The holidays can quietly amplify expectation pain—especially for parents of older kids. In this episode, I talk about how unmet expectations around Christmas traditions, family dynamics, and “how it’s supposed to feel” can lead to disappointment, grief, and emotional exhaustion. When the magic of little-kid Christmases fades and family life shifts, many parents are left wondering how to hold joy and sadness at the same time without lowering expectations so far that the season loses its meaning.

I share my own experience navigating Christmas with kids who are growing up, letting go of old traditions, and learning how to love and expect what is instead of what used to be. This episode explores expectation pain, emotional resilience, and the mental health work of choosing our thoughts when things don’t go as planned. If you’re a parent feeling tender during the holidays, grieving change, or trying to find peace in an imperfect season, this conversation offers compassion, perspective, and a gentler way forward.

Contact me:

email: wendy@wendyparrish.com

Instagram: @wendyparrishcoaching

In this episode, I dig into an idea from Deborah Adele’s The Yamas & Niyamas that completely shifted how I think about kindness: the difference between being nice and being real. We talk about why so many of us default to niceness as a way to keep the peace, avoid conflict, and manage how others see us—especially when we’ve been taught our whole lives that being agreeable makes us good. But beneath the surface, niceness often asks us to hide our truth, disconnect from our needs, and hold back the honesty that real relationships actually require.

Together, we explore how authenticity is a deeper form of kindness, not just to ourselves but to the people we care about. Being real doesn’t have to be harsh; it can be grounded, compassionate, and deeply respectful. I share how pretending, pleasing, and masking create tension in our bodies and distance in our relationships, and how telling the truth—with gentleness—can create more peace than performing ever will. If you’ve been stuck in the trap of “keeping everyone comfortable,” this episode will help you loosen that old pattern and step into a more honest, open, emotionally healthy way of connecting.

Contact me: wendy@wendyparrish.com

Instagram: @wendyparrishcoaching

Here are two polished paragraphs for your Apple Podcasts description, Wendy:

In this episode, I share a simple moment from my Thanksgiving break that opened up a much bigger conversation—finally discovering my seasonal color palette. What started as a fun activity with my sister and sister-in-law uncovered a powerful metaphor about being seen, understood, and supported. Just like the right colors help us look more like ourselves, understanding how our brains are wired can help us live more like ourselves. I walk through what seasonal color analysis actually is, why it works, and how it unexpectedly connected me back to my own journey with ADHD and mental health.

I also explore why getting an accurate diagnosis can be so validating and empowering. A diagnosis isn’t a label that limits who you are—it’s information that helps you know how to work with your brain instead of against it. From quieting self-criticism to creating systems that support your unique wiring, clarity can help you show up in your life with more confidence and compassion. If you’ve ever wondered whether naming what you’re experiencing would actually help, this episode offers a gentle, relatable perspective on why understanding yourself is one of the most freeing things you can do.

contact me: email: wendy@wendyparrish.com

Instagram: @wendyparrishcoachin