Mom!

Adulting is hard. Parenting is hard. This week we give a peek into what we've been struggling with this year from TMJ to relationship trouble to family secrets. In all, we share all to let you know that whatever you're going through, you're not alone.

If you feel confused by all of the misinformation put forth by the food industry, you're not alone. How in the world are we supposed to know what and what not to eat and what and what not to feed our kids when there is conflicting information galore? Tune in to this week's episode to get the low down on the best nutrition for you and your family from registered dietician nutritionist, Mor Volner. She talks about everything from her five favorite foods to synthetic dyes, fiber, and healthy fats.

Pregnancy and having kids definitely have some weird side effects! Did you experience any weird things after having kids? From phantom kicks to hair loss, we talk about all the weird things we've experienced since our pregnancies. 

What society expects of us and what our reality is often don't mesh. This week we talk about all of the societal pressures put on us as women and moms and what our reality is. Spoiler alert, we don't live up to many of them! And if you don't either, you're not alone. So many of society's expectations are unrealistic and frankly impractical, so don't beat yourself up if you're not living up to them either. 

This week our guest, Jess Ringgenberg, founder and CEO of Elixr Coaching, joins us to discuss matrescence and how she is challenging corporate America to meet the needs of working moms so that they stay engaged and retained. Haven't heard of matrescence before? That's ok, neither had we! Matrescence is the developmental journey of motherhood across bio, psycho, socio, relational, and neuro dimensions. All those changes we experienced when we became moms and continue to experience as our children grow fall under the umbrella of matrescence. Jess devotes her career to educating working moms and corporations about matrescence and how that influences the changes that need to take place in corporate America to better suit working moms.Find Jess at her website, https://www.elixrcoaching.com/ or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessringgenberg/ 

We've made it to the end of the school year, MAYhem, some people call it and they're not wrong. From kids getting anxious about starting a new school year to the overwhelm of graduations, class parties, and teacher gifts, we talk about our experience with end of year chaos.

This week, we wrap up our mini series but discussing what we foresee to be tough decisions for our school age kids. From public vs. private school to extracurricular activities and sports to nurturing independence, we talk about all the things we think about when it comes to our pre-k kiddos.

We continue our mini series on tough decisions during the toddler stage (ages 18 months to about 3 years). In this episode we talk about all the things from how small to cut your toddler's food to what type of schooling to choose, handling behavioral issues, and sleep decisions like crib versus bed. We talk about what led us to make the decisions we made and what other options to consider. 

This week we continue our mini series on tough decisions in parenting and talk about the newborn/infant phase. We discuss everything from breastfeeding vs. formula to sleeping arrangements to child care and share our own experiences with the decisions we made.

Today we start our mini series on the tough decisions we have to make throughout our kids' childhoods. In this episode, we talk about tough decisions we make during pregnancy and share our own experiences with making these decisions and what we've learned from it. Everything from picking out a name to whether to have a natural birth or epidural, we go through it all. Whether you are in the planning stages, pregnancy, or beyond, we hope you find value in learning about (or reminiscing on) these tough decisions. And as always, we are a no-judgment zone and we encourage you to choose what is best for your individual family's needs.

Are you noticing gray hairs and more fine lines and wrinkles now that we're in our 30s? And that "wisdom" spot that just popped up on your chest? It happens to the best of us and it will happen to all of us as we age. Today we talk about what we've noticed about how our bodies have changed since having kids and since entering our 30s. Lauren also shares a personal story about a medical experience she's going through and how that's being handled at this age. If you've noticed the effects of aging, don't get down on yourself. It's natural and normal and we all go through it. Just know that you are beautiful inside and out!

Our guest today shares her experience with and hacks to manage life with 6 kids. With kids ranging from 1 year old to 9 years old and one child who has type 1 diabetes, Monica has her hands full and faces the same challenges we all do from coordinating schedules to sleepless nights. In this super relatable episode, Monica shares what she's learned about how to create a village, asking for help, sleeping arrangements, dinner time, bed time, and more. Tune in to hear this amazing mom's inspiring story!

