Thriving In Motherhood Podcast | Productivity, Planning, Family Systems, Time Management, Survival Mode, Mental Health, Vision

This week on the podcast I'm answering this fabulous question I got from Carrie: "What if I can't think of a big 3 for the day or week? I'm not really a dreamer, so I have trouble coming up with goals to hit and end up still reacting to things around me. Some days, my one goal is to just get through our homeschool slog in one piece. Or I come up with goals for the week and end up transferring them to the next week… and again… so apparently I don't know how to follow through, either! Any guidance there?" What's your biggest take-away from the episode?

To celebrate the 200th episode of the Thriving in Motherhood Podcast, I created a brand new free QUIZ to help mothers figure out their next step out of survival mode. We each have unique challenges and life situations, which is why we need customized solutions to thrive. I've spent the last five weeks creating this to be the most helpful tool for you to use again and again as seasons change in your life. PLUS you get a customized podcast playlist sent to you to encourage along your motherhood journey. Please share it with your mom friends who are as determined as you to thrive in your everyday life!

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by trying to make sure every child in your home has adequate one on one time with you? You are not alone! This week I am chatting with Mindy @toptwotips about how to create meaningful connection and relationships with your kids. This isn't about scheduling 10 minutes of one-on-one time with each child - Mindy has 7 children and needed a more realistic and doable way to approach all of the important relationships with her family. I'd love to hear your biggest take-away in the comments!

I love talking with other moms about their experiences - the victories, the rock bottoms, and the growth that comes from it all. This week on the podcast Mindy Van De Graaff @toptwotips is sharing her own journey as a mom of seven children about how she has been healing in the last year after living in survival mode from circumstances outside her control.

A few weeks ago I had a friend reach out and ask what I did that helped with my difficult pregnancies because she has a close friend that is really struggling and would do anything to help. This episode is my very best experiences, tips, and tricks from surviving four very challenging pregnancies to encourage those of you that are in a hard pregnancy right now or to support a friend who is struggling right now.

This week we are sharing YOUR visions (and mine too) for 2022! This is such a fun episode because of the variety of visions from you in this community of Soaring Mothers.

Sometimes it seems impossible to think ahead more than a week at a time, let alone dream up a whole year worth of plans. If a yearly vision feels like too much right now, this episode is for you!

Is this a season of survival mode for you? Anna Crabb is in a very intense season right now caring for her two young children, her youngest with CHARGE syndrome. She is sharing her story in real time, which is a true gift, because she is actively working in her circle of influence to navigate her reality and shares some of her wisdom and tools with us. This is the perfect episode to start the new year with!

This is create your vision week at Thriving in Motherhood Podcast, and you might be starting to recognize some things on your heart that scare you a bit. Maybe it's scary because you don't know how these ideas will impact your family. Or maybe it's scary because you are already at maximum capacity and you have no clue how this will fit into your life circumstances. But this week on the podcast I want to remind you that with God, nothing is impossible.

This week I have a simple but extremely powerful exercise for you to do while going about your normal day-to-day life (holiday version) to help you see all the good that you have created up to this point in your life. Why? Because we all struggle as moms with how we think about ourselves, and the high energy of this season seems to leave us all a little more susceptible to see all that we aren't doing well. Have a listen on this weeks episode of the podcast and then share with a friend.

Anyone else feel like the missed the boat this year with all of the advent calendars and fun traditions that were planned back in November? Today I'm sharing 3 things you can still do to make this Christmas season meaningful for your family this year with no prep from you.

I don't know if I've ever said "Every Mom Needs..." before, but I'm going to say it confidently now. Every mom needs to create a vision for the year. It is a practice that has compounding effects and will allow you to create a unique life for you that is better than you could have possibly imagined. If you are starting at the phase where you have no clue what you want to your days as a mom to look like, welcome, that is right where I started. If you already have some great things going, fantastic, this will be a powerful practice to add to your success. This weeks episode goes into the why.

