The Honest Mom Podcast

This is my passion chapter about friendships in motherhood. Those lost, gained, maintained and how to navigate through the seasons of motherhood. Enjoy this week's reading with snippets from Chapter 9 of my book, "The Honest Mom Podcast: Acknowledge Your Feelings. Break Free From Expectations. Build Your Beautiful Life as a Mother." available on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/Honest-Mom-Project-Acknowledge-Expectations/dp/1667875094/ or my website, www.michellemansfieldauthor.com Thank you for your continuous support in all I am trying to share with moms out there that need this validation. I appreciate you all! With Love & Honesty, Michelle

Get your copy of my new book (an Amazon Best Seller!), The Honest Mom Project: Acknowledge Your Feelings. Break Free From Expectations. Build Your Beautiful Life as a Mother. on Amazon TODAY!  https://www.amazon.com/Honest-Mom-Project-Acknowledge-Expectations/dp/1667875094/  OFF TO TODAY'S EPISODE! Make new friends. But keep the old. One is silver and the other gold. That was easy to sing as a Girl Scout when you were in elementary school. But as an adult? As a mom? It’s a bit harder than we thought. I quote my book, “The Honest Mom Project”… “Having a baby will change your friendships. Period.” It’s true. It’s not all negative. There are many ways friendships become even stronger. Friendships shift. Values and interests change. We don’t have the free time we used to. Motherhood expands the walls that enclose our friendships safely inside. What used to be easy can be extremely difficult to live up to now. Megan and Dina are two incredible women of Stay + Play Local (www.stayandplaylocal.com) where one of their missions is connecting people to all the local fun activities, dining, events and attractions. I have attended quite a few events where I was looking for connection in a fun, unique way beyond my “let’s grab drinks and talk about our kids for 2 hours” routine. The three of us talk about our unique friendship changes, challenges and NEW friendships that were born after becoming a mom. We chat about ways to connect with other women, when to let go of a friendship, and what to focus on. What to look out for. The “normal” of friendships when we become mothers and just get so busy. This episode is for you if you find yourself confused, frustrated, and a bit bleh in the friendship department. Megan and Dina are here to give you hope, motivation, and excitement about your friendships throughout motherhood. Plus they both just have incredible energy pouring out of them. Thank you for listening, sharing, and supporting this podcast! Mom Card Drawing of the Week: "You're as unlimited as the endless universe." -Shad Helmstetter Find out more about Stay + Play Local on Instagram @stayandplay.tricities along with their website www.stayandplaylocal.com Check out all the things to do in the Tri-City Area of Chicago, join The Foxy Mamas Facebook group, try their book club and take a chance with their meet ups. Keep up to date on all things to do and see by joining their newsletter. You'll never be bored or wonder what to do after that! Megan's Favorite Things: Bulletproof Greens (it actually tastes GOOD!) www.bulletproof.com. Ember self-heating mug (it even has an app!)  www.ember.com. Hyperice Massage Gun www.hyperice.com. Dina's Favorite Things: "Going West" podcast. "Comments by Celebs" podcast. Breville Barista Pro espresso machine. 

I don't know about you, but I believe that as human beings we have cravings beyond sex and a bag of Doritos. We, as humans, also have emotional cravings. We yearn to feel loved, to feel wanted, appreciated, validated, and included. I desire to be a part of something, to be in a community, to have experiences that I create and am invited to. When we become mothers, that connection is needed even more in order for us to grow. The problem is, we are moving father away from it than ever before.  This chapter is all about mommy FOMO, how to acknowledge you have it, and how to get out of the traps. I hope you enjoy the little pieces I read and that you pick up your copy of The Honest Mom Project today! You can grab your copy on www.michellemansfieldauthor.com/books and leave a review when you're done reading it. Thank you so much for your support and encouragement everyone!

Katie has been my BFF since I started with SPENGA in 2018. She was also at the heart of some friendship breakups and was such an incredible part of my healing- and what it means to be a true friend. I've always appreciated her honesty and how she delivers it which is why I knew you would love her on the podcast. Katie was dating her high school sweetheart where they were both seniors in college, planning to get married, when she learned she was pregnant with her amazing son, Sam. When life throws curveballs, Katie always has such an amazing outlook and way of living through them where she and her husband welcomed this new journey ahead of them. Not in the cards but what is when it comes to becoming a parent?!  You may have listened to my solo episode about being an "old mom" when I had Brooklyn at 36 years old. Katie and I discuss the pros, cons and realities of being a young mom and have quite a few moments where we realize no matter what age you are, motherhood is challenging. Is it better to know nothing and get thrown into motherhood at a young age or to have 10 more years of life on your bookshelf?  Do older moms know more? Do young moms have more energy? Do moms in their 30's have more life experience? Do young moms just survive because they don't "know any better" (that was a quote from my MIL who had children in her early 20's). The answers are quite surprising when you listen to this episode.  I hope you enjoy our conversation and whether you're a mom in her early 20's, late 30's or early 40's, we are all in the same motherhood boat. We can all help one another, no matter what ages we are. This episode will help you with your decisions, surprises, feelings, and give you some wonderful tools to keep on hand. Enjoy and thanks for listening! Mom Card Drawing of the Week: "You have within you all wisdom, all power, all strength, all understanding." -Eileen Caddy Katie's Recco for Moms: Be an OPEN BOOK with friends and family! Katie's Favorite Things (I love me some face products!!!): Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare https://drdennisgross.com/ OK mamas, I went on Amazon and 5* ratings are all over the place. I definitely am trying as I'm a face product junkie. Katie loves his Daily Peel Pads and Vitamin C serum. He offers travel sizes as well in case you want to try anything.  She also loves her Nespresso (like me!!) and her frother. Go to www.nespresso.com and see what you're missing. Ladies, my at-home coffee has never been the same since Nespresso. I recommend ordering from their website versus Amazon as you can get a subscription, excellent customer service, and order recycling bags to drop off at your nearest UPS store. So easy! You can get a copy of my NEW book, "The Honest Mom Project", on my website https://michellemansfieldauthor.com/books/

Intuition can be this woo-woo thing that many don't take seriously. Or aren't able to connect with. As moms we are distracted. We are BUSY. We are getting busier by the month after being forced to slow down the last few years. It's like we are making up for lost time. But as this happens, we seem to be getting further and further from our intuition. Our brains are clouded. Our gut instincts are ignored. Our inner knowing is... unknown. We are losing trust in ourselves as mothers. In our decisions. Our lives.  Do you find yourself over-thinking EVERYTHING? Taking forever to make a decision? Do you dismiss your own voice for the external validation - what is everyone else doing, what will they think, will they judge me, OMG make it stop!  This episode is for you if you want to gain confidence in your values, decisions, life and motherhood. If you're tired of comparing yourself to everyone else and wondering if you're doing what's right. Listen today if you want more ease in life, your decisions and to be more in tune with your Mom Compass which aligns with your unique life, baby, family and values. Your life is COMPLETELY different than every other person's on this planet. It's time to trust your voice. Your decisions. It's time to trust YOU.  Mom Card Drawing of the Week: "Be bold in what you stand for." -Ruth Boorstin (How PERFECT is this card?!) Listen to Tanya Dalton's Episode 264 of "The Intentional Advantage Podcast" with Emily Aarons which inspired this episode here: https://tanyadalton.com/podcasts/episode-264-trusting-yourself/   Get your copy of my NEW book, "The Honest Mom Project: Acknowledge Your Feelings. Break Free From Expectations. Build Your Beautiful Life as a Mother." on Amazon with this link: https://www.amazon.com/Honest-Mom-Project-Acknowledge-Expectations/dp/1667875094/  or it will always be in stock on BookBaby with this link: https://store.bookbaby.com/book/the-honest-mom-project You can connect with me @thehonestmompodcast on Instagram, email me at info@michellemansfieldauthor.com or travel to my website at www.michellemansfieldauthor.com Thank you for listening, sharing and creating this ripple effect of moms being honest!

This week in my Local Mom Series, I sat with Jessica Segreto where we chatted about having one child. We shared our unique decision and reasons behind having our daughters. How we gained confidence in our motherhood and families. There were some struggles and questioning but we talk about how we got through these weeds and honored the lives that worked for us.  It's definitely getting more common to have one child. The stereotypes of only children are definitely not true. I also feel it's becoming more "accepted" (if that's even the word?!) There are so many benefits to having one child, just like having more than one. Family knows no numbers or size.  This episode is for you if you are questioning how many children you want. Or maybe you have one child and don't want to go through the fertility treatments and emotional struggles you had when having your first child. Perhaps you had debilitating postpartum depression and you're terrified to go through it again? Whatever your decision is, it's the RIGHT decision for you and your family. This episode will give you confidence with this.  Mom Card Drawing of the Week: "As a woman, I have no country... as a woman my country is the whole world." -Virginia Woolf Jessica's Favorite Things: Josie Maran Argan Oil Products. Find them here at www.josiemaran.com "The Honest Mom Project: Acknowledge Your Feelings. Break Free From Expectations. Build Your Beautiful Life as a Mother." is now available and is an AMAZON BEST SELLER in the Postpartum Depression category. Get your copy on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Honest-Mom-Project-Acknowledge-Expectations/dp/1667875094 (*NOTE if you cannot access either of these links you can simply copy & paste into your browser)

I said it so you don't have to. But know you're still an awesome mom if you do say it out loud. Infancy wasn't my thing. Staring at my baby waving things in her face wasn't my jam. Playing Tea Party Princess had me looking at my watch and yawning. My days were so f'in long and I was bored out of my mind. Why? Isn't motherhood supposed to be exciting, fulfilling, and packed with action?  I never heard anyone tell me how bored they were as a mom, so I thought I was alone and I just wasn't "good at it". Was I missing something? Turns out I wasn't. The truth was my boredom was my issue and I could have made motherhood more of my jam and thing. I didn't know how. Which is why I wrote this chapter and talk about it a lot. There is a way ladies, listen to this episode, buy the book and read this chapter to find out how to make your motherhood more exciting. "The Honest Mom Project: Acknowledge Your Feelings. Break Free From Expectations. Build Your Beautiful Life as a Mother." is now available and is an AMAZON BEST SELLER in the Postpartum Depression category. Get your copy on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Honest-Mom-Project-Acknowledge-Expectations/dp/1667875094 (*NOTE if you cannot access this link you can simply copy & paste into your browser) Thank you all for your support of this book, the podcast and all I'm trying to share with moms. I appreciate you ALL. YOU put me in the Amazon Best Seller list and I am so grateful.  Sincerely, Michelle

There is a resistance for people to ask difficult questions. Fear of the answer. That they can't "fix" it. Fear that the answer will be really uncomfortable.  You may find yourself alone in your postpartum feelings. Those unmarketable feelings. Because people around you are scared to ask you, "How are you doing?" You may be like me and not want to tell your partner or mom your feelings because they love to "fix" the problem. Tell you solutions, their experiences, because they cannot bear to see you unhappy.  It's time to find the courage to have uncomfortable conversations and find the people that can handle them. Along with giving grace to the people that may not be able to handle them. How? Listen to today's episode and find out. Mom Card Drawing of the Week:  “You Can if You Think You Can” -Norman Vincent Peale Another amazing quote that Cathy with Zen Parenting Radio speaks of in Ep651: “Discomfort is the price we pay for living a meaningful life” -Susan David  Additional Resources: Normalizing Postpartum Depression article link: https://breathoflife.cc/blog/normalizing-and-removing-the-shame-of-postpartum-depression Zen Parenting Radio Podcast Episode 651 "Emotional Well-Being is #1" link: https://zenparentingradio.com/podcasts/emotional-well-being-is-1-podcast651/ “Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts” book by Karen Kleinman link: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Moms-Have-Scary-Thoughts/dp/1641701307/ Instagram account @wittyotter Becky Vieira You can get YOUR copy of my NEW book, The Honest Mom Project: Acknowledge Your Feelings. Break Free From Expectations. Build Your Beautiful Life as a Mother on Amazon with this link: https://www.amazon.com/Honest-Mom-Project-Acknowledge-Expectations/dp/1667875094/ (copy and paste the link in your browser if clicking on the link isn't available) You can listen to all the Zen Parenting Radio episodes right here on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-feelings-are-acceptable-podcast-663/id414414318?i=1000567251543 Connect with Cathy & Todd with Zen Parenting Radio podcast here: https://zenparentingradio.com/ and get Cathy's recent book: Zen Parenting: Caring for Ourselves and our Children in an Unpredictable World here: https://www.amazon.com/Zen-Parenting-Ourselves-Children-Unpredictable/dp/0306925206/

"F the Mom Guilt!" "You don't deserve to feel Mom Guilt!" Or at least that's what we are told on social, in books, podcasts and sometimes by friends around us. But what if simply "F the Mom Guilt!" doesn't work? What if you STILL feel it? What then?  Pushing my feelings under the rug, ignoring them or telling them to F off just wasn't working. In fact it was crippling me. What did work? Listen to the snippets from this week's chapter reading series where I create some breathing room for you and give you some tools to work with the Mom Guilt instead of against it. It may not be the enemy you think it is. The Honest Mom Project: Acknowledge Your Feelings. Break Free From Expectations. Build Your Beautiful Life as a Mother is available on Amazon with this link: https://www.amazon.com/Honest-Mom-Project-Acknowledge-Expectations/dp/1667875094/ (Copy and paste the link into your browser if clicking on the link isn't available)  Thank you for your support of the podcast and my NEW book! You can connect with me more on Instagram @thehonestmompodcast or email me at info@michellemansfieldauthor.com.  Sincerely, Michelle

