Expectations versus reality is the name of the game today, and boy, are we diving deep into the wild, wacky world of parenthood! I mean, let’s face it – if you thought parenting was all sunshine and rainbows, you might want to grab your umbrella! Brittany and I are about to share our hilarious, sometimes chaotic, and totally relatable tales about the magnificent mess that is raising kiddos. We’ll chat about everything from the “never let my kids wear character clothes” mantra that went out the window faster than a toddler’s tantrum, to the unexpected joys (and challenges) that come with watching our little ones grow. Spoiler alert: if your reality doesn’t match that picture-perfect Pinterest board you envisioned, you’re definitely not alone! So buckle up, friends, as we unravel the delightful, messy, and sometimes downright absurd truth of parenthood!

Takeaways:

• This episode dives deep into the wild world of parenthood, revealing how expectations can dramatically differ from reality, and how that's totally normal.
• Brittany and Taylor share hilarious parenting anecdotes that illustrate the struggle between what they thought they would do versus what they actually do with their kids.
• They discuss the importance of navigating emotions as a parent, stressing that it's okay to feel overwhelmed and to seek help when needed.
• The conversation touches on how parenting styles can shift over time, emphasizing the need for flexibility and adaptability in the face of chaos.
• They highlight the sweetness of small moments with their kids as being far more fulfilling than any picture-perfect ideal they once envisioned.
• The duo reminds listeners that embracing imperfections in parenting is key, as their kids often surprise them in delightful ways that defy their original expectations.

Foreign.

Hello, friends.

I'm Taylor.

And I'm Brittany.

Today we kind of have a fun miniseries that we're going to do.

We're going to dive into a few different things where expectations versus reality.

And so we've picked a couple different categories.

We're going to dive into things about parenthood, adulthood, friendships, and.

What was our other one?

Oh, marriage.

Relationship.

Marriage.

Yeah.

So these, I think they'll be fun.

Hopefully help you guys to kind of realize that if your reality is not matching what your, you know, Prince Charming hopes and dreams were, that's okay.

That is normal.

So, yeah, I think it's an interesting.

Yeah, Like, I think this subject kind of came up because, I don't know, just.

Just a few different things lately, like clients, you know, the subjects we've been talking about.

But also, like, my kids and watching a bunch of Disney things, and I was, like, remembering, like, my thoughts as a kid and, like, experiencing, like, watching those shows, too, and.

And what I thought my future would be.

And I was like, interesting.

You know, it's just.

It's just interesting.

It's not bad.

It's just an interesting, like, dynamic of looking back and having littles and looking forward and dealing with teens.

And, like, everybody's in the zone of, like, potential, but nobody actually knows the reality of that potential as well as, like, how it's going to work out.

So the first one we're doing is.

My kids are playing with their daddy right now.

It is our first one who.

Shocker.

All right, Brit, complete the sentence.

Before I had kids, I swore I would never let my children blink.

And now they do it daily.

Well, I mean, stupid things.

I remember being like, oh, I will not let my kids wear, like, character clothes and character shoes.

But I think we made it mostly through the character shoes, except for, like, cool vans.

But I know for the T shirts, I. I gave up on that a.

Long time ago, but that's hilarious.

Behavior wise, before I had kids, I swear I never.

I mean, that's fine.

That one still works.

Does that work?

But they don't do it daily.

Like, we're kind of past that point.

Okay.

You know, iPads, I think I could easily say with Anson, like, child can be an iPad kid sometimes.

And I think that that was one where I was like, oh, no, I'm gonna be that mom.

Where he's gonna be outside and he's gonna do all these fun things, and we're not gonna have a problem with that, but we do.

I'm trying to think on mine because when I wrote this.

I was like, what do I.

And I.

What really came to my mind was I swore like thinking how I wanted it.

Like my kids would always have like the fresh foods and the, and the like whole diet.

And my son is starting to tantrum every day about chocolate every day.

And I'm actually like a pretty balanced parent.

I didn't think like he would never get it right.

I just thought like his diet would be a little more balanced.

And with a two year old, he lives off berries and sometimes chicken nuggies and chocolate.

Like, well, with the side of Dutch bros.

Hot chocolate and sprinkles.

