We Are The Family Room

For better or worse, how we parent is naturally influenced by our own childhood experiences. Some things we want to recreate because they made us feel good as children, and some things we feel strongly about doing differently. How we approach parenting is deeply rooted in our early experiences. Thinking about your own childhood can help you become more aware of the meaning behind your reaction tow...

For some families, the decision to have another child or when to stop having children is very clear, but for others it can be a harder, more complicated choice.   Census data shows one child families are the fastest growing family unit in the United States. Only child families are expected to double in the U.S. by 2050.  Maybe you thought you were a one and done family, but now you're not so...

From beaches, to mountains, museums, historical sites, hikes, playgrounds, gardens, libraries, cool neighborhoods to explore, and more, there is a lot to do in Los Angeles with kids.  You don't have to go far or spend a lot of money to have an adventure!  Exposing your children to culture and nature has numerous positive effects and getting out of the house can improve everyone's spirits...

In this episode, Karen is joined by Mallyce Miller, a single mom by choice in our community. Becoming a single mother by choice is an increasingly popular path to motherhood thanks to more awareness, resources, and community to share experiences. Mallyce speaks about her journey to motherhood from knowing when the time was right, the process of choosing an egg donor and getting pregnant, reactions...

Who knew that the hardest part of being an adult is figuring out what to cook for dinner every single night for the rest of your life?  And in making meals for families, it gets a whole lot more complicated between the time pressures, financial considerations, and feeding challenges of young kids. In this episode Karen is joined by registered dietitian and recipe developer Elise Compston to talk a...

Growing your family can feel like a daunting task, but for LGBTQ couples there are logistical issues, legal hurdles, and financial obstacles that heterosexual couples rarely consider or ever need to deal with. In this episode Karen is joined by David Reed who, along with his husband Chris, used an egg donor and surrogate to have their beautiful baby Olive Grace. David shares the entire process, in...

In honor of Earth Day, Karen talks with Jacob Reed  about raising environmentalists and simple things to do to help save the planet.  It can be a scary and overwhelming proposition to think about climate change and the crises we will leave to our children to solve, but inaction is irresponsible and making small simple changes can help us feel more active and be part of the solution.  While many of...

During adolescence children’s bodies change, they grow figuratively and literally, they navigate social and emotional shifts and how they relate to the world. It can be an awkward time and it is understood not to be a blissful phase of life.  Something very similar happens when we become mothers and there is a word for it, matrescence. Just like adolescence, it is a transitionary period.  Karen re...

The process of fostering a child to adopt is an emotionally challenging time full of uncertainty. It is deeply personal and usually not linear.  On this episode Karen is joined by Alana Gentry. Alana is a songwriter and star of the Alana Banana Show, host of the Inspired Grown-up Podcast, and a truly special human  to  share her journey through the foster to adopt process.  Alana and her husband E...

Ditching diapers is a milestone that many parents anxiously look forward to their little one reaching one day. It can seem like a daunting task and many parents don’t know where to start. If you google potty training help, you will find nothing short of 55 million links to help you sort it out, which seems like the most unhelpful internet search ever.  From setting your child up for success, to pu...

We love birth stories! Together Karen and Caryn Fields, doula and Family Room educator,  have six daughters and births as different as the children are.  Karen  talks about her labor and delivery with her oldest child and also what it was like delivering twins vaginally.  Caryn chose to deliver her daughters in different places from a hospital,  to a birth center and then a home birth.  They talk...

In this episode Karen talks with Disneyland regular, Gabby Parker about her tips and tricks for navigating the happiest place on earth! A little planning can go a long way in making your trip as fun as you hoped. Gabby gives practical tips on figuring out the best time to get to the park, how to plan your day, setting expectations based on your little one's age, and her favorite parts of Disn...

Postpartum depression and anxiety disorders are the number one complication of childbirth, and still today there are barriers to getting help. In this episode Karen talks with author and podcaster Courtney Novak about her experiences with postpartum depression, how she felt, how she got help, and her advice for anyone going through it now. Karen met Courtney when Courtney asked if she could hold h...

