The Motivated Parent

We explore splurges that parents should consider—and they aren't necessarily what you think! This episode has three categories: Indoor, Outdoor, and on the Go. Armando and Stacy try to keep these splurges on the cheaper side, and they are all for parents—no children allowed.  Stacy's favorite splurge is in the “On the Go” category. It's one way to spark new ideas in any parent, especially the parents who want to get away from crazy parenting.  Armando's splurge is in the "On the Go" category, too, but it's not what you'd expect!     Episode 67 is ReAir of Season One, Episode 19.      Join our community! Want to share your story about what motivates you?   Please send us an email:  hello@themotivatedparent.com. IG: www.instagram.com/themotivatedparent/  FB: https://www.facebook.com/themotivatedparentpodcast  Website: www.themotivatedparent.com  Produced by: The Motivated Parent™️

Blast From the Past! Childhood Movie Edition   Take a stroll with us as we list our favorite childhood movies that are great to share with the kids. We only discuss movies from the '80s and '90s since those are the decades we were kids. It truly is a “Blast from the Past” talking about these movies, as many are classics and stir up emotions in us. Armando and I have let our kids watch most of these; they love them just as much as we do. So take the trip down memory lane, and you won't be disappointed.  Episode 66 is ReAir of Season One, Episode 18.        Episode 66   Join our community! Want to share your story about what motivates you? Please send us an email:  hello@themotivatedparent.com. IG: www.instagram.com/themotivatedparent/  FB: https://www.facebook.com/themotivatedparentpodcast  Website: www.themotivatedparent.com    Produced by: The Motivated Parent™️

Are you willing to “microdose” on magic mushrooms to take the edge off of parenting? Mushroom Mania is the Psychedelic Renaissance of our time. Parents are turning to mushrooms to help them navigate parenthood and deal with the past trauma of their childhoods.    Armando and Stacy discuss a Harper Bazaar article about “Mommies Who Mushroom” and whether they would ever try mushrooms for the good or bad effects and to make them better parents and spouses.  Would you use psychedelics in a controlled setting or pass on the entire experience?     Episode 65 is ReAir of Season Two, Episode 11.      Episode 65   Join our community! Want to share your story about what motivates you?   Please send us an email:  hello@themotivatedparent.com. IG: www.instagram.com/themotivatedparent/  FB: https://www.facebook.com/themotivatedparentpodcast  Website: www.themotivatedparent.com    Produced by: The Motivated Parent™️

Thank you for all the birthday wishes! If you missed Stacy's 40th Birthday episode, listen to episode #63.  All things are volleyball here, but also, we are in the stage of Quinceńera planning for Reagan! Armando is still out of the studio, and his internet connection is miserable. Fingers crossed, he will be with us soon to record and tell us about his travels.  Until then, we'd love to talk if you'd like to share a story on our show or even sit behind the mic and record with us. Please send us an email or reach out on social media! 

Happy 40th Birthday, Stacy!   “Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.” – Andy Rooney. Growing up (not old) is a beautiful thing. It's a privilege to age.  In this shorter episode, Stacy answers some birthday questions. Tune in and then ask some of these on your next birthday. It gives a new perspective to celebrating another year around the sun.      Episode 62 Join our community! Want to share your story about what motivates you?  Please send us an email: hello@themotivatedparent.com.  IG: www.instagram.com/themotivatedparent/

 Emergency Preparedness: Easy Ideas for Your Family We recently watched the Netflix movie Leave the World Behind, which made us realize that we needed to prepare for the 2024 hurricane season. We live on the coast, so hurricanes are a big deal for us, and we like to be prepared. Natural disasters happen more frequently than we'd like to admit, and being ready reduces your stress when they hit.  In this episode, we go over some easy ideas to get ready for any natural disaster or even maybe something more nefarious like a cyber attack. Whatever you're preparing for, we are not diving deep into the prepper world in this episode. We discuss some smaller and more easily accessible items you can get, most of which won't break the bank.    Episode 62   Join our community! Want to share your story about what motivates you?  Please send us an email: hello@themotivatedparent.com.  IG: www.instagram.com/themotivatedparent/

