Not Quite Grownup

Send Caitlin a Text!

With all that’s going on in our world, you likely want to take action. But you can’t act wisely if you’re acting on bad information.

If you've ever seen a viral post that spiked your blood pressure and wondered, “Wait, is this even real?”—this episode is for you.

Caitlin and Ariella Monti (author, former journalist, and resident media studies expert) break down practical media literacy you can use between school drop-off and dinner. No theory. Just fast checks that keep you from getting played. Because outrage is easy. But truth is power.

• Click here for this episode’s blog post with links to sources and even more content.
• Stay connected: Subscribe to our newsletter!

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You Need This Episode If...

• You've shared something online and later realized it was fake
• You see family members spreading misinformation and don't know how to respond
• You want to teach your kids to think critically about what they see online
• You're tired of rage bait designed to make you angry
• You need a simple framework for fact-checking without losing your whole evening

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What You'll Get

The key question – "Do I have more feelings than facts about this?" (Use it every time you see something inflammatory)

Misinformation vs. disinformation – Why the difference matters and how to spot each

Common disinformation tactics:

• Recycled images with new captions
• Cropped photos to inflate crowd sizes
• AI-generated images (how to spot warped patterns, impossible hands, too-smooth faces)
• Staged or manipulated scenes

Fast verification workflow:

• Check for named sources
• Reverse image search
• Search "[event] + fact check" with recent dates
• Look for multiple angles/photos from the same event

Source evaluation – Which outlets to trust (AP, Reuters, NPR, BBC, government pages) and red flags to watch for

How to connect this to civic engagement – Writing better emails to reps with actual receipts

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Your Hosts

Caitlin is a former middle school teacher, current mom, and someone who regularly talks herself down from rage bait.

Ariella Monti is an author (Roots in Ink, Bound by Ink), a former journalist, holds a degree in media studies, and once almost retweeted an Onion article because she was too tired to recognize it was satire.

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Sources & Mentions

• Full list in the blog post for this episode!
• Media Literacy Art Education: Logos, Culture, Jamming, and Activism | JSTOR
• WHAT is Media Literacy and HOW Can Simple Shifts Center It? | PBS
• Teen Fact-Checking Network (TFCN), MediaWise | Poynter.org

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Send Caitlin a Text!

Ever wish you had the exact words when a family member crosses a line? When your kid brings you a scary headline? When your teenager parrots something from a sketchy source?

This episode gives you those words.

Caitlin’s breaking down nonviolent communication (NVC). This practical, four-part framework helps you hold boundaries, protect your values, and model respect during the hardest conversations at home, online, and in public.

• Click here for this episode’s blog post with links to sources and even more content.
• Stay connected: Subscribe to our newsletter!

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You Need This Episode If...

• You want to talk about politics with your kids without freaking them out
• A family member keeps saying "those people" and you don't know how to respond
• You tried gentle parenting and it felt fake
• You need scripts for de-escalating family arguments in front of your kids
• You want to teach your kids to disagree without dehumanizing people

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What You'll Get

The 4-part NVC framework – Observation, feeling, need, request (with real examples you can use today)

Word-for-word scripts for:

• The living room covered in toys (holding boundaries as a parent)
• When a relative says "those people" (responding without contempt)
• When your kid sees scary news (validating without dismissing)
• When your teen quotes a bad source (teaching media literacy)
• When you lose your temper (how to repair)

Graceful exits – How to leave conversations that cross your line

Simple experiments – One feeling word a day, one rewritten text, one boundary stated out loud

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Your Host

Caitlin is a former middle school teacher, current mom, and someone who has a quick temper and is more often in "oops, I said that" mode than proactive mode. She's here to show you how to do less damage when things heat up—and recover faster when they do.

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Sources & Mentions

• Introduction to Practicing Nonviolence with Children: A Resource for Families and Teachers (PDF) | The Peace Resource Center of San Diego
• The Heart of Parenting: Nonviolent Communication in Action (PDF) | Marion Badenoch Rose, Ph.D.
• The Center For Nonviolent Communication

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What’s Next

Ariella joins me to talk about Media Literacy and how not to get sucked in by your algo. Don’t miss it.

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Send Caitlin a Text!

