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April 20, 2025 17 mins

We’ve heard a lot about inner child work—and many of you might also be familiar with reparenting.

But what happens when the inner parent you created to support yourself becomes the one holding you back?

This episode was born out of my own frustration with that voice in my head—the one that once helped me feel grounded and safe, but slowly turned into something else.

What I now call: the hovering or helicopter inner parent.

The voice that micromanages your attempts to stretch and grow.
That interrupts boldness with an overabundance of caution.
That tries to “protect” you by keeping you small.

At one point, that inner parent may have been useful.
But there comes a time when it stops strengthening you—and starts enabling you to stay stuck.

If this resonates, I see you. I feel you.
And this episode is for you.

In this episode, we explore:

  • Why the inner parent becomes overprotective—and what it’s costing you
  • What it means to stop helicopter parenting your own growth
  • How to liberate yourself—without burning everything down
  • Why freeing yourself might be the most powerful thing you can model for your kids (and those you love)

If you’ve felt stalled, strangely exhausted,
or like you’re circling a dream without ever stepping into it—|
this conversation might offer the language you didn’t know you were missing.

You’re not here to be cushioned.
You’re here to be tested and made stronger.
You’re here to enter the training ground—
and become who you know you’re capable of being.

Before, those words might’ve felt like hustle culture.
But now, they feel like the path you’ve been dying to be on.

If this resonates, then you may feel like a restless racehorse before the gates open.

This isn’t about rejecting growth or betraying your healing.

It’s about recognizing when the inner parent you once needed…
has become the very thing standing in your way.

And learning how to ask it—clearly, gracefully, but with conviction—
to step back so the real you can step forward.

If you’ve been circling a desire—
If you’re exhausted by the internal stop-start—

This episode might be the mirror you’ve been waiting for.

Let’s go.

Cited Resource:

Article |  What Kids Raised By Helicopter Parents Are Like as Adults by Maressa Brown (updated September 2022) via Parents.com.

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If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to share it with someone who might find it helpful.

Life can be so much more than we think. And that's where we start - with your thinking. See how your thoughts have been holding you back, and how mindset tools can help you cut through the noise and move forward. 

To learn more about how 1:1 mindset coaching can help you change your life, visit KariWatterson.com.

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