Today's episode is another in my series with local moms and friends. I met Tori at Spenga, first as a rock star member and now she works there as an instructor. Tori recently became a new mom (her daughter, Emma is 4 months old) and she opened up about her postpartum journey. We laughed some about how her experience as a dog mom semi-prepared her and her husband (a lot of poop is involved with dogs and babies!), and how that helped them get a glimpse into how each other might parent and compromise. Tori's pregnancy and birth experiences were pretty "text-book". She credits that to the healthy choices she made while pregnant and really looked forward to a maternity leave that she expected to be more like a vacation. But soon after Emma was born, Tori was given a HUGE dose of reality and her new expectations were to just get through the day.  She noticed something was wrong right away, as she was sad and crying "all of the time". Already feeling guilty, anxious and some regret, her postpartum guilt increased the more she couldn't make sense of the fact that despite an easy pregnancy and birth, she was still not happy.   Most of us assume that new parents are immediately happy when they have a baby - social media plays a big part in this. Often, if we are having any negative thoughts about our baby, we are hesitant to reach out to others for fear of judgement. And without a formal diagnosis we don't think our feelings are big enough and that all we need to do is push through the emotions and it will get better.  For Tori, she wished she had reached out sooner or thought about the role her family history may have played in her postpartum journey. She did eventually start reaching out, and talks about how it got easier and easier each time.  Don't be afraid to talk about your feelings right away. Postpartum depression help, whether it's talk therapy or medication, doesn't have to be a "forever" thing but an important stepping stone to getting the help you need. Mom Card Drawing of the Week: "You're too marvelous, too marvelous for words." -Johnny Mercer Tori's Favorite Things and Resources: Bio-Oil for pregnancy and postpartum "They're Real" mascara by Benefit Cosmetics, available at Ulta or Amazon @thelabormama @postpartumsupportinternational

Motherhood is overwhelming with all the information you learn before your baby is born- and then it arrives and you get thrown even MORE information your way. This week's chapter series goes into the boundary world and all those well-intentional people in your life that want to tell you "the best" way to do something. You've probably heard "breast is best" (can we stop this one already?!) or judgmental recommendations about first foods, what they're learning, doing, drinking, how they're sleeping, what you shouldn't do, and OH MY GOD make it STOP.  But how do you respond to these people? How do you create your filter and take in what resonates with you? How do you gain confidence to do this all without pissing someone off or getting the silent treatment? This chapter will help you with all of this. And I'm also here if you ever want to reach out to me with your unique challenges and how to work through them.  I hope you enjoy this week's snippet of Chapter 5 in my new book releasing January 27th, The Honest Mom Project: Acknowledge Your Feelings. Break Free From Expectations. Build Your Beautiful Life as a Mother. It's available for PRESALE with this link! https://www.amazon.com/Honest-Mom-Project-Acknowledge-Expectations/dp/1667875094/ Thank you so much for your support and you can connect with me on Instagram at @thehonestmompodcast Enjoy the episode!

Last year I tried something new for the new year and my goals. Instead of a New Year's Resolution, I chose a WORD OF THE YEAR. My best friend, Bridgett, shared this technique with me as she went through her yoga teacher training (which a huge part of it is self discovery) and I loved the idea. Last year my word of the year was TRUTH. This year, my word of the year is... EXPAND This new goal worked for me last year and so far, this year as well. I've done more in a few weeks to EXPAND than I have in months prior. I'm motivated to honor the word. Soon it will be sitting in front of me thanks to a customized sign I ordered on Etsy : https://www.etsy.com/listing/993512173/custom-sign-reversible-sign-personalized?ref=yr_purchases  to put in my office.  I talk about how Jessica Zweig's podcast inspired me for my word of the year. Listen to this episode here: Simply Be Podcast along with other inspirational episodes she has (including the one about finding Joy!)  I hope that this new way of setting intentions, goals, and a pathway to your unique motherhood can help you throughout 2023. Thank you so much for listening, sharing, and connecting with me off the podcast. My new book, "The Honest Mom Project. Acknowledge Your Feelings. Break Free From Expectations. Build Your Beautiful Life as a Mother." is now in PRESALE on Amazon. You can get your paperback or e-book copy with this link: https://www.amazon.com/Honest-Mom-Project-Acknowledge-Expectations/dp/1667875094/

If you feel insecure when the question of “What do you do?” comes up or if you assume people don’t value all you do as a mom, this episode is for you if you want to feel confident about your role in this life. Maybe you left your career, perhaps you’re part time, or want to be at home but feel so insecure about justifying your worth. Does your spouse make you doubt your days? Do you overhear people say, “well, she doesn’t work so she has time for x, y and z!” It’s time to shut out the “noise” and connect to your value - you matter and what you do all damn day is IMPORTANT! Thank you for listening, sharing and supporting this book. Presale is on Amazon now at https://amzn.to/3ZCyNqc and the book officially launches Jan 27, 2023!!

So excited to be kicking off Season 2 with Meghan Cox and Bridget Nolan of Sunshine Social Media!!! Meghan got her start working in television and advertising, and eventually took her love of social media to create Sunshine Social Media. Bridget was a teacher for 10 years, and after becoming a mom she used her creative, communication, and management skills to become a social media manager. They eventually found each other on Instagram, and when Meghan reached out to collaborate with Bridget they clicked right away! Coming together with another successful woman could have been intimidating or there might have been feelings of trying to compete with one another. But Meghan and Bridget soon learned that although they had similar personalities they also brought each of their own strengths to the business and they were able to really complement each other and balance each other out. These two women are bucking the stereotype that women don't support other women!  As moms, that need to compare or "compete" with other moms can sometimes inhibit us from building potential friendships. We may beat ourselves up because our child isn't hitting certain milestones at the same time as their peers, so instead of reaching out we find ourselves feeling isolated and alone in our parenting journey. Collaboration doesn't have to happen only in a business environment. Join a mom's group on Facebook. Strike up a conversation with another mom at the park or school. Be confident enough to put yourself out there and own your uniqueness. You might be surprised that there are other women who feel similar to you. Mom Card Drawing of the Week: "Treasure this day, and treasure yourself. Truly, neither will ever happen again." -Ray Bradbury Meghan & Bridget's Favorite Things: Abby Rose Skincare @abbyroseskincare GO CLEAN CO (cleaning tips!): @gocleanco Connect with Meghan & Bridget of Sunshine Social Media: Instagram: @sunshine.social.media Facebook: SunshineSocialMediaLLC TikTok: @sunshine.social.media Website: SunshineSocial.media - Check out their individual and group coaching options about all things social media. Even if you don't have a business, maybe you've been interested in TikTok but don't know how to use it? Meghan & Bridget can help! 

PRESALE of “The Honest Mom Project: Acknowledge Your Feelings. Break Free From Expectations. Build Your Beautiful Life as a Mother.” is available for presale on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3WqmTxc There are so many mixed emotions that can happen with you and your partner once that baby comes into your life. If you’re like me, maybe you had rose colored glasses about what your partnership would be like once you both became parents. Maybe you’ve heard people tell you that a baby completed their family or it connected them in their partner even more. But what if that’s not happening with you? What if you have resentment, frustration, or even anger? How do you get through this? How do you make sure that your marriage doesn’t suffer during this very challenging time? What if you don’t like them right now? What if you’re not attracted to them? The list goes on. I hope this chapter helps you with validating your feelings and getting you connected with how to create the partnership that is realistic for you. Thank you so much for listening, sharing, and supporting the podcast and this new book!

I hope you enjoy this week’s chapter read about the struggle with our identity as soon as we become mothers. Thank you so much for listening, sharing, and supporting this book as it comes to your hands at the end of January!

The word "boundary" doesn't have to be a scary one, but often setting boundaries goes against what we were modeled growing up so it feels scary to broach the subject with family and friends.  My conversation with Dr. Jessica increased my understanding of boundaries and the importance of talking about this topic. Everyone has to encounter setting boundaries at some point in their life. Boundaries are a way to create space, take care of ourselves mentally, and let others know what we are comfortable or uncomfortable with.  Dr. Jessica and I talked about the misconceptions surrounding setting boundaries. Spoiler: They aren't there to keep people out of our lives!  Another thing that really stuck out to me was that when I set a boundary it's not about other people, but my boundaries are about me and my needs. Know that it will feel overwhelming at first, but practice makes perfect. Find support, have grace with yourself, and don't over explain your needs. Just keep trying! Dr. Jessica Bauer is a licensed psychologist that specializes in perinatal mental health. She is passionate about helping pregnant women and new mothers feel supported and prepared for the transition into motherhood. She lives in Atlanta, GA and has three young children and lots of pets! She has a virtual practice where she provides both individual and couples therapy. She is a member of PSYPACT, which allows her to see clients virtually in more than 33 states. Mom Card Drawing of the Week: "Things are possible. The impossible can be possible." - Sarah Paulson Dr. Jessica's Favorite Things and Resources: Get out of the funk and change your mood with music and movement! Find a fun playlist on Spotify and jam out to release the stress and anxiety. You can find a playlist to fit your mood by searching for words such as "de-stress", "uplifting" or "feel good".  "Set Boundaries, Find Peace" by Nedra Glover Tawwab YouTube video with Mel Robbins telling it like it is in regard to boundaries. Connect with Dr. Jessica (and work with her!): Instagram: @drjessicabauer Website: www.drjessbauer.com - New and amazing things are coming in January 2023 with her practice and what she will be offering!

This is the first episode in my "The Honest Mom Project" chapter series where I will be reading excerpts from each of my 10 chapters in my NEW book that is available for presale. "The Honest Mom Project. Acknowledge Your Feelings. Break Free From Expectations. Build Your Beautiful Life as a Mother" officially arrives January 27, 2023!!! If you're interested in supporting the book in its presale stage, here is the link to Amazon: Presale Link Thank you so much for listening, for your continued support that motivates me to bring these things to you, and for being a brave and strong mother doing her best to navigate through motherhood. We are all doing our best and through this community we are building, we are getting stronger.  Reach out to me on Instagram at @thehonestmompodcast or email me through my website at www.michellemansfieldauthor.com With Love & Honesty, Michelle

I typically keep topics geared toward the new mom or toddler phase, but realized that a lot of my friends are already in the tween/teen stage with their kids and that this info could definitely be useful as my own daughter grows up. So glad I followed my gut!! Elise Knox is a life and wellness coach and former middle school teacher who works with teens and moms. The #1 thing she sees with her coaching clients is moms who love their teens so much, YET feel at a loss for how to communicate, connect, and support them through their teen years. This phase of life can feel very isolating and alone for moms because women don’t want to share their struggles for fear of other people judging them or their teens requesting privacy. It can be quite overwhelming and often parents forget to take care of themselves and their own mental health along the way. I'm currently in the "honeymoon" phase as Elise calls it, when our kids are between 5-10 years old and are more independent, but they haven't yet reached adolescence and we start to relax because things are going so well. As our kids grow up they start to dance that line of independence and needing us still, and it's so hard to give up some of that control. Have a listen as Elise shares some great insights and also a few things we can do to look inward and be more aware how our past bad experiences start to influence how we go into a situation with our kids. Mom Card Drawing of the Week: "Knowing what you want is the first step toward getting it." - Mae West Favorite Things & Resources: "The Awakened Family" by Dr. Shefali (Shefali Tsabary, PhD) "Hold on to Your Kids" by Gordon Neufeld, PhD and Gabor Mate, MD Expanded Podcast Rich Roll Podcast IonBiome from Dr. Zach Bush, MD Connect with Elise: Website: eliseknox.com, Elise offers Teen Centered Coaching (family participation recommended) and Mom Centered Coaching, as well as her "Communication Master Class". Instagram: @eliseknoxconnectedcoach

Happy 1-Year Anniversary to The Honest Mom Podcast!  Thank you all for sticking with me and supporting me throughout 2022. I am beyond grateful to all the incredible guests, those that subscribed, listen when they can, recommend, share and talk about the podcast.  This week I talk about how heavy metal has kept me going and motivated me to get my book into your hands. Stay tuned throughout December as the book will be in print and e-book formats in January 2023!  With Love and Honesty, Michelle  Check out Rich Roll's episode about Anvil, "Never Quit Before the Miracle" and their incredible story (it will seriously make you want to do ANYTHING) Also available on YouTube: Never Quit Before the Miracle

We are often encouraged, whether it's through the media, cultural expectations or our own thinking that we have to "get our body back" quickly after having a baby. This may lead us to working out too soon and too hard, and often results in burnout.  I'm so grateful for my conversation with Lisa Dienes, where we talked about the misunderstandings of our bodies and working out after the birth of a new baby, and more importantly how to gently ease back into fitness. One of the main themes presented by Lisa is to be kind to yourself and listen to what your body is telling you. The truth is pregnancy changes your body, but that doesn't mean you still can't feel strong, comfortable and at home in your own body. If you're training too hard every day, it's going to take a toll on your body. Balance out the tough workouts with enough sleep, recovery time and moments in your day where you can relax and not feel stressed. Lisa is a mother to three teenage daughters so she definitely knows the value of exercise and finding the time to be stress-free! Lisa is a 200-hour certified yoga instructor, NASM Certified Personal Trainer, ACE Certified Group Fitness Instructor and Certified Spin Instructor. You can find Lisa teaching outdoors, indoors and virtually through her studio. She focuses on helping her students build their strength from the inside out to stay committed to a healthy fitness-focused lifestyle. Mom Card Drawing of the Week: "Within you lies a power greater than what lies before you." -Rhonda Blake Lisa's Favorite Things:  WHOOP fitness tracker: track your fitness, sleep and recovery for optimal daily strain.  Books: "Stillness is the Key" and "The Obstacle is the Way", both by Ryan Holiday Alo yoga mats Vuori Athletic Wear Connect with Lisa: Instagram: @lisadyogafit Website: Lisa D Yoga+Fit - Lisa offers Core, Cardio, HIIT, Strength and Yoga from the comfort of your own home. Get to know Lisa and her workouts by taking advantage of her offer for a 1 Free Month membership just for The Honest Mom Podcast listeners!

