A Little Easier

Introducing A Little Easier

More parents than ever are burning out, and more kids are struggling too. After host Kendra Wilde burned out herself, she sought stories of resilience from other parents and science from experts in neuroscience and mindfulness on how to make things a little easier. Here they are.
 
Episodes drop November 1. Visit ALittleEasier.org for more.

What about us? To care for kids, we need to care for the parents

Nobody can do this alone.
Welcome to Episode 1 of this 12-part series created to bolster parents and caregivers. Whether it’s anxiety, ADHD, autism, or allergies, if your child struggles, so will you. We need more help. Navigating life as a family can be overwhelming, and the complex medical maze and school systems make it even harder.
 
This episode we’ll grab your elbow and ask – how are you holding up? Kendra talks to Dr Nicole Beurkens about why diagnostic labels sometimes aren’t helpful, and we’ll meet Devon, a single mom stretched to the brink trying to support her son. 
Your Micro Action Moment this week
Click here to listen to Lara Wilson, mom and founder of Be Well Here, share a most simple mindfulness practice to help you ground yourself.
 
For more, visit alittleeasier.org
Resources Mentioned in this Episode
Not What I Expected: Help and Hope for Parents of Atypical Children by Rita Eichenstein, PhD
Life Will Get Better: Simple Solutions for Parents of Children with Attention, Anxiety, Mood, and Behavior Challenges by Nicole Buerkens, PhD
No Letting Go – A dramatic, independent feature film based on the real-life story of producer and co-writer Randi Silverman and her family.
The Youth Mental Health Project – A grassroots nonprofit organization whose mission is to educate, empower, and support families and communities to better understand and care for the mental health of our youth

Secret Feelings: Opening ourselves to the tough emotions of parenthood

Episode 2: Secret Feelings: Opening ourselves to the tough emotions of parenthood
We can harness our feelings to transform our lives.
Welcome to Episode 2 of this 12-part series created to bolster parents and caregivers. As parents, we all have feelings we don’t like to admit to ourselves – let alone share. In this episode, we’re bringing those feelings into the daylight and figuring out what to do with them. Disappointment, annoyance, guilt, exhaustion… sometimes you just want to run away. Yale University expert Dr. Marc Brackett shows us how to become “emotion scientists,” and give ourselves permission to feel. Author and therapist Merriam Saunders shares the feelings she had to process as she learned about her kids’ anxiety, ADHD, autism and learning differences; and mom Jackie opens up about her childrens’ struggles with mental health and how she held it together.
Your Micro Action Moment this week
Click here to listen to learn about a breathing exercise originally from ‘the father of mindfulness,' Thich Nhat Hanh. 
 
For more, visit alittleeasier.org
Resources Mentioned in this Episode 
Permission to Feel by Marc Brackett, PhD
Not What I Expected: Help and Hope for Parents of Atypical Children by Rita Eichenstein, PhD
Mindfulness Meditations for ADHD by Merriam Sarcia Saunders
My Whirling Twirling Motor by Merriam Sarcia Saunders
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Burnout: Tips for solving the stress cycle

Episode 3: Burnout: Tips for solving the stress cycle
Wellness is within reach.
Welcome to Episode 3 of this 12-part series created to bolster parents and caregivers. If you're stuck in a loop of relentless and overwhelming stress, you might be on the road to burnout. Kendra shares what happened when she burned out, and author Amelia Nagoski joins us for a spin around the stress cycle. She’ll explain all the ways you can get rid of those toxic stress hormones to support your wellbeing – some of them are actually fun! Hear how Joanna found creative expression as a painter to reduce her stress, and why Lisdaly relied on having a good cry.
For more, visit alittleeasier.org
Resources Mentioned in this Episode
Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski & Amelia Nagoski
Parenting Through the Storm by Ann Douglas
Parental Burnout self-assessment test 
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The Nerve: How your nervous system works and why that matters

Episode 4: The Nerve: How your nervous system works and why that matters
Behaviors are just the tip of the iceberg.
Welcome to Episode 4 of this 12-part series created to bolster parents and caregivers. Sometimes it’s tough to understand why we (and our kids) behave and react the way we do. It all becomes a little clearer when you know more about how your brain and body interact. We’ll step into Dr. Chris Willard’s kitchen to get a masterclass in co-regulation, and Dr. Mona Delahooke will explain ‘brain-body parenting’. Mom Michelle gives us a peek into how she copes with an outburst from her son.
For more, visit alittleeasier.org
Resources Mentioned in this Episode
Brain Body Parenting by Dr. Mona Delahooke
Brain First Parenting course with Eileen Devine
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Rest & Digest