In this episode Karen talks with Martha Hayes, a mom (and friend of Lexsea!) about the loss of her mother and the impact of that loss when she became a mother, too.   Many women turn to their own mothers for guidance, reassurance, and support the minute the pregnancy tests turns positive, but when you become a mother without one yourself, it can bring up a range of emotions from sadness, to anger...

In this week's episode, Karen talks with Nikki Arakawa, a mom in our community who was a gestational surrogate for a family. For many, the path to parenthood is not always easy or how you may have envisioned it, but surrogacy is a growing option for many families, including the LGBTQ community. Surrogacy can help make the dream of having a family come true for many and is more openly discusse...

On this Valentine's Day episode Karen talks to Kim-Lan Dovan, lead Parent & Me educator and marriage and family therapist about the transition of going from a couple to a family and the affects on a relationship. Kim-Lan gives helpful tips on navigating shifting priorities, maintaining your identity as a couple, and finding room for connection with your partner among ALL the other things...

New motherhood changes our relationships, our identity, and often how we view our work or careers now that our priorities have changed.  Career coach Jennifer Rizzotti in on the podcast to discuss everything that goes into a career pivot. She offers actionable steps to start exploring a new job, career or path, the questions you should ask yourself, and how to get unstuck. Jen and Karen both share...

Laura Birek, co-host of the Big Fat Positive Podcast and Family Room VIP, shares her VBAC story (vaginal birth after cesarean) with Karen on the podcast. Laura shares how she approached the VBAC, her thoughts on the expectations around VBACs, what her doctor recommended, details about the delivery, and more.    Laura is a filmmaker, author, and host of the podcast Big Fat Positive.  You can connec...

***Trigger Warning: Kimberly's story contains loss. Please take care of yourself if you are not in the place to listen at this time*** Kimberly's inspiring story includes unimaginable loss, and a rare form of heart failure due to pregnancy and postpartum. It is also a story of hope. She joins the podcast to share her experience, educate others on Postpartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM), and  gi...

There is a lot of misinformation about breastfeeding out there! Karen is joined by Jessica Claire, IBCLC and Family Room educator, to dispel common myths about breastfeeding, like is it supposed to hurt in the beginning? Can you consume coffee and/or alcohol safely? Should you wean at one year? Tune in to get the answers to some of the most common questions.  Jessica Claire, is an international bo...

To kick-off off Season 2, Karen talks with Roman Gupta, LCSW and dad, about his experience of becoming a father. We often share the motherhood perspective and this week, dove deep into what it is like being a dad today with Roman. He shares insights about his transition to fatherhood at the height of the pandemic, society's expectations of fathers, breaking through gender norms, how he found...

In the last episode of the season, Karen talks about some of  her family's traditions during the holidays from cookie baking to The Rose Parade and more. We Are The Family Room will be back with season 2 on January 10, 2023. In this next season, we want to hear from YOU! From your birth stories, postpartum experiences and more, we are excited to share your stories, your voices, and, your pers...

Whether you've had a vaginal or cesarean birth, returning to sex postpartum can be anxiety producing for many! In this episode, Karen is joined by pelvic floor physical therapist and owner of FeminoCentric Physical Therapy and Wellness, Linda Sayyad to discuss how to ease back into sex postpartum including, open communication with your partner, preparing the tissues with exercises and massage...

Today on the podcast Karen talks with Laura Brown, licensed car seat technician and mom of five, about how to keep children safe in their car seat. Karen and Laura discuss topics such as the difference between an infant car seat vs. a convertible seat, when to transition out of the infant car seat, where to position the seat in the car, tips for traveling, and common car seat mistakes. Laura also...

With the holidays coming up quickly, you are likely making your list of gifts to get for your kids and loved ones.  In this episode, Karen is joined again by Lexsea Mann, Parent & Me educator at The Family Room and mom of three, to talk about how to thoughtfully buy gifts that your kids will enjoy for years to come. Lexsea and Karen talk about choosing toys that will grow with your kids such a...