#43 Setting Boundaries is Love with Dr. Julie Fernandes
From AI-Empowered Mom by AI-Empowered Mom | Sarah Dooley
February 20, 2026 · 28 min · Season 2 · Episode 5
About this episode
In this episode, Sarah Dooley and Dr. Julie Fernandes discuss the importance of setting boundaries as an expression of love and share strategies for restoring oneself amidst the challenges of motherhood.
When was the last time someone asked what your favorite ice cream is and you actually knew the answer? In this episode, host Sarah Dooley sits down with Dr. Julie Fernandes , an occupational therapist, coach, and mom of three, to talk about what it really means to restore yourself after years of pouring into everyone else. Julie brings her OT lens to family life in the most grounding way. We talk about why your home environment shapes your mental state more than you realize, how boundaries are actually an expression of love rather than control, and why setting clear expectations for your kids may be the most supportive thing you can do for your family right now. We also get into tech boundaries at home, how Julie uses AI as a practical tool (not a magic fix), and why she believes parents have far more influence than they give themselves credit for. If you have been feeling stretched thin, disconnected from yourself, or unsure where your authority ends and your anxiety begins, this conversation is for you. Topics covered in this episode: The flamingo analogy that explains why moms lose their glow (and how to get it back) OT-informed strategies for managing clutter, routines, and…
People in this episode
Host: Sarah Dooley
Guest: Dr. Julie Fernandes
Topics covered
- setting boundaries
- mental health
- parenting strategies
- family dynamics
- technology use
- self-care
Keywords
- boundaries
- parenting
- mental load
- self-care
- AI in family life
- screen time
- occupational therapy
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: AI, occupational therapist
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