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
#40 Parenting with Purpose: Checking Your Motivation and Building Resilient Kids with Christa Welch
In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Melissa and Sam welcome Christa Welch, LCSW-C, founder of The Betty Center in Annapolis, MD. Krista shares the inspiring story behind naming the center after her mother, “OG Betty,” and how it has grown into a supportive hub for women, families, and the community.
Together, they dive into practical parenting wisdom—including how to check your motivation as a parent, shift your language around chores and responsibilities, and help kids build agency, confidence, and resilience. Krista also opens up about her own experiences with divorce, co-parenting, and raising kids while staying grounded in values.
If you’ve ever wondered how to separate your needs from your child’s, or how small shifts in parenting language can create big changes, this conversation is packed with insight and encouragement.
About Christa
Christa Welch is the founder of The Betty Center, a therapy practice and women’s hub in Annapolis, MD, created in honor of her late mother, Bettianne—the “original Betty.” The center offers mental health therapy, support groups, workshops, and professional consultations to support women and families through every stage of life. Christa earned her Master’s in Social Work at 47 and brings wisdom from both her education and life’s challenges—including divorce, breast cancer (twice), and parenting. Through it all, she leans on resilience, humor, and hope, and is most proud to be mom to Isabel (22) and Tilghman (18).
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.
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Dr. Melissa: Annapolis Psychiatry
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