Happy as a Mother

Breaking cycles isn't always easy. But conscious parenting, tuning into yourself, your emotions, your needs, and your childhood, can help. This week on The Momwell Podcast, I'm joined by therapist Bryana Kappadakunnel, author of Parent Yourself First to discuss how conscious parenting and focusing on our own childhood, expectations, and patterns, can change the way we show up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So many moms find themselves struggling with executive functioning and the mental load. It's common for diagnoses of ADHD to come after having a baby. But there's another component at play besides the unrealistic pressure–hormones.  This week on The Momwell Podcast, I'm joined by clinical neuropsychologist and ADHD specialist Dr. Jeanette Wasserstein, author of Adult Attention Deficit Disorder, to discuss the relationship between hormones and ADHD, and what moms who suspect they have ADHD can do to seek support. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When women face pregnancy loss and complex medical complications, it can bring up a lot of emotional turmoil, along with medical and legal concerns that can leave them without the treatment they need.  This week on The Momwell Podcast, I'm joined by Colleen Long and Rebecca Little, authors of I'm Sorry for My Loss, to unpack the current state of reproductive care and how women are being impacted. Show Notes: https://tinyurl.com/bdhe5vnu Book a free 15 minute consultation: momwell.com  Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Browse our popular guides and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It can feel hard to make and maintain friends as a mom–and we often don't know where to even start. It seems like we should feel more connected than ever with the digital world–but it can just leave us feeling more isolated. Maybe looking at our friendships with a different mindset is the place to start.  This week on The Momwell Podcast, I'm joined by author Anna Goldfarb to discuss the way friendships change over time and how to navigate friendships as a mom. Show Notes: https://shorturl.at/FRJLC Book a free 15 minute consultation: momwell.com/booking Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Browse our popular guides and courses: momwell.com/shop  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we're revisiting one of our most popular episodes from the vault–Sensory Self-Care. Life with littles is full of sensory inputs—noise, chaos, touch, and mess. Many moms find themselves feeling overstimulated, leading to stress and overwhelm. We often talk about self-care in terms of bubble baths and massages—but what about sensory self-care?  On today's vault episode, I'm joined by pediatric occupational therapist Holly Peretz to discuss how overstimulated moms can practice sensory self-care. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4i35KF4 Book a free 15 minute consultation: momwell.com/booking Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Browse our popular guides and courses: momwell.com/shop  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If we can understand the science behind why we're experiencing anger, and what our anger is telling us, we can approach it not from a place of shame but from a place of productive problem-solving. Today, I'm joined by NYT bestselling author Dr. Dan Siegel, to discuss the science behind losing our cool and evidence-based anger management for parents.  Show Notes: bit.ly/4i5JQRk Book a free 15 minute consultation: momwell.com/booking Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Browse our popular guides and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More dads are staying at home or taking a more active role in caregiving than ever before–and many more would like to if workplaces and society offered them more support. Find out how “lead dads” are changing the way families are structured. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3BUtdbQ Book a free 15 minute consultation: momwell.com/booking Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Browse our popular guides and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If your child is extremely resistant to demands, you might have wondered if pathological demand avoidance–a nervous system dysregulation that results in intense resistance to demands and requests, could be at play. It's commonly associated with autism, but it can also present with ADHD or anxiety disorders–and it is often considered its own neurological difference. This week on The Momwell Podcast, I'm joined by Dr. Casey Ehrlich, founder of At Peace Parents, a platform dedicated to helping parents navigate PDA. We discuss what PDA is and how parents can reduce the battles and reframe their parenting approach. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4gZWW2p Book a free 15 minute consultation: momwell.com/booking Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Browse our popular guides and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Knowing how to respond to tricky toddler behavior isn't always easy. Separation anxiety, preferred parent struggles, impulsivity–it can feel overwhelming and frustrating! But when we understand what's typical (and where these behavior come from) we can approach them differently. This week on The Momwell Podcast, I'm joined by pediatrician and author Dr. Cathryn Tobin, founder of Healthiest Baby, to discuss how to navigate tricky toddler behavior. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3Jj9h3g  Book a free 15 minute consultation: momwell.com/booking Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Browse our popular guides and courses: momwell.com/shop  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're wrapping up our holiday vault series with our top episode from the year!  Today we revisit our #1 episode of 2024, “Emotional Regulation Skills for Moms” with clinical psychologist and author Dr. Amber Thornton, host of Dr. Amber's Know and Grow Podcast. We discuss how we can strengthen our emotional regulation skills and the importance of setting realistic expectations. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/49Cqv7f Book a free 15 minute consultation: momwell.com/booking Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Browse our popular guides and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're continuing our holiday series from the vault, revisiting our top 3 most downloaded episodes of the year! Today, we're revisiting our second most popular episode of 2024, “Postpartum Rage vs. Parental Anger” with Dr. Ashurina Ream, founder of Psyched Mommy. We discuss the difference between mom rage as a symptom of depression or anxiety and maternal anger fueled by social pressure and overwhelm.  Show Notes: https://bit.ly/49HZMWX Book a free 15 minute consultation: momwell.com/booking Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Browse our popular guides and courses: momwell.com/shop  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As 2024 comes to an end, we're diving into our vault to revisit our top 3 podcast episodes from the year! Today, we're revisiting our 3rd most downloaded episode this year, “You're Not an Angry Mom” with Minna Dubin, author of Mom Rage: The Everyday Crisis of Modern Motherhood. We talk about why we experience Mom Rage, how to break away from the shame, and what we can learn from our anger. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3VHb1cq Book a free 15 minute consultation: momwell.com/booking Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Browse our popular guides and courses: momwell.com/shop  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Navigating isolation in motherhood isn't easy—and it can take a toll on our relationship satisfaction, happiness, and mental health.  This week on The Momwell Podcast, I'm joined by psychologist Dr. Jody Carrington, author of Feeling Unseen, to discuss what causes loneliness in motherhood and how we can communicate, create change, advocate for our needs, and stop feeling unseen and invisible. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3VrXSne Book a free 15 minute consultation: momwell.com/booking Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Browse our popular guides and courses: momwell.com/shop  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The medical community isn't always trained on pain management for kids—and we might not know where to begin with advocating for it.  This week on The Momwell Podcast, I'm joined by Dr. Jody Thomas, founder of Meg Foundation, to discuss needle phobia, medical trauma and anxiety, and how to support our kids and advocate for pain management during shots and other procedures.  Show Notes: https://bit.ly/41cDtGA Book a free 15 minute consultation: momwell.com/booking Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Browse our popular guides and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There was a time when moms weren't supported on their breastfeeding journey. Now, things have changed a lot—but in some ways, the pendulum has swung too far. Not only are moms shamed for using formula—but the pressure to exclusively breastfeed can also lead them to miss important signs that they need to supplement. The Fed is Best foundation wants to change that and empower moms with knowledge and autonomy.  This week on The Momwell Podcast, I'm joined by emergency physician Dr. Christie del Castillo-Hegyi, co-founder of Fed is Best and expert on insufficient infant nutrition. We discuss the goals of the “fed is best” campaign, why rigid guidelines on breastfeeding are leaving moms and babies at risk, and how moms can spot signs that their infants are being underfed.  Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3Zm5c69 Book a free 15 minute consultation: momwell.com/booking Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Browse our popular guides and courses: momwell.com/shop  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Navigating evidence based birth isn't easy. Should you move around during labor? Are water births beneficial? What about ongoing electronic fetal monitoring and the glucose drink? There's a lot of misinformation and conflicting advice out there.  This week on The Momwell Podcast, I'm joined by Dr. Rebecca Dekker, founder of Evidence Based Birth, to discuss what evidence based birth is and how moms can make the best decisions for themselves. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3CwnrNt Book a free 15 minute consultation: momwell.com/booking Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Browse our popular guides and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Moms are overworked, undervalued, and burnt out. And being defaulted into the care work in the home is a large part of why. But if we can learn how to push back, create change, and advocate for more value on care work, we can find a different way forward.  This week on The Momwell Podcast, I'm joined by Blessing Adesiyan, Founder & CEO of Mother Honestly Group Inc., to discuss the value of care work and how we can support and empower moms on an individual, societal, and global scale. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4eh4QC8 Book a free 15 minute consultation: momwell.com/booking Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Browse our popular guides and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Deciding what to pack for school lunch can be hard. There's so much pressure and perfectionism, interwoven with our own fear and insecurity. It's no wonder so many moms feel overwhelmed by it. This week on The Momwell Podcast, I'm joined by dietician Megan McNamee, co-founder of Feeding Littles, to discuss how parents can reduce the mental load around what to pack for school lunch, embrace flexibility, and break cycles of unhealthy relationships with food. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/40tyWPv Book a free 15 minute consultation: momwell.com/booking Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Browse our popular guides and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Secure attachment isn't created by moms who carry everything on their shoulders and put their needs last. In fact, our children might benefit from a different approach.  This week on The Momwell Podcast, I'm joined by Dr. Ann Kelley, co-founder of Therapist Uncensored and co-author of Secure Relating, to talk about attachment research, what our children actually need, and how to create secure attachments in all of our relationships. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/48lsA6V Book a free 15 minute consultation: momwell.com/booking Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Browse our popular guides and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Momwell Podcast, we're revisiting an episode from our vault. Setting boundaries with in-laws and family members isn't always easy—especially when it comes to our kids. But boundaries aren't a bad thing—they're a valuable part of healthy relationships.  