Episode 61. Simple Ideas for Clean Living  As we age, we learn more about our environment and the toxicities around us. They leach into our houses unnoticed and cause all kinds of issues in our bodies. Thankfully, technology today helps us educate ourselves. In this episode, Armando and Stacy discuss the simple ways they are changing their lives and home into a cleaner space. It doesn't take much money, just time to focus and get it done.  What steps can you take to transform your home into a clean living environment?    Episode 61 Join our community! Want to share your story about what motivates you?  Please send us an email: hello@themotivatedparent.com.  IG: www.instagram.com/themotivatedparent/

Valentine's Day - The Good, The Annoying, and The History  Valentine's Day is upon us, and it's not one of Stacy's favorite holidays! Armando and Stacy dig into the good, the annoying, and the history of this holiday of all things hearts, chocolates, and flowers! You might be shocked to learn that gifts are overrated; Russell Stover has the best chocolates, and balloons with gifts inside them are impressive.  Laugh with us over our off-topic tangents and why Stacy doesn't like to speak Spanish with her southern accent.    Episode 60 Join our community! Want to share your story about what motivates you?  Please send us an email: hello@themotivatedparent.com.  IG: www.instagram.com/themotivatedparent/

Episode 59 Using AI to Enhance!  The Marriage + Parenting Edition!     Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a tool for many aspects of business and learning. Now. It's time to let it enhance your parenting and marriage. In this episode, Armando and Stacy use AI prompts in ChatGPT (a popular AI chatbox) to find age-specific things to do with kids. They also come up with date night and last-minute gift ideas by simply allowing AI to help. It's not to be used for everything in your marriage or parenting, but it helps when you can't think of anything else to do with your kids on the weekend or are bored with your typical date night! From recipes to birthday letters, using AI can add a little more adventure to your life if you let it.      Episode 59   Join our community! Want to share your story about what motivates you?  Please send us an email: hello@themotivatedparent.com.  IG: www.instagram.com/themotivatedparent/

Episode 58. Finding Friendships in Adulthood   We often tell our kids they only need a few solid friends. However, we don't want to hear it when we are kids. We want friends, but parents usually know better - and that's from experience. What no one really talks about is finding friendships as we age. It's hard. In this episode, we look at finding friendships and how Armando and Stacy aren't on the same page.      Episode 58   Join our community! Want to share your story about what motivates you?  Please send us an email: hello@themotivatedparent.com.  IG: www.instagram.com/themotivatedparent/

Episode 57 Blast from the Past! Watching 90's family game shows with your kids! The 90's had some of the best years! Kids could roam their towns with friends on their bikes. No one was staging photos for Instagram or constantly videoing themselves dancing for TikTok. The 90's had the best music, movies, and tv shows. And in this episode, Armando and Stacy are talking all things family game shows and how it's fun to sit on the couch with the kids and watch them. Take a step back in time with them while reminiscing over Family Double Dare, Guts, Legends of the Hidden Temple, Shop Til You Drop, Supermarket Sweep, and the best - American Gladiators.   Episode 57 Join our community! Want to share your story about what motivates you?  Please send us an email: hello@themotivatedparent.com.  IG: www.instagram.com/themotivatedparent/  

  National Park Entrance Free Days!   It's the new year and a new set of free days for the National Park Service. In season one, we talked about our top 5 national parks. In this episode, we talk about why national parks, monuments, recreation areas, seashores, etc, are so important.  What are five national parks you want to hit up in 2024?      Episode 56 Join our community! Want to share your story about what motivates you? Please send us an email: hello@themotivatedparent.com.  IG: www.instagram.com/themotivatedparent/

