Welcome to Season 4 of Dear Doula. After an intentional break, I'm back to talk about the emotional load of parenting and how the way we frame it shapes our experience. Modern parenting is often painted as exhausting and miserable, and I think it's worth questioning what that mindset does to us and our families.

In this episode, I share why 2025 felt overwhelming for me and what I'm choosing to do differently in 2026—being more intentional, putting myself back on my own list, and focusing on connection over survival.

Resources:
• Follow me on Instagram: @brandijordanofficial
• Follow the podcast: @deardoulapodcast
• Questions or topic ideas: brandi@deardoulapodcast.com

Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome to Season 4 of Dear Doula & why I took a parenting break
01:00 – The emotional load of parenting in 2026 and modern parent burnout
02:30 – Why social media frames parenting as miserable (and how that affects us)
03:10 – "You only get 18 summers": borrowed time and raising children intentionally
04:00 – Parenting mindset shifts: connection, gratitude, and emotional presence
06:40 – Why 2025 felt overwhelming as a working mom and business owner
09:10 – Putting yourself back on the list: self-care for parents in 2026
12:30 – Creating family non-negotiables and a parenting manifesto
15:10 – Intentional parenting vs perfectionism
18:00 – Reframing difficult stages: toddlers, tweens, and teens
20:30 – How to raise children more peacefully and intentionally in 2026