I pulled an audible this week, and I'm so glad I did.

My hubby John was supposed to join me for another episode about sending our daughter off to college. Instead, he went golfing (on a 90-degree day, no less), so I called one of my closest friends, Michelle, and asked her to jump on the podcast with about an hour's notice. 

You’ll love Michelle! She’s a preschool teacher, a mom of three, and a fellow mom navigating that strange middle season of parenting: one kid out of the house, two still at home, and a whole lot of feelings in between. 

We talk about “mom-encholy,” that bittersweet and very strange mix of pride and grief that hits when your kids grow up and leave home. We talk about parenting older kids from a little farther away, the quieter house, and why friendship has become such a lifeline. 

I’m learning that we can’t rush the grief or talk ourselves out of missing our kids. We have to feel it, keep moving, and more importantly, let our friends help carry it. 

Honestly, this was the perfect accidental episode, because next week I'm launching a month-long series on friendship, connection and social health. I can't think of a better way to begin than with one of the mamas who has reminded me what friendship is supposed to look like. Because when we’re going through something hard, the best thing we can do is call a friend. 

Life Happens. Let’s Talk About It. 

Here’s the prayer I read from Dr Roland Ashby: 

“Heavenly Father, I lift my children into your hands. Go into the rooms I can not walk into. Stand at the doors I am not there to lock. Guard their hearts from bitterness, their minds from fear, their bodies from harm. Lord, you see what they carry, that they will never bring home to me. The worry they decided not to mention. The thing that went wrong that they handled alone. When they are tired, be their rest. When they are unsure, be their answer. When they are far from me, do not let them be far from you. Keep them close to you even in the seasons they drift from me. And let them find out one day that somebody was praying over their whole life before they ever thought to ask. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Listen in to learn more:

[0:00:00] Calling an Audible With Michelle

[0:03:32] Friendship Chemistry and Personality Clash

[0:03:47] Lightning Round: Meet Michelle

[0:07:02] Real-Life Paula vs Expectations

[0:08:42] A Year of Show-Up Friendship

[0:10:08] John’s Golf-Day Cameo

[0:11:08] Naming Mom-Melancholy

[0:15:13] From Helicopter to Quiet Watcher

[0:18:58] Grief, Growth, and Letting Them Fly

[0:20:12] Weekly Girl Time as Lifeline

[0:22:38] Rethinking Coed Dorm Life

[0:23:10] Inside a Pre-K Teacher’s World

[0:25:26] Building Independence in Little Kids

[0:28:03] Why Summer Break Keeps Shrinking

[0:31:20] Gratitude for a Once-in-a-Lifetime Friend

[0:33:40] A Nightly Prayer for Launched Kids

In this episode, we are digging into parenting older children; the difference between first-time college drop-off and when college students return to school; encouragement for parents launching their kids or who have recently launched them; different perspectives on co-ed bathrooms in college dorms; and what back-to-school is really like for teachers.

Connect with Paula on Instagram 

Paula’s Newsletter is on Substack!! 

THE CARRY ALL weekly newsletter  is on Substack!! 

Paula’s Book: You Don’t Have To Carry It All

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well…we dropped Caroline off at college. And I’m not gonna lie…. it’s been a week.

I knew I would be emotional. I just didn’t realize how emotional I’d be after we left. The actual drop-off was surprisingly easy. But then you come home, walk past their empty bedroom, smell their pajamas because they still smell like them (yes, I did that), and it hits you: this chapter of childhood is over.

This week, John and I are talking about what it’s really been like: the pride, the sadness, the excitement and the very weird realization that our family dynamic has changed. We’re talking about how the transition affects the siblings, how much we should be checking Life360, and how you let your kid go experience this new life without emotionally hijacking it for them.

And I’m also sharing some of the advice I’ve gotten from moms who have done this before, because apparently this is one of those things you just have to go through to understand.

