MMD BLOG


CATEGORY:

Dr. Whitney

"I LOVE MY KIDS...BUT SOMETIMES I WISH I DIDN'T HAVE THEM" WITH KYLE KITTLESON

 Modern Mommy Doc


PUBLICATION DATE:

August 27, 2025

"I LOVE MY KIDS...BUT SOMETIMES I WISH I DIDN'T HAVE THEM" WITH KYLE KITTLESON

 Modern Mommy Doc

CATEGORY: Dr. Whitney

About the Episode:


Parenting regret is one of the last taboos in modern family life—yet hundreds of thousands of parents admit to feeling it. In this episode, Dr. Whitney sits down with MedCircle host Kyle Kittleson to unpack this hidden reality.


Together, they dive into:


  • The rise of online communities like Reddit where “regretful parents” find solidarity
  • Why parents can deeply love their children and still wish for their old lives back
  • How shame and silence around these feelings worsen parental burnout
  • Protective factors that reduce regret and help parents thrive—like realistic expectations, self-care, and “unicorn space”
  • The developmental stages where parents have the greatest influence, and how to focus on what really matters


Dr. Whitney and Kyle share raw stories, humor, and research—normalizing the full spectrum of parenthood: the joy, the grief, the love, and yes, even the regret.

Key Takeaways:


Regret and love can coexist. Parents can feel exhausted, overwhelmed, or wish for their old lives back while still deeply loving and showing up for their children.


Normalization reduces shame. Just like Brene Brown reminds us, talking openly about regret helps parents release shame and recognize they’re not alone.


Most regret is situational, not permanent. For many, regret is tied to stress, burnout, or unmet personal needs—not to a lack of love for their kids.


Protective factors matter. Realistic expectations of parenthood, social support, and having “unicorn space” (passions outside of parenting) lower the risk of ongoing regret.


Influence shifts over time. Parents play a huge role in the early years, but as kids grow, peer culture and outside influences increase, making presence and warmth more impactful than constant control.


Self-prioritization isn’t selfish. Taking even five minutes to recharge—writing, walking, or simply breathing—can dramatically reduce feelings of resentment or regret.


Parenting regret is rarely about hating kids. More often, it’s about grieving the loss of freedom, identity, or the life parents imagined before children.


Shame thrives in silence. Online communities and conversations like this show that many parents quietly feel the same way—speaking it out loud is often the first step to healing.


About Our Guest


Kyle Kittleson is a journalist, mental health advocate, and host at MedCircle, a platform dedicated to making reliable, evidence-based mental health education accessible to everyone. Known for his candid, engaging style, Kyle tackles taboo topics with honesty and humor—bringing difficult conversations like parenting regret, depression, and caregiver burnout into the open.


His work at MedCircle includes interviews with top doctors, psychologists, and thought leaders, offering practical insights for people navigating real-life challenges. Beyond the camera, Kyle has built a community that values transparency, empathy, and curiosity.


You can explore his work and join the MedCircle community at MedCircle.com, or reach him directly at kyle@medcircle.com.


Want to Start Raising Body-Confident Kids Today?


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When you pre-order, you’ll also get access to a FREE video mini-course with five bite-sized lessons for parents. In just 25 minutes, you’ll walk away with:


  • Simple, script-style ways to respond when your kid says, “I hate my thighs”
  • How to talk about health without weight talk
  • What to do when your own inner critic shows up
  • How to interrupt diet culture at home
  • The first step to raising a body-confident kid—even if you didn’t grow up as one

    📩
    Subscribe to The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast for more episodes on parenting with confidence and clarity. Leave a review using the hashtag #ModernMommyDoc.

Raising Body-Confident Kids Starts at the Doctor's Office!

