Mama Knows

In this conversation, Nina and Dr. Kristin Neff discuss the importance of self-compassion and its power to improve our well-being. Dr. Neff, a researcher and expert in self-compassion, shares insights from her own personal experiences and research. They explore the difference between self-compassion and self-esteem, the reasons why people struggle with self-compassion, and practical steps to cultivate self-compassion. They also discuss the role of self-compassion in parenting and how to help children develop self-compassion. Dr. Neff provides resources, including her website and books, to support individuals in practicing self-compassion. Chapters 00:00: Introduction and Personal Experiences 02:56: The Power of Self-Compassion 09:30: Understanding and Overcoming Obstacles to Self-Compassion 18:21: Practical Steps to Cultivate Self-Compassion 21:34: Helping Children Develop Self-Compassion 26:24: Navigating Shame and Guilt 28:23: Self-Compassion for Coping with Burnout Dr. Kristin Neff is an Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. She is a pioneer in the field of self-compassion research, conducting the first empirical studies on self-compassion more than twenty years ago. She has been recognized as one of the most influential researchers in psychology worldwide. Kristin runs the Self-Compassion Community, an online learning platform where people can learn the skill of self-compassion with the help of others. She is author of the bestselling books Self-Compassion and Fierce Self-Compassion. Along with her colleague Chris Germer, she developed the empirically-supported Mindful Self- Compassion program and co-founded the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion. They co-wrote the best-selling The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook and have a new book called Mindful Self-Compassion for Burnout coming out in Fall 2024. For more info go to self-compassion.org. Today's episode Sponsors: BetterHelp.com/MAMAKNOWS - to get 10% off your first month of therapy  Lumedeodorant.com and use code MAMAKNOWS for 15% off  Go to Seed.com/MAMAKNOWS and use code 25MAMAKNOWS to get 25% off your first month of DS-01® Daily Synbiotic or PDS-08® Pediatric Daily Synbiotic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

DREAMLAND BABY: To shop with my code “Go to dreamlandbabyco.com and enter my code MAMAKNOWS at checkout to receive 30% off pajamas + free shipping. That’s dreamlandbabyco.com code MAMAKNOWS. This offer is for new and existing customers!” Do you ever feel upset over plans changing or things not going the way you had planned it out? In this episode we dive into ambiguous grief (i.e. when things don't go according to plan, grieving unmet expectations, accepting life's curveballs) (ex: infertility, divorce, financial distress, marital problems, parental disputes). Whether big or small understanding and being able to work through ambiguous grief can be so helpful! 1. Most of us have a vision or an expectation of how our life should go and when it doesn't we feel out of control and sometimes devastated. (For example: I dreamed of a certain dynamic for my children's relationship & the relationship I have with my mom/in laws) How can we acknowledge and grieve these unmet expectations? 2. I feel like I processed through the grief of my unmet expectations but am hit with another wave of grief for the same thing months or years later. Am I not moved on? Is something wrong with me? 3. What are some tips to let go of life-plan related and or anticipatory anxiety to better prepare for life's curveballs? Bio: Emmalee Bierly & Jennifer Chaiken are both Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, co-owners of the private therapy practice called The Therapy Group, and co-hosts of the ShrinkChicks Podcast! They believe in being down to earth, authentic, and transparent, which are values they bring both to their practice as well as their podcast! Their mission is to make therapy more relatable and accessible, working to break down that clinical wall with humor and warmth! Links/outtro mentions: The Therapy Group: www.thetherapygroup.com (their co-owned private practice that serves most US states) ShrinkChicks Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shrinkchicks/id1483261668 Instagram pages: @shrinkchicks and @thetherapygrp Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Invest in your whole family’s health with Seed. Go to Seed.com/MAMAKNOWS and use code 25MAMAKNOWS to get 25% off your first month of DS-01® Daily Synbiotic or PDS-08® Pediatric Daily Synbiotic. That’s 25% off your first month of Seed’s DS-01® or PDS-08® at Seed dot com slash MAMAKNOWS, code 25MAMAKNOWS. Disney Jr.’s Ariel is an animated musical series for preschoolers inspired by the beloved story of “The Little Mermaid.” It follows 8-year-old mermaid princess Ariel as she and her friends embark on fun-filled, action-packed underwater adventures throughout their Caribbean-inspired fairytale kingdom of Atlantica and beyond. The series features fan-favorite characters, including King Triton, Ursula, Sebastian, and Flounder, as well as exciting new additions like Ariel’s two best friends, mer-children Lucia and Fernie, and lots of other adorable sea creatures. The series debuts Thursday, June 27 on Disney Jr. and next day, Friday, June 28 on Disney+.  