I’m learning that you can be incredibly happy for your kid and still really miss them. You can be proud and heartbroken. Cheers and tears can exist at the exact same time.

So if you’ve dropped a kid at college or you’re about to—come sit with us for a little bit.

We’re figuring this out, too.

And maybe the only way through it is…through.

Let’s Talk About It.

Listen in to learn more:

In this episode, we are diving into the experience of dropping your first child off at college, navigating college move-in day and the emotions that come with it, how moms and dads experience the transition differently, how a child moving out impacts family dynamics and siblings at home, opinions on Life360 and location tracking for college students, young adults living closer to home after college, and advice from parents who have been there. 

LINKS

Connect with Paula on Instagram 

Paula’s Newsletter is on Substack!! 

THE CARRY ALL weekly newsletter  is on Substack!! 

Paula’s Book: You Don’t Have To Carry It All

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we drop off our oldest child at college this week, we’re having the conversation every family eventually faces. People try to prepare you for this moment. They really do. But I don’t think anything truly prepares you for letting go.

And I want to be honest…we’re not coming at this from a place of having all the answers.

This week, my husband John, our daughter Caroline, and I talk through what this transition actually feels like from both sides. Caroline tells us what she needs from us as parents (it’s probably less than we think… and more than we realize).

John is handling it in his very John way, steady and practical. And me? I’m somewhere between incredibly proud and completely undone.

We also share the best college advice we’ve ever received. 

If you’re sending a child to college or you’ve already been there, I hope this episode feels like a hug and a reminder that this isn’t the end of your relationship. It’s the beginning of a new one.

And if you hear me trying not to cry… just know I didn’t succeed.

Life Happens. Let’s Talk About It. 

Listen in to learn more: 

In this episode, we are digging into the emotional highs and lows of dropping a child off at college, how family members process and navigate this transition differently, practical advice for parents preparing to launch their kids, the financial realities that influence college choices, and why who our kids become matters more than the college or career paths they choose.

LINKS

Connect with Paula on Instagram 

Paula’s Newsletter is on Substack!! 

THE CARRY ALL weekly newsletter is on Substack!! 

Paula’s Book: You Don’t Have To Carry It All

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I'm back after my annual July hiatus, and we've got a lot to catch up on. John is turning 50, we checked Europe off our family's bucket list, and I'm finally learning to play golf (I am still terrible LOL). 

But let's be honest: as much as we love summer and our kids by August, we're ready for the routine that school brings. We're talking about birthdays, bucket-list memories, why golf might be the best family sport you've never considered, and how we’re gearing up to launch our oldest to college. 

Life Happens. Let’s Talk About It. 

Listen in to learn more :

[0:00:00] July Reset & College Launch Season

[0:01:06] Turning 50 and Midlife Perspective

[0:02:26] Legacy of John's 90-Year-Old Dad

[0:04:18] Healthy Aging in the Kruger Family

[0:06:39] Entering the Empty-Nest Years

[0:09:11] Asheville Getaway & Couple Time

[0:10:23] Golf as a Family Connection Tool

[0:13:15] Back-to-School Relief and Routine

[0:15:26] Summer Sports and “Voluntary” Commitments

[0:18:42] Bucket-List Europe Trip Recap

[0:21:05] Airbnb Strategy for Family Travel

[0:22:05] Guided E-Bike Tour in Rome Highlight

[0:23:19] European Food, Activity, and Health Contrast

[0:24:52] Venice’s Engineering and Charm

[0:26:00] Future Golf Trip Dreams for JJ

[0:26:13] Preparing Emotionally to Drop Caroline off at College

In this episode, we are sharing a summer recap and reflecting on turning 50, discussing why golf is a fun way to spend quality family time, the value of shared hobbies, navigating busy summer sports schedules and practices, the excitement of a new school year and getting back into routines, plus family travel ideas and tips for making meaningful memories together.

LINKS

Connect with Paula on Instagram 

Paula’s Newsletter is on Substack!! 

