In this heartfelt solo episode, host Albiona Rakipi dives deep into one of the most common (and emotionally triggering) parenting challenges: separation anxiety. But this isn’t your typical advice—this is a powerful reframe.

You’ll learn why children protest when you leave, why dragging out your goodbye actually makes things harder, and how your own guilt might be sending the wrong message—even when you mean well.

Most importantly, this episode gives you practical, loving strategies to help your child build self-trust, navigate hard feelings, and develop resilience, while giving yourself full permission to live a full, joyful life.

Whether you’re heading to work or heading to dinner with friends, this episode reminds you: your joy is not selfish—it’s vital.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why separation anxiety is not “bad behavior,” but a growth edge
• The #1 mistake parents make when saying goodbye (and how to fix it)
• What your child actually needs in those tough emotional moments
• How to build a "bridge" between separation and safety
• Why your self-trust is the foundation for your child’s regulation
• How to reframe “mom guilt” when you choose something just for you
• The link between predictability and reduced anxiety in kids
• The critical difference between empathy and enmeshment
• Real-life scripts and object-leaving strategies to ease transitions
• Why calm isn’t the opposite of anxiety—self-trust is

Quotes to Remember:

• “The opposite of anxiety isn’t calm—it’s self-trust.”
• “Every time you go back in a panic, you’re telling your child they can’t handle hard things.”
• “Your child doesn’t need you to sacrifice everything—they need you to model wholeness.”
• “Joy begets joy. When you honor your needs, your kids benefit too.”

Resources Mentioned:

• Substack Paid Parenting Community: https://albiona.substack.com/subscribe
• Book a 1:1 Coaching Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/albiona324/discovery-call

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

• The key differences between consequences and punishments
• Why kids need consequences to feel safe and learn boundaries
• How punishments often come from a place of reactivity and dysregulation
• The role of natural consequences (like forgetting a water bottle) and logical consequences (thoughtful parent responses)
• Why the boundary itself often is the consequence
• How to implement breaks/resets (instead of timeouts) to help kids regulate
• The importance of creating safe struggles to build resilience
• When redirection works best (and why it backfires with older kids)
• Scripts and phrases you can use to give your kids autonomy while holding limits

• Explore coaching and parenting support at The Parenting Reframe
• Book a free discovery call to see if 1:1 coaching is right for your family

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this warm conversation Tembi and Albiona cover:

• How From Scratch began — writing personal grief into a story that reaches others, and how that book later became a Netflix limited series. (Simon & Schuster)
• What “re-nesting” means (replacing the idea of an “empty nest” with a more generative, whole concept) and practical ways parents can prepare emotionally for children leaving home. (People.com)
• The creative process Tembi uses: listening, journaling, & exploring different art forms; writing as a practice to slow down and make meaning. (tembilocke.com)
• Concrete ideas listeners can use right away: short daily rituals (15–45 min), journaling prompts, scheduling “pre-planned joy,” somatic self-care, and negotiating new family rhythms like weekly check-ins.
• A deep look at Someday, Now — why Tembi created an immersive audio experience (ambient Sicily soundscapes plus narration), and what she hopes listeners will feel after they finish it: that there is possibility, love, and room for transformation even in endings. (Audible.com)

• Tembi Locke — official site / about & book resources. (tembilocke.com)
• From Scratch — publisher page (Simon & Schuster). (Simon & Schuster)
• Someday, Now — Simon & Schuster audio page (audio edition/details). (Simon & Schuster)
• Someday, Now — Audible audio listing/preorder. (Narrated by Tembi Locke; release details & preorder.) (Audible.com)

Tembi Locke on Instagram (announcements & behind-the-scenes). (Instagram)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.