Less Drama More Mama

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 immediately. Especially if you’re snapping at your kids, feeling guilty, or watching yourself repeat patterns you swore you’d stop. The instinct is to push harder and try to do better. What I see over and over, though, is that trying to change too quickly actually keeps moms stuck in the same patterns. Listen to the episode to see how slowing down can move you forward faster this year. For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/387 The post Why Slowing Down is the Fastest Way to Change – 387 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

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 me in ways I didn’t expect, and which word I’m choosing for 2026. I also give you tips on choosing a word for yourself that supports your growth, rather than coming from self-criticism or “fix yourself” energy. This episode is reflective, practical, and meant to help you move into 2026 with more intention and aliveness. Do you have a word for 2026? Let me know what it is! For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/386 The post 2026 Word of the Year – 386 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

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 yourself from the inside out. For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/385 The post How to Reinvent Yourself in the New Year (Replay) – 385 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

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 without overspending or filling your house with things that will be forgotten by January. You'll see how some of the best gifts cost very little, as they’re rooted in time, attention, and thoughtfulness. For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/384 The post Creative Holiday Gifts That Won’t Break the Bank – 384 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

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 what’s underneath all the overwhelm, you can make the days feel lighter and easier to handle. For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/382 The post Don’t Let Winter Break Break You, Part Two – 383 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

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 what’s underneath all the overwhelm, you can make the days feel lighter and easier to handle. For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/382 The post Don’t Let Winter Break Break You, Part One – 382 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

The word "magic" has come up in almost every one of my coaching session this month. If you're feeling responsible for creating a picture-perfect holiday season, you're not alone. What starts as excitement can quickly turn into rushing, planning, and managing everyone's experience. And the ease and joy you wanted? Gone. In today's episode, I talk about how your stress affects your child more than you realize—and what actually creates the kind of magic they'll remember. For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/381 The post Holiday Magic Your Kids Will Remember – 381 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

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, hosting, baking, gifting, organizing, coordinating), and then wonder why they feel stretched thin and resentful by December 15. In today’s episode, I’m talking about why holiday boundaries can feel so hard and what to do about it. If you struggle to set and enforce boundaries, especially at the holidays, this episode will help you understand why your body won't let you say no, and what needs to change for you to protect your limits without abandoning yourself. For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/380 The post Why Holiday Boundaries Feel Hard and What to Do About It – 380 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

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 something to fix or avoid. You’ll learn how allowing yourself to feel it (and sometimes express it in front of your kids) can regulate your nervous system, deepen your connection, and show your kids what emotional health really looks like. For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/379 The post Why It’s Good for Your Kids to See You Cry Sometimes – 379 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

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 happening at each stage. If you’re curious about what somatic coaching is and how it can help you stay calm and connected, tune in to this episode. For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/378 The post What Really Happens in a Somatic Coaching Session – 378 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

When your child is yelling, swearing, or completely losing it, your nervous system instantly screams, “This isn’t safe!” You might find yourself fighting back, shutting down, or trying to fix the situation—none of which actually helps. In this week’s episode, I share a powerful story of one of my clients that shows what regulation looks like when a child's emotions are running high. You’ll hear how she stayed calm and steady while her teen son was yelling and swearing, how she communicated with him, and how she created connection between them. If you want to know what it actually looks like to be regulated in the middle of your child’s storm, this episode will show you the way. For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/377 The post The Masks We Wear – 377 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

When your child is yelling, swearing, or completely losing it, your nervous system instantly screams, “This isn’t safe!” You might find yourself fighting back, shutting down, or trying to fix the situation—none of which actually helps. In this week’s episode, I share a powerful story of one of my clients that shows what regulation looks like when a child's emotions are running high. You’ll hear how she stayed calm and steady while her teen son was yelling and swearing, how she communicated with him, and how she created connection between them. If you want to know what it actually looks like to be regulated in the middle of your child’s storm, this episode will show you the way. For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/376 The post How to Stay Regulated When Your Child Isn’t – 376 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

