clear boundaries.

• Name the behavior without labeling the child: "My child told a lie," not "My child is a liar."
• Start with Balance: regulate yourself before trying to coach your child.
• Curiosity doesn't cancel consequences- it helps you choose one that teaches the missing skill and repairs the harm.

"Hey, bud. I know that wasn't the truth. In our family, we are truth tellers. You can tell me what actually happened or write it down if that feels easier. Then we'll figure out how to make it right."

Book a no-pressure discovery call for personalized family support, and grab the free 33 Ways for Moms (and dads!) to Reset for simple regulation tools you can start using immediately.

Trying to manage work, home, schedules, and relationships without dropping a single ball? Author Charity Gibson joins Jami to talk about sharing the load, protecting family time, and letting go of the mythical "supermom."

• Revisit household responsibilities regularly- your family's needs change with the seasons.
• Create simple shared spaces or rhythms that help siblings connect naturally.
• Replace "I have to" with "I'm choosing to" and remember: every yes requires a no somewhere else.

"Could we look at this week together? Here's what feels heavy for me. What do you need and what can we share?"

Ready for more support? Book a free discovery call with Jami or grab the free Land Before You Launch PDF for practical tools you can use right away.

Links Mentioned:

Follow Charity on Facebook

Folow Charity on LinkedIN

Book: The Working Homemaker: Employed Christian Moms Desiring a Thriving Homelife

Charity's website

Motherhood can make it easy to lose touch with the things that make you you. Jami talks with Amy Nesbitt, creator of the Whole Wellness Mamas Summit, about reclaiming joy through curiosity, tiny experiments, and realistic support—no dramatic life overhaul required.

Grab your FREE SEAT to the Summit HERE

3 key takeaways:

• Follow your curiosity instead of waiting for one giant, full-body passion.
• Start with one tiny experiment, then treat the result as information—not failure.
• Reduce overwhelm by honoring your bandwidth, accepting help, and creating phone-free space for connection.

Try this script: "I don't have to change everything. What's one small thing I'm curious enough to try?"

Ready for more calm and connection? Book a no-pressure discovery call and grab the free Land Before You Launch fridge cheat sheet to help your kids calm after school.

Additional Links mentioned:

https://www.youtube.com/@thisjalife

https://www.youtube.com/@amynsreads

https://www.instagram.com/wholewellnessmamas/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://www.wholewellnessmamas.com/japanesecookingcourse