1 00:00:08,840 --> 00:00:15,800 Speaker 1: Misspelling with Tory Spelling and iHeartRadio podcast and back where 2 00:00:15,800 --> 00:00:20,320 Speaker 1: I Belong I'm back with doctor Hillary. Yes, there's deep 3 00:00:20,360 --> 00:00:26,200 Speaker 1: wounds about the public perception, the constant public perception. Like 4 00:00:26,280 --> 00:00:30,040 Speaker 1: the wounds are so deep it's like scar tissue that's 5 00:00:30,040 --> 00:00:31,840 Speaker 1: built up so far, I don't even know how to 6 00:00:31,920 --> 00:00:34,000 Speaker 1: unravel it to start anew. 7 00:00:34,320 --> 00:00:40,680 Speaker 2: Is a very particular plight a celebrities relationship with the 8 00:00:41,880 --> 00:00:45,239 Speaker 2: public perception, and it's difficult to talk about because it 9 00:00:45,320 --> 00:00:47,600 Speaker 2: sort of plays into the very thing we're talking about, 10 00:00:47,640 --> 00:00:52,800 Speaker 2: which is holding up your particular role in society, which 11 00:00:52,840 --> 00:00:56,440 Speaker 2: is unique and embodied by just a small percentage of people. 12 00:00:56,640 --> 00:01:00,200 Speaker 2: But no one really understands unless you're in it, what 13 00:01:00,240 --> 00:01:03,279 Speaker 2: it's like to live your life, to have those kind 14 00:01:03,280 --> 00:01:07,000 Speaker 2: of projections and opinions and perceptions put on you. It 15 00:01:07,440 --> 00:01:11,399 Speaker 2: can be quite traumatic in its persistent. It's an important 16 00:01:11,400 --> 00:01:15,080 Speaker 2: thing to continue to unwind, and it's much more complex 17 00:01:15,120 --> 00:01:18,840 Speaker 2: than this conversation. But for the purposes of this conversation, 18 00:01:18,920 --> 00:01:21,360 Speaker 2: I just want to reflect back to you that that 19 00:01:22,000 --> 00:01:26,360 Speaker 2: is your truth, and that is the dilemma your family 20 00:01:26,400 --> 00:01:30,440 Speaker 2: is facing. So by definition, all of those components of 21 00:01:30,480 --> 00:01:34,720 Speaker 2: your family dynamic are going to be less than ideal 22 00:01:35,080 --> 00:01:41,319 Speaker 2: or quote subpar, because you're having to exist in a 23 00:01:41,360 --> 00:01:44,720 Speaker 2: real life scenario where you're trying to keep your family 24 00:01:44,880 --> 00:01:48,600 Speaker 2: safe and educated and living well enough, right, and so 25 00:01:49,160 --> 00:01:51,920 Speaker 2: it's a portion of it that you have to continue 26 00:01:52,000 --> 00:01:55,600 Speaker 2: to work to accept. It's going to be imperfect because 27 00:01:55,640 --> 00:01:58,120 Speaker 2: of your situation. And this is true for most people. 28 00:01:58,400 --> 00:02:01,440 Speaker 1: We've all talked as a family, mom works so we 29 00:02:01,480 --> 00:02:05,640 Speaker 1: can live, and that's the reality. And I don't know 30 00:02:05,680 --> 00:02:09,360 Speaker 1: how to break it down any simpler. Maybe that's too 31 00:02:09,440 --> 00:02:10,520 Speaker 1: harsh to say to them. 32 00:02:10,360 --> 00:02:12,360 Speaker 2: But yeah, no, I have many things to say about this, 33 00:02:12,520 --> 00:02:16,840 Speaker 2: and you're talking about such a ubiquitous plight for many 34 00:02:16,880 --> 00:02:22,480 Speaker 2: women that what is ideal in terms of attention and 35 00:02:22,760 --> 00:02:28,079 Speaker 2: roles and responsibilities for children is not able to be 36 00:02:28,160 --> 00:02:32,760 Speaker 2: cultivated because of the reality of needing to provide resources. 37 00:02:33,120 --> 00:02:33,520 Speaker 3: Period. 38 00:02:34,160 --> 00:02:36,720 Speaker 2: It doesn't really matter if the public understands or not. 39 00:02:36,960 --> 00:02:43,160 Speaker 2: That's your reality. The way that I like to combat 40 00:02:43,320 --> 00:02:45,880 Speaker 2: the kind of guilt that you're talking out about and 41 00:02:45,919 --> 00:02:49,880 Speaker 2: the potential side effects of the roles that your children 42 00:02:49,880 --> 00:02:52,520 Speaker 2: and body or sixteen year old in particular, or the 43 00:02:52,560 --> 00:02:55,240 Speaker 2: things that your kids might feel or miss out on 44 00:02:55,400 --> 00:02:57,200 Speaker 2: because of the thing I talked to you about before, 45 00:02:57,200 --> 00:02:59,680 Speaker 2: which is narrating. It sounds like you do do that 46 00:02:59,720 --> 00:03:01,560 Speaker 2: to a a certain extent, but you can be more 47 00:03:01,600 --> 00:03:04,480 Speaker 2: pointed in this regard. Do you sit down with them. 48 00:03:04,520 --> 00:03:06,720 Speaker 2: You might sit down with them as a group. I 49 00:03:06,720 --> 00:03:09,079 Speaker 2: would certainly sit down with your sixteen year old separately 50 00:03:09,120 --> 00:03:11,320 Speaker 2: and sort of saying like, I just want to think 51 00:03:11,360 --> 00:03:14,400 Speaker 2: out loud with you about this truth that we have 52 00:03:14,480 --> 00:03:18,200 Speaker 2: going on in this family. Right You're in this role 53 00:03:18,480 --> 00:03:21,600 Speaker 2: of taking care of family needs and the kiddos in 54 00:03:21,639 --> 00:03:24,760 Speaker 2: a way that like most kids aren't, and you're amazing 55 00:03:24,800 --> 00:03:27,480 Speaker 2: at it, and you're like a beautiful machine, you know, 56 00:03:27,600 --> 00:03:28,120 Speaker 2: And I'm. 57 00:03:27,919 --> 00:03:28,840 Speaker 3: So proud of you. 58 00:03:29,080 --> 00:03:33,240 Speaker 2: And also it's hard and it's something I would