Change Isn't Coming. It's Here: Leading Yourself Before You Lead Your Family Through Change

As parents, we often tell ourselves that once things settle down, we’ll finally get organized, find our rhythm, and feel more in control. But what if change isn’t an interruption to life? What if it’s simply part of it?

In this episode, Jackie reflects on her family’s recent move back to the United States, stepping into a demanding new leadership role, and rebuilding routines, relationships, and support systems at home—all while life keeps moving. Drawing on her experience as a leadership strategist and mom of five, she explores an important truth: we don’t get to process change first and parent second. We’re parenting while we’re changing, too.

Before we can effectively lead our children through change, we need to notice what that change is doing in us. What are we holding onto? What feels uncertain? What are we trying to control? And who are we becoming in the process?

Jackie shares three simple questions to help parents pause, reflect, and lead more intentionally through whatever season they’re in. Because our kids aren’t the only ones becoming. We’re becoming right alongside them.

EPISODE CREDITS

Host: Jackie Mourot, Ed.D. Produced by: The Business of Parenting Original Music: No Roots — composed and produced by Matheo Mourot © 2025. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Learn more: TheBusinessofParenting.com

Before the Rush: One Question to Ask Before the School Year Begins

Back-to-school season can quickly become a blur of schedules, supplies, activities, and endless to-do lists. But before the rush begins, there’s one question worth asking: What does my family need most from me in this season?

In this short episode, Jackie shares three simple ways to enter the new school year with greater intention: observe before you organize, choose one thing to give more of, and look for the minute moments—those small, everyday opportunities to connect that are already woven into family life.

Because preparing for the year ahead isn’t only about getting our kids ready. It’s also about preparing ourselves to be the parents they need in the season ahead.

EPISODE CREDITS

Host: Jackie Mourot, Ed.D. Produced by: The Business of Parenting Original Music: No Roots — composed and produced by Matheo Mourot © 2025. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Learn more: TheBusinessofParenting.com

You Can't Own It All: The Teenage Years — Managing Your Responsibilities Without Owning Theirs

When our teenagers make poor choices, it’s easy to turn their mistakes into evidence of our failure as parents. We question what we missed, what we should have done differently, and whether we somehow got it wrong.

But there’s an important leadership distinction in the teenage years: we are responsible for our leadership, but we are not responsible for every choice our teenagers make.

In this third episode of Seasons of Leadership series, Jackie explores how parents can navigate the delicate balance between accountability and ownership. Using the Own, Influence, Release framework, she looks at what belongs to us, what we can shape, and what we eventually have to allow our teenagers to carry for themselves—including the consequences of their choices.

Because raising responsible adults sometimes requires resisting the urge to rescue them. We can hold our teens accountable, rebuild trust, and continue guiding them without carrying every decision as our own.

If this episode resonated with you, don't forget to follow, subscribe, leave a review, or share it with a parent who could use the reminder that we can love our teenagers deeply, hold them accountable, and lead them well—without carrying the weight of every choice they make.

EPISODE CREDITS

Host: Jackie Mourot, Ed.D. Produced by: The Business of Parenting Original Music: No Roots — composed and produced by Matheo Mourot © 2025. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Learn more: TheBusinessofParenting.com