We’re back! I’m joined again by Mandy Kraska, an experienced educator, as we dive deeper into how personality traits influence our parenting styles. If you haven’t already, be sure to catch Part 1 for the first half of our discussion.

Mandy kicks things off by sharing how her personality translates into her role as teacher when managing her classroom. She shares how she balances high expectations with offering support, tailors approaches based on individual needs, and employs tough love to hold her students accountable. 

I also share a cringe-worthy story about managing my son’s daily homework assignments, which quickly became a high-stress situation. Thankfully, I’m not alone! Mandy and I discuss our struggles with homework time, along with strategies for reducing anxiety while still supporting our kiddos.

What’s the right approach -- helicopter, gentle parenting, laissez faire? Mandy and I get into the weeds on how our personality tendencies and challenges shape our approaches when it comes to helping our kids (or choosing to step back). 

Focusing on teaching real-world skills early on to prepare children for adulthood is where it’s at, whatever that looks like for you and your children.

Mandy Kraska is originally from the Southern Tier but has been local to the surrounding Buffalo area for over 20 years. She has been a teacher in the city for 17 years, most of that time as a high school English teacher. She serves as the union delegate chairperson as well as a teacher leader in her building. She is also an NYU Certified Professional Learning Communities Coach, an iTunesU published author, and a wife and mama of three—ages 8, 6, and 3.

In this episode, we cover: 

• How high expectations and personalized support outside of the classroom translates for students who speak a language other than English. 

• The challenges of homework time, perfectionism, and learning to let go. Getting overly involved in our children’s homework has only caused stress for us and them. 

• Focusing on real-world skills both at home and in the classroom emphasizes the larger goal we have as parents - helping our children grow into capable and well-rounded adults.

• When research shows that stepping in too much can hinder children’s independence, how do we find the right balance?

• There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, but achieving the right mix of hands-on support and encouraging independence is key.

Resources & Links:

• Here’s the study that discusses how kids can benefit when parents take a step back.

Connect with Mandy:

• On LinkedIn

Connect with Christine:

• Follow on Instagram

• Check out my website

Related Episode:

• 09. Momming when you’re Type A - Part 1

More about Momming as a Millennial podcast: 

Welcome to Momming as a Millennial, the podcast where we dive into the challenges and triumphs of being a millennial mom in today’s dynamic world. Join your host, Christine Giarrizzo, on this candid journey as we navigate the complexities of motherhood, from tackling outdated stereotypes, to embracing our individual parenting styles.

In each episode, we explore the intersection of tradition and modern parenting. We’ll look at unsolicited advice and internet noise, as well as gender roles and expectations handed down by our parents and grandparents, in order to find what resonates with our true, authentic selves.

Tune in for honest conversations, genuine stories, expert insights, and a supportive community that understands the unique circumstance of navigating parenthood as a millennial. Together we’ll rewrite the narrative, challenge societal norms, and celebrate the diverse voices that make up our generation.

Let’s redefine what it means to be a mama in the millennial era.

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