Dr. Dean Rudoy is a clinical psychologist, author and educator. He is an advocate for lived experience and how we can share stories to help others in learning from other people's experiences and also the lessons we have learned. Children are all created with a gift. Unfortunately, oftentimes those gifts aren't always expressed and that's because their wings were folded in due to the expectations around them (sometimes that's intentional and sometimes it's not). Gender roles determine what they are "allowed" to do, say and how they act. For example, boys at the age of 4 boys are told that they need to "man up" and "big boys don't cry." So to please the big people in their lives, whom they love, they will usually comply and suppress their feelings. Girls are told that "girls don't climb trees." Compliance is often the barrier to true growth. A Star Wars quote says "Your focus determines your reality." Dr. Dean says that couldn' t be more true. He often tells families that being outside is the best way to ground yourself. Everything in nature is exactly what it's meant to be with no need to be anything else. Dr. Dean believes that not only does it take a village to rise a child but it takes a child to raise a village. Giving children attention, affection and admiration and acceptance (as is), as well as listening to them are the best parenting advice he can give. Good enough parenting is a concept that's also important. Dr. Dean believes you should give yourself a break and know that parenting is a constant changing adventure that you will never perfect. Adults need to pause and listen to children because they are truly here to help us remember our beginning. Being listened to and remembered is what we all truly want in life. Before we speak or act, think, "what will this further." You can find Dr. Dean and his infinite wisdom at Deanrudoy.com and you can find his book and other information. He also has a youtube channel found at (9) Dean Rudoy - YouTube

Allison Bray is the founder of My Motherhood Agenda, a line of planners designed for all things included in motherhood. The foundation of their business is that self care is important and essential to be integrated into the lives of moms. Reminding them to take care of themselves is really important. When she realized she wasn't taking care of herself, she realized that so many other moms weren't either so she created one place for all the things. Self care doesn't always have to be massages and facials but it can be a 10 minute call with a friend. As a first time mom, at the age of 28 she had her first. He is 2 ½ now and it has been everything she wanted it to be even though it's been really hard. She says it is the greatest thing she has ever done but also the hardest. Her biggest challenge has been sleep deprivation. That change in her life really rocked her world. When you aren't sleeping, everything is heightened to a place that can send someone over the edge. Her biggest supporter is her best friend who lives right next door! What a dream come true! Her best mama moment is watching her little guy learn something new that she taught him. Her proudest moment is watching her son understand emotional regulation that she modeled. Her worst mama moment has been when her full-on meltdown interrupts the flow of a day and doesn't feel good. Grace is important in these moments and happens to everyone but knowing she doesn't want to dwell on them or repeat them. She wishes she would have known that asking for help is a necessity of motherhood. Asking for help is not a weakness, it is a strength. You can find Allison Bray at her website at https://mymotherhoodagenda.com. Check out her publications, My Motherhood Agenda HERE. @mymotherhoodagenda on Instagram and other social medias.