Less Drama More Mama

Sometimes, families run like well-oiled machines. And other times, they don't operate as effectively. With summer schedules ending and school fast approaching, many families are all out of whack. In this episode, I share how you can do a 'reset' and get yours running smoothly again. https://lessdramamoremama.com/156

Back in episode 79, I talked about four of the main psychological defense mechanisms I see in my work with moms. In today's show, I'm diving deeper into one of those defense mechanisms: projection. Tune in to learn what parental projection is, how it impacts you and your kids, and what you can do about it. https://lessdramamoremama.com/155

When you know your child misses you and feels sad or scared, you might feel guilty or anxious about being apart. In today's episode, I share a recent personal story in which I was able to quickly turn my guilt-inducing thoughts into ones that caused me to feel calm and confident instead. Join me as I share this experience with you and offer some useful ways to think about when your kids want their mommy. https://lessdramamoremama.com/154

It may sound like a bunch of self-help "fluff," but today's episode is anything but. The relationship you have with yourself is at the root of all of your successes and all of your problems. When you understand this, and take an honest look at yourself, you start to see where you can strengthen that relationship and develop a deeper connection with yourself. Tune in to hear how you can incorporate the seven qualities of a best friend into your life and become your own best friend. https://lessdramamoremama.com/153

In last week's episode, I shared five faulty thought patterns that keep moms stuck feeling anxious, guilty, disappointed, and discouraged. This week, I'm sharing another five thought patterns that, if unchecked, can lead to feelings of shame, inadequacy, anger, and depression. Tune in to find out what these patterns are, how they impact you, and how to break them. https://lessdramamoremama.com/152

Identifying our own thought patterns isn't easy. Most of the time, we don't even recognize that our thoughts are thoughts at all...we just believe they're facts! To help you figure out why you might be feeling stuck when it comes to a situation in your life, today's episode reveals five common unhelpful thought patterns, how they impact moms, and how to begin changing them. https://lessdramamoremama.com/151

Physical pain is a part of life. Often, the way we think about our physical pain compounds our suffering by adding emotional pain on top of it. In this information-packed episode, I interview Marriage and Family Therapist and Master Coach Instructor, Aimée Gianni, about the mind-body connection and how life coaching not only helps with emotional pain, but can reduce symptoms of physical pain as well. https://lessdramamoremama.com/150

Do you and your child's father parent differently? If so, you're in the same boat as most of the moms I know. In honor of Father's Day, I'm addressing the issue of parents "getting on the same page." https://lessdramamoremama.com/149

One of the main things the moms in the Chill Out Challenge are saying is that they don't have enough time to devote to self-care. In today's episode, I'll share a time-saving strategy used by the most productive and successful people in the world. There's also a free download to go along with the episode to help you figure out how to make time for the things that truly matter to you. https://lessdramamoremama.com/148

In this special bonus episode, I invite you to sign up for this year's Chill Out Challenge for Moms. Ditch your excuses for putting yourself last Conquer the chaos at home and get more organized Carve out time each day just for YOU Focus on your own self-care and emotional well-being Meet other amazing moms Practice the 3 R's: relax, recharge, and reflect Participate to win prizes that will help you maintain your self-care Sign up for the challenge right HERE.

Do you have a network of supportive relationships in your life? Having a strong support system in place before you actually need it can help you feel more confident about handling life's ups and downs. Tune in to this episode to learn about the different kinds of support you may need and how to start creating your own support system. https://lessdramamoremama.com/147

How much do you trust yourself? Trust is one of the most fundamental aspects of any relationship. You want to be able to trust your partner, kids, parents, friends, and coworkers. You want to be able to rely on them and know that they'll do what they say they'll do. Without that foundation of trust, it can be hard to have a good relationship. And so it's even more important to have that kind of relationship with yourself and know you can count on yourself no matter what. I've identified three main categories where moms lack self-trust. Tune into this episode to learn what they are and how to start building more self-trust as a mom. https://lessdramamoremama.com/146

Do you feel frustrated when your kids disobey your limits? Do you feel guilty because you often give in to avoid a meltdown or a power struggle? Do you feel confused and powerless about how to follow through on consequences? If you answered "yes" to any of these, this episode is for you. Tune in to learn about the importance of setting limits with your kids and how to think about them in a way that makes them easier to enforce. https://lessdramamoremama.com/145

Before I was a mom, I worked as a clinician at an adolescent day treatment facility near Boston. Time and time again, I witnessed teens enter the program with symptoms of major mental illness and leave thriving emotionally and socially. So, what was so special about the program? I've identified seven key elements that the program provided to help kids and their families go from hopeless to optimistic within just a few months. If they could help families with severe dysfunction, they can definitely help yours, too. Tune in to this episode to find out what they are! https://lessdramamoremama.com/144

Do you sometimes find it difficult to let yourself feel good? Often when we think about the emotions we don't want to feel, we think of the negative ones. But I've noticed a number of my clients resisting their positive emotions, too. Tune in for this episode where I talk about giving yourself permission to feel good any time you want. https://lessdramamoremama.com/143

Do you struggle to have fun now that you're a mom? Do you feel like your partner is the "fun" one and you're not? Do you feel resentful that those around you seem to be having more fun than you? Join me for this episode to learn how you can start creating more fun in your life today! https://lessdramamoremama.com/142

Calling all people pleasers! This is especially for you. The majority of my clients self-identify as people pleasers. And while they seem to recognize on some level that it's a problem, they don't seem to understand exactly why. After all, isn't pleasing people a good thing? Tune into this episode to learn what people pleasing really is, why so many moms do it, why it's a problem, and most importantly, how to break the habit. https://lessdramamoremama.com/141

Krista St-Germain is a Master Certified Life Coach, grief expert, widow, mom, and host of The Widowed Mom Podcast. In 2016, when Krista was 40, her life was completely flipped upside down when her husband died unexpectedly. While it would have been easy to believe her best days were behind her, thankfully Krista discovered life coaching and was able to move forward and create an exciting future even better than the past. She now coaches and teaches other widows to love life again, too. Tune in to today's episode where Krista and I talk about grief and loss, not only as it relates to the death of a loved one, but to life and motherhood in general -- especially after the year we've just had. We also talk about how Krista thinks about grief, how she talks to her kids about loss, and the concept of Post-Traumatic Growth. This is an episode you won't want to miss! https://lessdramamoremama.com/140

Sometimes when I ask a client to tell me how she feels, she'll say, "I feel like a failure." But failure isn't a feeling. In fact, failure doesn't cause any feelings at all until you have a thought about it. If you've ever "felt" like a failure, be sure to join me for this episode, where I share what failure really is, why it's necessary, and how to think about it in a way that serves you in your motherhood. https://lessdramamoremama.com/139

Do you get frustrated when your kids fight with each other? Do you feel like a failure when they don't get along? Are you confused or overwhelmed about how to help them solve problems peacefully? If you answered "yes" to any of those questions, this episode is for you. Join me as I share what to do when the kids are fighting, so you can feel better and show up as the mom you most want to be. https://lessdramamoremama.com/138

Many moms are either too embarrassed or too ashamed to admit that they feel trapped in motherhood because they think it means there's something wrong with them. They don't realize that thinking this way only reinforces the idea that they need to escape. In this episode, I'll show you why feeling trapped doesn't have to be a problem and how you can free yourself whenever you choose. https://lessdramamoremama.com/137

There's been a significant rise in the number of kids and teens struggling with things like social isolation, grief, anxiety, and depression over the past year. As I've shared in many of my episodes, these emotions are part of the human experience and not problems in and of themselves. So how do you determine when your child needs therapy? In this episode, I share some of the signs and symptoms to look for when deciding whether to pursue therapy for your child, where to find a therapist, the different kinds of mental health providers, and the most common therapeutic approaches for kids. https://lessdramamoremama.com/136

If we looked at all of the thoughts inside your mind right now, what do you suppose we would we find in there? Are they thoughts that cause you to feel energized and confident or overwhelmed and exhausted? Tune in to this episode to learn how to start clearing your mental clutter and creating the feelings and life you want. https://lessdramamoremama.com/135

The act of validating your child's emotions can be a powerful parenting tool. Since every action begins with a thought, this episode explores different thoughts that can lead to validating and invalidating kids' feelings. I also discuss the importance of learning to allow and validate your own emotions so you feel better about yourself and show up as the mom you most want to be. https://lessdramamoremama.com/134

Do you want to know the #1 complaint I hear from moms? "My child doesn't listen." Fortunately, good listening is a skill that can be learned. In today's episode, I share some tips on how to feel better about your child's behavior, how to model good listening yourself, and how to teach your child listening skills. Remember, building these skills takes time and practice. The best thing you can do is to learn to manage your own mind so that you can show up for your child with more patience and love. https://lessdramamoremama.com/133

Do you love yourself? Why or why not? According to Brené Brown, we can only love others as much as we love ourselves. So it stands to reason that loving yourself benefits everyone around you. In today's episode, I discuss what keeps people from loving themselves and steps to increasing your own self-love. https://lessdramamoremama.com/132

You are the CEO of your family. And just like in a corporate business, there are times when it's beneficial to bring everyone together to talk about company policies, goals, schedules, expectations, changes in routine, and any issue or obstacle that's hindering business success so that everyone is on the same page and working toward the same goals. In this episode, I'm sharing when and why to use family meetings, and how to execute them effectively. Tune in to learn how to make these meetings purposeful, meaningful, and even fun! https://lessdramamoremama.com/131

My guest on today's podcast is the one and only Andrea Askowitz. She's a dear family friend and the executive producer and co-host of the Writing Class Radio podcast. As a writing teacher and mom of 2, Andrea knows firsthand how powerful writing and storytelling can be for moms. Tune in to this episode to hear us talk about the benefits of writing and storytelling for moms, and the unique writing/coaching workshop we're only offering this month. https://lessdramamoremama.com/130

Does your life ever resemble a soap opera that's filled with drama? The drama triangle is a tool designed to help you understand the roles people play in conflict and drama-laden relationships. Tune in to this episode to learn more about the drama triangle and how it can help you have less mama drama in your life. https://lessdramamoremama.com/129

Do you dream of a time when life is easy and you'll finally feel happy? When your kids sleep through the night? When they stop bickering and throwing tantrums? When you can hand over the car keys and send your child to the grocery store? Tune in to today's episode, and learn how thinking about the future in this way delays your happiness and keeps you from enjoying the present. https://lessdramamoremama.com/128

Every challenge we face as moms is like another level of parenting we can learn to conquer. What do you think would need to happen for you to take your parenting to the next level, and what would that look like for you? What is the thing that, if you could just figure out how to overcome it, your life would improve and you would show up as an even better version of yourself? Today's episode is meant to inspire and motivate you to take action that will bring you closer to your next level of parenting and life. https://lessdramamoremama.com/127

Have you ever been super excited to start a new habit or achieve a new goal only to find your energy and motivation fizzles out before you reach it? We've all been there. But why does this happen? And how can you prevent it from happening again? In this episode, I answer both of these questions and share the secret to achieving success. https://lessdramamoremama.com/126

Do you feel like you can't create the future you want because you don't know how, or you think you don't have what it takes? I have good news for you. Knowing HOW to create your future isn't as important as believing that it's possible. Join me for today's episode as I explain this concept in more detail and offer some questions for you to consider. https://lessdramamoremama.com/125

Is there an argument or problem that occurs in your relationship with your child again and again, in exactly the same way, with a predictable outcome? Many of us think that if we just keep doing what we're doing and repeat ourselves enough times, eventually our kids will see the light and change their behavior. Unfortunately, that rarely works. Tune in to today's episode and learn how to change the patterns in your relationships to create different outcomes by doing something different. https://lessdramamoremama.com/124

Do you have a Word of the Year? I jumped on the Word of the Year bandwagon back in 2014 and haven't looked back. Join me for this episode as I explain what it is and why it's useful, review my past words, and reveal my new one for 2021. I'll also give you tips for choosing your own Word of the Year and tell you where you can share it with other mamas who listen to the podcast. https://lessdramamoremama.com/123

With the New Year approaching, now is the perfect time to introduce your kids to the value of setting goals and what it takes to achieve them. The process of setting goals, learning to handle setbacks, tolerate frustration, and cultivate a growth mindset will serve your kids well throughout their lives. As moms, we can help them do this, while modeling how we set and achieve our own goals, too. Join me in this episode as I walk you through the steps to setting goals with your kids and for yourself. https://lessdramamoremama.com/122