In this vault episode, I'm joined by Dr. Ashurina Ream, founder of Psyched Mommy, to talk about the importance of setting boundaries with in-laws and family—and how we can start learning to set them in a clear and productive way. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4dUArt6  Book a free 15 minute consultation: momwell.com/booking  Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Browse our popular guides and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maternal stress is so overwhelming that the surgeon general recently released a warning about it. Stressed-out moms need more support.  This week on The Momwell Podcast, I'm joined by Dr. Molly Dickens, founder of the Maternal Stress Project, to discuss what leads to stressed-out moms and how we can identify the real factors and create change. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/48as1fR Book a free 15 minute consultation with a mom therapist: momwell.com  Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Browse our popular guides and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are many options for birth control after childbirth—from short-term contraception to long-term or permanent options. Determining the right choice is hard—we have to weigh out factors like whether we want more children, whether or not we're breastfeeding, and how our body responds to hormones.  This week on The Momwell Podcast, I'm joined by OB-GYN Dr. Fran Haydanek, founder of Paging Dr. Fran, to discuss how moms can make informed decisions about birth control after childbirth. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3TZQqPx  Book a free 15 minute consultation with a mom therapist: momwell.com  Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Browse our popular guides and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Parents in the United States often have a difficult time navigating parental leave. Complex laws, a lack of federal protection, and common misunderstandings leave them unsure about their rights and options. But when you are empowered with knowledge and the right plan, you can discover how to get paid during maternity leave and protect both your job and postpartum experience.  This week on The Momwell Podcast, I'm joined by attorney Daphne Delvaux, founder of Delvaux Law and the Mamattorney. Daphne has dedicated her career to helping moms understand and advocate for their workplace rights, including parental leave coverage and pumping protection. Today, she shares how moms can get paid during maternity leave in the US, what rights you are entitled to, and how to proactively work with your employer and navigate the systemic red tape around leave. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4dxBT4u  Book a free 15 minute consultation with a mom therapist: momwell.com  Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Browse our popular guides and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many of us want to foster emotional learning for our kids and support them as they navigate their big feelings—but we don't always have the right tools in our toolbox. In fact, we're often learning these skills for ourselves while we try to teach them to our children.  That's why I'm so grateful for Slumberkins—a brand committed to supporting parents and offering them tangible tools and resources to help foster their kids' emotional health. This week on The Momwell Podcast, I'm joined by the co-founders of Slumberkins, Kelly Oriard and Callie Christensen, to discuss what emotional learning looks like—both for our children and ourselves. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3XTbqtx  Book a free 15 minute consultation with a mom therapist: momwell.com  Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Browse our popular guides and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Menopause can have a strong impact on your mental health. Unfortunately, not all providers are trained in hormone nuances or how to support moms when they struggle.  This week on The Momwell Podcast, I'm joined by Dr. Mary Claire Haver, author of The New Menopause, to unpack how menopause can impact mental health and how we can advocate for ourselves and seek effective treatment options. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4grVi9x Book a free 15 minute consultation with a mom therapist: momwell.com  Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Register for one of our popular guides and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Parenting can take a toll on our relationship with our partner, leaving us feeling resentful or falling into common arguments. But what if our partner isn't the problem? What if stress is causing the conflict–not the other way around? And what if we can learn how to get back on the same page and navigate it together?  This week on The Momwell Podcast, I'm joined by family therapist Liz Earnshaw, author of 'Til Death Do Us Part and founder of Liz Listens, to discuss stress and relationship conflict after having a baby, and how we can learn to connect, communicate, and work as a team. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3TkCXBz Book a free 15 minute consultation with a mom therapist: momwell.com  Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Register for one of our popular guides and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As moms, we think a lot about our children's emotional wellbeing. How can we be sure that we're raising securely attached kids? How can we form strong bonds and relationships? How can we support our children and ourselves emotionally–especially if we were never supported that way growing up?  This week on the Momwell Podcast, I'm joined by licensed therapist and author Eli Harwood, founder of Attachment Nerd, to discuss how to foster secure attachment and build strong, lasting relationships with our kids. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3AYdQ0R Book a free 15 minute consultation with a mom therapist: momwell.com  Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Register for one of our popular guides and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is the final part of our back-to-school series that revisits some of our old favorites from the vault!  