Today's guest is Dr. Ann-Louise T. Lockhart, PsyD, ABPP, a pediatric psychologist and parent coach with over 15 years experience in working with families and parents. She is the President/Owner of A New Day Pediatric Psychology in San Antonio, TX. In addition to being a wife and a mom, she's also very good at making reels on Instagram. (You should follow her.)

This conversation is PACKED with great intel for parents. Susannah and Dr. Lockhart discuss "parent regulation" or "co-regulation" - a concept centered on the significance of managing your own emotions as a parent and then helping your kid do the same. If you've ever wondered why you yelled at your kid yesterday for no apparent reason (who hasn't?!), Dr. Lockhart helps us work through recognizing a triggering event, better understanding developmental stages, and reminding us that parenting is hard work - as most worthwhile things are.

Dr. Lockhart's insight is a 45-minute incredible investment into your parenthood journey this week - you'll walk away with some great tools, some tips, and a whole lot of hope! 

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Website: www.anewdaysa.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.annlouise.lockhart/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFQ6vJ7rhl_tos1_udGKVQA

Courses: https://coursecraft.net/users/dbZx

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Connect with Susannah: Instagram

The 5 to 8 Shift Podcast Community on Facebook

The 5 to 8 Shift Website

The 5 to 8 Shift Instagram

We are thrilled to have Travis and Heather Sherry as our guests on Episode 24. If you are feeling cooped up, uninspired, in need of deep renewal, or ready to experience the wonder of a new scene - then this episode is for you. 

Travis and Heather are creators of Extra Pack of Peanuts and Location Indie - two unique businesses that help people get over the two biggest hurdles to traveling and experiencing the gorgeous world we live in - time and money. (We also talk about the third reason... KIDS!) They've been featured in The New York Times, USA Today, and Huff Post, to name a few. Trav and Heather share their story of creating a life different than most, how traveling has changed them, how kids has changed everything, and why "slow travel" might be the perfect way to approach traveling with the whole gang. They've got great tips for families - just in time for travel season - listen in and let us know what you think!

Fantastic Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Extra Pack of Peanuts - Website and Podcast

Extra Pack of Peanuts on Instagram

Location Indie - Website and Podcast

Location Indie on Instagram

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Connect with Susannah: Instagram

The 5 to 8 Shift Podcast Community on Facebook

The 5 to 8 Shift Website

The 5 to 8 Shift Instagram

It's Mother's Day Weekend - so who better to encourage than Moms themselves?

This episode is two-fold - first up is a note of appreciation to all the Moms out there doing the work day in and day out - showing up well for their families - despite everything thrown their way. I am so proud of all of you - and in case no one told you this week - you rock!

The second half of the episode is for all the Mamas in Waiting, which can be an excruciatingly hard place to be. Susannah offers encouragement from a small band of incredible women - who have been there, who have been in your shoes, who understand the toll of a journey such as this - to lift up those of you on a journey you never wanted to go on. Whether you are on an infertility journey, waiting for an adoption placement, or wondering what the heck is going on - this one's for you! 

We hope you listen and feel encouraged - and feel less alone. As Susannah shares in this podcast episode - "If your goal is to become a mom than you will be – somehow, some way it will happen for you and you’ll look back on the journey and smile."

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mamas, and especially the Mothers in Waiting.

So Many Good Resources:

Episode 18: Michelle Icard, 14 Talks by Age 14

Michelle Icard on Instagram

Episode 9: Kandace Lecocq, International Adoption 101

Kandace Lecocq on Instagram

Podcast: Talking to Teens: Expert Tips for Parenting Teenagers

Podcast: Mighty Parenting | Raising Teens | Parenting Young Adults

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Connect with Susannah: Instagram

The 5 to 8 Shift Podcast Community on Facebook

The 5 to 8 Shift Website

The 5 to 8 Shift Instagram

Our guests on Episode 22 are Becky Thompson, and Dr. Mark R. Pitts, the father/daughter duo behind the Midnight Dad online community, that encourages fathers with short, powerful prayers every night at Midnight. Modeled off the runaway success of Midnight Mom, which has over 1.3 million followers, Midnight Dad meets fathers where they are and assures them that they are exactly who God chose as ‘dad’ for their family.

In this episode, Susannah chats with Becky and Mark about ways to encourage the Dads you love in your life, how fatherhood looks different than it did 30 years ago, and some of the challenges men and fathers are struggling with today. Their words are encouraging, their conviction is moving, and although they don't have all the answers - they can point you in the right direction. And seriously, how fun is it that these two are a father/daughter duo?! Their message is not heavy or shaming - it's full of light, life, and love. You'll leave feeling encouraged and/or with a desire to encourage your spouse on this crazy road we call parenthood.

Their new book, Midnight Dad Devotional, comes out April 27th - available wherever books are sold.

Sweet Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Midnight Dad Devotional: 100 Devotionals to Connect Dads Just Like You to the Father

Midnight Dad Community

Midnight Mom Community

Connect with Us!

Connect with Susannah: Instagram

The 5 to 8 Shift Podcast Community on Facebook

The 5 to 8 Shift Website

The 5 to 8 Shift Instagram

Our guest on Episode 21 is Pamelyn Rocco, who is on a mission to instill gratitude into families all across the country. (We agree - it's a great idea!) Pamelyn has been a party stylist for 20 years, is a girl mama x 2, an avid Instagrammer at @houseofbashery, and her first book, Gratitude the Great, comes out May 4, 2021.

