aParently! A Conversation Between Parents with Vivian Miller
In this episode, I sit down with Vivian Miller, a single mom to an eleven year old son who is very lucky to have her in his corner.
Vivian shares honestly about navigating separation, domestic violence, supervised visits, and the long journey of repairing connection with her son. She also talks about living with complex PTSD and how that shows up in the day to day moments of parenting, especially during transitions between homes and those heavy Sunday evenings.
We get into:
The fight, flight, and freeze responses in parents
Why feeling “stuck” or “lazy” is often a trauma response, not proof you are a bad parent
Irritability, snapping at our kids, and the shame that follows
Repair conversations and giving kids space to come back when they are ready
Turning healthy aggression into connection through “sword play” with pool noodles
The power of “special time” and giving kids the lead for a set window
Listening to your kids talk about things you do not care about and staying in it anyway
Asking questions until you find something you genuinely connect with
Somatic tools Vivian uses, like yoga, breathwork, journaling, and grief work
Parent listening partnerships and how being heard makes it easier to listen to our kids
This podcast is not about being perfect or about my coaching. It is about hearing from real parents, walking away with something new, finding something you relate to, and remembering that you are doing better than you think you are.
When in doubt, let me remind you.
If you ever want fresh eyes or a steady voice in your corner, you can schedule a free coaching session at shawnhop.com. You can also visit aParently.community for articles, tools, and a growing community of parents who get it. Video Version Available on YouTube @coachshawnhop
