Failing Motherhood

How can we create a more equitable world that supports motherhood?

My guest today, Erin Spahr, is a licensed therapist, mother, feminist, podcast host, and maternal mental health advocate. She uses a feminist lens in her work with mothers in her private practice and strives to help mothers free themselves from oppressive societal expectations and find more self-confidence and self-compassion. 

Our conversation today spans c...

We all dread it - the inevitable meltdown of EPIC proportions. It’s survival mode, and no one is immune.

In this episode, I share why I disagree with typical advice (and even Dr. Becky) on how to manage these meltdowns/outbursts, why it’s OK to walk away, and what to do when you can’t.
 

IN THIS EPISODE I SHARED:

• An analogy to help illustrate your responsibility
• Why staying WITH your child might actually backfire
• How to “leave” ...

The holiday season is upon us filled with changes, anticipation, late nights, unfamiliar meals, sweets, high emotions, extra tasks and stress.

Your strong-willed child will understandably have an even harder time navigating all of this unpredictability, triggers, and lack of routine.

Tune in to hear my 7 steps to a more successful holiday season for the whole family!

 
IN THIS EPISODE I SHARED:

• What to say NO to and why
• Critical...

… seems timely, right?

My guest today, Dr. Tovah P. Klein, Ph.D. is the author of Raising Resilience: How to Help Our Children Thrive in Times of Uncertainty. In her role as a researcher and professor and in direct care with parents and children for over thirty years, Klein has helped to define what every child needs to thrive, regardless of their life situations.

In our episode today, Dr. Tovah breaks down the 5 critical pillars tha...

No couple goes into parenting as a perfectly united front. Every parent runs out of steam, hits a wall, and loses it from time to time. Good parents ask good questions like “How can I help my partner when things are going off the rails without stepping on their toes?”

Before you hop in the car and start parenting extra challenging behaviors in front of extended family this holiday season, have this important conversation with your p...

There is something ALL parenting books are missing. You cannot fake it. There is no substitute. It is transformational.

…and it’s the critical antidote to guilt + shame.

If you’ve tried EVERYTHING under the sun- this might be the reason why you’ve stayed stuck. And it’s more needed than ever before.

IN THIS EPISODE I SHARED:

• What my daughter’s violin teacher did that changed the game for me as a parent
• The real reason why my coachi...

One of my kids just received a diagnosis. It was 10 years in the making because school was not seeing any of the symptoms we saw at home until now.

In light of this milestone for our family, I’m sharing a personal reflection of my own parenting. As parenting is often filled with confusion, overwhelm, guilt and regret… here are things I do NOT regret.

IN THIS EPISODE I SHARED:

• A vulnerable audit of my own parenting
• What to...

What’s wrong with sharing pictures on Facebook so grandparents can see the kids?

As parents in 2024, we’re in uncharted waters trying to navigate our own internet use, let alone our kids’.

My guest today, Sarah Adams, is an online safety advocate and expert, exploring the state of parental public oversharing, child exploitation and minor security on social media.

While diving into the harsh realities of the Internet in 2024, she defin...

T minus 2 days until a candy avalanche is at our doorsteps!

Thankfully, my guest today, Nicole Cruz, RD is here to take some weight off our shoulders.

Nicole is the founder of Nourish Together, a shame-free approach to family nutrition. As a Registered Dietitian and mom of three, Nicole supports parents in raising confident eaters who can eat a variety, listen to their body cues, and not obsess over sweets or other ‘treats’.

We start ...

Are you in the midst of the chaotic beautiful hard journey that is raising a gifted child at your house?  Can you know "for sure" if your child is gifted?

My guest today, Erin Vanek has spent well over a decade supporting gifted students with a Master's in Education and an endorsement in gifted education. She's also the founder of The Gifted Perspective, offering workshops, printable resources, and activities, an...

Election day in the US is in 21 days (Tuesday, November 5th).  Early voting has already began!

As parents, our kids are counting on us. Every vote counts, especially in the smallest races and ballot initiatives, shaping the world our kids grow up in.

I do not expect you to agree with everything (or anything) I share here today and that's okay.  I just want you to vote!

IN THIS EPISODE I SHARED:

• T...

One could say with motherhood, you know what you’re signing up for - but you certainly have no idea how it will feel. 

As a Child of Divorce and Child Protection Worker with a background in Psychology and Social Service Work, Jamie Scrimgeour thought she knew what she was signing up for as a childless bachelorette when she decided to marry a man with three kids and an ex.

But as I am sure you can guess, she felt like she h...

When other kids at the park instantly listen to their parents, it can make even the most well-intentioned parent feel self-conscious (and a little jealous).

Isn’t that the goal? A child who listens without hesitation?

Let’s talk about it.

IN THIS EPISODE I SHARED:

• The longterm ramifications of putting obedience on a pedestal
• What to focus on and aim for instead
• A question to ask yourself to reflect on your approach

DON'T MIS...

"You can't have ADHD! You have a master's degree!"

... and other misconceptions about ADHD.  Whether you've been diagnosed, related to the memes, or have a child that's been diagnosed... this episode is for you!

Patricia Sung, Adult ADHD coach and host of Motherhood in ADHD, is here to share her journey into diagnosis, understanding her unique brain, and empowering other moms to do t...

In today's quick episode, I break down a key facet to behavior modification I've been supporting a lot of clients with lately! 

It’s not a surefire guarantee toward cupcakes, rainbows and butterflies - but it is necessary shift in your communication that doesn’t contribute to a crash and burn affect.


IN THIS EPISODE I SHARED:

• 2 Examples of effective behavior modification outside of parenting
• What...

My guest today, Holly Murphy, is accomplished in their profession, a devoted parent in love with their kids, a vibrant personality, AND they’re open about how if they knew what they knew NOW back THEN, they would not become a parent. 

You might not agree with Holly, but I know they’re not the only one.  If there’s one thing we are on Failing Motherhood- it’s honest - and that’s why stories like Holly’s have a place here. 

There is no...

It's that time of year, when your strong-willed child keeps it together all day at school then lets it all fall apart with you the second they get in the car.

I packed this episode full of perspective, mindset shifts, tangible strategies and preventative measures to equip you with the "game face" you need to tackle this transition.

IN THIS EPISODE I SHARED:

• How to meet them where they're at ...

A special gift for you this week, courtesy of our friends at Moms Talk Autism. Not only did they join me for last week’s episode, but they interviewed me on their show and were kind enough to share it with our audience so I could share it here.

My work specializes in helping families who are struggling with Neurodivergent traits in their child but don’t have a diagnosis yet or whose child does not meet the criteria for a specific di...

Today I’m sitting down with Brittney and Shannon, two out of the four moms from Moms Talk Autism, a podcast where good friends share their journeys figuring out in real time how to best support their kids and themselves, discussing school, family balance, siblings, grief, therapies, social issues, behaviors, delays, diagnosis advocacy, marriage, and more.

Our conversation highlights their individual stories, Brittney with four kids ...