Happy Valentine's Day, y'all! Today we talk about our plans for the holiday, how it's changed since before having kids, and, in honor of it being a day of appreciation, what we most appreciate about our partners. Valentine's Day may not be as big of a deal or as fun or exciting or sexy as it used to be, but that doesn't mean we can't still show each other we care. It's so easy to fall into a pattern of criticism because we feel overwhelmed, alone, and need help, but focusing on the positive can help us rekindle the love we have for our partners.

Today we start off with a brief introduction of ourselves and the podcast for our new listeners. Then we dive deep into life after kids and how things change drastically from before having kids. We talk about the weight of increased responsibility and sometimes overwhelming anxiety that comes with having young kids. If you've ever felt like the weight of the world is on your shoulders or so weighed down by the anxiety of something bad happening to you or your kids, we're right there with you. Tune in to hear about our own experiences after kids and how we get through it!

Welcome back, y'all! Join us for our first episode of 2024 and for our second year of the show. Today we talk about how the winter break went (spoiler alert, it was total survival mode) and how our New Year's resolutions are going plus some tips on sticking with those resolutions while giving ourselves some grace at the same time.

Join us this week for some lighthearted chit chat about our plans for the winter break, what we're looking forward to in 2024, and our New Year's resolutions! This is our last episode of the year, but we'll be back in early 2024. Wishing everyone a very happy holiday and happy New Year!

This week's guest, local mom Mallarie Kandel, shares her story of overcoming multiple miscarriages and finally being blessed with her beautiful little girl. She shares what it was like going through those losses, the impact it had on relationships with family and friends, and how ultimately she made it through hard times. If you're going through something similar or have experienced miscarriages in the past, just know it's not your fault and you're not alone.

From  chaotic mornings to feeling guilty for taking time for ourselves to wondering if we're getting it right, we touch on several things we all, or most of us, go through as moms of young kids. If you're feeling overwhelmed, lonely, or burnt out, you're not alone. We feel ya! Listen to hear how we handle many of the challenges of motherhood.

This week we talk about things we often experience as moms that can make us feel guilty or like there's something wrong with us but are actually totally normal and common to feel. Having a hard time feeling present with your kids? Feeling overwhelmed by the never-ending to-do list? Carrying more of the mental load? Having trouble making mom friends? We cover it all in this part 1 of a 2 part episode. We also share some strategies we use in our daily lives to get through some of these downs. If you ever feel alone as a mom, question if you're doing it right,  or wonder why it seems like everyone else just has it all down, this episode is definitely for you. 

We decided to take a break today from talking about the challenges of parenting to talk about the things that make it all worth it. Tune in to this feel good episode to remind yourself of all the best parts of being a mom.

Things just hit different after having kids. Hardships weigh heavier. Given all that's going on in the world right now, including in the Middle East, we wanted to talk about what it's like carrying the burden of heavy events while remaining present (or trying to) for our kids. Sometimes we have to put our own feelings and needs aside so that we can show up for our little ones and keep them sheltered to some extent. But then how do we deal with the heaviness ourselves? We also talk about some of our own strategies for coping with life's challenges.

Have you ever struggled to find a babysitter you can trust and rely on? What about when you've needed someone in a pinch or to help out with a sick kid who's home from school while you work? We share some on our babysitting blunders, and our guest, Danielle Kollander, shares how the babysitting app Bambino can help you find the right person through community  reviews from your neighbors. Bambino is free to use and connects you with babysitters in your community who have been vetted by your community. You can find Bambino wherever you get your apps. Use code "KOLLANDER" for a discount on your first booking.

Lauren showed up today wearing no makeup. Gasp! JK. Why do we feel like we have to wear makeup all of the time? How does our makeup use affect our children? Today we talk about our makeup use, how this relates to overall body image, and also get into how Jayme is handling her daughter's makeup use. Jayme also provides an update on the drama with her husband, and, as always, we share our mom wins of the week.