You know those times when everything seems fine . . . no crisis, no chaos . . . and instead of relaxing, you feel restless, uneasy, or suspicious? That’s your nervous system struggling to trust safety. After years of running on stress, stillness can feel like danger. In this week’s episode, I’m unpacking why safety can feel unsafe and how to retrain your system to trust it again. You’ll learn how to recognize when your brain’s pulling you back into dysregulation and the steps to help yourself stay grounded when safety feels uncomfortable. If you’ve ever found yourself waiting for the other shoe to drop—or even creating drama when life starts to feel too good—this episode will help you understand what’s really happening and how to work with your body, not against it. For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/375 The post When Safety Feels Unsafe – 375 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

Sometimes the thing holding you back isn’t your kids, your schedule, or even your past. It’s a belief you learned long ago that still feels true. Beliefs like: “I have to do everything perfectly or I’ve failed.” “It’s selfish to take time for myself.” “If I ask for help, I’ll look weak.” These thoughts can quietly shape how you show up as a mom—how patient you are, how much pressure you put on yourself, and how willing you are to reach out for support. In this week’s episode, I share what elephants (yes, elephants) can teach you about breaking free from the beliefs that keep you stuck, so you can parent with more calm, confidence, and self-compassion. For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/374 The post Breaking Free from Beliefs That Keep You Stuck – 374 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

As moms, we can carry so much guilt. Every time we lose our patience, yell, or withdraw, it’s easy to carry those moments around and let them weigh on us. But what if those moments weren’t proof you’re a bad mom, but signals from your nervous system? In this week’s episode, I share how self-forgiveness isn’t just about being kind to yourself, but about understanding what’s happening in your body. When you recognize your reactivity as nervous system information, you can stop fighting yourself and start working with your biology. Forgiving yourself with this deeper awareness doesn’t just break your own cycle of self-criticism. It also shows your kids that mistakes are human and that repair is always possible. For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/373 The post Your Nervous System and Self-Forgiveness: What Every Mom Needs to Know – 373 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

Today is the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashana. Even if you don’t celebrate it like I do, this time of year has so much wisdom to offer us as moms. Rosh Hashana is about reflection, renewal, and intention—three practices that can completely transform the way you parent. In today's episode, I invite you to pause, look honestly at your parenting, and decide how you want to show up for your kids in the year ahead. For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/372 The post How the Jewish New Year Can Inspire Your Parenting Growth – 372 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

We’ve spent the last several weeks on the podcast exploring fight, flight, freeze, and fawn — all the ways your nervous system jumps in to protect you. Today, in the final episode of the From Protection to Connection series, I’m talking about what happens when your nervous system actually feels safe. Discover what nervous system regulation really looks like in parenting, why co-regulation matters, and how your regulation sets the tone in your home. For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/371 The post Safety and Regulation in Parenting – 371 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

In this episode of Less Drama More Mama, I’m unpacking one of the most misunderstood nervous system survival responses: fawn. From the outside, fawning looks like kindness, helpfulness, or flexibility. But underneath, it’s really your nervous system trying to keep you safe through people-pleasing and self-sacrifice. I share personal and client examples, as well as practical ways you can start showing up authentically while still maintaining love and connection with your kids. If this resonates with you, don’t miss my free workshop, It Ends With Me, happening this week. You’ll discover your unique survival patterns, how they’re impacting your parenting, and what to do about them. Sign up at lessdramamoremama.com/free-workshop For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/370 The post The Fawn Response in Parenting – 370 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

You’re running on empty…and can never seem to refill your tank. You stare at your to-do list…but can’t make yourself move. You go quiet when your kids need you most…and then beat yourself up for shutting down. This is the freeze response — your nervous system’s way of protecting you when life feels too big or too much. In today's episode, I’m breaking down what the freeze response is, how it shows up in your parenting, and what to do about it. If you ever feel stuck, numb, or overwhelmed, this episode will help you understand what’s happening inside you and how to take small steps toward calm, connection, and confidence. For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/369 The post The Freeze Response in Parenting – 369 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

What if the reason you're so busy all the time isn't actually because you have a lot to do? What if it's your body's way of avoiding the uncomfortable emotions you'd rather not feel? In today's episode, I'm diving into the flight response -- your nervous system's way of saying, "this feels unsafe, so let's escape." You'll learn why you feel compelled to stay busy with household tasks instead of slowing down to connect, and why you suddenly remember an "urgent" task every time you think about having a hard conversation with your teen. Listen now to learn how to get grounded when your flight response kicks in, so you can finally be present for the moments that matter most. For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/368 The post The Flight Response in Parenting – 368 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.