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Parenting Like a M*ther

Parenting Like a M*ther

Written by: Lindsay Wolf-Owczarek
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About this listen

 Parenting Like a M*ther is a refreshing and evidence-based podcast that explores the real challenges and joys of raising children in today's complex world. Each episode combines cutting-edge research with authentic stories from diverse caregivers, offering practical strategies while validating the many ways families can thrive. Join us as we build a supportive community where all caregivers can find their confidence, embrace their unique parenting journey, and access the tools they need to nurture both their children and themselves.Copyright Lindsay Wolf-Owczarek Parenting Relationships
Episodes
  • Fifteen Months In: Our Family’s Type 1 Diabetes Journey

    Fifteen Months In: Our Family’s Type 1 Diabetes Journey
    Feb 13 2026
    In this deeply personal episode, I share what the last 15 months have been like since my youngest was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. From the initial hospitalization to daily life now, this journey has been filled with grief, growth, resilience, and a constant mental load that few people truly understand.

    I talk openly about:
    • The relentless mental math – carb counting, insulin dosing, and the constant calculations that run in the background of every meal, snack, outing, and school day.
    • The invisible vigilance – checking glucose numbers overnight, sleeping in shifts, responding to alarms, and managing exhaustion while continuing to parent, work, and function.
    • Mood and behavior changes – how high and low blood sugars directly impact emotional regulation, memory, impulse control, and attitude — and why these shifts are biological, not character flaws.
    • The emotional toll on the whole family – from grief and fear to the resilience of siblings and the delicate balance of avoiding parentification.
    • Social challenges – navigating stares, questions, teasing, and the growing self-awareness that comes with being a 9-year-old managing a visible medical condition.
    • Control, guilt, and advocacy – learning to trust others, setting boundaries around her care, and embracing the role of being “that parent” who checks the numbers — unapologetically.
    • Food and balance – avoiding rigid restriction, protecting against disordered eating, and ensuring she still gets to be a kid who enjoys birthday cake and Christmas treats.
    I also share the gratitude — for supportive teachers, incredible coaches, educated grandparents, helpful technology like Loop, and a sibling who has stepped up in beautiful ways.

    This episode isn’t about strategies. It’s about reality. It’s about the grief of a lifelong diagnosis, the resilience of a child, and the complicated, exhausting, love-filled work of parenting a child with type 1 diabetes.

    If you’re parenting a child with T1D, you’re not alone. And if you’re not, I hope this gives you a window into what families are quietly carrying every single day.
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    23 mins
  • When You’re Maxed Out: Honoring Your Capacity as a Parent

    When You’re Maxed Out: Honoring Your Capacity as a Parent
    Feb 6 2026
    In this episode, I get real about what it feels like when your mental load is maxed out—and why that doesn’t make you a failure. I share a particularly rough week where workouts were skipped, work piled up, and even simple social interactions felt impossible. Through my own experiences—like a muted podcast recording, managing a full caseload, juggling office logistics, and parenting a child with chronic health needs—I explore the sneaky ways “shoulding” exhausts us and depletes our capacity.

    I dive into:
    • The trap of “shoulding” – how the voice in our head that tells us what we “should” be doing can be exhausting, judgmental, and unhelpful.
    • Capacity vs. character – low tolerance doesn’t mean you’re failing; it’s simply a reflection of your current capacity.
    • Practical strategies to honor your needs – including identifying non-negotiables vs. negotiables, outsourcing tasks, and building intentional moments of joy and rest.
    • Why self-care matters for your family – modeling awareness and honoring your own needs teaches your kids to do the same.
    I also share concrete examples from my weekend reset, like a silent massage, family support in the office, and playful experiences like puppy yoga, showing how small, intentional actions can restore energy and patience.

    The key takeaway: before judging yourself for low tolerance or feeling overwhelmed, pause and ask: What do I need right now? Giving yourself permission to rest and care for your own needs is not selfish—it’s essential for staying present and resilient in all areas of life.
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    18 mins
  • Intrusive Thoughts in Children and Teens

    Intrusive Thoughts in Children and Teens
    Jan 30 2026
    In this episode, Lindsay dives into the world of intrusive thoughts in children and teens, drawing on her extensive experience treating OCD and anxiety. She explains that intrusive thoughts are sudden, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that can be upsetting or shocking, but importantly, do not reflect a child’s desires or character. These thoughts are common in kids with OCD and anxiety and often cause guilt, shame, and fear.

    Lindsay differentiates intrusive thoughts from regular anxiety, noting that anxiety typically relates to real-life situations and future concerns, whereas intrusive thoughts are ego-dystonic—they conflict with a child’s values and identity. Using relatable analogies like scary movies, pop-up ads, and junk mail, she illustrates how intrusive thoughts are essentially "brain noise" that lose power when approached calmly.

    The episode offers three practical strategies for parents:
    1. Normalize without over-reassuring – acknowledge the thought is scary but avoid giving repeated reassurance, which reinforces it.
    2. Separate the child from the thought – help children externalize the thought and recognize it as random brain noise.
    3. Allow the thought to exist without panic – teach children to notice the thought, label it, and continue with life, reducing its power over time.
    Lindsay also highlights when professional support is helpful, emphasizing the importance of therapists trained in OCD and exposure-response prevention (ERP).

    The key takeaway: intrusive thoughts are normal, manageable, and do not define a child.

    With calm, compassionate guidance, parents can help their children build resilience and respond to thoughts with understanding rather than fear, just like watching a scary movie multiple times until it’s no longer frightening.
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    22 mins
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