In this episode, Pamelyn shares how gratitude has changed her life, why learning about gratitude and it's many benefits at a young age are so important, and provides ways for families to incorporate gratitude into their lives and routines. In fact, she wrote a children's book about this very topic called, Gratitude the Great. We think it'd be a great addition to any family library! Available wherever books are sold. 

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Connect with Pamelyn, Instagram

Gratitude the Great, Parnassus Books

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Connect with Susannah: Instagram

The 5 to 8 Shift Podcast Community on Facebook

The 5 to 8 Shift Website

The 5 to 8 Shift Instagram

Today's guest is Heather Chauvin, leadership coach, podcaster, wife, mother, and author. Her first book, Dying to Be a Good Mother, chronicles her journey into motherhood with honesty, humor, and strength. Her book is part memoir and part personal development, giving you access to her powerful story of beating stage 4 cancer while guiding you to be reflective about how better understanding your kid might start with prioritizing yourself.

In this episode, Susannah and Heather discuss building sustainable micro-habits, the impact of re-learning how to live after Heather traversed the difficult road of cancer treatment and recovery, and overcoming many of the excuses that moms make when it comes to prioritizing their own health, time, and dreams. This is a great conversation that will implore you to "stop dying to be a good mother, and start living the life you deserve."

Resources Mentioned:

Mom Is In Control, Heather's Podcast

Dying to Be a Good Mother, Book

Connect with Heather: Instagram

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Connect with Susannah: Instagram

The 5 to 8 Shift Podcast Community on Facebook

The 5 to 8 Shift Website

The 5 to 8 Shift Instagram

We did something a little different for this episode - and we really like the way it turned out! Instead of interviewing a parent with a great story or some valuable tips for parenthood - we decided to look at the other side of the equation. We asked five young adults to share their perspectives on their parents, family life, technology, and so much more.  

In this episode, Susannah interviews five of her students from Eastern University, including: Claudia Glover, Morgan Pierce, Darryl MacKey, Stephen Sattanino, and Milan Sharma. Parents will find this episode valuable because these young adults share some important pieces of the adolescent experience that may make parents pause and consider what they are being intentional about in their parenthood journey. We discuss things parents worry about that they don't need to, what role technology (namely social media) has played in their self identity, the impact of distracted parenting, and the best values instilled in them by their parents.  

This conversation is both light-hearted and thought-provoking - reminding parents that most of us are doing much better than we think.  

Connect with Us!

Connect with Susannah: Instagram

The 5 to 8 Shift Podcast Community on Facebook

The 5 to 8 Shift Website

The 5 to 8 Shift Instagram

Today's guest is Michelle Icard, speaker, author, and educator who helps kids, parents, and teachers navigate the complicated social world of early adolescence. Her latest book, Fourteen Talks by Age Fourteen (Harmony/Random House 2021) guides readers through the fourteen essential conversations parents need to have with their kids before they start high school. 

On this episode, Michelle and Susannah talk *so many things* related to middle school life, parenting the young teen crowd, and navigating the tumultuous time - otherwise known as middle school. Specifically, Michelle shares why she is so passionate about middle schoolers, what role risk plays in the brain of an early adolescent, and what parents should understand about the power of reputation in middle school.

Instead of big, scary conversations - Michelle's work helps equip parents with conversation starters to get your kid talking that are down to earth and easy to implement. This episode is jam-packed with knowledge and goodness - you don't want to miss this one!

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

MichelleIcard.com

14 Talks by Age 14

Connect with Michelle: Instagram

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Connect with Susannah: Instagram

The 5 to 8 Shift Podcast Community on Facebook

The 5 to 8 Shift Website

The 5 to 8 Shift Instagram  

Sharing 6 ways to (try to!) destress for busy and tired parents. If you are fighting the good fight and just feeling weary or warn down - I hope this episode encourages you in your parenthood journey. I hope you listen and feel confident in letting something go or adding in a new routine, habit, or activity that reduces your stress and brings you joy. Intentional living is the best there is - now go chase it, friend.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Episode 4 with Megan Mellquist

Episode 12 with Julie Falcone

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Connect with Susannah: Instagram

The 5 to 8 Shift Podcast Community on Facebook

The 5 to 8 Shift Website

The 5 to 8 Shift Instagram

Today's guest is Crystal Paine, founder of the wildly popular MoneySavingMom.com, host of "The Crystal Paine Show" podcast, New York Times bestselling author, occasional Foster Mom, and Mama to 4 bio kids. Although Crystal has written a couple books, her new book, Love-Centered Parenting: The No Fail Guide to Launching Your Kids, is her first parenting book and we are thrilled to have her share some insight on the journey of parenting in this episode.

You will find Crystal’s honesty, conversational style, and tried-and-true methods to be balm to your weary soul. At a time when parents are more fragile than ever, this message offers hope, freedom, and rest for the discouraged. Crystal talks about the day she found out her kid was a bully, leading with humility, and why letting go of what others think is so powerful as a parent. If you've been in the trenches as a parent lately, this one's for you.

Cool Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Crystal Paine / Money Saving Mom on Instagram

Love-Centered Parenting Book

Connect with Us!

Connect with Susannah: Instagram

The 5 to 8 Shift Podcast Community on Facebook

The 5 to 8 Shift Website

The 5 to 8 Shift Instagram