Dr. Amy Conrad is a board certified pediatrician and a working mom. She is the founder of Kinder Digital Pediatric Clinic and the host of the Ask Doctor Amy podcast. Dr. Amy is on a mission to help families raise healthy and happy kids by paving a more simple and natural path to parenting.  We live in a culture of wanting to optimize each part of parenthood and childhood, but this often leads us to believe that we aren't doing enough. The goal of motherhood shouldn't be perfection, but rather a focus on what we are learning along the way. I know I'm grateful for the mistakes I've made as a mother because sometimes the benefit is learning from the things that didn't work. The mentality surrounding our thoughts of, "Am I doing enough?" tends to trickle down to our kids and affects them and their mental health as well. Learn why Dr. Amy advocates her "Do less, connect more" mantra. If you feel disconnected to your kids in any way, it's not too late to make changes. Mom Card Drawing of the Week: "Happiness is not in our circumstance, but in ourselves. It is not something we see, like a rainbow, or feel, like the heat of a fire. Happiness is something we are." -John B. Sheerin Dr. Amy's Favorite Things: Books: "The Drama of the Gifted Child" by Alice Miller, "Bringing Up Bebe" by Pamela Druckerman, "The Gardener and the Carpenter" by Alison Gopnick, and "Gift From the Sea" by Anne Morrow Lindbergh Instagram Accounts: @nurturebynaps  - Newborn and Parenting Support (NAPS), and my personal favorite as well - @hubermanlab with Dr. Andrew Huberman, Ph.D.  Connect with Dr. Amy: Instagram: @askdoctoramy Podcast: Ask Doctor Amy for health tips and all things mom life! Website: askdoctoramy.com YouTube: @AskDoctorAmy

Learning to support ourselves in our postpartum journey can be a struggle. Especially when we are battling the stigma that moms are being selfish for wanting (and needing!) more than to just be with our babies 24/7. We often try to do it 'all' and then feel like we have let someone down if we can't.  There are many factors that can lead to this idea of disconnect from our feelings and our own needs, but ultimately we have to tune into our values and ask ourselves, "Who do I want to be?" My guest today, Kelly Jacobson, grew up in a home where love was abundant. After the birth of her first child, Kelly's mom came and stayed for a week to help her adjust to motherhood. She knew that kind of support wasn't the case for all new moms so she wanted to be able to offer some support to other moms who needed it. Kelly is not your typical therapist or group practice owner. Growing up Kelly never pictured herself as a therapist or even being a business owner. She knew she wanted to help people, and from a young age she knew she wanted to work with teens that needed extra support and direction, which then led her to work as a social worker in the school system for most of her professional career. But it wasn't until Kelly had two little kids of her own and was off on summer break that she realized she needed more as a mom and wanted to give back to other moms as well. Slowly but surely Kelly grew Stronger Therapeutic Counseling Services, supporting moms and teens that needed the support she was most fired up about. Mom Card Drawing of the Week: "You can only go halfway into the darkest forest; then you are coming out the other side." Favorite things: "Breathe Mama Breathe" by Shonda Moralis. Find out more ways Kelly can help you and how to work with her (virtual services available!) and her team at Stronger Therapeutic Counseling Services.  You can also find valuable FREE resources and inspirational downloads on Kelly's site, including steps to find your happiness this week, how to stay motivated when you're just not "feelin' it", creating a game plan to cope with anxiety, and many others. Instagram: @yourstrongerself Facebook: Your Stronger Self

Time management and motherhood! It seems those two things will never be inclusive of the other. But that doesn't have to be the case. Before starting her own business, Megan Sumrell worked for over 20 years in the software/IT space as a Quality Architect, creating systems and processes to turn chaos into harmony. And she was good at it! But once she became a mom everything she knew became foreign to her and her old way of doing things wasn't working. So that's when she started to treat herself like the companies she had helped over the past two decades.  Megan has now left the corporate world and has created a signature time management framework system that helps women in all stages of life to manage their calendars, own their schedules, and bring more structure and freedom into their lives. Mom Card Drawing of the Week: "By being yourself, you put something wonderful into the world that was not there before." - Edwin Elliot  Connect with Megan in SO many ways: Instagram: @megansumrell Website: The Pink Bee (www.megansumrell.com) - Download her FREE "Ditch the Overwhelm" Cheat Sheet and learn more about her TOP Bootcamp she runs live twice a year. App: Download ThePinkBee app here on Apple or on Google Play Podcast: Listen to her "Work+Life Harmony" podcast

After a traumatic birth experience, including an unplanned c-section, Cat Gieser struggled both physically and mentally after the birth of her first child. She found a lack of support for maternal wellness and when she confided in her OBGYN about her postpartum struggles she was simply dismissed and offered drugs without any thought to what else could be done. After her experience, Cat knew she wanted to help moms in her same situation. "It's a dark feeling and you shouldn't have to do it alone." Cat Gieser is a pre and postpartum movement specialist and the founder of Mama Flow Studio - a virtual yoga and sculpt studio for postpartum moms. The studio is known as the "anti-bounce back" studio, encouraging moms to move with strength and nourishment instead of the pressure to bounce back. Cat is now a mother of two and is based in the San Francisco Bay Area. I spoke with Cat about the lack of knowledge surrounding women's specific health issues and bodies. And how tabloids and social media are big promoters of the idea that women need to "bounce back" after a pregnancy.  Cat's goal as a health professional is to support moms and women in a way that helps release that expectation and pressure, and allows them to focus on life and just feel good every day. There is so much that is required as a new mom, and by following Cat's 3 pillars for postpartum recovery, you can learn to listen to your body and do so in a healthy way.  Mom Card Drawing of the Week: "Here's the thing you have to know: your uniqueness is your gift. The dreams you have are your gift to the world." - Shannon Kaiser Connect with Cat here: Instagram: @catgieser Her website: Mama Flow Studio *Connect with Cat on Instagram or her website for a special FREE 7-day trial with her online studio, Mama Flow Studio!

Sleep. It's one thing we can't do without (at least not gracefully) and the one thing that seems to elude us after becoming a parent. Thanks to people like Meredith Brough, there are solutions out there that can help restore sleep for both you and your baby. Meredith is a mother of five and the owner of Sweet Slumber. After struggling to get her first child to sleep, Meredith knew she had to do things differently with her second. After raising her own kids, she transitioned everything she'd learned as a mom and became a full-time sleep coach for parents of babies and young children with sleep problems. In the last five years, Meredith has helped over 500 families reach their sleep goals using her tear-free methods. She also now trains other experts, runs an agency, hosts her own podcast - "The Sweet Slumber Podcast", and runs a large Facebook group for exhausted mothers. Typical sleep training methods often include your baby "crying it out", but this one-size fits all approach doesn't take into account a child's specific needs. In today's episode, Meredith touches on the 5 different temperaments (she has a tear-free sleep method for each one!) and how to be aware of the non-verbal cues your baby is sending. As new parents all we have in our arsenal is experimentation and responding to different things to see what works and what doesn't for our children. And just when we get one kid figured out, the next one comes with a completely new idea of what makes them feel secure. It gets confusing because we have so many messages coming at us telling us what we should do or should not do. In the end, YOU have the most influence on your child's development and Meredith encourages moms to lean into their natural intuition and instincts. Homework assignment from Meredith: "Be in tune with your body throughout the day with your energy level and respond to it. If your eyes are heavy, sleep. Find your body's natural 'tired time' and see how much better you will feel!" Find Meredith here: Website: Sleep Slumber - schedule a free consult with Meredith and learn about all the ways you can work with her. Instagram: @sweetslumbertime  Facebook Group: Successful Sleep Podcast: The Sweet Slumber Podcast

Erin Quick is the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of PairTree, an app and website dedicated to making the adoption process easier for both expectant mothers and hopeful parents. As an adoptive mom of 2, she has first-hand experience with the challenges and emotions that surround adoption. So much of the decisions surrounding birth moms and families wanting to adopt are rooted in sadness, with seasons of grief that come and go long after the adoption is finalized. At PairTree, birth moms have access to lifetime support and mental health resources whenever they need it. Another major part of PairTree's mission is all about supporting families without the huge fees that are typical when working with adoption agencies.  Are you a prospective family looking to adopt and wondering if it's right for your family? Education is key when considering adoption and PairTree also provides plenty of resources to help you on your adoption journey.  I loved having this conversation with Erin! I learned so much about the adoption process in general, and especially about the unique matching process PairTree utilizes to make sure that the birth mom feels as confident in her decision as possible. Download the PairTree App here: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pairtree-inc/id1618951989 Explore the PairTree website here: https://pairtreefamily.com/ Follow Erin and the PairTree team on Instagram @pairtreefamily

Do you feel a pull to be both a mother and pursue outside interests? Maybe it's starting a business. Maybe it's working for someone else outside the home. Maybe being a full-time SAHM is exactly where you want to be, but you want to carve out some time for your personal interests and hobbies so you don't lose yourself in motherhood.  In today's episode, I spoke with Camille Walker. Camille is the epitome of a mom who has pursued her passions. Through blogging, doing her podcast, and creating some wonderful products to help out busy families, she has created a 6-figure income business all while raising her 4 kids. You can be a fantastic mom and still pursue your passions. It doesn't have to be either/or, and it doesn't have to be black and white. You may not even know what that path looks like for you, but adding that you're a mom AND...(you feel in the blank)...can lead to some amazing things. Camille also touches on how charting your energy during your period cycle (Yes, even your period has seasons!) will give you power in your life and even if it's small, to honor your passion driven purpose. You can hear more about that here. Maybe this isn't your season to go all in for a business, but I hope this episode helps you find a balance that works for you and your family. Mom Card Drawing of the Week: "Dare to wear your soul on the outside." - Gloria Burgess Camille's Favorite Things (Books): "Green Lights" by Matthew McConaughey, "Atomic Habits" by James Clear, "The Path Made Clear" by Oprah Winfrey, "Think Like a Monk" by Jay Shetty, and "Here and Hereafter" by Tyler Henry Check out Episode 87 on the Call Me CEO Podcast where Camille and I talk about honoring your intuition for a slower pace in your life. Connect with Camille below: Website: https://camillewalker.co and her blog, www.mymommystyle.com Instagram: @camillewalker.co, and her Call Me CEO Podcast: @callmeceopodcast Thank you so much for putting in the ear buds, making time, and listening to this episode. I appreciate you all!!! If you want to give feedback on what you love and what you would love to see, go to your Apple Podcasts app (not web browser as that's a story in itself) and scroll down to "Ratings & Reviews" and click "See All". Tap the star rating you want to give and then tap "Write a Review" to give me details about what you need more of. I appreciate it so much!