Yeah, hot Chucky sprinkles, you know, like, so it's, it's funny because the reality is like I still provide the whole meals that I always thought I would.

It's not about the providing, it's about what actually goes in that kid's face is based off of agency and toddlerism.

So like.

Right.

I still have that with a 10 year old toddler.

I'm just saying.

Yeah, like answer diet is he'll, he'll surprise me and he's like, oh, I'm gonna eat these like all organic almond crusted chicken nuggets and I'm gonna love them.

But then the next day it's like, I'm only eating like Eggos.

I'm like, what the heck?

Because it's, it's just, it goes off.

And this is the thing, like all we can do is provide.

And I see so many things on the Internet and like nutritionists and all these things being like, that's really all you can do, right?

Like, because at one point I was like, man, he's living off berries.

And that's pretty much it.

You know, Matt's was freaking out and finally I found a bunch of pediatric pediatrician is the best.

We love her.

Megan's the best.

She's the best.

But oh yeah, we love her.

And she was like, he's getting nutrition, he's fine.

And they like go up and down, you know, And I was like, okay, it's good.

Like, okay, it doesn't matter.

But that was something like very opposite, I think of reality that I had in my head.

Which sounds silly, but it's there.

No, but it's so true.

I mean, do you remember the phase where I was making my kids homemade goldfish?

Yes, you.

Yeah.

I'm just saying, like, we have these little expectations and the reality is like, I cannot make my children homemade goldfish.

I'm sorry, I don't have time for that.

Like, yeah, that's the, that's the key here is it was time for that.

Yeah.

What's one thing that you do daily or your kids do daily that is the opposite.

Like, that you never thought your kids would do in a good way.

In a good way.

Do you want like.

Because I had one in my head.

Do you want me go for your little people?

Sure.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Like, mine is how much they love outside.

I love it.

And like, when we moved to this house, we got turf instead.

It was already installed in the backyard.

Best thing that my children could have ever had gifted to our family.

Like, they live outside daily.

They love it.

We love outside.

And I always loved outside.

And it wasn't.

I don't think it was a part of necessarily my like dream or expectation,.

But that's become our outside all the time.

Yeah, but like, it just wasn't like a, you know, like the one where you, you swore you never let your children do it and you think you have all these ideas and like that one, I never like, had it in my head like, my children are going to live outside.

But like my husband, it's a huge priority for him.

For me, it's a huge priority.

And like, my kids just vibe.

They.

They just.

That's where they like chill out.

So that's one that kind of surprised me.

Yeah.

Yeah.

What do you got?

I think the one that I've got is like, my kids are super community minded and I really love that like they're always like thinking about how they can be a something outside of our home or even outside of like our super tight knit neighborhood or something.

Like, they're always willing to go make new friends and just be a part of something.

And I, I really love that, like both of them do that in their different ways.

Anson joined choir this year and has loved choir.

Like, but I love that they're willing to try new things and meet new people in that process.

Like, they see value in that.

So yes, I love that.

Okay, so like going from thinking about like what we thought it would be, I'm really curious, like, what did you think cool mom life look like?

Because, like, we had all these ideas kind of coming up.

What did you think?

I always think of mean girls.

I'm not one of those moms.

I'm a cool mom.

I did not picture that.

I didn't either.

Like, I think esthetically I was talking to a girlfriend about this recently actually, and I was like, aesthetically, I think I actually pictured like in the Santa Claus, remember The mom that had, like, this cute little short hair, like.

Yeah.

And her, like, soccer mom, like, clothes.

Yeah.

Like, soccer mom with, like, her sweater and baseball cap.

Yeah.

And she always, like, pulled together with her makeup.

Yeah.

I was like, I'm gonna look like that.

I can't remember.

I can't remember her name, but at the same time.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Okay.

And so I was like, okay, I'm gonna look like that.

And then I think otherwise, I just was like, oh, my kids are gonna want to go with me all the time to all these different things.

Like, we're gonna just, like.

I. I don't.

I don't.

I think it probably had some, like, honestly, like, a hippie vibe in my head.

Like, we'll spend time outside and we'll do picnics, and everybody will be calm, and we'll listen to the Beatles, and I'll have this record collection going.

