So you want to talk about what that was like from your perspective?

Yeah, it's interesting.

Two things are true about me.

I'm emotional authority, so I've always had emotion very much on the surface for me and big emotions from the time I was little.

I'm also a verbal processor, so I like to talk things out and that helps me make sense of what's happening and what I'm feeling.

And so I didn't have a therapist.

I didn't have somebody that was necessarily safe and supportive, but I was... talking about it.

I agree.

So you want to talk about what that was like from your perspective?

Yeah, it's interesting.

Two things are true about me.

I'm emotional authority, so I've always had emotion very much on the surface for me and big emotions from the time I was little.

I'm also a verbal processor, so I like to talk things out and that helps me make sense of what's happening and what I'm feeling.

And so I didn't have a therapist.

I didn't have somebody that was necessarily safe and supportive.

So I don't know, do you girls want to speak to that part? I

But my job now in those situations is to just believe you that even when I didn't know something was hurting you, believe what you're telling me to be true.

one thing is you're talking about not being perfect.

And I think as we're talking about this and having this conversation, the way we talk about and describe this, like, here's how you could show up with your child.

Here's what that conversation might look like.

I just want to acknowledge that that is like best case scenario, right? We're talking about the, we're going back to attachment theory and what does that look like? And so it is these like examples of what the best case scenario would look like and sound like.

So it's not, Oh, this is exactly how we've done it and everything is great, but it's no in a, in a perfect world.

If you could repair with your child, this is what this might sound like and feel like.

So Morgan, if there is a child that's listening to this, what would you want them to know?

defend the version of me where I didn't notice but my job now in those situations is to just believe you that even when I didn't know something was hurting you believe what you're telling me to be true

one thing is you're talking about not being perfect.

And I think as we're talking about this and having this conversation, the way we talk about and describe this, like, here's how you could show up with your child.

Here's what that conversation might look like.

I just want to acknowledge that that is like best case scenario, right? We're talking about the, we're going back to attachment theory and what does that look like? And so it is these like examples of what the best case scenario would look like and sound like so it's not oh this is exactly how we've done it and everything is great but it's no in a in a perfect world if you could repair with your child this is what this might sound like and feel like so it's something for you to practice and strive towards but it's not something that you're going to ruin your kids or your relationship if you don't do it 100 right we definitely don't have all the answers and all the pieces it's just an option.

It's an opportunity.

So just this is my thought there.

So Morgan, if there is a child that's listening to this, what would you want them to know?

Yeah.

I think something too, like I remember thinking about, you know, dating in high school and it was always like so awkward and I didn't want my mom to know and I didn't want to get in trouble, you know, and it was like kind of awkward boundaries.

But now that I'm an adult and I'm like, I'm married and this isn't a boyfriend, he's not going anywhere.

It's real life challenges and conversations and things.

I feel more safe coming to you because I know that, oh my gosh, you're not going to get in trouble for staying out late with your boyfriend.

I'm like, I'm married to the guy.

So I think there's that level too of just the relationship has changed.

And so I wouldn't want to rob you of those learning experiences by trying to manage your lives and just trusting that you are wise and you are going to, you know, do what you follow your intuition, follow your gut.

So tell us a little more about you, Morgan.

Yeah.

Thanks for having me back.

I'm a licensed associate marriage and family therapy, so I'm not quite as far into the work as Monifhe, but I'm licensed in Arizona, and I have a supervised private practice that I'm running here in Arizona.

But I also do have a coaching practice that I help and support individuals and families really all over the world, which is kinda cool.

And my area of interest and kind of my niche, I do have the APSATS training, and I'm certified through APSATS as both a coach and a clinician, but I really love working with families, especially supporting teens and adult children who have been impacted through family betrayal, and supporting parents as they're parenting after betrayal.

That's really where my heart lies.

Exactly.

So do you wanna speak a little bit to why we settled on that and what that means to you?

Yeah, totally.

One thing when we were talking about the purpose of the retreat, and why are we doing this, and who is it for, it's a nod to, like, where we each are at in our journey, just in life, in healing, in recovery, in motherhood, in sisterhood, and our ea- in o- each of our relationships.

And if you... we're all pretty similar in a lot of ways, but even just us three here, we've each walked such a different path and a different journey, and we have leaned into things that have really helped us grow individually.

And Matea and I will always joke that we're best friends, but we're also polar opposites.

Our journeys into motherhood, and life, and career path, and just all the things have looked so unique, but also so beautiful.

And in a lot of ways they do complement each other really well.

So okay, Morgan, then what do you think is the best quality that I'll bring to the retreat? [laughs]