If choosing extracurricular activities leaves you feeling overwhelmed, stretched thin, and stuck in constant mom guilt, this episode is for you. Many parents in a busy family feel pressure to do more, sign up for everything, and keep up with what other families are doing, even when it does not feel right. In this conversation, I want to help you step out of overschedulingand into confident decision-making that actually supports your child and your nervous system.
In this episode, I sit down with Rachel Fein, a licensed child psychologist and board certified behavior analyst, to talk about how parents can prioritize extracurricular activities without burning out. Rachel Fein brings both clinical expertise and real-life parenting experience to this conversation, helping parents rethink mom guilt, pressure, and what children truly need to thrive.
Together, we break down how overscheduling happens so easily in a busy family and how parents can make intentional choices that support connection, emotional regulation, and physical activity for kids without sacrificing family wellbeing.
In this episode, we discuss
- Why overscheduling is so common in a busy family and how it quietly fuels mom guilt
- How to evaluate extracurricular activities through the lens of family values instead of outside pressure
- The difference between meaningful physical activity for kids and activity overload
- How to recognize when mom guilt is driving decisions instead of your child’s actual needs
- Practical strategies for setting boundaries around extracurricular activities without feeling selfish
- Why protecting downtime matters just as much as physical activity for kids
- How confident parenting reduces overschedulingand supports healthier routines for the entire busy family
This episode is a reminder that you do not need to do everything to be a good parent. When you let go of mom guilt, reduce overscheduling, and make values-based choices, you create more space for connection, regulation, and joy for both you and your child.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Episode 15: Should You Keep Pushing Your Child to Succeed or Back Off? With Kristin Mervich
LET'S CONNECT:
Thriving Child Center
PCIT Experts
Calm and Connected Program
Instagram
Love having expert tips you can actually use? Join our newsletter and get a beautifully designed PDF of each episode’s top 3 takeaways—delivered straight to your inbox every week.
Are you a provider? Subscribe here for professional insights and parenting resources!
CONNECT WITH DR. RACHEL FEIN:
Instagram
Website
