Fifty episodes in and we’re still parenting mostly by gut instinct and Google. This week, we dive into first-day emotions, birthday party logistics, and the awkward art of stepping back so our kids can figure things out on their own.

We talk about the stress of managing behavior without overcorrecting, the weird vulnerability of drop-offs, and how AI has quietly become part of our parenting toolbox. Also: we introduce a new segment called “The Mess-Up,” because let’s be honest—sometimes the best lessons come from the stuff we’d rather not repeat.

Key Points:

• First-day nerves and the emotional whiplash of transitions

• Behavior challenges and how to course-correct without control spirals

• Creating good summer days while keeping your sanity intact

• Using AI to manage health, stress, and occasionally, parenting guilt

• Embracing the mess-ups—and actually learning from them

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