Want to raise kids who stand up for what's right without tearing people down? Wondering what safe, nonviolent civic engagement actually looks like when you have kids in tow?

This episode is your roadmap.

We're talking about nonviolence as both a strategy AND a family value—from writing one-paragraph emails that move school boards to showing up at protests with clear exit plans.

• Click here for this episode’s blog post with links to sources and even more content.
• Subscribe to our newsletter so you never miss an episode → Subscribe to our newsletter!

We Want to Hear From You

What topic would you like to see next? Caitlin's thinking about media literacy, but she wants your input. Use the "send me a text" link in the show notes to share your ideas.

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You need this episode if…

• You want to take action but worry about keeping your kids safe
• You're not sure what "nonviolent civic engagement" actually means in practice
• You need low-energy options that still count as real activism
• You want your kids to see you stand up for values without modeling aggression

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What You'll Get

• Nonviolence as a family value – How to turn abstract ideals into house rules your kids can practice daily
• From-the-couch activism – Low-spoons options (letters, calls, donations, petitions) that model civic engagement without leaving home
• Bring-your-kid options – Safe, family-friendly ways to attend school board meetings, library events, and mutual aid drives
• Safety planning for protests – What to know before you go, how to prepare kids, and when to leave
• One simple plan – Pick one couch action and one kid action for this month (that's it, that's the assignment)

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Your Host

Caitlin is a former middle school teacher, current mom, and someone who believes you don't have to raise tiny revolutionaries—you can raise humans who care loudly and safely, one email at a time.

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Sources & Mentions

• Introduction to Practicing Nonviolence with Children: A Resource for Families and Teachers (PDF) | The Peace Resource Center of San Diego
• A Parent’s Guide to School Board Advocacy | ACLU of Texas
• Understanding Public Education Advocacy: A Guide for Parents and Educators | Texas Public Education Defense Fund
• Find the rest in the blog post for this episode.

Welcome to Not Quite Grownup. Let's do this. 

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Send Caitlin a Text!

Feel like you should be doing more but don't know where to start? Stuck between wanting to defend your values and needing to remember that tomorrow is library day?

Here's the truth: You don't have to save democracy by yourself between soccer practice and bedtime.

This episode is about hyperlocal action that actually fits your life. We're talking school boards, library boards, mutual aid—and how to show up with kids, snacks, and use exactly the amount of bandwidth you have this week.

• → Click here for this episode’s blog post with links to sources and even more content.
• Stay connected: Subscribe to our newsletter!

—

We Want to Hear From You

What topic would you like to see next? There's a "send me a text" link in the show notes, or DM us on Threads (@ckandgkpodcast).

These topics are unfortunately writing themselves right now, but we want to make sure we're covering what YOU actually need.

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You Need This Episode If:

• You feel guilty for not doing "enough" politically
• You want to take action but don't know where to start
• You're tired of viral outrage but still care deeply about your community
• You need permission to be a "one email this month" activist
• You want your kids to see values in action (without mom becoming a martyr)

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What You Get In This Episode

• The "Pick Your Lane" framework – Choose one local focus (schools, libraries, or mutual aid) for THIS season instead of trying to do everything
• Capacity-matched actions – Low, medium, and high spoons ideas for each lane so you can do what you can with what you have
• Copy-paste templates – Email and phone scripts that take 5 minutes max (no staring at blank screens)
• The "Show Up with Kids" guide – How to attend meetings with goldfish, headphones, and an exit strategy
• Permission – To be the mom who sends one email, shows up with crayons, and makes a real difference anyway

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Bios

Caitlin is a former middle school teacher, current mom, and the person who will absolutely sit by the exit at any public meeting.

She's here to remind you that small, consistent actions at the local level are valid and important—and that you're allowed to pick just one lane for this season of your life.

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Sources & Mentions

• A Parent’s Guide to School Board Advocacy | ACLU of Texas (roles, how boards work, tips for writing, calling, and speaking at meetings)
• Understanding Public Education Advocacy: A Guide for Parents and Educators | Texas Public Education Defense Fund (ways parents can engage: meetings, advocacy groups, contacting reps)
• Contact Your Representatives | Save Texas Schools (very simple “copy, edit, send” letter/email guidance; useful model for your templates)
• How to Effectively Contact Your Local School Board Representatives | community advice from a school board member (practical note that board members and superintendents do read emails)
• Advocacy in Action: A Guide to Establishing and Running a Special Education Parent Advisory Council | National SEPAC guide (broader parent‑advocacy strategies, outreach and meeting ideas)
• How to Help Your Community with Mutual Aid | P

Welcome to Not Quite Grownup. Let's do this. 

