What if the hardest part of parenting isn't understanding your child...it's understanding yourself?

This week, Allyn sits down with parenting coach, TEDx speaker, former preschool teacher, and founder of Parenting on Mars, Rachael Fritz, for one of the most honest conversations yet about what really shapes the way we raise our kids.

From yelling and emotional triggers to sibling conflict, public meltdowns, and the pressure to be the "perfect" parent, this episode explores why so many of our parenting instincts aren't actually about our children—they're reflections of our own childhoods.

Together they discuss how to break generational patterns without expecting perfection, why self-awareness matters more than parenting hacks, and practical tools that can immediately make life at home a little calmer.

Whether you're raising toddlers, teenagers, or simply trying to heal the child inside yourself, this conversation is packed with thoughtful insights you'll carry long after the episode ends.

In this episode:

• Why parenting often exposes parts of ourselves we never knew existed
• The difference between parenting with your child instead of parenting over them
• How your own childhood silently shapes your parenting style
• Why yelling works—and why it leaves a lasting impact
• What to do when your parenting partner approaches discipline differently
• Questions every couple should ask before (or after) having children
• How to recognize your emotional triggers before they become reactions
• Why some parents struggle to "play" with their kids—and why that's okay
• Why transitions are one of the hardest parts of childhood
• The truth about bribing, rewards, and long-term motivation
• Why public tantrums often trigger parents more than children
• What realistic expectations actually look like at different developmental ages
• Helping siblings build lifelong friendships instead of lifelong rivalries
• Rachael's "Hallway Hug" conflict resolution method
• The surprising lesson Rachael learned too late in life

Connect with Rachael

Follow Rachael and Parenting on Mars for practical parenting advice and thoughtful conversations about raising emotionally healthy kids.

Instagram: @parentingonmars

If this episode resonated with you, share it with another parent who could use the reminder that perfection isn't the goal—connection is.

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