Episode 73 - The Science of Doing Less When Family Life Feels Too Full with Dr Yael Schonbrun

Episode 73 - The Science of Doing Less When Family Life Feels Too Full with Dr Yael Schonbrun

June 26, 2026 · Episode 73

About this episode

Dr. Bettina Hohnen and Dr. Yael Schonbrun discuss how parents can manage overwhelm by simplifying family life.

What's just one thing parents can do to feel less overwhelmed? In this episode of Just One Thing for Parents, I'm joined by Dr Yael Schonbrun, clinical psychologist, writer and author of Work, Parent, Thrive. Together, we explore why, when family life feels too full, the answer may not be to book another appointment or sign up for another activity. Sometimes, what helps most is taking something away. Yael explains the science behind why our brains often reach for additive solutions when we feel overwhelmed, and we talk about how parents can pause and ask themselves a different question: what could I take off my plate? Values can help parents work out what to keep, what to let go of, and what can wait for another season of family life. We also talk about how this can help children and teenagers learn that they do not always have to follow the crowd, and that different families can make different choices. For any parent feeling stretched by the demands of modern family life, this episode offers a helpful way to pause, make space, and think carefully about what really matters. You can find out more about Dr Yael Schonbrun and her work here: https://www.yaelschonbrun.com/

People in this episode

Host: Dr Bettina Hohnen

Guest: Dr Yael Schonbrun

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Work, Parent, Thrive

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