And, like, that just makes me giggle.

Like, I think, you know.

And remember when I would buy all the, like, Montessori toys, and I was like, oh, like, they're gonna love these.

But instead, you know, Anson was like, three and yelling at me about Paw Patrol.

So I was like, oh, no, we're not going to do that.

We're going to do this, and we're only going to read the classics, and we're going to snuggle every night before bed and, like, read these books.

And a lot more of an image than I had.

My head just fell out.

But, like, that was my expectation.

And there are moments where it happens.

There are moments.

But.

But I think it's so funny you had such a clear.

Because I was thinking about this, and I was like, you know, honestly, I just liked the vibe of, like, a caring, cozy mom.

Like, that's.

That's what I thought.

A good.

Just.

Just pretty basic, you know, Like.

Like, we just, like, we.

We do all the fun things.

We go on hikes or we go to the farmers markets.

Like, yeah, all that.

But, like, just, like.

Just a cozy, cuddly, cozy mom, you know?

Like, I think that's all I really had in my head, but I think it's like.

I think it's kind of telling at the same time because, like, growing up, we were always.

It was kind of interesting.

I became a mom at a younger age and tailored it, I think 23 when Adelyn was born.

And.

Yes, but Taylor was always the one that wanted to be the mommy.

And I was like, oh, no, no, I don't want to be the mommy.

Then I'm gonna Like, go work and do all these things.

So I think my vision of, like, momhood was, like, stemming from a reality that I never even got to, if that makes sense.

And yours was, like, super more realistic, because I think you have this, like, version of mommy life that was more aligned with mommy life, like.

But.

Yes.

Well, I do think that's a really fascinating lineup that we have compared to each other.

I became a mom at 29.

No, I think I barely just turned 30.

Right.

Brit, was I 29 or 30?

I think.

I think you were 29.

32 Now.

I was 29.

I was in that zone.

Right.

Like, I was pregnant when I was, like, 29 and then barely just turned 30, I think.

So I was very established.

Yeah.

What?

Yeah, it was a very different.

What are your favorite?

Squish?

Yeah, he's pretty cute.

But I think that's, like, you can see a lot of differences going in.

In the reality and the expectations.

And I also worked with a lot of different.

I like, specialized with teens for a long time.

Right.

And I, like, I worked with children in therapy.

I worked with parents all the time.

Like, I saw you being a mom, so, like, I think I knew the reality a lot different than a lot of other people know going into it, which is good gift and also kind of a scary gift, because when I got pregnant, I knew the weight of it.

And, like, when I got a girl, I was like, I can do this.

Yeah.

Really?

You remember that?

And now she's like, me and her besties.

That's my girl.

Nobody messes with my girl.

Like, but she's so cute.

She's my girl.

Like, I love that girl.

Love my son.

Like, but I think that's a little different, too, is the age zone and the experiences you have really do change.

Kind of, like, it kind of eliminate some of these, like, thoughts that you have.

Yeah.

Like, I didn't have time to kind of squash out my expectations, I guess, just because it was like, that's why.

Yours are more fun than mine.

The what?

That's why yours are more fun than mine.

Oh, mine aren't necessarily more fun.

Mine are probably just like.

They're funnier.

Yeah.

Like, they're elaborate.

Like, it the hell did I think it was?

Honestly, like, oh, I'm never gonna soft in my head.

That's what I'm gonna do.

It's pretty true.

Okay.

So kind of, like, the difference.

The reality, though.

So there's this question.

I was giggling, and I knew this was going to be my life when I became a mom.

I, I, this is not like a reality versus expectation.

But it is funny because I could see a person who wasn't ready for this day.

I could see how they would have a hard time.

But last week, my son just recently got toilet trained.

Oh, my gosh.

Taylor said some great stories.

Been rough, my friends.

My son is usually a straight up chiller.

Now he's still Diablo of Twos.

He is very angry that he has to pee half the time and remember to go to the bathroom.

And the other day we were going to get Chucky's with Pinkles and go through the car wash because I needed his at the same time to do this specific thing for a medical thing.

And it was easier if I just had her sit in a car seat contained, right to, to achieve the goal of this medical need.

And so I was like, we're gonna strap her down.

