Got Your Hands Full!

Join me in learning more about keeping our kids safe. Amy Thomas, host of Journeying with the Saints podcast and on social media as, The Catholic Pilgrim is my guest on this episode. Before starting her current podcast and blog Amy counseled and advocated for sexual assault victims.

I just finished 9 weeks of teaching kids and teens at a local school all about mindset coaching. They learned the basics of Cognitive Behavior Theory and how their thoughts lead to their feelings and that to their behaviors. They learned about negative thinking patterns and how to combat the self critic. They learned breathing techniques and stress management skills. They learned about self love, self worth, self care and self confidence. We prayed together to forgive ourselves and others and learned the mental health and spiritual sides of forgiveness. Each week I incorporated mindset work into each topic. Using information backed by scientific research and what we now know from neuroscience, they learned all about life coaching! I am here to speak to your school, your youth group or your individual child or teen. Learn more at www.LifeCoachMama.com or email me at Lauren@LifeCoachMama.com

Want to know more about life coaching? What do I talk about? What will you learn? What will we work on? Why pay for it? Why take time for it? What in the world is it? Join Kelly and me as we explain in depth our one-on-one 12 weeks session. Learn how life coaching can help you. Find out if it is for you. And you might even learn some tips on how to deal with a difficult mother in law!

Marissa shares her story of getting pregnant her senior year in college. Her boyfriend and she chose life. They decided to keep the baby and raise the baby together. Being a church girl her entire life, it was hard for her at first. Soon, she found love, compassion, support and a positive community where she and her son could thrive. Join us as we talk about her unplanned pregnancy and how it became one of the best aspects of her life.

My lovely friend Ashley joins me to share her story of adoption and infertility how her story eventually led to multiple healthy pregnancies. We talk about being a stay at home mom, the changes motherhood brings in our lives and being open to God's plan whatever it is.

Join me as I interview Christie Walker, Catholic Recovery Coach. We discuss Mommy Wine Culture and how it affects our motherhood, our kids' mental health and our own mental, spiritual and emotional health as moms. Check out her FREE resource at: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63a4abe81488000c28b9ba89. You can find Christie at: https://linktr.ee/catholicrecoverycoach. If you struggle with over drinking, alcoholism or any other addiction, Christie is your coach. She also helps women who have spouses, children or other family members or friends who are addicts.

Soon after leaving her full time job to start her own business Aisha found herself pregnant. She had no support by her boyfriend at the time who became increasingly negative and pressured her to have an abortion. She chose life and lost her boyfriend. Soon she found out she was just having one baby, she was having twins. Through her pastor and therapist she found the strength, confidence and ability to carry on as a single mom. Scared, not knowing what the future would hold, she trusted God and asked daily for his strength. Fast forward 7 years later where Aisha is thriving in her motherhood, her business and her life in general. Now an author and speaker she shares with women in similar situations that God has a plan and that you don't have to choose an abortion. Check out her book, Navigating the "Impossible" at: http://navigatingtheimpossiblebook.com/

Bethelehem, a mom and business owner of My Fanos, an online school teaching the languages and culture of Ethiopia, joins me to share about her family. Her mom as 1 of 12 came from a big family. Therefore Bethelehem has a ton of aunts, uncles and cousins. She explains how family is connected and relates to one another in Ethiopian culture. We had a lot of fun chatting about her life experiences. Enjoy!

Anna is back for more about Natural Family Planning! We bust 7 MYTHS about NFP. This is a show for you if you want to know, 1.) Why does the Catholic Church teach NFP? 2.) What do we believe about contraception? and Why?

Dolores opens up all about what its like to have a son with severe Autism.  Additionally, she tells us about her experience as an immigrant to the United States.  We hear about keeping two cultures alive and teaching kids two languages all while attending meetings, therapy and appointments for her son with Autism.

I'm starting a non profit! Now is the time to help women who are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. I believe the tools I've learned and I teach in Life Coaching will help them so much. Listen to this episode to learn more!

This is a rich conversation about life, motherhood, childhood, medical care, poverty and much more from an African perspective.  Angelique shares from the heart about taking care of her young child with leukemia.  She also shares from her brilliant mind her knowledge of global health, health policies, economic issues and pediatric hospitals.  

Nothing like having a good chat with my girls!  My dear friends Tara and Bridget join me to discuss being a mom of a big family. We touch on many topics including surviving cancer, paying for college, chores, sports, praying as a family, having fun together, and extended family memories.  Get out your Kleenex box and press play!

Part 2 of this series. Laura shares her experiences and knowledge of more aspects of labor and delivery. We also touch on Post Partum issues, self care and how to be mom focused in pregnancy and after birth.

What a treasure Laura brings to the podcast in this series of labor and delivery episodes!  Learn birth stories, basic info that isn't as common as you'd think, ideas, advice, tips and tools about the birthing process.  This is great info for any new mom or anyone who knows a new mom!

