Parenting Relief

About Parenting Relief

Parenting Relief is for parents who love their kids deeply, but feel overwhelmed, exhausted, guilty, and stretched thin. Hosted by Mar De Carlo, founder of the International Parenting & Health Institute (IPHI, est. 2009) and with nearly three decades of coaching experience, you’ll receive practical tools and support for sleep, stress, communication, relationships, and health, plus simple physical and inner practices to reset and return to yourself. Mar is also the author of Awakening Through Sleep, 2026: A Compassionate Reset for Parents and the upcoming When Parenting Hurts.

Publisher

Mar De Carlo

Category

kids & family

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

26 Jan 2026

Latest episode

13 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

14 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   13 Sept 2026

   Parenting in the Age of AI

   Parents are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence for help with sleep, behavior, school challenges, communication, development and everyday parenting decisions. And AI can be an extraordinary resource. But what happens when we don't know what questions to ask? In Episode 12 of the Parenting Relief Podcast, Mar De Carlo explores the benefits and important limitations of using AI for parenting guidance. This isn't an anti-AI conversation. It's a conversation about AI literacy, parental discernment and the irreplaceable value of human connection. In this episode, we explore: • Where AI can genuinely support parents • Why the prompt you give AI can shape the direction of its answer • The problem of “not knowing what you don't know” • Why a behavioral question may overlook what's underneath the behavior • How to ask AI better and more critical questions • Why AI-generated information can be inaccurate • The difference between simulated empathy and human relationship • The role of presence, attunement, touch and co-regulation • Why parents shouldn't outsource their discernment to technology • When qualified human support is still essential • Practical prompts parents can use to make AI a better thinking tool The future doesn't need to be AI versus humans. The opportunity is learning how to use powerful technology without asking it to replace the parts of parenting and being human, that technology cannot reproduce. Connect with Mar Instagram: @mar_decarlo @parentinghealthinstitute Website: ParentingHealthInstitute.com Books Awakening Through Sleep A Compassionate Reset for Parents When Parenting Hurts — coming soon International Parenting & Health Institute Explore our holistic education, resources and professional certification programs at ParentingHealthInstitute.com. Disclaimer This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, psychological, therapeutic or individualized professional advice. AI-generated information may be incomplete or inaccurate. Concerns involving a child's health, development, mental health or safety should be discussed with an appropriately qualified professional.

2. 

   20 Apr 2026

   What Parents Can’t Ignore Anymore: Porn Exposure, Peer Harm & the Conversations We Need to Start

   In this episode, Mar De Carlo explores an emerging concern many parents are not fully aware of: early exposure to explicit content how it may intersect with peer-to-peer behavior among children You’ll learn: What current research says about early exposure Why exposure is often accidental How children process what they see The connection between exposure and behavior Why many parents are unaware How to begin conversations Practical steps to support your child Connect with Mar Instagram: @mar_decarlo @parentinghealthinstitute Website: https://parentinghealthinstitute.com/ (https://parentinghealthinstitute.com/) Books Awakening Through Sleep A Compassionate Reset for Parents (2026) When Parenting Hurts (coming soon) Shop https://mar-de-carlo-official-store.myshopify.com/ (https://mar-de-carlo-official-store.myshopify.com/) Holistic Coaching Certification Programs For professionals looking to expand their work in holistic coaching: • Integrative Adult Sleep Coach • Holistic Pregnancy & Child Sleep Consultant • Holistic Children & Teen Sleep Coach • Holistic Pre-Postnatal Nutrition Coach • Holistic Pregnancy & Postpartum Educator • Baby Planner Learn more: https://parentinghealthinstitute.com/ (https://parentinghealthinstitute.com/) Disclaimer This episode is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for psychological, medical, or therapeutic care. And if you’re driving or doing anything that requires your full attention, please skip any reflective or guided moments in this episode and come back to them when you can be fully present. If you have concerns about your child’s safety or behavior, please seek support from a licensed professional or appropriate services in your area.