What Are Your 2024 New Year's Goals?  In this episode, Armando becomes a "Negative Nancy" on why people even set New Year's Goals. Stacy is trying to stay positive with a list of items she can hopefully pull off in the 366 days we have this year.  It's going to be a great year, and we are so happy to be with you in 2024.  You have 366 days (it's a Leap Year) to make the best of it!     Episode 55   Join our community! Want to share your story about what motivates you? Please send us an email: hello@themotivatedparent.com. IG: www.instagram.com/themotivatedparent/

What To Do Between Christmas and New Year's when you don't know what day it is, and you are entertaining your kids and, quite possibly - family members?  Armando and Stacy have a few ideas to help you get through the endless week of no school, messy houses, elevated anxiety, and ultra-short days of sunshine.  Grab your coffee or tea and hit play.      Episode 54 Join our community! Want to share your story about what motivates you? Please send us an email: hello@themotivatedparent.com. IG: www.instagram.com/themotivatedparent/

Christmas Morning is going one of two ways - phenomenal or down the drain! There is barely an in-between when it comes to this holiday. We love Christmas, but it's not necessarily our favorite holiday because, at some point, it's going off the rails.  Managing Christmas Day Expectations is easier said than done but we've gotten better at it over the years. If you are hosting, going on the family member house bounce, or simply planning on trying to get through the day, take 30ish minutes to decompress with us.  We are far from perfect. And something always goes sideways on Christmas Day, but we push through ... sometimes just barely.    Episode 53   Join our community! Want to share your story about what motivates you? Please send us an email: hello@themotivatedparent.com. IG: www.instagram.com/themotivatedparent/

Never Coaching to Winning Nationals 52. Stacy said it the moment she started coaching - “I want a banner for the wall!” That was the gym wall where all the banners hung for winning various championships. That drive she had inspired her girls (who wanted to win it all) to show up to the homeschool volleyball nationals in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, with 100 teams and win the whole thing for 14U! From underdogs to Grand Champions, Armando and Stacy give you two points of view on coaching a winning season and what saying yes can do!   Episode 52 Join our community! Want to share your story about what motivates you? Please send us an email: hello@themotivatedparent.com. IG: www.instagram.com/themotivatedparent/ 

Coaching Youth Sports 51. We have been so busy in 2023, and it's all because of sports. In April, Stacy said yes to coaching Middle School volleyball, and it was the most memorable season of her life. Find out why it was so memorable in this two-part series on Coaching Youth Sports and why you should say yes! Not everyone feels they can coach, and that's okay. Support your kid's coaches, no matter the age of your “kid”.    Episode 51 Join our community! Want to share your story about what motivates you? Please send us an email: hello@themotivatedparent.com. IG: www.instagram.com/themotivatedparent/ 

Our Kid's Review - Typhoon Lagoon vs. Volcano Bay 5 We recently visited Orlando to hit up two famous water parks - Disney's Typhoon Lagoon and Universal's Volcano Bay. Our review is not sponsored in any way, so we give our honest take on what we liked and disliked about the parks. You can hear our parental review in episode 49.  This episode - Episode 50 - is our kid's honest opinion.  You might be surprised about who likes which water park and why more than the other. It was a packed studio but a fun one. I also can't wait to head back to Orlando! Everyone is about to have a birthday so our (almost) ages are: 19, 14, and 11.         Episode 50 Join our community! Want to share your story about what motivates you? Please send us an email:  hello@themotivatedparent.com. IG: www.instagram.com/themotivatedparent/  FB: https://www.facebook.com/themotivatedparentpodcast  Website: www.themotivatedparent.com  Produced by: The Motivated Parent™️

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon vs. Universal's Volcano Bay - Our Honest Parental Review! 5 We recently went to Orlando to hit up two famous water parks - Disney's Typhoon Lagoon and Universal's Volcano Bay. Our review is not sponsored in any way, so we give our honest take on what we liked and disliked about the parks.  You might be surprised about who likes which one and why more than the other.  Also, it's been almost 20 years exactly (June 2003) since we have been in Typhoon Lagoon.           Episode 49 Join our community! Want to share your story about what motivates you? Please send us an email:  hello@themotivatedparent.com. IG: www.instagram.com/themotivatedparent/  FB: https://www.facebook.com/themotivatedparentpodcast  Website: www.themotivatedparent.com  Produced by: The Motivated Parent™️

