When emotions hurt, most of us go straight into fix-it mode. We try to shut it down, numb it out, control our kids, or control the moment. But in this episode, Andee shares why the goal isn’t to eliminate “negative” emotions. The goal is to move through them so they can actually complete and release.

You’ll hear a real-life holiday-season story (cruise chaos, kids growing up, and all the tenderness that comes with it), plus practical tools for what to do when your nervous system is activated and you feel the urge to rush, react, or lecture.

Because here’s the truth: when emotions become emergencies, you parent like an emergency responder. And connection disappears.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why emotions are meant to hurt sometimes, and why that’s not a problem
• The difference between emotions, feelings, and sensations (in a way that actually makes sense)
• How “pain about the pain” is what multiplies suffering
• The two most common ways we avoid emotions (and how it shows up in parenting)
• Why “Let it hurt” is often the most powerful first step
• How to stop outsourcing your regulation to your kids
• What emotional maturity really is, and how it grows over time
• How to stay connected when your nervous system is in fight-or-flight
• Why your child benefits more from your emotional ownership than anything you could say

Real-life examples included:

• The “clean your room” moment where the real trigger wasn’t the mess, it was the fear of not being heard
• A travel story from Berlin where a nervous system takeover turned into an opportunity for repair, regulation, and connection

Key takeaways to remember:

• Emotions that are allowed get processed. Emotions that are resisted get complicated.
• Your child’s hard feelings aren’t proof something is wrong. They’re proof they’re human.
• The goal isn’t happiness. The goal is being able to stay present for the full 50/50 of life.
• Unfelt emotions fester. Felt emotions move through.
• Emotional strength isn’t never getting activated. It’s knowing what to do when you are.

A question to sit with this week:

Where are you treating emotions like emergencies in your home?
And what might change if you practiced letting them move through instead of trying to make them stop?

If this episode helped you, share it with a friend who’s trying to stay calm, connected, and choose humanness this holiday season.

Correction is out. Connection is in. And you’re not alone.

Learn more here --> https://connectmethodparenting.com

Next Steps: Leave a review if you've been enjoying the CMP Podcast

My Book: https://cmp.works/1xs

My IG: https://cmp.works/ista