Cat & Nat Unfiltered

We are bringing you back one of your favourite Friday episodes! Remember when dating was simple? You had a crush, ran in the same friend group, maybe shared a few drinks, made out once or twice, and suddenly you were together. If you were talking to someone, you were dating them. Fast forward to today, and we genuinely have no idea what the rules are anymore. If we were single and dating a man our age (or younger), we'd still be operating by the old-school playbook. The real question is: would he be playing by the same rules?

Summer is somehow half over, one of our daughters is moving away to university in six weeks...why does it feel like we’re already grieving a life that hasn’t even changed yet? What is this weird in-between stage of parenting where your kids are still home… but not really?? We’re packing for residence, cleaning out bedrooms, pretending we’re not emotional, and trying to convince ourselves that FaceTime means they’re not actually gone. If you’re sending a kid to university, wondering whether you’re supposed to be crying, or just trying to survive the emotional whiplash of parenting older teens, this one is for you.

In this repeat episode we get into how parenting teens feels like uncharted territory. It doesn't get easier—it just changes. One of the hardest parts is figuring out how to help our kids launch. What used to feel like a natural step toward independence now seems to require a whole lot more from us. We love that they still want to be close, but does that closeness help them grow—or quietly hold them back? At what point do we stop holding on and start giving them a little push? And really... how much should they still be telling us?

We are talking about the unspoken rules of youth hockey and sharing everything we wish we'd known before our kids started moving teams. Why do so many parents feel like they're navigating a world with rules that no one is actually willing to explain? This episode isn't just about hockey—it's about parenting. We talk about trusting your instincts, asking the uncomfortable questions, choosing coaches based on character instead of reputation, and remembering that your child's emotional well-being matters just as much as their athletic development. You are your child's biggest advocate. Don't be afraid to use your voice.Keywordsyouth sports, parenting, coaching, hockey, team selection, child development, sportsmanship, parental advocacyKey topicsChoosing the right sports team and coachAdvocating for your child's needs and well-beingUnderstanding the unspoken rules and culture of youth sportsBalancing competitiveness and fun in sportsThe importance of communication between parents and coachesRecognizing and addressing toxic behaviors in sports environmentsSupporting your child's development and love for the game

Summer is supposed to be relaxing, so why does it feel like we're working harder than ever? We're talking about the chaos that starts the minute school ends—from packing for vacations and keeping everyone healthy, to realizing moms somehow become the family's travel coordinator, logistics manager, and nurse all at once. Because without fail, someone always gets sick. It's basically a vacation rule. So we've become those moms who pack for everything—from scrapes and little cuts to the first sign of a sore throat or cold. We'd much rather be overprepared than spend our vacation searching for a pharmacy!Head to https://www.betadine.ca/ for the Betadine products we always throw in our suitcase to help keep the little things from becoming big vacation problems.

In this repeat episode we talk about what defines good parenting—and how do you know if you’re actually doing it right? In those first ten years, we felt like we were getting an A+: the routines, the structure, the feeling that we were showing up and doing everything we could. Even though it was physically and mentally exhausting, there was a sense of control and purpose.But parenting evolves as kids get older. The job shifts from managing every detail to sharing the responsibility, letting them make their own choices, and moving into more of a coaching role. Because parenting isn’t a straight path—it’s the ultimate freight train ride, and you’re just trying to hold on through every twist, turn, and unexpected stop.

In this repeat episode we’re talking about desire — where it comes from, where it goes, and why it seems to change so much over the years. Has our definition of sexual desire evolved as we’ve gotten older, or did the chaos of life, parenting, and the endless mental load slowly push it to the back burner?Nat used to be a full-on walking horndog, but somewhere between motherhood, exhaustion, and keeping everyone else alive, desire took a bit of a back seat. So we’re asking: does desire disappear when your kids are little only to come rushing back when they leave the house? Or does empty nesting shine a giant spotlight on your relationship when all the distractions are gone and there are no more excuses left?

Three years ago Cat's daughter Olivia got a concussion... and it changed everything. What we thought would be a 10-day recovery turned into a year-long journey through chronic headaches, dizziness, vision problems, panic, endless appointments, and lots of questions unanswered. Today Olivia joins Cat to share what happened—from the moment she hit her head to what recovery actually looked like. We talk about the mistakes we made, the advice we wish we'd been given on day one, why concussions are so misunderstood, and the treatments that finally helped us find a path forward. If your child has ever hit their head, is recovering from a concussion, or you're feeling completely lost trying to navigate the system, this conversation is for you. We aren't doctors, but we are parents who lived it, and we're sharing everything we wish we'd known sooner. Because sometimes the biggest challenge isn't the injury itself—it's finding someone who knows how to help!Keywordsconcussion, brain injury, recovery, health, teens, parents, medical system, management, symptoms, research concussion, neurorehabilitation, brain injury, recovery tips, nervous system, concussion management, brain health, concussion therapy, mental health, recovery journeyKey topicsConcussion symptoms and misdiagnosisLack of information and medical supportManagement vs. cure in concussion recoveryThe importance of neurological and eye assessmentsThe evolving research on brain injuries Concussion rehabilitation techniquesImportance of nervous system calmingRole of neurotherapy and specialized clinicsManaging emotional and mental health during recoveryPractical daily routines and activity pacing

It is officially summer so that means we are bringing you back some of YOUR favourite episodes!! There is a shift in parenting older kids. The roles, the routines, even the purpose. Do we need a club? Hobbies? A retirement home for people our age? We ask ourselves the three questions every mom should ask. Weigh in and let us know your answers!