What's cool about interviewing people who grew up in a big family is that we get to hear about the blessings that have come from over the years and how the siblings have impacted the entire family.

Bernadette, youngest of 7 kids, joins me to share about her childhood.  You will for sure enjoy this episode full of fun, jokes, laughter, cherished memories and sweet stories of the siblings' connection. It's a good reminder that kids need love and family but not all that other stuff we think they do!

Great wisdom here from Lea. Check out the entire episode on my podcast!

Lea joined me on my podcast to discuss divorce, remarriage, blended families and having a big family! She also offers financial advice to women and families! Check out her website: https://www.majerinvestments3.com

Christine, an avid reader and talented artist, shares with us what encouraged, supported and helped her transition into a big family. She grew up in a family of 4 and today with her husband they have a family of 7. From theological and psychological discussions to funny stories about kids fighting during car rides she tells it all!

My friend Asaka from Japan joins me to talk about her family.  They have lived in the US and now they live in a suburb outside of Tokyo.  We discuss the differences in raising families in each country as well as how children and big families are perceived in Japan.  

Ever thought of being a foster parent? Natalie and her husband are involved in a program that is similar to fostering. Safe Families is an organization that believes in protecting children and preserving families. Learn how you can help a family in need!

Gilda Rose is a therapist, coach and artist.  Gilda joins me on zoom from the other side of the world in Malaysia.  Originally from India, Gilda has a unique perspective and yet every topic we touch on in this show are the same issues I hear from women in the United States. Funny how much we are all the same!  Listen to Gilda's wisdom and advice in regards to identity and self care for moms.

Husbands, Dads, Grandads: You WON'T want to miss this episode!  My husband Mark joins me to share his view as the dad of a big family. He tells us a hilarious, "Got Your Hands Full!" story and most importantly, how to take your daughters on dates. He shares the how and the why of daddy daughter dates and the importance of one-on-one time with all kids.  No matter your family size this individual time is so special!  Enjoy dad's take!

My friend Mary Green (yes, she is Irish Catholic) sits down to talk all about her family. She grew up with 10 brothers and 2 sisters. Lots of fun and good times learning about this marvelous family of 15. If you feel overwhelmed with your kids, listen to this! She will inspire you and you'll realize you can do this mom thing! Mary also has the best radio voice. I am so jealous. She will be back I hope to do some voice overs and audio work for me!

My friend Laura sits down to share with us her journey of being a mom of a big family including a child with special needs. Connor, age 24 has had developmental delays since birth. Learn from Laura her story, inspiration and hope for families with children who have special needs.

Thankfully Anna returned to finish the NFP discussion. However, I should say we just continued it! We did not finish. She will have to come back again! In this 2nd edition she explains charting and the how-tos in more detail. Enjoy!

My friend Donna is the youngest of 7 kids. She grew up in Cleveland, Ohio with an Italian American mom and an Irish American dad.  Fun stories and good times in this episode!

What is NFP? Learn the history, basics and some important facts about this effective, scientific and beautiful method.  Anna Shaffer is a Creighton Model instructor who is passionate about women's health.  She works with couples to teach them about a woman's fertility including lessons on biology, sexuality, emotional intimacy and overall wholeness.  We barely scratched the surface and Anna will be back soon, I hope! Anna is taking new clients and can be reached at: annagrace.shaffer@gmail.com.

I made a new friend (again!) I talked to another friend of a friend who grew up in a big family and has a big family of her own, 8 kids total so far!

Danielle is the oldest of 7 and she and her husband have 5 kids. She shares what it was like being in a big family including stories about her mom's pregnancies and miscarriages, her experiences in school and with friends and what it's like now as a parent.

My first ever interview (other than my kids.) Kasey shares fun stories and memories of her childhood as one of 12 and her family now of her husband and 5 kids. So grateful to share her story with moms of all ages and stages! Enjoy

Our mental health is important and I wanted to share my experiences with post partum depression

More than just the idea that there's enough money I've heard a lot of arguments that there isn't enough time, love, or attention to go around to all the kids. But is that really true? Is there really not enough?

I also hear questions about time. Time in the day, time for each kid, time to do certain things. It's a good question. But isn't time all relevant? Don't we all choose what we do with our time?

FOMO is real! We worry too much! We think too much. Why do we care so much about our kids missing out? Really, they are going to be ok!

For sure I am not! I think this come from the idea that kids are so hard and difficult. Which, yes, they are. But it doesn't factor in the idea that they are also fun, joyful, rewarding and all the positives that come with kids.

Often people comment on the cost of kids but I've really only heard it in the context of college tuition. So interesting right? So let's talk about paying for kids' college.

I can't handle life either sometimes. We are all overwhelmed, over stressed and feel inadequate sometimes. I don't think it matters how many kids we have!

I respond to the comment, “I could never do that!” in reference to having a lot of kids. It's not true. Of course you can… if you want to!