From Surviving to Thriving: Self-Care and Family Balance with Holly Swenson
- Natalie
- Sep 16, 2025
- 2 min read
Transform Your Family by Prioritizing Self-Care for Parents: Insights with Holly Swenson
If you’re feeling stretched thin as a parent, this episode is all about practical self-care for parents. Natalie Tysdal interviews Holly Swenson, mom of four, nurse, and author who shares actionable ways to nurture yourself and your family through intentional parenting, self-awareness, and redefining self-care well beyond bubble baths and massages.
Redefining Self-Care for Parents: It’s More Than Bubble Baths
Many think self-care just means a massage or a bath, but Holly reveals it’s the deeper, often tougher work like self-reflection, setting boundaries, and tending to “cracks” in our foundations. Her Stop, Drop, Grow, and Glow framework encourages parents to pause, assess, and heal, paving the way for healthier family dynamics.
The Stop, Drop, Grow, and Glow Framework for Intentional Parenting
Holly walks us through her signature process:
Stop: Pause and self-assess, identifying areas of your life needing attention.
Drop: Release past drama and trauma holding you back from parenting in the present.
Grow: Build healthful habits—diet, mindfulness, and gratitude—that foster steady personal growth.
Glow: Live out what you’ve learned, nurturing yourself and rekindling your personal dreams while parenting.
Carving Out Time and Space for Self-Care (Even When You’re Busy)
Even if you only have five minutes, self-care for parents can start small—through breathwork, silent walks, journaling, or moments of reflection. Holly and Natalie also discuss the importance of reframing self-care as an act of love, not selfishness, and experimenting with habit changes for sustainable results.
What You’ll Learn About Self-Care for Parents in This Episode
How to identify hidden sources of parental stress and burnout
The four steps of Holly Swenson’s Stop, Drop, Grow and Glow method
Simple, everyday self-care habits that actually fit busy lifestyles
The science-backed case for regular self-care and family well-being
Ways to apologize, practice gratitude, and foster mutual learning between parents and kids
Tips to reframe self-care as essential, not a luxury
Why This Episode Matters for Every Parent
Burnout and stress are at an all-time high for parents. As Holly points out, over 40% of parents report feeling so stressed that they can’t function some days. This conversation doesn’t just inspire—you’ll finish equipped with concrete tools and a new mindset to bring more peace, health, and joy to your family, starting today.
Links and Resources
Holly's Book: Stop, Drop, Grow and Glow
The Bottom Line: Take Action for Healthier Family Dynamics
This episode with Holly Swenson is a must-listen for any parent struggling to balance it all. If you want to transform your family and yourself, make self-care for parents a daily practice. Hit play on the episode, consider Holly’s framework, and let intentional self-care become your superpower.