Whether you have heard the phrase “after school restraint collapse” or not, if you've experienced it, you know exactly what it is—when your child starts melting down as soon as you pick them up from school. If your child behaves wonderfully at school but falls apart when they see you, it can be frustrating for everyone.  So what causes those after school meltdowns? Dr. Kristyn Sommer leverages her Ph.D. in Early Cognitive Development and shares her insights on why after school restraint collapse happens, and what you can do to minimize it. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4dZbj56 Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com  Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Register for one of our popular guides and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is part 3 of a 4-part back-to-school series that revisits some of our old favorites from the vault!  Transitions can be overwhelming for our children and for us. As moms, we want to know how to support a child going through transitions. We might experience our own anxiety, deal with mom guilt, or question whether they are capable of navigating big changes.  But with the right strategies in place, we can guide our children, and ourselves, through times of change. Today, I'm joined by Jess VanderWier, founder of Nurtured First, to discuss how to support a child through the transition into school and separation anxiety. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3Xa9FYC Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com  Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Register for one of our popular guides and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is part 2 of a 4-part back-to-school series that revisits some of our old favorites from the vault!  Starting school can be very exciting for many kids—but it can also be scary. We want to protect our kids, so when we see them worrying or anxious, we want to support them. But how do you help your child with school anxiety?  Today, I'm revisiting my episode with clinical psychologist Dr. Becky Kennedy, founder of Good Inside. We discuss anxiety about starting school, our role in it, and how to support our children if they're feeling apprehensive. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3AnD0WH  Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com  Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Register for one of our popular guides and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is my child ready for kindergarten? What should I do to prepare? What skills do they need? More than ever, parents are scrambling to make sure their children have “kindergarten readiness.”  But the skills our children really need for kindergarten are far different than we might think they are. Today, I'm joined by Susie Allison, founder of Busy Toddler, to break down how to really prepare your child for kindergarten. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3yimdUp  Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com  Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Register for one of our popular guides and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The pressures around breastfeeding are strong, but systemic support doesn't always allow moms to feed the way they want to. That's why I was so excited to hear about The State of Feeding, a research-driven report designed to shed light on the real feeding experiences moms are going through. Created as a partnership between Bobbie, Willow, SimpliFed, and Emily Oster, this report reveals so much about expectations, pressure, and the reality of infant feeding.  This week on The Momwell Podcast, I'm joined by Sarah O'Leary, CEO of Willow and Andrea Ippolito, CEO and founder of SimpliFed, to discuss the takeaways from the State of Feeding, why moms feel so much pressure around feeding, how to increase support for moms, and why combination feeding is valuable for so many families. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3YhSBRw Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com  Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Register for one of our popular guides and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Developing our own emotional regulation skills isn't something that happens overnight. It takes a lot of work, learning, and unlearning. The more awareness we can build about what triggers our dysregulation and how it shows up for us, the better we can become at responding and regulating our emotions.  This week on The Momwell Podcast, I'm joined by clinical psychologist Dr. Amber Thornton, host of Dr. Amber's Know and Grow Podcast, to discuss how we can strengthen our emotional regulation skills and the importance of setting realistic expectations. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3LCwrBX Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com  Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Register for one of our popular guides and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Introducing solids to our babies can feel scary, but it doesn't have to follow one strict guide. We can overcome anxiety and create an environment around food that establishes healthy long-term eating habits.  This week on The Momwell Podcast, I'm joined by Jenny Best, founder of Solid Starts, to discuss how we can rethink our approach to feeding and learn how to trust ourselves and our baby. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4cWPRNo Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com  Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Register for one of our popular workshops and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Intensive mothering, unrealistic pressures, and gender norms have created an unattainable ideal of motherhood—one that is taking a toll on modern moms. If we want to break out of this mom overwhelm, we need to recognize those expectations and determine what works for us.  This week on The Momwell Podcast, I'm joined by Jess Grose, author and opinion writer for The New York Times. We discuss why moms are so overwhelmed and what we can do to create more support. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4cuZkMh Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com  Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Register for one of our popular workshops and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fostering emotional development goes beyond validating feelings or sticking to a set script—it takes inner work, nervous system regulation, and plenty of self-awareness and self-compassion.  