Less Drama More Mama

Today, we're wrapping up the three-part series about your child's core emotional needs. In part one, I talked about your kids' need for connection. Part two was all about giving your kids more control over their lives and why it's so challenging to do. Part three is about the third need, competence; the ability to do things successfully or efficiently. When all three of these core needs (connection, control, and competence) are being satisfied, you have the recipe for a well-adjusted, intrinsically motivated, and resilient child. You don't want to miss this one! https://lessdramamoremama.com/058

Last week I talked about your child's need for connection and how to support that need through involvement, warmth, empathy, and responsiveness. In this second part of the three-part series on core emotional needs, I discuss your child's need for control over his or her own life. Join me as I talk about how to help your child satisfy this need and why it can be so challenging to do. Remember to tune in next week for the final part of this series where I'll talk about the third core emotional need and why it's important. https://lessdramamoremama.com/057

According to the Self-Determination Theory of Motivation, all humans have three innate psychological needs. Over the next three episodes, I'll explain each of these core needs and why they're important. I'll also address how to know when your child's needs aren't being met and share strategies for how to nurture and support them. Join me for today's episode where I talk about the first core need: Connection. https://lessdramamoremama.com/056

Every day, you make a promise to yourself to stop yelling at your kids. And every day, you break that promise. You feel guilty and ashamed, and decide there must be something wrong with you. Why else would you feel so out of control and keep doing something you don't want to do? Join me in this episode to learn why it's so hard to stop yelling and what you can do about it. https://lessdramamoremama.com/https://lessdramamoremama.com/055

Do you wish you could stop feeling so overwhelmed all the time? As moms, we take on a lot of responsibilities -- housework, meal prep, shopping, driving, helping with homework, and cleaning up messes. There never seems to be enough money to deal with all the home repairs, after school activities, family vacations, and car payments. Keeping up with health goals and friendships seems impossible. Who has the time? There are so many decisions to make every day and so many options from which to choose. Work-life balance? What's that? If you're feeling overwhelmed in your life, be sure to tune into today's podcast to learn how to feel less overwhelmed and more confident, capable, and productive. https://lessdramamoremama.com/054

How are you feeling about the new school year? Are you relieved? Overwhelmed? A nervous wreck? Don't miss this episode, where I'll share my tips for feeling calm and confident about the year ahead, and how to help your kids through their transition back to school. https://lessdramamoremama.com/053

The majority of my clients come to me believing that they're bad moms. They feel like failures. They feel guilty, ashamed, and inadequate. They tell me they just want to be good moms. But what does that even mean? Who decides what makes a good mom, anyway? Join me for today's episode, where I talk about how I define being a good mom for myself and how you can define it for yourself, too. https://lessdramamoremama.com/052

I-Statements are a technique often recommended by counselors and therapists to help with communication. They're supposed to reduce defensiveness when trying to resolve conflicts by focusing on how you feel, rather than attacking the other person's behavior. As a school counselor, I used to teach I-Statements to my students until I realized that they were mostly ineffective and dis-empowering. Join me for this episode as I explain my thoughts about I-Statements and a more useful way to go about solving problems. https://lessdramamoremama.com/051

Today on the podcast, I interview two VERY special guests. They're the ones who call me "Mommy." Marissa (13) and Dalia (almost 10!), share what they know and understand about what I teach as a life coach. They offer their advice to moms about parenting and self-talk. They discuss making mistakes, siblings, growing up, girl drama, their relationships with me, and more. Please enjoy these conversations with my most FAVORITE people in the world. https://lessdramamoremama.com/050

When my clients first learn that they're in control of their thoughts and feelings, they're blown away. They feel like they've just unlocked the secret of the Universe...which, of course, they have. They want to start changing all of their negative thoughts right away, but often, they get stuck. The thoughts they've been thinking up until that point feel TRUE. Join me for this episode to learn a powerful tool that will help you change your beliefs -- even the ones that you think are true. https://lessdramamoremama.com/049

When you hear the term "separation anxiety," you probably think of a toddler clinging to his mother's leg and crying while she's trying to leave the house or the preschool. I wanted to do an episode about separation anxiety for moms who become excessively anxious when separated from their kids. It's a lot more common than you think. And so this is for you, whether your kids are going off to Kindergarten, camp, or college. https://lessdramamoremama.com/048

As of today, there are more than 50,000 parenting books on Amazon. These books are filled with different techniques, strategies, theories, and opinions related to parenting that often contradict one another, which can leave parents feeling confused, frustrated, and even hopeless. Of course, reading parenting books can be very helpful to learn about topics such as child development and effective parenting strategies. But in today's episode, I share about when reading parenting books isn't helpful and how you can get the most out of the ones you do read. https://lessdramamoremama.com/047

