In this episode, Meagan and Katie dive into a topic all parents wrestle with but rarely say out loud: Are adults allowed to have privacy from their kids? (Spoiler: yes.) We talk through what healthy privacy actually looks like inside a family — not secret-keeping, not shutting kids out, but creating space for your own emotional world, your own plans, and your own grown-up life.

We explore how to balance being open and connected with your kids while still holding boundaries that protect your energy, your relationships, and your sanity. We also unpack the pressure modern parents feel to narrate everything, explain everything, and be constantly available.

Ultimately, we share why giving yourself permission to keep some things private is a gift to your kids, too: it models boundaries, emotional regulation, and what healthy adulthood can look like.

Takeaways (On-Brand Version)

• Adults are allowed to have an inner world — our kids don’t get access to every thought or feeling.

• Boundaries aren’t walls; they’re what make healthy, connected relationships possible.

• Kids learn to respect privacy by watching us practice it.

• When we model healthy privacy, we’re teaching kids how to care for their own emotional space.

• Parents get to hold their own emotions first, and then choose what to share.

• Oversharing with kids can feel like connection, but it often puts weight on them they’re not ready for.

• Keeping certain adult things private actually protects kids and lets them stay kids.

• Families thrive when there are clear, consistent privacy norms everyone understands.

• Technology makes privacy trickier — but it also makes these conversations even more important.

• Being intentional about privacy is a powerful way to support kids’ emotional well-being.

  
  

  For counseling and parenting help: https://meaganjacksoncounseling.com/