Motherhood, identity, and the messy stuff in-between
In this episode Lee Lee and Marie talk about how they make parenting decisions with the other person they each parent with .. . in their case “the dads.” We hash out what it means to hold your partners' boundaries even if you don’t agree with them, or how we live with those in-the-moment parenting decisions that totally backfire.
In this episode, Marie and Lee Lee explore the different ways we all think we should use our time . . . and then how we then really use our time. Along the way we talk about the differences between working from home and away from home as moms and how our guilt and stress is can be more of a time suck than the things we actually need to want to do
In this episode, Marie and Lee Lee chat with Dara Lovitz, author of Twinsight: A Guide to Raising Emotionally Healthy Twins and mother of twin girls! We chat about the lessons Dara learned while writing her book, and what that looks like to apply those lessons to her own parenting. We also talk about what twin-parenting teaches all of us and get some insight into the various ways we all look for guidance on our parenting journey
Lee Lee and Marie reflect on the end of the school year and the start of summer. Along the way we talk about how our kids (and how we) deal with transitions. We also take some time to pause and think intentionally about what we want out of our summer - we hope you use this episode to pause and do the same for yourself!
Charnaie Gordon is the founder of Here Wee Read (http://hereweeread.com) and mom of two. She started her blog as a book reviewer who help people find fantastic diverse books for their families (after getting asked for children’s book recommendations from lots of friends and family!). She is also the founder of 50 states, 50 books (www.50states50books.net), where the mission is to help get 50 diverse children books into the hands of kids who need them in all 50 states
In this episode, Lee Lee and Marie discuss self-care, a topic we have brought up a ton, but never focused on for a whole episode on! We talk about the two “criteria” for self-care and how we are reframing “self-care” as nurturing a relationship with yourself. We don’t get down on pedicures, but we do talk about ways to add layers of intentionality to the self-care or personal care that is already part of your life
In this episode Lee Lee and Marie and talk about mother, identity and the messy stuff in between with Maria Lianos-Carbone, author of Oh Baby! A Mom's Self-Care Survival Guide for the First Year: Because Moms Need a Little TLC, Too! We discuss the ways that motherhood can cost us all some of our own sense of self, and what it looks like to recover that self and identity while still being a parent. Along the way we also discuss depression, “performative” motherhood and so much more. Check out Maria’s writing at amotherworld.com and check out her book at https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Self-care-Survival-Guide-First/dp/1945547707/
In this episode, Lee Lee shares her thoughts and epiphanies as she takes on a new job where she actually leaves the house for a paycheck. Along the way, we talk about what makes work “worth it,” the way our children react to job transitions, and a bit of thinking about the ways a new job is great for the whole family.
In this episode, we talk to Lisa Bobyak about losing yourself and finding yourself in the space of motherhood. Along we way we discuss balance and the role of feelings and intention as we all seek meaning and balance in our lives as busy parents. Check out Lisa's work at http://www.livingfullybalanced.com/
Lee Lee and Marie discuss the absurdities and hilarious contradictions of motherhood, including: The ridiculousness that comes with being pregnant The reality that breastfeeding hurts like hell, even when it’s supposed to be “life-giving” How babies are beautiful and boring The contradictions between societies expectations (“mothers are responsible for who their children are!”) and the realities (these children are their own little people!) The analysis and deep thinking we bring to the most ridiculous situations our kids struggle with
Briah Luckey, art teacher, and art therapist joins us for this episode where we talk about the layers of identity that build (and that we sometimes discard) as we move through our lives. We talk about the power of bringing women together, some of the strange ironies of motherhood, and the power of art.
In this episode, Lee Lee and Marie talk about mom friendships - how they are found, how they are built, and what makes them last (or not). Along the way we talk about how it feels when your emotional “dance card” is full, how logistics and scheduling are real things when it comes to nurturing friendships, and Lee Lee’s potential new mom friend
Erin (founder of Magical Homemaking) joins us to discuss making a home - not just in terms of the space we live, but space we inhabit, feeling at home in our bodies, and what becoming a mom does to ALL of this! Our conversation roams between the search for “home, the question of what it looks like to feel significant and feel like we belong, and how we can use natural cycles to guide our time and attention.
Lee Lee and Marie start the year with a conversation about what identities and stories we have let go of - and need to let go of - as we continue on our journey as parents and people. We discuss what how we have each changed, and the common stories moms tell themselves about motherhood and identity that may not be true (or helpful!)
Our end-of-2018 reflection! We talk about what keeps us coming back to these conversations, what we’ve learned about ourselves as parents this year, and which of our podcast episodes really stuck with us. Want to be a guest on our podcast (or suggest someone?) Sign up for our mailing list at www.mamanowconversations.com or email Marie directly at marie@createbalancedlife.com with “Mama Now Guest” in the subject line!
Anna Nguyen has faced plenty of challenges - just like all of us! And, as usual, when we get right down to it, this challenges are often the best things that happen to us. In this episode we talk to Anna, who runs a martial arts studio with her husband. They both bring their whole family into the business and truly blend the family they are with the work that they do. In our conversation we talk about how much expose our children to our adult lessons, and how Anna and her husband grew a family business with, well, a family!
