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Welcome!

 

Welcome. I’m really glad you’re here!

This community is designed to support you, not overwhelm you. You don’t need to use every space or keep up with everything you see. Think of this as a shared home where different programs live under one roof.

Here’s how this space is organized.:

Circles:  Each circle is connected to a specific program or service. If you’re part of more than one program, you’ll see more than one circle in the left-hand menu. That’s normal.

For example, if you’re enrolled in both Mentor Mom Academy and Big Picture Parenting, you’ll see a circle for each one. You’re not expected to follow or participate in everything at once. Focus on the circle that matches what you’re working on right now.

Inside each circle, you’ll find prompts, conversations, and guidance related to that program.

Meetups:  Meetups are live sessions held inside the various circles. These may include Q&A calls, coaching conversations, or guided support tied to a specific program. You can join meetups for your circles live or watch the replay later. There’s nothing you need to prepare ahead of time.

Challenges:  Challenges are optional invitations connected to a specific program or theme. They’re meant to support growth without pressure. You can participate fully, partially, or not at all. Skipping a challenge never puts you behind.

A few important things to know

  • Seeing more than one circle just means you have access to more than one program
  • You don’t need to read or participate in everything
  • Quiet participation is always okay
  • You’re never behind
  • If you feel unsure, start in the circle related to your current program

This space is meant to meet you where you are. Take what supports you. Leave the rest. You’re always welcome here.

You'll find the latest news here

What's New

A Note from Jill — May 2025

May always brings this particular kind of energy — end-of-year chaos mixed with the quiet hope that summer will somehow be easier.

(Spoiler: it can be. But it takes a little planning.)

Over here in the Urbane household, May is the official launch of what is shaping up to be the most exciting summer we've had in a long time. My daughter is getting married in August — and I am equal parts thrilled, sentimental, and completely overwhelmed by my to-do list.

We're prepping our home for her bridal shower, which means I have approximately seventeen projects happening simultaneously and a very patient husband. And then there's the mother-of-the-bride dress situation. I keep putting it off and I've been asking myself why.

I think I know the answer. Somewhere in the back of my mind, picking out that dress makes it all very real. My baby is getting married. And even though I am so genuinely happy for her and the life she's building — there's a quiet part of me that isn't quite ready to close that chapter.

Here's what I know, after 27 years of working with families and raising children of my own: every season of parenting carries its own gifts and its own grief. The toddler years are loud and exhausting and wonderful. The school years fly by before you catch your breath. And then one day you're standing in a bridal shop trying on a dress that means your baby grew up — and you realize that you blinked and somehow it happened anyway.

If you are in the thick of it right now — the sleepless nights, the tantrums, the "why won't they just listen" moments — I am not going to tell you to enjoy every second. That's not realistic. But I will tell you this: it moves. Faster than you think it will. The season you're in right now is worth paying attention to, even on the hard days.

That's part of why this community exists. Not to make parenting perfect — but to help you understand what's happening so you can be more present in it.

I'm glad you're here. Let's have a good May — and if you have a moment to spare a thought for a mother of the bride who still needs to find a dress, I'll take it. 😊

All my best, Jill

Why Summer Is Hard for Little Kids (And What to Do About It)

Every May, parents start dreaming about summer — slower mornings, more outside time, a break from the school rush. And then summer actually arrives, and somehow everyone is melting down more, not less.

Here's what's actually happening.

Young children run on routine. Not because they're rigid or difficult, but because their developing brains use predictability as a safety signal. When the nervous system knows what's coming next, it can relax. When it doesn't — even when the change is exciting — it stays on alert. That alert state is what we see as meltdowns, clinginess, sleep regression, and big emotions that seem to come out of nowhere.

Summer disrupts nearly every anchor point a young child relies on: wake time, meals, childcare, who picks them up and when. Even a child who seems to love the change can show stress in their body — because loving something and feeling regulated through it are two different things.

The screen time piece. Summer also tends to bring more screen time — and for kids under five, that matters. Screens aren't the enemy, but they do affect the nervous system. Fast-moving content and passive watching can make it harder for little ones to regulate when the screen goes off, tolerate boredom, or transition into what's next. If you're planning to lean on screens this summer (and most of us will), building in transition warnings, outdoor movement before and after, and simple wind-down routines makes a real difference.

What actually helps:

  • Keep two or three daily anchors — wake time, a midday meal together, and a bedtime routine. You don't need a full schedule. Just predictable bookends.
  • Give transition warnings out loud. "In five minutes we're turning off the TV." "After lunch, quiet time." Little brains need time to shift gears.
  • Match activity to energy. High sensory input (screens, crowds, noise) needs to be balanced with low sensory recovery time — outdoor play, water, quiet.
  • Expect some regression. Sleep may wobble. Whining may increase. This is normal nervous system math — big change = more need for connection and co-regulation from you.

Summer doesn't have to be a survival season. A little developmental understanding goes a long way.

Plan ahead and mark your calendar!

This Month's Meetup Schedule

You can RSVP enabling you to get email reminders and to add to your calendar by clicking on the 'Meetups' tab within your circle.  Please note that all times are EST.

Tuesday, May 19th @7:00 pm:  Big Picture Parenting Coaching Call

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