Is Your Own Nervous System the Secret to Happy, Resilient Kids? with @JennieMonness

Episode 85: In this episode, Beth is joined by Jennie Monness (@jenniemonness), early childhood educator and founder of Union Square Play, who shares insightful strategies for parents navigating big feelings, regulation, and self-compassion. We explore how understanding your own nervous systems, modeling vulnerability, and embracing imperfections can transform our approach to parenting and self-care. Key topics: • The importance of recognizing that parents and children are both "first-timers" in this journey • How dysregulation impacts the entire family and ways to build frustration tolerance • The concept that feelings last approximately 90 seconds and how to use this knowledge in real moments • Practical tips for incorporating meditation and mindfulness into busy parent routines • The significance of repair, connection, and modeling self-compassion after conflicts • Understanding and respecting individual temperaments, sensitivities, and triggers • The role of intentional language and the power of honesty about learning and uncertainty • The impact of cultural and developmental histories on parenting and self perceptions • Light-hearted stories highlighting the humor and messiness of parenting About the Host: Beth Gaskill (Miss Beth) is a reading specialist, early childhood educator, and founder of Big City Readers. She helps parents support their children's literacy development through research-backed, science of reading strategies. Follow Miss Beth on Instagram @bigcityreaders Browse Big City Readers resources at BigCityReaders.com