Once upon a time I made a vow to myself that I would never live anywhere other than the great city of Chicago. I LOVED Chicago! I planned to live in the city forever, raise my kids there, and never, ever leave. Well, "never say never" because life has a funny way of making us eat our words. What was it about the suburbs that had me leaving the city kicking and screaming? What was it about what the city symbolized in regard to my identity vs what the suburbs symbolized for my future? I had certain assumptions about what life would look like and how that would reflect on my identity, and it was a challenge at first to embrace my new surroundings. The identity crisis was real! But I was in good company - even Carrie Bradshaw struggled with just getting a new area code when she lost her phone even though she still lived in New York City! We all seem to think that we are letting go of something and that the city is a part of us. And maybe it is, but it's not who we really are. That doesn't change. And even though it took me some time to adjust I'm happy to report that I'm thriving. Yes, even in the suburbs! And because I don't want you to wait as long as I did to embrace your surroundings, I've included three pieces of advice on enjoying where you live. "Home is a place you grow up wanting to leave and grow old wanting to get back to." -John Ed Pierce Mom Card Drawing of the Week: "Attitude is everything." -Diane von Furstenberg These are a few of my Favorite Things: Demdaco Ceramic Succulent Oil Diffuser (can be found on Amazon) Find Melissa on Instagram @melissa_giller, along with her new podcast, Life with Soul. And check out the episode we did together on The Honest Mom Podcast. Local to the Tri-Cities area of Chicago? Always at a loss of what to do as a mom, family, a couple, or even if you're single? Check out @stayandplay.tricities on Instagram or their website, www.stayandplaylocal.com. You can also check out Ep 13 with the founder, Chrissy Somers, as we dish about the dangers as well as all the ways social media can amp up your motherhood. Other Sources for You:  How to Have More Meaningful Conversations Busyness as a Badge of Honor Find Michelle on Instagram at @thehonestmompodcast or stay up to date on NEW episodes by signing up for her weekly email at www.michellemansfieldauthor.com. Thank you for listening, sharing, leaving an honest review, along with taking the time to do all those things. XO - Michelle

"MOMMY NEEDS WINE!", "Mommy Juice", "It Takes a Village, and a Vineyard", "Time to Wine Down".  The amount of t-shirts, mugs, wine glasses, and other memorabilia may seem clever and cute at first. But is it? Normally I'm not a party pooper and I'm far from a "Karen", but lately this movement of mommies coping with booze is really affecting me. You probably listened to my solo episode surrounding this topic (check out EP24 if you missed it!), but today I have an expert, a friend, and someone who has actually experienced the slippery and dangerous slope of alcohol and motherhood.  In today's episode we chat with Shelley DeJongh (Licensed Professional Counselor with SO many credentials!) about why drinking to cope is normalized, the stress that mothers are under, and the lack of coping skill knowledge we have. She touches on the definition of a "Wine Mom" (yes it's actually a "thing" and The Atlantic has an actual article on it https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2020/05/wine-moms-explained/612001/ ), how we know if we have entered the danger zone with drinking, how to adjust to changes in your drinking without feeling you've lost your identity, along with so many more ways we can learn about our drinking patterns and if we need to make changes. I did. The goal here is not to condemn anyone for drinking. We are simply here sharing stories, experiences and tools that helped us both have a healthier relationship with alcohol. This is a no judgement zone - EVER! We also hear Shelley's story behind her choice for her 7 years of sobriety. Trust me, you'll want to listen to this. She is one of the warmest humans you'll meet, someone that doesn't judge but still feels a passion to share her story in case you need it. Sometimes all it takes is knowing someone out there is by your side. At times we aren't in tune with our own mental health (we are consumed with so much!) and how we are traveling through our lives... until we hear a story and connect with it. I know I wouldn't be in tune with how my body was handling alcohol and the potential path I was traveling without Shelley and Kelley (see below for Kelley's info).  Thank you for listening, sharing with someone you love and care about, talking about this with your closest friends, and supporting this podcast. Sending so much love to you all and know you're never alone. Mom Card Drawing of the Week: "You are loved. You are important. And you matter." - Christie Joyner Get to know Shelley more (and ask her how her Emotion Code Healing coaching is going!): Shelley's Favorites & Reccos: "Healing the Shame That Binds You" by John Bradshaw, "My Self" by Kelley Kitley (who I LOVE!) @kelleykitley.  Both books can be found on Amazon. Shelley's Instagram: @transformingchronically Shelley's Website: www.shelleyramseydejongh.com

"So often we wear busyness as a badge of honor. Or glorify productivity to the point where we don't even know what we're pursuing or why we are chasing down that goal anymore. Busyness can rob you of fruitfulness. The pressure to be productive can rob you of peace. Breathe. Regroup. Thrive." -Susan Narjala Do you find that when someone asks how your'e doing, your natural response is, "I'm so busy!"? Do you hear your friends respond in the same way? Busy with what? What's going on in life? Where is the substance that creates and sustains connection? Do we simply need a reboot to find other conversation starters to ignite a more meaningful conversation? Today's episode will take you through a live recording I did on Instagram. I went with the flow and improvised as I usually do but we also get down and dirty to the root of why we feel we need to justify our existence and worth by one word: BUSY. I'll share tools that I've been starting to use (and they are working!) to create stronger connections with my friends and family. I want to get to know the PERSON that I'm talking to, and I want them to get to know ME for who I am. Not because I'm an Uber driver for my kids, I have 5 baseball games to go to and from, 4 birthday parties to take my kids to, house projects, work loads, or how potty training my puppy is brutal. I don't know about you but I need more. Women out there need more from me too.  I hope you find this episode inspirational and you have the energy to take some risks with conversations and grow your connections. I hope you rip that badge of busy off your chest and allow your heart to shine on its own. Thank you for listening, always for sharing, and for supporting this podcast. If you want to tell me what you like (and don't!), feel free to give an honest review on Apple Podcasts! Mom Card Drawing of the Week: "You have infinite potential. You can do anything, make anything, dream anything." -Neil Gaiman These are a Few of My Favorite Things: Nespresso Frother www.nespresso.com Article: https://psyche.co/guiedes/how-to-have-more-meaningful-conversations Podcast: https://itsgoodtoseeyou.libsyn.com/busyness-as-a-badge-of-honor Instagram Account: @melissa_giller and her new Life With Soul Podcast

We've heard the term "She gives zero F's" like it's so easy. It's not. That's why women write books like this. I'm here to introduce you to Gianna Biscontini. She's a Behavioral Analyst. A Scientist. She also brings strong coaching skills to women, like you, who are tired of the limitations that you may not even be aware of. In her new book, Fuckless. A Guide to Wild, Unencumbered Freedom, she will guide you through the process of liberating yourself from the top 10 limitations (AKA Fucks) that we can give the middle finger to.  Just a few Fucks that Gianna takes you through: 1) Be Small. 2) Be Soft. 3) Be Less 4) Be Stifled. 5) Be Everything. That last one got to me. There are 5 more and you will be nodding your head and turning pages to figure out how to work with these Fucks and finally say goodbye. You deserve to be connected to what YOU want. What YOU need. YOUR voice. YOUR feelings. YOUR values. Sticking up for what YOU deserve. Fighting through the fear to do all this. Gianna also has an audiobook version where I encourage you to download her incredible voice that instantly makes you feel important.  Thank you so much for listening. I hope you enjoy this episode and feel comfortable letting me and Gianna know what you think. What help you may need. What really impacted you or surprised you. Share this episode with your best friend and let's find our freedom. Mom Card Drawing of the Week: "There is only one you. And you are important." -Chuck Sindoll Find Gianna on Instagram: @giannabiscontini Connect with Gianna on her website: www.giannabiscontini.com to get on her email list and learn more about her company, W3RKWELL. Gianna also has wonderful downloadables on her website and FUN merch (a Fuckless mug? Yes please!) you can snag.  Link to buy her new book, Fuckless. A Guide to Wild, Unencumbered Freedom : https://www.amazon.com/Fuckless-Guide-Wild-Unencumbered-Freedom/dp/1544530463/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?adid=082VK13VJJCZTQYGWWCZ&campaign=211041&creative=374001&keywords=Fuckless&qid=1652401123&s=books&sr=1-1  P.S. You can also download the Audiobook version with that same link! Gianna's Favorite Things: getaway.house for your next vacation, Meghan Markle's Archetypes Podcast (https://open.spotify.com/show/6UfyXZgVAUX1UzF8j5L72t), Joan Didion books, Kathrin Zenkina (https://manifestationbabe.com/), Zero Waste shower steamers and candles (www.zerowastestore.com)

How many times do you want to ask a difficult question but are afraid of the answer? Do you find yourself wanting to have a discussion, only to pull back for fear of what the other person may say? Are you afraid to ask your child if they've ever felt sad, or even depressed? Even more powerful, are you terrified to ask and acknowledge your OWN feelings? (Yes, they are inside of you!) As a podcaster, it may seem like I am very comfortable with "telling it like it is" but the truth is (I mean this is the Honest Mom Podcast!), I'm terrified of everything I list above. I push things under the rug. My codependent mind wants to "keep the peace" and not rock the boat. I worry how I may make the other person uncomfortable. I'm scared that the person will get mad at me. If you listened to my ghosting episode, that also affected my feelings about being honest with someone. That they'll just tell me to F off and be done with me. I grew up in a house where it really wasn't the best idea to bring up anything that would challenge the other side. Defensive responses, or ignoring me for a week, making me feel I'm attacking even if my voice wasn't raised, and many other responses that made me feel I was a terrible person for speaking up. For simply asking "why" or "how come". The truth is... uncomfortable conversations and acknowledging discomfort in our lives is ESSENTIAL for growth. It's not a fun place to be but it's temporary and will either make your relationships stronger, or it will tell you in black and white where your relationship stands. Even if it's saying goodbye. Sitting in your own discomfort about YOUR feelings in motherhood is also essential. Don't do what I did. Sweeping the feelings under the rug, swimming in shame, feeling guilty for even feeling a certain way, to a point where you ignore them. But they never go away. They grow. They stop you. They prevent you. It's time to release this and sit in the discomfort. Dig deep to find that bravery to have uncomfortable conversations that will allow you to GROW. To become the mother you're meant to be. The human you're meant to be. I'll be right there with you, you can reach out to me at any time. Listen, breathe, pay attention to what comes to mind, acknowledge, and take one baby step of bravery. I appreciate you listening, sharing, and leaving an honest review of what you think about this episode. Mom Card Drawing of the Week: "You are amazing, unique, and beautiful. There is nothing more you need to be... You are perfect the way you are." -Jynell St. James These are a few of my Favorite Things: Cedarwood Essential Oil. I love Young Living or DoTERRA but you can get amazing essential oils from so many places. What does Cedarwood Oil do? Well, it's great for sleep, stimulating hair growth, skin, stress-relief, dryness and cracking of skin (I use on my heels and OMG my heels are so soft now!!), it deodorizes,  and so much more. Check out Zen Parenting Radio on Apple Podcasts and @zenparentingradio on Instagram. Also I mention Gianna Biscontini where you can reach out to her on Instagram @giannabiscontini

You sit in your bed at 4am, propped up by pillows, baby sucking your last bit of energy out of you, and as you gaze to your right you spot it. No, it's not a spider. It's not an unidentified brown stain on the sheets. It's your partner. Sleeping. It's then 8am and your partner grabs their bag, their Starbucks card for their glorious drive thru order, and smooches you on the cheek with a "HAVE A GOOD DAY!" that makes your blood curdle. Why do they get to be with grown ups today? Where's my Starbucks and drive without a screaming baby? They come home, in a great mood, ready to party with your child and you cannot wait to hand them off and just run away. Then comes the clock striking 10pm where they proclaim "Welp! I'm headed up for bed!" and your night is just beginning. The house is a mess, and you aren't asking for help. But why should you? Can't they SEE the dishes piled up or the laundry that is spilling out of the hamper? Is it too much to observe that you're DROWNING and to say, "Honey, I've got dinner tonight, and the dishes, and the laundry. Why don't you rest?" By now you are realizing that the mind-reading, silent treatment, passive-aggressive games your mom played aren't working for you either. So why are we fighting GREAT communication with our partner so we can actually GET what we want and need? Do we see it as a sign of weakness? That if our partner loved us ENOUGH that they would actually be aware of what is going on? Because that's what WE do, right? I'm tellin' ya ladies, it DOESN'T WORK. What does? Take a listen to today's episode and you will see!!! I'm here to introduce you to to the incredible Chelsea Skaggs. Chelsea is a Certified Professional Life Coach, Intimacy Expert, and Communication Trainer for parents. She helps you go from WTF?! to "I effin' got this!" in your relationship by giving you the tools to improve your confidence, your connection and your communication. Chelsea keeps it real with her relatable and raw voice and honest connection to the feelings we have as mothers. She has been featured in "Her View From Home", "Motherly", "Scary Mommy", "Today's Parent", "Psychology Today", as well as radio and podcasts.  Mom Card Drawing of the Week: "Never postpone joy." -Unknown Chelsea's Podcast: Better Relationships After Baby https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-relationships-after-baby/id1622270050 Chelsea's Instagram: @thewtftrimester and you can check out her podcast @better.relationship.after.baby  Chelsea's Website: www.thewtftrimester.com A couple of Chelsea's Favorite Things: Mud Water which can be found on www.mudwtr.com and the Peanut App where you can download on the app store Thank you so much for listening, sharing and letting me know what you like (or don't!) about the show. You can find me on Instagram at @thehonestmompodcast or my website www.michellemansfieldauthor.com 

I was too ashamed to say it out loud, or even admit it inside my head: "BEING A MOM CAN BE F'IN BORING!" I didn't want to tell my husband or complain because, well, that's what I was supposed to be doing. Being a mom. It's every woman's dream right? It seems to be a blanket statement for motherhood. But what if you're starting at your baby like Tom Hanks did with the Wilson volleyball in the movie "Castaway"? What if it doesn't get more "fun" in the toddler stage as you dread playing "The Floor is Lava" (how does EVERY child know about this game even if they've never met another child in their life?  What if you start making dinner at 4:30 only to realize it's only 8:30 in the morning? Could these days go ANY slower?! This episode is for you if you love your baby (yes, it's true), you're a good mother (yes, that's true too) but this motherhood gig is boring, the days drag, you don't enjoy reading to your newborn as he shits his pants, you're over shaking rattles as your daughter barfs on her onesie, or you can't wait for your partner to get home so you can hand it all off to them? Take a listen if you've had a REALLY hard time admitting this to even yourSELF and you just want someone to make you feel like you're normal and your feelings are normal. By now you've guessed it, they are. You're not alone.  Even better, you can keep this ripple effect going by sharing this episode with any mom you know that needs to feel this way too. Heck, share it with ANY mom regardless if she needs it (because she probably is like you and hasn't told a soul). I hope you enjoy it and I appreciate you listening. I'm PROUD of you for listening. Know I'm here to talk to on Instagram or email me from my website.  Mom Card Drawing of the Week: "Delight in the little things." -Rudyard Kipling (Easier said than done Rudyard!) These are a few of my Favorite Things: Alexis Smart Flower Remedies. Think homeopathic remedies for your emotional health! Find them at www.alexissmart.com  Article: https://medium.com/family-matters-2/motherhood-is-boring-780487b435d0 Podcast: https://www.kidspot.com/au/parenting/being-a-mum-can-be-boring/news-story/326b097a162ca517470dd4fle21a6b20 Book: "Present Over Perfect" by Shauna Niequist (@sniequist) focuses on being in the moment: escaping the busyness of life simply to exist and cherish your loved ones. Instagram Account: @bored.mom Connect with me here: @thehonestmompodcast or my website, www.michellemansfieldauthor.com where you can email me from there!

