Just Ask Your Mom

After 10 seasons and 5 years of the pod, we're running down the top episodes according to listeners and our own favs. It's like Spotify Wrapped for Just Ask Your Mom!  Since airing our first episode in 2021, we've laughed, cried, reminisced, learned and changed....and we hope we've been an encouragement and a bright spot for you! 

**PG-13** We're telling it like it is and filling in the gaps on areas you probably didn't touch on in that premarital counseling. It's surprising how many women & men don't know some of the basics about sex or have relied on bogus input from porn. It's a skill, takes practice, and is super important relationship glue in marriage.    Archer Physical Therapy in Nashvill...

We've come a long way, baby!  In this episode, we're talking about the sexual revolution, the economics of sex, and how all the freedom we're so fond of may have turned out to be less of a blessing than we thought. 

**PG-13** It's not enough to have the traditional birds & bees talk with your kids about sex anymore. There's a whole new landscape that's changed quickly over the past decade. We're getting frank here and talking about some topics that you might want to think about addressing. 

The term tradwife (short for traditional wife) is popping up all over social media. There's some nuance to the modern role that we thought was worth digging into. Why all the interest in tradwifery and should you aspire to be one?? 

For our upcoming holiday season, we're re-airing a classic episode from our archives about hospitality.  It's not about stressing over clean baseboards. 

We're gearing up for Thanksgiving with this class rewind from our "cultivate" series.  Why gratitude is important, how to focus on this virtue and some tips for practicing it with kids!

We're replaying a classic conversation about near-death experiences, with someone who's actually had the experience herself. If you're on the fence about whether there's an afterlife, this episode might give a hint. 

Astrology has become increasingly popular among teens and young adults over the past decade. 65% of people between the ages of 14 and 29 read their horoscope on accessible apps daily and often make life decisions based on it.  What's the harm in "knowing your sign?"  

Find yourself yelling a lot?  Responding at Level 10 to a Level 3 situation?  Our guest, Kristin Cogan, licensed therapist, coach and Texas mom of 5 talked with us about how to calm that feeling of overwhelm and practice some emotional hygiene. Kristin’s IG   ImperfectlyWonderfulMotherhood 

Are you a crier or a stoic? Is one better for you than another? We're talking about ugly crying, having a good cry, and what all those tears might be good for on this episode. A baby's cry might trigger you or cue the nurture reflex. What might those responses say about you?

This warm conversation with Deana Thayer went in lots of directions!  She's a mom of 5 with over 20 years' experience in the marriage & family sphere, part of a blended family, and a wise new friend. Something for everyone in this fun conversation. 

Few things can be as frustrating as arguing with your child at the end of a long day about getting to bed on time. We're sharing what worked (or didn't) with our own kids as well as some tried-and-true tips for simple bedtime solutions. 

Mom of two, Misa Pignataro joins us on this episode to talk about picky eaters, the all-important "flavor window" from 6-18 months, and how to make food a high-adventure/low pressure issue in your family.  We're looking at common food struggles and how to address them.   https://www.misascleankitchen.com/

"If you have divorced parents, you're probably not doing fine." Our guest, Kent Darcie, founder of Adults With Divorced Parents Ministries in Michigan, sheds light on issues most ADPs commonly face. We also get into "gray divorce," projected to triple from 1990 to 2030, and the unique challenges faced by adults experiencing their parents divorce after they leave the nest. ...

By the first grade, roughly 5% of children have noticeable speech issues. If you're a language specialist, would you even notice this in your child? How do you know if your child might benefit from speech therapy?  Join us and our guest, Jessie Kensey, founder of Simply Speech Therapy in Orange County, CA.  

And the pendulum swings again. FAFO may be an over-correction to the often misapplied gentle parenting. We're taking a look at yet another yikes-y trend and weighing in.  What's FAFO parenting?  "Fool" Around and Find Out!

We take a look at the trend in gentle and conscious parenting to discuss where it stems from and whether it's effective. Most parents want to be gentle and self-aware, but is that enough and is there more to add to the conversation?  

It's harder and harder to find movies and entertainment for kids that's positive, clean, and actually fun to watch. Nathan D. and D'Lytha Myers, veterans in the film and acting professions, have done just that with Aria Appleton Shines. Think High School Musical for middle school without crossing any moral lines.  This was such a fun conversation about their movie and the entertainm...

52% of young adults ages 18-29 in the US live with one or both parents. College debt and housing costs contribute to that, but more alarmingly, there's a trend toward failure to launch positively, leading to fractured relationships or estrangement. Guest Jack Stoltzfus is a psychologist whose mission is to help parents successfully launch their children to adulthood.   The Parents' Launc...

The relational whiplash of parenting tweens and teens can leave parents spinning. One morning they're hugging you at breakfast and the next anything you say is a minefield of conflict. Join us for our fun and insightful conversation with Jeanine Mouchawar, a mom who's been through it with her own teens and who learned valuable communication skills along the way. IG: https://www.instagram...

Today in the US, way over half of 11-14 year-olds wear braces and a growing number of adults have joined those ranks.  Correcting a child's bite is about more than appearances. How do you know if your child might need braces? How early should you check with an orthodontist?  In this episode, we're talking about experiences in our own families and hearing from an expert: Dr. Alex from Atl...

The thought of accidentally leaving your child in a car seems unthinkable--something only careless or negligent parents would do.  But science and real-world cases tell a different story.  Today's guest is Michael Israel, nephew of one of the inventors of CLEVERELLY, a unique & effective reminder device that disrupts our normal patterns--even when we zone out.   cleverelly.com

If you're not a teacher, you're not as likely to know how to teach reading to your child. It's easier to miss signals your child might be struggling or know how to help them.  Guest Daniela Feldhausen teaches us how to recognize early signs of dyslexia and dysgraphia and gives some helpful early intervention tips to set kids on the right track to reading well.  Kids Up Reading Tutor...

One of our favorite podcast guests ever, Kathy Cunningham gets real about what it's like navigating our changing role when our kids are adults out in the world on their own journeys. It's often tough on a parent's heart, but it's God's invitation into surrender and a stronger faith.  @kathycunningham717 Listeners of JAM can get a 10% discount on membership via Kathy's...