Breaking the Cycle: Parenting Through Divorce with Compassion and Strength

Divorce doesn’t just change your schedule, it activates your nervous system, your old conditioning, and the parts of you that learned to survive conflict. In this conversation, Leslie and parenting coach Mackenzie Kinmond unpack what happens to you (and your kids) when co-parenting brings up grief, anger, guilt, and the urge to control what you can’t control. You’ll hear real, compassionate guidance on: How divorce amplifies people-pleasing, perfectionism, over functioning, and self-sacrifice The difference between validating your child’s feelings and letting emotions run the house How to talk about an inconsistent co-parent without shaming your child’s experience Why kids form “stories” about divorce (and how to help them build a healthier narrative) Nervous system tools for high-conflict co-parenting—before, during, and after hard moments How to offer steadiness without pretending you’re “fine” If you’re parenting through divorce and trying to stay grounded, present, and emotionally safe for your kids—this episode will help you step out of survival mode and lead with calm authority and grace. I trained in the official MBSR lineage at Brown University, continuing the work of Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, founder of the original MBSR program at UMass Medical Center. And now I’m bringing this transformative framework to women navigating divorce, separation, heartbreak, and reinvention. 🧡 JOIN THE UPCOMING MBSR GROUP Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Women Navigating Separation, Divorce & Breakups Where neuroscience meets self-compassion to help you regulate, rebuild, and rise. 📅 Starts late January 🌐 Virtual (Florida-based, open to all women) #DivorceParenting #CoParenting #HighConflictCoParenting #ParentingAfterDivorce #EmotionalRegulation