rather 59 00:03:33,360 --> 00:03:37,400 Speaker 2: not have you do. And whether you notice that feeling 60 00:03:37,480 --> 00:03:40,680 Speaker 2: inside or not, I do, and I can't fix it. 61 00:03:41,160 --> 00:03:43,560 Speaker 2: I can't change it, but I just want to let 62 00:03:43,640 --> 00:03:46,720 Speaker 2: you know I see it, and if there are any 63 00:03:46,760 --> 00:03:49,080 Speaker 2: moments I can lessen the load, I will do so. 64 00:03:49,200 --> 00:03:52,040 Speaker 2: But in the meantime, like I see you, I acknowledge 65 00:03:52,120 --> 00:03:55,200 Speaker 2: this is hard, and you know, I'm so sorry for 66 00:03:55,240 --> 00:03:58,160 Speaker 2: the moments when it's overwhelmed. I'm so sorry when it's 67 00:03:58,200 --> 00:04:00,600 Speaker 2: overwhelming I'm so sorry for the moments when you're doing 68 00:04:00,680 --> 00:04:03,520 Speaker 2: something that like a kiddo shouldn't have to do, and 69 00:04:04,320 --> 00:04:06,200 Speaker 2: I just want to sit with you in that truth. 70 00:04:06,440 --> 00:04:08,920 Speaker 2: It's really important for our kids to have us narrate 71 00:04:08,960 --> 00:04:11,200 Speaker 2: the reality when something's hard. It's hard, and if we 72 00:04:11,240 --> 00:04:14,560 Speaker 2: can't change it, we can't change it. Paradoxically, saying it 73 00:04:14,680 --> 00:04:19,239 Speaker 2: aloud is very containing. So while of course we can't 74 00:04:19,279 --> 00:04:22,280 Speaker 2: quote fix the fact that your daughter has to take 75 00:04:22,279 --> 00:04:24,880 Speaker 2: on these roles at the moment, what you can do 76 00:04:25,040 --> 00:04:28,000 Speaker 2: is narrate it for her and validate it and stand 77 00:04:28,000 --> 00:04:30,520 Speaker 2: in that truth with her. It will make such a 78 00:04:30,520 --> 00:04:33,680 Speaker 2: big difference in her story, her conceptualization of it, in 79 00:04:33,720 --> 00:04:36,039 Speaker 2: a year, in five years, and ten years, and my 80 00:04:36,120 --> 00:04:41,120 Speaker 2: mom understood the impact on me. It didn't change maybe 81 00:04:41,160 --> 00:04:43,479 Speaker 2: what I did or didn't have to do or get 82 00:04:43,520 --> 00:04:47,839 Speaker 2: to do, but having somebody witness to your truth is everything. 83 00:04:48,440 --> 00:04:50,359 Speaker 1: I do feel it's important to talk to her about that, 84 00:04:50,440 --> 00:04:53,840 Speaker 1: especially right now, because I know her life does look 85 00:04:54,040 --> 00:04:58,640 Speaker 1: very different than her friend's lives, and yeah, I'll try 86 00:04:58,640 --> 00:05:02,760 Speaker 1: to acknowledge that more. And I've also seen because of 87 00:05:03,000 --> 00:05:05,000 Speaker 1: and this has really happened in the last three months 88 00:05:05,040 --> 00:05:10,920 Speaker 1: of working constantly that the other four, predominantly both females 89 00:05:11,080 --> 00:05:12,640 Speaker 1: that would be my six year old and my thirteen 90 00:05:12,680 --> 00:05:16,920 Speaker 1: year old, have really hardcore taken on the parental rule 91 00:05:17,120 --> 00:05:21,160 Speaker 1: with the seven year old, and I feel like it's 92 00:05:21,200 --> 00:05:26,719 Speaker 1: confusing to him and not backfiring. But my husband was, 93 00:05:26,800 --> 00:05:28,920 Speaker 1: you know, we'd always you know, we talk in terms 94 00:05:29,000 --> 00:05:32,080 Speaker 1: of two parent figures and there's a bad cop and 95 00:05:32,080 --> 00:05:32,600 Speaker 1: a good cop. 96 00:05:32,720 --> 00:05:35,039 Speaker 3: He was definitely more strict. I was more lenient. 97 00:05:35,480 --> 00:05:37,599 Speaker 1: He was you know, by the book and get things done, 98 00:05:37,960 --> 00:05:42,440 Speaker 1: more organized, process, stuff, procedural, all of that. I was 99 00:05:42,600 --> 00:05:45,960 Speaker 1: the loving, emotional let's make stuff, Let's do this, like, 100 00:05:46,080 --> 00:05:49,440 Speaker 1: let's go, let's do you know, free spirit, kind of love, 101 00:05:49,520 --> 00:05:51,320 Speaker 1: love love, kind to a fault. 102 00:05:51,480 --> 00:05:52,920 Speaker 3: Probably should have put. 103 00:05:52,720 --> 00:05:55,880 Speaker 1: More boundaries in place, and then boom, when your houses 104 00:05:55,880 --> 00:05:57,880 Speaker 1: are separating, you go through a divorce, it's something you 105 00:05:58,000 --> 00:06:02,240 Speaker 1: kind of don't think about when that partner that did 106 00:06:02,279 --> 00:06:06,680 Speaker 1: set the boundaries and was the voice of no is 107 00:06:06,720 --> 00:06:11,240 Speaker 1: suddenly eliminated from the house. So that is on a 108 00:06:11,279 --> 00:06:15,200 Speaker 1: whole new level. I had to suddenly take on both 109 00:06:15,320 --> 00:06:19,800 Speaker 1: roles good cop, bad cop. You know, I became the 110 00:06:19,920 --> 00:06:24,040 Speaker 1: kind enforcer. It was clashing on every level of my DNA. 111 00:06:24,640 --> 00:06:27,720 Speaker 1: So for the first year, I did hear a lot 112 00:06:27,800 --> 00:06:30,440 Speaker 1: of you sound like dad, and I was. 113 00:06:30,400 --> 00:06:31,520 Speaker 3: Like, oh, my gosh. 114 00:06:31,880 --> 00:06:35,279 Speaker 1: Not that I don't like Dean or love him, but 115 00:06:35,440 --> 00:06:37,520 Speaker 1: it was like I knew what they meant. You know, 116 00:06:37,839 --> 00:06:41,440 Speaker 1: you're being so strict, and you know, it was a 117 00:06:41,480 --> 00:06:44,719 Speaker 1: hard thing to hear, and I'd be like, well, you know, 118 00:06:44,960 --> 00:06:47,080 Speaker 1: I have to step up, and i'd tell him now. 119 00:06:47,880 --> 00:06:50,720 Speaker 1: You know, back then I would think your ring all 120 00:06:50,760 --> 00:06:52,919 Speaker 1: too hard on them. But I look back now and 121 00:06:52,960 --> 00:06:55,440 Speaker 1: I'm like, you know, you're doing a really great job 122 00:06:56,000 --> 00:07:00,800 Speaker 1: in that respect because I wasn't setting boundaries, was too lenient. 