Less Drama More Mama

What can Japanese parenting teach us about raising calm, capable kids? This week, I'm talking with Lisa Katayama, author of The Japanese Way of Parenting: What It Taught Me About Raising Mostly Calm, Caring, Capable Kids . Lisa was born and raised in Tokyo and now lives in Northern California. In our conversation, we talk about what stood out to her as she raised kids in the U.S. while drawing fro...

Have you ever been in a situation with your child where you can feel it escalating while it's happening? They're getting more upset, you're talking more, explaining more, trying to get things back on track, and at the same time, you can tell it's not helping. In this episode, I'm breaking down five common things moms do that feel right in the moment, but make things worse. These are the patterns t...

Four hundred episodes. For this one, I did something I've never done before. I asked you to send in your parenting questions by voice message, and I answered them on the show. This episode covers six real questions from moms in my community. We talk about things like a five-year-old's defiance and name-calling, feeling overwhelmed when everything feels urgent, high-conflict co-parenting exchanges,...

In today's episode, I'm sharing seven things loving moms do. These are the same things I teach inside Damn Good Mama, and they're what help moms start showing up differently at home. Of course, you love your kids deeply. But how do you show that love when your child is upset, pushing back, or not listening, and you can feel yourself getting pulled into a reaction you don't want? I walk through eac...

Your child is perfectly fine at home. Relaxed. Talkative. Maybe even sweet. Then you show up at school, wave a little too enthusiastically, and suddenly you're getting an eye roll, a sharp "Mom, stop," or something worse, right in front of their friends. When your child is rude to you in front of other people, it can leave you feeling embarrassed, hurt, and confused. Learn why this happens (especi...

Boys and girls move through the tween years very differently. They handle friendships, express emotions, and start testing their independence each in their own ways. And if you don't know what to expect, it's easy to misread what's going on. In this episode, the third in our tween series, I share what the research says about how tween boys and girls differ and what I saw firsthand as a therapist a...

The topic of puberty can feel intimidating for a lot of moms.  Between their child's mood swings, body changes, and sudden self-consciousness, many parents aren't quite sure what to expect or how to talk about it. This episode addresses how you can support your child through this stage with more confidence. Puberty is about much more than physical changes. It's emotional, social, and relational to...

The tween years don't just change your child. They change you. Around ages 9 to 12, your child begins the important developmental work of identity formation. They start caring more about their friends, forming stronger opinions, and creating more space between you. This shift can feel just as big for you as it does for them, and it requires a different kind of presence from you. The moms who come...

The nervous system is complex. But you don't need a neuroscience degree to understand what's happening in your body when parenting gets hard. In this episode, I'm breaking down nervous system terms every mom should know, so your reactions stop feeling so mysterious. When you understand the language of your nervous system, you can recognize what's happening in your body much earlier. And that chang...

Picture two moms. They both work full time. They both keep track of schedules, appointments, groceries, school emails, and everyone's emotional temperature. They both have kids who talk back, make messes, and test limits. One mom snaps more often than she wants to. She yells, feels out of control, and then carries guilt. The other mom gets activated too, but she recovers faster. She repairs more e...

You know your triggers. You understand why certain things your kids say or do set you off. You've read the parenting books. You've listened to the podcasts. You know how you want to respond. And yet — in the moment — you still react. Why? Because survival patterns override insight. In this week's episode, I share how I shifted patterns in my love life — and how the same principles can apply to par...

Winter can be hard on moms. And right now, much of the U.S. is dealing with extreme cold, dangerous wind chills, school closures, and being stuck inside more than usual. When your world shrinks and your responsibilities don't, parenting can feel even heavier. In this episode, I break down why winter affects your mood, energy, and nervous system. You'll also hear four grounded ways to get through w...

The hardest part of parenting for me, especially as my kids get older, is watching them make a choice I wouldn't make and letting them do it anyway. I have to take a breath and remind myself—it's their lives, not mine. In today's episode, I share a personal story about a time when my daughter and I had very different perspectives and how I navigated the tension between trusting her autonomy and ho...

There are thoughts many moms have that feel too scary, shameful, or unacceptable to say out loud. Thoughts like: "I don't like my kid right now." "I can't do this anymore." "I wish I could just disappear." And almost immediately, those thoughts are followed by guilt, shame, or a voice that says,  What kind of mother even thinks this? That's what today's podcast episode is about. Not fixing those t...

If procrastination has been a lifelong issue for you, as it has been for me, there's a good chance you've spent years trying to solve it. More discipline. Better systems. Tighter deadlines. Pep talks. Shame. And if any of that actually worked, I'd be the first one to tell you to do it. This week's episode looks at procrastination through a nervous system lens, as a response that once served a purp...

January can come with a lot of pressure. Set goals. Build momentum. Hit the ground running. Fix what's not working . . . and do it fast. Today's episode goes in the opposite direction. Instead of talking about how to change faster, I talk about why slowing down is often the fastest way to get different results in your parenting. When something isn't working, it makes sense to want it fixed immedia...

I've been choosing a Word of the Year every December since 2014. It's a practice I return to because it gives me a steady way to orient myself toward how I want to show up, what I want to focus on, and who I want to become. A Word of the Year can reshape your parenting without the pressure and rigidity of traditional goal setting. In this last episode of the year, I share what my 2025 word taught...

In the Chinese zodiac, 2025 was the Year of the Snake, associated with shedding old layers and releasing what no longer fits. 2026 is the Year of the Horse, which represents forward movement, momentum, and action. As we head into the last weeks of December, I wanted to bring back an episode from the podcast archives that fits naturally with this transition and discusses what it takes to reinvent y...

For many families, this is one of those years where the holiday gift budget just doesn't stretch the way it used to. And that can bring up stress, guilt, and fear of disappointing the kids. This episode reminds us that meaningful gifts don't have to be expensive, and your kids don't need more stuff to feel loved. I'm sharing creative, budget-friendly gift ideas that help the holidays feel special...

Winter break can feel overwhelming when routines disappear and expectations rise. Days lose their rhythm. Decision-making never ends. And even small things can feel harder than usual. In this episode, I share a calmer way to get through winter break in one piece, with simple insights that help days feel more manageable, without doing more or trying harder. https://lessdramamoremama.com/383

Winter break can bring up a mix of emotions for moms. You might want to enjoy the extra time with your kids, but the lack of structure, routine, and personal space can make the days feel harder than you expect.  This episode breaks down what actually happens in your brain and body when the kids are on break, so you can understand your reactions with more clarity and compassion. Once you understand...

The word "magic" has come up in almost every one of my coaching sessions this month. If you're feeling responsible for creating a picture-perfect holiday season, you're not alone. What starts as excitement quickly turns into rushing, planning, and managing everyone's experience.  The ease and joy you wanted? Gone. In today's episode, I talk about how your stress affects your child more than you re...

When my older daughter was in preschool, I volunteered to be the room mom. After that year, the teacher asked if I wanted to do it again. I said no and felt zero guilt. None. I simply didn't want to spend my time that way again. Saying no made my life easier, not harder. As the holidays approach, many moms convince themselves they should say yes to things they don't want to do (e.g. class parties,...

You know that lump in your throat you try to swallow when you want to hold back tears? Most of us do it automatically.  We tell ourselves we have to be strong because crying will make our kids worry, or that holding it together proves we're in control. But what if tears aren't a sign of weakness at all? What if they're a gift to you and your kids? In this episode, I'm sharing why sadness isn't som...

Nervous system work is the missing piece for so many moms who've tried therapy or mindset coaching and still find themselves reacting in ways they don't like. In this episode, I'm sharing clips from an actual coaching session of mine. Over the course of the episode, you'll hear a mom's nervous system move from activation and anxiety to calm, relief, and hope—and I'll walk you through what's happen...