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
#34 Storm or Sky Mind? How to Stay Present When Parenting Triggers You
We’ve all had moments where a messy room or a missed assignment feels like the end of the world—and we explode. But is it really about that sock on the floor... or something deeper?
In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa explore the moments when we, as parents, “flip our lids” over something small—only to realize it was connected to big fears, old baggage, or past patterns. Sam shares her powerful Sky Mind metaphor as a way to get grounded and stay present, even in the chaos.
🎙 What you’ll hear:
- Why we lose it over the little things—and what’s really going on beneath the surface
- How past regret and future fear hijack our nervous system
- A simple but powerful metaphor: Sky Mind vs. Storm Mind
- Eckhart Tolle’s three states of intentional action: acceptance, enjoyment, and enthusiasm
- How to pause and reconnect before reacting
- Why asking “What does this moment need from me?” can change everything
💡 Resources:
- 🎧 Episode 14: The Power of Mindful Parenting
- 🎧 Episode 29: Trauma Doesn't Have to Define Your Parenting
- 🎧 Episode 30: Trauma Is Real, Healing Is Possible: Understanding ACEs and Resilience with Laura Reagan
- 📘 A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle → Buy on Amazon
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.
You know when your kid screws up in some way, and you're sure of the lesson you want them to learn from it....but you’re not sure how to say it in a way they’ll actually hear?
Download Sam's free video guide that walks you through a simple, step-by-step process for handling these tough conversations called the L.O.V.E.D. framework.
Contact us: parentingshrinkwrapped@gmail.com
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Work with Us:
Sam: Teen Savvy Coaching
- Join The Teen Savvy Parent Hub
- Sam's free video guide: How to Have a "You Screwed Up" Conversation with your Child or Teen
- Sam's free e-book: Beyond Nagging: Empowering Parents to Transform Teen Homework Headaches
Dr. Melissa: Annapolis Psychiatry
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