The MomForce Podcast Hosted by Chatbooks

There is an acronym that is having its time in the spotlight: WFH. Working From Home is not a new concept, but due to the world wide pandemic and #socialdistancing, many of us have found ourselves trying to figure out how to make the most of this new norm! Chatbooks co-founder and podcast host Vanessa Quigley is talking to Ashley aka AB, our marketing product manager about how she is managing her...

Social distancing has given us a lot more time at home with our families.  So what are you doing with all of that time? On this MomForce Mini episode, Vanessa chats with her sister Erika about family time. Be ready to hear about some creative game nights!  Here's 36 super creative and totally free family games to try at home! We are so happy you are here! Make a Chatbook and use code POD20 . Happy...

Host Vanessa Quigley and co-host Erika to talk to licensed sex therapist and sleep expert Christine Lawler about the science behind our sleep routines. Here are a few of Christine's tips: Tip 1. If you don't fall asleep within 20 minutes of lying down, get out of bed and go do something productive until you start to feel drowsy.  Tip 2. Stop the negative talk. When we tell ourselves, "I'm a terrib...

Did you ever think you'd be homeschooling all of your kids? Well whether we like it or not, many of us are getting that opportunity right now amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. And in today's MomForce Mini Vanessa shares some of her experiences homeschooling 5 of her 7 children and why she loved it!   We are so happy you are here! Make a Chatbook and use code POD20 . Happy Chatbooking! 

Host Vanessa Quigley is joined by co-host (and sister) Shelly to talk to pediatric sleep expert Lauren Olson about how we can get our kids to sleep - and Shelly REALLY needs the help. Her darling 18-month-old is waking up 5x a night. Here are a few tips Lauren shared: Tip 1. Try not to give your toddler food an hour before bedtime - their bodies will be wanting to digest instead of falling asleep....

Social distancing is the new buzzword. And Vanessa and Erika are giving their take on the news surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic. Pssst, as mothers of 7 children each, they really aren't hoarding toilet paper. One package lasts them til Wednesday! Stay calm, everyone. Wash your hands and take care of your neighbor!  We are so happy you are here! Make a Chatbook and use code POD20 . Happy Chatbooki...

March is National Sleep Month and to kick off our 3 part series dedicated to helping us get the best sleep possible, we have pediatric sleep consultant Becca Campbell joining Vanessa and co-host Kara to talk all things related to babies sleeping. Here are some tips from Becca: Tip #1: Many moms like to have their babies close to them at night. A bassinet next to the bed is a great way to keep your...

Vanessa and her sister Shelly are chatting with powerhouse, Meaghan Murphy. Meaghan is the editor-in-chief of Women's Day magazine, with previous experience at MTV, Victoria's Secret, Self Magazine, Cosmo, and Good Housekeeping. She's also a regular on TV shows like Live with Kelly & Ryan - and she has 3 kids! In this episode, she shares what her "secret sauce" is for managing life and finding joy...

We've all heard of Marie Kondo her method of decluttering that frees up space in your homes, closets, dressers, and attics. But did you know you can do the same thing for your motherhood? You can actually purge some of the things from the way you "mother" that don't spark joy! Vanessa is chatting with Rachel Nielson, host of the popular 3 in 30 Podcast , about how to take an internal inventory of...

We've got TWO sisters on today's MomForce Mini!  Kara and Shelly discuss the whole gender reveal phenomenon. Are we crazy, but does a helicopter sprinkling colored confetti onto the onlookers seem a little much? ALSO - Kara spills the beans on a secret she's been keeping! We are so happy you are here! Make a Chatbook and use code POD20 . Happy Chatbooking! 

For years, Ralphie Jacobs of @simplyonpurpose has been teaching parents to find the good in their children. Today, she is answering a few of the most common questions we see in our MomForce Facebook group. Question 1: How do you discipline a child when they do NOT listen?  Question 2: How do you stop children from teasing and fighting with their siblings?   Question 3: How do you discipline a two-...

Valentine's Day, do you love it or hate it? Do you expect roses and chocolate? In this MomForce Mini episode, Leah talks about the unmet expectations she once had about love day back when she was dating her husband. She tells us how those have changed over the years and how her family of 9 (NINE!) likes to celebrate Valentine's day!  We are so happy you are here! Make a Chatbook and use code POD20...