This week I'm sharing my 10 favorite books that I read in 2021. This list includes a bit of everything with novels, memoirs, and self-help in a variety of topics. Check out this weeks podcast for a bit of a summary and why each book made my list. And even more importantly, please add your favorite reads this year to the comments because I want to fill up my reading list for 2022!

Motherhood seems to be a bumpy transition for most women, but Carlie's circumstances were particularly tumultuous with many moves and a stroke in the first few years of having her two young children. But Carlie did not let those circumstances define her or control her. She has put lots of time, energy, and focus on learning to care for her mental, emotional, and spiritual health. This weeks episode is one that has inspired me to take a closer look at what is in my circle of influence and be responsible for me. Carlie's story has so many lessons and I'm certain you will find something that will help you right now.

When we get in those busy seasons it starts to feel like the house is out of control, we need a get-ahead-plan to catch up and be kind to ourselves without staying up past our bedtimes. In this weeks episode I outline my step by step action plan to be kind to myself and get ahead on all the household responsibilities.

Ever find yourself in a hard season of motherhood where it is just physically stressful? I'm there right now with my fourth toddler. This weeks episode is all about how to navigate these seasons of stress a little more like a Soaring Mother and less like an Exhausted Supermom.

Have you ever struggled to make mom friends? It seems to be a universal struggle to go from being friendly to having an actual friendship. How do you go from surface level play ground chats to having someone you would call any time of the day for advice, cheerleading, or help with dinner? In this weeks episode I'm sharing the secret to creating fast friendships - courtesy of my friend @phoebe.cook after a conversation we had last week talking about how all of our mom friendships have started.

A few weeks ago after the summit wrapped up, we were driving as a family on a day trip and I immediately started going through all the house projects I could jump into next. After discussing a few with Andrew, I paused and just asked myself, "What would I spend my time doing if I wasn't doing a house or business project?" The quick answer came: I would develop a stronger seasonal rhythm in our home. In this weeks episode I share the little things we've started doing to enjoy and embrace all the the year brings.

Ever catch yourself feeling grumpy about how your kids are behaving or the messy, lived in, house? I caught myself going through my days this way and I got to the underlying thought: things should not be like this. My house should be cleaner. My kids should behave better. This week on the podcast I'm outlining what I did to change these thoughts and how that has completely changed how I navigate my days for the better. I also shared my next project that you are welcome to join me on early next year.

In our family, birthday season is upon us! We have four fall birthdays leading right up to Thanksgiving. Our life circumstances up to this point have made simple birthday celebrations a necessity, but we've created traditions to still make them meaningful.

Today is the LAST DAY of the Soaring Mothers Summit - so make sure to grab your free ticket to listen to the incredible sessions. On the podcast this week I'm sharing some of the miracles behind the soaring mothers summit as well as my own experience behind the scenes. I hope it will inspire you to face your own big things with faith that God will be there with you and help.

You might remember the conversation I had with @madelinecasey earlier this year about how to start something new. Since then I've been experiencing a lot of new things and seeing some "new" things blossom into "committed to" things. But there are five steps from being curious about something to being committed to something. Which is fabulous news for all of us because it gives us permission to get over our fears that worst case scenario will happen when we try something or that we will never get the results we want so we never begin. Check out this weeks episode to figure out what stage you might be in on your own endeavors or how to finally start the thing you have been wanting to do - for you or your family!

Last week I was feeling completely burned out and I dreamed of sneaking away for a few days to recharge my batteries. That wasn't a real possibility in the context of what we have going on in our family right now. In the past I would have wallowed in self-pity and played the victim, staying miserable. Instead I took a good hard look at what was in my circle of influence and got creative. One week later and I'm living with a full bucket. What I did - and principles you can use to take a break without leaving your kids - on this weeks episode!

One of the commonly talked about concepts in motherhood circles is being lost in motherhood. It can strike at any season - when you first have a baby and have no clue what life looks like; when you have many kids or a full schedule and no time for you and the things you enjoy slips through the cracks; when you're kids grow up and leave the home and you don't know who you are or what you will do with all of the time that you spent devoted to your home and family. Whether you currently feel lost in motherhood or are afraid of finding yourself there, this weeks episode will help you figure out what to do.