Lee Lee and Marie talk about teaching our kids how to ask for (and demand) consent. Marie is once again reminded of the power of modeling and consistency. Oh, and we also really want our kids to grow up to be decent human beings, and we both agree that you don’t get what you want by being an asshole.
Lisa Sugarman is a writer on a mission to make sure all of us parents know we are not alone in a messy world. In this episode we are getting real with her. Lisa reminds us that we can all just chill the heck out. We also discuss the importance of honor our kids as they are (not always what we want them to be) and how to combat the “comparison trap” we all fall into
In this episode, we talk about self-worth, adjustment, and a new breastfeeding-friendly bikini with body positivity expert and entrepreneur Ana Rojas of Power to Prevail. Along the way we discuss how women are used to “making do” and what it means to be a community member of any group that sends small positive ripples out into the world
Lee Lee is writing a book about intentional living, and as part of the process she is interviewing a number of women about their intentional living journey. She interviewed Marie (who was honored!) and we recorded it for a podcast episode! In this episode we discuss the relationship between stability and creativity, the moments that most commonly launch people on an intentional living journey, and the importance of zooming in and zooming out as we make small changes to improve our lives.
In this episode Heather Vickery joins Marie and Lee Lee to talk about small brave acts of motherhood, parenting, and living. We also discuss the importances of honoring our kids needs and how sometime the process of choice is as important as the outcomes.
The mental load is the noticing, planning, doing, and decision-making that most of us carry with us on a regular basis. In this episode Lee Lee and Marie dive into why the mental load can feel like such a burden and how we each tackle the need to separate our “caring” with the “carrying” of the mental load. Oh, and we also discuss some ideas around decision fatigue!
Lee Lee and I dive into a touchy - but important! - topic: The division of labor in a two-parent household. We share out personal (not super common) situations, and discuss what we have learned from having less-traditional gender roles for household duties. We also talk a bit about emotional work, the mental load, and more.
Lee Lee and Marie each have two kids. So does our guest for this episode, Sarah from realsimplemama.com. Join us as we talk about the lessons we’ve learned from having two kids - and the lessons the kids have learned (or are learning) from each other.
Being frugal, or having a budget is one of those things we are told we need to do as “grown-ups.” But being frugal and budgeting is also a tool for helping us living and parent intentionally. Lee Lee and Marie talk about frugal living and intentional parenting lessons that have come from their own growth around money.
Artist, entrepreneur and mom of two, Christy Johnson joins us to talk about what art and creativity can teach us about parenting.
Lee Lee discusses her very real journey with clinical depression and anxiety, while Marie and Lee Lee both muse about the way motherhood can shift our perspective on mental health, self-care, and personal resiliance.
#11: Leaning into motherhood with homesteader Tessa Chittle
#10 The power of choice and purpose - in parenting and in life with homesteader Tessa Chittle (Part1)
A open, vulnerable conversation about mothering through intensity (with a child that has lukemina) and how we find ourselves through motherhood, not despite it. "As a mom, I haven’t really lost myself, but instead have discovered who I am and what I am capable of" "When you dig deep and allow that discovery to happy you really find your true self”
What does it look like to be a parent on vacation? How much are you responsible for other people's fun - or your own? Marie and Lee Lee share their vacation plans and their intentional parenting insights on family "fun time"
How do you make creative space as a parent, especially when that creative space requires some time alone in your own head?
Though this episode is short & sweet, Lee Lee and Marie grapple with some very thought-provoking questions, including: - Is mother vs. artist a "False Dichotomy"? - In modern society, we often "choose" to become parents--does that mean we can't feel resentful? - Do the early years of parenting sap our creative energy...or does the messiness of motherhood actually drive us to be more creative?
What does it mean to as we are constantly “becoming” mom? How can we use systems not just for survival but also for thriving as a mom? (And also, some of Marie's thoughts on why so many of us are in survival mode)
In this epsiode we were THRILLED to chat with Mommastrong Founder Courtney Wyckoff. We have a real conversation about what it means to make motherhood visible, and building communities of moms in our overly individualistic society. “I want to be in a position where the difficulty of motherhood is normal and expected and is also supported” - Courtney Wyckoff
Are we supposed to control who our children turn out to be? What demands do others put on us . . . and do we put on ourselves? An honest discussion about a parenting talk, a shame spiral, and a few lightbulb moments. “If I’m really honest with myself, I have to say I’d have more alignment with my partner and be a more intentional parent if I put less intentional energy into my work. But I’m not willing to make that trade off right now.”
In this episode we talk to creator of the "Mom's Hierarchy of Needs" Leslie Forde about priority setting, intentional living, and finding peace even with a diaster of a dining table.
What does intentional parenting really mean, and what does it look like in real like? Lee Lee share her hard-won insights from personal experaince.
© 2020-2025 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