THE CARRY ALL weekly newsletter is on Substack!! 

Paula’s Book: You Don’t Have To Carry It All

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Youth sports are out of control. And the worst part? We might be part of the problem.

Spoiler alert: I know I am. I’m the mom with a packed sports calendar, a trunk full of Chick-fil-A, and a competitive streak that sometimes gets the best of me. Guilty as charged.

I’m also a coach's wife, so this topic hits close to home. 

We’re closing out Momfessions, our month-long series where we’ve said the quiet parts of parenting out loud. And for our final confession, I’m joined once again by my teammate at CARRY Media, Kristen White, a mom of three boys.

This week: Why youth sports are out of control—and why we might be part of the problem.

Kids are specializing younger. Parents are spending more money than ever. And somewhere along the way, sports stopped being about kids having fun and started feeling like a full-time job for the whole family.

Here’s the wild part: When kids were asked what makes sports fun, winning ranked 48th. They cared more about playing with friends, getting better, feeling supported, and having fun.

So maybe the question isn’t, “How far can my child go in sports?” Maybe it’s, “What do I want sports to teach my child?”

This one might ruffle a few feathers (or cleats 😉). But as always with Momfessions... we’re willing to look in the mirror.

Let’s Talk About It. 

Listen in to learn more: 

[0:00:00] Youth Sports Are Out of Control

[0:05:15] Kids Quit Because It’s Not Fun

[0:06:40] Early Specialization and Burnout

[0:09:06] Parents’ Behavior Driving Pressure

[0:10:53] Winning Matters Less to Kids

[0:13:25] The Scholarship and Pro Fantasy

[0:16:20] Chasing Travel Ball and Private Coaches

[0:17:56] Parent Ego and Living Through Kids

[0:18:32] Remembering the Real Purpose of Sports

[0:19:40] Power of Great Coaches and Other Adults

[0:20:35] You Either Win or Learn

[0:22:07] Core Question: What Should Sports Teach Our Kids?

In this episode, we are digging into youth sports culture, the benefits and costs of youth sports, why kids want to play sports versus why parents want them to play, the odds of playing college sports or becoming a professional athlete, the importance of great coaches and trusted mentors in the lives of kids and teens, and how to keep the focus on the value of youth sports and why kids play in the first place.

Resources

Connect with Paula on Instagram 

Paula’s Newsletter is on Substack!! 

THE CARRY ALL weekly newsletter  is on Substack!! 

Paula’s Book: You Don’t Have To Carry It All

Download the Savor Your Summer Guide HERE

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re back with a Momfessions confession that might hit close to home: are we accidentally raising sons who expect too much from women? 

I’m joined by my teammate at CARRY Media, Kristen White, a mom of three boys, for a candid conversation about the messages our sons absorb about work, caregiving, and what they should expect from a future partner.

Oof. We’re going there.

Between the two of us, we’re raising five boys, and this conversation has been brewing in my mind for years: Are we raising sons who expect a partner…or a parent?

And listen, this was an uncomfortable conversation for us. It made us examine our own habits, our own assumptions, and the messages we may be sending without even realizing it. But uncomfortable conversations are often the ones we most need to have.

Before you come for us, this is NOT a working-mom-VS-stay-at-home-mom debate. It’s something much deeper.

What are our sons learning about women from watching us? Are they learning that caregiving belongs to women, or that family life belongs to everyone? They’re watching everything. 

We talk about why boys need to see moms with dreams, goals, and identities outside of motherhood, and why they need to see fathers cooking, cleaning, caregiving, and showing up as true partners.

Because I don’t want my sons to grow up looking for someone to cook and clean for them. I want them to grow up wanting to build a life alongside someone, not expect someone to carry it all.

This one will ruffle some feathers. But that’s what Momfessions is all about.

Let’s Talk About It. 

Listen in to learn more: 

0:01:00] Are We Raising Sons for Partnership or Service?

