More Than Reality with Adam and Danielle - EP 46

First Week of School Chaos: Anxiety, Breakdowns & Parenting Lessons

Release Date: August 21, 2025
Hosts: Adam and Danielle Busby

Episode Overview

This candid episode dives into the Busby family's emotional whirlwind during the first week of school after a major move, new schools, and shifting routines. Adam and Danielle share the highs and lows of navigating six daughters through anxiety, transitions, and practical chaos—including repeated family van breakdowns. The couple reflect on parenting through stress, fostering emotional openness, and supporting children through fear and change. True to "More Than Reality," the discussion is honest and raw—providing both vulnerable moments and actionable parenting insights.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Stress of New Routines & Back-to-School Transitions

• Adjusting to the New Schedule:

  • Danielle confesses both relief and stress as the family returns to routine, noting that “It takes like a week or so to kind of level out with the new schedule.” (02:15)
  • The kids struggle to adjust their sleep patterns, ironically beginning to "sleep in" only right before school resumes.

• Getting Everyone Out the Door:

  • Danielle: "We gotta get moving… first week of school, so it's extra trafficky." (02:57)
  • Adam jokes about their recurring "Busby bus chaos," and Danielle forewarns them: "You're in for a rude awakening." (02:55)

The Legendary “Buzz Bus” Van Saga

• Ongoing Van Troubles:

  • The family’s oversized van (the “Buzz Bus”) ratchets up the chaos: it repeatedly fails to start, stranding them at community events and school drop-offs.
  • Adam details his futile efforts with top-tier batteries: "I bought the top-of-the-line, best battery they had for the van... sometimes top of the line isn't the best." (10:09–10:16)
  • Danielle recounts the embarrassment and logistical hurdles: "The Busby van parked right in front of the school… dead in the water. How embarrassing is that?" (20:22–20:33)

• Neighborhood Support and ‘It Takes a Village’:

  • Friends and neighbors jump in to help jump-start the van or drive the kids. Danielle: “You just never know. So we keep [a jump box] in the back of the van.” (12:09)
  • Adam and friends spend nights troubleshooting in parking lots with tools and iPhone flashlights.

• Comic Relief and Relatable Frustration:

  • The saga becomes a running family joke: "It's our... keeps-us-humble van." (25:10)
  • Danielle inevitably pitches for a sponsor to "upgrade to Busby Van 2.0" (24:23), and they banter about quirky dream vehicles.

Parenting Through Anxiety & Caring for Emotional Kids

• Biggest Challenges:

  • Blake's High School Transition:

    • As the eldest, Blake faces her first year at a new high school in a new town. Adam and Danielle express pride: “She’s really, really pushed herself to be uncomfortable.” (31:27)
    • Tennis team tryouts and a welcoming community offer Blake a much-needed confidence boost.
    • Adam: “She’s just completely exceeded expectations.” (34:34)

  • The Quints (Five Younger Girls):

    • Generally less anxiety because "they have each other. They’re a little wolf pack." – Adam (33:20)
    • Adam enforces sibling loyalty: “If I ever find out that you are complicit with another group of friends making fun of your sisters... you gonna be in trouble. That is how you get in the most trouble in this house.” (33:40–33:54)

• Navigating Child Anxiety (Riley & Parker):

  • Parker: Has a history of anxiety with “big changes.” Danielle underscores the power of preparation (school tours, meet-the-teacher days) and breathing exercises.
  • Riley: Independent and headstrong, Riley “doesn’t like change” and has difficulty identifying and articulating her anxiety, experienced as stomachaches and sleepless nights.
    • Danielle describes the feeling of helplessness:
      “It’s hard to have these feelings of like, you can’t fix that… something they have to learn to navigate and walk through. That’s the hardest part of parenting.” (37:09)
    • Riley’s approach is pragmatic—even looking for legal loopholes for avoiding school:
      “So if I miss school because I have a fever, do you get in trouble?” (42:41)
    • Danielle emphasizes giving grace and allowing breaks:
      “It’s okay to take a break. I had to come home and have a timeout too because I was overwhelmed.” (41:18)

• Parental Support Tactics:

  • Adam and Danielle outline their real-life toolkit:
    • Normalize feelings; share their own experiences of anxiety.
    • Equip kids with coping tools—deep breathing, sensory grounding (5-4-3-2-1 technique), and prayer.
      Danielle: “When they start overthinking all those things... you take a step down and you say, okay, let’s work on breathing.” (47:27)
    • Lean into physical comfort, even for non-cuddly kids:
      “She just really wanted to feel cuddled. And I remember that when I... was walking through, like a panic attack... I think I need somebody to hold me... it’s a blessing that I could be that for her.” (50:08)
    • Seek community advice and support as parents themselves (58:09).

Building Family Trust & Openness

• Open Communication:

  • Danielle stresses the value of frequent, honest talks—on everything from fears to “hard conversations.” (55:17)
  • Adam: “You never want your kids to feel like they can’t come to you… That just comes from repetitions of just being open and honest and reassuring them.” (55:34–56:06)
  • They acknowledge that fostering emotional safety isn’t “normal” for everyone, but it should be.

• Faith and Modeling Vulnerability:

  • Prayer and faith are recurring themes in the Busbys' approach:
    • “You realize you can’t do it for them. All we can do is equip them... and pray.” – Adam (38:15)
  • Danielle: “It’s very healing for me... to be able to do this with my own children... I didn’t grow up with, like, that mom that was there to do anything. So it’s very healing for me.” (53:18)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Parenting:

  • Danielle: “I feel like I’m very... we’re not like helicopter parents... but when it comes to learning how to process an emotion and a feeling, I feel like I try my best.” (47:27)
  • Adam: "You always come to your sister’s defense and you never… stay silent whenever somebody picks on or bullies your sisters." (33:40)
  • Danielle (on Riley): “She’s incredibly smart and incredibly brave... but it’s hard to see something attack her, and it’s not like the normal her.” (42:46)

• On Letting Go:

  • Adam: “There’s only so much you can do as a parent… you can encourage, you can pray… but you can’t do it for them.” (38:15)
  • Danielle, emotional: “It’s just good for my soul to just be still with my busy body… my child.” (50:46)

• On Parental Vulnerability:

  • Danielle: “Being a mom is hands down the biggest blessing I could ever receive. But I need Jesus every day.” (59:19)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• (02:00-03:30) – Reflecting on new school routines and the kids’ sleep schedule
• (07:24-20:40) – The “Buzz Bus” van saga: breakdowns, community help, and comic mishaps
• (29:20-34:36) – Blake’s high school transition, social support, and learning to “be uncomfortable”
• (34:36-36:50) – Revisiting Parker’s anxiety; prepping for big changes
• (36:50-41:10) – Riley’s unique struggle with change, anxiety, and Danielle’s emotional parenting challenge
• (47:00-52:00) – Strategies for supporting anxious kids (breathing, grounding, cuddling, conversation)
• (53:00-56:52) – Parental introspection: Danielle on healing her own childhood wounds through parenting
• (55:10-56:52) – Reassuring kids that home is a safe, open space for all emotions

Takeaways for Parents

• Even large families, and those who seem to “have it all together,” face emotional turbulence and daily chaos.
• Normalizing open conversation about emotions creates lasting security and trust with children.
• Supporting a child through anxiety isn’t about fixing it, but equipping, listening, and being present—and sometimes, just holding them.
• It’s okay for parents to seek advice, admit when they don’t have all the answers, and rely on community.
• Faith and vulnerability are strong anchors in the Busby parenting style.

A heartfelt, relatable episode—guaranteed to resonate with parents navigating change, big feelings, and the messiness of real life.