Parenting in a village isn’t anything new. It’s a necessity for many families, especially when extended family isn’t close by. In this episode, we talk candidly about what it really looks like to build and rely on a village of friends, neighbors, and other families. If you’ve never done this before, know that it can feel intimidating at first. Trusting others with your kids, your schedule, and your needs takes time and practice but it gets easier, and it’s worth it.

Key Topics Covered

• What it means to build a parenting village when family isn’t nearby.
• Why relying on others often starts out of necessity.
• How to ask for help clearly, specifically, and in a way that feels fair.
• Making drop-off birthday parties work for your family.
• When and how to incorporate paid support into your village.
• The impact of unexpected support and paying it forward.
• How building a village models healthy relationships and help-seeking for kids.
• Letting go of what you thought your village would look like and getting creative.
• Abby’s go-to coaching prompt for asking for help.

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

BETTERHELP: 10% off first month at: http://betterhelp.com/herself

LMNT: Free Sample Pack with purchase: drinkLMNT.com/HERSELF

Let’s connect!

HERSELF INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/herselfpodcast

MEET AMY: http://instagram.com/ameskiefer

MEET ABBY: http://instagram.com/abbyrosegreen

This episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change Network.

What if the missing ingredient in your marriage, friendships, and parenting isn’t more fixing, but more fun? In this episode, we explore a powerful shift inspired by a viral quote: instead of always focusing on what’s wrong, what happens when we intentionally prioritize joy and play in our relationships?

We reflect on how fun often comes naturally in dating but slowly fades as responsibilities, exhaustion, and parenthood take over. Through our honest stories, we unpack why fun is essential, how to bring it back in small, realistic ways, and how it can transform not just your marriage, but your friendships and your experience of parenting.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why having more fun can be just as important as therapy for long-term relationships.
• How marriage dynamics shift after kids and why fun is often the first thing to disappear.
• Simple questions to help you take inventory of what actually feels fun and energizing right now.
• The difference between fun that happens away from your kids and fun you can create with them.
• Why shared experiences are key to deeper adult friendships and the power of being the one who sends the invite.
• A simple question to ask your kids to uncover when they feel most connected to you.
• Realistic, everyday ideas for adding more fun into parenting, even in busy seasons.

Fun isn’t optional. It’s often the thing that restores energy, strengthens connection, and makes this season of life feel lighter and more sustainable.

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

HERSELF PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/herselfpodcast

Let’s connect!

HERSELF INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/herselfpodcast

MEET AMY: http://instagram.com/ameskiefer

MEET ABBY: http://instagram.com/abbyrosegreen

This episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change Network.

Friendship doesn’t stay the same as we move through different seasons of life. Many of us grow up with built-in friends from childhood or college, but as we move, build careers, get married, and have kids, our relationships naturally shift. In this episode, we’re not talking about casual friendships or surface-level connections. We’re diving into the deeper, dependable friendships that truly support us, especially as we near 40.

We share four key elements that define meaningful adult friendships. First, we talk about the importance of genuinely being proud of the people closest to us. True closeness often goes hand in hand with how someone makes us feel in our body and nervous system. The friends who help us feel calm, safe, and comfortable tend to be the ones who take relationships to the next level.

We also explore the value of friends who celebrate our wins. Everyone deserves people they can run to with exciting news, knowing it will be met with genuine joy. If a relationship consistently feels one-sided or competitive, it may be a sign that it’s not meant to be a deeply close friendship.

Life inevitably brings hard seasons, and we reflect on how powerful it is to have friends who show up when things get tough. We discuss how small acts, like following up when someone is going through something important, can leave a lasting impact and strengthen trust over time.

We also remind listeners that no friendship is perfect. A single comment or moment doesn’t have to define an entire relationship. When something doesn’t sit right, honest conversations can create deeper understanding and connection, especially when the friendship is built on mutual respect.

Finally, we talk about staying open to new friendships. You may not have met your future best friend yet. So many people are looking for meaningful connection, but it often takes courage, vulnerability, and someone willing to take the first step to make it happen.

Molly Millwood’s Book: https://amzlink.to/az0iWvIxqfuUD

Listen to HERself episode #10 with Molly Millwood: https://www.herselfpodcast.com/listen/10-herself-expert-molly-millwood-on-motherhood-marriage-and-the-modern-dilemma

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

LMNT: Free Sample Pack with purchase: drinkLMNT.com/HERSELF

BETTERHELP: 10% off first month at: http://betterhelp.com/herself

Let’s connect!

HERSELF INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/herselfpodcast

MEET AMY: http://instagram.com/ameskiefer

MEET ABBY: http://instagram.com/abbyrosegreen

This episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change Network.