
The Mama Shrink Podcast with Dr. Cynthia Edwards-Hawver is a raw, compassionate space for midlife moms navigating the emotional aftermath of toxic relationships, narcissistic abuse, divorce, and burnout. Hosted by a licensed psychologist and certified coach with 25+ years of experience (and lived it herself), Dr. Cynthia dives deep into the hard stuff: gaslighting, single parenting, parallel parenting with a high-conflict ex, emotional exhaustion, identity loss, grief, and healing. Each episode brings insight, validation, and real tools for women parenting through pain and trying to rebuild their lives—without shrinking themselves in the process. Whether you’re recovering from a toxic marriage, trying to set boundaries, or just crying in your car between drop-offs, you’re not alone. Subscribe now to reclaim your strength and take your next brave step toward healing.
Episodes

Tuesday Oct 03, 2023
Reparenting Ourselves
Tuesday Oct 03, 2023
Tuesday Oct 03, 2023
In this episode, I delve into the crucial topic of reparenting ourselves, a process that involves healing and nurturing our inner child to overcome the generational patterns and trauma that may have been handed down through our family. I begin by emphasizing the significance of recognizing and breaking free from these patterns to provide our children with the emotional support and self-care that I might have lacked in our own upbringing.
I explain how our sense of self-esteem is deeply intertwined with our ability to engage in self-care. To prioritize self-care, we must first believe that I deserve it, a belief often influenced by our childhood experiences. I highlight the commonality of growing up in dysfunctional homes where children may have felt the need to bury their needs, feelings, and the need for love. This suppression can make it challenging to be vulnerable or even understand our own needs later in life.
I emphasize that healing and reparenting ourselves are essential because the patterns formed during our childhood have a lasting impact on our self-esteem and emotional well-being as an adult. These patterns can lead to behaviors like overeating, overdrinking, codependency, or overachievement as I seek external validation and love to fill the void created by unmet needs.
Reparenting ourselves elf is a challenging but transformative journey. Change is possible, but it requires self-compassion, recognizing unmet needs, setting boundaries, and practicing self-care. Seeking support is crucial, and healing from past wounds can lead to healthier relationships and a more fulfilling life.
Key Takeaways:
- Recognizing and breaking free from generational patterns and trauma is essential for personal growth.
- Childhood experiences significantly impact our self-esteem and emotional well-being as adults.
- Reparenting involves cultivating self-compassion, identifying unmet needs, setting boundaries, practicing self-care, and seeking support.
- Change is possible, and healing from past wounds can lead to healthier relationships and personal growth.
Resources:
Dr. Cynthia Hauver's website: drcynthiah.com and you can find me on the socials @dr.cynthiahawver
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