No new episode of Parents Making Time this week. Merry Christmas to you and your family! Make time to become the parent you want to be!

Parenting is hard. Intentional parenting can seem even harder. Motherhood, fatherhood, marriage, and all that goes with those important aspects of life can make it difficult to prioritize tasks, embrace intentional living, focus on present parenting, and build family bonds. We're here to help ease your parenting anxiety so that you can stop feeling overwhelmed, find joy in your parenting journey, and build family bonds that last for generations. Here at Parents Making Time, we are all about that parent-child connection, self-care for parents, and helping you overcome mom guilt and dad guilt. If you have a question or would like to share an experience about your own parenting, please feel free to reach out to one of us! Please note, we may use your question and/or comments as a part of a Q&A Parenting Advice segment on one of our episodes.

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parentsmakingtime@gmail.com | https://www.parentsmakingtime.com/

What if the parenting stress you feel isn’t from parenting itself, but from being the only one holding everything together?

So many busy parents fall into the quiet habit of carrying the entire load—the dishes, the laundry, the dog, the clutter, the schedules—while hoping their kids will “just pitch in.” But without clear expectations, kids don’t know how to help, and parents end up exhausted, frustrated, and burned out.

In this episode, we’re sharing simple, practical strategies for teaching responsibility, building teamwork, and creating a strong family culture where everyone contributes. Not through power struggles or punishment, but through clarity, consistency, and intentional parenting practices that help your kids grow in confidence—and help you reclaim time, energy, and peace and stop feeling overwhelmed, avoiding mom guilt and dad guilt in the process. Effective parenting is more than time management; it's life management.

WHILE LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN:

• How to clearly communicate household expectations so your kids take ownership without nagging or conflict
• Practical tools like chore rotations, 30-minute cleanups, and predictable routines that boost responsibility and reduce parent burnout and parent anxiety
• How shared chores strengthen family relationships, support healthy time management for busy parents, and create meaningful family traditions

00:00 Introduction
00:28 The Burden of Household Chores
00:41 The Game-Changing Shift: Involving Kids in Chores
01:29 The Mom Rampage
02:17 Setting Clear Expectations
03:17 Effective Chore Strategies
04:46 The 30-Minute Cleanup
06:55 Rotations and Responsibility
09:33 The Family Dog: A Lesson in Responsibility
13:44 Conclusion and Next Episode Sneak Peek

When you finish listening, we’d love for you to connect with us on social media!

Follow us on Instagram and like our page on Facebook to keep the conversation going. It’s the best way to get quick tips, encouragement, and resources to help you make time for what matters most—your family.

Get our FREE resource, "30-Second Micro Moments of Intention with Your Kids", by going to: parentsmakingtime.com/freeresource:

Parenting is hard. Intentional parenting can seem even harder. Motherhood, fatherhood, marriage, and all that goes with those important aspects of life can make it difficult to prioritize tasks, embrace intentional living, focus on present parenting, and build family bonds. We're here to help ease your parenting anxiety so that you can stop feeling overwhelmed, find joy in your parenting journey, and build family bonds that last for generations. Here at Parents Making Time, we are all about that parent-child connection, self-care for parents, and helping you overcome mom guilt and dad guilt. If you have a question or would like to share an experience about your own parenting, please feel free to reach out to one of us! Please note, we may use your question and/or comments as a part of a Q&A Parenting Advice segment on one of our episodes.

Follow Anthony: Instagram | LinkedIn

Follow Jennifer: Instagram

Leave a rating & review: Apple | Spotify

parentsmakingtime@gmail.com | https://www.parentsmakingtime.com/

Parents, have you ever felt torn between expert parenting advice and your own motherly or fatherly instincts?

Recommendations that once felt like hard rules can completely reverse over the years. When advice changes, parenting can feel confusing and overwhelming. Parenting anxiety can be a real challenge.

So many parents rely solely on experts and forget the powerful intuition they already have. When advice constantly changes—from peanut butter rules to sleep positions to breastfeeding recommendations—it can create stress, anxiety, and fear that you're not doing motherhood or fatherhood "right."

In this episode, we share how to balance expert guidance with parental intuition, reduce stress, eliminate parent anxiety, and make confident decisions for your children—without the mom guilt or dad guilt.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN:

• How to stop feeling overwhelmed (even when expert advice changes)
• How to confidently trust your own instincts (even when it feels scary)
• Practical ways to use expert information without letting it control you

Intentional parenting doesn't come with a manual—but you do have intuition, wisdom, and unique knowledge of your child. When you combine that with research and expert insights, you make grounded decisions that benefit both you and your kids.

00:00 Introduction and Free Resource Announcement

00:28 Navigating Conflicting Parenting Advice

02:18 Trusting Your Parental Instincts

04:11 Balancing Expert Advice and Intuition

07:14 Practical Examples and Personal Stories

10:18 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

When you finish listening, we’d love for you to connect with us on social media!

Follow us on Instagram and like our page on Facebook to keep the conversation going. It’s the best way to get quick tips, encouragement, and resources to help you make time for what matters most—your family.

Get our FREE resource, "30-Second Micro Moments of Intention with Your Kids", by going to: parentsmakingtime.com/freeresource

Easily improve your intentional parenting efforts at mealtime with our FREE resource, Dinner Conversation Starters.

Download our FREE resource, 30-Second Micro Moments of Intention with Your Kids, created for busy parents like you who need easy, actionable ways to have daily meaningful connections with their kids in less than a minute!

Parenting Questions? Email us at parentsmakingtime@gmail.com (Please note, your question may be featured on the show).

For parenting inspiration, time management ideas, and encouragement for moms and dads, follow the hosts:

Anthony Craiker: Instagram | LinkedIn

Jennifer Craiker: Instagram

Interested in joining our free online parenting community? Send us a DM to receive an invite!

Enjoy the show? Leave a rating & review: Apple | Spotify