So she was chilling in her car seat.

And they love.

Don't get.

I, I picked an errand.

My kids love, they love the car wash. Don't ask me why.

I don't know why.

But they asked to go there daily.

They asked to go through it daily.

I'm not kidding.

You saw the video.

Have you seen that one where the.

Puppies going in for the car wash?

Like the car wash rave?

Yes, yes.

It's so funny.

That's like, literally, my kids, they, like, think it's like a highlight of their day.

So we were going in and we did the car wash, and then he starts freaking out.

And I was getting to get him his hot chockies with pinkos and.

Because that's like a mommy day.

And then he freaks out.

We're in line at Dutch, and it was a longer line.

He's like, I have to pay.

And then we had to.

He would not let it go.

And I'm like, we're in downtown Everett now.

For people who live in Washington and, you know, Everett.

You know, you don't get your kid out to pee in Everett, right?

Like, yeah, it's like, we're good.

We can wait to go back to different town.

Like, we're downtown, by the way.

We're talking, like, downtown, you know?

Yeah.

And I was like, where?

No, because I had two kids under two with me, and I'm not going to take you out of the.

So finally I was like, fine, we'll go get a toilet.

And I was going to take him to Trader Joe's, and he was just freaking out real hard.

So, like, fine, we'll go for Starbucks on Broadway.

Trader Joe's.

You are your good 15, 20 minutes, right?

Yeah, so maybe like 15, but.

So I was like, okay, fine.

Starbucks is closer on Broadway, which is like maybe five minutes down the road.

So we go to Starbucks.

We get out, he wants to pee in the bushes.

I'm like, dude, it's public.

You can't be in the bushes.

So I take him to the bathroom.

Mommy, a tinky.

It's like, oh, my goodness, Lord.

So then I was like, buddy, just pee.

No, am I.

My daughter's in her car seat because I take her in because it's easier to container, right?

She's sitting there with a little aerial doll, and he tries to take her Ariel doll.

I'm like, don't take your sissy's aerial doll.

So she's freaking out, trying to get him to sit.

He wouldn't go to the bathroom, right?

Like two minutes back and forth.

If it's tinky, it's stinky.

I'd not go.

Fine.

So we leave.

I get him a cake pop.

Because I was like, well, you know, like, they.

They don't want people using the bathroom without buying something.

I'll get him a cake pop.

Whatever.

He can have some.

We're see the acne.

My daughter.

So he can have some gluten, right?

And that was my goal in his car seat.

But then he freaks out of me.

I wanted the cookie.

I was like, no, you've got to be kidding me.

So he freaks out about this cookie.

I already bought the cake pop.

And I'm like, but it's cake pop.

Let's move on, right?

We walk out the door, and he's freaking out.

I still have to pay.

I still have to pay.

Oh, my goodness.

Okay.

So, like, we're just sitting, and I'm like, I'm losing my mind with this heavy car seat on my arm and him freaking out, and my daughter's just sitting there chilling, blowing bubbles out of her face, and he's sobbing.

And this guy on the phone is sitting there watching me.

And I'm like, okay, we're going to go back in.

And I told him, I was like, you go back and you have to.

You have to actually do it, but you have to do it.

So he goes, okay.

And he makes the same complaint.

It's stinky.

And then I was like, you better be going, dude.

So he finally does his thing and moves on from it.

But then he runs back out and he's like, I want Jockeys and I want a cookie.

I'm like, oh, my gosh.

Yes.

We just Got a cookie or a cake pop, right?

So I'm like, no, absolutely not.

So he's standing there, freaking out, throwing a tantrum in the middle of Starbucks.

I lift him up, but I'm juggling a car seat and a bait and him, right?

And he's like thrashing around, walk out the door and this guy's watching me still by the door on his phone, talking this like, man that doesn't understand struggle of being a mom.

And.

And my kid thrashes out, whacks his head and starts just sobbing.

Oh, this was a, this was a 10 minute saga.

So at this point I was like, mommy's done.

Mommy's done.

And I put him in the cars and like, us both cool off for like two minutes and then it was fine.

I called my mom and we just start laughing together.

But it was like one of those moments where it's just like, this is the reality of parenthood.

It's not glamorous.

