Everyone panics about the ABCs. Brittany Brady — school social worker turned founder of Bright Starts Co. — is here to tell you to put the Target workbook down.

This week we get into what kindergarten readiness actually means (spoiler: it's emotional regulation, independence, and grit, not reading at five), why preschool doesn't automatically guarantee a smooth transition, and how to survive the drop-off meltdown without crying in your car. Brittany breaks down routines vs. "rhythms," the kissing-hand goodbye ritual, prepping kids for the bus, and her 5-minute night-before reset that working moms swear by. Plus: the one thing she wants every guilt-ridden millennial perfectionist mom to stop stressing about.

Real talk, real chaos (melting popsicles included), and a roadmap to send your kid in confident.

Find Brittany on Instagram @brightstartsco and at brightstartsco.com.

🎁 Listener offer: Use code 9TOMOM20 for $20 off her Ready Set Learn course. And through July 2, the Calm Mornings Toolkit is bundled free with course purchase.