By Michelle White, The Inspired Wellness Coach, NTP
Inspired Wellness Podcast – Episode 17 Recap
At Inspired Wellness, we talk a lot about hormonal health, nutrition, and helping women thrive in perimenopause and beyond. But today, we’re zooming out to explore what all of this means inside the home—because when our hormones are shifting, our relationships, routines, and family life often shift too.
Let’s be honest: navigating hot flashes, emotional ups and downs, and disrupted sleep is already a lot. Add parenting, household responsibilities, and career pressures to the mix—and it can feel like we’re expected to be everyone’s emotional anchor while our own foundation feels shaky.
That’s why I’m so thrilled to share this conversation with Dr. Kelly Cagle, a mom of three boys, ADHD educator, and host of the Parenting IQ podcast. Kelly brings wisdom, warmth, and deep insight into how we can parent with purpose, even in seasons of personal change. She believes that raising emotionally grounded kids isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence, rhythm, and repair.
Here’s what we talked about—and why this episode is a must-listen for any mom navigating midlife and motherhood at the same time.
“I Don’t Feel Like Myself—and I Feel Guilty.”
This is something I hear from women all the time in my practice: “I don’t feel like myself anymore… and I feel guilty that it’s affecting my family.”
Kelly had such a compassionate response to this. She reminds us that it’s completely normal to feel off during this season—and that acknowledging those feelings openly (rather than hiding them) can actually strengthen your connection with your kids.
Instead of shielding children from every challenge, she encourages moms to model what emotional check-ins look like in real life. A simple moment like, “Hey, I’m feeling a little off today—so I might need a little extra patience,” can create trust and teach emotional intelligence.
Rhythms Over Perfection
One thing I say often is: health and wellness doesn’t require perfection—it requires rhythm.
Kelly echoed this beautifully in our conversation. When life feels chaotic, it’s our daily rhythms and rituals—not rigid routines—that help us and our families feel safe, anchored, and connected.
These can be as simple as:
- Family dinner at the table (even once a week)
- A short walk after dinner
- Morning check-ins or evening gratitude sharing
- A “reset” ritual after tough moments (like lighting a candle or taking a deep breath together)
Rhythm supports both emotional regulation for mom and resilience for kids, especially during unpredictable or emotional times.
Raising Resilient Kids (When You Feel a Little Wobbly)
Let’s be real: many of us are working hard to heal, grow, or reinvent ourselves—all while trying to raise strong, grounded kids.
So how do we build resilience in our children when we’re still finding our own footing?
Kelly offered this powerful reminder: Resilience isn’t built from never facing hardship—it’s built from how we handle it. That means your growth, your mistakes, and your repair efforts are all valuable parts of the story.
She also shared tips on:
- Setting healthy emotional boundaries without guilt
- Spotting signs that a child is struggling vs. adapting
- Offering emotional repair when things get messy (“I’m sorry I snapped. I was overwhelmed, and I love you.”)
When You Feel Like You’re “Dropping the Ball”
Midlife can be full of moments where we feel like we’re falling short—in our marriage, with our teens, in our friendships.
Kelly’s take? You’re not failing—you’re evolving. These moments are invitations to prioritize connection over performance.
We talked about:
- Letting go of unrealistic expectations
- Finding small ways to connect, even when your bandwidth is low
- Letting your kids see your humanity without it becoming their burden
- Choosing repair and presence over trying to “get it all right”
Thriving While Growing
As we wrapped up our conversation, I asked Kelly to share her vision for thriving in this season—not just surviving it.
Her words were such a balm: “Raising a strong family while still growing yourself is not a contradiction—it’s the whole point.”
For the mom in the thick of it—feeling overwhelmed but longing for something more peaceful, joyful, and connected—this episode is your reminder that you don’t have to choose between yourself and your family. You can build stronger relationships because you’re doing the work to become more grounded and whole.
Connect with Dr. Kelly Cagle
If this conversation resonated with you, you’ll definitely want to tune into Dr. Kelly’s podcast, Parenting IQ. She shares thoughtful, actionable tools for raising resilient kids in a modern world—especially for moms who value connection, growth, and intention.
You can find her at:
🌐 parentingiqpodcast.com
🎙️ Parenting IQ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen
With love and inspired wellness,
Michelle White
Nutritional Therapy Practitioner | The Inspired Wellness Coach
Ready to feel strong, clear, and energized again?
📩 Reach out to book a free discovery call and let’s talk about how to support your goals.
Listen to the Full Episode
Catch this conversation and more on Episode 17 of Inspired Wellness Podcast on your favorite podcast platform!
Listen to the full episode here on Apple or here on Spotify
Want more frequent tips and knowledge? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @theinspiredwellnesscoach
Want to submit a question? Email me
And check out my Services page to learn more about my nutritional therapy services for women in perimenopause and beyond.
DISCLAIMER This blog post is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making any health-related decisions. By reading this post, you agree to take full responsibility for your health and well-being.