It's running to find a toilet.

It's dealing with emotions that they are allowed to have agency.

They're allowed to have opinions.

Right.

And they are not always going to go along with what the dialogue makes sense.

Like, like, it didn't make.

He needed to pee.

It didn't make any sense to not go and do the toilet.

Right.

Like, but it does in his head.

And I still have to honor and respect that without crushing it, but still trying to guide.

It's this very difficult combo.

Yeah.

Because you're like, I don't want to crush you, but like, dude, chill.

Literally.

And you don't, you don't want to, like, make him.

Like, it's a, it's a hard balance too, as a parent.

Right.

Because you're trying to show them that their emotions are safe and it's fine to have emotions, but at the same time, it's frustrating.

Yeah.

Because you're sitting there dealing with multiple dynamics.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

And you're like, you're not wrong.

You're not wrong.

This is not the greatest bathroom.

It's Broadway.

Starbucks.

Like, you're not wrong, but it's your.

Best option in Everett, literally.

And he doesn't.

But like, in my head, I'm like, your little brain can understand that, but there's so many moments as parents with different stages teens.

I get this all the times, like, you know, I had, I had a teen come in the other day and like, there was an issue and like, he was older and then the parent was like, please help me, help him understand this.

And it was like, A big thing for his life, a medical issue, right?

And I finally was like telling him from a different viewpoint and he was like, oh, that makes more sense.

And I was like, thank you.

I've been trying for three years or whatever, you know.

And I was like, yes, it's okay, I understand.

But like, that's what we're going up against sometimes is, is either like trying to get them to understand something or trying to like, come in a different angle or just the fact that you're their parent, they don't listen to you.

It's hard.

We had one of those just the other day.

Like, we're so.

Adelyn is 14 and she dances a lot.

And so like, her knee and her hip bother her.

She's been dancing since she was what, like three?

I mean, of course she's gonna have.

Some aches and pain and she has some like, weird like, knee thing, right?

Yeah, well, I think it comes from her hip before.

We've decided now, but so I've told her for, like, she wanted to try.

Out for the high school dance team.

And I was like, girl, if you're gonna do this, like, you need to do your stretches, like you gotta do your PT stretches.

And she's like, yeah, yeah, yo, whatever.

And I had been like trying to like, you know, give her this without like telling her what to do because I'm like, if you want to dance, this is going to be like, you have to do this or like, if then.

And you know, blah, blah, crap.

And she was just blowing me off and super frustrated, super emotional.

We go to PT with a new PT and it's a friend of ours, like their dad.

And, and she was like, you know, he tells her, he's like, adeline, as long as you're dancing at this level, you well need to do your stretches every day.

Like, if you're dancing at this level, it has to happen.

And I was like, are you kidding me?

Like, I've been telling you this for months.

And so since then she has done it every day.

And I think this is just such a perfect example of, like, we've done all the pieces, right?

Like, my expectation is I have great communication with my kids.

Like, we have a really clear dialogue.

I'm super supportive.

I go to all of their things.

Even if it's not something I'm super excited about, I'm still there, I still show up, right?

Like, but the reality is sometimes it's just going to be chaos and we, we can't change that.

I think it's Interesting, too, because I actually did come with this expectation of, like, I'm a therapist.

I can regulate myself.

I know how to regulate myself.

Right.

Yeah.

My kids, though, definitely stretched me to points where I'm like, I know that I can no longer regulate.

And it's not so much about that expectation of regulation.

It's more about what do I choose to do with my behaviors after that.

I've learned.

It's.

It's a humility thing.

Right.

There are multiple moments.

Like, that day I called my husband, I was like, matt.

And I was, like, almost crying, and I was like, this is so hard today.

And he's like, what do you need?

Right?

And luckily, my husband had the time and it was in his, like, schedule that day to actually, like, go and help me and, like, take the kids for 30 minutes.

Why I didn't air, and that needed to happen, or 40 minutes.

And it was amazing.

It was literally amazing, you know?

And, like, it was.

But that's where, like, as a mom, I had to learn a lot of humility and a lot of, like, just because you can doesn't mean you should.

Just because you can emotionally regulate doesn't mean you always have to.

Right.

