From Overwhelm to Clarity: Finding Yourself in the Chaos of Motherhood

in , ,

Every mom’s been there—overwhelmed by the mess, the noise, the never-ending list of tasks. In the chaos of motherhood, it’s easy to forget who you are outside of the “mom” role.

But what if you could find clarity in the chaos? What if, amidst the busyness, you could uncover your true desires and align with your deeper purpose?

Here’s how to stop drowning in overwhelm and rediscover your clarity, one small step at a time.

Read More

Redefining Motherhood: How to Dream Big Without the Guilt

in , , , ,

It starts as a quiet whisper—a dream you’ve kept tucked away. Maybe it’s a career goal, a creative passion, or the simple desire to carve out time for yourself. But every time the whisper gets louder, guilt sneaks in:

“Shouldn’t I be focusing on my kids?”

“What kind of mom puts herself first?”

Here’s the truth: pursuing your dreams doesn’t make you less of a mom. It makes you more—more vibrant, more fulfilled, and more present for your family. Motherhood and your dreams don’t have to compete. This is your invitation to stop shrinking and start creating a version of motherhood that’s unapologetically yours.

Read More

Why Your Preteen’s Confidence Feels Fragile—and How to Strengthen It

in , ,

Do you ever look at your daughter and think, “She’s amazing—why can’t she see it?” You’re not alone. So many moms tell me their preteens are struggling with self-doubt, but they don’t know how to help.

Between school stress, social pressures, and constant comparison on social media, it’s no wonder our girls feel unsure of themselves. But here’s the thing: confidence isn’t something you’re born with. It’s a skill—one that can be built and nurtured.

Read More

Helping Preteens Navigate Friendship Challenges: A Parent’s Guide

in , , ,

Friendships can be the best part of preteen life—and the hardest. Your child comes home hurt because they weren’t invited to a party or feels unsure about how to handle a disagreement. As a parent, it’s tough to watch them struggle, but these challenges are also opportunities for growth.

So how do you guide your preteen through these tricky waters without taking over?

Read More

Letting Go of Mom Guilt: Redefining What It Means to Be Enough

in , , , ,

If you’re like most moms, you’ve probably felt it: that gnawing guilt over what you didn’t do. Maybe you forgot to sign up for the class party or you’re still thinking about how you snapped at your child after a long day.

Here’s the truth: mom guilt doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. It means you care. But caring shouldn’t come at the expense of your own well-being.

Read More

The Gift You Deserve This Holiday Season: Permission to Say No

in , , , ,

The holidays are here—cue the whirlwind of gift lists, cookie swaps, classroom parties, and family traditions. While it’s magical in many ways, let’s be honest: it can also feel overwhelming.

Here’s the thing: being everything to everyone isn’t what makes the season special. In fact, it might be stealing the joy you’re hoping to create.

What if this year, the best gift you gave yourself was permission to say no?

Read More

Breaking Free from “Perfect Mom” Expectations: Redefining Your Motherhood Journey

in , , , ,

You had dreams for motherhood—maybe ones you couldn’t fully articulate but felt deeply in your heart. Then life happened. Somewhere between the pressure to be the perfect mom, partner, and professional, you might have found yourself asking: “Is this how it’s supposed to feel?”

The truth is, there’s no one way to be a mom, and societal expectations often set us up to feel like we’re falling short. But what if motherhood could look exactly the way you want it to?

Let’s explore what it means to break free of those expectations and build a life where you can thrive as both a mother and a person with dreams, passions, and purpose.

Read More

Understanding Your Preteen’s Journey of Self-Discovery

in , , , , , ,

Preteens are at one of the most fascinating—and challenging—stages of development. They’re no longer little kids who take the world at face value, but they’re not yet teenagers equipped to fully express who they’re becoming.

This in-between stage is marked by self-discovery—a time of exploring interests, testing boundaries, and figuring out who they are. It’s exciting, messy, and often emotional.

Read More

Why the Holidays Feel Stressful for Preteens (and How You Can Help)

in , , ,

The holidays are supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, right? But for preteens, the season can bring more than just festive cheer—it can stir up stress, insecurity, and anxiety.

From navigating family gatherings to fielding well-meaning but awkward questions from relatives, preteens often feel like they’re under a magnifying glass. And during a stage when they’re still figuring out who they are, it can be a lot to handle.

Read More

Helping Your Anxious Preteen Navigate Holiday Stress with Creativity

in , , , , , , ,

The holidays are supposed to be a time of joy and connection, but for preteens with anxiety, they can feel overwhelming. From packed schedules to unfamiliar social settings and heightened expectations, the season often amplifies their worries. Your preteen might struggle with a loud inner critic, feelings of self-doubt, or an inability to fully relax and enjoy the season.

As a parent, you want to help your preteen feel safe, understood, and confident during this busy time. One way to achieve this is through creativity. Art therapy offers a unique outlet for anxious preteens to express their thoughts and emotions, quiet their inner critic, and discover tools for resilience.

Here’s a creative activity designed to help your preteen process holiday stress and find calm amid the chaos.

Read More

From Burnout to Balance: A Mom’s Guide to Restoring Energy

in , , , , ,

You wake up feeling just as tired as when you went to bed. The day stretches ahead, filled with tasks, obligations, and expectations. Somewhere along the way, your energy disappeared—and now you’re running on fumes.

If this feels familiar, you’re not alone. Burnout doesn’t happen overnight, and it can sneak up on the most capable moms. But here’s the good news: just as it builds gradually, burnout can also be unraveled with small, intentional steps. Let’s explore how you can shift from burnout to balance.

