As we close out 2025 and step into a fresh year, I’ve been thinking back on some of the conversations I loved most from guest spots on other shows. New episodes pick back up on January 7.

On this episode of The Dude Therapist, I joined Eli Weinstein for a conversation that moved through so many parts of real-life parenting — the worries, the humor, the triggers, and the growth that comes with raising kids. We talked about why parents get so locked into metrics, how to zoom out and see the whole child, and what it looks like to pause, observe, and guide instead of jumping in. I shared how becoming a mom shifted my own approach, from sleep to feeding to managing my triggers, and why self insight matters just as much as the strategies we offer our kids. It was an honest, grounded chat about raising kids while raising ourselves too. 

We discuss:

• Why parents get stuck on numbers like weight percentiles and milestones.

• How giving kids space to try and struggle helps them grow.

• How boredom supports play and problem solving.

• How a parent’s own childhood shapes reactions and triggers.

• What healthy boundaries look like without shame or fear.

• How to handle online misinformation with calm and clarity.

• The importance of steady check-ins and flexible routines at home.

Eli Weinstein, LCSW is a therapist, speaker, and creator of The Dude Therapist podcast. His work focuses on making mental health and relationship topics accessible, relatable, and grounded in real life. His upcoming book, From I Do to We Do (Wiley, March 2026), is a compassionate, practical guide for couples navigating the challenges of parenting while trying to stay connected as partners.

Learn more about Eli and his work here: https://www.eliweinsteinlcsw.com

Pre-Order Eli’s Book:Connect With Eli:

From I Do to We Do: Navigating Marriage Through Parenting Years Pre-order + freebies: https://www.eliweinsteinlcsw.com/book

Instagram: @eliweinstein_lcsw

Podcast: The Dude Therapist

00:00 – Coming Up

01:24 – Re-air intro: why this episode is for overwhelmed parents

01:46 – Meet Eli Weinstein and why this conversation hits differently

04:01 – Dr. Mona’s parenting philosophy and lighthouse parenting

05:50 – Why sleep is foundational for kids and parents

07:03 – Teaching kids skills by stepping back

09:56 – Overparenting vs building independence

11:27 – What parents worry about too much

14:11 – Big picture growth vs number based parenting

15:41 – Milestones, timelines, and unnecessary panic

17:01 – Giving kids space to develop and problem solve

21:19 – Parenting as a professional vs parenting your own kids

23:32 – Breaking generational patterns in parenting

40:41 – Core takeaways for confident parenting

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