Lessons From The Middle

Lessons From The Middle

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Lessons From The Middle episodes

  • The Power Pause: Redefining Career, Motherhood & Identity

    In this episode, Ashley Osinski discusses the empowering insights from the book 'The Power Pause' by Neha Ruch, which focuses on the importance of taking a career break after having children. She shares her personal journey of balancing work and family, the struggle of redefining her identity beyond her job title, and the significance of personal growth during a career pause. The conversation also touches on navigating grief and life changes, and how embracing creativity can lead to new connections and opportunities.

    The Power Pause book

    Keywords motherhood, career break, personal growth, identity, work-life balance, parenting, empowerment, The Power Pause, millennial moms

    Let's Connect!

    Substack (ashleyosinski.substack.com)

    Email: [email protected]

    13 min
  • Skating, Business, and Life: The Power of Reps, Resilience, and Risk-Taking

    In this conversation, Ashley Osinski reflects on the life lessons learned from her children's experiences with ice skating and hockey. She draws parallels between the preparation, repetition, and commitment required in both sports and personal growth, emphasizing the importance of a solid foundation, perseverance, and the willingness to embrace vulnerability and share one's opinions.

    Keywordsice skating, hockey, life lessons, business, preparation, repetition, commitment, fearlessness, personal growth, parenting

    Let's Connect!

    Substack (ashleyosinski.substack.com)

    Email: [email protected]

    13 min
  • Parenting & The Let Them Theory: What to Let Go and Where to Step In

    In this conversation, Ashley Osinski delves into the complexities of parenting, particularly through the lens of Mel Robbins' Let Them Theory. She emphasizes the importance of allowing children to experience their emotions, make mistakes, and learn from them while also highlighting the necessity for parents to model healthy behaviors and set firm boundaries. The discussion covers various strategies for fostering resilience, independence, and emotional intelligence in children, ultimately advocating for a balanced approach to parenting that combines guidance with the freedom to learn from experiences.

    Previous episodes mentioned:

    Understanding Sensitivity: Building Resilience in our Kids 

    Goldilocks Parenting Approach 

    Keywords parenting, Mel Robbins, Let Them Theory, emotional intelligence, resilience, communication, boundaries, independence, child development, parenting strategies

    Let's Connect!

    Substack (ashleyosinski.substack.com)

    Email: [email protected]

    11 min
  • Raising Boys Today: Emotional Growth, Challenges & How We Can Do Better

    In this episode, Ashley Osinski reflects on the January Book of the Month, BoyMom, and discusses the challenges of raising boys in today's society, emphasizing the importance of emotional expression and the need for parents to provide support and guidance. She highlights the unique struggles boys face, including societal pressures and the need for emotional intelligence, while offering practical strategies for parents to help their sons thrive.

    Want more specific information on how boys are impacted by technology? Listen to Mindful Tech Parenting Ep 3: Gender and Tech Use 

    Keywordsparenting, boys, emotional expression, parenting strategies, mental health, child development, executive functioning, masculinity, parenting advice, emotional intelligence

    Let's Connect!

    Substack (ashleyosinski.substack.com)

    Email: [email protected]

    15 min
  • The Power of Belonging: How School Counselors Support Every Child

    In this episode, Ashley Osinski highlights the vital role of school counselors, especially during National School Counseling Week. She discusses the misconceptions surrounding the profession, the importance of school counselors in supporting students' emotional and social needs, and the impact they have on students' lives. Ashley emphasizes the need for advocacy and appreciation for school counselors, who are often misunderstood and undervalued despite their crucial contributions to student well-being.

    Keywords school counseling, mental health, student support, education, school counselors, advocacy, emotional well-being, parent engagement, student development, belonging

    Let's Connect!

    Substack (ashleyosinski.substack.com)

    Email: [email protected]

    11 min
  • Decoding Dysregulation: Beyond Meltdowns & Understanding Freeze/Fawn

    In this episode of Lessons from the Middle, Ashley Osinski explores the concept of nervous system regulation, emphasizing the importance of understanding emotional regulation in parenting. She discusses the connection between behavior and the nervous system, highlighting the difference between connection and protection modes. The episode also addresses the often-overlooked forms of dysregulation, such as freeze and fawn responses, and offers practical strategies for parents to support their children in navigating these challenges with empathy and understanding.

    Keywordsnervous system regulation, emotional regulation, parenting strategies, connection mode, protection mode, dysregulation, empathy in parenting, child behavior, mental health, parenting tips

    Let's Connect!

    Substack (ashleyosinski.substack.com)

    Email: [email protected]

    12 min
  • Understanding Sensitivity: Building Resilience in Our Kids

    In this episode of Lessons from the Middle, Ashley Osinski discusses the concept of sensitivity in children, particularly focusing on how it affects their behavior and emotional regulation. She shares personal anecdotes about her experiences with her children in various activities and emphasizes the importance of understanding each child's unique temperament. The conversation explores environmental sensitivity, strategies for supporting sensitive kids, and the significance of building resilience through understanding and accommodations.

    Keywords
    sensitivity, children, parenting, resilience, temperament, nervous system, environmental sensitivity, support strategies, emotional regulation, coaching

    Let's Connect!

    Substack (ashleyosinski.substack.com)

    Email: [email protected]

    12 min
  • Dandelions, Tulips, and Orchids: Understanding Your Child's Temperament to Help Them Thrive

    In this conversation, Ashley Osinski discusses the complexities of parenting, particularly when dealing with children of varying temperaments. She shares personal experiences with her own children, highlighting the differences in their emotional responses and behaviors. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding temperament as a combination of genetics and environmental influences, and introduces the categories of dandelions, tulips, and orchids to describe different temperamental traits. The conversation concludes with a focus on creating supportive environments for children to thrive based on their unique needs.

    Keywords
    parenting, temperament, child behavior, sensitivity, parenting strategies, emotional regulation, child development, parenting challenges, dandelions, orchids

    Let's Connect!

    Substack (ashleyosinski.substack.com)

    Email: [email protected]

    12 min
  • Children Do Well If They Can: How This Simple Shift Transforms Parenting

    In this episode of Lessons from the Middle, Ashley Osinski discusses the challenges of parenting, especially during the transition back to school after winter break. She emphasizes the importance of understanding children's behavior through the lens of skill-building rather than punishment. By adopting the perspective that 'children do well if they can,' parents can better support their children in developing the necessary skills to navigate their emotions and behaviors. The episode also introduces the concepts of lucky and unlucky behaviors, encouraging parents to look deeper into the root causes of their children's actions.

    Want to see how to apply this to your unique family or dig deeper into the information? Schedule a Power Parent Session! 

    Let's Connect!

    Substack (ashleyosinski.substack.com)

    Email: [email protected]

    9 min
  • Balance Made Simple: A New Year Reset for Moms

    Follow along here: New Year, More Balance Worksheet (link at the end to share your goals with me!) 

    In this episode, Ashley Osinski discusses the concept of balance, particularly for mothers, emphasizing that balance is not about achieving a perfect 50-50 split between work and life. Instead, it is about aligning time and energy with personal values and priorities. She introduces a simple exercise to assess current time allocation, identify gaps, and set small, meaningful goals to achieve a more fulfilling life. The conversation highlights the importance of self-care, mental health, and the power of small changes in creating a balanced life.

    Let's Connect!

    Substack (ashleyosinski.substack.com)

    Email: [email protected]

    10 min

About Lessons From The Middle

From the publisher's feed

Lessons from the Middle is a podcast for parents who want real conversations, not just generic parenting advice. Hosted by Ashley Osinski, a licensed school counselor, certified…