Being married for 25 years is an accomplishment. Throw in raising 7 children and running a successful business and that is something to be proud of! Vanessa is joined by her husband Nate on this special episode where they share 7 tips for feeling more connected.   Tip 1. The Check-in.   Tip 2. Assume the Best .  Tip 3. Cheer Each Other On .  Tip 4. Date Each Other.   Tip 5. Have Fun! Tip 6. Work a...

Vanessa and her sister Kara are joined by New York Times bestselling author, Rachel Bertsche, of The Kids Are In Bed . Rachel tells us how to be honest with ourselves about what we really enjoy and how to find our personal identity outside of motherhood. Rachel   suggests making a list of the things you can do for yourself as you make free time in your schedule. She shares what she enjoys doing, a...

Have you ever said something to your child or husband and then thought, "Oh my gosh. I am my mother!" Well for better or worse, our childhood experiences, family dynamics, and the way we were mothered all play a role in how we raise our own families. Vanessa and her sisters Erika, Leah, Shelly, and Kara are joined by their mother April Munns to chat about how she's influenced each of their motheri...

Do you make New Years Resolutions only for find yourself half way through January and you've already failed! You are NOT alone! In today's MomForce Mini, Vanessa is joined by her sister Shelly, who gives her opinion on goals and what she does to keep things manageable! Hint: she focuses on the day-to-day.  We are so happy you are here! Make a Chatbook and use code POD20 . Happy Chatbooking! 

Is your never-ending to-do list sucking the joy out of your life? Pop culture has taught us that we can and should be doing it all. These unrealistic expectations make most of us feel stressed, exhausted, and falling short.  Vanessa and her sister, Leah, chat with lawyer, PR executive, and award-winning author, Romi Neustadt, to discuss ways to live a less frazzled and more fulfilling life. Priori...

Being present and showing up is important in every relationship, especially when it comes to raising our children. The best predictor of how a child turns out is their attachment to at least one parent. It's not simply about being there when they come home from school or showing up for each baseball game, it's about making our children feel safe, seen, soothed, and secure. Vanessa is chatting with...

Vanessa has always been a huge fan of Rifle Paper Co., and so when Chatbooks teamed up with the brand, it was truly a dream come true! In this episode, Vanessa chats with Rifle Paper Co. co-founder, Anna Bond, all about growing a hugely successful business while growing a family. Spoiler alert--it's all about managing time, turning work off when you're not at work, and learning how to cope when yo...

Do your kids believe in Santa Claus? If so, at what age should you tell them the truth? Should we feel guilty about "lying" to our children? Vanessa shares her opinions about all things Santa, on this MomForce mini. We are so happy you are here! Make a Chatbook and use code POD20 . Happy Chatbooking! 

Vanessa sits down with Shawni Pothier to discuss choosing one word to focus on for the year.   Mindful. Guided. Discipline. Focus. Enjoy. Choose. Be Still. A resolution doesn't have to be something that's daunting. Make it simple. Pick one word to represent the coming year. It should be something that inspires you or helps you progress toward who you want to be. We are so happy you are here! Make...

Sometimes you are a better mom after some time away to reset whether that is a weekend alone or a quick trip with girlfriends. Vanessa is joined by her sister, Shelly, on this episode of The MomForce Podcast to chat about tips and tricks for prepping for a getaway, so you can relax and not stress about everything at home. What do you do about meals, homework, or after-school activities?  They shar...

There is one word that all parents want to avoid when it comes to their kids, and that is entitled. We all want to create opportunities for our families to experience the joy of service, but how do we get started? Vanessa chats with Kristin Andrus about how to create a culture of service in your family. Kristin is the self-proclaimed "Chief Culture Officer" of her family and married to Jeremy Andr...

There are two sides of the aisle - decorating for Christmas before Thanksgiving or NOT! On this MomForce Mini, Erika talks about why she decks the halls soon after Halloween, and she has science to back her up reasons. Where do you stand?  We are so happy you are here! Make a Chatbook and use code POD20 . Happy Chatbooking! 

While our moms may have been great about buying Christmas gifts year round and filling stockings months in advance, we aren't all cut out for that sort of holiday preparation. But the season is upon us and whatever you celebrate, it's finally time to start thinking about gifts!  It's not hard to get our kids to share what they want. They presented us with a seven page (front and back) letter to Sa...