Anyone else get overwhelmed at the thought of music lessons for your kids but don't want to give up on your dream of having a musical family? In this weeks episode of the the podcast @crystalboyackmusicstudio is sharing WHY music in our home is so important (there is a long list of options to choose from - what resonates with you?) as well as the how. You don't need to be an amazing musician or have loads of money to bring music into your family.

Are you facing something really daunting in your life? Maybe it's something you chose, like a business goal or passion project that is time consuming or outside of your comfort zone. Or maybe it is just a circumstance that you are in with a challenging pregnancy, a family members illness, or a husband who is working long hours and not available to help at all. This week on the podcast we are talking about what to do when you are faced with something so hard you don't know how you'll get through it.

Andrew and I celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary last week. We sat down and reflected on 10 lessons we've learned in the last 10 years and shared them on this weeks podcast episode. We've done a lot of growing! What are your best lessons learned in your marriage?

Have you ever experienced something so hard that you didn't think any good could come out of it? This week on the podcast I'm sharing an amazing conversation with @jessicabowden about her experience living through hyperemesis in pregnancy, as well as her journey navigating post partum depression and finding herself again in motherhood. I was so encouraged by her story and I'm grateful to be able to share it with you!

Who's ready for heading back to school? I know a lot of us are excited for when we are settled into new routines and have the kids engaged in learning new things, but there is also a bit of anxiety and bracing for a bumpy few weeks while everyone gets adjusted to all the new schedules and expectations. This week on the podcast I'm sharing what we do to smooth out a lot of the bumps so everyone can enjoy getting back into the rhythm of school. This applies to both homeschooling and public school! What are your best back to school tips?

We just got back from a 70 hour road trip with our four young kids. We had an AMAZING time. In this weeks episode I'm sharing 21 things that made this huge undertaking successful. Whether you are going on a short weekend trip or a cross-country drive there is something for every driving situation. Add your best secrets for road tripping success in the comments!

This week we are talking about choosing your word for the year and what my word is for 2021. If you are like most Exhausted Supermoms you are living a very full life and running in lots of directions. What we talk about in this week's episode will help you start living a bit more like a Soaring Mother as you decide on what matters to YOU in this season.

Today I'm sharing my Overwhelm Toolbox on the podcast. 10 things you can do right now to help manage stressful situations and navigate challenging life circumstances. They all just take a few moments and don't require anything fancy. We've got this!

For a long time now, I've been navigating through how to balance the responsibilities I have for my marriage, our children, our home, homeschooling, podcasting and business. Maybe some of you have been figuring that out too. It seems like there would be a simple productivity solution that will help us fit it all in (the Thriving in Motherhood Planner does help A LOT!) but the reality is each day is full of different circumstances, opportunities, and challenges that need to be navigated. Pair that with the endless uniqueness of ourselves and the individuals in our families and there is no one-size-fits all answer for balancing all we have going on in life. Our guest today is Kathryn Voetberg @nowthatimamother is the mother of four in four years, and is passionate about teaching women how to use systems and strategy to cultivate a life they love to live, one of the three Pillars of Thriving that we talk about so much on the podcast. In todays conversation Kathryn shares the why and how-to of making God and marriage her top priorities in life. We discuss being a wise steward of our pockets of time and how for her that has compounded into a number of successful businesses with her husband @nowthatimafather. We also discuss how we stay anchored and confident in navigating our day to day life with God.

This week we are talking all things barefoot shoes - something that I've been deeply passionate about for years. For me, making the switch to shoes that have a wide toe box, zero drop heel (they are flat), thin soles (around 4mm thick), and super flexible (they roll up) has reduced my pain levels dramatically from all that happens to a body during pregnancy. We are covering the why to wear them, what to do to make the switch, where the kids and I have gotten our shoes and sandals, and my best tips for keeping it budget friendly.

Have you ever struggled with getting dressed in the morning or knowing what to wear as a mom? In this weeks episode with Corina @frumpfighters we talk about getting rid of the overwhelm in our closets, knowing what to buy, and where to buy it.