123 00:07:00,960 --> 00:07:03,440 Speaker 1: I was too the guilt mom that was always working. 124 00:07:03,560 --> 00:07:06,039 Speaker 1: So I you know, it's just all about love fun. 125 00:07:06,080 --> 00:07:08,040 Speaker 1: Oh it's okay if you don't do this or clean 126 00:07:08,120 --> 00:07:10,520 Speaker 1: up or you know, take out the dogs. Like now, 127 00:07:10,560 --> 00:07:14,320 Speaker 1: when I'm doing it all alone, I realize, oh my gosh, 128 00:07:14,360 --> 00:07:17,840 Speaker 1: they got to step up because I can't manage a 129 00:07:17,880 --> 00:07:20,160 Speaker 1: life of six and work at. 130 00:07:20,040 --> 00:07:23,600 Speaker 3: The same time alone. You have to help me, guys. 131 00:07:32,160 --> 00:07:36,680 Speaker 1: I was talking about the older kids being parental figures 132 00:07:36,720 --> 00:07:38,800 Speaker 1: to the seven year old. But I do hear this 133 00:07:38,920 --> 00:07:41,560 Speaker 1: a lot lately. What tone are you speaking to me, 134 00:07:41,640 --> 00:07:44,720 Speaker 1: and who do you think you're talking to? They don't 135 00:07:44,720 --> 00:07:48,760 Speaker 1: say it loud or mean, but very stern. Parent, that's 136 00:07:48,840 --> 00:07:52,560 Speaker 1: not okay. You need to go sit in a time out. 137 00:07:52,920 --> 00:07:55,640 Speaker 1: And I'm like, whoa, guys, because then he comes to 138 00:07:55,680 --> 00:08:00,160 Speaker 1: me and I'll be in another room working and I'm like, wait, 139 00:08:00,280 --> 00:08:03,360 Speaker 1: what happened? What happened? So I'm hearing his story. He's crying, 140 00:08:04,000 --> 00:08:07,200 Speaker 1: and I have said to them, you know, guys, it 141 00:08:07,320 --> 00:08:09,920 Speaker 1: might be confusing for him. Well, he's acting out more. 142 00:08:10,040 --> 00:08:13,600 Speaker 1: And I said, because he's confused. Perhaps when I was 143 00:08:13,640 --> 00:08:17,320 Speaker 1: gone for three weeks, or when I'm on set, or 144 00:08:17,360 --> 00:08:21,480 Speaker 1: when I'm working outside of the home, that makes sense 145 00:08:21,560 --> 00:08:24,520 Speaker 1: to him. But when I am here, he's confused because 146 00:08:24,520 --> 00:08:27,160 Speaker 1: he has four siblings that are acting like a parent. 147 00:08:27,440 --> 00:08:31,200 Speaker 1: But then he has one parent that perhaps is just going, going, going, 148 00:08:31,280 --> 00:08:32,719 Speaker 1: that's not setting the boundaries. 149 00:08:32,760 --> 00:08:33,920 Speaker 3: So I'm sure he's confused. 150 00:08:34,240 --> 00:08:37,720 Speaker 2: I think it's really important that you recast yourself as 151 00:08:37,800 --> 00:08:41,840 Speaker 2: the arbitrator of what happens with your little one. And 152 00:08:41,880 --> 00:08:44,320 Speaker 2: I would again, I'm so big on narrating. I'm say 153 00:08:44,320 --> 00:08:47,400 Speaker 2: it out loud. I identified something in our family that's 154 00:08:47,440 --> 00:08:51,920 Speaker 2: not working. Oops, we're going to shift it like, sorry, guys, 155 00:08:51,960 --> 00:08:54,360 Speaker 2: sometimes takes me a minute to figure out what's right 156 00:08:54,400 --> 00:08:57,440 Speaker 2: for us, and I think I got it. So I 157 00:08:57,480 --> 00:09:01,559 Speaker 2: am the CEO of what happens with all of you kits, 158 00:09:01,640 --> 00:09:04,559 Speaker 2: including the little one, and guys, thank you so much 159 00:09:04,600 --> 00:09:07,280 Speaker 2: for taking care of him, for watching him, for playing 160 00:09:07,320 --> 00:09:10,240 Speaker 2: with him, for feeding him, for getting to bed on time. 161 00:09:10,280 --> 00:09:13,680 Speaker 2: You guys are amazing, And I understand why you might 162 00:09:13,720 --> 00:09:16,280 Speaker 2: have moved towards taking on this role of sort of 163 00:09:16,360 --> 00:09:20,800 Speaker 2: disciplinarian or you know, helping him regular whatever the thing is. 164 00:09:20,840 --> 00:09:23,560 Speaker 2: But I am. I am the CEO of that part 165 00:09:23,600 --> 00:09:27,120 Speaker 2: of this family. And so if something happens with him, 166 00:09:27,160 --> 00:09:29,439 Speaker 2: like come find me, like tell me what's going on, 167 00:09:29,679 --> 00:09:32,160 Speaker 2: and like happy to hear your opinion, happy to hear 168 00:09:32,200 --> 00:09:35,240 Speaker 2: your perspective. But I am the decider. If he goes 169 00:09:35,280 --> 00:09:37,400 Speaker 2: into time out, I am the decider, if he has 170 00:09:37,440 --> 00:09:39,559 Speaker 2: to go into his room. I am the decider if 171 00:09:39,559 --> 00:09:44,000 Speaker 2: his tone is appropriate or not. And while your older 172 00:09:44,000 --> 00:09:46,360 Speaker 2: ones will not thank you for this in the moment, 173 00:09:46,400 --> 00:09:49,920 Speaker 2: in fact, they may even protest, in the long run, 174 00:09:50,120 --> 00:09:53,440 Speaker 2: they will thank you for it. They don't want the role, 175 00:09:53,559 --> 00:09:58,400 