This week on The Momwell Podcast, I'm joined by Alyssa Campbell, CEO of Seed and Sew and co-author of Tiny Humans, Big Emotions. We discuss the importance of emotional intelligence, the role our own upbringing plays, and how we can foster positive emotional development for our children. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4eXXvZU Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com  Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Register for one of our popular workshops and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mommy wine culture is often viewed as a lighthearted joke—with moms turning to wine or a mimosa to cope with stressful parenting moments. And plenty of moms can enjoy an alcoholic beverage without falling into unhealthy patterns. But alcohol use isn't always lighthearted—for some moms, there are mental health concerns that are being overlooked and coping mechanisms that aren't healthy.  This week on The Momwell Podcast, I'm joined by Amanda White, author of Not Drinking Tonight and founder of Therapy for Women Center. We discuss the drawbacks of mommy wine culture, the differences between healthy and unhealthy alcohol use, and the mental health concerns of motherhood. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3KTEIkF Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com  Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Register for one of our popular workshops and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our individual upbringing and the culture we were raised in impact the way we show up as parents and the way we approach our own mental health. It's important to listen to voices in this area who understand firsthand the nuances of culture and mental health, breaking cycles, and carving out individual paths as moms.  One of those voices is Sahaj Kaur Kohli, founder of Brown Girl Therapy—the first and largest mental health and wellness community organization for adult children of immigrants. This week on The Momwell Podcast, Sahaj joins us to unpack the relationship between culture and mental health and its impact on parenting. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4clFL8z Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com  Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Register for one of our popular workshops and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meltdowns, defiance, and other behaviors are signals of needs—and if we can meet those needs proactively instead of punitively, we can support our children while still teaching and guiding them.  This week on The Momwell Podcast, I'm joined by psychologist Tammy Schamuhn, co-founder of the Institute of Child Psychology to discuss how to approach our children's behavior from a brain development perspective. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3KDY2lI  Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com  Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Register for one of our popular workshops and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Concerns like PMDD, PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), endometriosis, or even universal experiences like menopause are still underresearched and underdiagnosed. The more we can understand these concerns—and advocate for doctors to take them seriously—the more we can help support women and moms everywhere.  Today, I'm joined by gynecologist and reproductive health specialist Dr. Karen Tang, MD, author of It's Not Hysteria, to discuss how we can collectively and individually overcome gender bias in healthcare and advocate for women's health. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4bGLy8U Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com  Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Register for one of our popular workshops and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we're reaching back into the vault to revisit one of our most popular episodes!  What if I told you that you didn't have to play with your child all day? Moms put a lot of pressure on themselves to entertain their kids. They believe that “good moms” play with their kids as much as possible. But when we learn how to encourage independent play, we not only remove that pressure—we also give our children room to create, grow, and blossom.  Today, I'm joined by Susie Allison, founder of Busy Toddler, to discuss what play is, why it matters, and how to encourage your children to play independently. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3X00MBq  Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com  Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Register for one of our popular workshops and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It isn't easy to feel confident in a world full of mom shaming. When moms are already feeling lonely and unsupported, disconnected from their friends, and unsure about their abilities, this pressure and criticism can take a real toll on their self-esteem and their mental health.  Today, I'm joined by Renee Reina, Ph.D, host of The Mom Room Podcast, to discuss mom shaming, toxic mom culture, and how we can break away from the pressure and carve our own path in motherhood. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3WVmC9b  Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com  Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Register for one of our popular workshops and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It can be hard to establish healthy screen time habits for our children. But with the right framework in place, we can let go of guilt and fear and foster a positive relationship with technology within a healthy balance.  Today, I'm joined by pediatrician and author Dr. Michael Rich, known as “the Mediatrician,” to discuss how we can set kids up for digital wellness. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4dGAF8v Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com  Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Register for one of our popular workshops and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mom guilt is often fueled by intensive mothering ideology—the belief that moms should sacrifice every bit of their time, energy, and resources to their children (and find fulfillment only in motherhood), along with gender norms and social expectations. We can learn to manage mom guilt through awareness, anchoring ourselves in our values, and validating our needs and emotions.  