Read More

Building Confidence in Preteens: Small Steps That Make a Big Difference

Expressive Journeys PLLC
in , ,

Preteens face a whirlwind of changes—academically, socially, and emotionally. It’s a time when their self-esteem can take a hit. As a parent, you play a crucial role in helping your child build the confidence they need to navigate this stage with resilience.

The good news? Building confidence doesn’t require grand gestures. It’s about small, consistent actions that send the message: “I believe in you.”

Read More

How to Stop the Spiral: Mindful Tools for Moms Managing Holiday Stress

in ,

The holidays are supposed to be a magical time, but let’s be honest—they often feel overwhelming. Between the endless to-do lists, social obligations, and the pressure to create picture-perfect memories, stress can quickly spiral out of control. Sound familiar? You’re not alone.

But here’s the good news: with a few mindful techniques, you can step off the stress spiral and embrace the holidays with more calm and joy. Let’s dive in.

Read More

5 Tips to Help Your Anxious Preteen Navigate the Holidays  

in , , , , ,

The holiday season is a magical time, but for preteens struggling with anxiety, it can also feel overwhelming. From bustling family gatherings to endless expectations, this time of year can heighten stress and amplify their worries. As a parent, you may wonder how to help your child enjoy the season while keeping their anxiety in check.  

Here are five practical tips to help your preteen navigate the holidays with confidence and calm.

Read More

Self-Care Tips for Moms: Prioritize Yourself Without the Guilt

in , , , ,

As a mom, you give so much to your family—your time, energy, and love. But when was the last time you gave something to yourself? Self-care often feels like a luxury, especially when you’re juggling a never-ending to-do list. Yet, neglecting your own well-being can leave you feeling depleted, overwhelmed, and even resentful. It’s time to flip the script and prioritize your needs.  

Here are simple, realistic self-care tips designed for busy moms like you.

Read More

How to Talk to Your Preteen About Emotions: A Parent’s Guide →

in , ,

Talking to your preteen about emotions can feel like walking through a minefield. One minute they’re spilling their hearts out; the next, you’re met with an eye roll and a slammed door. Navigating these moments is tough—but it’s also an opportunity to strengthen your relationship and help your preteen develop emotional resilience.  

If you're unsure where to start, don’t worry—you're not alone. Here are practical, mindful strategies to create open, judgment-free conversations with your preteen about their emotions.  

Read More

Emotional Regulation for Preteens with Anxiety

Here we go again...

Another day filled with your preteen’s emotions exploding like volcanoes, frustrations running high, fighting, so much crying, withdrawing from things they once loved and worried about everything!

I see you here, scrolling through trying to catch a break & just wishing you could find some answers.

Maybe you’ve tried taking your kid to talk therapy, talking to your child’s pediatrician, consulting your child’s teachers and sifting through stacks of parenting books.

And yet, your family is still riding that daily emotional rollercoaster.

So, I totally get that it seems completely unimaginable to bring back peace & joy into your home.

I’ve got some tips for you today that are going to completely CHANGE the way you help your child navigate their emotional and mental health so they can naturally calm their nervous system, build their confidence, and finally bring laughter back into your home again.

With the right tools you can transform your child's emotions so that they feel safe, confident, happy, calm and connected.

In this exclusive toolkit, I’m breaking the barriers from the therapy room walls so that I can fully support you and your family.

This is just the support you need if you want to...

✅ Help your child feel HAPPY, HEALTHY, AND MORE CONFIDENT at school and in their relationships with others.

✅ Learn EFFECTIVE CALMING TOOLS so that you are better equipped to help your child regulate emotions.

✅ Teach your child how to EXPRESS THEIR THOUGHTS & FEELINGS in a healthy way.

✅ SUPPORT YOUR CHILD'S MENTAL HEALTH NATURALLY!

If you're ready to cultivate joy and connection in your family tap the link below to get started.

https://www.kaylahelenske.co/accessnow

6 stress-busting breathing exercises

Did you know the way you breathe is linked with your mental and physical health, your stress level, your energy – and that it can affect every single cell in your body?

 

When you optimize your breathing, you can: 

 

  • Feel calm and energized

  • Sleep better

  • Improve your focus & concentration

  • Boost your mindfulness

 

And when your breathing is shallow (not optimized), it’s linked with:


  • Pain

  • Illness/disease

  • Poor posture

  • Stress

  • Negative emotions (anger, anxiety, and fear)

 

In fact, 70% of the waste you expel from your body every day is done through your breath!

 

That means when you pay attention to your breath for even a few minutes every day, it can make a surprisingly big difference in how you feel.

 

And, that’s why I've included the Mindful Breathing Guide with 6 stress-busting breathing exercises in the Emotionally Empowered Family membership so you can start using as soon as today.

 

Get your copy here right now in my membership library:

https://www.kaylahelenske.co/joinnow

 

The breathing exercises in your Mindful Breathing Guide will only take a few minutes but they can turn around your family's mood … and your energy … fast!

 

I hope you find it valuable!

 

It's my mission to help your family live a vibrant and healthy life together. 

 

Join me in The Emotionally Empowered Family System and we'll make it happen!

 

Health + Happiness!

Kayla

P.S. If you know someone who would be interested in this ebook, feel free to forward this email to them so they can get their copy too.

Environmental Overhaul: Decluttered Space, Decluttered Mind

Is your environment making you feel chaotic and overwhelmed? We all know that we are affected by our environment - but you may not realize how much your surroundings are affecting your mood and mindset. The negative effects of the seemingly unimportant can have on our brains is shocking. Creating an optimal environment at your home or office is vital for you to start thriving, being happier, more focused and relaxed.

Read More