The Unplug & Play Summit starts in 5 days! I’m excited to be part of this one, and I wanted to tell you a little about the person behind it. Mary Nunaley created the Connected Through Play community for families who want more moments that feel real again. Not perfect moments. Not Pinterest moments. Just more connection, curiosity, laughter, conversation and creativity. I especially love that this isn’t about banning screens or becoming the “perfect playful parent.” It’s about finding small ways to connect that actually fit into real family life. It’s free and virtual August 16–22, with speakers covering everything from play and creativity to food, attachment, emotional regulation, reading, family connection, and more. I already have several sessions on my own “I want to see that” list, and I’ll share some of those with you over the next few days. You can join us here in the Connected through Play community. Free access includes the live sessions plus replays through September 1. Have questions? Ask me here! (Also... I'm doing an Ask Me Anything session during the summit. What burning questions do you have?)

For a lot of sensory kids, I've found that words don’t work if they don’t match what the body is feeling. Saying “I’m okay” when your body feels overwhelmed? Ridiculous. I've been working on phrases that meet the body where it is: “I can trust myself. My body gives me clues, and I’m learning how to listen.” This kind of language helps kids slow down, notice what’s happening, and feel a little more in control. That’s what supports flexibility—whether it’s with food, noise, textures, or transitions. This is actually a big part of what I’m talking about in the Raising Confident Kids in an Overstimulated World summit—how the nervous system has to come first before strategies (like affirmations) can actually work. The summit starts tomorrow and there are 30+ speakers covering emotional regulation, parenting, and what actually works for today’s kids. If this way of thinking about behavior feels different, you’ll want to be there. 👉 What does “overwhelmed” look like for your children?