Parenting Shrink Wrapped

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Parenting comes with an invisible mental load that many caregivers carry without even realizing it. In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa are joined by therapist and mindfulness facilitator Kristin Whiting-Davis to explore the emotional weight of caregiving, unconscious “shoulds,” and the tendency for parents to over-function. They discuss why parenting can feel so exhausting, how constant vigilance impacts stress and well-being, and how small moments of mindfulness can help parents slow down, respond instead of react, and reset with compassion. This conversation offers reassurance and practical perspective for parents raising teens who want to care deeply without losing themselves in the process.

About Kristin

Kristin Whiting-Davis, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW, is a therapist, mindfulness facilitator, and founder of KWD Wellness, a virtual therapy and training practice serving caregivers and helping professionals across DC, Maryland, and Virginia. With more than twenty years of experience, she supports people who give deeply—parents, therapists, healthcare providers, and others who often feel the weight of being everything to everyone. Before moving full time into her current roles, Kristin worked across child welfare, community mental health, schools, a children’s hospital, and behavioral health management. She’s also a parent of two sons and a pet mom to three beloved animals. Her work blends trauma-informed care, mindfulness, and somatic awareness to help others find steadiness and sustainable wellbeing.

Contact: [email protected]

Watch on YouTube: Subscribe to Parenting Shrink Wrapped for the latest episodes.

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Work with Us:
Sam – Teen Savvy Coaching
Melissa – Annapolis Psychiatry

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Free Parenting Resource: Learn the L.O.V.E.D. framework for handling tricky convos.

Listen & Review: Follow on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

This podcast is educational in nature and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental-health care. 

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Teen parties can bring up a lot of anxiety for parents—especially around safety, substances, and peer pressure. In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa talk about how to navigate teenage parties with clarity instead of fear. They explore how to set clear expectations, understand your teen’s risk profile, manage parental anxiety, and balance safety with autonomy. 

This conversation offers practical frameworks and real-world guidance to help parents say yes when appropriate, set boundaries with confidence, and maintain trust as teens learn to make their own decisions.

Contact: [email protected]

Watch on YouTube: Subscribe to Parenting Shrink Wrapped for the latest episodes.

Follow:
Sam – Instagram & Facebook
Melissa – Facebook

Work with Us:
Sam – Teen Savvy Coaching
Melissa – Annapolis Psychiatry

Save your spot in the next FREE Teen Savvy Parenting Masterclass.

Free Parenting Resource: Learn the L.O.V.E.D. framework for handling tricky convos.

Listen & Review: Follow on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

This podcast is educational in nature and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental-health care. 

Send us Fan Mail

The holidays come with a lot of pressure…especially when you’re parenting teens. In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa talk about the idea of the “good enough” holiday and why letting go of perfection can actually lead to more connection, less stress, and better outcomes for your family.

From navigating changing traditions and teen pushback to setting boundaries with extended family and releasing unrealistic expectations, this conversation offers practical, compassionate guidance for parents who want the holidays to feel meaningful—even when they don’t look perfect.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or worried you’re “doing it wrong,” this episode is your permission slip to simplify and focus on what really matters.

Contact: [email protected]

Watch on YouTube: Subscribe to Parenting Shrink Wrapped for the latest episodes.

Follow:
Sam – Instagram & Facebook
Melissa – Facebook

Work with Us:
Sam – Teen Savvy Coaching
Melissa – Annapolis Psychiatry

Save your spot in the next FREE Teen Savvy Parenting Masterclass.

Free Parenting Resource: Learn the L.O.V.E.D. framework for handling tricky convos.

Listen & Review: Follow on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

This podcast is educational in nature and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental-health care. 

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, Sam and Melissa unpack one of the most common parenting challenges: setting boundaries with other parents. From playdates and birthday parties to sleepovers, tech rules, and teen hangouts, every stage brings new situations that test your comfort level and your values.

Sam shares personal stories and practical strategies for saying “no” kindly, navigating awkward moments, and using the word “and” to hold firm boundaries while still supporting your child’s social life. Melissa highlights how people-pleasing patterns from our own childhoods can make boundary-setting feel harder than it should.