Arguing in relationships happens but we don't often talk about how to reconnect and repair the relationship after an argument happens. Too often we move on without any true resolution. This we are talking to Jocelyn Freeman of Meet the Freemans and she walks us through some strategies and ways we can repair and take accountability without resentment. 1. We just had a big argument and are at a stalemate, how do we repair? 2. Our argument got heated, we took a break to cool down, but when we talk about it and try to repair we end up getting into an even bigger argument. How can we stop this cycle? 3. POV: I always feel like I am initiating the repair and taking accountability, but my partner isn't. I am feeling disconnected and frustrated which is leaving me to feel resentment. What can I do so I am not the only one saying sorry? 4. How can I get past the self-righteous mentality in arguments? Aaron and Jocelyn Freeman ("The Freemans") are authors of The Argument Hangover, creators of The Couples Workshop (which has sold out over 50 times), and coaches to thousands of couples worldwide. They are best known for their relatable and actionable tools and skills for couples to communicate better, fight smarter, and handle any challenge as a team. The best resources to start with are their 30-Day Couples Challenges and their instant-access guides.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Body image and and neutrality is something I didn't really learn about until I was an adult, after struggling for years. Especially after having my own kids I began to wonder, how do we do better for our kids so that they don't have to struggle with the same body image issues like most of us did as kids? On this weeks episode we dive into the topic and address some important questions! How can we talk to our kids about their body early on & in their teens to promote body neutrality? What are things we should avoid doing or saying to nurture body positivity in our daughters? Our kids are growing up surrounded by social media and are consuming damaging content for their views on themselves and their body. How can we help them avoid the comparison cycle of unrealistic body image on the internet? How can we help empower our daughters to stand up for themselves when their body is being negatively talked about by classmates, friends, family, or strangers? What are signs that we should be aware of that may indicate our child is struggling with an eating disorder? Dr. Morgan Francis is a Doctor of Clinical Psychology and a Licensed Mental Health Therapist. She is the owner of Scottsdale Premier Counseling, in Scottsdale, Arizona. At her private practice she treats young adults, individuals, couples, and families. Her mission is to break through the mental health shame game. With over 20 years of experience specializing in the treatment of Body Image and Eating Disorders, Dr. Francis can empower you to make peace with your body and food. She is a frequent guest on Fox News Phoenix, she has been featured in local and national publication, she is a public speaker and consultant on mental health helping churches, schools, and community organizations. You can work with Dr. Francis by accessing her online courses or attending her webinars. Dr. Francis lives in Scottsdale, Arizona with her three children and husband. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get your BEST YOUNGEST LIPS EVER with citybeauty.com with code MAMAKNOWS for 15% off. There is so much information out there on the effects of social media it is hard to know where to start. If you are like me and want to make sure you are setting your kids (and yourself!) up for success with boundaries and conversations around social media with your kids, then this episode is for you! What are the effects you have seen from social media on kids? I am a data girl so give me all your data!  I want to delay when my child is involved with social media, but their friends are on it, my child feels left out, and so now I feel like the bad parent. Do you have words of advice?  What can I do now to prepare my kids for the future where social media is so prevalent? And for the parents who's kids are already in the thick of social media, what can they do right now for their kids? Most of my listeners and followers want to know when is the appropriate time to allow your child access to a smartphone or social media? How do you know when they are ready? Dr. Alison Yeung is a family physician from Ontario, Canada. Over the past decade, she has come to recognize that children are struggling in unprecedented ways. After recognizing the role that screens and social media are playing in their presentation, she began to dive into the research on this topic. Feeling that there is an undeniable association, she felt compelled to speak out. She has created an Instagram account to educate and empower parents to change the narrative, and has also worked with local schools to help implement cellphone policies by educating staff and parents. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dreamland Baby We love our Dream Land Baby Pajamas for the kiddos, go the dreamlandbabyco.com and enter code MAMAKNOWS at checkout to receive 30% off sitewide + free shipping! Career, parenting, being a spouse, showing up how you want to show up; it can be exhausting and lead to feeling burnt out. Sometimes I even wonder if I am helping or hurting myself when I am feeling burnt out. But how do I break the cycle? On this weeks episode Dr. Carolyn Rubenstein answers our questions on burn out and walks us thought how to avoid it in our own lives. What are the common things we do to self-sabotage and fuel our own burnout? Some of my burnout stems from imposter syndrome and doubting myself and my abilities. Do you have any tips for getting over these thoughts? How can I identify that I am starting to burnout before it gets too far? What can I do to intervene and what can I do to prevent burnout? I feel like I have been in a burnout phase and can't get out of it. I tried taking a break and time off, but it doesn't help and almost makes it worse. Why isn't this working? How can I actually recover from burnout? ​ Carolyn Rubenstein, PhD, is a licensed psychologist based in Florida, where she runs her private practice. She focuses on treating anxiety, burnout, and self-sabotaging behaviors, including perfectionism. She is a mother of two and is passionate about helping other parents prevent and recover from burnout.  Dr. Carolyn is the author of the "Beyond Burnout Workbook," the inaugural release in a series of clinically-supported tools aimed at burnout recovery. She regularly shares practical tips on how to navigate the complexities of being perfectly human on her Instagram: @carolynrubensteinphd. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeling lost in your career after becoming a mother? Or feeling torn between the career you love and the love you have for being a mom? The balance is so hard and figuring out how to navigate and balance it all is exhausting. But you aren't alone and this week we dive into feeling lost in our careers after motherhood. How can motherhood influence our career trajectory? How can we overcome our fear of taking a risk especially when it comes to our career and livelihood and how can we overcome the feeling of guilt when it comes to wanting a career outside of and in addition to motherhood?  What advice do you have for someone who wants to do something different but doesn't know how or doesn't know what they want to do? Jessica (Jess) Galica is an Executive Coach helping leaders to achieve more success, fulfillment, and ease at work. She is the best-selling author of "Leap: Why It's Time to Let Go to Get Ahead In Your Career", inspired by her personal pivot leaving a successful corporate career to find greater fulfillment in work and life. Jess' thought leadership has been featured in the MIT Technology Review, Forbes, Business Insider, and Fast Company and she has been recognized as one of the Top Coaches in Boston. Last but certainly not least, Jess lives with her husband in Boston, where she is a present mom to her 3.5 year old daughter and 1 year old son. [Preferred Purchase Link] Purchase Leap: Why It’s Time to Let Go to Get Ahead in Your Career on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Leap-Time-Ahead-Your-Career/dp/1639080554/ Follow Jess on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessgalica/ Follow Reclaim Your Career on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reclaimyourcareer/ Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://www.reclaimyourcareer.co/subscribe Listen to the Reclaim Your Career podcast Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reclaim-your-career/id1635975586 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2haBbTNauSErQHpqYB9IXR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I think we can all agree that motherhood is not easy! There is so much advice out there and even the most well intentioned advice sometimes just isn't very helpful and can end up doing more harm than good. Sharing honest conversations around motherhood is usually helpful though and helps us all feel less alone! 1. What do you have the hardest time with/struggle the most with in motherhood? 2. What is one hill that you will die on about motherhood that you know is controversial and you'll get hate on? 3. What is the most outlandish piece of parenting advice you have received? 4. What did you initially say you were NEVER or ALWAYS going to do when it came to parenting that you have totally abandoned now and do the opposite?  Renee's Bio: I’m an academic turned podcaster who decided it was time to stir sh*t up in the mom community. My hobbies include: being honest, making TikToks, and helping you live life unapologetically as an imperfect mom. Find her on socials: https://www.instagram.com/thereneereina/ https://themomroom.com/ https://themomroom.com/podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know you may not remember some of your childhood trauma? It can be really difficult to heal from something we don't remember and how do we know if we are truly healed? We dive into these questions and more on this weeks episode! 1. Our last episode together was the most listened to episode on Mamaknows podcast. We talked about the importance of parenting our inner child and how our inner child wounds affect how we show up in our relationships. But what if we don't remember our childhood traumas? How are we supposed to heal our wounds if we don't know what they are? 2. Once we do identify a childhood trauma we are working on parenting our inner child, but how do I avoid being dismissive versus actually healing the wound. For example, if we identify a moment where we felt unworthy, how do we affirm ourselves that we are worthy without being dismissive of that inner child's feelings? 3. How do we know when a childhood trauma is healed or that we have made peace with it? 4. How can we make sure we nurture our children as they are living their inner child? Check out Lavina's new signature holistic healing programme: Making Peace With Your Past. This is a self-led, self-paced, 3-step journey from reactivity, anxiety and rage to becoming the calm, conscious mama and connected partner you want to be. It contains over 6 hours of videos spread over 10 different modules and once purchased, it's available for life (so you can come back to it at any point in the future, either to remind yourself of how to manage a trigger, heal a painful memory or unpack a new layer of the mother imprint that may have surfaced, for example).  The programme comes with two, live, group coaching support calls with me every month - also for life (so that I am always here for you whatever queries or fears come up and whatever support or insights you might need on your healing journey) as well as a private, members'-only FB group.  Find Lavinia at https://www.laviniabrown.com/making-peace-with-your-past Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I want to raise my kids to be confident, kind kids. But growing up in today's world, it can be so difficult to help our kids maintain their sense of self esteem. Carol Kim dives into what we can to do raise our kids self esteem and avoid inadvertently negatively impacting their self esteem. 1. What are things I can do daily to help raise my kids self esteem? 2. How can I encourage my child to not get their self esteem from others but from within instead? 3. Can I still give my child compliments without encouraging them to seek for others' approval? 4. What ways can I help reduce any shame they might feel, say after a meltdown, and build them back up? 5. What are common ways we as parents inadvertently negatively impact our kids self esteem or confidence? Carol Kim is a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist specializing in child and play therapy. She has over a decade of clinical experience, and has practiced in the San Francisco Bay Area, Boston, and Utah. Carol is also a popular content creator, whose videos on parenting and mental health have benefited millions across the globe. You can find her content on major social networks under the handle @parenting.resilience.  Prior to becoming a therapist and content creator, Carol was a broadcast journalist in Missouri and Oakland California, where her favorite part of the job was sharing the stories of underserved communities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You have just experienced a loss of a loved on or a family pet. How do you tell your kids about it? What do you tell your kids? Navigating these conversations is difficult, especially when you, yourself, are grieving too. Here from an expert in the area so you feel prepared when you need to have these conversations.What we cover in this episode:1. Talking about death is a difficult and hard subject especially with kids. What approach should we take when we talk to our kids about death?  2. Developmentally, when do children understand the concept of death? How does this affect how I talk to them about death and grief? 3. A loved one or pet just died. Talk me through how you would tell your child and what you avoid in the conversation? 4. How often should I check in with my child about the loss? Do I bring it up or do I let them bring it up? 5. I am mourning the loss of our loved one toAbout Sidu:Sidu Arroyo-Boulter is a family psychotherapist in Texas, specializing in difficult family dynamics and parenting. Sidu is passionate about helping parents deepen their emotional understanding of themselves so that they can welcome their child into rest, acceptance, and belonging.Find Sidu on Instragramhttps://www.instagram.com/conscious.parents/?hl=en ______________________________Did you love this episode? BUY ME A COFFEE for support!Find me on Instagram@balkanina@mamaknowspodcastFind me on TikTokBalkaninaSubscribe to my NewsletterPrivate Facebook Motherhood-Podcast CommunityMama Knows FBDisclaimer: This podcast does not provide any medical advice, it is for informational purposes only! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Guilt and shame are often feelings that come up when parenting. You aren't alone! These aren't feelings you need to be ashamed of or suffer alone in. Michelle helps us learn to shift of our perspective and minimize the shame and guilt that comes up during parenting. Questions: 1. What is the difference between guilt and shame when it comes to parenting? 2. What do you often see that parents feel most guilty about? 3. How do we shift our perspective and make the mom guilt productive rather than a negative thing?  4. How can we minimize the shame we feel as a parent? Michelle Tangeman Bio: Before opening Michelle Tangeman Behavioral Health as a child and family therapist, I served as a Clinical Manager for STAR of CA where I oversaw a clinical team providing children’s behavioral treatment programs. I have extensive experience in individualized behavior intervention, Functional Behavior Assessments, school-based services, family-focused intervention, early start services, and social skills training and have provided these services to families across Ventura and Los Angeles counties. I have also completed the training as part of the Postpartum Support International’s Advanced Perinatal Mental Health Psychotherapy Training Program.When I’m not helping parents and families as a therapist, I’m a mother of two beautiful children. As a parent, I know how challenging it can be. Combining my personal experience as a parent along with my behavioral health background, I launched my online education company, Thriving Toddler. Through Thriving Toddler courses and free resources, I aim to help as many people as possible become the parents they want to be. I’m also a podcast host and the co-founder of the Parenting Understood podcast. My co-host and I are passionate about teaching parents about evidence-based interventions grounded in science to make a positive impact on the parent-child relationship. Website: https://michelletangeman.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/thriving.toddler/ ______________________________Did you love this episode? BUY ME A COFFEE for support!Find me on Instagram@balkanina@mamaknowspodcastFind me on TikTokBalkaninaSubscribe to my NewsletterPrivate Facebook Motherhood-Podcast CommunityMama Knows FBDisclaimer: This podcast does not provide any medical advice, it is for informational purposes only! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I struggle with being productive with my ADHD. Am I alone?Normal tips to be productive and organized just don't work for me and I am beginning to realize that I need to work with my ADHD instead of against it!In comes, Brooke Schnittman, who answers all my questions:1. As someone with adhd I want to better organize my day, but I struggle with traditional to do lists. Why aren’t these traditional ways working for me? What can I do instead to organize my to do list and life? 2. Why are some tasks harder than others for people with adhd? For example: answering emails or texts can be so daunting even though it only takes minutes to answer. How can I make these tasks seem like less of a big deal? 3. What is the ADHD disruption cycle and how can I overcome it? 4. How things can I do routinely to better improve my attention, focus, and momentum?Brooke's book:  Activate Your ADHD Potential : for adults with ADHD who are looking to build momentum and stop overwhelm and underwhelm.InstagramWebsiteabout Brooke:Brooke Schnittman MA, PCC, BCC is an esteemed expert