Feng Shui expert, Patricia Lohan, joins us this week to share her knowledge and experience in helping women and moms create a harmonious, empowering, and abundant household for themselves and their families. Patricia talks about how Feng Shui can help attract money, improve sibling relationships, ignite our romantic relationships with our partners, and much more. I've already started implementing some of Patricia's tips and can attest first hand that they work! To learn more about how to Feng Shui your home, check out Patricia's books: The Happy Home and Become a Business Powerhouse Using Feng Shui. Both books can be purchased through her website: https://patricialohan.com/. You can also work with Patricia directly by reaching out through her website. Be sure to check out her mom-specific resources at: https://www.powerhousefengshui.com/moms-1. You can also follow Patricia on Instagram at @patricialohan_.

This week we revisit the couple relationship and how being with versus without our kids impact that. We love our kids, but it can be really stressful taking care of them and some time away can do wonders for a relationship! We also talk more on gender roles and whether some of the typical gender differences we experience are biological or societal, and Jayme shares her own struggle with battle gender roles in her marriage.

Being a mom is hard, but especially when you have to mom in public. We've all been there, the public melt down, conflict, or not listening, when we've had to pull out all the parenting in front of a crowd of seemingly judgmental faces. At times like these, we often question whether we're a good mom or doing the right thing, and what will other people think if we don't meet their expectations of how we are supposed to handle our kids or control a situation when, let's face it, we really have no control at all. This week, Lauren and Jayme share stories of how they've had to recently parent in public and what that felt like for them.

This week our guest, Dr. Deepa Bhat, talks all things plastic surgery from how plastic surgery can actually restore the body after child birth to what to expect if you do decide to have a procedure. Dr. Bhat has helped numerous moms feel comfortable in their own skin and improve their overall sense of self and well-being through procedures like breast augmentation, tummy tuck, and vaginoplasty. Plastic surgery can not only help aesthetically but can actually also do things like improve your core (tummy tuck) making it easier to workout and restore sensation during sex (vaginoplasty). If you've ever considered plastic surgery or have any curiosity about what it's all about, then definitely tune in to this episode to learn all about it!Follow Dr. Bhat on Instagram at @deepabhatmdFind her on her website: https://raviveplasticsurgery.com/

This week we celebrate Lauren's birthday and talk about how birthdays feel different now that we have kids. In the midst of all the chaos, sometimes that special feeling can just get lost in the shuffle. We also talk about the illusion of perfection, how social media can influence our expectations of ourselves in not so great ways, and ultimately how to let go of feeling like we have to live up to certain standards all the time, because let's face it, that's a lot of pressure.

This week we share our stories of travel, throw up, and self-care from the last couple weeks before the kids are back in school. Lauren goes behind the scenes of social media and shares what her family vacation was really like, between flight delays, stomach bug, and the usual travel stressors. Jayme shares what it was like for her kids to be away for almost a whole week, having extra time for self-care, but also feeling the weirdness of being alone for the first time in years.

So Lauren is sick this week and we won't be releasing a full episode, but listen to our brief update on how last week went, including having a much needed babysitter cancel literally last minute!

Summer down South is winding down and the kids will be starting back at school in just a couple weeks. Find out what's in store for us over the two week break, what we're excited for, what we're stressing out about, and how our kids are handling the transition from summer to new school year.

This week our guest, Kate Sazer, shares her story of motherhood, what it was like transitioning from being a full time business woman to mom of two, how she finds balance, and how she fosters her best self to show up for her kids. She also shares her story about a recent family tragedy and how she and her family have managed through that. She brings a fresh and joyous perspective to motherhood that is so inspiring amid all the hard and heavy parts of it.

It's smack dab middle of summer and we're having a hot mom summer if there ever was one! Did you ever ask yourself, "Who am I?" after having kids? Did you struggle with losing, finding, or changing your identity and lifestyle? This week, we get real about struggling to define our identities after kids and to accept our completely changed lifestyles. Did you turn in your prior carefree self for a ball of anxiety like Jayme did? Did you have to accept that going out at night and on weekends looks completely different with kids like Lauren? If so, we feel you, we hear you, and you're not alone.

Hey y'all! This is just an announcement that we will not be releasing a new episode this week, but will be back next week. Be sure to catch up on any episodes you may have missed and we'll see you next time!

