MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! In this replay episode of Mama’s Playground, Darlene and Monica open their hearts and share what it really means to love your children — the fear, the worry, the joy, the anxiety, and the overwhelming desire to protect them at all costs. We talk about: • The mama bear instinct 🐻 • Loving your kids without conditions • The fear of seeing them hurt • Overprotecting vs letting them grow • Parenting guilt, anxiety & worry • Why you...
The holidays are supposed to be joyful… so why do so many of us feel overwhelmed, stressed, or even sad? In this rerun of Mama’s Playground, Darlene and Monica get real about the holiday blues — from time flying by too fast, to parenting pressure, comparison on social media, hosting stress, and forgetting to take care of ourselves. We talk about: • Why holiday stress hits moms hard • Letting go of “perfect” traditions • Elf on the Shelf chaos 😅 • Doing something differ...
*** It's Christmas time and we Mamas are Taking a Holiday Break, so we’re bringing back one of our favorite episodes with one of our favorite people! Because sometimes we forget the woman we are, In this episode we’re talking about how to find her again—between mom duties, marriage, and everything in between. Joining us is TV & Radio star Roxana Garcia, dropping tips on keeping your confidence, sensuality, and spark alive—both for yourself and your relationship. Expect laughs, spicy advic...
Welcome December! It’s the most wonderful—and sometimes stressful—time of the year. In this episode of Mama's Playground, we talk about the reality of parenting during the holidays. We discuss the pressure to create magical memories versus the exhausting workload of keeping up with traditions. We take a nostalgic look back at our own childhood, Christmases in Puerto Rico, remembering the music and smells, and realize our parents had it much easier when it came to hiding gifts. Of course, we ...
Welcome back to Mama’s Playground! Today’s episode is a fun, raw, What Would You Do Wednesday where we react to real mom-life scenarios — from default parent burnout, clingy kids at pickup, picky eaters, mom-friend drama, birthday invite politics, the 10pm school project panic, screen-time battles, and even marriage intimacy when you’re touched OUT. We unpack why kids save their meltdowns just for us, how to choose your battles, when to set boundaries, and how moms constantly juggle guilt, ex...
In this week’s raw and honest episode of Mama’s Playground, we dive into the modern struggle nearly every parent faces: are we accidentally overparenting our kids? From managing friendships and school drama to weekend exhaustion, guilt, tracking apps, and wanting to protect our children from everything—we unpack the emotional tug-of-war between keeping them safe and letting them grow. We share personal stories about tantrums, friendship conflicts, body image, consequences, independence, and t...
In this inspiring episode of Mama’s Playground, Monica and Darlene welcome long-time friend Robert De Los Rios, the visionary behind The RAW Project — a movement transforming underfunded schools into vibrant spaces of hope through art. Discover how murals and creativity turned “prison-like” schools into thriving communities, improved grades, and restored joy for students and teachers alike. This episode is a powerful reminder that art doesn’t just decorate walls — it rebuilds lives. For mor...
There comes a time when we notice — our parents aren’t just older, they’re changing. Their steps are slower, their stories longer, and every moment with them feels more precious. In this emotional episode, Darle and Monica open up about aging parents, family bonds, and what it means to cherish every stage of life. 💛 🎧 Tune in for a heartfelt reminder to call, hug, and thank your parents today. #Family #Gratitude #Parenting #Love #NoRegrets Support the show ✨ Disclaimer: We’re not ...
The monsters have changed. These days, they look more like mom guilt, worries about technology, and fears of losing the bond with our kids. This Halloween, we’re talking about the real things that haunt us — with laughter, love, and plenty of spooky nostalgia. 💛🎃 Credits to Luna who called out the "recording" at the beginning! We couldn't leave that one out! Support the show ✨ Disclaimer: We’re not therapists or relationship experts—just two moms sharing real talk, real laughs, and real-lif...
Ever felt guilty for saying “no” to your kids? You’re not alone. In this week’s episode, Darlene and Monica dive into the daily parenting struggle of when to say yes, when to hold the line, and how to survive the guilt trips that come with it. From YouTube obsessions and trendy toys to the pressure of keeping up with other parents — we’re talking boundaries, balance, and raising confident kids without losing your mind. 💛 Support the show ✨ Disclaimer: We’re not therapists or relationship expe...