in the field of ADHD management and support, renowned for her unwavering dedication to empowering individuals with ADHD to overcome challenges and achieve their full potential. ​ Brooke's personal journey, being diagnosed with ADHD later in life and marrying into a family of ADHDers, has provided her with profound insight and empathy for her clients. In 2002, she embarked on her mission to make a positive impact in the lives of individuals with disabilities. She earned her Bachelor's in Elementary Education from Penn State University and her Master's Degree from New York University, specializing in Students With Disabilities. ​ With over two decades of experience, Brooke has worked closely with thousands of individuals with ADHD, utilizing her comprehensive knowledge and expertise to guide them toward success. ______________________________Did you love this episode? BUY ME A COFFEE for support!Find me on Instagram@balkanina@mamaknowspodcastFind me on TikTokBalkaninaSubscribe to my NewsletterPrivate Facebook Motherhood-Podcast CommunityMama Knows FBDisclaimer: This podcast does not provide any medical advice, it is for informational purposes only! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you haven't heard of attachment theory or don't know which attachment type you are start here:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/attachment-theory-toxic-relationships-w-mac-stanley/id1610026077?i=1000633976705.This week Dr. Morgan helps us anxious attachment girlies (+ guys) feel more secure in our relationship. We cover:1. Can you do a quick recap on what the attachment styles are, especially anxious attachment? 2. What does self abandonment look like as someone with anxious attachment? 3. Why might someone with anxious attachment abandon themselves and turn to codependency? 4. Why is codependency a bad thing in relationships? 4. How can someone with anxious attachment prevent self abandonment?websiteinstagramabout Dr. Morgan:Hi, I’m Dr. Morgan I’m a relationship coach, attachment theory expert, and creator of the E.S.L. Relationship Method. My mission is to help women get off the dating rollercoaster, raise their self-worth, and attract the healthy relationship they’ve always wanted. I created the Empowered.Secure.Loved. Program because I knew women needed a clear path to secure attachment and love that lasts. With the science of attachment theory, data from hundreds of clients, and my own experiences I created a program that transforms you from lonely, to loved. ______________________________Did you love this episode? BUY ME A COFFEE for support!Find me on Instagram@balkanina@mamaknowspodcastFind me on TikTokBalkaninaSubscribe to my NewsletterPrivate Facebook Motherhood-Podcast CommunityMama Knows FBDisclaimer: This podcast does not provide any medical advice, it is for informational purposes only! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I am currently trying to not procrastinate right now so this epiosde is coming at the best time. This week Chelsey Newmeyer helps us best utilize our time so we can feel better and accomplish more.The questions we answered this week:  1. I will admit that I can be a procrastinator, how do I unlearn procrastination habits? 2. I feel like I don't have enough time in the day to finish the tasks that need to be completed, let alone, do anything enjoyable/spend time on any hobbies. How can I better organize my day so I don't feel so booked? 3. What is time blocking and how can I implement it in my life? 4. I haven't been feeling very productive lately. What are some tips to being more productive in daily tasks or at work? 5. You helped me have some free time, but now I feel guilty for relaxing and feel like I should be tackling other projects. How do I rest without guilt?  Chelsey Newmyer is a nerd for all things time management and productivity. After years of reading frustrating productivity advice that didn't match her life, she started her productivity coaching business to help solopreneurs, and 9-5ers maximize their time by getting the personalized productivity systems they need to reach their goals. Chelsey is a Navy spouse and currently lives on Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba with her husband, son Nolan, and her dog, Leia. When she's not working, she's hanging out with her new baby, drinking lots of coffee, or listening to podcasts while reorganizing something in her house.  ______________________________Did you love this episode? BUY ME A COFFEE for support!Find me on Instagram@balkanina@mamaknowspodcastFind me on TikTokBalkaninaSubscribe to my NewsletterPrivate Facebook Motherhood-Podcast CommunityMama Knows FBDisclaimer: This podcast does not provide any medical advice, it is for informational purposes only! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mom rage is a topic near and dear to my heart and something I am still working on improving. If you are like me and feel like you are quick to anger and have a short fuse but don't know why or how to mitigate it, this episode is for you.Questions we addressed in today's interview:1.  I was personally diagnosed with postpartum mood disorder and rage back in 2021 - do you have any stats or data on approximately how common this is? 2. What brings so many of us moms to rage, when we weren't like this before? 3. Is it my fault I have such a quick temper? 4. How can we get a handle on your rage? i.e. what are some long term things I can do and what are some in the heat of the moment things I can do to cope?  Erica Djossa is the CEO and founder of Momwell, and a registered psychotherapist specializing in maternal mental health with over a decade of experience. As a mother of three rambunctious young boys, Erica understands first-hand the challenges of motherhood. Perfectionism, pressure, and loss of identity fueled her battle with postpartum depression, and she realized how difficult it is to seek care. She founded Momwell to set a standard of care for providers and ensure mom-centred specialized mental health support at any stage of motherhood. Erica has been featured in media publications including Time Magazine, Washington Post, USA Today, The Toronto Star, Breakfast Television, and Scary Mommy. Contact detailWebsiteInstagram About the Book:  Moms today are drowning under the weight of labor and expectations, feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and overburdened. They desperately want to feel like they are succeeding, but the impossible standards placed on them leave them feeling burned out and frustrated. Releasing the Mother Load: How To Carry Less and Enjoy Motherhood More is an empowering guidebook that teaches moms how to unlearn intensive mothering expectations and free themselves from the burdens of mental labor.  “In our search for perfection, we hold ourselves up to impossible standards,” says Djossa. “And when we inevitably fall short of those, we feel like failures. The key is in letting go of what we think we should be and embracing our value as a mom.”  Based on the teachings through her maternal mental health platform, Momwell, Erica Djossa unpacks the dimensions of cognitive labor—the invisible care work within tasks like soothing babies, navigating tantrums, keeping track of where everything is in the house, and planning for appointments. In Releasing the Mother Load, Djossa invites readers to break free from societal conditioning that demands mothers do it all, and step into a new way of thinking that relieves the weight of unrealistic motherhood expectations and allows them to say no, take on less, and enjoy life more.  Unlike other resources on the topic of invisible labor, Releasing the Mother Load takes a hard look at th ______________________________Did you love this episode? BUY ME A COFFEE for support!Find me on Instagram@balkanina@mamaknowspodcastFind me on TikTokBalkaninaSubscribe to my NewsletterPrivate Facebook Motherhood-Podcast CommunityMama Knows FBDisclaimer: This podcast does not provide any medical advice, it is for informational purposes only! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I just learned that often times the beliefs and judgments we have about our partners and their actions is a direct reflection of the belief you have about yourself and your own worth stemming from something that happened to you in childhood.Here are the questions we covered:1. Women tell me often that their partner's actions and/or habits are really getting to them to the point where they are starting to label their partner as uncaring/inattentive/condescending. Why do we do this and how can this be detrimental to one's marriage? 2. How can I work through these judgements towards my spouse? 3. How can I have a productive conversation with my spouse about my judgments so we can work together?  Here is the link to the Developing Deeper Connection Course.  The coupon code is MAMAKNOWS ______________________________Did you love this episode? BUY ME A COFFEE for support!Find me on Instagram@balkanina@mamaknowspodcastFind me on TikTokBalkaninaSubscribe to my NewsletterPrivate Facebook Motherhood-Podcast CommunityMama Knows FBDisclaimer: This podcast does not provide any medical advice, it is for informational purposes only! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Am I a bad parent if my child is lying or is this totally normal? This week I sit down with Devon Kuntzman of Tranforming Toddlerhood to tackle the topic of lying. We cover:1. Am I a bad parent if my child is lying or is it normal? 