3. 

   14 Apr 2026

   The News Is Affecting You and Your Child More Than You Think (Sleep, Behavior & Emotional Impact)

   In this episode, Mar De Carlo explores how constant exposure to news and media doesn’t just inform you, it impacts your nervous system, your emotional state, and the overall environment your child is growing and developing within. This is not about avoiding the world or disconnecting from reality. It’s about understanding how repeated exposure to distressing information, whether through TV, social media, podcasts, or background noise, can subtly shape how you feel, how you respond, and how your child experiences safety. Because what you take in, your body processes. And what your body processes, your child often feels. Mar breaks down how this exposure can show up in ways parents don’t always connect, including shifts in sleep, behavior, emotional regulation, and overall family dynamics. You’ll learn: How constant media exposure can activate your nervous system and contribute to stress, overwhelm, and emotional fatigue Why children process information differently and how they internalize what they hear, even passively How exposure can show up in your child through sleep disruptions, clinginess, emotional sensitivity, or behavioral changes The connection between your nervous system state and your child’s sense of safety (co-regulation) Subtle signs that you or your child may be carrying unprocessed emotional input Practical, research-informed tools to help regulate your system after exposure to distressing content Simple ways to create a more supportive emotional environment at home without needing to eliminate awareness of the world This episode will help you begin to notice what’s often overlooked and make small, intentional shifts that support both your well-being and your child’s. Connect with Mar Instagram: @mar_decarlo @parentinghealthinstitute Website: https://parentinghealthinstitute.com/ (https://parentinghealthinstitute.com/) Books Awakening Through Sleep A Compassionate Reset for Parents (2026) When Parenting Hurts (coming soon) Shop https://mar-de-carlo-official-store.myshopify.com/ (https://mar-de-carlo-official-store.myshopify.com/) Holistic Coaching Certification Programs For professionals looking to expand their work in holistic coaching: • Integrative Adult Sleep Coach • Holistic Pregnancy & Child Sleep Consultant • Holistic Children & Teen Sleep Coach • Holistic Pre-Postnatal Nutrition Coach • Holistic Pregnancy & Postpartum Educator • Baby Planner Learn more: https://parentinghealthinstitute.com/ (https://parentinghealthinstitute.com/) Disclaimer This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice. If you are experiencing severe family conflict, emotional distress, or situations involving abuse or safety concerns, please seek support from a qualified licensed professional. Any grounding or regulation practices shared in this episode should not be done while driving, operating machinery, or performing tasks that require full attention.

4. 

   26 Mar 2026

   When Your Child Blames You for Everything: What’s Really Happening (And How to Stay Grounded)

   When your child blames you for their emotions, their struggles, their personality, or even your family dynamics… It can feel deeply personal. It can feel like rejection. Like failure. Like everything you’ve done is being questioned. But what if what you’re experiencing isn’t actually about your worth as a parent? In this episode of Parenting Relief, Mar De Carlo breaks down what’s really happening when children blame, from a developmental, emotional, and nervous system perspective and how to respond without collapsing, over-explaining, or personalizing. This episode is designed to help you: understand why children project and displace emotions recognize why you may be the “safe parent” they express toward navigate co-parenting dynamics and loyalty conflicts stop internalizing blame that isn’t yours to carry respond with grounded, emotionally intelligent communication set boundaries without escalating conflict regulate yourself in triggering moments This is not about being perfect. It’s about learning how to stay steady… even when things feel personal. Connect with Mar Instagram: @mar_decarlo @parentinghealthinstitute Website: https://parentinghealthinstitute.com/ (https://parentinghealthinstitute.com/) Books Awakening Through Sleep A Compassionate Reset for Parents (2026) When Parenting Hurts (coming soon) Shop https://mar-de-carlo-official-store.myshopify.com/ (https://mar-de-carlo-official-store.myshopify.com/) Holistic Coaching Certification Programs For professionals looking to expand their work in holistic coaching: • Integrative Adult Sleep Coach • Holistic Pregnancy & Child Sleep Consultant • Holistic Children & Teen Sleep Coach • Holistic Pre-Postnatal Nutrition Coach • Holistic Pregnancy & Postpartum Educator • Baby Planner Learn more: https://parentinghealthinstitute.com/ (https://parentinghealthinstitute.com/) Disclaimer This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice. If you are experiencing severe family conflict, emotional distress, or situations involving abuse or safety concerns, please seek support from a qualified licensed professional. Any grounding or regulation practices shared in this episode should not be done while driving, operating machinery, or performing tasks that require full attention.