My grandmother would have been 112 years old today. But she didn't just exist to be 101 — she really lived and enjoyed life. Whenever I tell people how long she lived, they want to know: "What was her secret?" Tune in to today's episode to hear eight of my grandmother's "secrets" for longevity revealed. My hope is that we can all learn from her wisdom and live long, prosperous lives, while also modeling healthy habits for our kids. https://lessdramamoremama.com/121

My guest today is Master Certified Life Coach Erin Aquin, author of the new book, Revitalize Your Relationship. Erin works with clients to help them fall back in love with their partners, realize their own self-worth, and improve their relationships in every way. Tune in to hear all about how Erin got into life coaching, some of the main issues couples bring to her, and helpful tips to get on the same page as your spouse, work as a team, and become a Relationship CEO. https://lessdramamoremama.com/120

Thanksgiving is almost here in the U.S., and for many it can feel hard to be in the holiday spirit when 2020 has been filled with so much pain and suffering. If you're finding it difficult to feel gratitude this year, this episode is for you. Join me as I talk about gratitude, guilt, and 2020 blessings. https://lessdramamoremama.com/119

You (hopefully) already know that you should avoid saying things to your kids like, "You're so stupid," "You're so fat," or "You should be more like your brother or sister." You may have also heard the advice to avoid giving empty praise such as, "Good job!" and "You're so smart!" In today's episode, I share three things to avoid saying to your kids that are much less obvious, though moms say them all the time. When you can learn to stop saying these three things, you'll feel so much better about how you show up as a mom and your kids will feel better, too. https://lessdramamoremama.com/118

Do you worry yourself sick imagining the worst thing that can happen to you or your kids? Tune in to hear me talk about the worst that can happen (it's not what you think it is) and how best to handle it. You won't want to miss this game-changing episode! https://lessdramamoremama.com/117

Life is full of challenges. As moms, we want to equip our kids with the self-confidence and courage to be able to handle those challenges without scaring them in the process. But how do we do that? Join me in this episode where I share my thoughts on the matter and offer some practical tips. https://lessdramamoremama.com/116

Do you think your kid is lazy? In today's episode, I talk about my idea that lazy kids don't exist. In fact, chances are high that your child has a perfectly normal, functioning, and healthy brain. Tune in as I share some of the reasons kids lack motivation and how to help them increase it. https://lessdramamoremama.com/115

Sometimes a thought sounds positive, even noble. But just because it sounds good, doesn't mean it feels good or produces positive results. Join me for today's episode, as I share an example of a thought that kept me stuck in marital drama for years. I also share examples of other thoughts that seem innocent, but often cause moms distress. https://lessdramamoremama.com/114

What do parents and Janet Jackson have in common? They want to be in control. Yet many parents are under the illusion that they can somehow control their kids. Join me for this episode as I explain this illusion, and how breaking free from it can help you have an even greater influence on your kids. https://lessdramamoremama.com/113

You want more cooperation from your kids. More love and connection. More proof that you're doing a good job raising good kids. Tune in to today's episode, where I share the secret to getting all of that, and more of anything you want! https://lessdramamoremama.com/112

Did you know there's a free parenting tool already on your phone? This tool allows you to set and enforce limits without being perceived by your kids as the "bad guy." It can help you be more productive and give you some much needed time for yourself, too. What is this amazing tool? Tune into today's episode to find out! https://lessdramamoremama.com/111

While the Coronavirus continues to spread, many students are returning to virtual school this Fall. And while distance learning has its challenges, there are many ways parents and teachers can work together to help kids be successful. Join me and my guest, Lauren Adler, as we chat about the role of parents in virtual school, and how to best facilitate your child's learning from home. https://lessdramamoremama.com/110

Last week, Kellyanne Conway made headlines with her announcement that she was leaving the White House as Trump's advisor, saying that she needed to spend more time with her four children. In her resignation letter, she wrote, "For now, and for my beloved children, it will be less drama, more mama." That phrase quickly spread through the media, giving my podcast and website some free publicity in the process. As the woman who named her business Less Drama More Mama eight years ago, I'd like to explain what that phrase means to me, why I named my business that, and what I do to help bring less drama and more mama into the world. Tune into this episode to find out.

Humans are social creatures who crave connection. With so many kids going back to school virtually, making and keeping friends can be a real challenge now. Tune in to this episode for some ideas about how you can help your kids develop and maintain their social relationships during the pandemic. https://lessdramamoremama.com/108