2. When do toddlers often start lying and why? 3. Should I ignore lies or address them? 4. Walk me through what do I do and say when I catch my toddler in a lie? For example: my toddler says he didn't color on the walls but there are stick drawings that weren't from me or the dog.  5. How can I encourage telling the truth rather than lies in future scenarios?More about Devon:Devon Kuntzman, PCC, is the original toddler parenting coach on Instagram and the founder of Transforming Toddlerhood. As a toddler expert, she is on a mission to transform the myth that toddlerhood is terrible. Devon empowers toddler parents to overcome the challenges of toddlerhood, nurture development and create confidence in their skills by being the Confident Leader & Guide through using positive, respectful, and developmentally appropriate parenting tools.  As a result, Devon has built a community of nearly 1 million parents and caregivers from across the world who are committed to transforming their parenting, their toddler’s behavior, and their overall experience of toddlerhood while creating a foundation for a relationship with their child that lasts a lifetime. Devon holds a psychology and child development degree and is an ICF-certified coach. Having lived on three continents, Devon has tirelessly supported parents and children as a coach, former high-profile nanny, and director of an orphanage in Rwanda. When she isn’t working with parents, Devon can be found playing with her kiddo, riding her bicycle, or drinking a green juice (sometimes all at the same time!) http://transformingtoddlerhood.com/IG ______________________________Did you love this episode? BUY ME A COFFEE for support!Find me on Instagram@balkanina@mamaknowspodcastFind me on TikTokBalkaninaSubscribe to my NewsletterPrivate Facebook Motherhood-Podcast CommunityMama Knows FBDisclaimer: This podcast does not provide any medical advice, it is for informational purposes only! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you haven't figured out your fight language, make sure you listen to Part 1 with Lena Morgan before listening to this episode! Do you feel like your partner's apology isn't resonating with you and that your fights never seem to resolve? You NEED this episode. I highly suggest you listen to this episode with your partner!1. We figured out our fight language now what? 2. What does repair or apologies look like for each fight language? 3. What do I do or say to my partner if I don't feel fulfilled by their apology?About Lena:The biggest gift we can give ourselves is to feel understood.  Lena Morgan began her career as a midwife and for over a decade she helped people communicate their needs effectively, especially in high stress situations. Pulling from this, she developed the Fight Languages; the transformational conflict solution. The Fight Languages quickly help your conflict and repair become more productive and connected. Her work is helping individuals, partnerships, organizations, and businesses develop more understanding and connection. You can learn more about her work at fightlanguages.comLena's InstagramDiscount code for MamaKnows listeners: 20% off the eBook, through the website fightlanguages.com, with the code mamaknows ______________________________Did you love this episode? BUY ME A COFFEE for support!Find me on Instagram@balkanina@mamaknowspodcastFind me on TikTokBalkaninaSubscribe to my NewsletterPrivate Facebook Motherhood-Podcast CommunityMama Knows FBDisclaimer: This podcast does not provide any medical advice, it is for informational purposes only! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week is dedicated to all your potty training questions:1. When is the "ideal" time to start potty training? And what does that look like/involve? 2. Is the 3 day potty training a real thing? How long does it usually take? 3. How do I encourage my kid to want to use the potty? What route should I take? Prizes? Candy? Help! 4. What does successful potty training look like? What if there are still accidents? 5. My kiddo has hit a potty training regression and we can't seem to get out of it. What do I do? About Mariko:Mariko Fairly is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, parent coach, and mom of two.She provides positive + proactive strategies to increase your child's cooperation, and your calm + confidence as a parent.@parenting_fairly www.parentingfairly.comDiscount code: MAMAKNOWS10 for an additional 10% off my guidebook and/or classes ______________________________Did you love this episode? BUY ME A COFFEE for support!Find me on Instagram@balkanina@mamaknowspodcastFind me on TikTokBalkaninaSubscribe to my NewsletterPrivate Facebook Motherhood-Podcast CommunityMama Knows FBDisclaimer: This podcast does not provide any medical advice, it is for informational purposes only! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices