Because Scripts and Quick Tips Will Only Get You So Far
You’ve read the parenting books, practiced the techniques, and memorized the scripts for every situation. But when you try to apply them in real life, they don’t go quite as planned…
Your child doesn’t respond to your gentle, validating comment the way you… hoped—and suddenly, you’re completely thrown off. Before you know it, emotions are exploding, everyone’s yelling, and the situation has spiraled into a full-blown meltdown…
Here’s the issue:
No matter what parenting challenge you’re facing—whether it’s sleep training, co-sleeping, potty training, toddler tantrums, or anything else—there’s one consistent factor at play: YOU.
Your ability to regulate and manage your own emotions and behavior is key during these difficult stages.
But let's be honest—this can be so tough!
In part, because many of your natural parenting instincts (things like protectiveness and identifying threats) can wire you to be more reactive and on edge. But the other (bigger) problem is that most parenting strategies don't offer parents much guidance around learning how to understand and manage their own emotions first.
hi! I’m dr. jen
A family medicine doctor, mental health specialist, mom of 2 wild toddlers… and I’m SO glad you’re here!
In 2023, after the birth of my second child, I decided to leave the clinical setting to pursue a new passion: I became a certified Maternal Mental Health Specialist, initially focusing on maternal neurobiology and the ways in which hormone shifts and brain changes impact mental well-being during early motherhood.
But as my little ones entered the toddler stage, I faced an entirely new set of emotional challenges—for both them AND me.
The tantrums and meltdowns that seemed to come out of nowhere, the strong-willed little personalities, the overstimulation from constant noise and clutter, the endless childcare tasks, and the overwhelming mental load—it left me feeling constantly dysregulated and on edge.
I TURNED TO COUNTLESS PARENTING BOOKS, COURSES, AND GUIDES…
But even the most effective, evidence-based parenting strategies weren’t working because I kept losing my cool, reacting impulsively, and being inconsistent—all because I was overstimulated, overwhelmed, and struggling to regulate MYSELF.
What I didn’t realize was that I was missing a critical first step: I had to learn to manage my OWN emotions and regulate my stressed-out nervous system BEFORE I could help create more calm and connection in my household.
And so, All The Family Feels was born!
OKAY, YOU MIGHT BE THINKING: “GREAT, BUT I’M TOO BUSY AND OVERWHELMED TO FIT ANY TYPE OF STRESS-MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES INTO MY ALREADY PACKED DAY.”
I Get it.
I’m not here to tell you to add anything extra to your daily routine—no mandatory meditation sessions, special “cortisol-lowering” drinks, or specific exercises (though you can absolutely do those if you want!). The reality is, many of these stress-reduction techniques that you relied on pre-baby, might not be as realistic now.
I’VE BEEN THERE. My go-tos like exercise, daily meditation, and self-care time all became REALLY hard to implement amid the chaos of early parenthood.
Then it hit me…
I didn’t need to add a million new routines to my already overflowing schedule. What I REALLY needed was to understand what was happening in my brain and body—so I could make sense of my emotions and reactions.
I realized the solution wasn’t about looking outward for answers but turning inward. By building self-awareness and mindfulness skills, I learned to monitor my emotional state and recognize triggers, so I could better apply effective coping strategies, and strengthen my emotional resilience.
Through courses and tools grounded in mindfulness and the connection between thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and physical sensations, I help families—like yours and mine—navigate parenthood with greater joy and playfulness, while staying calm and regulated even during the most challenging moments.
A Parent-First Approach
My approach focuses on recoginzing the relationshp between thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and our biology. I draw on neuroscience and psychology blended with spirituality, encouraging parents to find deeper meaning in their interactions with their children. While my focus is not on specific parenting techniques, many of my teachings align with gentle and responsive parenting principles.
Ultimately, my emphasis is on mental health and well-being strategies that center on the PARENT but extend to nurturing relationships with their child and fostering connection within the entire family.
Every parent and family is unique, with their own needs, experiences, temperaments, goals, and values. My mission is to help you learn to regulate your nervous system and manage your emotions effectively, giving you the clarity and composure to show up as the parent that YOU want to be.
