The Mindful Midlife Mom - Mindfulness Practices and Techniques for Mentally Exhausted Moms Juggling Kids & Aging Parents

The Mindful Midlife Mom - Mindfulness Practices and Techniques for Mentally Exhausted Moms Juggling Kids & Aging Parents

Are you an overstretched midlife mom juggling teenagers and aging parents while feeling mentally exhausted and losing yourself in the process? You're not alone in this overwhelming season. As someone currently living in the sandwich generation with my dad in assisted living while my kids are in school, I understand the unique burnout that comes from caring for everyone except yourself. This show offers practical mindfulness tools specifically designed for moms navigating caregiving responsibilities while raising kids. Tune in twice a week for: Sundays: 20-minute episodes addressing common midlife challenges with practical strategies plus a featured mindfulness practice (affirmations, mantras, or meditations) Wednesdays: Short guided practice sessions to reinforce Sunday's mindfulness technique and reset your week These bite-sized practices fit into your chaotic schedule and help you show up as the calm, present mom you want to be. Start with our fan-favorite Episode 97: "Midlife Slump? You Deserve Better— 'I Am' Affirmations for Self Worth" to begin transforming how you see yourself today.

Episodes

August 13, 2025 9 mins

Do you ever catch yourself caring for your aging parents purely out of obligation—handling the logistics, managing appointments, making decisions—while your siblings go about their “normal” lives? If resentment or guilt has crept in, you’re not alone…and you’re not a bad daughter for feeling this way.

In this Midweek Mindfulness Moment of The Mindful Midlife Mom, Valerie guides you through a short but powerful affirmation practice t...

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When caregiving feels like a trap…

Do you ever find yourself thinking, “If I don’t do it, who will?” when it comes to caring for your aging parents? Whether it’s because you live closest, have a flexible schedule, or have always been the “responsible one,” it can feel like you don’t have a choice. But what if you could shift that feeling of obligation into something more empowering?

In this episode of The Mindful Midlife Mom, Valerie...

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Feeling emotionally burned out from juggling it all? This midweek reset is for you.

If you’ve been pulled between your kids' needs, your parents’ care, and the endless demands of work or life, you're not alone. In this mindfulness moment episode of The Mindful Midlife Mom, Valerie offers a powerful visualization and guided meditation to help you reconnect to your strength—even when everything feels like too much.

  • Experi...
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Ever feel like you're being stretched so thin that you’re about to break?

Welcome to The Mindful Midlife Mom, a podcast for women navigating the emotional weight of raising kids while caring for aging parents—all while trying to hold onto themselves. In this first episode, Valerie introduces a new metaphor that will change how you see your stress and your strength.

  • Learn why the “sandwich generation” describes the very real ...
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Big News! This podcast has a new name—and a renewed mission. Welcome to The Mindful Midlife Mom, your space for finding calm in the chaos of raising kids while caring for aging parents. In this announcement episode, Valerie shares why this change matters, what’s staying the same, and how the new format will serve you even more deeply in your sandwich generation season.

  • Discover why the podcast is evolving—and how it now reflects...
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Do you catch yourself saying no to growth opportunities because you feel guilty about prioritizing yourself?

Whether you’re craving a new routine, a chance to invest in yourself, or simply space to reconnect with who you are, this episode is your reminder that saying “yes” in midlife isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. Especially as the back-to-school season invites fresh starts, it’s time to embrace a season of personal expansion.

Discove...

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Are you rushing through the final days of summer instead of soaking them in?

With back-to-school chaos looming, it’s easy to miss the magic in these last, precious summer moments. But what if you could slow down, be more present, and turn these ordinary days into lasting memories?

Learn three gentle gratitude practices to help you anchor into daily joy, even amid midlife busyness.

Discover how a simple morning habit, a weekly check-in...

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Are you making everyone else's summer magical—but forgetting to make space for yourself?

If you're busy planning the perfect summer for your family but feel your own cup running on empty, you're not alone—and you’re not selfish for needing a break.

This listener-favorite replay is your personal time-out. With just 5–10 minutes, you’ll tap into a self-care mantra practice that’s simple, restorative, and entirely yours. ...

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Do you ever feel like summer is harder than the school year—and you're the only one not getting a break?