Or that you shouldn't ask for help or that you should carry the load all the time.

And, like, that's where.

That's an expectation I really had to work on.

So I think sometimes, too, it's just, like, the reality hits, and you're realizing, this is the materials that we have to work with.

How do I make it change?

So it actually does better for our family than just me pushing through.

Yeah.

I think that's such a good reminder.

And, like, just knowing when you need to take that break.

Like, as moms, we do have a lot, and I think that we have that expectation on ourselves and.

And that society projected onto us whole nother rant.

But, like, we're not allowed to feel these.

These feelings sometimes.

And it's, like, been interesting in the last little over a year, I've been a stepmom, and that spread out a whole new set of feelings for me.

And I'm like, it's hard to.

To step back sometimes and be like, no, like, I'm still a human.

Like, even though I'm a mother and a stepmom, like, these, well, elicit feelings.

Like.

And that is a reality.

Like, you do have that.

Yeah, it's okay to have that, like, that overload feeling or that, like, you know, like, we are not robots.

We are not magically, like, they don't come out with like little, you know, manuals.

It's, it's a hot mess.

And like I tell all my clients is sometimes we're just throwing stuff at a wall and seeing what sticks.

Right?

Like, yeah, with my 2 year old, some days it really is like throwing stuff at the wall and seeing what sticks.

Or my daughter, when she was really sick for a while and had her celiac stuff, like, I don't like, it was, I was surviving off of tea, I was surviving off caffeine, guys.

Like, you know, like, and that's where like sometimes the, the lack of glamour or sometimes the reality is like you're scraping by and, and that's okay as long as that's not always right if that's a moment.

But if you're doing it always, then you need other supports.

But it's, it's chaotic and it's not as pulled together as you think it's gonna be.

Or like preschool, we do preschool half the time and that goes a hot mess too.

Yeah.

Because you can't just stay in survival mode forever.

Like, you've got to come out of that at some point.

But so realizing what you need to get out of that is part of the cycle, right?

Yeah.

Reality versus expectation is just, it's really funny when you pause and look at it.

Okay, so funny question.

What's one observation you've made about your sister, about how your sister parents versus how you thought she would parent when you guys were teens?

Now guys, we are five years apart.

So like, some of the, like Britney's analysis of me will be like, more when she's a young adult because we're five years apart.

So I was 15 and she was 20 just ahead.

I don't know, like, I don't know if I have a funny one though, because, like, you were always the one that was doing the, like the doll's hair when we were like younger.

So that wasn't when, when you were a teen.

But you were just like.

I mean, I had ADA when you were a freshman in college.

Yeah, you were always like a little mommy for Adeline.

Like, I mean, Adeline considers you as she's always called you, Auntie Mommy Scissor.

Like, it's like I, I feel like.

I'm kind of boring on this one, guys, because, like, I, I really do feel like, and I don't feel like many people have this, but I feel like being a mom was my calling in life.

Like, I always just want to be a mom.

I didn't really want A career.

I wanted to be a mom.

Yeah.

Yeah.

And you were complete opposite.

Complete opposite.

That's the funny part, because you were completely, like.

So, like, as a teen versus, I. I did not expect you to be such a little homemaker.

Like, you would do all these crafts and stuff, and, like, you would be like, I'm gonna make this.

I'm gonna, like, sew this or do this project.

And I was just like, what the heck is happening?

Because, like, there's always, like, this type.

My sister's type A, right?

Like.

Like, you are to a T. I don't.

I think I'm like B or C. I don't know what I am.

But you were like, yeah.

And like, Matt's always asked.

Because it's true.

I'm not type A at all.

And you are.

So, like, for you to go and then be type A on, like, homemaking Martha Stewart, like, I remember calling you Martha Stewart.

Hey, whatever.

I do.

I go 100.

You know this.

I do.

But it was very opposite of the person I grew up with.

Right.

Like, where.

I thought you were gonna, like, live in New York.

Like, you just were always like, I would live in a city and, like,.

Have a career, and then San Francisco.

That's it.

Like, you know, and then.

And then, like, you know, she'd have kids, like, at 40 or something.

And then we ended up just being opposite in every way that we thought.

But literally, like, yesterday.

