Raising Humans: Parenting, Motherhood & the Real Work of Raising Kids

In this episode of Raising Humans, host Summer Fenton explores the profound and often overlooked experience of losing one's personal identity in the shadow of motherhood. Many mothers find that their given name is replaced by the title 'Mom' in social interactions, professional settings, and even within their own homes, leading to a subtle but painful sense of erasure. This episode addresses the emotional weight of being reduced to...

In this heartfelt episode of Raising Humans, host Summer Fenton explores the profound emotional shift that occurs when a child says "I love you" first, without being prompted. This moment strips away the performance of parenting, revealing a raw, unconditional connection that anchors both parent and child. The episode is designed for mothers, fathers, and caregivers who are navigating the complexities of raising kids, seeking valid...

In this episode of Raising Humans, host Summer Fenton explores the profound emotional impact of a child saying 'I love you' unprompted. This moment is described not just as sweet, but as a quiet revolution in the parent's nervous system, offering a break from the constant demands and service-oriented nature of daily parenting. For parents feeling like they are on call twenty-four seven, this episode provides a gentle reminder that ...

This episode of Raising Humans explores the quiet, often unspoken grief mothers feel when their child’s new best friend becomes the center of their attention. Host Summer Fenton addresses the specific type of maternal loneliness that arises not from jealousy, but from the realization that you are no longer the primary source of your child's joy and validation. This conversation is essential for parents navigating the emotiona...

This episode of Raising Humans explores the intense, often unspoken guilt working mothers feel when choosing career ambitions over their children’s daily milestones. Host Summer Fenton addresses the emotional weight of missing playdates, school events, and small moments, validating the listener's struggle while offering a compassionate framework for redefining maternal success. This guide is essential for any parent trying to...

In this episode of Raising Humans, host Summer Fenton explores the profound and often unspoken loneliness experienced by parents of only children. When a child has no siblings, the parent inevitably becomes their primary peer, emotional regulator, teacher, and sole witness to their life’s milestones. This dynamic creates a unique psychological density where the burden of validation, entertainment, and social modeling falls en...

In this deeply relatable episode of Raising Humans, host Summer Fenton explores the heavy mental load and emotional labor that often falls on mothers: the role of the 'Birthday Keeper.' This is for any parent who feels paralyzed by the fear of forgetting important dates, from their own birthday to a child’s dentist appointment. The episode dissects the anxiety of being the family historian and the invisible work of curating r...

The quiet after graduation is not peace; it is grief. In this episode of Raising Humans, host Summer Fenton explores the profound emotional shift parents experience when their child leaves home for college or adulthood. This is not just 'empty nest syndrome' in a clinical sense, but the loss of a daily identity that has defined you for nearly two decades. If you are staring at an empty kitchen table and feeling hollowed out by sile...

In this episode of Raising Humans, host Summer Fenton explores the intense, often invisible labor of managing multiple children's health crises simultaneously. This narrative is designed for parents who feel overwhelmed by the logistics of pediatrician visits, specialist appointments, and the emotional toll of being their children's primary case managers. We dive deep into the reality of 'logistics warfare'—the exhaustion of ...

In this deeply personal episode of Raising Humans, host Summer Fenton explores the profound and often silent transmission of body image issues from mother to daughter. This episode is essential listening for mothers who fear they are passing on their own insecurities, daughters seeking to understand the roots of their self-doubt, and anyone navigating the complex landscape of self-worth in a digital age. Summer opens up about a piv...

This episode of 'Raising Humans' explores the profound and often unspoken grief that accompanies an empty nest. Host Summer Fenton addresses the heavy silence that replaces years of household chaos, validating the feelings of loss, identity crisis, and purposelessness that many parents experience when their children leave for college or adulthood. This is not a story about celebration alone; it is a raw look at the 'museum of a lif...

In this episode of Raising Humans, host Summer Fenton addresses the overwhelming guilt many mothers feel when they forget to maintain communication with a co-parent's new partner. This is essential listening for divorced or separated parents who struggle with the invisible labor of blended family dynamics and the pressure to be the 'perfect ex.' The episode deconstructs the anxiety surrounding missed calls and social oversights, of...

This episode of Raising Humans explores the complex emotional landscape of parenting teenagers, specifically focusing on how to handle lying and rebuild trust after a breach. Host Summer Fenton addresses the gut-wrenching moment parents feel when they realize their teen is building a secret life, offering a compassionate shift from viewing lies as attacks on authority to seeing them as cries for autonomy and self-preservation. This...

In this episode of Raising Humans, host Summer Fenton explores the profound psychological and emotional benefits of the bedtime story routine for both parents and children. This is not just a guide on how to read to your kids, but a deep dive into why that specific nightly ritual serves as a critical anchor for family stability and parental mental health. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the chaos of daily parenting, struggling wi...

In this raw and vulnerable episode of Raising Humans, host Summer Fenton tackles the difficult reality of teaching empathy to children when parents are resentful, exhausted, and running on empty. This episode is for mothers and parents who feel overwhelmed by the pressure to be perfect role models and struggle with feelings of guilt when their patience runs out. We explore why traditional parenting advice often fails because it ass...

Dating as a young mom is an emotional and logistical tightrope walk that few discuss openly. This episode of Raising Humans explores the unique psychological landscape of finding love while navigating the intense realities of early motherhood. Host Summer Fenton addresses the specific terror of being seen as a 'package deal' and the exhaustion of carrying your entire world in a canvas bag while trying to flirt or connect romantical...

In this episode of Raising Humans, host Summer Fenton dismantles the pervasive cultural myth that college graduation serves as a magical reset button for mothers. Many parents promise themselves that once their children leave home, all anxiety will evaporate and they will finally breathe. However, this episode argues that this 'fresh start' fantasy often leads to a profound sense of loss, identity crisis, and echoing silence rather...

In this episode of Raising Humans, host Summer Fenton explores the uncomfortable but universal truth that parents can secretly dislike their child's best friend. This guide for mothers and parents addresses the specific anxiety of watching your child interact with a peer whose behavior—whether loud, messy, or boundary-pushing—triggers your own stress responses. We discuss why maternal instincts often flag certain kids a...

In this deeply personal and essential episode of Raising Humans, host Summer Fenton shares her raw journey of supporting her daughter through a gender identity change. This episode is designed for parents who are navigating the complex emotional landscape of having a child come out as transgender or non-binary, offering practical advice on how to hold space without trying to fix the experience. If you are searching for guidance on ...