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Saturday Secrets, by Mindful Return

Saturday Secrets: Do I Feel Conflicted? YES!!

Published about 2 months ago • 3 min read

Tips on living a calmer life as a working parent sent to your inbox every weekend
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Tolerating Mixed Feelings in Parenthood & Life

Dear Working Parents,
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I have mixed feelings as I write this. I’m about to head out the door in a few hours to attend my 25th college reunion with my family. And when I ask myself how I’m feeling about going, the answer is: ALL the things!

I’m excited and really happy to get to hug my roommate and some dear friends. I’m delighted to get to see all our kids together and to show my boys around campus. I’m sad that one of my close friends passed away a few years ago and can’t be there to celebrate with us. I’m worried about how my neurospicy kids will deal with the crowds. I’m eager to eat ice cream from my favorite spot in town. And I’m anxious about all the small talk required. Oh, and the comparisons-to-other-people’s-lives that I’m sure my brain will be offering me.

When I went to my last reunion 10 years ago, I couldn’t have articulated much of this, though. And probably wouldn’t have wanted to. If you’d asked me how I felt about going, I’d have said: “super excited!” At the time, I didn’t quite understand the value of seeing the more uncomfortable emotions that live right next to the easier ones.

I am thrilled today to introduce you to Evie Mpras, MS, LMFT, who is today’s guest on the Mindful Return blog. She’s here to help us understand precisely how to tolerate the mixed feelings we have every day in both parenthood and the rest of life. When I started reading Evie’s draft of her piece, I exclaimed out loud “this is SO good!”

And then I was late to my next work call, because I was so hooked on what she was sharing in the piece that I got into the “flow” state of reading and forgot about the call…oops.

Read the full blog post - and Evie's incredibly practical advice - here: How to Tolerate Mixed Feelings in Parenthood and Life: A Therapist Weighs In.

#AmplifyVoices

Grateful to my friend and colleague Sage Morgan Hubbard for sending along this wonderful resource. We haven't featured much about ageism in this section of the newsletter, but it's high time. Between our own getting older and the need to understand adult caretaking, here's an "Age Belief Manifesto" I can get behind.

Mindful Return Book Talks

​Fair Share​

*This Thursday* June 4, 12–1pm Eastern: Fair Share - Join me in conversation with Brad Johnson and David Smith. In this important and timely conversation, we’ll explore how outdated workplace norms continue to hold both women and men back — and what it takes to build a more gender-fair, caregiving-supportive workplace. We’ll talk about the hidden ways traditional expectations around work and caregiving still show up, what gender-inclusive leaders actually do to create meaningful change, why supporting caregiving is a business advantage — not a barrier, and the critical role managers play in shaping a more equitable and sustainable workplace. Fair Share offers a clear roadmap for leaders ready to rethink how work works — for everyone. Register here.

​The Setback Cycle​

September 17, 12–1pm Eastern: The Setback Cycle - Join me in conversation with Amy Shoenthal. In this thoughtful and practical conversation, we’ll explore how setbacks — from career disruptions and burnout to caregiving challenges, identity shifts, and unexpected life changes — can become catalysts for growth, reinvention, and transformation. We’ll talk about the four phases of The Setback Cycle, why defining moments often shape us in powerful ways, how working parents can navigate uncertainty and transition with greater self-compassion and resilience, and practical strategies for moving forward when life doesn’t go according to plan. The Setback Cycle offers a compassionate framework for understanding how difficult moments can ultimately move us toward greater clarity, confidence, and possibility. Register here.

Insight Timer

Need a quick moment of calm? Take just 1 minute to slow down, breathe, and reset with this guided meditation. Perfect for when you need a pause in your day to reconnect with yourself. Give it a try now!

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Saturday Secrets, by Mindful Return

Lori Mihalich-Levin, JD - Co-Host of Parents at Work Podcast

Join our 5K+ strong "Saturday Secrets" newsletter community for some weekly working parent sanity. At Mindful Return, we support working parents through the transition back to work after parental leave and beyond. I'm Lori, author of the book Back to Work After Baby, an entrepreneur, speaker, podcast host, lawyer, teacher on Insight Timer, breast cancer survivor, proud resident of Washington, D.C., Francophile, and mama of two awesome neurospicy redheaded boys.

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