Are you exhausted from entertaining your high-energy child 24/7, neglecting your other kids, and still feeling like you're failing? Hi, I'm Natalie McCabe. I'm here with Joy Robertson, an early childhood educator with decades of experience who's also a single mom who raised three boys through real struggles—poverty, trauma, and burnout. In this episode, we're talking about why the first five years of brain development are critical and how to parent with intention without burning yourself out. In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why the first five years of child development are the foundation for lifelong learning and resilience

• How modeling emotions (the real and the messy) helps children regulate their own big feelings

• Why play isn’t just for kids—and how parents can reconnect with their own inner child

• The truth about parenting balance (hint: it changes daily!)

• Practical tips for breathing, regulating stress, and infusing more joy into family life

If you’ve been feeling the pressure of doing it all, this episode is your reminder that joy, play, and small intentional shifts can transform your parenting journey.

Resources & Links Mentioned:

Website: https://teacherofjoy.com/ Grab Joy Robertson’s book: How to Teach Joy

🤝 Join my free parenting & support community for support, workshops, and connection → https://nataliemccabe.com

👉 Book a free 1:1 coaching call → https://nataliemccabe.com

📖 Grab Natalie’s book Sink or Swim Parenting for more tools and stories → https://nataliemccabe.com/sink-or-swim-parenting

⭐ Leave a review if this episode helped you — it means the world to me!