Disclaimer: This isn't an episode for you if you don't have the choice to have more children. Just simply skip this week and return back next week!!  Today's episode is for you if you have decided to not have any more children but question if the decision you've made is the right one. Perhaps you have people asking you, "So are you SURE you're done?" or "Are you SURE he wants a vasectomy?" I even had a family member ask me if I was SURE knowing my husband had already HAD a vasectomy. (Ummm, yeah, we're sure!) It's natural to doubt such a HUGE decision, even if you know it's the right one for you. The noise around you doesn't help either. Does your child need that "playmate"? (News flash, they DON'T and I'll tell you why!) Will your child be spoiled? Have terrible social skills? (Brooklyn has some of THE best social skills I've ever seen) Oh, and the best one told to me was, "Well, I would never want to put the burden of my death and arrangements on just ONE child." Um, well if you know the world of making arrangements for an elderly loved one, even if there are 12 siblings there are many times when 1 is forced to make all the arrangements anyways.  I took a lot of time with this episode. Surveyed hundreds of moms asking them why they had one and why they had more than one. It was so interesting to see the reasons behind their decisions. We will talk about those today as well. I hope this episode makes you even more confident in YOUR decision. That you take out your ear buds and just breathe another sigh knowing you're not alone and you're an incredible mother whether you have one or five. Please share this episode with someone that you know that needs to feel this way too. There isn't a right or wrong answer in this- your choice and decision will always be the one that works for you and your family. Thank you for listening, sharing, and letting me know if you're enjoying the podcast! Mom Card Drawing of the Week: "Each day comes to me with both hands full of possibilities." -Helen Keller These are a few of my Favorite Things: Honeybliss Raw Clover Honey with Royal Jelly and 500mg Hemp Extract. 9oz glass jar. 100% pure, unfiltered, raw honey infused with organic hemp oil extract and premium royal jelly. I've read about the possible benefits of royal jelly in my health coaching days which include immunity, inflammation, fatigue, PMS and regulating blood sugar. You can find on Amazon! Other Sources: Article: http://karacarrero.com/mom-of-an-only-child-no-lesser-mom/ Book: "Parenting an Only Child" by Susan Newman Instagram Account: @onlychildworld with Natasha and @oneanddoneparenting with Jen Where to connect with Michelle: Instagram: @thehonestmompodcast  Website: www.michellemansfieldauthor.com 

Should you go back to work? Should you stay at home? Work part time? Start a new passion or hobby? You've arrived home, survived your maternity leave (because that's ANYTHING but a vacation!) and question, "Do I want to go back?" Or maybe you left your career and wonder if you need something beyond motherhood? Maybe you don't but you still over-analyze and question your purpose? For me, I was ALL over the place and wish I had Becca Carnahan in my life to help me make the decisions that were best for ME. To connect with the identity that was inside me all along. And screw the expectations I was putting upon myself.  Becca is a Career Coach, Author of "When Mommy Grows Up" (link to buy here: https://www.amazon.com/Becca-Carnahan/e/B08K7H8ZC5?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1649789393&sr=8-1 ) along with a children's book series, and she's a mother of 2. She has over a decade of experience with Harvard Business School but most importantly, she's a real and honest mom who "gets it".  Surviving the adjustment to motherhood and new identity with that alone is enough stress. So why deny your truth inside, what nurtures your mental health, strengthens your confidence and identity, so you can be the mother you're meant to be? I hope you enjoy this episode and it helps you as much as it helped me. Thank you SO much for listening, sharing the word, the episode and connecting with me. I am beyond grateful! Mom Card Drawing of the Week: "If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet." -Fred Rogers Connect with Becca on Instagram: @with_love_becca Becca's website: https://beccacarnahan.com where you can also take a look at her children's books. You can take a look at her free training here: beccacarnahan.com/freetraining/ which is such a gift! Connect with me on Instagram at @thehonestmompodcast or my website, www.michellemansfiedauthor.com 

I always had this label of being "laid back" and "chill" in my mind before I was a mother. What I didn't realize was that I had my own internal perfectionism that actually came out when I became a mother. It's made me realize that growing up I had a lot of pressures I put on myself, personally, academically and in my career. I carried perfectionism with my personality as well. You may have listened to some episodes of mine where I talk about my labels of being "life of the party", the "fun" one, the gal that seemed to bring the fun. I also didn't realize how I labeled myself as super organized, always performed on time (or early), always going above what was asked of me, never forgetting, always being on top of things, and always being "in the know" and never saying "I don't know."  We carry these perfectionistic qualities into motherhood whether we realize it or not. You may notice that the volume gets turned up A LOT when you become a mother. The words "never" and "always" travel through your brain about all the shoulds and should nots with raising your baby and the lifestyle you live. It's a lot of pressure and are these pressures our reality or are we being influenced by standards that don't match up with how we truly want to live?  We deserve the freedom from perfectionism. YOU deserve it. This episode is right up your alley if you have any sort of pressure you put on yourself to live a certain way and if you veer from it, you are super hard on yourself, have anxiety, or find life just not enjoyable. This episode will help you feel normal and to know you don't have to live to any standard that makes you unhappy or panic if you don't do what you said you'd do. Or live how you thought you'd live. This episode will give you the freedom to know it's healthy to pivot, to make mistakes and learn, to grow, to be a human. That perfectionism will only stunt you as a person and as a mother. Trust me, I am speaking from my own experience (as always!) Today we talk about the signs you may be a perfectionist parent, how society affects us with being perfect, connecting with your past life and perfection, how perfectionism can then carry to your child, and I'll close with some advice and words of encouragement :-) Let me know if you relate to this episode and how. Connect with me in any way you'd like! I appreciate you listening and sharing this episode and leaving an honest review so I can create even better episodes for you. Mom Card Drawing of the Week: "You are like no other being ever created since the beginning of time." -Brenda Ueland These are a Few of My Favorite Things: Celsius energy drinks. OBSESSED. Get a subscription on Amazon or find at your local Target or Costco.  Article: Very Well: https://www.verywellfamily.com/what-to-know-about-perfectionist-parenting-4163102 Podcast: Getting to Good Enough Podcast with Janine Adams and Shannon Wilkenson. http://gettingtogoodenough.com/episodes/ Book: "Never Good Enough. How to use Perfectionism to Your Advantage Without Letting it Ruin Your Life." by Monica Ramirez Basco Instagram Account: @the.perfectionism.therapist Natalie is a CBT Therapist and Mindfulness Teacher helping women overcome perfectionism so they can feel good enough. Connect with me on Instagram @thehonestmompodcast or my website, www.michellemansfieldauthor.com

You all know I am a #spiritualgangster at heart and I've loved bringing spirituality into my mental wellness journey as well as my motherhood journey. We aren't talking organized religion in this episode, although that may be YOUR spiritual soul driver where you will still connect with today's episode in so many ways. Our total wellness embodies so many different pillars: nourishing foods, daily movement, and the warmth of your spirituality. My connection to my spirituality has definitely helped me connect not only to the higher powers out there, but also to my inner power, strength, and connection to my mental healing as a mother. So when I found a person who brought spirituality into Life Coaching, I was instantly intrigued. Today I bring you an incredibly interesting guest, Melissa Giller. Friends, we talk about some seriously cool (bleep!) and I had a really hard time closing out our conversation.  Melissa is the creator of Life With Soul (https://melissagiller.com/) is a wife, mom, deep thinker and big feeler (me too!). She is a Certified Life Coach who helps women in managing the mental load, establishing solid self-care and finding alignment in their life and/or work. Whether you're a SAHM or a working professional, she believes you deserve to feel joy, ease and a sense of balance.  Melissa is known for her non-judgmental ability to hold space, while lovingly challenging you to reach your highest potential. She's spent much of her life studying psychology, spirituality, personal development, relationships, and business. Her primary focus is on creating breakthroughs: when a woman realizes the small ways in which she holds herself back from feeling good... her soul does a happy dance. You can visit Melissa at https://melissagiller.com/ where she uses a unique framework, Self-Reclamation, and will walk you through the path of rediscovering yourself after major life transition.  Mom Card Drawing of the Week: "How simple it is to see that all the worry in the world cannot control the future. How simple it is to see that we can only be happy now. And that there will never be a time when it is not now." - Gerald Jampolsky These Are a Few of Her Favorite Things: Rebecca Campbell card decks https://rebeccacampbell.me/about-rebecca-campbell/ and anything by Lush (especially their bath bombs!) https://www.lushusa.com/home Inspirational Article About Spirituality & Motherhood: https://mommymystic.wordpress.com/2013/05/10/the-spiritual-journey-of-motherhood/ Find Melissa on Instagram: @melissa_giller What Melissa Can Offer You: https://melissagiller.com/current-offerings Find Me on Instagram: @thehonestmompodcast  Or my website: www.michellemansfieldauthor.com 

We see photos, hear stories, watch friends hold their new babies, and have this message ingrained into us that we will be immediately in love with being a mom. And being immediately in love with our baby. For some, this does happen. And that's OK. For others, like me, this doesn't happen. And that's OK too.  It can be hard to be immediately IN LOVE with something that can be so challenging, depleting, frustrating, and for many moms, they are lost and numb. It's survival at times as well. Perhaps there's also something biologically happening that may be preventing that "love at first sight". There is hope and this episode is there for you if you need that hope. This episode is also for you if you're past the baby stage but just want validation that your feelings, or lack of, are OK and you're not alone. That you're an incredible mother and the love for it just took a little more time because of your unique situation.  Thank you for listening, as always. I appreciate your support, honest reviews and sharing this episode with a friend who needs to hear this message.  Mom Card Drawing of the Week: "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild & precious life?" -Mary Oliver These Are a Few of My Favorite Things: IQMix beverages www.eatiqbar.com  Resources: New York Times Article: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/17/parenting/baby-bonding.html Podcast: "The Emotionally Uncomfortable Podcast" by Heather Chauvin Book: "Dying to be a Good Mother. How I Dropped the Guilt and Took Control of my Parenting and my Life." by Heather Chauvin Instagram Account: Heather Chauvin @heatherchauvin_ (Don't forget the underscore!)

I replay this line from the movie "Mean Girls" inside my head: "But I'm the fun mom! I'm the cool mom!" and realize that this need to be exciting and interesting wasn't flooding my mind as a mom of a teen like in the movie. It was as a mom of a newborn, then a toddler, then kindergartner, and I still struggle with this even as she starts 4th grade in the fall.  We've talked a lot about the world of "giving things up" when one becomes a mom and I will say that I let go of a LOT of coolness and interesting things that filled up my life. I know I'm not alone and I don't want YOU to feel you're still not interesting, exciting, well-rounded and full of brilliance and things to talk about. Just because we are moms doesn't mean we've let go of who we truly are as unique human beings. Today's episode is for you if you feel BLEH, BORING, EXHAUSTED, have nothing to talk about other than your baby, and even though you don't have the energy to find the fun, you can't help but wonder if you have the personality of a wet rag right now.  Thank you for listening and take a moment to review the show and let me know what you want more of! I appreciate you and know you're never alone. Mom Card Drawing of the Week: "There are opportunities even in the most difficult moments." -Wangari Maathai These are a few of my Favorite Things: Laneige Radian-C Cream. Link to get yours is https://us.laneige.com/products/radian-c-cream Resources for you: Article: Simplifying Family: https://simplifyingfamily.com/boring-mom/ Podcasts: Balanced Working Moms: https://balancedworkingmoms.com/excitement/ Book: "I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn't)" by Brene Brown. Link to buy on Amazon is HERE

The kids are annoying, the laundry piles up, your toddler is screaming, dinner hasn't been made and you just walked in the door from work. It's "Wine Thirty!" you say as you pour yourself a glass of red, escape and breathe a sigh of "God give me strength." Another day you're overwhelmed by the to-do list, you feel like an Uber driver, the day ends and you pour yourself a glass of Pinot Grigio to take the edge off while you escape to Netflix with your partner. Seems pretty normal and harmless... or is it? I've been there. I found myself buying a bottle of 2 Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's to make a Bolognese sauce and found myself finishing it off throughout the week each night. Because why waste 2 Bucks, right? Then I'd do my grocery shopping and found myself putting a bottle in my cart with no plans to make a Bolognese sauce. It took the edge off after a long day managing toddler, home and work-life. It was only a small glass in a jelly jar each night. So what's the big deal? I mean, it's all over social media. Moms have it rough. We are told that we deserve the wine. Or the White Claw. Or the vodka. We see on our feed that moms need this to cope with mom-life. Parenting seems to be unbearable without the "mommy juice"... so I hear. Are we incapable of dealing with the stress of motherhood without it? Do I think wine and spirits are terrible, evil, and poison? Nope. Just like anything in life, I believe in moderation. Making sure we are connected to WHY we are drinking beyond the simple cocktail with friends.  Today we aren't judging, preaching, or making anyone feel bad. Nope. Not here. Today we are just having a discussion. Because I believe we are more than a glass of wine. Or a bottle. We have tools to cope, we just may not know what they are. We scroll through social and try to connect with other moms with these messages that in order to survive we need to escape with drinking alcohol. We can't survive our mornings without coffee and we can't survive our evenings without wine. I want us to reconnect with how we handle our challenges with motherhood- together. You are stronger than you think you are. I'd love to connect with you after you listen. To hear your thoughts, listen to your story, and support you. 100%. You can reach out to me directly on my Instagram page, @thehonestmompodcast , by email at info@michellemansfieldauthor.com or connect on my website at www.michellemansfieldauthor.com  Thank you for listening and I'd love your support of the podcast by giving the show an honest review to let me know what you're loving and what you'd like more of. Please share this episode with anyone you feel would appreciate it. Thank you! Sincerely, Michelle

The Body Positivity movement is probably something you've seen on social media or in conversation as a new mom. The "get your body back" focus is not only unrealistic, but harmful for our mental health. But what if no matter what affirmation you say, no matter how many people tell you that you look amazing for "just having a baby", you still don't feel proud or connected to what that amazing body gives you. You're connected to fitting into your jeans from yesterday, you get on a scale daily and validate yourself by a number, you count the days to where you can "kill it" in the gym, count carbs, hope that breastfeeding will take off the baby weight... you can fill in the blanks with all the other thoughts that scream in our brains after we have a baby. You're doing it all wrong. But you're normal, and I did the EXACT same thing. You are not alone! Let's be real. Let's be honest. Most of the time we overanalyze our bodies. The outside appearance. We criticize. We sink into a hole. There's shame. Embarrassment. It affects us and we shouldn't hide that. But how do we get out of this dark hole? I'm here to introduce you to Emily Lauren Dick: Body Image Expert, Photographer, Activist, and Author of the incredible book "Body Positive" (and a children's book is on the way!) Not only does she have incredible and inspirational messages and tools throughout this episode, but she is just such a RELATABLE and wonderful soul to listen to and connect with. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did recording it with her. I'd love to hear from you off the podcast about this topic and remember you can also connect directly with Emily with the links below: Website: www.happydaughter.com Instagram: @realhappydaughter and @theguidinglightco Get the book "Body Positive" on Emily's website or here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1641702672?tag=workmanweb-20 Mom Card Drawing of the Week: "Do you know what you are? You are a marvel." -Pablo Casals As always, thank you for listening and please help another mom out by sharing this episode with her. We appreciate it so much!

Today we are joined with the incredible Abbey Williams of The Mimosas with Moms Podcast. I was fortunate to be a guest on Abbey's show during her first season and as I started my honest motherhood journey to where she was at the forefront of my mind with who I wanted to be on the other side of the mic during my first season.  Abbey and I will be chatting about blended families and coparenting, as both of us have deep experience with this topic. We will chat about all the honest feelings, situations, tools, and mindset goals to make coparenting work for your family. We both agree we aren't perfect in this area, but we do have some positive stories that can give you some tools to make your coparenting journey the best possible. It's not perfect, just like anything, and definitely has its unique challenges. We are definitely honest with that. But we also want you to know it is possible to have a blended family that thrives and a coparenting relationship that is essential for this to happen. We are here to support you and help you.  We hope this episode helps you and we would both love to hear from you about your coparenting challenges, successes, and unique stories. Please feel comfortable reaching out to either of us and get more connected with Abbey with all the good things she offers moms below. Thank you Abbey and thank you listeners for joining us, sharing this episode, and staying connected to The Honest Mom Podcast. About Abbey: Abbey Williams, MSW, LSW is a behavioral health therapist, the producer and host of the Mimosas with Moms Podcast, content creator of the social media platform @mimosaswithmoms, author of "An ABC of Families", and mother of 4. She is committed to supporting, empowering, and connecting with mothers in all seasons of motherhood. She has been featured by PopSugar, Parents, SheKnows, and Romper. She navigates her blended family/coparenting life in Cincinnati, OH with her husband, four kids, and two sister labs.  Mimosas with Moms Website: https://mimosaswithmoms.com/ Instagram Handle: @mimosaswithmoms Mimosas with Moms Podcast Link to Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mimosas-with-moms/id1449622243 Buy Her Children's Book, "An ABC of Families" Here: https://www.amazon.com/ABC-Families-Abbey-Williams/dp/0711256535/ref=sr_1_1?crid=EBA1YLF39E2G&keywords=An+ABC+of+Families&qid=1653577680&sprefix=an+abc+of+families%2Caps%2C89&sr=8-1 Abbey's Favorite Thing: Selfie Skin www.selfieskin.co Abbey's Favorite Instagram Pages: @befayr for coparenting communication skills. @themichelledempsey Michelle Dempsey is a best-selling author and certified divorce/co-parenting specialist. 

Today's solo episode is giving you some updates on something I've been talking about for ummmm...coming on 4 years! Why am I putting this out there? Because it's something many of you have been encouraging me through, supporting me, waiting for, and wondering how the process has been going. I can't leave my biggest cheerleaders hanging! Another theme throughout this that I want you all to remember with ANYTHING in life is quitting doesn't mean you're failing. Many times we are honoring our season, timing, signs, and feelings where we DO have to let go of something in order to move forward in other ways. At times we are simply pivoting. Sometimes we are changing the form of what we're doing. Then there are times we do need to put something on a bookshelf because the timing just sucks.  We also need to recognize that WE TOO change in time and you may have had a goal 4 years ago but a lot has happened to you these last 4 years. You're different. Values may change. Lifestyle can be turned upside down. Your priorities are evolving. And that's OK!! You are NOT a flake. You are NOT a quitter. You are a human who is honoring her stage in life and what is working and... not working. Be proud of pivoting, changing, honoring what feels right. Not staying in something because you're told to or because you've already put so much time into it where you feel guilty saying goodbye. Remember that nothing is permanent and you always can go back to something if the stars align and your intuition tells you it's time again.  I hope you enjoy this episode, the NEWS and the reasons why I made this decision for YOU as well as myself. Connect with me off of the podcast on my Instagram page, @thehonestmompodcast , my Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1763082143989755 or my website at www.michellemansfieldauthor.com THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT EVERYONE!!! - Michelle

I was 35 when I became pregnant and 36 when I gave birth to Brooklyn. In medical standards, I was an "old mom". Even in society's standards I was considered a "concern" as people asked me when my husband and I were going to have a baby. I wish I had Bethenny Frankel's "Get off my jock!" quote near to me during that time as a family member would ask why we were waiting or my OBGYN tried to instill feelings of urgency with my eggs getting older by the minute. Perhaps you have these same pressures around you and question your own timing with having a baby? Then this episode is for you. What many didn't know (and some that did STILL would ask us when we were having a baby) is that my husband and I decided to wait so I could bond with his 2 children. We waited 5 years. An eternity for people around us. I wanted the chance to get to know his children, establish a connection, trust, and stability before introducing a screaming human into our home. Even with that time and prep, it was STILL hard for the kids to adjust to this baby that was taking over the house and our attention.  I also wanted some QT with my husband before having a baby. Time to travel, get a bite without a high chair, sleep in, and take walks with our Starbucks with no rush or childcare.  YOUR story is unique as well and it's OK to tell people to "get off your jock" and not share your "why". No one but you and your partner will be 100% responsible for this baby. They won't be there for the sleepless nights, the breastfeeding, the tantrums, the anxiety, worrying, frustrations, and giving more than you ever thought you would. They aren't raising this human.  The other side of this coin is you may have a baby right away and you'll STILL get smack for that. You're rushing things, you need to give time for your marriage, save money, enjoy your freedom. So either way you're screwed so you might as well just do it when you are ready.  I hope this episode makes you feel confident in your decision. ANY decision you make in your life. Thank you for listening, sharing and please connect with me off of the podcast so we can chat more about this. Know my Facebook Group is always there as well, The Honest Mom Project.  Inspiration of the Week from Dan Coppersmith: "Every time we act in harmony with our authentic self and heart, we earn our respect. It is that simple. Every choice matters." Mom Card of the Week: "Your gifts matter. Your story matters. Your dreams matter." -Michael Oher Article: The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/15/meet-the-mums-in-their-40s-four-stories-of-having-a-baby-later-in-life Undefining Motherhood: https://undefiningmotherhood.com/when-to-have-a-baby/ Podcast: www.maybesomedaypodcast.com/episodes Books: "The Baby Matrix" https://thebabymatrix.com  Connect with me on my website, www.michellemansfieldauthor.com or on Instagram @thehonestmompodcast

When Rachel Hollis shouted on stage, "YOU ARE MADE FOR MORE!", mothers everywhere were questioning what that actually meant. Is being a mother... NOT enough? If I'm working full time, am I NOT being enough on the mom-side of the coin? Should I be more domestic? Creative? Do I need to start a business? Get certified in something? Clean more? Cook more? Make more money? I am forcing myself to stop typing because the list could go on, and on, and on. It's overwhelming and even the most confident woman could find herself questioning... "Am I doing enough?" Where that can get you is an endless pit of questioning what others are doing versus connecting to what YOU actually want in life. The load you want. The variety. The experience. The timing. The season of motherhood you're in. Your passions... that don't have to make you famous.  When I read Andrea's bio and learned more about all her accomplishments, I admit I was intimidated. I found myself saying, "Wow! She's incredible!!! How did she DO all of this AND is a mom?!" For a period of time, a single mom on top of it. Yes, I'm human and fall into the comparison trap and before I hit "record", I sat and wondered if I should be doing more in my life. But you know what? After I talked to Andrea in this episode, I breathed a sigh of relief and found confidence in my OWN version of what I need because of all she talks about. She had some ah-ha moments where I said, "THANK YOU!" for her being honest about how it actually worked for her. Her honest voice and vulnerability was so refreshing in this world where we see a photo on Instagram, or a read a book, a blog or hear a story and think, "How the (bleep!) is that even possible?"  Andrea is BEYOND refreshing. I instantly felt so warm and comfortable listening to her- and having an incredible conversation that had more even more confident and connected with MY version of "more". One that parallels my unique life. I hope this happens for you as well. You deserve that!! A bit more about Andrea... Andrea Reindl has been running businesses for more than half of her life. For the last decade of that, she has supported high-performing visionaries bringing their ideas to reality through her digital branding and marketing agency. Andrea has successfully scaled a 5+ million dollar business, lead a team of 35+ people across the globe from 5+ countries, and served thousands of clients from around the world. Andrea is a single Mom of 2 busy teenagers. She founded Legacy Creative in 2017 when her life was in transition and she was ready to take her career to the next level. Since then she has had personal and professional growth she could have only imagined a few years ago. In her spare time, Andrea also heads up Confessions of Imperfect Moms, a community for Mommas that are out in the world doing their best, raising kids, and trying to juggle it all. You can find Andrea’s adventures and mishaps over on Instagram at @andreareindl https://www.instagram.com/andreareindl/ Learn more about the Legado Family and how they help families upgrade their relationships through a program consisting of five different modules that include detailed lessons and structures crafted carefully to enhance lasting ties and strengthen bonds. They also have a FREE family logo masterclass where you can register for that here: https://legadofamily.com/logo-masterclass/ It's a 60 minute masterclass that teaches you WHY you need a family logo and how it can bring your family a renewed sense of closeness. Mom Card of the Week: "I will persist... I will always take another step. If that is of no avail I will take another, and yet another." -Og Mandino Thank you so much for listening, sharing and supporting Andrea and her work!

