Motherhood & The Brain

Navigating the emotional maze of motherhood can often feel like uncharted territory, especially when your once affectionate preteen daughter begins to pull away. Join me, Esther Mbabazi, as I unravel the complexities behind this natural phase in our latest episode of Motherhood and the Brain. Drawing from personal experiences and insights from my coaching practice, I promise you'll gain a dee...

As a mom, you want to be the calm, thoughtful guide your child needs—but when tensions rise, it’s easy to fall into reactive patterns. You’re not alone in feeling this way, and the good news is that change is possible. In this episode, we’ll help you move from overwhelm to confidence by offering practical tools and reflections that empower you to strengthen your emotional resilience and your conne...

Have you ever had one of those moments—you know, the ones where anger flares up, and before you know it, guilt comes crashing in right behind it? Yeah, me too. It’s such a hard spot to be in, and if you’ve felt it, I want you to know you’re not alone. That’s exactly what we’re diving into in this episode.  I’m peeling back the layers of those raw emotions we all feel but don’t often talk about. Le...

Motherhood is a journey filled with love, growth, and—let’s be honest—moments of frustration that leave us questioning ourselves.  If you’ve ever found yourself yelling at your preteen, then regretting it moments later, you’re not alone. But here’s the truth: it doesn’t have to be this way. Join me, as we unlock the real reason behind those reactive moments. Our brains are wired to interpret our c...

Have you ever found yourself thinking, “I just don’t get it—why aren’t my parents more involved with my kids? It’s so disappointing.” If you’ve ever felt that way, you’re not alone.  But what if there’s a way to take that disappointment and turn it into something more peaceful? What if, instead of focusing on what’s missing, you could start seeing the little ways your parents are present—and find...

Have you ever felt like your preteen's mood swings are somehow your fault? Like every outburst or meltdown is this giant spotlight on your motherhood journey? If you’re nodding right now, you’re not alone.  So many moms carry around this invisible weight of guilt and self-doubt, thinking, If my kid is struggling, I must be messing up somewhere. Sound familiar? I am here to flip that script an...

Unlock the secrets to fostering a healthier and more balanced relationship with your preteen daughter. Join me, as we tackle the emotional challenges mothers face, especially those feelings of personal responsibility over their child's emotions and behavior.  Together, we'll uncover the cultural and personal beliefs that often bind mothers to equate their self-worth with their child&apos...

You know how family gatherings can sometimes hit a nerve, especially when you're raising a preteen girl? It’s like, out of nowhere, the little comments start flying—about how you’re parenting, what your kids are doing, or even how you’re handling life.  No wonder it stirs up all kinds of feelings, I get it. In this episode, I dive deep into why family criticism during the holidays feels so pe...

Ever felt like one innocuous comment could unravel your entire sense of self-worth as a mother? Join me, in a heartfelt journey through the emotional maze faced by moms of preteen girls. We discuss the profound impact of societal expectations and how a single remark can trigger an avalanche of self-doubt and insecurity. By understanding that it's our thoughts, not the events themselves, that...

Ever found yourself yelling at your kids and wishing you could handle things with more patience?    I’d like to introduce a powerful way to stop yelling at your kids and create more peaceful family moments.  This simple approach helps you replace frustration with calm parenting techniques that make you feel more in control and less guilty after those tough moments. We’ll explore practical, real-li...

What if your childhood experiences were quietly shaping your beliefs about self-worth and impacting your journey through motherhood? Join me, as we unravel the emotional intricacies many mothers of preteen girls face, especially those feelings rooted in past experiences of abandonment.  Let's reflect on our own childhoods and see how these old beliefs shape our roles as moms and affect our re...

Criticism from family can hurt, especially when it’s about how you parent. But what if you could turn those hurtful comments into a chance to grow and be kinder to yourself?  In this episode, I talk about the emotional struggles moms face when family members are critical. I show you how to separate the truth from what you think is true and reflect on how these comments might change how you see fai...

