This is a different kind of episode.

For the first time on the Grounded Growth Podcast, Nicole and Stephanie hand the microphones to their kids. Travis (T Dog) and Jojo come prepared with their own questions for the moms. Then the moms turn the tables and ask the kids. The result is honest, sweet, hilarious, and the kind of conversation every parent will probably want to recreate at home.

 We were not nervous to record any other episode. We were nervous to record this one. Because kids are honest. And the things they notice, and the things they say out loud, are not filtered through a content strategy.

How the Kids Got Here

A few weeks ago Travis and Jojo asked if they could be guests on the podcast. They wrote out their own questions for us, kept them secret, and came in ready. Jojo even insisted on being called "Jojo" on the recording.

We thought this was going to be a cute fifteen minute conversation. It turned into a full episode, and a moment we will never forget recording.

The Kids' Questions to Mom

Travis and Jojo went first, and their questions covered a sweet, surprising range:

• Did you think I was going to be a boy or a girl when I was in your belly?
• What would my name have been if I was the other?
• How long have you been doing Grounded Growth as a business?
• What is your favorite memory of my childhood?
• What job would you want if you didn't have the one you have now?
• What is your favorite song?

 The answers turned into stories. The favorite memory question turned into the lullaby story. The childhood job question turned into a very specific answer about how Nicole was supposed to be a teacher until she did her student teaching and realized it wasn't for her.

The Moms' Questions to the Kids

Then we turned it around. We asked the kids:

•  What is something Mom says all the time?
• What do you think Mom is really good at?
• What do you think Mom is NOT very good at?
• What is your favorite thing we do together?
• What do you think I do when you are not around?
• If you could give Mom one rule she had to follow, what would it be?

 The "what do you think I do when you are not around" question may have been the funniest of the entire episode. Let's just say the kids think we are sitting around drinking a lot more wine than we actually are.

The "what is Mom good at" question got us. Travis said cooking rice. Jojo said planning. The kind of answers that make you realize that what they remember about you is not your career, or your achievements, or how you look. It is the rice you cook for them on a Tuesday night.

Rapid Fire and Real Talk

We did a quick This or That round with the kids: ice cream or candy, morning or night, beach or mountains, board games or video games, reading or playing outside.

Then a Who Is More Likely To round. The kids were brutally honest. The moms were brutally exposed. We laughed a lot in this section.

The Sweet Moments

 Toward the end of the episode we slowed down. We asked the kids:

•  What is your favorite thing about our family?
• What makes you feel loved?
• What is something you want to do with Mom that we haven't done yet?
• What do you think makes a good mom?

 The "what makes you feel loved" question landed quietly. The answers were simple. Time together. Hugs. Being noticed. Being listened to.

The "what makes a good mom" answers had nothing to do with perfection. The kids did not say a good mom is one who has it all together, or has a clean house, or never raises her voice. They said a good mom is one who is there. One who pays attention. One who is kind.

A Reminder for the Parent Listening

 You do not have to have it all figured out for your kids to feel deeply loved. You just have to keep showing up. Keep noticing them. Keep being present. Keep saying yes to the small moments together.

The little things you think they will not remember are often the ones they remember most.

Continue the Conversation

 If this episode resonated with you, here are a few next steps:

•  Listen to the Podcast. You can listen to Episode 24 and explore the full Grounded Growth podcast here: www.groundedgrowth.org/podcast
•  Try This at Home. Pick a quiet moment with your kids. Ask them what they think you are good at, what makes them feel loved, and what they think Grounded Growth (or grounded growing) means.
•  Grab Your Weekly Reset. Our free Weekly Reset guide helps you plan your week with intention instead of reaction: www.groundedgrowth.org/WeeklyReset 

Stay grounded and keep growing.