Nothing seems to upset parents more than when their child lies to them. But since lying is a normal and natural part of child development, every parent deals with it at some point. While you may not have control over whether or not your kids lie to you, you do have control over how you think, feel, and act when they do. Join me in this episode as I talk about why kids lie, and how to think about lying and trust in ways that serve you and your family. https://lessdramamoremama.com/046

We're taught to believe that the quality of a friendship depends on how people behave toward each other. But that's not true. The quality of a friendship really depends on how people think about each other. If you're feeling dissatisfied with a friendship or want to know how to enhance the ones you've got, join me in this episode as I go into depth about what friendship actually is, and how to keep yours going strong. https://lessdramamoremama.com/045

From an early age, friendships are a vital part of our social development and emotional well-being. As we grow older, and especially after having kids, we tend to get so caught up in our responsibilities at home and at work that we sometimes neglect to foster our connections with people other than our kids, spouses, and immediate family members. But before you go start looking for new friends, it's important to make sure you have the right mindset. Join me for today's episode, where I share some of the most common thoughts moms have about making friends, and then offer some more useful ones to think instead. https://lessdramamoremama.com/44

I've coached many moms who struggle with loneliness. Their husbands travel for work. Their families live far away. They've been through a divorce. And yet, I've also worked with moms in these same exact situations who don't feel lonely at all. How is that possible? Join me for this episode where I talk about what actually causes loneliness (it's not what you might think!) and how to overcome it. https://lessdramamoremama.com/043

Most of us would never speak to our best friends the way we speak to ourselves. When we make a mistake or act in a way we regret, we mentally beat ourselves up with harsh, negative self-talk. Our brains think that this kind of self-punishment is somehow protective and helpful. In this episode, I explain why we beat ourselves up, why it's counterproductive, and the process for how to stop doing it. https://lessdramamoremama.com/042

Entitled kids believe the world revolves around them. They want what they want, when they want it, and they don't know when enough is enough. The rules don't apply to them. They will resort to whining, negotiating, begging, pleading, guilt-tripping, arguing, and tantruming to get their way. They're not born with a sense of entitlement; they learn it from well-intentioned parents who unwittingly teach it to them by giving in to their demands. If you have kids who act entitled, today's episode will help you identify and curb the entitlement that exists in them (and in you), and will teach you how to foster patience, responsibility, motivation, and gratitude. https://lessdramamoremama.com/041

With technology constantly changing and evolving, it can feel overwhelming to parent in the digital age. There are so many decisions to make when it comes to setting appropriate screen-time limits for our kids and for ourselves. Join me for today's interview with Dr. Kristy Goodwin, one of Australia's leading digital wellness experts, as we discuss guilt-free parenting strategies for raising kids who thrive both online and off. https://lessdramamoremama.com/040

Mother's Day is the one day of the year specifically dedicated to appreciating moms. But not every mom feels appreciated on Mother's Day. In fact, many of the moms I coach tell me that they feel unappreciated, or taken for granted on most days. Don't miss this important episode where I talk about how to feel appreciated on Mother's Day and every day -- no matter what anyone else says or does. Happy Mother's Day! https://lessdramamoremama.com/039

Long before kids speak their first words, they learn the language of Play. As they get older, play continues to be their main way of communicating and learning. But play isn't only necessary for kids. It's essential for adults, too. Join me for this episode, where I talk about the importance of play and how to bring more fun, laughter, and connection into your life. https://lessdramamoremama.com/038

Are you raising a people-pleaser? Do you suffer from the "disease to please?" While it may seem easier to have a child who's always agreeable, has a strong desire to be liked, and goes out of his or her way to please you, the long-term consequences of people pleasing can be detrimental. Join me for today's episode, where I talk about the damaging effects of people-pleasing, how you can help your child avoid the habit, and how to break it for yourself. https://lessdramamoremama.com/037

Most people go through life living in a state of emotional childhood, blaming external circumstances for their feelings. When you combine kids who have no ability to manage their minds with parents who don't manage their own, it can spell trouble. Join me for today's episode, where I talk about the concept of emotional adulthood and why you should strive to attain it. https://lessdramamoremama.com/036

Did you know that you can set and enforce consequences with love? It's not only possible, it's also much more effective. Tune into today's episode where I talk about the differences between consequences and punishments, the different types of consequences, and how to feel calm, loving, empowered, and confident when helping your kids experience and learn from the consequences of their actions. https://lessdramamoremama.com/035

Do you ever get frustrated with your child and wonder, "What's wrong with my kid? Is this behavior NORMAL?" If you answered, "yes," you're not alone. Parents feel agitated, worried, or confused by their kids' behavior all the time. But with a better understanding of the stages of child development, you can feel calmer and more confident about what's considered "normal" and what's cause for concern. Join me for today's podcast episode, where I talk about child development and how you can support your child (and yourself) during each stage. https://lessdramamoremama.com/034