This week we bring back our wild animals segment with a few personal stories about some furry (and not so furry) creature encounters. Then we dive into our topic of the week - the mental load of motherhood. Research shows that women take on the majority of the mental load of running a household and caring for children. Like an invisible backpack full of bricks, that mental load can weigh us down and lead to burnout. We share our own experiences balancing (or not balancing) the mental load with our partners and how we have come manage (or not manage) our own mental loads.

This week we talk about our strategies for Mother's Day and Father's Day and how it all went down. Sometimes it's about spending time as a family, sometimes it's about getting time to yourself. Whatever it is, it's nice to be appreciated for at least one day out of the year! We also launch our #momwin segment where we share something that we're currently succeeding at as moms. It's so easy to get bogged down with the stress, overwhelm, mom guilt, and self-doubt, but we're all doing things right too so let's celebrate that! Send us your own #momwin for a chance to be featured on the show!

On this episode, we talk about feeling burnt out when life gets hectic and chaotic and about body image after kids. We share our feelings about our own bodies and the struggle to feel confident and secure post-baby. Jayme shares her experience of gaining 50 pounds with Harper and struggling to lose it while dealing with being body conscience. No matter what your post-baby body journey has been, you are all beautiful just the way you are!

At what age should we start enrolling our kids in activities? How do we decide which activities to enroll them in? What if they say they don't want to continue? And coordinating with multiple kids...This week we talk all about the surprisingly controversial topic of kids activities and our experiences with them. Have you ever been shamed for enrolling (or not enrolling) your kid in an activity? Because I have. Hear all about it on this week's episode.

It's hard going from having regular help with the kids to then being on your own. And when your husband constantly asks for last minute child care favors...blood boiling. In this week's episode, we vent about how hard it is to find help with the kids, to rely on others, and when you're picking up the slack for the other half of this equation.

Pelvic floor therapist and postpartum exercise specialist, Mandi Kelso, joins us this week on Mom! to discuss all things pelvic floor. We've all been there. Whether it's a dribble of pee when we sneeze, discomfort during sex postpartum, feeling pressure down under, or full on organ prolapse, Mandi's got you covered! Learn all about the role of our pelvic floor in our every day lives and how to improve pelvic floor function. Mandi even throws in some exercise tips! Find Mandi on Instagram at @mandi_kelso or at the links below and be sure to check out her Pelvic Floor Freebie for some free tips!Email: mandi@aspirewomenshealth.com Free Facebook Group: MAMA Strong: Pelvic Floor & Postpartum Confidence for Moms: https://m.facebook.com/groups/mamastrongcommunity/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvFPelvic Floor Freebie: https://prodigious-mover-3113.ck.page/6a90b7183fFree Phone Consultation for M.A.M.A. Strong: https://calendly.com/mandi-40/30min

This week we talk about the big emotions we feel as moms of young kids and the big emotions our kids feel, especially when it's the first time they're experiencing something. From anger at husbands when they go out of town to a child dealing with loss for the first time, we get real about feeling the big feelings and what we've learned from it.

Our guest, Jackie Meek, with Future Path Life Coaching, shares her story of overcoming loss and postpartum mental health challenges. She now helps other moms through struggles from dealing with the daily grind to building confidence and fostering healthy relationships with their kids. Jackie talks about having the courage to seek help when you need it, letting go of things you can't control, and how Positive Mental Fitness can improve our relationships with not just our kids but with ourselves. Find Jackie at https://www.futurepathlifecoaching.co.uk/ and be sure to check out her upcoming bootcamp!If you or your partner may be suffering from postpartum depression, postpartum psychosis, or other mental health challenges, please do not be afraid to seek help!

