Less Drama More Mama

Four hundred episodes. For this one, I did something I've never done before. I asked you to send in your parenting questions by voice message, and I answered them on the show. This episode covers six real questions from moms in my community. We talk about things like a five-year-old's defiance and name-calling, feeling overwhelmed when everything feels urgent, high-conflict co-parenting exchanges, reacting to a teenager's phone calls, sibling rivalry, and disagreeing with a husband about consequences. There's a good chance something in this episode will speak directly to what you're navigating. https://lessdramamoremama.com/400

In today's episode, I'm sharing seven things loving moms do. These are the same things I teach inside Damn Good Mama, and they're what help moms start showing up differently at home. Of course, you love your kids deeply. But how do you show that love when your child is upset, pushing back, or not listening, and you can feel yourself getting pulled into a reaction you don't want? I walk through each of the seven things with personal stories and real examples from clients, so you can see what this looks like in real life, not just in theory. If you've ever struggled to show your love in those moments, this episode will help.

Your child is perfectly fine at home. Relaxed. Talkative. Maybe even sweet. Then you show up at school, wave a little too enthusiastically, and suddenly you're getting an eye roll, a sharp "Mom, stop," or something worse, right in front of their friends. When your child is rude to you in front of other people, it can leave you feeling embarrassed, hurt, and confused. Learn why this happens (especially in the tween and teen years) and how to respond in a way that keeps you feeling calm, connected, and confident. https://lessdramamoremama.com/398

Boys and girls move through the tween years very differently. They handle friendships, express emotions, and start testing their independence each in their own ways. And if you don't know what to expect, it's easy to misread what's going on. In this episode, the third in our tween series, I share what the research says about how tween boys and girls differ and what I saw firsthand as a therapist and school counselor. You'll hear about friendship patterns, emotional expression, academics, and what it looks like when your tween starts wanting more space. Take what fits your child and leave what doesn't. When you understand what's underneath their behavior, you can respond in a way that supports what they need. https://lessdramamoremama.com/397

The topic of puberty can feel intimidating for a lot of moms. Between their child's mood swings, body changes, and sudden self-consciousness, many parents aren't quite sure what to expect or how to talk about it. This episode addresses how you can support your child through this stage with more confidence. Puberty is about much more than physical changes. It's emotional, social, and relational too. When you understand what's happening beneath the surface, it becomes much easier to respond calmly and stay connected to your child. This episode will help you better understand what's happening during this stage and how to keep the lines of communication open with your tween. https://lessdramamoremama.com/396

The tween years don't just change your child. They change you. Around ages 9 to 12, your child begins the important developmental work of identity formation. They start caring more about their friends, forming stronger opinions, and creating more space between you. This shift can feel just as big for you as it does for them, and it requires a different kind of presence from you. The moms who come out the other side of the tween years with strong relationships aren't the ones who hold on the tightest. They're the ones who learn how to stay present and regulated while giving their kids room to grow. Whether you're parenting a tween now, approaching this stage, or looking back with older kids, this episode will help you understand what's really happening. https://lessdramamoremama.com/395

The nervous system is complex. But you don't need a neuroscience degree to understand what's happening in your body when parenting gets hard. In this episode, I'm breaking down nervous system terms every mom should know, so your reactions stop feeling so mysterious. When you understand the language of your nervous system, you can recognize what's happening in your body much earlier. And that changes how you respond in the moments that matter most. https://lessdramamoremama.com/394

Picture two moms. They both work full time. They both keep track of schedules, appointments, groceries, school emails, and everyone's emotional temperature. They both have kids who talk back, make messes, and test limits. One mom snaps more often than she wants to. She yells, feels out of control, and then carries guilt. The other mom gets activated too, but she recovers faster. She repairs more easily. She stays more connected to herself during stressful situations. What makes the difference? It isn't more love. It isn't more effort. It isn't more self-control. It's more nervous system capacity. In this episode, I explain what nervous system capacity is and how it shapes your reactions in everyday parenting. If you want to understand what determines how you respond under stress, this episode explains it clearly. https://lessdramamoremama.com/393