[0:03:39] The Cost of “Automatic” Mothering for Our Sons’ Expectations

[0:05:00] Do Boys Learn Caregiving Belongs to Women?

[0:07:58] Modeling True Partnership and Domestic Equity at Home

[0:10:20] Spousal Equity and Joint Career Decisions in Marriage

[0:12:22] Kids Seeing Mom’s Ambition and Dad Tag‑Teaming at Home

[0:14:14] Research: How Working Moms Shape Sons’ and Daughters’ Futures

[0:16:30] Teaching Kids “See a Need, Meet a Need” as a Family Ethic

[0:18:18] Why Engaged Fatherhood Radically Shapes Boys and Girls

[0:19:18] Kids Aren’t the Center of the Universe: Healthy Family Priorities

In this episode, we are diving into how boys learn to respect and value women by observing their mothers, why moms need personal goals and priorities beyond parenting, the critical role of active fathers, the benefits of strong parenting partnerships, the family motto “see a need, meet a need,” and how shared family responsibilities help raise confident, responsible, and contributing children.

Connect with Paula on Instagram 

Paula’s Newsletter is on Substack!! 

THE CARRY ALL weekly newsletter is on Substack!! 

Paula’s Book: You Don’t Have To Carry It All

Download the Savor Your Summer Guide HERE

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I’ve always said: boys are a heart attack and girls are a heartache. And if you’ve ever rushed a son to the ER or helped your daughter navigate friendship drama, you probably know exactly what I mean

We’re back with Momfessions–our month-long series, talking about how we really feel about some of parenting's biggest, hottest topics. And I’m joined by my teammate at CARRY Media, Kristen White, a mom to three boys. 

This week: Why We Raise Boys and Girls Differently (Without Even Realizing It)

It got me thinking: are those differences really about our kids…or about how we’re raising them? 

Kristin and I talk about the stereotypes we’ve accepted, the double standards we don’t even notice, and the different expectations we place on our sons and daughters, from emotions and independence to responsibility and resilience.

And my biggest takeaway? Maybe we need to stop telling our boys to “man up” and start teaching all our kids to simply be good humans.

This one might make you laugh, cringe, and rethink a few things (it certainly did for me).

Let’s Talk About It. 

Listen in to learn more:

[0:00:08] Baptism by Boy Mom Life

[0:03:20] Girls are Heartache, Boys are Heart Attack

[0:04:00] When the ER Becomes Your Second Home

[0:05:25] The Golf Course Splinter Saga

[0:08:09] Girl Drama, Social Media, and Mama Heartache

[0:09:31] Caroline’s Leadership vs. Little Brother Chaos

In this episode, we are diving into the unique challenges of parenting boys and girls, how gender stereotypes and societal expectations shape our approach to parenting, and the importance of being intentional as we raise confident, compassionate children with strong character.

Connect with Paula on Instagram 

Paula’s Newsletter is on Substack!! 

THE CARRY ALL weekly newsletter is on Substack!! 

Download the Savor Your Summer Guide HERE

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re back with Momfessions–—our month-long series, talking about how we really feel about some of parenting's biggest, hottest topics. And I’m joined by my teammate at CARRY Media, Kristen White, a mom to three boys. 

This week: Why Summer Isn't a Break.

We spend all year dreaming about summer, but when it finally arrives, many of us are juggling childcare, camps, schedules, work, guilt, and the pressure to make it all feel magical. 

In this episode, we're sharing our real thoughts about summer, why so many parents feel exhausted before it even begins, and practical ways to enjoy it without burning out. Plus, Kristen introduces a simple idea called "Proof of Mom" that just might change the way you experience this season.

Because your kids aren't the only ones allowed to have a summer.

Let's Talk About It. 

