All the information from books, social media, websites, news, other family members, friends, etc. are often aimed to be helpful, but they aren't individualized. When is the last time someone asked you a series of questions about you and your family's specific needs before offering a well-meaning "to do" that ended up not working? Parents feel stuck or overwhelmed that the recommendation given isn't going as expected, and that either they or their child is falling short.

The early years come with so many "new" experiences, for little ones and for parents. Parents are trying to give the best of themselves to this little human, while controlling what feels like the worst of themselves inevitably coming up in early childhood parenting. As if that dance is not tiring enough, parents also feel the need to keep up with pop culture norms and the latest parenting research. If it all feels like a lot, it is because it IS a lot. Without having a place to reflect on the nuances, parents hit burn out. 

Our toddlers and young kiddos have unique developmental traits that make parenthood unpredictable, emotional, and intense. They lack mastery in self-control, the ability to hold more than one thing in mind, and emotional regulation skills. These developmental traits often mean parents are on an emotional rollercoaster with very little control... while getting less sleep, less recovery time, less support, and less opportunity for self-care. These challenges culminate in one of the most dysregulating periods of adulthood that is known to exist.