Parenting Shrink Wrapped
Parenting Shrink Wrapped is your all-access pass to the wild and wonderful journey of raising kids! Hosted by Dr. Melissa Wellner, a double board-certified psychiatrist and child and adolescent psychiatrist, and Samantha Straub, a licensed therapist, educator, and parenting coach, this dynamic duo brings a perfect mix of professional expertise and mom humor. With five kids between them—and thousands more they’ve supported in their professional roles—they’re here to share practical strategies and real-life stories that will help you navigate everything from tantrums to teen drama. Whether you're handling sleepless nights or the chaos of carpool, you'll find relatable advice and a good laugh along the way. Strap in, because parenting is a ride, and we're here to make it a little smoother!
Parenting Shrink Wrapped
#24: The Sandwich Generation: Parenting While Being Parented
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In this deeply personal episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Melissa and Sam explore what it means to parent your own children while still navigating the lifelong role of being someone’s child. From generational expectations and emotional triggers to unresolved childhood wounds and the pressure to “do it better,” this conversation sheds light on the complex web of relationships many of us are trying to untangle in midlife.
Sam shares a moving story about her evolving relationship with her late mother—and how an unexpected visit to a psychic offered her peace, perspective, and even a little healing. Melissa opens up about the academic pressure she felt growing up and how it shaped her own parenting philosophy today. Together, they reflect on how old dynamics resurface when you're in the thick of raising kids—and why making space to process your own story can help you show up more fully for theirs.
Whether you're juggling parenting, caretaking, or simply trying to break old cycles, this episode will leave you feeling seen.
Get expert support, fresh strategies, and a judgment-free parent community—so you can stop feeling stuck and start parenting your teen with more clarity, confidence, and connection.
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Work with Us:
Sam – Teen Savvy Coaching
Melissa – Annapolis Psychiatry
Free Parenting Resource: Learn the L.O.V.E.D. framework for handling tricky convos.
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This podcast is educational in nature and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental-health care.