We’re in the thick of the last Mercury retrograde of 2025.
Our planet of the mind and mouth, communication and commerce began its retrograde journey on November 9. Mercury will station direct on November 29 but will not clear its post-retrograde shadow until December 16.
When Mercury goes retrograde (i.e, when the planet appears to move backward in the sky), it disrupts all manner of relationships and communication, not least of all in the precarious exchanges between parents and children.
“I’ve noticed that this cosmic shift can heighten emotions for both children and parents — and if adults react harshly, it could backfire,” Roman Epishin, parenting and child safety expert, father, and head of social projects at Findmykids app, told The Post.
He notes that heightened emotional energy around this retrograde and the holiday season at large can lead kids to shut down, hold grudges or even run away from home.
Epishin shared that during Mercury retrograde, we’re all at the mercy of moods and may find ourselves less focused, less social and more easily distracted.
“For some, it may also manifest as a desire to isolate themselves or push their loved ones away. This is why, during this period, you might find even the nicest kids more sharp-tongued, shutting their bedroom doors more often, and spending time alone in their rooms listening to music or playing video games,” Epishin said.
However, it need not be slamming doors and silent treatments as retrogrades are always and ever a summons to slow down and tune in. Meaning, if you play your words and your cards right, you just might find a sacred opportunity to connect with your kiddos and lead by example.
“Emotions tend to run high during this period, and people act more impulsively—shout, cry, manipulate, etc. Let’s not forget that children, at least from my point of view, often mirror their parents: if you snap, they will definitely snap back at you. So try not to react with negative impulses,” he said.
Instead, Epishin recommends using the energy of this transit to your benefit by being “positively impulsive.”
“Clear your schedule and take a spontaneous trip with your kids, for example. Or impress them by a sudden visit to a gaming space they’ve longed to explore, or a gig, or film a TikTok bit together if that’s something they enjoy,” Epishin advised.
Mercury is named for the trickster god of thieves and messaging, whose defining characteristic is curiosity. In kind, parents can mirror the spirit of both the god and the planet by getting curious about and conversational with their children.
“Show genuine curiosity about their interests, encourage their hobbies, and don’t question or mock them for it. If they feel emotional, offer support and comfort using phrases like: ‘It is okay to feel this way,’ ‘What could I do to help you?’ and ‘Let’s talk about that later, if you’re up to it,’ he added.
Read on for Epishin’s tips for navigating Mercury retrograde as a parent.
Practice ‘slow parenting’
When kids are moody, Epishin shared that your best defense is a downshift into ‘slow parenting’ mode.
“For me, that means stepping back and giving them space to just be. That doesn’t mean ignoring them; when I sense something’s off, I make a conscious effort to connect with my kids, rather than peppering them with questions and demands,” he explained.
That conscious effort includes invitations to join family activities, such as watching a movie or going for a walk. He says the key is to offer but never to push and to receive their deluge of “no” with grace and humility.
“Accept it and try again another time. Eventually, they’ll see that you’re there for them, and they’ll come around,” said Epishin.
Replace punishment with conversation
Epishin shared that harsh discipline and tough love tend to push kids further away. He stresses the importance of responding, rather than reacting, to activating behavior.
“If your child comes home from school and snaps at you for no apparent reason, take a breath before reacting. In my experience, there’s always something behind that kind of behavior, so raising your voice and disciplining them right away will probably only make things worse.”
He recommends a tactic of soft talk and active listening.
“Ask if everything’s okay at school or with their friends. They might not open up right away, and that’s okay. But if they sense that you’re calm and ready to listen, they’ll eventually come around. And once they start sharing what’s bothering them, there’s a good chance they’ll apologize for how they acted, too,” he explained.
Reconnect offline
Part of moving with the energy of this retrograde is slowing your pace and shifting patterns away from what distracts and toward what connects. He shared that doing, witnessing, or facilitating things your child genuinely enjoys, whether it’s sports or art, opens the door to depth.
“Kids feel most secure when we, as parents, are fully present. So put the screens away, silence the calls and messages, and just enjoy the time together as a family,” he said.
Astrologer Reda Wigle researches and irreverently reports back on planetary configurations and their effect on each zodiac sign. Her horoscopes integrate history, poetry, pop culture, and personal experience. To book a reading, visit her website.
