Website: 🌐 www.andiclark.com

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In this episode of the Kids with Big Emotions podcast, Andi Clark reflects on the unique challenges and triumphs of parenting while managing the expectations and realities of a new year. Parenthood in 2025 isn’t about doing it all at once—it’s about celebrating small wins, pacing yourself, and acknowledging the progress you and your child make each step of the way.

Drawing on personal stories, lessons from years of coaching, and practical advice, Andi highlights how slowing down and prioritizing one piece of the puzzle at a time can create long-term success for you and your child. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the weight of juggling your parenting responsibilities, this episode is your reminder that you’re not alone—and you’re doing better than you think.

• Progress Takes Time: Focus on small, incremental steps instead of rushing to fit every piece of the puzzle together all at once.
• The Cognitive Ladder: Think of your child’s development as climbing a ladder—each rung is necessary, and you can’t skip steps to get to the top.
• You Are Doing More Than You Realize: Parents often underestimate how much they’re already doing to support their children. Reflecting on your efforts can reveal how far you’ve come.
• Breaks Are Okay: Both parents and children need breaks to process and implement what they’ve learned before taking on the next challenge.
• Build Community: Support groups and shared experiences with other parents can make a huge difference in feeling less isolated and gaining fresh ideas.

[00:00:00] Introduction: Andi shares the inspiration for this episode—the importance of slowing down as parents to focus on meaningful progress.

[00:03:00] Personal Story: Reflections on a family vacation and the progress Andi’s son has made in flexibility and emotional regulation.

[00:09:00] The Stages of Parenting: From feeling lost and overwhelmed to discovering solutions, and the realization that parenting is an evolving process.

[00:14:00] The Cognitive Ladder: Why skipping steps in your child’s development can lead to setbacks and how pacing creates sustainable growth.

[00:18:00] Avoiding Burnout: Andi discusses her own feelings of parental guilt, burnout, and the realization that taking a slower approach often yields better results.

[00:25:00] Taking Breaks: Why it’s okay to pause therapies or interventions when they’re no longer serving your child or family’s needs.

[00:29:00] Building Community: The value of connecting with other parents to share successes, challenges, and practical advice.

[00:35:00] Moving Into 2025: Encouragement to celebrate small wins, focus on achievable steps, and keep your expectations realistic for the year ahead.

• Cognitive Ladder Framework: Andi discusses the importance of building foundational skills step by step....