Episode Details

Episode 85: In this episode, Beth is joined by Jennie Monness (@jenniemonness), early childhood educator and founder of Union Square Play, who shares insightful strategies for parents navigating big feelings, regulation, and self-compassion. We explore how understanding your own nervous systems, modeling vulnerability, and embracing imperfections can transform our approach to parenting and self-care.
Key topics:

• The importance of recognizing that parents and children are both "first-timers" in this journey
• How dysregulation impacts the entire family and ways to build frustration tolerance
• The concept that feelings last approximately 90 seconds and how to use this knowledge in real moments
• Practical tips for incorporating meditation and mindfulness into busy parent routines
• The significance of repair, connection, and modeling self-compassion after conflicts
• Understanding and respecting individual temperaments, sensitivities, and triggers
• The role of intentional language and the power of honesty about learning and uncertainty
• The impact of cultural and developmental histories on parenting and self perceptions
• Light-hearted stories highlighting the humor and messiness of parenting

About the Host:
Beth Gaskill (Miss Beth) is a reading specialist, early childhood educator, and founder of Big City Readers. She helps parents support their children's literacy development through research-backed, science of reading strategies.

Follow Miss Beth on Instagram @bigcityreaders
Browse Big City Readers resources at BigCityReaders.com