Speaker 2: they don't want the responsibility. It feels over time uncontaining 176 00:09:58,679 --> 00:10:03,080 Speaker 2: rather than you know, sort of autonomy producing right what 177 00:10:03,280 --> 00:10:06,160 Speaker 2: most kids crave. It's like some version of like whatever 178 00:10:06,200 --> 00:10:08,920 Speaker 2: they say goes, and whoever the they is, whether it's 179 00:10:09,000 --> 00:10:11,560 Speaker 2: like you or you and your partner, whoever it is, 180 00:10:11,720 --> 00:10:15,520 Speaker 2: that's containing and predictive and regulating. So I would like 181 00:10:15,760 --> 00:10:18,760 Speaker 2: make an announcement that this is going to shift and 182 00:10:19,040 --> 00:10:21,160 Speaker 2: I get it, like it might take a moment for 183 00:10:21,240 --> 00:10:24,080 Speaker 2: everyone to remember what their roles are, but this is 184 00:10:24,400 --> 00:10:26,600 Speaker 2: what we're headed to. And I would empower your little one, 185 00:10:26,640 --> 00:10:29,160 Speaker 2: like not in a shaming way with your older ones, 186 00:10:29,200 --> 00:10:31,559 Speaker 2: but like, hey, if this is like going on, just 187 00:10:31,559 --> 00:10:32,960 Speaker 2: just come let me know, because we're in the middle 188 00:10:32,960 --> 00:10:34,920 Speaker 2: of shiftingness. We're in the middle of changing it back 189 00:10:35,480 --> 00:10:38,640 Speaker 2: and look toward. Just because you were not there at times, 190 00:10:38,880 --> 00:10:43,800 Speaker 2: says many many parents across the country, doesn't mean you 191 00:10:44,040 --> 00:10:46,720 Speaker 2: have to or should relinquish any part of that role. 192 00:10:46,880 --> 00:10:50,080 Speaker 2: You still have to embody it fully and they want 193 00:10:50,120 --> 00:10:51,680 Speaker 2: you to. They're not going to ask you for it, 194 00:10:51,679 --> 00:10:53,000 Speaker 2: and I'm going to thank you for it, but they 195 00:10:53,040 --> 00:10:56,480 Speaker 2: want you to. It is the opposite of regulating and 196 00:10:56,559 --> 00:10:59,880 Speaker 2: orienting and grounding. When we abandon that role or do 197 00:10:59,920 --> 00:11:05,079 Speaker 2: it intermittently. Nobody enforces boundaries regularly and properly all the time. 198 00:11:05,760 --> 00:11:08,280 Speaker 2: We get exhausted and overwhelmed and like say, just do it. 199 00:11:08,360 --> 00:11:12,680 Speaker 2: So it My gauge is always like more often than not, 200 00:11:13,040 --> 00:11:15,800 Speaker 2: you know, more often than not is what we're going for. 201 00:11:15,960 --> 00:11:18,880 Speaker 2: Like life is imperfect and messy, as I was saying before, 202 00:11:18,920 --> 00:11:22,480 Speaker 2: But that second piece you're talking about so critical, which 203 00:11:22,520 --> 00:11:26,600 Speaker 2: is really difficult embodying that role of being the like 204 00:11:26,880 --> 00:11:30,240 Speaker 2: boundary setter and the enforcer. One of my favorite parenting 205 00:11:30,280 --> 00:11:33,079 Speaker 2: hacks is like you can always go back. So it's like, 206 00:11:33,480 --> 00:11:35,640 Speaker 2: you know, it's the next day, your thirteen year old, 207 00:11:35,640 --> 00:11:38,120 Speaker 2: and you're like, you asked to stay up late. I 208 00:11:38,160 --> 00:11:40,520 Speaker 2: said yes, and you went to bed two hours past 209 00:11:40,559 --> 00:11:43,360 Speaker 2: your bedtime. You know what I thought about it, that's 210 00:11:43,360 --> 00:11:45,520 Speaker 2: on me. The answer should have been no. You know, 211 00:11:45,800 --> 00:11:47,959 Speaker 2: I felt that I was gone. I felt that I 212 00:11:48,000 --> 00:11:51,520 Speaker 2: didn't see you all day, and I still feel like, really, you're. 213 00:11:51,440 --> 00:11:52,280 Speaker 3: Missing time with you. 214 00:11:52,360 --> 00:11:53,920 Speaker 2: But you know what, it's my job to make sure 215 00:11:53,960 --> 00:11:57,040 Speaker 2: you're safe and you're well rested and ready for school, 216 00:11:57,120 --> 00:11:59,160 Speaker 2: and like next time it's going to be a now off. 217 00:11:59,200 --> 00:12:01,800 Speaker 2: You know, I love you so that even when you 218 00:12:01,960 --> 00:12:04,000 Speaker 2: mess it up, you can say it out loud and 219 00:12:04,040 --> 00:12:09,679 Speaker 2: sort of hold yourself accountable in sort of a kind way. 220 00:12:09,800 --> 00:12:11,480 Speaker 1: I have said it to the thirteen year old and 221 00:12:11,480 --> 00:12:15,600 Speaker 1: the six year old, and unfortunately the answer, and it's 222 00:12:15,679 --> 00:12:18,760 Speaker 1: not wrong in their part, is but he needs boundaries 223 00:12:19,400 --> 00:12:22,280 Speaker 1: and you don't do it, you don't say no to him. Yep, 224 00:12:22,720 --> 00:12:23,400 Speaker 1: they're not wrong. 