5. 

   17 Mar 2026

   The Guilt Cycle: Why You Feel Like You’re Not Doing Enough

   If you constantly feel like you’re not doing enough as a parent, you are not alone. In this episode of Parenting Relief, Mar De Carlo explores the guilt cycle many parents live with: why it happens, why it gets stuck, and how to begin transforming it with compassion, awareness, practical tools, and a whole-body approach. This episode includes: the difference between guilt and shame what top psychologists and therapists often recommend how self-compassion, mindfulness, and repair can interrupt the cycle somatic and holistic tools to regulate the nervous system daily practices to help you stop living under constant internal pressure Research suggests that self-compassion and mindfulness are associated with lower parenting stress, lower guilt and shame, and more positive parenting practices. Connect with Mar: Instagram: @mar_decarlo and @parentinghealthinstitute Website: https://parentinghealthinstitute.com/ (https://parentinghealthinstitute.com/) Books: Awakening Through Sleep 2026: A Compassionate Reset for Parents When Parenting Hurts (coming soon) Shop: https://mar-de-carlo-official-store.myshopify.com/ (https://mar-de-carlo-official-store.myshopify.com/) Holistic Coaching Certification Programs for Professionals: • Integrative Adult Sleep Coach • Holistic Pregnancy & Child Sleep Consultant • Holistic Children & Teen Sleep Coach • Holistic Pre-Postnatal Nutrition Coach • Holistic Pregnancy & Postpartum Educator • Baby Planner Learn more at: https://parentinghealthinstitute.com/ (https://parentinghealthinstitute.com/) Disclaimer This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice. Please seek individualized support from a qualified professional when needed. Any grounding or breathing practices shared in this episode should not be done while driving, operating machinery, or doing activities requiring full attention.

6. 

   9 Mar 2026

   How to Stay Calm When Your Co-Parent Isn’t: Managing High-Conflict Co-Parenting Without Losing Yourself

   Co-parenting can be emotionally complex, especially when communication becomes stressful or conflict escalates. In this episode of Parenting Relief, Mar De Carlo explores practical and research-informed strategies for navigating high-conflict co-parenting situations while protecting emotional wellbeing and supporting children’s sense of safety. Topics discussed include: • Why co-parenting dynamics can feel so emotionally triggering • The importance of emotional regulation before responding • Communication strategies that reduce conflict escalation • Prepared scripts that support calm and clear communication • When parallel parenting may be a healthier approach • How compassionate detachment protects emotional stability • Ways to shield children from parental conflict This episode offers both psychological insight and holistic perspective to help parents maintain clarity, boundaries, and emotional steadiness. Connect with Mar Instagram: @mar_decarlo @parentinghealthinstitute YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@parentinghealthinstitute Website: https://parentinghealthinstitute.com/ (https://parentinghealthinstitute.com/) Books Awakening Through Sleep 2026: A Compassionate Reset for Parents When Parenting Hurts (coming soon) Shop https://mar-de-carlo-official-store.myshopify.com/ (https://mar-de-carlo-official-store.myshopify.com/) Holistic Coaching Certification Programs for Professionals • Integrative Adult Sleep Coach • Holistic Pregnancy & Child Sleep Consultant • Holistic Children & Teen Sleep Coach • Holistic Pre-Postnatal Nutrition Coach • Holistic Pregnancy & Postpartum Educator • Baby Planner Learn more at: https://parentinghealthinstitute.com/ (https://parentinghealthinstitute.com/) This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals for individualized guidance. Any reflective exercises discussed in this episode should not be practiced while driving or operating machinery.