Do you ever feel stuck when it comes to helping your kids manage big emotions? Do you have a hard time helping them because your own emotions and reactions get in the way? In today's episode, I share why it can be so challenging to help your kids when they experience negative emotions, how you can connect with them when emotions run high, and how to help increase their EQ (emotional quotient). https://lessdramamoremama.com/033

You've probably heard it said that "mindset is everything." But what does that really mean? What is a mindset? And more specifically, what's a Growth Mindset? In today's episode, I explain exactly what a Growth Mindset is, how it can help you as a parent, and how to cultivate it in your life. https://lessdramamoremama.com/032

As humans, we love stories. Storytelling is one of the main ways we connect with other people. We tell stories all the time without even realizing it -- about our daily experiences and about our relationships and our past. The way we tell these stories is important because it determines how we feel and behave. If you notice anything in your life that's causing you pain, it's because of the story you're telling about it. Join me in this episode to learn how you can re-write your story and retell it in a way that serves you. Everyone has a story...what's yours? https://lessdramamoremama.com/031

Susan Egan is a Tony Award nominee for Best Actress as Broadway's original "Belle" in Disney's Beauty and the Beast. She's best known to animation fans as "Rose Quartz/Pink Diamond" on Cartoon Network's Steven Universe and the sassy "Megara" in Disney's Hercules. She has over 400 solo concert credits with symphonies worldwide, including concerts at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and the Hollywood Bowl, and she has more than 40 recordings credits with seven solo CDs. In 2018, Susan formed a company with fellow Broadway stars Laura Osnes and Courtney Reed, and musical director Benjamin Rauhala – and they're currently touring their award-winning concert, Broadway Princess Party, worldwide. She's an accomplished master teacher in music performance, an obsessive gardener, happy wife, and leader to her daughters' two Girl Scout troops. Join me and Susan as we talk about juggling career and motherhood, how parenting requires us to check our egos at the door, and the importance of taking care of ourselves so we can show up more fully for our kids. https://lessdramamoremama.com/30

Regret is the feeling you experience when you wish you had done things differently in the past. While we all feel regret from time to time, some people use it to punish themselves and others use it to bring about change. On this episode, I'm sharing how to think about your past and your future in a way that you'll be able to say you lived a life of "no regrets." https://lessdramamoremama.com/029

The eye roll. The "Whatever, Mom." Completely ignoring your requests. How can you stop taking these things personally when they're clearly about you? Tune into this episode where I explain why even though it feels like it, other people's behavior isn't about you at all. Learn the secret to stop taking things so personally so you can feel calmer and more in control. https://lessdramamoremama.com/028

Be honest. How often do you think thoughts like these? "This shouldn't be happening." "Nobody appreciates me." "I have to do everything." "My life is so hard." Many people aren't even aware that they're thinking these thoughts on a regular basis, but they could be a sign of a victim mentality. In today's episode, we explore the victim mentality: how it holds us back in life, and how we may be raising a generation of victims. https://lessdramamoremama.com/027

How would you describe mornings in your home? Do you rush around trying to make sandwiches and sign field trip forms before the bus arrives? Do you yell because your kids dawdle or whine that they don't want to wear the outfit they picked out the night before? Do you feel stressed, exhausted, anxious, or irritable? Many moms struggle with some form of morning madness, but you don't need to be one of them. Tune in for today's episode as I share how to make your mornings calm, peaceful, and predictable.

Do you struggle with indecision? There was a time (not too long ago) when I felt overcome with anxiety about making even the smallest decisions. Then, one single thought helped me feel more confident about making both big and small decisions in my life. Tune in to today's episode to find out what it was, and to learn five strategies to help decision-making easier for you. https://lessdramamoremama.com/025

Our culture is obsessed with perfection. There's pressure all around us to have the perfect body, the perfect house, the perfect baby stroller, the perfect kids with the perfect grades. Even those of us who know that striving for perfection is unrealistic and unattainable still sometimes buy into the idea of a perfect standard, and then feel bad about ourselves when we don't measure up. In today's episode, I talk about how perfectionism holds us back from achieving success and how to overcome it.

Whether or not you like to admit it, judging others is something we all do. I've found that the more curious and open I've been about examining my judgmental thoughts, the better I've been able to understand myself and those thoughts, and ultimately change them. Judgement, negativity, and hate don't feel good -- and they don't drive behavior that serves us well. Releasing our judgment of others (and of ourselves) is some of the most powerful thought work we can do to help us become better moms. Join me for today's episode as I explain exactly how to do it. https://www.lessdramamoremama.com/023

Do you struggle with feeling impatient and irritable? Do you wish you could feel more tolerant and patient with your kids? Tune into this episode to learn about why moms find it so challenging to be patient, and how to feel patience more often. https://lessdramamoremama.com/022