Recently, Stacy had a mole that she knew needed to be checked out by a doctor immediately. The first appointment proved the mole needed to be removed, and fast forward a few more days, a call that it's abnormal comes through. Skin Cancer is more common than most people think, and getting your skin checked by a dermatologist shouldn't be scary or brushed off.  This episode is a replay of how it went from "Let me get this checked out to Oh, my gosh, I have a pre-cancerous mole." It's our public service announcement (PSA) to everyone out there to check your skin (and everyone else in your family too).         Episode 48 Join our community! Want to share your story about what motivates you? Please send us an email:  hello@themotivatedparent.com. IG: www.instagram.com/themotivatedparent/  FB: https://www.facebook.com/themotivatedparentpodcast  Website: www.themotivatedparent.com  Produced by: The Motivated Parent™️

Episode 47. Kayaking in Bioluminescence Water - What Could Possibly Go Wrong? Armando and Stacy take the kids on a trip to kayak in bioluminescence water in Merritt Island National Refuge, Florida. The 90-minute kayaking trip hit some hurdles, aka waves. The severe thunderstorm didn't deter them but made for an adventure. Our tour guides and the company - Get Up and Go Kayaking- were great. 10/10.

Episode 46. What happened to Armando & Stacy? We went radio silent (pun intended) in 2022 and didn't even post much on Instagram or Facebook, but where were we? In our first episode of Season 3, we detail what we have been up to from September 2022 to July 2023. Life happens, and we are so happy to be back to recording our podcast. 

We are back from our mid-season summer break, and not only are we back in session, but the kids are also back in school. The start of a New Chapter - Senior Year! I know many families with seniors and love watching everything on social media. I thought I would be sad, but I'm excited about this part of our life and our sons. But regardless of my excitement, senior year is - exhausting and emotional, but it's the next step on this journey. So how do you strengthen the relationship with your teens to have the best year? I've had the opportunity to talk one-on-one with parents, which applies to all teens, not seniors: communication tone/respect/ attention, understanding that there is finality and growth, AND you should take all the photos!     Season 2 || Episode 45 The Start of a New Chapter - Senior Year     Join our community! Want to share your story about what motivates you? Send us an email:  hello@themotivatedparent.com IG: www.instagram.com/themotivatedparent/   FB: https://www.facebook.com/themotivatedparentpodcast   Website: www.themotivatedparent.com   Produced by: The Motivated Parent™️

Why are we so hard on ourselves?   As a parent, when our kids are struggling and letting the negative thoughts attack, we swoop in to curb that nonsense. We give them positive words of affirmation.   When it comes to ourselves, we don't give grace and compassion where it is due. Why?   In this episode, we dig in on what our most significant issues are within us and how we can move forward in a positive light.             Season 2 Episode 18 Why Are We So Hard On Ourselves     Join our community! Want to share your story about what motivates you? Please send us an email:  hello@themotivatedparent.com IG: www.instagram.com/themotivatedparent/   FB: https://www.facebook.com/themotivatedparentpodcast   Website: www.themotivatedparent.com     Produced by: The Motivated Parent™️

Summer Vacations are here! Are you tired of theme parks or spending all your time at your parent's or grandparents' houses? We are too!  Skip the repetitive vacations and find something out of the box to bring your family closer and let them use their phones for the 'gram with these locations! This episode discusses the Venice of the U.S., non-traditional camping - think covered wagons, teepees, tiny houses, yurts, and lots of kayaking (or paddleboarding).    Season 2 Episode 17 Out of the Box Summer Vacations Join our community! Want to share your story about what motivates you? Send us an email:  hello@themotivatedparent.com IG: www.instagram.com/themotivatedparent/  FB: https://www.facebook.com/themotivatedparentpodcast    Website: www.themotivatedparent.com    Produced by: The Motivated Parent™️   

This week we paused airing an episode to honor those who died for us while fighting in combat. Please take time to reflect on those service members who never got to come home to their families. We will see you next week.

