Embracing Imperfect, Present Parenting Tips with Dr. Taylor Harper
In this refreshingly honest discussion on The Real Family Eats, host Reesa sits down with Dr. Taylor Harper, a passionate mother who is committed to helping parents with the mindset shift on embracing the idea of present parenting tips. Plus, she talks about her published Cosmic Brownie Recipe that she uses to connect with her own children.
Real Present Parenting, Real Connection Cookies
Hosted by: Reesa Morala, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
Welcome to another deliciously honest installment of The Real Family Eats! In this episode, our host Reesa sits down with Dr. Taylor Harper, child psychologist, children's book author, and boy mom of two, for a conversation filled with practical parenting wisdom, relatable stories, and a family-favorite recipe you don’t want to miss. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by Pinterest-perfect parenting, wished social media showed more real-life chaos, or just struggled with the eternal question of “what’s for dinner?”, this episode is for you. We’ll be talking about embracing how to lead from a present parenting place and parenting tips on building emotional connection.
Whether you’re searching for authentic parenting advice, homeschooling insights, ways to nurture “big” personalities, or just the perfect cosmic brownie cookie recipe, you’ll find your answers here. Read on for an extended recap, key takeaways, and why this episode deserves a spot on your must-listen list.
Real Family, Real Chaos: Why Authenticity Matters
Dr. Taylor Harper couldn’t have been a more fitting guest for the ethos of The Real Family Eats. From the start of the episode, it’s clear both Reesa and Taylor are on a mission to strip away the “fluff” and give parents permission to experience and admit the messy reality of raising kids.
Taylor underscores the importance of authenticity, sharing that her own social media presence is unfiltered and honest: “When me and my kids cook in the kitchen, it’s a very real experience. I don’t filter anything - it’s a little chaotic, right?” She’s quick to dispel the myth that parenting ever matches the carefully curated feeds we scroll: “That’s not real, that’s not reality.”
For parents who might be struggling with comparison, loneliness, or judgement—especially on topics like sleep, temperaments, and focus. Taylor and Reesa’s transparency is a breath of fresh air.
Boy Mom Life & Homeschooling: Celebrating Personality
Dr. Harper shares candidly about parenting her “big personality” four-year-old and the unique challenges, and joys, of homeschooling. With Taylor’s background as a child psychologist, she offers valuable advice on nurturing children’s authentic selves, especially when they don’t fit the “quiet and compliant” mold traditional classrooms often expect.
Her son’s charisma, creativity, and occasional lack of focus (cue: karate class anecdotes and Hocus Pocus musical numbers) are both her delight and her challenge. “It’s walking this fine line between not hindering his personality and also reminding him - hey, buddy, it’s time to check in.”
Taylor chose homeschooling specifically to honor her son’s exuberance and to avoid “dulling his light.” She’s open about the pressure she faces, from both within and outside her family, especially regarding concerns about socialization. Her response? Socialization isn’t about quiet compliance: “What about socialization is a kid sitting in a desk, raising their hand, not engaging with their peers? That’s not socialization to me.”
She shares how homeschooling gives her children a front-row seat to meaningful experiences … from helping with author visits to engaging with hundreds of other kids, reinforcing that real-world connections can look very different outside the classroom.
Parenting Challenges: Managing Expectations & Emotions
A recurring theme in the episode is managing both children’s behavior and our own expectations as parents. Reesa and Taylor both admit to losing their cool, sometimes daily. Taylor normalizes anger (“I absolutely have moments where I lose my shit!”) and highlights the value of self-care rituals (sauna visits, yoga, and “trash TV”) to maintain emotional equilibrium.
But perhaps the most powerful insights come from Taylor’s discussion of apologizing to her children. She advocates modeling accountability and humility - seeing parents as “creating someone's inner self.” This means it’s critical to apologize when we do lose control, even if it feels uncomfortable or “unnecessary” at first.