7. 

   2 Mar 2026

   The Parenting Industry’s Biggest Blind Spot, And Why Parents Deserve Better

   Most parents assume that “certified” means thoroughly trained. But here’s the blind spot: Certification standards in the parenting and sleep coaching industry are not regulated. Some professionals complete hundreds of hours of supervised training and real-world practicum. Others may complete short programs with little to no applied experience and both may use the same title. In this important PSA episode, Mar De Carlo shares: • Why the parenting industry lacks standardized training requirements • The difference between certification and competency • Why practicum and mentorship matter • What parents should ask before hiring a sleep coach, doula, or parenting professional • Why titles alone, including medical or nursing credentials, don’t always reflect specialized training in child sleep or family systems • How to protect your family through informed decision-making This episode is not about fear or criticism. It’s about raising standards. It’s about transparency. It’s about protecting families. Because parents deserve better.Connect with Mar Instagram: @mar_decarlo @parentinghealthinstitute Website: https://parentinghealthinstitute.com/ (https://parentinghealthinstitute.com/) Books Awakening Through Sleep 2026: A Compassionate Reset for Parents When Parenting Hurts (coming soon) Shop https://mar-de-carlo-official-store.myshopify.com/ (https://mar-de-carlo-official-store.myshopify.com/) Holistic Coaching Certification Programs for Professionals • Integrative Adult Sleep Coach • Holistic Pregnancy & Child Sleep Consultant • Holistic Children & Teen Sleep Coach • Holistic Pre-Postnatal Nutrition Coach • Holistic Pregnancy & Postpartum Educator • Baby Planner Learn more at: https://parentinghealthinstitute.com/ (https://parentinghealthinstitute.com/) Disclaimer This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals for individualized guidance. Any reflective exercises discussed in this episode should not be practiced while driving or operating machinery.

8. 

   23 Feb 2026

   Sleep Training: What’s Missing, What We Know Now, and What to Do Instead

   In this episode, Mar De Carlo explores sleep training through a holistic lens, what popular methods focus on, what they often overlook, and how sleep is shaped by biology, nervous system regulation, emotional development, and the full family system. This episode is educational, non-shaming, and designed to expand perspective so parents can make informed decisions. You’ll learn: The biggest myth parents are sold about sleep What Ferber, the Chair Method, and Pick-Up-Put-Down focus on and what they may miss Why “gentle” doesn’t always feel gentle to a child Why sleep is a regulation process, not only a behavior Safety awareness signs to take seriously without fear-mongering What to do instead: a whole-system approach that supports sleep readiness A simple parent exercise to use tonight Note: This episode focuses on common emotional, relational, and lifestyle contributors to sleep challenges. Medical conditions, illness, and developmental differences can also impact sleep and should be explored with appropriate professionals when relevant. New episodes of Parenting Relief drop every week. Connect with Mar: Instagram: @mar_decarlo and @parentinghealthinstitute Website: https://parentinghealthinstitute.com/ (https://parentinghealthinstitute.com/) Books: Awakening Through Sleep 2026: A Compassionate Reset for Parents When Parenting Hurts (coming soon) Shop: https://mar-de-carlo-official-store.myshopify.com/ Holistic Coaching Certification Programs for Professionals: • Integrative Adult Sleep Coach • Holistic Pregnancy & Child Sleep Consultant • Holistic Children & Teen Sleep Coach • Holistic Pre-Postnatal Nutrition Coach • Holistic Pregnancy & Postpartum Educator • Baby Planner Learn more at: https://parentinghealthinstitute.com/ (https://parentinghealthinstitute.com/) Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice. The content reflects general principles and personal insights and is not a substitute for professional care. Always consult a qualified healthcare or mental health professional regarding your specific situation. Any exercises shared should not be performed while driving, operating machinery, or doing activities requiring full attention.