Graduation speeches are supposed to be full of happiness and positivity. So what happened to those upbeat words?  Stacy blames card companies and capitalism for the negativity that becomes a weird somber cloud over these students during happy moments.  Join us as we talk graduations, receptions, grad parties, and how to make it a more inspiring time for your graduates and yourself.  "The journey is not over; the chapter just finished." - Stacy Martinez.     Snarky Graduation Speeches Season 2 Episode 15       Join our community! Want to share your story about what motivates you? Please send us an email:  hello@themotivatedparent.com. IG: www.instagram.com/themotivatedparent/  FB: https://www.facebook.com/themotivatedparentpodcast  Website: www.themotivatedparent.com    Produced by: The Motivated Parent™️ 

The prom season is over, and Armando and Stacy tackle some etiquette for parents and teens to help navigate future events.    Prom season is so much fun, and we thoroughly enjoy it, but sometimes parents and teens don't see eye to eye on a few things. Unfortunately, those things are usually outfits.    Join Armando and Stacy as they talk about what they've experienced personally as teens, as parents of a teen, and as chaperones to various proms over the years.      Season 2 Episode 14   Join our community! Want to share your story about what motivates you? Please send us an email:  hello@themotivatedparent.com. IG: www.instagram.com/themotivatedparent/    FB: https://www.facebook.com/themotivatedparentpodcast    Website: www.themotivatedparent.com    Produced by: The Motivated Parent™️

Why Are We So Negative?     Parenting always feels like a one-up game. It feels like that more now than ever. So why does it always seem like we are focusing on the negative? Why aren't we praising other parents more often? Negativity seems to spread faster than positivity. Some people even thrive off of it. However, what if we were just a bit nicer to our friends or acquaintances?    We discuss a few NBA parents who are "hated" for nothing more than wanting the best for their kids. Armando and Stacy also give a few ideas on being a better friend and human being.      Season 2 Episode 13 Why Are We So Negative?     Join our community! Want to share your story about what motivates you? Please send us an email:  hello@themotivatedparent.com. IG: www.instagram.com/themotivatedparent/    FB: https://www.facebook.com/themotivatedparentpodcast    Website: www.themotivatedparent.com      Produced by: The Motivated Parent™️ 

Have you ever planned a last-minute getaway for your family? Of course, we often enjoy last-minute getaways, but this last one had more meaning than other trips.   In this episode, Armando and Stacy talk about their recent camping trip that only came about because of a “memory” from Shutterfly that said, “10 years ago today”. That silly thing became a trip that led us down memory lane and created even more lasting memories. It was an emotional journey for Stacy.   You don't have to go camping, but that's what we did and talked about in part of this episode. You need to take advantage of the time you have and say yes to the last-minute getaway if it means that you are going to bond with your kids. Yeah, we know they might roll their eyes or have an attitude, but it's worth it (usually*).         Season 2 Episode 12   Join our community! Want to share your story about what motivates you?   Please send us an email:  hello@themotivatedparent.com. IG: www.instagram.com/themotivatedparent/   FB: https://www.facebook.com/themotivatedparentpodcast   Website: www.themotivatedparent.com   Produced by: The Motivated Parent™️

  Are you willing to “microdose” on magic mushrooms to take the edge off of parenting? Mushroom Mania is the Psychedelic Renaissance of our time. Parents are turning to mushrooms to help them navigate parenthood and deal with the past trauma of their childhoods.    Armando and Stacy discuss a Harper Bazaar article about “Mommies Who Mushroom” and if they would ever try mushrooms for the effects - good or bad - and to make them better parents and spouses.  Would you use psychedelics in a controlled setting or pass on the entire experience?        Season 2 Episode 11   Join our community! Want to share your story about what motivates you?   Please send us an email:  hello@themotivatedparent.com. IG: www.instagram.com/themotivatedparent/    FB: https://www.facebook.com/themotivatedparentpodcast    Website: www.themotivatedparent.com    Produced by: The Motivated Parent™️