Whenever you find yourself in survival mode, there are some best practices to that help make the experience as good as it possibly can be. All of my old favorite principles as well as some new ones that we've learned this time around with my broken toe in this weeks episode. What are your best tips for being in survival mode?

The 4th step on the path from Surviving to Thriving is Exploring - a step that can be easily missed as a mom. In today's episode I'm sharing 4 things that I'm exploring right now in my own life, just for FUN. What is something you are excited about right now?

The pandemic changed many of our lives in big ways. Makenzie Schmitt @4msch shares her experience going from a full-time working mother with three children in daycare during the day to now a working-from-home homeschooling mother. She embraced learning so many new skills of home management, homeschooling, emotional regulation, self-awareness, and cooking, to name a few. I'd love to hear what inspires you from this conversation!

Last year I shared what our homeschool looked like and while all of it is still true, we've been adding new layers to our days. This is a full update of all that we've added into our days and the systems that we've developed over the last year.

This week on the podcast we are talking about something we've never talked about here: money. Whether you are looking for ideas about how to be more intentional about your own family finances or how to talk to your kids about money, we cover both in my chat with Chelsea Brennan @smartmoneymamas.

So many things can be the catalyst for a bad day: not enough sleep, changing schedules or routines, grief, sickness, current events in the world. When I notice myself feeling grumpy or trying to hide from my kids (either behind a door or a screen), then I know it's time for an adventure. All the details for how we pull off a last minute adventure in this weeks episode.

Going to the library has been an integral part of my life and it has continued into motherhood. But there is a bit of a learning curve to make it a positive experience for everyone involved. This week I'm sharing my best tips and tricks for navigating the library with young children and when we read all the books we bring home. What are your best tips for tackling the library as a family?

This weeks chat with Emily McDermott @simplebyemmy covers how to simplify the choices we make, how to make progress in small pockets of time, and the power of energy mapping in helping you be confident in navigating your days.

Postpartum depression and anxiety is something that many of us have battled in our own unique way. One thing that kept @Jacquie Erickson going is resilience to just face another day. For her this skill was born from an earlier season in her life serving a 18 month mission in Taiwan where she didn't speak the language. A theme that the missionaries shared was "If you have faith, there is a way", a message that still rings true today. So many more gold nuggets and wisdom in this chat - I'd love to hear your biggest take-away.

A great question came in from Mary, a long time listener of the podcast: "I was thinking about the pillar of structure. What daily rhythms have you found to be effective for your kids? What tools do you use to figure those structures out?" This week we are diving deep into structure on the podcast and how to build systems that work for YOU and YOUR FAMILY and your individual personalities, situations, stories, strengths, and weaknesses. Let me know your biggest take-away!

As more and more people are being vaccinated, the opportunities for leaving the house with our kids are increasing for many of us. If you are like our family we all felt a little bit rusty heading out out first. Fortunately it didn't take too long to remember old patterns for a successful shopping trip. All my secrets in this weeks episode. Let me know your biggest take-away!

This weeks chat with Leila Mireskandari @kidsgrowingcity encouraged me to have hope that each of our struggles and challenges can lead to something good for our lives. Her own unique experiences of growing up during a war and knowing hunger and discovering her daughter's food allergies have culminated in a passion for helping kids become connected to nature and know how to grow their own food. I'd love to know your big take-aways!

I've discovered that when I'm in a hard season I'm quick to try and compensate my perceived shortcomings by being "Fun Mom". Fun mom goes above and beyond her capacities and ends the day as grumpy mom - the very thing I was trying to get away from. But there is another way. Let me know you biggest take-away from today's episode.

For so long my goal was to get out of surviving motherhood and start thriving. But I discovered something wonderful. Thriving - growing - isn't the end of the road. Once you've built your foundation with the three pillars of thriving, Soaring awaits you. This weeks episode shares the path and vision of what is possible.

The daily big three is my secret sauce when it comes to weekly planning - you can absolutely get away without it but it adds extra power when you incorporate it into you planning routine.