As the year comes to a close, Athena and Mims reflect on the words we speak—intentionally and unintentionally—over our homes. In this episode, they explore how family mantras, morning routines, shared symbols, and spoken affirmations shape the tone, culture, and identity of a family.

They discuss:

• How words set the emotional climate of your home

• Morning and evening practices that speak life (even for non-morning people 😅)

• Creating visual reminders of values through your space

• Using faith, gratitude, and intentional language to build resilience

• Crafting a family mantra that carries you into the next season

This conversation invites families to pause, reflect, and choose words that anchor, encourage, and unify—especially as we look ahead to a new year.

💌 Share your family mantra or what you’re speaking into 2026 at tornmlb@gmail.com
📲 Follow @TornMLB on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠X.⁠⁠💜 Choose Grace, Torn Tribe 💜

In the final episode of The Feedback Mirror series, Athena and Mims reflect on what happens after feedback becomes a healthy, two-way practice in your home. From open communication to safer emotional spaces, they unpack the real results parents should expect when feedback is rooted in connection—not criticism.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear About:

• 🚪 Open doors for communication How healthy feedback keeps conversations flowing instead of shutting kids down—and why asking “What did you hear?” matters.

• 🛟 Creating a safe place for challenges Why frequent, low-stakes feedback builds emotional safety and prevents blow-ups during high-stress moments (hello, sock meltdowns).

• 🔁 Positive vs. negative feedback loops Using the “open door” gut check to know if your approach is working—or needs recalibration.

• 🤝 Welcoming feedback in return How receiving your child’s perspective deepens trust and helps you course-correct as a parent.

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Feedback as a family practice Inviting siblings and trusted adults into the loop to give a fuller picture and prepare kids for real-world relationships.

• 🌱 Growth over perfection Shifting from “fixing mistakes” to cultivating lifelong learners—parents included.

The Big Takeaway:Feedback isn’t about failure. It’s about growth, connection, and helping our kids feel seen, heard, and supported as they become who they’re meant to be.

💌 Share your feedback wins, challenges, or Torn Thoughts with us at tornmlb@gmail.com or DM @TornMLB on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠X⁠⁠.

💜 Choose Grace, Torn Tribe. 💜

Before we sit our kids down for a “we need to talk” moment, there’s a lot to sort through in our own heads and hearts. In this episode, Athena and Mims get real about why timing, tone, and intent matter just as much as the actual words we say.

Drawing from work performance cycles, adoption and bonus-parenting journeys, and sideline moments as sports moms, they unpack how to plan feedback that builds your child up instead of breaking them down.

In This Episode, We Talk About:

🕰️ Picking the right time and place

Why “in the heat of the moment” is usually the worst time to give feedback at home.

🎯 Being specific, not vague or harsh

Naming the what and why (“what happened” + “why it matters”) so kids understand, not just feel attacked.

💪 Focusing on effort, not perfection

Balancing praise and growth areas so kids don’t walk away thinking they are always wrong or “never enough.”

❓ Inviting reflection instead of lecturing

Asking questions like, “What do you think went well?” and “What would you change next time?” instead of running a one-way critique.

🎚️ Checking your tone and triggers

Noticing when your own fears, history, or pet peeves are driving the conversation—and how to neutralize your tone.

🧠 Considering age and emotional development

Why feedback for an eight-year-old, a teen, and a bonus child in a blended family cannot look the same.

🌱 Ending with encouragement

Making sure your child leaves feeling seen, loved, and capable of growth—not defined by their mistakes.

DM @TornMLB on IG/FB/X or email tornmlb@gmail.com

💜 Choose Grace, Torn Tribe! 💜