This week's guest, Debbie Ausburn, author of Raising Other People's Children: What Foster Parenting Taught Me About Bringing Together A Blended Family, tells her inspiring story of becoming of a foster parent and then stepparent. She talks about what it was like fostering - the challenges, including gaining the trust of children who didn't want to be there, and the joys - and then integrating into a blended family and managing a relationship with the biological mother of her stepchildren. Not only does Debbie share her experiences fostering and stepparenting, but also shares a perspective that is relevant to all parenting situations.You can purchase her book on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Raising-Other-Peoples-Children-Parenting/dp/1578268990/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=raising+other+peoples+children&qid=1683248439&sprefix=raising+other+p%2Caps%2C112&sr=8-1And you can connect with her at the links below:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/OtherPeoplesChildrenLLCLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahausburn/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/debbieausburn/Twitter - https://twitter.com/debbieausburn

"You never know what's gonna happen with the flight. You never know what's going to happen when you get there." The uncertainties surrounding traveling with young kids is one of our biggest anxieties when it comes to travel. In this week's episode we share our stories of traveling with young kids. From Benadryl to stickers to meltdowns on the plane, we share what we've found to work and, most of all, not work when traveling.

Our guest this week gets real about what it was like jumping into military life as the spouse of an active duty Coast Guard, dealing with feelings of loneliness when her spouse was out to sea, having twins followed by a third child and then an unexpected fourth, and ultimately gaining the confidence to pursue her passion in real estate as a top-producing Realtor. You won't want to miss this undeniably, relatable episode with Laurel. Find her on instagram at @your.home.is.here!

What do you do when you have two young kids and a pipe in your house bursts on Christmas Eve? What about when you realize your home improvement project didn't go exactly as you envisioned? Making remodel decisions two weeks postpartum? On this week's episode we talk all things home improvement and share tips and knowledge about what we've learned through our own experiences. Find out what went right and what didn't while we talk about the struggles of juggling mom life with repairs and remodels.

Can you relate?? We're two burnt out mamas with emotional hangovers from the past few weeks of mom life chaos. Surviving spring break, family in town, and relationship conflict isn't easy. We get real about gender roles, husbands, and family dynamics, and persevering through spring break while our kids are home for almost two weeks.

Starting a business during Covid with ADHD while juggling two kids also with ADHD is no walk in the park! Our guest this week, Jessica Fagin, talks about what it was like opening her business - Gymboree Play & Music - during the pandemic, having ADHD herself, and having two daughters with ADHD. She dives deep into the challenges while reframing ADHD in a positive way for herself and her kids.Jessica's Gymboree Play & Music is located in Southlake, TX. If you live in the area and you haven't been already, check out a free preview class or use code "MTB" at checkout to waive the enrollment fee for membership! Website: https://www.gymboreeclasses.com/en/locations/TX/Southlake/Instagram: @gymboreeclasses_southlake

How do you handle sleepless nights, one extra clingy child, and the other acting out more and more? You go on a girls trip! On this episode, we talk about why this girls trip was sooo needed. With the younger child waking up throughout the night for over month and her sister expressing more and more jealousy and vying for attention, the past few months have been tough. This week, we get real about dealing with various behavior issues stemming from exhaustion and a need to connect.

Join us for the incredible story of our guest Felicia Heath, mother of four! From a childhood on the run with her kingpin dad to obtaining triple board certification in critical care anesthesiology to writing her memoir, Spirit of a Hummingbird: Memories from a Childhood on the Run, Felicia has learned the power of positive self-talk, resilience, and choosing happiness. And she's here to share her experience and what she's learned on her journey. You'll hear about her childhood as well as her postpartum journey and overcoming postpartum depression to what it was like writing a memoir with four kids under four years old.Find her memoir here: https://www.amazon.com/Spirit-Hummingbird-Memories-Childhood-Run/dp/1632995700Her blog here: https://www.mixedfeelingsmama.com/And find her on Instagram at @latinforhappiness_md

"To those of you that don't have children yet, you're already a mother because a mother fights for her children, and you're fighting so hard." Join us for a guest story from Andrea Steiger about her infertility journey and ultimate decisions to use IVF then surrogacy. Infertility takes an enormous toll on those who go through it, mentally, emotionally, and physically. So many women go through infertility, but it's rarely talked about. We want to change that and give any one who may be experiencing infertility a space to connect, relate, and know that you're not alone. Even if you have not experienced this, you won't want to miss Andrea's incredible story about grief, shame, hope, and ultimately miracles. She inspires us all to never give up hope and to keep fighting for what's in our heart.