Weddings have hiccups. Some hiccups are funny and others are “insightful” to a bride or groom. Armando and Stacy read aloud wedding day hiccups and how these hiccups aren't really the precursor to a relationship.    Laugh with us and reflect on your own wedding day craziness. We share our own hiccups from the three weddings we've had with our listeners too.              Season 2 Episode 10   Join our community! Want to share your story about what motivates you?   Send us an email:  hello@themotivatedparent.com. IG: www.instagram.com/themotivatedparent/    FB: https://www.facebook.com/themotivatedparentpodcast    Website: www.themotivatedparent.com    Produced by: The Motivated Parent™️

  Take the journey with Trish as she talks about the "20 Days of April", kindness, love for and from the community, and Kate the Great.    This episode is the second and final part of our series with Trish and her 20 Days of April story about her daughter, Kate. If you missed out on the previous episode, we recommend you listen to it first to understand where we are in this one.           Join our community! Want to share your story about what motivates you? Please send us an email: hello@themotivatedparent.com. IG: www.instagram.com/themotivatedparent/    FB: https://www.facebook.com/themotivatedparentpodcast    Website: www.themotivatedparent.com      Produced by: The Motivated Parent™️   Season 2 Episode 9 Part II - Kate's Legacy

In April 2018, tragedy struck the McKay household. Their youngest child (and only daughter) was diagnosed with Leukemia at the age of 9. Kate and her mom, Trish, decided to turn the negative into something positive in the whirlwind of unknowns. That's how Kate the Great's Big Adventure came to be.    This Great Big Adventure is one of heartbreak, grief, inspiration, and kindness. It shows that with all the negative in the world, a community can make it brighter.    Take the journey with Trish as she talks about the “20 Days of April”, kindness, love for and from the community, and Kate the Great.    This episode is part one of a two-part series. Next week, you'll want to return to finish the series and be inspired!            Join our community! Want to share your story about what motivates you? Please send us an email:  hello@themotivatedparent.com. IG: www.instagram.com/themotivatedparent/    FB: https://www.facebook.com/themotivatedparentpodcast    Website: www.themotivatedparent.com      Produced by: The Motivated Parent™️   Season 2 Episode 8 Kate the Great's Big Adventure

“Will You Marry Me So I Can Date You?”    We love dating. During those dates, you realize that you want to be married to the one you were with all the time. Then marriage happens, and the dating fades as the kids enter the picture. It's just life. But what happens if you start adding a date night back into the equation? Will your marriage flourish or stay the status quo? Most likely, it will grow, and your relationship will strengthen.    Join Armando and Stacy as they dive into dating or the lack thereof to figure out how to keep the relationship strong or build it back if it's struggling.      Season 2 Episode 7   Join our community! Want to share your story about what motivates you? Please send us an email:  hello@themotivatedparent.com. IG: www.instagram.com/themotivatedparent/    FB: https://www.facebook.com/themotivatedparentpodcast    Website: www.themotivatedparent.com      Produced by: The Motivated Parent™️ 

Spring is upon us, which means all things outside - as a family. The only problem is that kids don't necessarily want to do anything with their family in the spring or summer. However, we've found a way to make a springtime weekend event into one the whole family can get behind — Gardening.    Gardening doesn't have to be a chore, and it shouldn't be. But, it needs to be something that everybody wants to see grow. So, having everybody be hands-on from the get-go, you can enjoy your family, learn a new skill, and create core memories.   "A Core Memory also referred to as Core Memories, refers to the concept of deeply impactful memories, ones that are so significant that they altered a person's future and can be remembered years later."     Season 2 Episode 6   Join our community! Want to share your story about what motivates you? Please send us an email:  hello@themotivatedparent.com IG: www.instagram.com/themotivatedparent/    FB: https://www.facebook.com/themotivatedparentpodcast    Website: www.themotivatedparent.com      Produced by: The Motivated Parent™️

No one thinks their kids will use drugs, and we hope they don't. However, as parents, we can't be complacent in our thinking and not discuss drugs with them.    In this episode, we give you ways to talk about drugs and alcohol in a non-combative way that keeps the lines of communication open. You'll hear about secret codes parents/teens can use to get out of uncomfortable situations regarding drugs and alcohol. We talk about the OG drugs of our childhoods and the new synthetic ones sweeping the nation and causing damage and heartbreak amongst families today.    If you suspect your child might have a substance abuse problem, you can reach out to the SAMHSA's National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357), or via text message: 435748 (HELP4U) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration       Join our community!  Want to share your story about what motivates you?     Send us an email: hello@themotivatedparent.com       IG: www.instagram.com/themotivatedparent/    FB: https://www.facebook.com/themotivatedparentpodcast    Website: www.themotivatedparent.com      Produced by: The Motivated Parent™️    Season 2 Episode 5 Teens and Drugs: How to Talk to Your Kids Without Pushing Them Away

Cousins are the lifeblood of a family, and if you don't keep the relationships going with them, the family ultimately "dies."   After a recent trip to my Grandma's 90th Birthday (my last living grandparent), I realized that cousins are the link to holding families together. Cousins are who you can count on to keep the family "alive" with the history and stories.   In this episode, we discuss why you should make an effort to stay connected, how to stay connected, the importance of cousins, and the eventual death of a family unit without these connections.  Season 2 Episode 4 The Importance of Cousins: Keeping a Family Unit Alive.

You turn on the news or hop on social media, and the Russia and Ukraine situation is on - 24 hours a day. It's everywhere and hard to run away from at this point. Most of you have talked to your kids by now. Maybe you are feeling a little defeated after the conversation. Or you haven't sat down with them because you don't know where to start. Armando and I have 20 years of deployments and talking to kids about war and conflict. We approach things differently with our kids, and it might help you talk to yours about this scary and heartbreaking conflict. We are not therapists, counselors, or psychologists, but simply a couple who has dealt with dozens and dozens of deployments to combat zones.    When you talk with your kids, whatever their age - be open to their questions, make sure they feel validated, and monitor your tv and social media.      Join our community! Want to share your story about what motivates you? Please send us an email:  hello@themotivatedparent.com IG: www.instagram.com/themotivatedparent/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/themotivatedparentpodcast Website: www.themotivatedparent.com    Produced by: The Motivated Parent™️ 

A mom is a multi-faceted role that most women will play in their lifetimes.  Our guest, Kayla Rodriguez-Bowers, is a military spouse and mom to two boys. After being stationed in Germany for what should have been three years and many miles of sightseeing around Europe, she found herself on a different journey - Kayla became an advocate.  Kayla talks with Stacy about her son's diagnosis of Autism, their tribulations of living in a foreign country during 2020, and how she is leading this new journey with her family.  Join our community!
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It's here! We are back with season 2 of The Motivated Parent Podcast. We're Armando and Stacy, the hosts of The Motivated Parent Podcast. Join us as we launch into a new season of motivation for you and your family. Our guests will motivate, make you cry, and make you laugh.    Don't miss out on this great season of The Motivated Parent. Subscribe to the show to hear NEW EPISODES airing every Tuesday starting February 2022. Join our community! Instagram: themotivatedparent Facebook: themotivatedparentpodcast Website: www.themotivatedparent.com Email: hello@themotivatedparent.com   Produced by: The Motivated Parent™️

Season One has wrapped! Your hosts, Armando + Stacy, recorded, edited, produced, and published 26 episodes filled with laughs, mishaps, and genuine advice. When we decided to start our podcast, we didn't think it would go anywhere or that anyone would listen. However, fast forward 26 weeks, and we love our "passion project" or "passion project podcast" (as Stacy calls it) more than ever. Our show, The Motivated Parent, has even been downloaded in 15 countries which is impressive and exciting at the same time.  Laugh with us as we recap the first season. We are thankful to our podcast community for coming back every week to listen to us. We love y'all. Season Two will air in January 2022, so until then, remember that "Time is precious; Waste it wisely!"  -Armando + Stacy 

Every family has its own way of celebrating different holidays. Our family mixes two cultures to provide fun and memorable holidays for our kids. Episode 25 discusses Cuban and American traditions for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day. How do you celebrate? Is it different from your childhood or spouse? What's the biggest takeaway for creating traditions for your family? 