That's so funny.

Yeah.

I don't feel like I had anything really crazy.

I just was like.

My daughter, though, is like me.

I think my mom got our.

Got her these cute, like, stroller and, like, little baby doll.

Oh, yeah, you got her the stroller.

But mom, like, got him these baby dot pouches.

Sorry.

She got banks of stroller because we need two of everything.

Because I have two kids under two that fight.

But so they're going around the other day, and my daughter.

It was hilarious to see the difference between the two of them parenting, right?

My son, sweet daddy, but play, play guy.

He, like, straps his baby to his back.

He's like, we gotta go get hot chuckies.

And he's like, we gotta go to the airport.

And he's, like, pushing his babies around and running, right?

And my daughter straps her baby to her, gives her this.

We call it her lovey.

This, like, blanket that she has that she, like, always carries around with her.

Puts.

Puts the levy on her daughter.

And then she.

She takes her baba and starts feeding her baby her baba and, like, petting her face and just going around, like just carrying her baby on.

Her baby's as big as kiss afterwards.

Like, she's very.

Like, you could tell that she learned from her mommy.

And that's.

Thank you.

It's super sweet.

Like, she has a mommy.

You're old.

Like, yeah, yeah.

But it was funny because my husband's like the Taylor.

Like, is this innate?

And I'm like, yeah, I think this is her personality.

I think like, she is just a nurturer, you know, because you could see it was definitely very innate in her.

And he was just cracking up.

He's like, she's just his little mommy.

Like.

But I think that's what I was too.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Our doll.

It was always.

I was always the one that was like, oh, they've got to have the perfect outfit and like let me decorate their bedroom.

And like, it was super type A play.

And you were just over there kissing your dolls their hair.

And I was like, I don't have to know how to braid their hair because I just hire my sister to do it.

And it's so funny though, because I'm laughing because I'm like, this is us's mommy.

I know because I'm the one that's over there.

Like, I'm snuggle and like you are snuggler too and stuff.

But like, I'm more focused on the, like, you know, like the, the day to day, kisses, smooches, whatever.

And you were like, what's your bedroom look like?

How do you look like?

I never had the expectation, don't wear like character at clothes.

I could care less.

I remember when you asked me if you could get him a Buzz Lightyear jacket.

I was like, sure, he likes it.

I don't care.

Well, and in my mind I'm like, oh, this is kind of like I would have never let that happen.

But then I had to relax on it and you know, like.

Yeah.

And in my mind I was like, if he likes it, go for it.

Well, okay.

There is one funny observation about you as a parent, I guess is.

And I just, I think just because in my own head I was like, you can't let your kids be in pajamas outside of bedtime.

And then like Taylor's kids, like Ray sends, she.

She says this picture the other day,.

And Ray's like at the farmer's market in her little footsie pajamas with like cheetah print shoes on and a baseball.

And she looks so cute.

Okay.

Actually that may be one of my expectations versus reality.

I thought I would always have really cutely Dressed kids.

Like, whether it was character clothes or not, I thought they'd always be really cute.

And I've just learned as a mom, it's not worth my fight.

Like, for my husband, too.

Like, for us, it's just, why fight it when she's happy, you know?

And, like, she picked out that whole outfit, and I was dying.

She came down the stairs with cheetah flats on, and then she won that hat on.

I was like.

And I literally had to check myself and be like, it doesn't matter.

She's happy.

It doesn't matter.

And she did great at the farmer's market.

She did.

She totally was happy with her life and her look, and she had the best time at the farmer's market, and that's all that mattered, not what the clothes were.

And, like, my son lately has gone to the store and, like, a chicken top shirt with Grinch pants and rain boots and a baseball hat.

And I was laughing, and my husband was like, babe, he has the cutest clothes.

Like, he, like, I dress my kids like little beach babies.

Cutest clothes.

And he goes out of the house.

Looking like that to Costco.

But, like.

But he was so happy.

Shirt and scrinch pants.

Like, yeah, he was so happy.

So I'm like, you know what?

That matters to me more than.

Than anything else.

So.

Yeah.

And I guess it ties us into kind of, like, at the end of all this, Taylor, like, what's the big win, right?