Happy Thanksgiving! We're taking this week off to do a little resting, digesting, and catching up on the first 4 episodes (since they're all connected). But we still have some guidance for getting through a hectic week in this episode.
We'd like to send you all some thanks too! Thank you for listening, sending your feedback, and sharing! The show seems to be striking a deep chord with parents & caregivers. So many parents struggle, it's just not discussed enough.
If you enjoy A Little Easier, please share it with your friends. We're trying to lift as many parents, caregivers, and people who care for parents and kids.⁠ We’re an independent podcast so we need your support getting the word out. The more parents and caregivers we can reach, the better! ⁠⁠
Thank you and see you next week!

Making Space: Why self-care isn’t a dirty word

Episode 6: Making Space: Why self-care isn’t a dirty word
Hint: It’s not about doing more.
Welcome to Episode 6 of this 12-part series created to bolster parents and caregivers. We hear all the time that we have to put on our own oxygen mask first… but we’re really bad at taking that advice! When burnout isn't an option, you need to find ways to care for yourself in the midst of the swirl. Incorporating life-giving options for self-care into your day will help you show up for your kids. We’ll take a deep dive into mindfulness and learn the technique of ‘stapling’ from Caroline Welch. We’ll also poll some of our parents on their favorite self-care moments—it can be as simple as a glass of sweet tea!
 
For more, visit alittleeasier.org
Resources Mentioned in this Episode
The Gift of Presence by Caroline Welch
Raising Resilience by Christopher Willard, PsyD
Permission to Feel by Marc Brackett
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Good Enough: How to accept your perfectly imperfect parenting

Episode 7: Good Enough: How to accept your perfectly imperfect parenting
You are not failing, it’s just that hard.
Welcome to Episode 7 of this 12-part series created to bolster parents and caregivers. Are you the worst parent in the world? Of course not! But sometimes it’s hard to ignore your inner critic and outside pressures to realize actually, you’re doing ok. We’re here to remind you why you’re not a failure. Mindfulness expert and psychologist Dr. Susan Pollak joins us to talk about the power of self-compassion, and mom Amy tells us how she managed to let go of other people’s judgment.
For more, visit alittleeasier.org
Resources Mentioned in this Episode
Self Compassion for Parents by Dr. Susan Pollak
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Peaceful Holidays: 5 ways to stress less this season

'Tis the season! We all know the holidays can pivot from merry and bright to muddled and messy when your child loses their temper, or has a panic attack, or struggles somehow. The troubles can quickly spread to you, then your partner or whoever else happens to be around. 
 
Let’s get ahead of end-of-year stress with some support. A Little Easier is taking some time off our regularly scheduled programming to share support when you need it: now! In this episode, Kendra Wilde shares five simple self-management tips to find your center when you need it most.
 
We’ll be back in the New Year with new episodes! For now, we hope you find moments to rest and be gentle with yourself. If you’ve loved the podcast, please share and tell your friends to start at Episode 1. This podcast is meant to be listened to in order, the episodes build on each other to make your life A Little Easier.
 
Wishing you peace and joy this holiday season! Thank you for all your support in 2022 and we’re looking forward to building resilience with you in 2023!

Be a Penguin: Mantu Joshi and the Resilient Parent

Episode 8: Be a Penguin: Mantu Joshi and the Resilient Parent
Resilience is not just about bouncing back.
Welcome to Episode 8 of this 12-part series created to bolster parents and caregivers. Join pastor, author, and dad Rev. Mantu Joshi and hear how he learned to find his best self while raising kids with exceptional challenges. Joshi explains what penguins have to teach us about resilience, and how to navigate the traffic circle of parenting, especially when kids are neurodivergent or highly sensitive. Plus we’ll explore the “parent mindset” and how it can shift our own experience, with Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart.
 
For more, visit alittleeasier.org
Resources Mentioned in this Episode
The Resilient Parent by Mantu Joshi
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