9. 

   16 Feb 2026

   Parenting Triggers: How to Recognize and Transform Them

   Parenting triggers are not signs of failure. They are signals from your nervous system. In this episode, Mar De Carlo explores how childhood conditioning shapes parenting reactions, how to recognize emotional triggers, and how to transform them through awareness, regulation, and practical tools. You’ll learn: • Why parenting triggers happen • How childhood experiences shape nervous system responses • How to release guilt and shame • Practical tools to regulate and respond instead of react • How to break inherited patterns and build healthier responses Parenting is not about perfection. It is about awareness and growth. New episodes of Parenting Relief drop every week. Connect with Mar: Instagram: @mar_decarlo and @parentinghealthinstitute Website: https://parentinghealthinstitute.com/ Books: Awakening Through Sleep 2026: A Compassionate Reset for Parents When Parenting Hurts (coming soon) Shop: https://mar-de-carlo-official-store.myshopify.com/ Holistic Coaching Certification Programs for Professionals: Integrative Adult Sleep Coach Holistic Pregnancy & Child Sleep Consultant Holistic Children & Teen Sleep Coach Holistic Pre-Postnatal Nutrition Coach Holistic Pregnancy & Postpartum Educator Baby Planner Learn More at https://parentinghealthinstitute.com/ Disclaimer This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice. Exercises shared in this episode should not be performed while driving, operating machinery, or performing tasks that require full attention. Always consult a qualified healthcare or mental health professional regarding your specific situation.

10. 

    8 Feb 2026

    Bedtime Battles: What Your Child Is Really Communicating

    Bedtime resistance isn’t misbehavior, it’s communication. In this episode of Parenting Relief, we explore what children are actually expressing when bedtime becomes difficult, stressful, or emotionally charged. From common challenges like overtiredness, under-tiredness, overstimulation, nutrition, and transitions, to deeper emotional needs around safety, connection, and regulation, this episode helps parents move beyond labels and into understanding. You’ll learn: Why bedtime is one of the most emotionally loaded moments of the day How to listen for meaning instead of labeling behavior What everyday factors (movement, screens, food, sunlight, stress) can affect sleep When bedtime resistance may signal something that needs more attention How to respond with connection instead of says Practical ways to create emotional predictability and safety at night This episode is not about forcing sleep or “winning” bedtime.It’s about slowing down, uncovering the root cause, and building trust, night by night. Note: This episode focuses on common emotional and relational contributors to bedtime resistance. Medical conditions, illness, and developmental differences can also affect sleep and should be explored with appropriate professionals when relevant. New episodes of Parenting Relief drop every week. DISCLAIMER This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice. The content shared reflects general principles, professional experience, and personal insight and should not replace individualized care from a qualified healthcare or mental health professional. Any grounding, breathing, or awareness exercises shared in this episode should not be performed while driving, operating machinery, or engaging in activities that require full external focus. Please listen only, or return to the exercises when it is safe to do so. Always consult an appropriate professional regarding your specific situation or concerns.

11. 

