Letting Go to Show Up: Identity, Self-Care & Parenting with Kristin Schmoke
Welcome back to Parenting for Thought! In this episode, we chat with Kristen Schmoke, a seasoned teacher and parent coach with over 25 years of experience. Kristen discusses her diverse teaching background, the concept of parent fragility, and the importance of self-care in parenting. We explore the impact of regional and cultural differences on parenting styles and dive into the challenges parents face in letting go of old identities to foster better relationships with their children. Join us for an enlightening conversation packed with laughter, insights, and practical tips for becoming the best parent you can be!
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
01:41 Kristin's Background and Experience
02:51 Regional Parenting Differences
06:03 Parent Fragility and Coaching Challenges
08:19 Generational Growth and Identity
20:26 Discipline vs. Punishment
21:56 The Importance of Self-Care for Parents
32:47 Systemic Challenges in Parenting
35:08 Conclusion and Contact Information
Find Kristin here
www.kristinschmoke.com
www.instagram.com/kristin.schmoke.parenting
Find Emry here
www.emrykettle.com
www.instagram/emrykettle.coach
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35:52
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35:52
Mastering Empathetic Dialogue with Raffi Bilek
Join us on Parenting for Thought with host Emry Kettle as we dive into calm and effective communication strategies with marriage counselor and author Raffi Bilek. In this episode, Raffi discusses key principles from his book 'The Couple's Communication Handbook,' emphasizing the value of taking breaks, empathic dialogue, and separating exploration from resolution in discussions. Perfect for parents, couples, and anyone looking to improve their relationships. Tune in for practical advice and real-life examples!
00:00 The Importance of Timing in Communication
01:38 Effective Communication in Relationships
02:56 Handling Emotional Spikes in Parenting
05:36 The Myth of Never Going to Bed Angry
12:22 Empathic Dialogue: A Framework for Better Communication
19:09 Applying Communication Strategies Beyond Marriage
24:59 Balancing Emotions and Taking Breaks
32:57 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways
Find Raffi’s book here https://www.thecommunicationbook.com/
Connect with Emry here www.emrykettle.com
www.instagram.com/emrykettle.coach
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33:32
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33:32
Navigating Childcare: Tips, Tricks, and Communication Hacks with Larissa Hazell
Today's guest on Parenting for Thought is Larissa, a childcare navigator, shares invaluable insights on choosing the right childcare options—be it a nanny, babysitter, or nursery. Larissa emphasizes the vital role of communication between parents and childcare providers to ensure the best care for children.
Tune in to learn practical advice on managing expectations, discussing key issues like food and behavior, and understanding the importance of aligning values. Larissa also talks about her book, 'Questions to Ask Prospective Child Care Settings and Child Minders,' packed with over 140 questions to help parents make informed decisions. Whether you're a seasoned parent or just starting this journey, this episode is a must-watch!
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Childcare as a Third Parent
00:40 Meet Larissa: The Childcare Navigator
02:55 Finding the Right Childcare: Tips and Advice
04:48 The Value of In-Home Childcare
10:39 Balancing Childcare and Personal Values
23:14 Behavior Management and Childcare
29:20 The Importance of Communication
35:15 Resources for Parents
Connect with Larissa here:
https://www.thechildcarenavigator.com
Get Larissa’s book here:
https://thechildcarenavigator.com/product-details/product/ultimateguide
Connect with Emry here:
https://www.emrykettle.com
https://www.instagram.com/emrykettle.coach/
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33:49
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33:49
Preventing Eating Disorders with Good Foundations: Food Neutrality with Dr. Anna Colton
In this episode of Parenting for Thought, host Emry Kettle, a Child Behavior Specialist, sits down with Dr. Anna Colton, a clinical psychologist with over two decades of experience working with eating disorders. They explore how parents can help their children develop a balanced and confident relationship with food, reducing the risk of eating disorders. Dr. Colton shares insights from her new book, How to Talk to Children About Food, unpacks the difference between eating disorders and disordered eating, explains the importance of food neutrality, and offers practical guidance for navigating conversations about food and setting supportive boundaries.
00:00 Introduction & Meet Dr. Anna Colton
02:30 Eating Disorders vs. Disordered Eating
06:55 Parenting & Food Conversations
20:17 Food Neutrality & Diet Culture’s Impact
30:05 Repairing Parenting Mistakes & Reducing Shame
41:26 Final Thoughts & Resources
More about Dr Anna:
https://www.dranna.co.uk/about
https://www.instagram.com/drannacolton/
Get the book here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Talk-Children-About-Food/dp/1785120557
More about Emry
https://www.emrykettle.com
https://www.instagram.com/emrykettle.coach
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42:34
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42:34
Understanding Stress Response: A Chat with Rachel Mark
In this episode of Parenting for Thought, I’m joined by Rachel Mark, an acupuncturist and integrative health coach, to unpack how our nervous system handles stress. Rachel breaks down what "activation" really means—it’s not just about being obviously stressed—and shares relatable examples from daily life.
We chat about how the sympathetic (fight/flight) and parasympathetic (rest/digest) nervous systems work, why modern stress feels so overwhelming, and how our emotional responses (like anger!) are often misunderstood. Rachel shares practical tips for hitting pause and resetting your system, plus we explore neuroplasticity and how the patterns we picked up as kids can be rewired.
Come hang out with us for this inspiring, down-to-earth conversation about stress, emotions, and building a calmer, healthier life—for you and your kids.
Here’s the breakdown:
00:00 Activation & Stress (it’s not what you think!)
01:17 Intro to Parenting for Thought
02:09 Meet Rachel Mark
05:36 How the Nervous System Works
11:56 Fight/Flight vs. Rest/Digest
17:15 Real-Life Stress Responses
21:28 The Invisible Load of Moms
22:52 What a Healthy Nervous System Really Looks Like
25:38 Safe Ways to Express Emotions
30:21 Childhood Experiences & Nervous System Patterns
36:01 How to Rewire Your Stress Response
40:35 Stress-Busting Tips for Parents
43:42 Wrap-Up & Resources
Find and connect with Rachel here:
http://www.rachelmark.ca/
https://www.instagram.com/rachelmark.ca/
Website: https://www.rachelmark.ca/
Free quiz to find out how much stress is affecting your hormones:
https://www.rachelmark.ca/quiz
Free sleep meditation:
https://www.rachelmark.ca/sleep-meditation
$22 Reset to Ditch Stress and Recharge your Hormones:
https://www.rachelmark.ca/10DayReset
Find and connect with Emry here:
https://www.emrykettle.com
https://www.instagram.com/emrykettle.coach/
Parenting for Thought is a podcast for curious, compassionate grownups raising (and becoming) better humans. Hosted by child behavior specialist Emry Kettle, each episode explores what it actually takes to parent with clarity, connection, and intention — without shame, pressure, or perfection.
Through real conversations with guests and personal reflections, Emry dives into the messy, meaningful parts of parenting — from power struggles and neurodivergence to emotional regulation and inner child healing.
Whether you’re deep in the toddler trenches or rethinking your parenting approach from the ground up, you’ll find grounded insights, practical tools, and just the right amount of gentle swearing.
Come for the validation. Stay for the growth.