You’ll learn how to:

• Set clear, values-based boundaries
• Decline invitations without guilt or over-explaining
• Talk with your kids about limits with empathy and clarity
• Handle tricky parent-to-parent dynamics at any age

This episode will help you approach boundaries with confidence — and model healthy decision-making for your kids.

Contact: [email protected]

Watch on YouTube: Subscribe to Parenting Shrink Wrapped for the latest episodes.

Follow:
Sam – Instagram & Facebook
Melissa – Facebook

Work with Us:
Sam – Teen Savvy Coaching
Melissa – Annapolis Psychiatry

Save your spot in the next FREE Teen Savvy Parenting Masterclass.

Free Parenting Resource: Learn the L.O.V.E.D. framework for handling tricky convos.

Listen & Review: Follow on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

This podcast is educational in nature and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental-health care. 

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Melissa flips the script and interviews Sam about what parent coaching actually is, how it differs from therapy, and why it can be such a game-changer for families. Sam shares her journey from teacher to clinician to parent coach, the most common challenges parents bring her, and why understanding the teen brain is the key to calmer, more effective parenting. 

She also breaks down her signature tools—like rolling with resistance and parenting from your highest values—and explains how coaching helps parents strengthen connection while reducing conflict at home. Whether you're in crisis or simply want things to feel smoother with your teen, this episode offers clarity, hope, and practical strategies you can use right away.

Contact: [email protected]

Watch on YouTube: Subscribe to Parenting Shrink Wrapped for the latest episodes.

Follow:
Sam – Instagram & Facebook
Melissa – Facebook

Work with Us:
Sam – Teen Savvy Coaching
Melissa – Annapolis Psychiatry

Save your spot in the next FREE Teen Savvy Parenting Masterclass.

Free Parenting Resource: Learn the L.O.V.E.D. framework for handling tricky convos.

Listen & Review: Follow on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

This podcast is educational in nature and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental-health care. 

Send us Fan Mail

In this one-year anniversary episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Melissa and Sam look back on the wild, wonderful journey of launching a parenting podcast with zero experience and a whole lot of heart. From favorite guest moments to personal growth, ADHD insights, holiday stress tips, and navigating parenting through chronic illness, this episode is equal parts honest, funny, and deeply relatable. If you're a parent craving practical tools, real-life stories, and expert guidance on raising teens and navigating family challenges, this reflective celebration episode is packed with wisdom you can use today. 

Listen, subscribe, and keep learning alongside us as we help you parent with confidence, connection, and compassion.

Contact: [email protected]

Watch on YouTube: Subscribe to Parenting Shrink Wrapped for the latest episodes.

Follow:
Sam – Instagram & Facebook
Melissa – Facebook

Work with Us:
Sam – Teen Savvy Coaching
Melissa – Annapolis Psychiatry

Save your spot in the next FREE Teen Savvy Parenting Masterclass.

Free Parenting Resource: Learn the L.O.V.E.D. framework for handling tricky convos.

Listen & Review: Follow on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

This podcast is educational in nature and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental-health care. 

Send us Fan Mail

 In this episode, Sam and Melissa sit down with clinical psychologist Dr. Eryn Kruger to demystify psychoeducational testing—what it is, why it matters, and how it can reveal the real reasons behind a child’s struggles at home or school. Dr. Kruger explains how testing goes far beyond “taking a test,” offering insight into a child’s learning style, processing speed, executive functioning, attention, and emotional health. Together, they unpack why bright kids can still fall apart at home, why ADHD can be tricky to diagnose, and how the right evaluation can shape treatment, school supports, and a child’s self-understanding. If you’ve ever wondered whether your child needs testing—or what testing even looks like—this conversation pulls back the curtain in a supportive, practical way. 

About Dr. Kruger

Eryn Kruger is a clinical psychologist at Annapolis Child and Family Therapy Center. She works with children, teens, and families, helping them build coping skills and resilience. Eryn also conducts developmental, psychological, and educational assessments to support each child’s unique needs. 