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Send Caitlin a Text!

If you've ever found yourself reading about the collapse of democracy while your groceries melt in the car, this one's for you.

We're being told to "stay informed" and "be engaged"—and honestly, it feels irresponsible to be anything but. But we're also the default parent, the orthodontist appointment scheduler, and the person who remembers everyone's dietary restrictions at Thanksgiving.

Your nervous system was not designed for an endless breaking news ticker plus elementary school drop-off.

This episode is about building sustainable habits so you can care about the world without setting yourself on fire.

Listen now →

You Need This Episode If...

• You've scrolled the news instead of sleeping (again)
• You've snapped at your kids and realized you were really mad at something you saw online
• You feel guilty for NOT doomscrolling
• You're trying to figure out how to be a good citizen AND a functional human
• You need permission to take care of yourself without feeling like you're abandoning the fight

What You'll Get

• Micro-grounding tools that work in the pickup line, at red lights, or while hiding in your closet
• The "News Container" method – three practical boundaries (time, space, source) that let you stay informed without losing your mind
• Capacity-based activism – how to align your actions with your actual energy levels (not your guilt levels)
• Concrete micro self-care that fits into a real mom schedule—no vision boards or bubble baths required
• Permission to be human with limits in a world that pretends we have none

Caitlin is a former middle school teacher, current mom, and someone who once doomscrolled for 45 minutes in a Target parking lot and then forgot why she went to Target.

Ariella is a novelist, former journalist, mom, and the friend who will text you "no need to respond, just needed to tell someone I'm overwhelmed today."

Together, they're here to remind you that doing what you can, when you can, with what you have is not laziness—it's sustainable engagement.

Take One Action Today

Pick just one:

• Turn off one notification (start with news alerts)
• Choose one time of day for your news check-in
• Text one friend: "I'm trying to care about the world without wrecking myself. You in?"

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Sources & Mentions

• Media overload is hurting our mental health. Here are ways to cope. – American Psychological Association
• Doomscrolling Scale: its Association with Personality Traits and Psychological Distress – NIH (PMC)
• Doomsurfing and doomscrolling mediate psychological distress in COVID-19 lockdown – NIH (PMC)

[Full resource list available in blog post.]

Welcome to Not Quite Grownup. Let's do this. 

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Send Caitlin a Text!

Your kid just asked, "What's a protest?"

When protests are all over the news and their social feeds, how do you explain what's happening without panic, preachiness, or paralysis? Today, we're breaking down exactly what to say to kids at different ages, with scripts you can steal and alternatives for when attending a march isn't right for your family.

Confidently answer your kids' questions about protests—listen for honest, age-appropriate scripts that explain what's happening without creating anxiety.

• Click here for this episode’s blog post with links to sources and even more content.
• Stay connected: Subscribe to our newsletter!

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Who Should Listen

This episode is for parents fielding questions about protests from kids who see them on TV and social media, caregivers who need practical scripts that work for different ages, and anyone who wants to raise informed citizens.

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What You Get In This Episode

• Simple, values-based scripts for ages 4-8: what protests are, why they're allowed, and how to address safety concerns
• Scripts for tweens (9-12): adding nuance about rights, responsibilities, and how change happens beyond protesting
• Alternatives to attending marches: writing cards, calling representatives, making signs for windows
• How to talk with teens (13+) about evaluating protests: who's organizing, safety plans, and deciding together
• The three-point summary kids can remember about why people protest

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Bios

Caitlin is a former middle school teacher, current parent, and someone navigating these conversations alongside you. She's here to help you raise informed citizens who base opinions on good information and treat people with dignity—not political clones of yourself.

Coming next week: Resources and tips for self-care and boundaries for moms balancing caregiving, activism, and work while trying to stay normal through the chaos.

Important reminder: As parents, our job is to guide children to become informed citizens who treat people with dignity.