225 00:12:23,679 --> 00:12:27,080 Speaker 2: So two things I would say to them fair I 226 00:12:27,120 --> 00:12:31,719 Speaker 2: hear you acknowledged, validated, and painful for all three of us. 227 00:12:32,000 --> 00:12:34,720 Speaker 2: You know, just sit in that truth. I am in 228 00:12:34,760 --> 00:12:38,360 Speaker 2: the middle of working on it. It is accurate having 229 00:12:38,440 --> 00:12:41,440 Speaker 2: said that, as I'm in the middle of working on it. 230 00:12:41,720 --> 00:12:44,520 Speaker 2: This here is an example of it. It's a boundary 231 00:12:44,640 --> 00:12:49,000 Speaker 2: and my job to decide what happens when when the 232 00:12:49,000 --> 00:12:51,000 Speaker 2: little one isn't doing what he's supposed to do. So 233 00:12:51,040 --> 00:12:53,000 Speaker 2: it's a boundary that I'm setting right now. I know 234 00:12:53,040 --> 00:12:55,000 Speaker 2: it's hard to get used to, and I know you 235 00:12:55,040 --> 00:12:58,040 Speaker 2: still may see me fall short, but that doesn't mean 236 00:12:58,040 --> 00:13:01,400 Speaker 2: that changes whose role is what? And so it might 237 00:13:01,440 --> 00:13:03,160 Speaker 2: be tricky to kind of stand by and watch me, 238 00:13:03,280 --> 00:13:04,960 Speaker 2: But that's exactly what I'm going to ask you to do. 239 00:13:05,360 --> 00:13:07,080 Speaker 2: Please feel free to come and tell me if you 240 00:13:07,120 --> 00:13:10,400 Speaker 2: think there's something going on, I absolutely, Like you know, 241 00:13:10,520 --> 00:13:14,560 Speaker 2: we're a boardroom. I'm the chair, like you be a 242 00:13:14,600 --> 00:13:16,880 Speaker 2: board member. Come tell me if there's something going on 243 00:13:16,920 --> 00:13:19,000 Speaker 2: that I didn't see, Come tell me there's something going 244 00:13:19,040 --> 00:13:21,800 Speaker 2: on that like an issue that needs to be addressed. 245 00:13:21,840 --> 00:13:23,360 Speaker 3: Absolutely, your voice will be heard. 246 00:13:23,880 --> 00:13:28,280 Speaker 2: That's a way to deal with that painful And it 247 00:13:28,360 --> 00:13:31,080 Speaker 2: sounds like somewhat real feedback is I'm in the middle 248 00:13:31,120 --> 00:13:33,640 Speaker 2: of setting a boundary now, so I'm asking you to 249 00:13:33,679 --> 00:13:37,000 Speaker 2: listen to it and fair. You're saying a truth and 250 00:13:37,400 --> 00:13:40,880 Speaker 2: I want your input. But I want to be the leader, 251 00:13:41,040 --> 00:13:43,120 Speaker 2: and I may fall short at times and you may 252 00:13:43,120 --> 00:13:44,960 Speaker 2: see it, you may point it out, and that's part 253 00:13:44,960 --> 00:13:47,240 Speaker 2: of being human, but that is still the goal I 254 00:13:47,240 --> 00:13:50,040 Speaker 2: have in mind. Again, that will feel containing. They do 255 00:13:50,160 --> 00:13:54,080 Speaker 2: not want to maintain the narrative that, oh my mom 256 00:13:54,160 --> 00:13:56,200 Speaker 2: can't do this, so I have to. That is not 257 00:13:56,320 --> 00:13:59,080 Speaker 2: fun for them and it's not true either. And you 258 00:13:59,080 --> 00:14:01,960 Speaker 2: know you working on setting boundaries, it sounds like it's 259 00:14:02,000 --> 00:14:05,240 Speaker 2: tied into this sense of guilt and self doubt. I 260 00:14:05,280 --> 00:14:09,439 Speaker 2: think a motivating element, even like a game changer, like 261 00:14:09,480 --> 00:14:12,200 Speaker 2: a breakthrough, is the very real idea and there's lots 262 00:14:12,200 --> 00:14:14,840 Speaker 2: of research in this regard that like the absence of 263 00:14:14,880 --> 00:14:19,080 Speaker 2: boundaries creates a decent amount of chaos for our kiddos. 264 00:14:19,280 --> 00:14:23,040 Speaker 2: You know, they really end up feeling a version of 265 00:14:23,480 --> 00:14:29,000 Speaker 2: dysregulation and unpredictability that you may not see in the moment, right, 266 00:14:29,360 --> 00:14:31,240 Speaker 2: you know, set a boundary, like you let them stay 267 00:14:31,320 --> 00:14:31,560 Speaker 2: up light. 268 00:14:31,600 --> 00:14:33,160 Speaker 3: It's not like they're out. 269 00:14:33,000 --> 00:14:37,640 Speaker 2: Of control and destabilized and fall apart. But over time 270 00:14:37,920 --> 00:14:42,400 Speaker 2: you may see them having trouble with a commitment or 271 00:14:42,480 --> 00:14:47,040 Speaker 2: attention or staying in things, or being a self starter, 272 00:14:47,320 --> 00:14:51,960 Speaker 2: or being autonomous or carving out directions for themselves on 273 00:14:52,040 --> 00:14:54,840 Speaker 2: like a micro a macro level, and just with emotional 274 00:14:54,880 --> 00:14:59,040 Speaker 2: as I said regulation that boundaries and structure and expectations 275 00:14:59,040 --> 00:15:03,200 Speaker 2: help kids feel safe. So as you consider like your 276 00:15:03,320 --> 00:15:07,640 Speaker 2: own feeling state, your guilt trying, and like your visual 277 00:15:07,720 --> 00:15:11,000 Speaker 2: hierarchy of needs, like at the top of that over 278 00:15:11,080 --> 00:15:15,640 Speaker 2: your guilt is their need for concrete structure in order 279 00:15:15,760 --> 00:15:19,360 Speaker 2: to feel emotionally safe, I aim to get there. What 280 00:15:19,400 --> 00:15:21,440 Speaker 2: you're saying is it's actually such a good point to 281 00:15:21,920 --> 00:15:23,840 Speaker 2: pause up for a minute, which is that when it 282 00:15:23,880 --> 00:15:26,480 Speaker 2: feels overwhelming, a lot of us just press like the 283 00:15:26,480 --> 00:15:28,920 Speaker 2: eject button. It's like, I don't have to do here, 284 00:15:29,080 --> 00:15:31,120 Speaker 2: and I'm just going to keep doing what I normally 285 00:15:31,120 --> 00:15:31,840 Speaker 2: do because I am. 286 00:15:31,880 --> 00:15:35,160 Speaker 3: Parallel to hustle and work and provide that's all, and 287 00:15:35,360 --> 00:15:37,800 Speaker 3: deal with anything else. Hate the bills. You know. It's 288 00:15:37,840 --> 00:15:49,840 Speaker 3: like everything you're saying feels so accurate. 289 00:15:50,160 --> 00:15:53,200 Speaker 1: And I'm the type that I'm a great listener and 290 00:15:53,480 --> 00:15:56,240 Speaker 1: I understand things, and I always say I'm an actress. 291 00:15:56,280 --> 00:15:56,880 Speaker 3: I take direction. 292 00:15:57,000 --> 00:15:59,720 Speaker 1: Well, so when I hear and I understand, I want 293 00:15:59,720 --> 00:16:03,240 Speaker 1: to take effect. But then I'm like, the holiday season 294 00:16:03,320 --> 00:16:07,360 Speaker 1: is December, you know, holidays coming up, and it's like, well, 295 00:16:07,360 --> 00:16:10,960 Speaker 1: I can't start now twenty twenty five, you know, January, 296 00:16:11,520 --> 00:16:14,800 Speaker 1: because there's also that guilt of like Christmas and the 297 00:16:14,880 --> 00:16:19,280 Speaker 1: expectations and just making My seven year old said, Mom, 298 00:16:19,800 --> 00:16:23,200 Speaker 1: do you think this Christmas you can buy me a gift? 299 00:16:23,640 --> 00:16:25,800 Speaker 1: Well I can't say to him, well, all the gifts 300 00:16:25,840 --> 00:16:27,120 Speaker 1: you got from Santa I. 301 00:16:27,120 --> 00:16:27,840 Speaker 3: Bought, you know. 302 00:16:28,720 --> 00:16:31,920 Speaker 1: So I was like, oh my gosh, you know, I 303 00:16:31,920 --> 00:16:33,800 Speaker 1: think one of the things I put was from me. 304 00:16:34,080 --> 00:16:35,800 Speaker 1: And then he got a present from his dad. But 305 00:16:35,880 --> 00:16:38,840 Speaker 1: also it was like he's not understanding because I think 306 00:16:38,880 --> 00:16:41,720 Speaker 1: in the past there's been over abundance of you know, 307 00:16:41,760 --> 00:16:44,480 Speaker 1: because of guilt and whatever I have, I work hard, 308 00:16:44,560 --> 00:16:48,600 Speaker 1: but whatever I have, I give to them and anyone 309 00:16:48,640 --> 00:16:51,560 Speaker 1: around me, Like, that's just who I am. I feel 310 00:16:51,600 --> 00:16:54,520 Speaker 1: like when you have it, share it. I don't believe 311 00:16:54,520 --> 00:16:57,320 Speaker 1: in holding onto it, which is why I have financial struggles. 312 00:16:57,520 --> 00:16:58,640 Speaker 3: So I have to readjust that. 313 00:16:58,760 --> 00:17:01,040 Speaker 1: But yeah, so he thought I didn't get him a 314 00:17:01,040 --> 00:17:03,920 Speaker 1: gift and I was like, oh, and I said, yes, 315 00:17:04,080 --> 00:17:06,879 Speaker 1: I promise, and it's it's just trying. And I know 316 00:17:07,080 --> 00:17:09,600 Speaker 1: you can relate, and every mom and dad out there 317 00:17:09,680 --> 00:17:14,240 Speaker 1: can relate. You know, the comparison with the friend circle, 318 00:17:14,359 --> 00:17:18,760 Speaker 1: it's a tough one. And you know, growing up for me, 319 00:17:19,200 --> 00:17:23,080 Speaker 1: my parents were super wealthy. So it's something new I'm 320 00:17:23,200 --> 00:17:26,280 Speaker 1: learning when you know my kids saying, oh, all my 321 00:17:26,359 --> 00:17:29,520 Speaker 1: friends either have this or are getting it, and I 322 00:17:29,520 --> 00:17:32,000 Speaker 1: can't puta for them, but I want to because I 323 00:17:32,080 --> 00:17:34,800 Speaker 1: want him to fit in. And I know this is 324 00:17:34,880 --> 00:17:37,439 Speaker 1: something you know, take the tory spelling out of it. 325 00:17:37,480 --> 00:17:40,640 Speaker 1: This is universal with parents everywhere. I'm sure you want 326 00:17:40,640 --> 00:17:42,320 Speaker 1: your kid to feel accepted. 327 00:17:42,640 --> 00:17:43,080 Speaker 3: Of course. 328 00:17:43,320 --> 00:17:46,720 Speaker 2: Of course, of course, it's like ubiquitous and primitive, right, 329 00:17:47,040 --> 00:17:49,600 Speaker 2: you know, when your kiddos say a version of that, 330 00:17:50,600 --> 00:17:53,240 Speaker 2: responding with something like, I think you're trying to ask me, 331 00:17:53,440 --> 00:17:57,600 Speaker 2: like where we are and what's possible in our family. 332 00:17:57,720 --> 00:17:59,720 Speaker 2: I think that's what you're trying to ask me. You know, 333 00:18:00,600 --> 00:18:02,439 Speaker 2: such a good question. I mean you're also asking me 334 00:18:02,480 --> 00:18:04,040 Speaker 2: if I'm going to get you a gift, and the 335 00:18:04,040 --> 00:18:06,280 Speaker 2: answers yes, I'm going to get you one gift, I'm 336 00:18:06,320 --> 00:18:07,960 Speaker 2: going to get you three gifts. Whatever the answer is, Like, 337 00:18:08,000 --> 00:18:10,280 Speaker 2: whatever the real answer is, I would provide it. But 338 00:18:10,320 --> 00:18:12,000 Speaker 2: I think you're trying to ask me where we are 339 00:18:12,040 --> 00:18:15,160 Speaker 2: and what's possible. And it's a good question because things 340 00:18:15,200 --> 00:18:17,360 Speaker 2: are tricky right now, and you notice that, so part 341 00:18:17,400 --> 00:18:20,080 Speaker 2: of you for asking this question. And the answer is 342 00:18:20,280 --> 00:18:22,639 Speaker 2: you know, I can't get you the same amount of 343 00:18:22,640 --> 00:18:24,200 Speaker 2: stuff that I used to be able to get you, 344 00:18:24,400 --> 00:18:27,280 Speaker 2: or I can't get you the same amount of stuff 345 00:18:27,280 --> 00:18:31,480 Speaker 2: that your friends are getting this year, so hard. I 346 00:18:31,600 --> 00:18:34,560 Speaker 2: know that feels sad. I know that feels bad. You know, 347 00:18:34,600 --> 00:18:36,280 Speaker 2: it's hard to look at other people and see what 348 00:18:36,320 --> 00:18:37,920 Speaker 2: they have and see we don't have the same thing. 349 00:18:37,920 --> 00:18:41,280 Speaker 2: Those are like real feelings and you're trying to figure 350 00:18:41,280 --> 00:18:44,359 Speaker 2: out what it's going to feel like this year. So 351 00:18:44,800 --> 00:18:46,919 Speaker 2: I'm trying to help you give you a sets of 352 00:18:47,000 --> 00:18:48,919 Speaker 2: about what it's going to feel like this year, and 353 00:18:48,960 --> 00:18:51,680 Speaker 2: it seems like it might not be exactly what you want, 354 00:18:51,760 --> 00:18:55,040 Speaker 2: and that's just really hard, you know. And I would 355 00:18:55,119 --> 00:18:59,040 Speaker 2: just sit in that conversation with him or any of 356 00:18:59,040 --> 00:19:01,800 Speaker 2: your kids that bring that up. Later you can say 357 00:19:01,840 --> 00:19:04,800 Speaker 2: something like, gosh, I was thinking about our conversation. I 358 00:19:04,840 --> 00:19:07,760 Speaker 2: have some other ideas, and it's during this time that 359 00:19:07,800 --> 00:19:11,159 Speaker 2: you can offer some other concepts about life that you 360 00:19:11,240 --> 00:19:15,560 Speaker 2: might want to put forth, like how important and invaluable 361 00:19:15,640 --> 00:19:20,080 Speaker 2: connection is, and how important it is to have gratitude 362 00:19:20,119 --> 00:19:23,959 Speaker 2: for what you do have, and how important it is 363 00:19:24,000 --> 00:19:27,600 Speaker 2: to value connection over stuff. Right, I don't want listeners 364 00:19:27,640 --> 00:19:30,560 Speaker 2: to think that it's only a discussion about stuff and 365 00:19:30,600 --> 00:19:32,600 Speaker 2: the only thing that matters. But we want to get 366 00:19:32,600 --> 00:19:35,639 Speaker 2: in their reality. That's a real thing. Your kid is 367 00:19:36,119 --> 00:19:39,200 Speaker 2: two things are happening. They're both trying to literally understand 368 00:19:39,200 --> 00:19:41,679 Speaker 2: what am I getting, relatives friends are getting, and also 369 00:19:42,119 --> 00:19:45,960 Speaker 2: what is happening in our family and post divorce and 370 00:19:46,119 --> 00:19:51,760 Speaker 2: a shift in financial situation that's disorienting. He wants to 371 00:19:51,800 --> 00:19:56,040 Speaker 2: be oriented, and so even if the news is not 372 00:19:56,160 --> 00:19:59,200 Speaker 2: what he wants to hear it's going to ultimately be grounding. 373 00:20:00,000 --> 00:20:02,159 Speaker 2: And even if you miss it the first time, like 374 00:20:02,200 --> 00:20:04,280 Speaker 2: you're just sort of like, yeah, one gift and you 375 00:20:04,359 --> 00:20:07,119 Speaker 2: miss the opportunity to you can always go back, you know, 376 00:20:07,200 --> 00:20:09,240 Speaker 2: I was thinking about it. You're asking. I think something 377 00:20:09,240 --> 00:20:11,200 Speaker 2: else too, And it gives you an opportunity to sort 378 00:20:11,200 --> 00:20:15,240 Speaker 2: of get in there because there's ongoing trauma and confusion 379 00:20:15,280 --> 00:20:18,400 Speaker 2: and considerations for kids not only who have a kind 380 00:20:18,440 --> 00:20:20,760 Speaker 2: of change in financial situation, but for kids who are 381 00:20:21,080 --> 00:20:25,320 Speaker 2: going through separation and divorce. Every season of kids' lives, 382 00:20:25,880 --> 00:20:28,920 Speaker 2: it hits them differently, and so you have five who 383 00:20:28,960 --> 00:20:31,440 Speaker 2: are going to have this hit them differently in different ways, 384 00:20:31,440 --> 00:20:34,720 Speaker 2: in different seasons. So staying in that conversation with them. 385 00:20:34,720 --> 00:20:38,399 Speaker 1: Is really important, definitely, And I think on my part, 386 00:20:38,520 --> 00:20:42,720 Speaker 1: at least, the want of kids always just wanting their 387 00:20:42,760 --> 00:20:49,480 Speaker 1: parents together, I think kept me from ultimately making well 388 00:20:50,440 --> 00:20:52,800 Speaker 1: was outwardly a better decision for them and what they 389 00:20:52,880 --> 00:20:56,400 Speaker 1: saw between two partners. It kept me for a long 390 00:20:56,440 --> 00:21:03,760 Speaker 1: time is because in my conditioned brain, of course, you know, 391 00:21:04,200 --> 00:21:08,480 Speaker 1: my parents were married over twenty five years up until 392 00:21:08,480 --> 00:21:11,000 Speaker 1: my dad passed, you know, and I saw. 393 00:21:10,880 --> 00:21:13,960 Speaker 3: A family always together, and so it was different. 394 00:21:14,200 --> 00:21:17,560 Speaker 1: And I always thought, you know, as bad as things 395 00:21:17,680 --> 00:21:21,919 Speaker 1: might be between my partner and myself, it's better to 396 00:21:22,160 --> 00:21:26,400 Speaker 1: have their dad in the house than in a different residence, 397 00:21:26,920 --> 00:21:30,840 Speaker 1: and that I think that kept me in the relationship 398 00:21:31,000 --> 00:21:36,040 Speaker 1: far too long, and it, ultimately, I feel did a 399 00:21:36,080 --> 00:21:40,080 Speaker 1: disservice to my kids, you know. Granted, you know, I 400 00:21:40,119 --> 00:21:42,440 Speaker 1: think both he and I were in a place where 401 00:21:42,640 --> 00:21:46,359 Speaker 1: we might have separated and divorced before Bo was born, 402 00:21:46,760 --> 00:21:51,399 Speaker 1: but we worked on our relationships stayed together, and I'll 403 00:21:51,760 --> 00:21:54,880 Speaker 1: never regret not leaving then. I'm sure he wouldn't either, 404 00:21:55,040 --> 00:21:58,280 Speaker 1: because we wouldn't have had Bo. And Bo is our 405 00:21:58,320 --> 00:22:01,440 Speaker 1: blessing and our love and our heart and souls. So 406 00:22:02,240 --> 00:22:05,760 Speaker 1: I'm grateful. But you know, after Bo was born and 407 00:22:05,800 --> 00:22:09,800 Speaker 1: I was twenty seventeen, things didn't get better between us, 408 00:22:09,880 --> 00:22:12,960 Speaker 1: and and granted, there's still times that I'm like, oh 409 00:22:13,000 --> 00:22:15,840 Speaker 1: my gosh, it would be so nice to have that 410 00:22:15,920 --> 00:22:19,320 Speaker 1: extra set of hands in the house. It would be 411 00:22:19,359 --> 00:22:22,400 Speaker 1: so nice for the kids to be like, Okay, mom's there, 412 00:22:22,440 --> 00:22:24,439 Speaker 1: and I see dads in the other room. And to 413 00:22:24,480 --> 00:22:28,119 Speaker 1: be honest, in the last years of our relationship, we 414 00:22:28,160 --> 00:22:30,440 Speaker 1: did things as a family for the kids, and we, 415 00:22:30,760 --> 00:22:33,320 Speaker 1: you know, would be in the same room, but you know, 416 00:22:33,800 --> 00:22:36,840 Speaker 1: I was in my bedroom. He slept in a different bedroom. 417 00:22:37,040 --> 00:22:39,680 Speaker 1: My husband is sober now over a year now, so 418 00:22:39,960 --> 00:22:41,160 Speaker 1: we're very proud of him. 419 00:22:41,680 --> 00:22:42,640 Speaker 3: But before that, it. 420 00:22:42,600 --> 00:22:45,800 Speaker 1: Was it was rough for them to see and it 421 00:22:45,880 --> 00:22:50,320 Speaker 1: was very disjointing. And I feel like I didn't separate 422 00:22:50,359 --> 00:22:55,440 Speaker 1: the families in household terms, only sooner, But of course 423 00:22:55,440 --> 00:22:57,640 Speaker 1: we can't go back, so we're dealing with it now. 424 00:22:57,720 --> 00:23:00,800 Speaker 1: But it's hard not to have their in the house. 425 00:23:01,280 --> 00:23:05,120 Speaker 2: Many many women stay longer than they quote should or 426 00:23:05,680 --> 00:23:10,240 Speaker 2: stay period because of these truths, and you picked up 427 00:23:10,640 --> 00:23:13,960 Speaker 2: a harder path. Ultimately. One of the things I like 428 00:23:14,040 --> 00:23:16,200 Speaker 2: to talk about with clients that are going through divorce 429 00:23:16,320 --> 00:23:22,280 Speaker 2: is thinking about the conceptualization example of love that you 430 00:23:22,359 --> 00:23:25,120 Speaker 2: are holding up for your kids is really important. When 431 00:23:25,119 --> 00:23:27,880 Speaker 2: there's an absence of fill in the blank, an absence 432 00:23:27,920 --> 00:23:33,320 Speaker 2: of connection, playfulness, romanticism, communication, whatever the things that were 433 00:23:33,320 --> 00:23:36,800 Speaker 2: absent in your relationship with your ex husband. We're teaching 434 00:23:36,800 --> 00:23:40,280 Speaker 2: them something about what relationships are and what love is, 435 00:23:40,600 --> 00:23:43,919 Speaker 2: and it matters and it has an imprint and making 436 00:23:43,920 --> 00:23:48,880 Speaker 2: a decision to disentangle that and explain to the kids 437 00:23:48,960 --> 00:23:52,920 Speaker 2: in age appropriate way. We're better off as your parents 438 00:23:53,000 --> 00:23:56,399 Speaker 2: rather than as a married couple. Allows for a shift 439 00:23:56,400 --> 00:24:00,159 Speaker 2: in that narrative, and we have a responsibility about the 440 00:24:00,200 --> 00:24:03,359 Speaker 2: story we share with our kids model for our kids 441 00:24:03,560 --> 00:24:07,600 Speaker 2: about love. And it's one of I think the orienting 442 00:24:07,640 --> 00:24:11,480 Speaker 2: factors to hang on to when you're in the midst 443 00:24:11,480 --> 00:24:14,880 Speaker 2: of co creating the separation of a family, because it's 444 00:24:15,560 --> 00:24:18,480 Speaker 2: you know, it's like an assault on the heart, co 445 00:24:18,600 --> 00:24:24,600 Speaker 2: creating that right, it's unthinkable and in the doing of it, 446 00:24:24,600 --> 00:24:27,960 Speaker 2: it's incredibly painful. But that is one of the grounding forces, 447 00:24:28,040 --> 00:24:29,640 Speaker 2: I think, and it sounds like one of the things 448 00:24:29,640 --> 00:24:33,280 Speaker 2: that led you out, and you know, not doing it 449 00:24:33,320 --> 00:24:37,120 Speaker 2: sooner is all part of that analysis and calculation of 450 00:24:37,240 --> 00:24:41,320 Speaker 2: like where it's the tipping point and you're in the 451 00:24:41,359 --> 00:24:45,280 Speaker 2: midst of two not such great decisions. There's just there's 452 00:24:45,440 --> 00:24:49,119 Speaker 2: no winning path there in terms of the kids. 453 00:24:49,400 --> 00:24:51,480 Speaker 1: I know I unloided a lot on you today and 454 00:24:51,560 --> 00:24:54,720 Speaker 1: I'm so sorry. I didn't anticipate even opening up this much. 455 00:24:54,720 --> 00:24:58,359 Speaker 1: I've really related to you and connect it with you, 456 00:24:58,960 --> 00:25:00,000 Speaker 1: so thank you. 457 00:25:00,000 --> 00:25:01,639 Speaker 3: Would you come back and do this with me again? 458 00:25:01,880 --> 00:25:03,520 Speaker 3: Will you have me? Or am I too? Much. 459 00:25:04,000 --> 00:25:07,240 Speaker 2: I will absolutely come back, and I loved our conversation too. 460 00:25:07,920 --> 00:25:11,399 Speaker 1: Here's my takeaway, Doctor Hillary, I deserve to have you 461 00:25:11,440 --> 00:25:19,200 Speaker 1: in my life.