You know your triggers. You understand why certain things your kids say or do set you off. You've read the parenting books. You've listened to the podcasts. You know how you want to respond. And yet — in the moment — you still react. Why? Because survival patterns override insight. In this week's episode, I share how I shifted patterns in my love life — and how the same principles can apply to parenting. If you understand your triggers but still react in the moment, this episode will show you what's happening in your nervous system — and what shifts it. https://lessdramamoremama.com/392

Winter can be hard on moms. And right now, much of the U.S. is dealing with extreme cold, dangerous wind chills, school closures, and being stuck inside more than usual. When your world shrinks and your responsibilities don't, parenting can feel even heavier. In this episode, I break down why winter affects your mood, energy, and nervous system. You'll also hear four grounded ways to get through winter without pushing yourself harder. If winter feels challenging for you, this episode offers understanding, relief, and practical support for getting through this season with more gentleness and intention. https://lessdramamoremama.com/391

The hardest part of parenting for me, especially as my kids get older, is watching them make a choice I wouldn't make and letting them do it anyway. I have to take a breath and remind myself—it's their lives, not mine. In today's episode, I share a personal story about a time when my daughter and I had very different perspectives and how I navigated the tension between trusting her autonomy and honoring my own values. If you've ever felt torn between wanting to protect your child and wanting them to become independent, this episode will resonate. https://lessdramamoremama.com/390

There are thoughts many moms have that feel too scary, shameful, or unacceptable to say out loud. Thoughts like: "I don't like my kid right now." "I can't do this anymore." "I wish I could just disappear." And almost immediately, those thoughts are followed by guilt, shame, or a voice that says, What kind of mother even thinks this? That's what today's podcast episode is about. Not fixing those thoughts. Not reframing them. Not judging them. But about the importance of speaking your truth—allowing yourself to say what's real, even when it feels uncomfortable or risky. https://lessdramamoremama.com/389

If procrastination has been a lifelong issue for you, as it has been for me, there's a good chance you've spent years trying to solve it. More discipline. Better systems. Tighter deadlines. Pep talks. Shame. And if any of that actually worked, I'd be the first one to tell you to do it. This week's episode looks at procrastination through a nervous system lens, as a response that once served a purpose. When you understand why your system learned to delay, avoid, shut down, or stay busy with everything except the thing that matters, the pattern starts to make sense. And when something makes sense, you can respond to it differently. You don't have to push harder or fix yourself. As you start noticing what your body is doing, you can learn to work with it and take small steps forward. https://lessdramamoremama.com/388

January can come with a lot of pressure. Set goals. Build momentum. Hit the ground running. Fix what's not working . . . and do it fast. Today's episode goes in the opposite direction. Instead of talking about how to change faster, I talk about why slowing down is often the fastest way to get different results in your parenting. When something isn't working, it makes sense to want it fixed immediately. Especially if you're snapping at your kids, feeling guilty, or watching yourself repeat patterns you swore you'd stop. The instinct is to push harder and try to do better. What I see over and over, though, is that trying to change too quickly actually keeps moms stuck in the same patterns. Listen to the episode to see how slowing down can move you forward faster this year. https://lessdramamoremama.com/387

I've been choosing a Word of the Year every December since 2014. It's a practice I return to because it gives me a steady way to orient myself toward how I want to show up, what I want to focus on, and who I want to become. A Word of the Year can reshape your parenting without the pressure and rigidity of traditional goal setting. In this last episode of the year, I share what my 2025 word taught me in ways I didn't expect, and which word I'm choosing for 2026. I also give you tips on choosing a word for yourself that supports your growth, rather than coming from self-criticism or "fix yourself" energy. This episode is reflective, practical, and meant to help you move into 2026 with more intention and aliveness. Do you have a word for 2026? Let me know what it is! https://lessdramamoremama.com/386