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Sources & Mentions

• This excellent list of resources from Boston University
• How to Be a Good Activist and a Good Mom | All In Together
• Politics of Parenthood | About - Vote Mama Foundation

Welcome to Not Quite Grownup. Let's do this. 

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Send Caitlin a Text!

Parenting through family conflict feels like walking a tightrope. On one side sit your values and a strong urge to protect your child. On the other side lives your love for relatives who see the world differently. And all the while, your kid is watching—not for perfect talking points, but for how you handle the tension.

Today we're sharing what to say to kids before, during, and after disagreements with relatives—how to model respect, clear boundaries, and steady courage when the room gets loud—because tense moments around the table are powerful classrooms.

Build confidence for family gatherings where politics come up—hit subscribe and get scripts for what to say to your kids before, during, and after disagreements with relatives.

• Click here for this episode’s blog post with links to sources and even more content.
• Stay connected: Subscribe to our newsletter!

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Who Should Listen

This episode is for parents navigating family gatherings where politics come up, anyone who needs scripts for managing disagreements in front of kids, and caregivers who want to model being brave and kind at the same time.

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What You Get In This Episode

• Scripts for before family gatherings: setting expectations, teaching values, and creating code words for when kids feel uncomfortable
• What to say in the moment when disagreements happen (and when relatives try to pull your kid in)
• How to debrief after arguments: validating feelings, normalizing disagreement, clarifying your stance
• What to do when you mess up: scripts for when you lose your temper, freeze, or are too harsh
• The meta-lesson: modeling reflection, apology, and trying again

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Bios

Caitlin is a former middle school teacher, current parent, and someone navigating these messy family dynamics alongside you. She's here to remind you that you can be imperfect while still showing up and being the best mom for your kids.

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Sources & Mentions

Organizations like All In Together and the Vote Mama Foundation offer tools for civic engagement while parenting, reminding us that advocacy and family life can coexist.

Important reminder: Your kid is watching how you act when things get tense way more than they're memorizing your talking points. You're not trying to raise a political clone—you're modeling values.

Welcome to Not Quite Grownup. Let's do this. 

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Send Caitlin a Text!

Life hasn't stopped, even though it feels like the world is falling apart. You're still doing laundry, packing lunches, dealing with broken freezers. And your kids are picking up on your tension—the tone in your voice, the headlines they overhear, the things their friends are saying at school. You don't have all the answers, and that's okay. But staying silent isn't the answer either. Today we're breaking down how to talk to your kids about scary news—with scripts for every age, permission to mess up, and the reminder that you don't need perfect words. You just need to show up.

You don’t have to feel paralyzed about how to talk to your kids—hit subscribe and get age-appropriate scripts that help them feel safe, heard, and empowered to ask questions (even when you don't have all the answers).

• Click here for this episode’s blog post with links to sources and even more content.
• Stay connected: Subscribe to our newsletter!

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Who Should Listen

This episode is for parents feeling overwhelmed by current events, anyone who doesn't know how to talk to their kids about scary news, and caregivers who want scripts that actually work without downloading trauma into their children's brains.

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What You Get In This Episode

• Why talking with kids matters—even when you don't have all the answers
• Ground rules: honesty, boundaries, and emotional safety
• Scripts by age band (4-8, 9-12, 13+) for different scenarios: protests, scary headlines, "are we going to be okay?"
• A simple 3-step conversation framework you can remember and reuse: Ask what they know, name the feeling + basic facts, offer safety + one action
• What to do when conversations go wrong: oversharing, shutdowns, and the "I messed up" script

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Bios

Caitlin is a former middle school teacher. Jenny is a current middle school assistant principal. Both are current parents, and people navigating these scary times alongside you. They’re here to normalize feeling overwhelmed and offer practical scripts that work—because you don't need perfect words. You just need to show up.

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Sources & Mentions

• What to say to kids when the news is scary : Life Kit | NPR
• How to talk to kids about scary news | Parents | Nat Geo Kids
• A Parent’s Guide to Comforting Kids When News Is Frightening: Age-Appropriate Tips For Parents | Stanford Medicine Children’s Health Blog
• Great resource list: Helping Children Cope: Talking to Kids About Violence and Tragedy in the News | Minnesota Children's Museum

Remember: Kids benefit more from a slightly messy, honest conversation than from silence.

