Become A Calm Mama

I’m so excited this week to introduce Dr. Angele Close on the podcast. We're talking all about motherhood, the myths of motherhood (including the “good mom” myth), and what it's like to be a mom in this modern world. In fact, we had so much to talk about that this week’s episode is only part 1!  You’ll Learn: Why motherhood feels so heavy A key concept that can help you drop the self-blame an...

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the concept of pre-regulation and how it can help with preventing meltdowns. Today, you’ll learn how to help your kid get calm (and stay calm) so you have less dysregulation and fewer tantrums. You’ll Learn: Why meltdowns actually happen Things you might be doing that make tantrums worse How to help you child calm their nervous system in the moment Tons of sim...

Today, I’ve invited Sara Hartley onto the podcast for a conversation about raising neurodivergent kids. I really appreciate the work Sara is putting out into the world, including her new book series called Purposefully Me that helps kids navigate big feelings, embrace their differences, build resilience, and discover their unique purpose through affirmations and storytelling. You’ll Learn: What to...

Today, I’m walking you through 3 things that kids need in order to feel secure in their attachment with you. Consider this your crash course in attachment basics, a how-to guide. You’ll Learn: How focusing on attachment in childhood with help you kid in adulthood My experience as an adoptive mom working to repair my kids’ attachments after life in an orphanage The 4 S’s of attachment and how to us...

Today, I’ve invited Dr. Sarah Bren to talk to us about attachment, knowing whether or not we have a secure attachment with our kids, and how to maintain that secure attachment through the process of repair.  You’ll Learn: Why emotional health and achievement don’t have to be an either/or (and which one often leads to the other) Why repair is so important - and how to do it right A time I (rec...

When my kids were little, I came up with a routine that I called “The 5 Things”. Basically, I decided on five things that my kids needed to do before school every morning - the non-negotiables. Today, you’ll learn how to create and follow through on your own morning and bedtime routines.  You’ll Learn: What The 5 Things are and how to use this tool to create simple routines for your kids Why...

This one simple practice that I call “Eyeballs” can make your afternoons easier and add powerful connection to anytime you reunite with your child. It only takes a few seconds and very little effort, but I know it will make a huge difference in your home. You’ll Learn: What the Eyeballs tool is and how to use it (it’s gonna change your life!) Why connection doesn’t have to be complicated My favori...

In today’s short and sweet episode, I’m giving you two simple strategies for better mornings (which I know you can use now that school is back in session!).  You’ll Learn: The most important thing about mornings How to make a gentle handoff to school, daycare, or camp What to do first when you see your kid in the morning How to get back on track after a rough moment I show you how to help you...

If you’ve ever known anyone who’s going through a divorce, if you’re considering divorce yourself, or are in the early stages of making that decision, this episode on surviving divorce is for you.  My guest today is Certified Divorce Coach® Laila Aitken Ali . Laila is known as the Split Coach, and she helps people (especially parents) to restructure their lives and relationships post-breakup...

Today on Become A Calm Mama, we’re continuing our conversation from last week about The Drama Triangle. This week, we’re diving deeper into a healthier model, The Empowerment Dynamic (TED).  You’ll Learn: Unhelpful stories that you might be telling yourself right now How our thoughts and beliefs become our reality (and how to use this to your advantage) Questions to ask yourself to determine...

Today, we’re digging into the concept of the Drama Triangle (which you can probably guess is something you don’t want to be stuck in). I’m talking all about what the Drama Triangle is and how it shows up in parenting. You’ll Learn: What the Drama Triangle is and why you don’t want to get stuck there Examples of how the Drama Triangle shows up in families A new model to help you shift out of the dr...

This encore episode about the back to school shit show is one I come back to over and over again - because it’s something parents struggle with every. single. year. The transition back to school from summer break is definitely a transition. Kids suddenly have to wake up early, get themselves ready and out the door (on time). And it’s a transition for you too as you settle everyone into a new routi...

Today, we’re wrapping up the 3-part series on Internal Family Systems (IFS). This episode is all about being what your kid needs, with lots of strategies to show up as the calm, connected parent you want to be. You’ll Learn: The 4 parts of emotional literacy How to let your child “borrow” your nervous system as they build their own emotional strength 3 things all kids want to hear from their paren...

There are many different religious and cultural traditions and concepts that help us understand what I’m referring to today as the SELF. This is the term used in the Internal Family Systems approach (IFS) to describe our inner being, essence, soul, or spirit.  Find out: What SELF (yes, in all caps) is and how it helps you heal from within How to know when you’re accessing your core SELF (and...

Moms often start the summer feeling energized, encouraged and ready to go! Then around week 6 or 7, the kids are fighting, they never seem happy and everything sucks. This is your late summer pep talk to help you get out of that funk and get through the rest of summer. If you're having a great summer, I love that for you. But if you're struggling, if you're burned out, resentful or overwhelmed, if...

Years ago, I was talking to a client about what it truly means to be a Calm Mama. And she realized that the absence of yelling ≠ calm. There is something deeper that we’re working toward. An inner wisdom, inner peace, and knowing that you can handle anything that comes along. There might be a lot of chaos around you, but inside you are calm and steady. Today, we begin a new 3-part series on Intern...

If you’re feeling like your family could use a break from screens and a reset, this is the episode for you. You may remember a podcast I recorded last year about how to do a digital detox . Well, that episode was based on an amazing book called Digital Detox: The Two-Week Tech Reset for Kids , and I am so thankful to have the author, Molly DeFrank, here with me today. You’ll Learn: Why letting go...

Today, I am so excited to introduce two special guests, Julie Scelfo and Julie Fruman, from Mothers Against Media Addiction (or MAMA). I believe so much in MAMA’s vision and mission for healthier tech and healthier families. I can’t wait for you to meet them.  You’ll Learn: How a simple shift helped my guest’s son love reading. Why the era of anxious parenting is making it even harder for par...

We’re a few weeks into summer, and you might be starting to feel like you’re in the doldrums. If you’ve been feeling frustrated, disappointed or sad that your summer isn’t going quite the way you hoped it would, this is the episode for you.  You’ll Learn: Common challenges with kids in the summer 4 strategies to do a summer reset and get things back on track Some thoughts you can borrow to cr...

Welcome back to another Confessions episode! NOTE: This episode is a doozy. It might even need a trigger warning (sexual abuse trauma). But I KNOW it’s going to be really helpful on your healing journey. Listen when you feel ready. My friend, Kristin LaFontaine is back on the podcast, and I'm confessing some of my deepest fears and how I spent years and years in what I call the fix it/fuck it cycl...

The thing about dinner is that it happens every. single. day. And it’s typically the worst time of day for kids, especially littles. Plus, you might have sports or other evening activities in the mix. Today, Madison Wetherill of Cook At Home Mom is here to help you make preparing meals for your family easier and more joyful.  You’ll Learn: Why preparing meals feels so hard The most impactful...

Have you ever seen your kid do something and think, “They should know better”? I think we all have at one time or another. But here’s the thing - maybe they don’t.  Today, I’m talking about what kids don’t know so that you can adjust your expectations, feel less annoyed by their behavior, and help them learn the skills they’re missing. You’ll Learn: Why our kids don’t actually “know better” a...

We’ve all been there. You make a plan to do something that you think is going to be really fun for you and your kids. But then, it turns out to not be as much fun as you thought. Your kids aren’t into it, they’re complaining, and you end up feeling disappointed, frustrated, and annoyed.  You’ll Learn: Real-life examples of shifting plans and expectations One of the guiding principles I follow...

Let’s face it.  Summer is great.  And it’s a lot. A lot of time with kids. Traveling. Extra meal prep. Day trips with snack bags. Feeling like there’s not enough time to get work done. Long days. Late nights. Sibling fights. Loneliness.  You’re going to need a plan to enjoy the season - and avoid burnout. You’ll Learn: Why burnout happens Signs that you are approaching burnout The b...

On today’s episode of Become A Calm Mama, I have 2 guests - Angie and Megan - co-founders of Front Row Moms . We’re talking about what it means to be a working mom, as well as the benefits and obstacles to being a working parent.  You’ll Learn: What “having it all” actually means Mindset shifts to relieve mom guilt 4 strategies for managing overwhelm as a working mom Why empowerment is better...