Like, what's one reality of parenthood that's been way better than the expectation Love,.

The love of my babies, the purity of that moment.

Like, when my daughter, my husband and I were laughing last night because we have the cutest stage, and my daughter comes up to me and she pats my shoulder and she'll rub me, like, when she gets me.

So she.

She reaches out for me and, like, moves her little fingers and grabs like, that when she sees me.

And then when I pick her up, she'll pat me and, like, rub on me, and it's the sweetest thing.

And lately she, like, has started this thing where she'll.

She'll grab my face and she'll rub my face too, just like, I got you and, like, making sure that she got me kind of thing.

And, like, touch me and love me.

And I think that's been my favorite part, is when I have my babies on me and just loving me.

I love that.

Like, and she's just such a little love.

It's.

Yeah, it's even better than what you could have imagined.

Really sweet.

Yeah.

Oh, yeah.

Way better.

I. I love, love, love, love being a mom.

Like, anybody asks, it's my favorite thing I've ever done.

I love that.

What about for you?

And I actually really love being a mom, too.

Like, I know that we kind of joked about.

Like, that wasn't, like, my.

Yeah, we joke.

Yeah, we do joke.

But, like, I adore my children.

And I think for me, another interesting thing in the last couple years, like, with the divorce and, like, splitting schedules and all this is.

I love that I'm the one that gets to know all of their, like, routines and their habits, and, like, they come to me and, like, just the trust that they have for me.

Like, I think it just is such, like, a.

It's.

It's changed our bond in some ways past.

Like, I'm not just a caretaker, but, like, they're choosing to, like, I get to be part of their life, and I really love that.

And that I.

That might sound odd, I guess, especially for people that aren't, like, in a weird divorce situation.

Right.

But, like, just being the one that shows up for your kids and all the things gets to take them.

Like, it feels like such a privilege to get to, like, be the mom that does the dance calendar and be the mom that gets to go and, like, you know, go to little choir things and, like, see their creations at school when Anson brings out this giant cardboard airport, like, I'm just grateful for those moments, like, that I get to have that.

So his little run into school.

Oh, my gosh.

Yeah, he does this little run.

He's 10, and.

But he's still tiny, and he's got this big old, like, Nike backpack, and he runs into school with, like, his little Jordans on, and it cracks me up every time.

It's, like, bopping around.

Yeah, but I love that.

Like, I love that I just get to be there for my kids.

I think it was something I kind of took for granted before, where I'm like, oh, my gosh, like, have to do all these things.

Have to do all these things.

And, yeah, I still feel that way because I am still not single mom, but, like, at the same time, like, doing all the things for my kids.

Right?

They're my kids, and.

But I get to be that parent, and that's really special.

So I love that.

If you guys need help with some of your parenting stuff, we do have a new parenting workshop that just released, I think, like, a week ago.

We put it out.

We're running campaign support and stuff.

So it's on Our website, if you want to find it, you can find it through our Instagram as well as my website, Facebook.

It's all over the place.

It's helping raising anxious children, like, teens, kids.

It helps with all of that, and it talks a lot about, like, reality and how to apply some of these techniques.

We're talking about, like, when we were talking about emotions and regulation.

It's all in there.

So if you guys feel like you need some help with parenthood, we got you.

Yes.

And I think you have a promo code going on it right through.

Yeah, we have a promo code special.

10, $10 Off through June 7th, so.

Okay.

Awesome.

Yeah, there's some really good.

Just reminders in there about.

Yeah, helping, like, regulate your own anxiety, too, as a parent.

So you can.

Yeah, do that.

It's a.

It's a pretty total one.

It covers what anxiety is, how to navigate it with your kids, where it's coming from, what's overstimulated more, and then actual tangible takeaways that you can take home the day you watch it and apply it to your life.

So it gives tons of examples, tons of ways to use it and implement.

Implement it.

And definitely, you know, I did, like, a few different rounds of teaching this to different people in different groups, and I then just recorded after, and it definitely had a good response.

So if you need stuff, it has information.

People seem like they really need it, so check it out.

I love that.

Such a great resource.

So.

Well, thank you, friends.

Catch us next week, and we're going to talk about adulthood.

Yay.

All right, bye.

Bye.

Sa.