Welcome to Not Quite Grownup. Let's do this. 

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Send Caitlin a Text!

The holidays are over. The decorations are packed away, the laundry pile is bigger than ever, and the calendar just got serious again. You're staring down that jarring shift from holiday magic to alarm clocks, packed lunches, and after-school meltdowns. The post-holiday blues are real—and they hit parents just as hard as kids. We're sharing practical strategies to ease back into routine without the whiplash, plus ways to keep a little magic alive in the everyday chaos of January.

We totally understand dreading the return to normal life—hit subscribe and learn how to beat post-holiday blues with routines that actually stick (and tiny sparks of joy that make January feel less like a comedown).

• Click here for this episode’s blog post with links to sources and even more content.
• Stay connected: Subscribe to our newsletter!

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Who Should Listen

This episode is for parents feeling that post-holiday letdown, anyone struggling to get back into routine after winter break, and families who need practical tips for making the transition smoother without losing all the holiday joy, connection, and warmth.

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What You Get In This Episode

• The school supply reset: what to restock, check, and replace before chaos hits
• Why restraint collapse hits harder after breaks—and the decompression rule that actually works
• How to build anticipation in everyday life (hint: visible calendar + tiny "yeses")
• Quick, cheap ways to keep connection alive without adding to your to-do list
• Permission to feel the post-holiday letdown, too (even if you did all the work to create the magic)

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Bios

Caitlin and Jenny are moms and besties in Austin, Texas. Jenny is a middle school assistant principal and Caitlin is a former middle school teacher turned EdTech marketer. They understand the post-holiday transition from both the parent and educator perspectives—and they're here to help you survive it.

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Sources & Mentions

• Tips to Help Families Get Back Into the School Routine After Winter Break | Sallie B Howard School
• Printable scavenger hunts for errands: Grocery Store, Target, Costco (links on blog)
• Thanks to CK's friend Joey for the hilarious New Year's resolution!
• Special shoutout to Karen, CK's mother-in-law, for restoring her cherished baby blanket

Note: This is a re-aired episode that's incredibly timely every January. Whether you're heading back to school, work, or just regular life—these tips help ease the transition without losing all the holiday warmth.

Welcome to Not Quite Grownup. Let's do this. 

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Send Caitlin a Text!

It's winter break and your kids are already saying "I'm bored" on day two. You're trying to get holiday stuff done relax, but also prevent them from bouncing off the walls for the next week and a half. How do you keep everyone entertained without becoming a full-time cruise director? We're sharing 32 indoor and outdoor activities organized by age group—from preschoolers to teenagers—so you can actually enjoy the break instead of just surviving it.

No need to scramble for winter break activities—hit subscribe and get 32 ideas for every age that'll keep your kids entertained (and give you some breathing room).

• Click here for this episode’s blog post with links to sources and even more content.
• Stay connected: Subscribe to our newsletter!

—

Who Should Listen

This episode is for parents facing a long winter break who need activities that don't require a Pinterest degree or going broke, and anyone who's already heard "I'm bored" more times than they can count. ****—

What You Get In This Episode

• Indoor + outdoor activities by age
• Community service ideas for teens that count toward college applications
• Permission to build in breaks for yourself (PBS is a great babysitter, we said it)
• Why you need novelty and a routine even during break (including TV time and screen time—we're not monsters)
• Plus! Holiday party games that work for the whole family: balloon cup battle, candy cane fishing, whipped cream challenges, and more!

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Bios

Caitlin and Jenny are two friends navigating the hilarious and sometimes chaotic world of parenthood—from figuring out what to do with kids over long breaks to actually enjoying family time instead of just surviving it.

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Sources & Mentions

• Family game videos mentioned in this episode (links on the blog)
• The Art of Noticing by Rob Walker

Note: This is a re-aired episode from Season 3 with timeless activity ideas. Whether it's winter break, spring break, or summer—these activities work year-round (but maybe rename those holiday games in June!).

Welcome to Not Quite Grownup. Let's do this. 

• Subscribe to join other Not Quite Grownups here >>>
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• Please, rate, review, and subscribe for more Not Quite Grownup stories. 
• Love you, mean it. 

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