It's OK to say this out loud. There will be days where you are shooting daggers out to your partner because you feel they aren't helping enough, doing what you need, supporting you the way you want to be supported now that you're BOTH parents. They get to go back to work. You have to go back to work and they get to be home with the baby. You're doing all the housework while they get home at 7pm and are the "fun parent". They don't do it like you do it. They're so relaxed and you're full of anxiety. There are so many unique scenarios that whirl around our postpartum minds that create resentment, which can eventually lead to other dangerous emotions.  In this week's episode, we talk about my own resentment- that my husband doesn't even know about. It was my own shit I was dealing with, my stories I was creating, the fears & anxieties that stopped me, my inability to detach, my unrealistic expectations that I wasn't even communicating, along with my assumptions. My communication skills were worse than my infant's. At least she was crying to let us know she was pissed. I held it all in and my resentment grew into something it didn't have to be.  I want to help you avoid what I did as a new mom. Because resentment doesn't just stop after infancy. It can carry on throughout your partnership if you don't find some solid communication skills to share with your partner so you can avoid the road I traveled. Or worse.  Share this episode with your best friend, sister, or partner if that can break the ice to you both talking about this very unique change in your lives and partnership. It isn't all bliss or making your marriage even more "magical"... there's some hard shit to deal with and situations that challenge your relationship more than you can imagine. And no one is talking about it. Until now. Thank you for listening, sharing, and connecting with me to share your honest motherhood journey. Enjoy this episode!!! Connect with Michelle: www.michellemansfieldauthor.com Instagram: @thehonestmompodcast Facebook Group: The Honest Mom Project Mom Quote of the Week: "Hope holds up the head." - Scottish Proverb Article: Romper: https://www.romper.com/pregnancy/resenting-your-partner-after-baby-why Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-not-hate-your-husband-after-kids-with-jancee-dunn/id1495723599?i=1000463783457 Book: "How to not Hate Your Husband After Kids" by Jancee Dunn and "To Have and to Hold: Motherhood, Marriage, and the Modern Dilemma" by Molly Millwood These are a few of my Favorite Things: https://ren-jord.com all natural hair products. Choose their Balancing Hair Tonic, Renewing Oil Treatment, Lift & Refresh Dry Shampoo and Coastal Sea Salt Spray. MUST HAVES!!!

Today we are talking about a vulnerable topic that we've either gone through, or are afraid to go through.  Grief. Grief doesn't always have to be about losing a loved one though. As a mother, I grieved for YEARS the loss of my previous life and the woman I was. Trying so hard to stay present, grateful and look forward to the woman I was becoming. But I missed my past world and I couldn't move forward. Amber has an incredibly difficult story about losing her father at a young age and how she felt stuck in her grief as well. I loved her children's story, "When Grey Came to Stay" about honoring one's grief and how although it may never go away, there are ways to work with it and move towards the light. I also believe that keeping that person, memory, experience, or past identity close to your heart is actually healthy- to not ignore or be afraid to remember it simply because it's not physically with you in the present moment.  We hope you enjoy today's episode and how you can allow grief to be a part of you, thrive with it, honor what you're grieving, but also move forward in your life. Please share this episode with anyone special in your life, and we thank you for listening. Get to know Amber! Amber lives with her family in a small town in Ontario with her amazing husband, 2 dogs and 3 wonderful, crazy and wild children. She's not your Pinterest worthy mom, she's a proud introvert and would do life outside if she could. Except when it's cold! Amber's dad was killed in a farming accident when she was 17 and she attempted to navigate this insane world of grief ever since. This year she finally had enough of being frustrated with grief resources and wrote a children's book about grief based on her own experience. It's been a vulnerable and slightly terrifying journey but Amber has absolutely loved working towards a more grief inclusive society. She also recently just launched her own line of sympathy cards. You can get to know more about Amber on her website, and purchase your copy of "When Grey Came to Stay" here: www.amberskuipers.com You can also find her on Instagram (@amberskuipers) where she shares more of her daily life with grief but also her crazy life as a mom. Amber's sympathy cards will be available shortly but for now they are for purchase at JustOne, an incredible little store in Caledonia. Today's Mom Card: "Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong." -Ella Fitzgerald Amber's Favorite Things: Dill Pickle Peanuts from Costco (I can't wait to see if my Costco has these!!!) Amber's Favorite Podcast: "Good Morning Podcast" and "The Body Keeps Score"

I've always had guilt in some capacity throughout my life. Then came motherhood and BAM! My guilt amplified & took on an entirely new form. I tried to hide it. Push it away. Ignore it. Nothing worked. It ate at me. Was I spending enough time with Brooklyn? Was I entertaining her enough (even as a blob of a newborn)? Was I doing things to enrich her and make her brain grow (What was I? Her mom or a mad scientist?!)? Was she happy? Was she sad? Hungry? Was I poisoning her with sunscreen?  Guilt is a part of me, it's in my blood and bones. Through my own therapy, books, podcasts, wellness events, friendships and my own inner learning I came to this conclusion: I CAN WORK WITH GUILT. I CAN THRIVE WITH IT. I CAN USE IT TO MAKE ME STRONGER. We hear the mom campaigns of "Fuck Mom Guilt!" or "Say Goodbye to Mom Guilt!" where we are told we don't deserve it, we don't need it, and we can flick that shit away as easy as just declaring it. It's not that easy. Honestly I don't find it even possible for me. What I had to do was learn how to work with my guilt in an entirely different way. How? Take a listen and you'll find out.  After listening, let me know how YOUR mom guilt is going and if you need the support and honesty that I can give you. Reach out to me and know I can be a good ear or a good friend giving you encouragement. If you know a mom struggling with mom guilt and how to work WITH it versus AGAINST it, please share this episode with her. Thank you so much for listening and for your support of this podcast. I look forward to next week! Mom Card of the Week: "Celebrate your existence." -William Blake Resources for You: Blog: https://www.parentingforbrain.com/mom-guilt? Podcast: "Mama Said" podcast with Jamie Lynn Sigler/Jenna Paris with guest Jessica Hall: https://www.podcastone.com/episode/You-Cant-Escape-The-Mom-Guilt-with-Jessica-Hall Book: "The Art of Good Enough" by Dr. Ivy Ge and "You're a F*cking Awesome Mom" by Leslie Ann Bruce Instagram: @momguiltunited with Catherine Comeau These are a few of my Favorite Things: www.oakessentials.com Balancing Mist Connect with Michelle: www.michellemansfieldauthor.com Instagram: @thehonestmompodcast Facebook Group: The Honest Mom Project

This "Mom is Made for More" culture can be a bit confusing for us. Do I want more than being a mom? Should I want more? What if I don't? What if I DO and I don't know where to start? Perhaps there are fears that you'll fail, it will be overwhelming, or that you're just not cut out for that dream right now.  Maybe you're back and forth on this and find yourself comparing to others and what they're doing. She's achieving this, she's spending this much time with her kids, that one seems to do it all, and the other one over there seems so happy to be at home with her children. It's time to talk to Lindsey about this topic of us feeling we are "Made for More" and making that definition our OWN. Your "more" is different than anyone else's on this planet. Listen to Lindsey as she talks about achieving her dream to work with her dad to create Totes Babies, raising 2 boys under the age of 4, taking a chance applying to ABC's "Shark Tank" and getting not one but THREE offers. On the outside she may seem like she's doing it all and crushing it (I hate that word btw) but in reality, she has her own terms and ways she's achieved these things without having a nervous breakdown.  Lindsey is a real, honest and relatable mom and entrepreneur that will definitely have you breathing a bit easier and feeling more confident how to define what YOU need outside of motherhood. She is definitely someone you want sitting on your couch. Lindsey's invention and company, www.totesbabies.com, is changing the way you shop with your baby. I only WISH I had this when Brooklyn was an infant as I piled bread, oranges, workout clothes from Target, and more throw pillows than I needed from Home Goods on her while she was in her car seat. It seems so foolish that I would walk into a store, grab a cart, and 95% of the cart was my massive car seat!  Thank you for listening, sharing, and subscribing to The Honest Mom Podcast. I appreciate you all! Mom Card Drawing: "Never before, since the beginning of time, has there ever been anybody exactly like you." -Dale Carnegie Find & Connect with Lindsey: Instagram: @totesbabies Website: www.totesbabies.com Lindsey's Arbonne Link: https://www.arbonne.com/us/en/arb/lindseyvaliulis/

So you sit there on your maternity leave wondering if you want to stay at home or go back to your career. You always THOUGHT you'd want to be a SAHM. YOUR mom did it and (you think!) she loved it. Your best friend says she never questioned it. But here you are, wondering if you want to put all your eggs in the motherhood basket. You then think about your career you worked so hard for. So many years. Do you want to return to it? Is it a career that WORKS with motherhood? Do you even enjoy it like you used to? Something feels different. Ugh, you don't know what to do. On one hand, being at home with your baby SEEMS like it's what you should do. On the other hand, it is 2022 and women return to their careers without a question. Or are they? Take a listen if you are struggling with the dance between motherhood and career. If you need words of encouragement or validation that this is NOT an easy decision. The good news is there is an answer that works for you and will make you happy. It's definitely not a one-size-fits-all (or most) and that's the beauty of our unique choices and lives. Your choices are no one's business just as much as theirs aren't any of yours. Enjoy this encouraging and raw episode and as always, I appreciate you listening, sharing, and growing this community of moms being honest.  People to Follow: @theeverymom @motherlikeaboss @marieforleo @with_love_becca @sagehealingco  These are a few of my Favorite Things: Lunar roll on oil from Sage Healing Collective aromatherapy collection. www.sagehealingcollective.com/shop  Where to Connect With Me: www.michellemansfieldauthor.com @thehonestmompodcast  The Honest Mom Project Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1763082143989755

We've started talking about the good, the bad and the ugly of social media where today Chrissy Somers of Stay + Play Local sits down to talk about how she's found her road to social media and how to make social media work for YOU and your motherhood journey. Whether you have a business and are screaming how frustrating social media can be, or if you're using it personally and find yourself being sucked into rabbit holes of comparison, FOMO or even resentment, this episode is for you. Chrissy uses social media in all arenas and has an honest, real, and relatable voice to make you breathe a bit and find ways to make social media benefit your unique life. You don't have to throw in the towel, nor do you have to be on it constantly to find your groove. Chrissy has realistic ways to use social media, along with interesting (more like FASCINATING) stories about her life, motherhood and how she became Forbes Next 1000. You're going to want to sit on the couch with us, get a cozy blanket, a steamy latte or tea, and feel better about how social media can strengthen your motherhood- and life! Connect with Chrissy and her team on Instagram @stayandplay.tricities (more cities coming soon!). Stay + Play Local is a local's guide to anything and everything about what's happening in your local community. Families, moms, singles, couples, girlfriends can find all there is to do, see, experience, taste, and explore within their community. Stay + Play's website is www.stayandplaylocal.com to learn more and to stay in touch about YOUR town being a part of it all. Connect more with The Honest Mom Podcast by traveling to @thehonestmompodcast on Instagram or Michelle's main website at www.michellemansfieldauthor.com Thank you for listening, sharing, and creating a community of moms being honest. I appreciate you all!

What you look for in a friendship- what you NEED- may be different than when you were in high school or college. Now as a mom, your friendship quality check list is even MORE different. Are the friends in your life checking off the boxes that you need right now? Are you in tune with what you actually want in a friendship? Aware of the red flags that could be draining you? Today's episode is for you if you are taking some friendship inventory and need some guidance and help with what to look for in your friendships. And what to stay clear of. Thank you for listening, sharing, subscribing and rating this podcast. Here's to taking that one small step towards your honest motherhood! Mom Card Drawing of the Week: "The best way out is always through." -Robert Frost Get in Touch with Michelle: Website Instagram The Honest Mom Project Facebook Group 

Is it just me or does making new mom friends feel like you're back to the painful world of online dating?! I didn't think it would be THAT hard to make new friends. The mom groups, mommy-and-me classes, local mom events, and even Facebook groups had me wondering if I was ever going to make a new friend again. I questioned myself, what was wrong with me? What was wrong with them? Why was this so weird? Why did I leave every "mom date" feeling defeated and having the dating feels of "Well, here we go again... starting over!"  We need community. No matter what you're telling yourself. Why? Listen and find out. You WILL make mom friends, trust me. Listen to learn how. Simply listen to feel better about your momline dating experience and to know you're not weird and no you're not the only one.  Thank you so much for listening, sharing, and finding YOUR honesty in motherhood. Let's connect off the podcast- below is how you can reach out and continue the conversation with me and other moms! Mom Card Drawing: "You are the only you that will ever be. You are kind of a big deal." -Jen Sincero (Amen!!) Mom Resources:  Article: "The Real Reason It's So Hard to Make Mom Friends." Motherly. https://mother.ly/life/relationships/why-is-it-so-hard-to-make-mom-friends/ Podcast: "Don't Mom Alone" podcast, Episode 354 with Jennie Allen. Listen HERE Book: "Be Vulnerable, Find Your People." by Jennie Allen. Preorder for February 22, 2022 release. Preorder Here: Click Link Instagram Account: @theconnectedmomlife Emily helps moms find friends! These Are a Few of My Favorite Things: O'Doughs Gluten-Free breads. Find on Thrive, The Gluten Free Mall, Simple Kneads or check out your local grocery store.  Connect With Me: Website: www.michellemansfieldauthor.com Instagram: @thehonestmompodcast Facebook Group: The Honest Mom Project 