Most of us have been taught to believe that being busy is a good thing. We think that being busy means we're important, valuable, successful, and productive. But what if that isn't true? What if being busy leads to feeling stressed out, overwhelmed, and less productive? Today's episode explores the concept of being busy in a whole new way and will help you quit being so busy in the new year. https://lessdramamoremama.com/021

Is your home a hot mess? I believe that an organized mind creates an organized life. That's why I invited Shira Gill to be today's guest. She's a Professional Organizer and a Certified Life Coach who has transformed the lives and homes of hundreds of women all over the world. Listen in on today's interview, as Shira shares the foundation of all of her work and her organization tips for moms. https://lessdramamoremama.com/020

Many of my clients and podcast listeners intellectually understand the idea that their thoughts create their feelings, actions, and results. But they have a hard time applying the concept in their own lives. They know they want to change their thoughts and beliefs, but they don't know HOW. In today's episode, I share the process of how to change your beliefs. https://lessdramamoremama.com/019

In all relationships, we have rules and expectations of how we think other people should operate. These make up our "manuals" (or instruction guides) for our relationships. Usually, we don't tell other people what's in our manuals. We think they should just know how we want them to behave. Often, we're not even aware ourselves that we have manuals or that they're causing us to suffer. Join me for today's episode to explore the relationship manuals in your life and what to do with them. https://lessdramamoremama.com/018

Do you know what your kids want more than anything? They might tell you it's the latest iPhone or a trip to Disney World. But that's not what they really want. What they really want is so much better than that. Listen in to today's episode and find out what it is and how you can get it in time for the New Year. www.lessdramamoremama.com/017

This week we're wrapping up our month-long series in NO-vember with an episode about how to say "no" to your kids. Many parents are so afraid of tantrums and power struggles that they'll do just about anything to avoid them -- including giving in and saying yes when they want to say no. If you or someone you know struggles with this, tune in to today's episode and learn why it's important for kids to hear "no" and how to say it with love. https://lessdramamoremama.com/016

Setting boundaries is an important part of establishing your identity and defining who you are. Most people are confused and misinformed about what boundaries are, when they're appropriate, and how to set them. They think of setting boundaries as a way to control someone else's behavior, rather than a way to protect themselves. Join me on today's episode of the Less Drama More Mama podcast as I discuss exactly what boundaries are as well as when and how to set them effectively. http://www.lessdramamoremama.com/015

We're in our second week of NO-vember and we're talking about priorities. Getting clear on your priorities will help you when it comes to saying no and spending your time in a much more deliberate way. Tune in to learn what I recommend you make your #1 priority, the difference between what's urgent and what's important, questions to ask yourself to figure out whether you're living in line with your priorities, and recommendations for things to stop doing that will free up more time. http://www.lessdramamoremama.com/014

Have you ever agreed to do something without really thinking about it and ended up feeling resentful? Do you feel like you're always busy, but not very productive? Do you agree to things you don't want to do because it just seems easier than dealing with conflict? Do you say yes because you want someone else's approval? Do you feel guilty when you say no or scared of the other person's reaction? If you answered yes to any of these, you're not alone. http://www.lessdramamoremama.com/13

Do you ever worry that you'll be exposed as a fraud when it comes to motherhood? Do you feel like everyone around you is doing a better job than you when it comes to raising kids? Do you find yourself acting one way in private and another way in public? Do you fear being "found out" that you don't have it all together (like it appears on social media)? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you might be hiding behind a social mask. In this episode, I discuss the reasons moms wear social masks and why these masks can be damaging to self-esteem and relationships. I talk about the benefits of vulnerability and authenticity, and how embracing them can lead to greater connection with yourself and others. http://www.lessdramamoremama.com/12

Most of us were never taught how to feel our feelings. We learned to deal with our emotions by watching how others deal with theirs -- by resisting, reacting, and avoiding. On today's episode, I share a fourth option that most people don't even know about, and take you through a 4-step process to truly experience any emotion. http://www.lessdramamoremama.com/011

Are you ready to take a break from drinking? Today on the podcast, I interview Master Coach Rachel Hart. Rachel coaches women who want to change their drinking habit and reduce their desire for alcohol once and for all. Rachel is poised, personable, and has a great sense of humor. She really understands the minds of women who turn to alcohol as a way to feel more relaxed, confident, and happy, but who want to feel that way without a drink. Join us today as we talk about how she was able to change her own drinking habit with life coaching tools.

Many people misunderstand the goal of coaching; they think it's to feel happy all of the time. But that's not the goal. The goal of coaching is to become more aware of the thoughts causing your feelings, and more intentional about the thoughts you choose to think. Creating what you want in your life requires a willingness to experience a balance of emotions, both positive and negative. In today's episode, I talk about the importance of your so-called negative emotions, and how to embrace them. Full show notes at http://www.lessdramamoremama.com/009