PFO Newsletter - 2.28.24

Since we last caught up, I’ve released probably the two most special episodes of my podcast that I’ve ever done. 

It was my teen daughter (Caroline), a therapist (Sissy Goff) and me, talking about how we can connect with our teens.

We took your questions…

And we had a giant therapy session. I can’t tell you how many of you have reached out to me about it…that you cried, laughed, took notes. It means the ABSOLUTE WORLD to know that we’re all in this together, helping one another put one foot in front of the next. 

Parenting is tough. But, what happens when you start parenting your parents???? There’s a term for it, referred to as the SANDWICH GENERATION, when you’re caring for your kids and your aging parents.

Honestly, I don’t know which is harder. 

My 84-year-old mama, Carol, is staying with us for a few weeks and I’d be lying if I didn’t say it’s been incredibly special and incredibly challenging.

But, just like I have been having open and honest conversations about raising teens, I’m going to soon be having a podcast conversation about how we can navigate this tricky space of being sandwiched…taking care of our kids and our parents. 

Tracie reached out to me via Instagram and said “sometimes I feel like I have no space in my own home. I have had to stop working as she doesn’t like to be alone all day”. We’re gonna talk all about it, Tracie! 

Talking about it doesn’t always solve it…but, it’s a great first step. And it helps ALL of us, me included, to feel a little less alone. 

Before we go, a big congrats to Laura, Katie, Krista, Janice and Celia for winning an autographed copy of Savannah Guthrie’s new best-selling book, Mostly What God Does, through this newsletter :) 

A reminder that you’re not alone, my friend. 

— Paula

FARIS FAVORITES 🤎

1. What I’m Watching 📺

I found a show that I can watch with my husband and teen daughter! Miracle, right? We just watched All The Light We Cannot See on Netflix and loooooved. The book won a Pulitzer Prize and is about a blind French girl and a German soldier whose paths collide in occupied France while trying to survive WWII.

2. My Latest Purchase 🍦

I’m often late to the party…but, in this case, I still made it! I saw this NINJA Creami on my friend’s IG account and was intrigued. It makes gelato, smoothies and ice cream out of just about anything and since my kids are in their PROTEIN SHAKE ERA, I figured, hey, why not?

It’s a BIG hit and for anyone who has an aversion to dairy (ummmm, I’m lactose intolerant), you can easily make dairy-free “ice cream” and other treats! You can find it on Amazon, though I got a great deal from Sam’s Club :)

3. COMING SOON…

The CARRY™ ALL ultimate working mom bag! We’ve been dreaming and designing for almost a year with ABLE and we’ve done it… we’ve created the ultimate working mom bag. Mark your calendars because it’s going on sale March 19th and there will be a limited number available. I can’t wait for you to get your hands on this!

Too Good Not to Share 😘

Because we could all use a dopamine hit today, try NOT to laugh at this adorable video!

THE PAULA FARIS SHOW 🎙️

Answering Your Questions About Teen (and TWEEN) Daughters with Sissy + Caroline

From dating and sex to devices and social media, from modesty and mood swings to anxiety and building resilience….phew, we cover a ton of ground! Nothing was off-limits in this conversation. I hope you listen to this episode with your daughters so that this conversation can spark your own conversations and build connection in your relationship.

How To Connect With Your Moody Teenage Daughter with Sissy + Caroline

I’ve been sooo expectant for this conversation because, to be honest, I’ve felt helpless at times on how to connect with my daughter. Connection came easy to us when she was younger, but it feels like it’s harder to know how to do that as she grows up, starting in the tween years (ages 8-12). Parents, I encourage you to LISTEN (or watch) with your daughters!

Your feedback from last newsletter’s poll…

In last newsletter’s poll, I asked what you thought about the re-design of this newsletter. 10% of you didn’t notice (LOL. That would totally be me, too) Most of you LOVED it… (thank you…and we’ll keep tweaking it to your liking) ❤️

Some of your comments are below

➡️ Please don’t hate me! I’m a firm believer if someone asks for your honest feedback and you don’t give it, you can’t complain.  You’re asking, I wanna be honest!  I think it’s the dark background that I don’t particularly love….your previous version looked…cleaner? Either way, I’m not gonna stop reading it and showing up for you!  Have a happy day!!

➡️ Very easy on the eyes very well designed. I love it. I think it’s incredible. Congratulations.

➡️ It’s hard to read with a dark background. It could just be me but I struggle to read it.

➡️ Enjoying the personal approach, messaging and photos. Appreciate the highlights and messaging which always gives me things to think about and find ways to cope, be grateful and grow. Thank you!! 🙏🏻

➡️ I always enjoy the content, so I didn’t really notice the new border, but I like that it looks cleaner and more organized. 

➡️ I like the black background and white text which is better for reading at night! Clean and crisp looking  

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If you're a working mom, make sure you're getting THE CARRY™ ALL, the newsletter by and for working moms! I founded CARRY™ in 2022, to create load-lessening content for working moms and to help carry their many burdens.

Here's what you missed in last week's THE CARRY™ ALL:

1. 🤧 What’s on our sick season must-have list
2. 💌 A hug to the mom who hasn’t felt herself lately
3. 👯‍♀️ A girl-mom conversation worth hearing

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