Have you ever felt frustrated by how your partner parents? I have. Join me, as I dive into the emotional rollercoaster that happens when parents disagree, especially when it comes to decisions about preteens.  I’ll share my own stories and honest thoughts, like when I argued with my partner about letting our kids have sugary drinks. This episode will help you understand and appreciate each other’s...

Feeling overwhelmed by the emotional rollercoaster of motherhood, especially with preteen girls? Join me, Esther Mbabazi, on "Motherhood and the Brain" as we uncover the evolutionary roots of our anxieties and worries.  Learn how these emotions are hardwired into our roles as protectors and nurturers, and gain practical insights into managing them through techniques like journaling and t...

What if yelling at your preteen is actually causing more harm than good? Discover a powerful secret that can transform your relationship with your child in the 30th episode of Motherhood from the Brain, hosted by Esther Mbabazi.  Learn how managing your own reactions, rather than raising your voice, can create a peaceful and understanding home environment. This episode dives into the root causes o...

Can you imagine training for years, only to be disqualified at the moment of truth? This gut-wrenching scenario faced by Olympic athletes mirrors the emotional challenges we tackle daily as moms of preteen girls.  Drawing inspiration from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, I, Esther Mbabazi, explore how the heartbreak and resilience of these athletes offer profound lessons in courage and perseverance—l...

Have you ever wondered why you find yourself yelling at your kids despite your best intentions?  Discover the surprising connection between your thoughts and actions in our latest episode of "Motherhood and the Brain."  Join us as we uncover how your mental reactions to your children's behavior might be fueling those outbursts of frustration.  By examining and transforming these aut...

Can we break free from the suffocating grip of societal expectations and transform the shame of motherhood into a source of strength? In this episode of "Motherhood from the Brain," we explore the unspoken struggles moms face, particularly the emotion of shame.  Society's portrayal of motherhood as an effortless, instinctive role is not just unrealistic; it's harmful. We dig in...

What if your instinct to yell isn't just about the moment but rooted in ancient survival tactics? Join us as we uncover the complex reasons behind why many moms resort to yelling during stressful moments.  From evolutionary behaviors to the impact of our own childhood experiences, we'll explore how these factors shape our reactions today.  Discover the hidden consequences of yelling on b...

Yelling at your preteen daughter can feel like a vicious cycle, leaving you both feeling frustrated and disconnected. What if you could break free from this cycle and foster a more peaceful family environment?  Esther offers an insightful perspective on understanding why you want to stop yelling, whether it's to avoid the misery it causes, end generational cycles, or enhance your emotional we...

Ever felt that sinking feeling in your stomach as Sunday evening approaches? You're not alone. Join me on this episode of Motherhood and the Brain as I open up about my personal battle with the "Sunday Scaries."  We'll uncover the historical roots of why this dread of Monday can loom so large, turning what should be a relaxing weekend into a stress-filled ordeal.  By reevaluati...

Have you ever felt that pang of guilt after yelling at your child, wondering how it might be shaping their future emotional well-being?  Join me, as we confront this all-too-common struggle many mothers face in our latest episode of Motherhood from the Brain.  We dive deep into understanding why stress and frustration often lead to yelling and how this automatic response can impact our children&ap...

Can you imagine how wonderful it would be if our preteens felt truly empowered to handle their own problems?  This week's episode of "Motherhood & the Brain." It’s all about giving us the tools to nurture your preteen's independence while keeping our own emotions in check. You know that impulse we all have to jump in and fix things for your preteen? I talk about how to mana...

How do you break the cycle of yelling at your kids when you've grown up in an environment filled with raised voices? Join me, as I share my personal journey with the emotional challenges of motherhood.  Despite vowing never to yell at my children, I found myself repeating the same behavior when my kids started asserting their independence. I share the frustration and helplessness I experience...

When a preteen son courageously expressed his wish to live with his father, his mom was overwhelmed with emotions, doubting her role and abilities as a mother. What followed was a journey through the challenges of co-parenting, understanding how our brains resist change, and recognizing our negative biases. These insights are ones I am excited to share with you. In this honest conversation, I expl...