8. The Glimmers & Triggers of Parenting Ages 6-9: with Gabby Felman, MS. Ed, LCSW, PMH-C

This episode is a sanity-saving conversation about all things “big kid” parenting—one that will have you nodding along, feeling understood, and ultimately walking away with greater confidence to navigate classics like the “stage of rudeness,” chore resistance, and those first friendship woes.We sat down with a true pro: Gabby Felman, MS.Ed., LCSW, PMH-C, founder of Community of Play (located in Scarsdale, NY), Director of Child Development at Joy Parenting Club, and mom of three. She has dedicated her life’s work to supporting children and families, and there’s no question she can’t thoughtfully field or quirky kid behavior she can’t help demystify. We cover the changes that are common as your child moves into the elementary years, and we get granular about some of the biggest emotional triggers that tend to surface: eye rolling and sharp words, peer-to-peer drama, and sudden resistance to what feel like simple requests to help out around the house.It takes a village. Lean in with your beverage of choice and take comfort in knowing these pain points are common. They’re a season—often a sign that our children are craving autonomy and dignity as they find their voice amid a major leap in social awareness. They are, essentially, "social newborns."Show NotesFollow Gabby on Instagram @CommunityofPlayCheck out these books she recommends to spark meaningful conversations with your big kids on all things social boundaries and friendship: The Not So Friendly Friend, Sharing is Unbearable, Do Unto Otters, The Recess Queen. About the PodcastWe are two moms who met on Instagram years ago and quickly bonded over our love of the Montessori philosophy applied to parenting and over nerdy child development research. We decided to take the leap by finally taking our chats out of our DMs and inviting you to listen along as we chat about all things motherhood.Gloria is a former 1st grade public school teacher turned SAHM and now Montessori homeschooling mom to her 6 and 4.5 year old. She mentors parents on Montessori homeschooling online and has created multiple masterclasses for parents and educators on how to teach children to read at a foundational level. You can find more about her mentorship program by ⁠⁠clicking here⁠ ⁠and more about her masterclasses and other printables she has created for homeschoolers by ⁠⁠clicking here⁠. ⁠You can find her on Instagram ⁠@MontessoriMamaLife⁠Jenna is a mom of three, communications strategist and child development writer. With a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a specialization in sociology, she began her career in newsrooms and nonprofits before discovering her true calling in education. She partners with Montessori school teams to strengthen their outreach, refine family communications, and foster deeper connections between parents and educators. You can follow her musings on Instagram ⁠@holdingspacemontessori. ⁠