According to Merriam-Webster, a tradition is defined as an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior (such as a religious practice or a social custom).  Armando and I come from very different backgrounds, and with it come different traditions, or in our case, the lack thereof. In episode 24, we dig into birthday traditions, how to keep birthdays unique (and not lame) as our children age, and how to create new family memories that stick for the long haul.

We aren't around a real campfire, but we have eight very relatable questions and lots of laughs. Tell a story about: Feeling something move beneath your feet, A time you got caught in a storm, An object you found and kept from your travels, A strange noise, A time you didn't wear (or pack) the right clothes, A time you put away the map, A time you were in danger - but didn't know it,  A time you got lost or stranded  We'd love to hear your stories. Please share it with us on our Facebook or Instagram pages at The Motivated Parent. 

Episode 21 was all about Speed Dating your spouse/significant other. Marriages and Relationships start to begin to fizzle out over time. They don't always end, but they lose their luster. We forget that we are people with interests, likes/dislikes, etc. Armando and I went forward in “speed dating” and pushed it on to “Marriage Retreats.” Carving out time for your relationship is vital to stay connected when you feel worlds apart! “Marriage Retreats” are great but might not be for everyone. We add in our fun and sometimes ridiculous takes on how to reconnect!

Marriages and Relationships begin to fizzle out over time. I'm not saying they end, but they lose their luster. We forget that we are people with interests, likes/dislikes, etc. Armando and I have kept a fun dialogue going between each other with question games like Desert Island or (drum roll, please) - Speed Dating.  Join us in answering some questions.  -If you could travel back in time, which era would you choose? -What famous dead person would you like to meet? -If you have an unlimited budget, where do you get married or have a vow renewal?   

Our emotions and perceived “connections” lure us into high-profile cases where someone is murdered or vanishes. We saw this with Laci Peterson, Natalee Holloway, Casey Anthony, and now, Gabby Petito. In the past, we would wait for the news to update us, but now social media like Reddit and TikTok exploded the case of Gabby Petito. With that “explosion” in information, false narratives and flat-out lies spread like truth. Then we go on the attack of the parents. Why do we immediately blame the parents for their adult children's crappy behavior? At what point do we place the blame where it should be and not on the parenting? Join in this dialogue. Do you think parents are responsible for their children's crappy behavior once they are adults?

We dig into splurges that parents should consider, and they aren't necessarily what you think! This episode has three categories - Indoor, Outdoor, and On the Go. Armando and Stacy try to keep these splurges on the cheaper side, and they are all for parents - no children allowed.  Stacy's favorite splurge is in the “On the Go” category. It's one to spark new ideas in any parent, especially the parents who want to get away from the crazy parenting thing.  Armando's splurge is in the "On the Go" category, too, but it's not what you'd expect!     

Take a stroll with us as we list our favorite childhood movies that are great to share with the kids. We only discuss movies from the '80s and '90s since those are the decades we were kids. It truly is a “Blast from the Past” talking about these movies as many are classics and stir up emotions in us. Armando and I have let our kids watch most of these, and they love them just as much as we do. So take the trip down memory lane, and you won't be disappointed. 

Episode 17 is all about Homeschooling! Marty and Stacy dig into the world of homeschooling, and guess what? It might not be for you! A simple Google search can be overwhelming or barely scratch the surface, but it's a great place to start. Go back and forth with the pros and cons of homeschooling with us and see if it's a good fit or not for your family. Disclaimer* There is no right or wrong answer to this - it's a personal choice, and we aren't in the "shame game"!