“If I want this person to apologize for things they do to other people, then I need to mirror that. Even if I lose my shit, I get on his level, look him in the eyes, and apologize.”
She describes her journey from “people pleaser” to present-minded parent, referencing meditation, mindfulness, therapy, and intentional breaks as essential tools in her own transformation. Her practical strategies, like reframing impulse behaviors, providing safe outlets for energy (hello, WWE wrestling!), and simply sitting with her kids through their emotions, offer actionable encouragement for all parents.
Postpartum Honesty and Grace
Towards the end, Taylor shares what she’d tell her first-time-mom self: “I’d just go back and give myself a hug in those first weeks. There were moments where I was totally having a breakdown, just wanting to be by myself. Your hormones are everywhere; it’s a whole mess.”
She addresses the toxic “bounce-back” narrative on social media and encourages moms to avoid the comparison trap - just be present, forgive yourself daily, and seek connection. For every tantrum, she models patience: “I’d sit on the floor, wait, and say, ‘I love you, I’m here for you. Let me know when you’re ready.’” The result? A child who comes for comfort instead of shame.
Key Takeaways from the Episode
Authenticity is Powerful: Real parenting is messy, noisy, and emotional. It’s okay to share and seek support for the hard moments.
Connection Over Perfection: Cooking and spending time together, even amongst chaos, are more valuable than “Pinterest-perfect” outcomes.
Nurture Personality, Don’t Dull It: Homeschooling and creative parenting can give energetic or “big” kids a chance to thrive outside restrictive norms.
Emotional Transparency Matters: It’s healthy and healing to apologize to kids, model emotional regulation, and take care of yourself.
Comparison Hurts, Presence Heals: Avoid the trap of curated social media and give yourself grace, especially in early parenthood.
Cosmic Brownie Cookie Magic: Recipe Highlight
But this isn’t just a talk show, it's a cooking show too! Taylor brings a recipe straight out of her children’s book series. A cosmic brownie cookie inspired by nostalgic Little Debbie cosmic brownies, but with a cookie twist. These cookies are simple, nostalgic, and fun for kids and grown-ups alike, complete with rainbow sprinkles. The recipe is written right into Taylor’s picture book, emphasizing the value of including kids in the kitchen no matter how wild the process might be.
1/2 c unsalted butter softened
1/2 c light brown sugar
1/4 c granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp light corn syrup
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 c dark cocoa powder
1 1/4 c all-purpose flour
Toppings:
3/4 semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4 c heavy cream
Rainbow chip sprinkles
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350F
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer on medium-high speed to cream softened unsalted butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar for 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
Add the egg, vanilla extract, and light corn syrup and mix on low speed until combined.
Scrape down the sides of the bowl so everything can combine.
Add in baking soda and salt and mix for another 5-10 seconds until combined.
Lastly, add dark cocoa powder and all-purpose flour and mix on medium until combined.
Scoop dough into 1/4 c sized scoops, roll into balls, then gently flatten each dough ball into a 1/2" thick disc; this will help them spread instead of be puffy.
Bake at 350F for 11-12 minutes. Do not overbake. The centers may look a tiny bit wet but will continue to bake on the hot pan, allowing them to firm up without overbaking.
Allow to fully cool before decorating.
Even as Reesa bakes for her own family during the episode, the narrative returns time and again to how cooking together is a source of joy, connection, and a natural outlet for some of that parenting chaos.
Have questions or want to connect with Dr. Taylor Harper?
Instagram: @DrTaylorHarper
Website: drtaylorharperbooks.org
Children’s books: Available on Amazon or Taylor’s site
And don’t forget: Try the cosmic brownie cookies and let their rainbow sprinkles remind you that a little fun and a lot of mess is what real family life is all about.
Tune in now to The Real Family Eats and join a community that celebrates parenting as it truly is: unfiltered, loving, and always a work in progress.
If you are a parent ready to share your real-life parenting struggle and dish up a recipe with Reesa, apply here!