In this heartfelt episode of Mama’s Playground, Darlene and Monica get real about regrets, life choices, and lessons learned. From career decisions and lost moments with loved ones to the importance of saying “I love you” while you can — they dive into how to live with no “what ifs.” 💛 A raw, funny, and inspiring conversation about embracing life, love, and being fully present. Support the show ✨ Disclaimer: We’re not therapists or relationship experts—just two moms sharing real talk, real la...
In this heartfelt and eye-opening conversation, Darlene and Monica sit down with Todd Sarner, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and founder of Transformative Parenting, to explore what it really means to raise emotionally healthy kids. Todd shares powerful insights about why parenting starts with the parents, how to stay connected with your children even on tough days, and what to do when you and your partner have totally different parenting styles. From “attachment-first” parenting to...
We’re jumping into FALL with cozy chaos and games! We chat Labubus, test our parenting styles, discover which Disney movie family we’re most like, sprint through quick-fire questions, battle a crunchy Fall Facts challenge and finally, some quick-fire questions you can play along with. Welcome Fall! 🍁 Support the show ✨ Disclaimer: We’re not therapists or relationship experts—just two moms sharing real talk, real laughs, and real-life parenting moments. 🎥 Want to watch this episode? F...
In this candid episode of Mama’s Playground, we dive deep into the messy, emotional world of mom guilt. From breastfeeding pressures to screen time struggles, balancing work and family, taking kid-free trips, and even yelling when patience runs thin—no topic is off limits. If you’ve ever felt that nagging voice whispering “you’re not doing enough,” this conversation will remind you that you’re not alone. Tune in for real stories, laughs, and the reminder that our kids don’t need perfect moms—...
They say motherhood changes everything—but what about the parts no one warns you about? In this episode, we get real about the advice we were given (and the advice we wish we’d heard sooner) during pregnancy and early motherhood. From the unspoken challenges to the surprising joys, we share the truths we’ve learned along the way—and offer heartfelt tips for women who haven’t started their motherhood journey yet. Support the show ✨ Disclaimer: We’re not therapists or relationship experts—just ...
Forget the cliché of the man with the red sports car — midlife crisis isn’t just for men. In this raw and real conversation, we open up about what a woman’s midlife crisis really looks like: questioning your purpose, redefining legacy, rethinking relationships, and figuring out what truly brings joy. From the surprising phone call with a 100-year-old stranger reminding us to “live your life,” to Viola Davis admitting even success can feel empty, we unpack the emotional layers of midlife and s...
If you’ve ever started scrubbing your kitchen only to end up reorganizing your sock drawer, this one’s for you. In this episode of Mama’s Playground, we get real about the chaos of motherhood, ADHD, and anxiety — and how all three can feel completely intertwined. From Mel Robbins’ take on late-in-life ADHD diagnoses to our own daily struggles with multitasking, lost keys, forgotten lunches, and 20 WhatsApp chats at once, we’re peeling back the curtain on the “invisible work” of being a mom.&n...
Every parent wants to connect with their child, but sometimes the words get in the way. In this episode, we explore how to open up conversations, give our kids the space to share, and choose words that build trust instead of walls. From waiting patiently to choosing the right words, every conversation matters. We also dive into a magical tool you may overlook: your child’s artwork, revealing what’s on their mind before they even say it. You can WATCH this episode on You Tube: https://yo...
We’re back after a year-long hiatus—just in time for back-to-school season! In this episode, we get real about the emotional rollercoaster of seeing our kids grow from grade to grade and getting them (and us) back into routine. From endless WhatsApp groups to surviving the carline with sanity intact, we’re laughing through the chaos and reminding ourselves (and you) that none of us have it all together. Grab your coffee, crank up the A/C in the pickup line, and let’s dive in. Support the show...
The increasing number of women initiating divorce is growing . While traditional gender roles often cast men as the initiators of such decisions, statistics reveal a different reality. What do you think are the reasons behind this trend? Join us on this conversation!! Support the show ✨ Disclaimer: We’re not therapists or relationship experts—just two moms sharing real talk, real laughs, and real-life parenting moments. 🎥 Want to watch this episode? Find us on YouTube: Mama’s Pla...