Listen in to learn more:

[0:00:37] Complicated Feelings About Kids Home All Day

[0:01:08] Expectation vs Reality of the Perfect Summer

[0:03:25] Proof of Mom and Moms in Their Own Memories

[0:05:01] The Impossible Math of Summer Childcare

[0:09:27] Lowering the Bar on a Magical Summer

In this episode, we are digging into summer parenting challenges for working parents, including summer childcare and scheduling issues, managing the mental load, letting go of unrealistic expectations and the pressure to make summer magical, why it's okay for kids to be bored, and why children benefit from seeing their parents enjoy summer, hobbies, and personal time too.

LINKS

Connect with Paula on Instagram 

Paula’s Newsletter is on Substack!! 

THE CARRY ALL weekly newsletter  is on Substack!! 

Download the Savor Your Summer Guide HERE

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All month long, Kristen White and I are sharing our Momfessions – how we really feel about some of parenting’s biggest, messiest, most talked-about topics.

Kristen is my teammate at CARRY Media and a boy mom to three boys, so trust me: we have thoughts.

First up: Maycember.

You know…the month we just survived. But barely. 

It’s the month that feels like December-level chaos but delivers exactly none of the holiday magic. Concerts. Field days. Teacher gifts. Sports banquets. Spirit weeks. Summer planning. Working. Parenting. Existing. Graduations! 

In this episode, we’re looking back at what May did to us, why modern parenting feels unsustainable this time of year, and practical ways to make sure next May doesn’t completely take us out.

Because if next May looks exactly like this May…we may not make it.

Let’s Talk About It. 

Listen in to learn more:

[0:00:00] Maycember Overwhelm for Parents

[0:06:59] Mental Load and Triple Logistics in May

[0:09:54] Letting Go of Guilt and Missed Events

[0:18:38] You Can’t Do It All, and That’s Okay

[0:21:03] Minimum Viable Parenting Mindset

[0:24:16] Evolving Beyond the Pinterest Mom

[0:24:57] Workplaces Need May Flexibility

In this episode, we are digging into surviving the chaos of “Maycember,” the challenges of balancing school activities with standard work hours, how our communication with our kids shapes their perceptions, practical strategies for managing busy families, giving yourself grace as a parent, and how employers can better support working parents during the demanding month of May.

Connect with Paula on Instagram 

Paula’s Newsletter is on Substack!! 

THE CARRY ALL weekly newsletter is now on Substack!! 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I knew this would be emotional. 

I just didn’t realize it would be this hard.

In the final episode of my I Wish Someone Had Told Me series, I’m sitting down with Niro Feliciano—a mom of four who’s already been through this—to talk about my daughter’s graduation…and honestly, I’m a hot mess.

People can try to explain what the moment is like, but until you’re in it, it’s hard to fully comprehend.

Someone once described it as “grief wrapped in celebration,” and honestly, that’s the best way to put it.

You’re so proud. Super excited for them.And at the same time… you’re trying to process how fast it all went.

We talk about:

That “weird trifecta” of emotions—happy, sad, and everything in between

How the rhythm of your family changes overnight

And what’s on the other side of this: a different, and often deeper, relationship with your child

Niro is also our comfort animal (lol) because she offers perspective, encouragement, and the reminder that this season—while hard—is also full of growth and beauty.

If you’re in this season—or heading toward it—let’s talk about it. 

Because it’s not the end, but it is a change.

And it’s okay to feel all of it.

Let’s Talk About It.

Listen in to learn more: 

In this episode, we are digging into why high school graduation can feel like grief wrapped in celebration, how parenting years pass so quickly, why major life transitions can resurface past grief, the evolving parent-child relationship after graduation, and practical advice for parents navigating every stage of raising teens and young adults.

THE CARRY ALL weekly newsletter  is on Substack!! https://officialcarrymedia.substack.com/

Paula’s Newsletter https://paulafarisofficial.substack.com/

Connect with Paula on Instagram 

Niro Felicano 

Paula’s Favorite Protein Powder 15% off

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices