Mom Treading Water (The Imperfect Mom)

Send us Fan Mail As part of our Inspiring Without Defining series, Jillene Jones is discussing the multitude of health benefits associated with meditation.   She is the owner of Pure Prana Yoga located in Maine and is sharing her years of expertise with Mom Treading Water listeners.    In an additional bonus episode, she is giving a free meditation session to all Mom Treading Water listeners.    ...

Send us Fan Mail As part of our Inspiring Without Defining series, Jillene Jones is giving a free meditation session to all Mom Treading Water listeners.     Episode 24 is my interview with Jillene and is available on all podcast apps.   Please reach out to Jillene to learn more and explore the services she provides.   Pure Prana Yoga Website at  https://thepurepranayoga.com   Facebook Group at  h...

Send us Fan Mail Self-care is a necessity,  not a luxury, and absolutely is not synonymous with selfishness.    The lack of self-care breaks down confidence, worth, and love.    By embracing self-care, we teach our children the importance of taking care of ourselves and demonstrate that we are human.  Embrace self-love and kindness for yourself by adopting self-care.  *To order a copy of Raising H...

Send us Fan Mail It was enlightening to have author, Michelle Kuei as a guest of the Inspiring Without Defining series.    In addition to being an author, she is the founder of Elevate Life Coaching, a public speaker, pharmacist, international volunteer, hiker, photographer and painter.   She is a true Renaissance woman!    Her book challenges  you to reflect upon yourself and find your inner best...

Send us Fan Mail Adoption can be an emotional rollercoaster for all involved and it is a process that continues for a lifetime.  The perspective I am sharing is solely my own.    This was an overwhelming episode for me because of how passionate I feel about adoption.   Hopefully, it will provide insight to non-adoption families and friends.  I do not speak on behalf of any adoption parents, birth...

Send us Fan Mail It is hard to believe, that my husband and I have been married for 10 years.    We are very  different in many ways, but our values are what brought us together and continue to keep our relationship strong.    Had I not gone on the 3rd date, I would not have my invaluable life.   He has made me a better person by expanding my interests and showing me how to be a more compassionate...

Send us Fan Mail This is Mom Treading Water's first interview!  It was an honor to speak with Sarah MacLaughlin on her book, Raising Humans With Heart: Not   a How-To Manual.    She embodies sincerity and genuine compassion toward making us ALL humans with heart.    *To get a copy of Raising Humans With Heart: Not a How-To Manual,  please visit: https://amzn.to/3AFq49M Please join our Faceboo...

Send us Fan Mail We all have our "Negative Nelly" moments.   Sometimes, it feels as if there is nothing positive to embrace but maybe that is not true.   I've perfected being negative in the past, but it is something I am working on to be a better mom, wife and most importantly feel better about me.  For me, negativity breeds guilt and worry leading to emotional exhaustion.     Embr...

Send us Fan Mail When someone shares their true self with you and especially their intimate self as a gay person,  it is an honor.   It has taken me years to realize the magnitude when friends shared a part of themselves with courage and vulnerability before the whole world knew.     My personal antidotes hopefully represent love, acceptance, humor and maybe a little bit of my own oblivious nature...

Send us Fan Mail Becoming a wife and mom are the proudest moments of my life but just because that is what works for me, does not mean that is best for everyone.   As parents our responsibilities revolve around our children but it does not mean that our time holds more value than those who are kid-free.    I have been on both sides and definitely felt the "Well, she doesn't have kids...&...

Send us Fan Mail  ***TRIGGER WARNING!   This episode discusses depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.   It may not be appropriate for younger children or if these topics may cause a trigger.*** If you or you suspect someone you love is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please seek immediate help.    We are all needed and loved.   Contact the Suicide Prevention Lifeline:  https://suicidepreven...

Send us Fan Mail Although we are evolving in gender equality, there is more work to be done.    Even the simple act of finding inspirational tshirts for my children, most times, presents as gender stereotypes.    A step further,  how to we instill the importance of gender equality to our boys at a young age or is it just not instilling stereotypes in the first place?  Also, please listen to the en...

Send us Fan Mail We teach by our actions and words.  It does not matter what we "instruct" our children to do if we do not model the same behavior.     As none of us are perfect, we all have "whoops" moments that we teach our children some not-so-perfect things.   As parents, we learn more about our own actions and words through our children.  I know we have had a few "sma...

Send us Fan Mail This story was too inspiring to wait to share.   Listen to this very brief episode how I learned a valuable lesson from 2 amazing and caring 11 year old girls on why we all should "like to be kind." Please go to your favorite podcast app or to my direct website to listen to episode 10, Learning To Give And Receive Kindness.  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1787240/8956344 Ple...

Send us Fan Mail As we get ready to enter another unprecedented school year, we need to give special thanks to the teachers and staff who have  graciously maneuvered  these uncertain times.     At the end of the school year, I reached out to teachers and staff to discuss how they adapted and what they would like us non-educators to know.    I deliberately waited to the start of the new school year...

Send us Fan Mail Children are innately kind and as adults, we should embrace the opportunity to learn from them.   When we give without any expectation of self gain, it is a gift.  It is humbling.  We should allow others the gift of giving  to us.   There is strength is asking for help.    Listen to episode, Excuses and Reasons, please visit  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1787240/8764762 or your favo...

Send us Fan Mail Finding the right doctor is like dating.  You both can be very good people, but you might not be good together.   Although finding the right doctors to partner with you in managing your healthcare can be challenging, it is completely worth it.    All patients deserve to be heard.    To join our Facebook group, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/groups/490411995647295/ Support...

Send us Fan Mail The desire to be perfect can be paralyzing but also make us unkindly critical of others and ourselves.    We see it in our daily lives but especially on social media.   Why do we not enjoy the learning process or allow others to engage in the learning process without judgement?    For me, I know much of my critical nature stems from my own insecurities.    To listen to the episode...

Send us Fan Mail When I reflect upon some of my past behavior, I could be a real jerk.   I mean the type of jerk you want to throw a drink in their face, jerk.    Genuinely apologizing, includes attempting to change your past behavior and for me, stopping my disgustingly jerky behavior.      Come share advice and thoughts on how to own a true apology, not get drawn into unwarranted apologizes and...

Send us Fan Mail My sales training has helped me improve my communication and parenting.   Yes, this sounds crazy but hear me out in this short podcast.    If it does not impact health, safety or respect, is it really worth being right?    It seems like listening stops when the main goal is to be right.    Please share your experiences communicating with your children and with other people in our...

Send us Fan Mail Excuses and reasons are not one in the same.  Excuses create barriers but reasons create boundaries.    Sometimes setting boundaries allow for you to eliminate barriers that stand in the way of your goals.    Surround yourself with those who support you in taking down barriers with honesty and compassion.  This episode is an extension of I Am The Excuse Expert: https://www.buzzspr...

Send us Fan Mail Uncomfortable does not start to describe how I felt recording and listening to this episode.   Identifying all of my imperfections in Episode 1, Let Me Introduce My Imperfect Self, made me realize I also excel at making excuses.   Actually, I like to think of myself as an excuse expert.    Please join our Facebook Group, Mom Treading Water: https://www.facebook.com/groups/49041199...

Send us Fan Mail Keeping up with the Joneses is not a new concept but it is at a new level with social media.   But really, what is the benefit?    Join our Facebook group, Mom Treading  Water:    https://www.facebook.com/groups/490411995647295/   Support the show If you would like to support Mom Treading Water, please visit https://www.buzzsprout.com/1787240/supporters/new  Follow us! Thank you!...

Send us Fan Mail Even if you are not a mommy or a parent, guilt is a powerful feeling but self inflicted guilt can be paralyzing.    Eliminating guilt is practically impossible but give yourself a dang break!  No one is perfect.   Surrounding myself with supportive people has helped me realize perfection is not required to be a good parent.    Join our Facebook group, Mom Treading Water: https://w...

Send us Fan Mail My name is Melissa Libby and I'm an expert in being imperfect.   As a stay at home mom,  I realized it was time for me to start finding myself again.  Come join me and learn why I decided to step out of my comfort zone and take on this adventure.    Join our Facebook group, Mom Treading Water: https://www.facebook.com/groups/490411995647295/ Support the show If you would like...