While everyone else seems to be relaxing, are you buried in vacation logistics, summer camps, and caregiving duties—wondering when *you* get to exhale?

This episode is your reset button. If you’re a midlife mom secretly burned out from being the family cruise director, this one’s for you. You’ll get more t...

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Do your days feel like they just happen to you—leaving you exhausted before you even start?

If you’re a midlife mom constantly juggling caregiving, parenting, and professional pressure, you’re likely running on empty—not from doing too much, but from never feeling in control. This episode shows you how to shift from reactivity to intention, starting with one simple word.

  • Discover the mindset shift that transfo...
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What if your exhaustion isn’t about doing too much—but about never stopping to celebrate what you’ve already done?

You push through every milestone, every obligation, every crisis—yet feel like you're barely staying afloat. If you're a midlife mom who never gets a moment to recognize her own strength, this episode is your wake-up call.

  • Discover the real reason behind your burnout (hint: it’s not your calendar)...
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When was the last time someone asked you how you're holding up, Dad?

If you're the one holding it all together—providing, protecting, problem-solving—but silently running on empty, this episode is your reminder: you matter too. On this Father’s Day, it’s time to normalize self-care for men who carry so much without complaint.

  • Hear a personal story that reveals how chronic stress impacts fathers—and their famil...
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Do you feel guilty for wanting more—for yourself? If every time you reach for your own joy, creativity, or growth you hear that nagging voice say, “Shouldn’t you be doing something for your family instead?”, this episode is for you. Midlife women often carry guilt for simply wanting fulfillment—and it's time to change that.

  • Understand the two types of guilt and how to stop letting the unfounded kind sabotage your aspiration...
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Do you feel like another year is slipping by while your dreams stay on hold? If you're watching the calendar flip, wondering where the time went—and why your goals keep getting postponed—this episode is your invitation to stop waiting and start choosing you. No more “maybe next year.” This is your turning point.

  • Discover a powerful mindset shift inspired by caregiving, time, and the cost of inaction.
  • Walk through a guided vi...
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Are you comparing your Chapter 5 to someone else’s Chapter 20—and feeling like you’ve fallen behind?


If you're stuck measuring your worth against others' highlight reels, this episode will help you reframe the winding, messy beauty of your own path. It’s time to stop chasing straight lines and start honoring the journey that’s uniquely yours.

  • Unpack the myth of the linear life path and why comparison steals your jo...
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Does starting over feel intimidating—especially after years of being the expert?Whether you’re changing careers, learning a new skill, or building your online presence after 40, it’s easy to forget what it means to truly be a beginner. In this powerful replay of Episode 36, you’ll learn why embracing the student mindset is the secret to moving forward—without the pressure to be perfect.

  • Discover five essential tips to reframe yo...
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Does Mother's Day stir up more emotions than you expected—joy, sorrow, guilt, or longing?Whether you're celebrating, grieving, navigating a complicated relationship, or simply surviving the day, this episode offers a peaceful, honest space to reflect on the truth of motherhood in all its forms. No pressure, just presence.

  • Hear a deeply personal story of caregiving and complex love that reflects the real emotional lands...
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Have layoffs or midlife shifts left you questioning what’s next—and if it’s too late to start over? Whether you're facing career uncertainty or craving something more meaningful, this episode reminds you that reinvention after 40 isn’t just possible—it’s powerful. With the right mindset and support, you can shed old limitations and step into something brand new.

  • Explore why midlife is the perfect time to pivot—and how to re...
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Are you stuck believing you have to choose—between work and family, passion and stability, courage and comfort?

Midlife often brings us to a crossroads, but what if those crossroads aren’t about choosing either/or—what if they’re an invitation to a yes and life? This episode challenges limiting beliefs and helps you reimagine what's possible when you stop putting yourself in a box.

  • Learn why your brain defaults to ...
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Have you taken a bold step forward—only to wonder if you're still on the right path? Doubt often creeps in after a major transition, especially in midlife. But what if the clarity you're seeking is already around you—in subtle signs, whispers, and nudges pointing the way forward?

  • Learn the three types of signs—internal, synchronicity, and symbolic—that can affirm you're heading in the right direction.
  • Hear personal...
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