Take Aways From A Parenting Podcast And Feeling Fresh

Maybe it’s the upcoming New Year, the idea and promise of a fresh start that has me diving into self help books and podcasts. There’s something about this time of year that makes me pause and reflect on where I’ve been and where I’m headed, especially with so many changes in my life. One of those changes is becoming a parent. As a result, I’m constantly asking myself: Am I doing this right? Could I be doing better? I always gravitate towards the resources that are not only relatable but actionable. That’s how I landed on Tim Ferriss’s latest episode featuring Dr. Becky Kennedy. Let me lead by saying, it delivered on being actionable and practical for many upcoming real life scenarios.

I’ll be honest—parenting books and podcasts sometimes intimidate me. They make it seem like there’s a perfect way to raise kids, and if you’re not ticking off all the boxes, you’re doomed to mess up your kid. But Tim Ferriss’s latest episode with Dr. Becky Kennedy felt different. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, I walked away thinking, I can do this—and maybe learn a few other life skills along the way.

Dr. Becky, holds the moniker: the “Millennial Parenting Whisperer.” She is all about connection over perfection. Her approach—called "Good Inside"—isn’t about raising kids who never throw tantrums or get into arguments. It’s about building relationships that can weather those inevitable storms. Kids may throw tantrums, whine and argue, but that doesn’t make us a poor parent and it doesn’t make them a bad kid. Parenting is about showing up, keeping your children safe and guiding them through life with their values in tact.

Here are the nuggets of wisdom I’m still mulling over, days after listening.

When You Mess Up (And You Will), Focus on Repair

Confronting, but let’s just rip the Band-Aid off: you’re going to screw up as a parent. We all are. You’ll yell when you shouldn’t. You’ll snap over something small because you’re tired. And you’ll feel like you failed.

Dr. Becky’s advice? It’s not the mistake that matters most—it’s how you handle it afterward. She calls it repair. It’s about owning up, apologising, and showing your kids that relationships aren’t about perfection; they’re about trust.

This hit home for me. Despite it having only been 8 weeks, there are moments where I already feel so exhausted I can imagine snapping at the smallest irritations. I can do all the inner work to remain neutral and calm, but inevitable there will be a human moment. And when that time comes (god willing it doesn’t), instead of swimming in guilt or regret I know it’s more important to put my energy into the connection and communication afterwards.

Trade Judgment for Curiosity

Another takeaway from the podcast was when Dr. Becky said, “Curiosity is the antidote to judgment.” It’s such a simple idea, but often hard to implement. Judgements can arise so easily, not just when it comes to children, but in many other situations too; with friends, family, strangers. When these judgements arise, why not try practicing curiosity instead?

The example given is when your kid is throwing a fit in the middle of the grocery store, it’s easy to think, Why are they like this? or What a naughty child! But what if, instead, you paused and asked, What’s going on for them right now?

It’s suggested that behaviour is communication. Maybe they’re tired, overwhelmed, or just need a snack. Approaching those moments with curiosity doesn’t just help you stay calmer—it helps you connect with your kid on a deeper level.

Resilience Over Happiness

This one stung a little because, like most parents, I just want my kid to be happy. But Dr. Becky pointed out: happiness isn’t the goal. Building resilience is.

She explained that shielding kids from discomfort—whether it’s a failed test or a fight with a friend—doesn’t actually help them in the long run. What helps is teaching them how to navigate those challenges.

It’s easy to want to remove obstacles and hardships from your children’s lives, but instead of doing that we might try asking “That sounds really hard. What do you think might help next time?” It’s a way we can help our kids grow their confidence and capabilities to deal with these their personal challenges.

Be the Pilot in the Turbulence

In the podcast, they allude to this metaphor: parenting is like being a pilot in turbulence. When the plane shakes, passengers don’t need the pilot to explain the aerodynamics of flight—they just need to know the pilot’s got it under control. You don’t want the pilot checking with every passenger, whether it’s okay to emergency land a plane.

The same goes for kids. When things feel chaotic—meltdowns, sibling fights, lost homework—they’re looking to you to be steady. You don’t have to have all the answers. You just have to be calm and consistent and clear.

Reflecting on It All

By the end of the podcast, it was clear that Dr. Becky’s advice goes beyond raising kids—it’s about growing as a person. Parenting is one of the most intense personal development journeys you can undertake. I’m beginning to see the truth in that, not just in the act of raising another human being, but in discovering and navigating this new role in my life. It’s already brought some unexpected challenges like reconciling my values with the parenting approaches of my own parents or others around me. It’s a complex, web of emotions and new skills.

The big takeaway for me? You don’t have to be a perfect parent. You just have to be a good enough one—a parent who shows up, makes mistakes, and tries again.

I guess that’s a useful theme of the upcoming new year. It’s a reminder — no matter how many setbacks or challenges you experienced in 2024 — to get back up and try again. You can let go of all the bad habits, self-doubt, and missed opportunities that have accumulated and begin 2025 fresh to get closer to the parent or whoever you want to be.