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By Dr. Whitney December 17, 2025
About the Episode: In this episode, Dr. Whitney sits down with Dr. Jay Gargus and Dave Justus from NeuroQure to discuss the power of early clarity when it comes to autism detection and why earlier intervention can fundamentally change outcomes for childre n and families. Dr. Gargus explains the science behind early behavioral therapies and why their impact goes far beyond short-term skill-building. Research shows that early, evidence-based interventions can lead to measurable, lifelong improvements in IQ, so cial skills, independence, and educational placement, often determining whether a child can thrive in mainstream education or requires ongoing specialized support. The conversation also tackles a critical and often overlooked issue: access. Dave Justus shares the personal motivation behind NeuroQure’s work and explains why the test is being launched at cost, with installment plans and employer subsidies, while the team works toward insurance coverage. The goal is to prevent families from losing precious years waiting for answers. Together, they emphasize a hopeful message for parents: families don’t need to wait for a future “silver bullet.” We already have therapies that work and getting kids connected to them earlier can change the course of a lifetime. In this episode, we discuss: Why early autism detection leads to lifelong changes—not just short-term gains What a 17-point IQ difference actually means for education, independence, and quality of life How early intervention can shift developmental trajectories as early as 6 months The science and validation behind current autism therapies Why NeuroQure is pricing testing at cost while pursuing insurance coverage How early clarity can reduce long-term strain on families, schools, and healthcare systems This episode is a powerful reminder that timing matters and that early access to answers can make an extraordinary difference for children and the families who love them. About Our Guest: Dr. Jay Gargus, MD, PhD is a physician-scientist and nationally recognized expert in neurodevelopmental disorders, with decades of experience researching the biological underpinnings of autism. His work has focused on translating well-established science into meaningful, real-world interventions that can improve lifelong outcomes for children. Dr. Gargus emphasizes that early, evidence-based therapies are already available—and that connecting families to them sooner can fundamentally change developmental trajectories. Dave Justus is a parent and the founder of NeuroQure, whose work is driven by personal experience navigating delayed autism diagnosis and intervention. Motivated by the belief that early clarity can spare families years of uncertainty, Dave is focused on expanding access to early testing through cost-based pricing and ongoing efforts to secure insurance coverage. His mission is simple but powerful: ensure families don’t have to wait for answers that could change everything. Want to Start Raising Body-Confident Kids Today? 📘 Order the Book Order your copy of My One-of-a-Kind Body 👉 www.raisingbodyconfidentkids.com/books 🎁 Claim Your Free Bonus When you order on our site, you’ll also get access to a FREE video mini-course with five bite-sized lessons for parents. In just 25 minutes, you’ll walk away with: Simple, script-style ways to respond when your kid says, “I hate my thighs” How to talk about health without weight talk What to do when your own inner critic shows up How to interrupt diet culture at home The first step to raising a body-confident kid, even if you didn’t grow up as one 📩 Subscribe to The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast for more episodes on parenting with confidence and clarity. Leave a review using the hashtag #ModernMommyDoc.
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ON THE PODCAST


By Dr. Whitney December 17, 2025
About the Episode: In this episode, Dr. Whitney sits down with Dr. Jay Gargus and Dave Justus from NeuroQure to discuss the power of early clarity when it comes to autism detection and why earlier intervention can fundamentally change outcomes for childre n and families. Dr. Gargus explains the science behind early behavioral therapies and why their impact goes far beyond short-term skill-building. Research shows that early, evidence-based interventions can lead to measurable, lifelong improvements in IQ, so cial skills, independence, and educational placement, often determining whether a child can thrive in mainstream education or requires ongoing specialized support. The conversation also tackles a critical and often overlooked issue: access. Dave Justus shares the personal motivation behind NeuroQure’s work and explains why the test is being launched at cost, with installment plans and employer subsidies, while the team works toward insurance coverage. The goal is to prevent families from losing precious years waiting for answers. Together, they emphasize a hopeful message for parents: families don’t need to wait for a future “silver bullet.” We already have therapies that work and getting kids connected to them earlier can change the course of a lifetime. In this episode, we discuss: Why early autism detection leads to lifelong changes—not just short-term gains What a 17-point IQ difference actually means for education, independence, and quality of life How early intervention can shift developmental trajectories as early as 6 months The science and validation behind current autism therapies Why NeuroQure is pricing testing at cost while pursuing insurance coverage How early clarity can reduce long-term strain on families, schools, and healthcare systems This episode is a powerful reminder that timing matters and that early access to answers can make an extraordinary difference for children and the families who love them. About Our Guest: Dr. Jay Gargus, MD, PhD is a physician-scientist and nationally recognized expert in neurodevelopmental disorders, with decades of experience researching the biological underpinnings of autism. His work has focused on translating well-established science into meaningful, real-world interventions that can improve lifelong outcomes for children. Dr. Gargus emphasizes that early, evidence-based therapies are already available—and that connecting families to them sooner can fundamentally change developmental trajectories. Dave Justus is a parent and the founder of NeuroQure, whose work is driven by personal experience navigating delayed autism diagnosis and intervention. Motivated by the belief that early clarity can spare families years of uncertainty, Dave is focused on expanding access to early testing through cost-based pricing and ongoing efforts to secure insurance coverage. His mission is simple but powerful: ensure families don’t have to wait for answers that could change everything. Want to Start Raising Body-Confident Kids Today? 📘 Order the Book Order your copy of My One-of-a-Kind Body 👉 www.raisingbodyconfidentkids.com/books 🎁 Claim Your Free Bonus When you order on our site, you’ll also get access to a FREE video mini-course with five bite-sized lessons for parents. In just 25 minutes, you’ll walk away with: Simple, script-style ways to respond when your kid says, “I hate my thighs” How to talk about health without weight talk What to do when your own inner critic shows up How to interrupt diet culture at home The first step to raising a body-confident kid, even if you didn’t grow up as one 📩 Subscribe to The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast for more episodes on parenting with confidence and clarity. Leave a review using the hashtag #ModernMommyDoc.
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