Families Matter Most

"The age I get the MOST phone calls for is seven-year-olds—but do you know what age comes in second? Nine. That’s right. Nine-year-olds are often underestimated and misunderstood, and today we’re diving deep into why this age is such a turning point." In this episode, I unpack the beautiful complexity of parenting nine-year-olds—a stage that often sneaks up on us with its big emotions, growing independence, and surprising maturity. At nine, our kids are no longer the little ones tagging behind their toddler siblings, but they’re also not quite tweens. We'll explore: Why nine-year-olds really need to feel seen and respected How to challenge them in ways that build confidence, not defiance What’s happening developmentally at this age (spoiler: it’s a lot!) Common parenting pitfalls—and how to shift our mindset Ways to strengthen your bond while still holding structure and boundaries You’ll walk away with practical tools, compassionate insight, and a reminder that this age can be one of the most rewa