Become A Calm Mama

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...

Summer Break can somehow be both easier and more stressful for parents. Create a rhythm and make sure your kid’s (and your) needs are met with these 7 family essentials this summer. You’ll Learn: The 7 essential ingredients every family needs to thrive Why boredom is super important and how to deal with it How to troubleshoot when your kid is complaining, grumpy and over-tired What to do to calm a...

On today’s episode, we’re talking about child-led versus values-led parenting. Last week, I walked you through how to define your family values, and this week we’re putting them into practice - letting them be your guide in parenting.  You’ll Learn: The difference between child-led and values-led parenting How to be compassionate while still holding your limits Examples of value-based limits...

To have a stress-free summer (or at least something close to it), you’ve got to create the right mindset.  And that’s exactly what I’m teaching you to do in this encore episode of the Become A Calm Mama podcast.  You’ll Learn: How to design an ideal summer day How to create your summer bucket list 5 new thoughts to practice this summer How to shift out of a grumpy mood  This can be...

What decides the direction of your family? Today starts a two-part series on defining your family values and how you can make decisions based on the things that are most important to you.  You’ll Learn: How my husband responded when I asked him (out of the blue) about his biggest personal value How to figure out your family’s core values Some of our family values and what they look like in re...

My son recently sent me a text with a big question about how to live an intentional life. As moms, we’re all trying to figure out how to make the most of this experience. How to balance  all of the different stressors and demands while also enjoying the process.  You’ll Learn: The big question my son asked me (and what I told him) Some of the goals and feelings I’ve chased over the years...

Today, I've invited my friend and fellow coach, Jennifer Delliquadri, to come talk with me about midlife, post-motherhood, and being a woman at this time in our lives.  You’ll Learn: Why it’s natural for transformation to be messy Times when Jennifer and I have experienced dissatisfaction in our own lives, and some of the shifts we made Pandemic challenges we’re still working through when it...

If you have kids under the age of 7, you’re going to love this episode! I’ve invited Kelsey Cook, founder of Learning with Kelsey, to share easy ways to entertain little kids.  You’ll Learn: Why you don’t have to be involved in everything your kid does How to feel more playful and fun as a mom  4 ways to encourage play (and make it easy) My hide-and-seek hack for when you need a quiet mo...

Today, I’ve invited occupational therapist Alisha Grogan on the podcast to share simple sensory activities for kids to help them become calmer and more regulated.  You’ll Learn: What’s actually happening when you think your kid is manipulating you 3 “hidden” senses that we all have  The 2 main types of sensory sensitivities LOTS of simple strategies you can try to help soothe your child’...

Jill and Mary of Girls Mentorship are back! We’re continuing our conversation and talking about specific tools and strategies for supporting and raising teen and tween girls. (If you missed part 1 , be sure to check it out.) And even though Jill and Mary focus their work on girls, these are great tips no matter the gender of your child. You’ll Learn: The pitfalls of labeling all negative interacti...

Why do women in mid-life give less f*cks? It's all about the estrogen crash. On this episode Darlynn and her friend Jennifer Delliquadri talk all about how estrogen plays a role in why moms are biologically wired to worry about their kids and the profound shift that happens when our estrogen crashes. Plus, you'll hear how Darlynn spiraled deep into a "I'm not good enough" self-worth crisis and how...

Today on the podcast, I’m joined by Jill and Mary, founders of Girls Mentorship. We’re diving into what teen and tween girls need and what they’re going through at this stage of life.  You’ll Learn: What makes teen & tween girls so awesome! Benefits and pitfalls of greater emotional awareness in this generation of kids How small shifts can make a big difference in identity and self-esteem...

Today, I've invited Jessica Koosed Etting onto the podcast for a conversation about family life, the mental load on moms, and how we can make things a little bit simpler and easier.  You’ll Learn: Why motherhood feels so overwhelming (it’s not just you!) Why your own parents might not be able to relate to your mental load How to reduce your mental load, involve your family, and feel more calm...

Over the past 5 weeks, I’ve walked you through the hierarchy of healing and how to go through the phases of healing I call radical self-love , self-trust , honesty , listening , and acceptance . Today, we finish the series with radical action - the part where we DO the things that actually improve our lives and create the lives that we want. You’ll Learn: How to hold both contentment and a desire...

When we set out to create positive change and healing in our lives, those actions must come from a place of love and trust in ourselves. The key is practicing radical acceptance of ourselves and our circumstances.  In this episode, you’ll learn: Why we struggle to accept reality The truth about acceptance and taking action Real life examples of challenging circumstances and how we can be more...