Let’s speak reality: you love your kids. Like, deep, primal, "would step in front of a moving car for them" kind of love. And yet. If one more child slides a sticky hand under the bathroom door while you're trying to pee in peace, you might burst into a slow-motion scream and run off into the woods, or maybe the circus, because you've gotten good at juggling everything! You're not broken. You’re not cold. You're not “bad at this.” You're human.

There’s nothing quite like the rush of panic that hits when your child starts to unravel in the middle of a grocery store, playground, or family gathering. Maybe it's loud. Maybe it's messy. Maybe all eyes seem to turn to you. Public meltdowns are a universal parenting challenge, and if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed or embarrassed during one, you’re not alone.

As parents, we want the best for our kids, not just academically, but emotionally too. We want them to be kind, confident, and resilient. We want them to understand and manage their feelings and to form healthy, positive relationships with others. But how do we go about teaching them these important skills? Enter Social Emotional Learning, or SEL.

Hi, I’m Jolene! I’m a licensed counselor, a proud mom, a bonus mom, and someone who is wholeheartedly embracing the beautiful chaos that comes with raising a family. I'm also a wife to a man who is not only my best friend but also spends most moments testing my sanity. With a career centered around helping kids and families, I've had the privilege of guiding many through their challenges, but nothing has been more life-changing or rewarding than being a mom myself.