So maybe there's not this massive blow out or deep-hearted conversation about why your friendship is ending. Maybe it's this slow burn, the flame gradually shrinks to where it eventually burns out? Perhaps there's no concrete reason other than the fact that people are busy, priorities change, and you're just not one of theirs? The slow fizzle still burns, stings, and has you wondering what you did or if something is wrong with you. Did you do something and it just eventually ate at them? Are you that annoying where it finally got to them? Did they change in some way you're not aware of? Are they just not into you anymore? This episode is for you if you've had a friendship plateau and eventually fade. You are confused and wonder if it's you. You're done with questioning yourself and need to move forward. We will talk about the many reasons why friendships fade and how you can move on and focus on YOU and the amazing friends that ARE around you now with open arms. You will gain confidence in yourself, you'll gain control over your happiness, and you will stop questioning what you did and realize why some friendships just don't last.  Thank you for listening, sharing, and connecting with me off the podcast. I'd love to know your thoughts, experiences, and help you become the Honest Mom you deserve to be.  Mom Card Drawing: "Have no fear. You will find your way. It's in your bones. It's in your soul." - Mark Z. Danielweski A Few of My Favorite Things: Tarte Cosmetics Fake Awake Eye Hightlight, Creaseless Concealer, and Sugar Rush Sun & Fun Baked Bronzer. How to Connect With Me: (Click on links) Website Instagram The Honest Mom Project Facebook Group Article: Dr. Margaret Rutherford, "Finding Meaning in Friendships That End." Podcast: PsychCentral Podcast, "Abandoned: Loss of Friendships." Book: "Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close." by Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman, hosts of the Call Your Girlfriend podcast

So sometimes friendships fizzle and gradually fade. Sometimes there's a HUGE blowout and you give each other the middle finger and never speak again. But what happens when POOF! Suddenly your best friend, or even just a friend in general, just stops communicating with you?  Is she mad? Did I do something? Have I been doing something and she is just now had it up to her eyeballs? Did I sleep with her husband and have amnesia? What the F is going on? She won't answer my calls, my texts, or acknowledge the card I wrote her. I'm at the point where I may go on her lawn like in "Say Anything" (I'm dating myself here) with a boom box blasting Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes".  Ghosting is actually more common than you think. I had NO clue so many people have had this experience and no answers, no closure. It can drive someone MAD figuring out what happened and how to fix it. But what if it can't be fixed? How do you move on and let go?  This episode is for you if you are nodding to anything above or simply want to be prepared in case you're broken up with and have no answers why. I hope what I talk about makes you feel better about the situation, knowing that it probably has nothing to do with you (unless you did indeed sleep with her husband), and how to get in a better mental state about letting go of a friendship.  Mom Card Drawing: "If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet..." -Fred Rogers (Could we all have a Fred Rogers in our motherhood world?!) These are a few of my Favorite Things: Simple Mills gluten free and vegan baked items. I get their muffin, cake, brownie, bread and cookie mixes and they are TASTY and filled with incredible ingredients. Sweetened with coconut sugar which makes them even BETTER. Easy and my daughter loves everything we make together. Get yours at Vitacost or download their app! Thank you so much for listening, sharing, subscribing, and interacting with me about your honest mom journey. I appreciate you so much! Where to find and connect with me: (click on hyperlinks below) Website Instagram The Honest Mom Project Facebook Group

"But you CHOSE to be a mother", "I don't miss a THING! Being a mother is the BEST thing that's happened to me", "You had 9 months to prepare for this", and a slew of other feedback I had when I asked the simple question on a mommy Facebook group,  "DOES ANYONE MISS THEIR LIFE BEFORE BECOMING A MOM?" On the other side of this, I received a TON of responses shouting "YES!" and sharing what aspects of their pre-mommy life they do miss. The freedom alone! The spontaneity. Traveling with friends. A career. Being lazy on the couch on a Sunday watching "Sex & The City". Going to the bathroom without panicking and rushing, or having fingers under the door saying "Mommy!" Eating take out by yourself watching reality TV. Working out and not focusing on child care. Having the f'in ENERGY to work out. I could go on for days about this and ya know what? That doesn't make me ungrateful, a bad mom, or even an average mom. It makes me an awesome mom. And it makes YOU an awesome mom too. You had a pretty great life with a lot of wonderful memories, be proud of that.  Today we will talk about just how hard it is to transition from the life you had to the life you have now. It's a HUGE change. A 180. And it may take a long time to really adjust. And that's OK. It's time to be honest. It's time to not be afraid of judgy moms that say, "Oh, I love being a mom..." Who said I DIDN'T? Ugh! I want to scream to these women to just be supportive and leave the judgement for their own self, right? Don't worry, you're in a safe space here my friend! Thank you so much for listening, sharing, and continuing to come back. Mom Card Drawing: "A possibility was born the day you were born and it will live as long as you live." - Marcus Solero Other Feel-Good Sources: http://www.mother.ly/life/sometimes-i-miss-my-life-before-kids/ https://theeverymom.com/its-normal-to-miss-your-baby-free-life/ These are a Few of my Favorite Things: Smart Sweets gummy candy. Kick sugar, keep candy! www.smartsweets.com  Where to Find & Connect with Me (click on links below): Website The Honest Mom Project Facebook Group The Honest Mom Podcast on Instagram (@thehonestmompodcast)

I don't know if this comes with time and confidence, but if I could put my 45-year-old self and voice in my 25-year-old self, things would have been a lot different for me. I didn't even say the word "boundaries" nor did I truly know what my own unique ones were. I thought "boundaries" was a  pretty aggressive word. Plus I grew up in a house where speaking up wasn't the norm.  There's family butting in, doctors scaring you to do something you're not comfortable with, mom-friends gossiping at play dates, partners assuming you'll do it all, how you're talked to, your children taking you for granted, the media, social media, and many other things in your life that are stepping over your unique boundaries. Your boundaries aren't wrong, neither are your friend's (even if you do think theirs are ridiculous, they may think yours are too!). I was CLUELESS about boundaries. I always thought it was just shit that bothered me, made me uncomfortable, but I had to just deal with it. I mean we are told we can't control others, so what's the point?  But here's the thing: YOU DON'T HAVE TO "DEAL WITH IT". This episode is killer with great insights and tips on this complicated subject about boundaries. It's a MUST if you're feeling judged, taken advantage of, disrespected, unheard, ignored, or if someone is being a downright asshole to you. Here's the kicker, you need to use your voice. It's not going away. I hope this episode helps you gain the confidence and pride that I only WISH I had 20 years ago, and especially when I became a mom. Enjoy, thank you for listening, sharing, and as always, let's connect beyond the podcast with the links below! Mom Card Drawing: "When you set out on a journey and night covers the road, that's when you discover the stars." -Nancy Willard from the Compendium brand of cards. Get your cards on Amazon or directly from: Compendium These are a few of my Favorite Things: Revive Superfoods smoothies, acai bowls, and falafel pops. Explore here for specials and how to get these amazing foods into your life: Revive Superfoods How to find Nedra Tawwab and her amazing book, "Set Boundaries, Find Peace. A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself." Get to know Nedra, what she offers and her insanely amazing book and Instagram page at: Nedra Tawwab How to connect with me: Website Instagram Honest Mom Project Facebook Group

Back in the 80's and 90's we'd flip through the pages of Vogue, Elle, and Cosmo and find a "reality" that we felt we needed to attain, but was impossible to achieve. Mostly because it wasn't reality. Is social media the NEW supermodel of motherhood? Do we endlessly scroll through the pages of Instagram and Facebook (if you still use it!) and find ourselves comparing our motherhood with the photos and stories of unrealistic motherhood?  How do we scroll without going down the rabbit hole? Today's episode we will talk about the world of social media and how it affects motherhood. No, it's not all bad, there are some amazing things about social media. We will bring it all up and figure out how to make social media work for YOU and your unique motherhood. I hope you enjoy this episode and I invite you to connect with me on social, email, or in The Honest Mom Project Facebook group with any stories you want to share. Thanks for listening!! Mom Card Drawing: "You are loved just for being who you are, just for existing." -Ram Das Favorite Thing of the Week: Mia's Wish Podcast episodes: Starting October 13, 2021 catch episodes 1-6 about social media and motherhood. Also the 3 in 30 Podcast, Episode 139, "How to Create a Healthy Balance with Social Media." Listen to the episode HERE Find and connect with me here: Instagram: The Honest Mom Podcast Facebook Group: The Honest Mom Project Website: www.michellemansfieldauthor.com

Listen to a powerful and shocking piece from a May 2021 high school valedictorian speech and you may ask yourself, "Is this how young women feel about motherhood?! Is this how I feel about motherhood?!!"  Sure, we have to give up some things, pause on others, we may miss what we aren't doing anymore or we may be thankful it's in our past (ahem, many college and early 20's stories on my end!). How do we handle the HUGE changes and life pauses that happen when we become a mom? How do we work through the feelings with honesty so we can come to our own reality?  Join me as we have some pretty intense chats about how hard these feelings can be. Whether you gave up a career, freedom, rockstar lifestyle, or simply the ability to pee in peach, it's hard to come to terms with how motherhood can be a real (bleep!) blocker with the life you had and miss.  Mom Card Drawing: "Magic lies in challenging what seems impossible." -Carol Moseley Braun Favorite things: Paleovalley Organic Supergreens Powder. Shop Paleovalley  Find Michelle: Website Instagram Honest Mom Project Facebook Group

Why are we so afraid to admit there are some things (not all!) that we hate doing as moms? We can complain about our jobs, our marriage, relationships, pets, but for some reason it's TABOO to talk about the annoying things we can't stand doing. We can opt out of annoying emails, so why can't we opt out of certain activities of motherhood? Like bath time? Did I mention I hate bath time? Listen as I make you feel SO much better about being honest about this and solutions that could make your days more enjoyable and your motherhood in a better place. Let's continue this conversation on social media or reach out to me directly to release what you've been holding inside. Welcome back! Mom Card Drawing: "The miracle of your existence calls for a celebration every day." - Oprah Winfrey Favorite Things: IQ Bar. Plant-based bars for brain and body with only 1-2g sugar. www.eatiqbar.com Podcast: “What Fresh Hell…Laughing in the Face of Motherhood” Episode titled “Do We Really Have to Play with Our Kids? When Parenting Feels Relentless": Listen to episode HERE Find Michelle on www.michellemansfieldauthor.com, @thehonestmomproject on Instagram and join her private The Honest Mom Project Facebook group 

Why do we sit on the couch with our girlfriends, perfectly comfortable talking about our bleeding nipples but afraid to talk about the real feelings adjusting to motherhood? Join Michelle as she dives deep into why she was afraid & even ashamed of telling others she really wasn't loving being a mom. What she didn't realize is she was normal, and a good mom. Learn how YOU can acknowledge your feelings and finally be honest with YOURSELF so you can heal, grow and help another mom who needs it.  Mom Card Inspo: "See every difficulty as a challenge. A stepping stone. Never be defeated by anything or anyone." -Eileen Caddy BuzzFeed article: What Moms Wish They Knew Before Becoming a Mother Other Articles: "What if I hate being a mom, is this normal?" -Mommywise "Regretting motherhood, what have I done to my life?" -Today's Parent "When you love your kids but don't love motherhood." -Good Therapy "Why do we as mothers work so hard to hide our feelings?" -Her View From Home Favorite Thing: Vital Proteins Collagen & Beauty Collagen Gummies. Vital Proteins  Closing Inspo Source: Leslie Anne Bruce, author of "You are a F*cking Awesome Mom." @leslieannebruce on Instagram. Find Michelle: Website Instagram: @thehonestmompodcast Facebook Group: The Honest Mom Project

Why do our motherhood stories need to be on the opposite sides of the drama? Where you're either a hot mess or in motherhood bliss. Why aren't we talking about the UNmarketable feelings of motherhood- and normalizing them? Join Michelle in this solo episode as she talks about this sector of mom culture and how you're not alone with your feelings.  Compendium Pop-Open Cards: https://www.compendium.com.au/ Enjoy The Tea Tree's Pumpkin Pie Tea at: www.theteatreeshop.com Closing Inspiration from @motherhoodredefined.co Connect with Michelle and get to know her better at:  Instagram: @the_honestmomproject. Website: www.michellemansfieldauthor.com.  Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1763082143989755

OK, yes, another mom pod is out there BUT this is one you definitely don't want to miss. Today is the FIRST episode of The Honest Mom Podcast where you'll get to know the host, Michelle Mansfield. What she loves, hates, her goals for this podcast, funny stories... oh and she has 5 cats. That alone is an interesting story! Find some connection with Michelle before you get hooked on this refreshing new podcast where Michelle will be brutally honest about the challenge of motherhood. She won't be talking about babies, toddlers, tweens or teens. This is a podcast for YOU and only you. Find out how Michelle lays it out, see if you find that connection with her, and enjoy her voice and passion with this podcast.  If you want more ways to get in touch with Michelle, you can go to www.michellemansfieldauthor.com, shoot her an email, DM her on Instagram at @the_honestmomproject.com or join The Honest Mom Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1763082143989755