    1 Feb 2026

    What to Do After You Yell: Repair That Builds Trust

    Yelling happens to even the most loving parents and it often leaves behind guilt, shame, and fear that you’ve caused harm. In this episode of Parenting Relief, Mar De Carlo explores what actually matters after you yell and why repair, not perfection, is what builds trust and emotional safety over time. You’ll learn why yelling is often a nervous system response rather than a personal failure, how chronic stress and overstimulation push parents past capacity, and what to do in the moments that follow a rupture. This episode includes grounding practices you can do while listening, practical tools to help shift reactive patterns, and clear, compassionate guidance on how to repair in ways that restore connection, without over-apologizing, over-explaining, or shaming yourself. This is an episode for parents who love their children deeply and want relief, understanding, and a way forward that actually works in real life. In this episode, we cover: Why yelling happens (and why it doesn’t mean you’re a bad parent) The role of the nervous system in snapping and reactivity How guilt and shame keep patterns stuck Simple daily practices to reduce overwhelm over time What effective repair really looks like and why it builds trust How repair can heal not just your child, but parts of you, too This isn’t about parenting perfectly. It’s about repairing honestly and growing through the work of parenting. New episodes of Parenting Relief release every Monday. Additional Support for Parents If you’d like additional tools beyond the podcast, you can explore Mar’s resources for parents, including 2026: A Compassionate Reset for Parents, at: https://mar-de-carlo-official-store.myshopify.com/ Disclaimer This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice. The content shared reflects general principles and personal insights and should not replace professional care. Always consult a qualified healthcare or mental health professional regarding your specific situation. Any breathing, movement, or awareness exercises shared in this podcast should only be practiced when it is safe to do so. Do not perform these exercises while driving, operating machinery, or in any situation that requires your full attention.

12. 

    26 Jan 2026

    When Parenting Hurts (You’re Not Failing)

    In this episode: Parenting can hurt in ways people don’t always talk about, because it’s vulnerable, intense, and deeply personal. In this episode, Mar De Carlo explores why parenting feels so heavy sometimes, how guilt and shame get triggered, and how to shift from survival mode into relief, clarity, and growth. You’ll learn: Why parenting can feel painful even when you love your child deeply The difference between guilt and shame (and why it matters) How overwhelm changes your reactions in the moment A new way to see parenting as an awakening and evolution Simple tools to reset, regulate, and repair after hard moments Connect with Mar: Instagram: @mardecarlo and @parentinghealthinstitute Website: https://parentinghealthinstitute.com/ Books: Awakening Through Sleep 2026: A Compassionate Reset for Parents When Parenting Hurts (coming soon) Shop: https://mar-de-carlo-official-store.myshopify.com/ New episodes every Monday. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personal guidance.

13. 

    26 Jan 2026

    Welcome Intro

    In this episode: Welcome to Parenting Relief. I’m Mar De Carlo, founder of the International Parenting & Health Institute (IPHI), and this episode is your official welcome into the space. If you love your kids deeply but feel overwhelmed, exhausted, guilty, and stretched thin, you’re not alone, and you’re in the right place. You’ll learn: The mission behind Parenting Relief Why parenting can feel so intense (emotionally, physically, mentally) What support you’ll receive here: sleep, stress, communication, relationships, and health How this podcast will help you reset, return to yourself, and grow through parenting What’s coming next (and how to listen each week) Connect with Mar: Instagram: @mardecarlo an d @parentinghealthinstitute Website: https://parentinghealthinstitute.com/ Books: Awakening Through Sleep 2026: A Compassionate Reset for Parents When Parenting Hurts (coming soon) Shop: https://mar-de-carlo-official-store.myshopify.com/ New episodes every Monday. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personal guidance.

14. 

    26 Jan 2026

    Parenting Relief Trailer

    In this episode: Welcome to Parenting Relief , the podcast for parents who love their kids deeply, but feel overwhelmed, exhausted, guilty, and stretched thin. Hosted by Mar De Carlo, this show is your space for real support, real tools, and real growth. You’ll learn: What Parenting Relief is (and who it’s for) What we’ll cover: sleep, stress, communication, relationships, and health How this podcast will support you to reset and return to yourself What to expect in upcoming episodes Connect with Mar: Instagram: @mar_decarlo and @parentinghealthinstitute Website: https://parentinghealthinstitute.com/ Books: Awakening Through Sleep 2026: A Compassionate Reset for Parents When Parenting Hurts (coming soon) Shop: https://mar-de-carlo-official-store.myshopify.com/ New episodes every Monday. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personal guidance.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

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Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.