Contact: [email protected]

Watch on YouTube: Subscribe to Parenting Shrink Wrapped for the latest episodes.

Follow:
Sam – Instagram & Facebook
Melissa – Facebook

Work with Us:
Sam – Teen Savvy Coaching
Melissa – Annapolis Psychiatry

Save your spot in the next FREE Teen Savvy Parenting Masterclass.

Free Parenting Resource: Learn the L.O.V.E.D. framework for handling tricky convos.

Listen & Review: Follow on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

This podcast is educational in nature and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental-health care. 

Send us Fan Mail

Teen substance use looks very different today. Sam and Dr. Melissa talk with clinician Allison Scarinzi about vaping, cannabis, synthetics, early conversations, red flags, and how to stay your teen’s safe person. This episode blends practical tools with compassionate guidance for parents navigating curiosity, peer pressure, and risk.

About Allison
Allison Scarinzi, LCSW-C, is the founder of Lotus Psychotherapy in Annapolis. She specializes in trauma-informed care, mental health crisis intervention, and adolescent substance use. She works closely with families and providers to support whole-person care.

Find out more about Lotus Psychotherapy

Contact: [email protected]

Watch on YouTube: Subscribe to Parenting Shrink Wrapped for the latest episodes.

Follow:
Sam – Instagram & Facebook
Melissa – Facebook

Work with Us:
Sam – Teen Savvy Coaching
Melissa – Annapolis Psychiatry

Save your spot in the next FREE Teen Savvy Parenting Masterclass.

Free Parenting Resource: Learn the L.O.V.E.D. framework for handling tricky convos.

Listen & Review: Follow on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

This podcast is educational in nature and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental-health care. 

Send us Fan Mail

 Speech pathologist Ana Curtin joins Sam and Dr. Melissa to uncover how early oral habits—like thumb-sucking, pacifiers, and tongue ties—can impact airway development, sleep, focus, and emotional health well into the teen years. 

About Ana

 Ana Curtin is a speech-language pathologist and founder of S.P.E.A.K., LLC, a highly specialized practice serving children with mild to complex speech and feeding needs since 2002. She’s known for her collaborative, team-based approach and advanced training that supports whole-child care. 

Connect with Ana: S.P.E.A.K., LLC

Contact: [email protected]

Watch on YouTube: Subscribe to Parenting Shrink Wrapped for the latest episodes.

Follow:
Sam – Instagram & Facebook
Melissa – Facebook

Work with Us:
Sam – Teen Savvy Coaching
Melissa – Annapolis Psychiatry

Save your spot in the next FREE Teen Savvy Parenting Masterclass.

Free Parenting Resource: Learn the L.O.V.E.D. framework for handling tricky convos.

Listen & Review: Follow on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

This podcast is educational in nature and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental-health care. 

Send us Fan Mail

 Pediatrician Dr. Rebecca Vickers joins Sam Straub and Dr. Melissa Wellner to discuss how functional medicine is transforming pediatric care. From gut health and food sensitivities to chronic inflammation, anxiety, and attention issues, Dr. Vickers explains why so many kids are getting sicker — and how parents can help uncover the root causes behind their child’s symptoms. Learn practical tips on improving kids’ health through nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle changes that support long-term wellness. 

Dr. Rebecca Vickers is a board-certified pediatrician with training at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City and Johns Hopkins Hospital. She’s been practicing primary care pediatrics since 1995 and leads Arundel Pediatrics in Annapolis, Maryland. Blending conventional and functional medicine, Dr. Vickers focuses on finding the root causes behind children’s health issues to help families achieve lasting wellness. 

Contact: [email protected]

Watch on YouTube: Subscribe to Parenting Shrink Wrapped for the latest episodes.

Follow:
Sam – Instagram & Facebook
Melissa – Facebook

Work with Us:
Sam – Teen Savvy Coaching
Melissa – Annapolis Psychiatry

Save your spot in the next FREE Teen Savvy Parenting Masterclass.

Free Parenting Resource: Learn the L.O.V.E.D. framework for handling tricky convos.

Listen & Review: Follow on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

This podcast is educational in nature and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental-health care.