This week on The Momwell Podcast, I'm joined by JoAnn Crohn, founder of No Guilt Mom, to discuss how we can move past shame and guilt to enjoy the motherhood experience more.  Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4b5KzP0  Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com  Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Register for one of our popular workshops and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gender norms, social expectations, and motherhood all become wrapped up in our identities, often leaving us questioning our career paths. But perhaps the answer starts with breaking away from the idea of a “dream job” and focusing instead on empowering ourselves to make active decisions driven by our internal values.  Today, I'm joined by Lauren McGoodwin, CEO of Career Contessa, to discuss how women and mothers face barriers in the workplace and how they can start creating power moves to achieve real career fulfillment. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4dgFi90 Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com  Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Register for one of our popular workshops and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As moms, we feel immense pressure to stay calm and peaceful even in the toughest, most triggering moments. And when we fall short, we often beat ourselves up and feel ashamed. But if we want to break this cycle, we need to move away from shame and find a way to offer ourselves the same compassion and understanding that we have for our children.   Today I'm joined by Dr. Cindy Hovington, founder of Curious Neuron, to discuss what responsive parenting really looks like and how we can move away from the cycle of unrealistic pressure and shame. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3w1h3uK Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com  Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Register for one of our popular workshops and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maintaining friendships or making new friends as a mom, takes skills, intention, and deliberation. The adjustment to motherhood changes us—and it makes sense that our friendships, along with our values, priorities, and other relationships, might change too. That doesn't mean we have to leave our old friendships behind, and it doesn't mean we can't find ways to make new ones.  Today, I'm joined by Danielle Bayard Jackson, founder of Friend Forward and author of Fighting for our Friendships to discuss why friendship is vital for moms and what we can do to maintain friendships and form new connections. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/43ZC4T2 Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com  Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Register for one of our popular workshops and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We don't have to accept stress as our default state of being. When we can learn how stress shows up in our bodies, what our triggers are, and how to break away from the stress cycle we are trapped in, we can improve our well-being and show up the way we want for our children and for ourselves.  Today, I'm joined by Amelia Nagoski, co-author of Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle, to discuss how our society sets moms up to be stressed, why it leads to burnout, and how moms can break out of the stress cycle. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3JbP5iQ Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com  Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Register for one of our popular workshops and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why does a messy house give me anxiety? Why can't I motivate myself to clean since I had kids? Am I just a lazy mom? Moms often worry about these things, feeling immense pressure to keep a clean house and experiencing shame when they fall short of those expectations.  As moms, we can't always buy ourselves more time to clean. But we can approach the concept of cleaning differently, learn to overcome our anxiety around cleaning, and develop simple tips for keeping the house functioning without getting overwhelmed.  Today, I'm joined by KC Davis, author of How to Keep House While Drowning, known as Domestic Blisters on TikTok and founder of Struggle Care, to discuss reframing our thinking about “the mess” and tips for cleaning with kids. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/49mxrTY  Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com  Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Register for one of our popular workshops and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The invisible load of motherhood isn't easy to see, define, or explain. We feel the weight of it, but we often assume that we are just failing or that our partner is the problem. But when we learn to let go of the beliefs that create this “Mother Load,” we can take the steps to release and redistribute the mental and emotional labor in our homes.  That's why I wrote the book Releasing the Mother Load: How to Carry Less and Enjoy Motherhood More. Today, I'm joined by my literary agent, Carly Watters, to reflect on our book journey and discuss how moms can let go of the labor they are drowning in. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3Tvlfuw Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com  Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Register for one of our popular workshops and courses: momwell.com/shop  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When partners take an active role in the invisible load, everyone benefits. It reduces pressure and overwhelm on moms, and it empowers partners to make decisions and parent with confidence.  Today, I'm joined by Zach Watson, creator of Real Zach Think Share and invisible labor educator for men, to unpack why partners need to help carry the invisible load and how they can start. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/49ZNKr6  Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com  Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Register for one of our popular workshops and courses: momwell.com/shop  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices