Less Drama More Mama

This week, I am thrilled to welcome Laura Conley to the podcast. As a certified life and weight loss coach, Laura specializes in guiding moms to lasting weight loss and self-acceptance. Her approach focuses on empowering her clients to balance their hunger hormones, rewire their brains, handle challenging emotions, take daily accountability, and become their own besties. Through this work, Laura's clients are able to create positive legacies for their kids that are rooted in self-love, confidence, and freedom from food, weight, and body image drama. Laura and I discuss how to talk with kids about food and body image, the importance of healing our own relationships with food and self-image, and how our self-talk directly influences our kids' perceptions of themselves. Laura's passion for helping moms radiates throughout the interview. Her infectious energy and expertise makes our conversation both enjoyable and incredibly valuable. It's an episode you definitely won't want to miss! Get full show notes and information at www.lessdramamoremama.com/293

In his book ScreamFree Parenting, author and parenting expert Hal Runkel wrote, "Kids need parents who don't need them." Tune in to this episode of the podcast, where I delve deeper into this thought-provoking statement and explore the topic of 'needy' moms. You'll learn the characteristics of needy moms, the roots of their neediness, its impact on kids, and strategies for overcoming parental neediness for healthier parent-child relationships. Even if you don't identify with being needy, there's still plenty of valuable information in this episode for every mom. Get full show notes and information at www.lessdramamoremama.com/292

Are you sabotaging your own happiness without even realizing it? My guest today is Tanja Shaw,  a Functional Health Coach, Kinesiologist, and weight loss coach for women who want to end their struggles with food so they can get to their happy, healthy weight without obsession, and feel free in their bodies and lives. Tanja and I discuss the three layers of self-sabotage and how to break the patterns that keep us stuck. Get full show notes and information at www.lessdramamoremama.com/291

Embracing discomfort could be your secret weapon for thriving as a mom. Yes, you read that right! With Leap Day approaching, I'm diving into this topic and sharing some insights that might surprise you. Tune in for ideas to shake things up and step out of your comfort zone. For full information and show notes, visit www.lessdramamoremama.com/290

Are you experiencing challenges in your relationship with your child? Do you sense a lack of trust between you? Trust forms the foundation of a strong parent-child bond, and in this episode, we're exploring how you can nurture and strengthen it. Also, Damn Good Mama is open for enrollment and spots are limited. Join me in the next round starting March 6! Get full show notes and information at www.lessdramamoremama.com/289

Does the thought of your child dating make you break out in a cold sweat? If so, don't hit the panic button just yet! Tune in to today's episode, where I’m giving you the lowdown on what you need to know and how to handle it all without losing your cool or damaging your relationship with your kids. Get full show notes and information at www.lessdramamoremama.com/288

Is your parenting style inadvertently becoming a constant rescue mission? Do you ever catch yourself micromanaging your kids' every move or trying to create a perfect life for them? In this episode, we're delving into the world of helicopter parenting and its potential impact on your child's development. Tune in to break free from the hovering habit and discover a more liberating approach to parenting! Get full show notes and information at www.lessdramamoremama.com/287

Are you part of the "sandwich generation" -- caring for your kids and aging parents at the same time? My guest today knows the challenges and stressors of being a caregiver. Jennifer Richey had the primary responsibility of managing the care of her grandfather and both of her parents at the ends of their lives. In 2018, she became a Certified Caregiving Consultant and a Certified Life Coach, specializing in helping those taking care of aging parents, adult children with disabilities, and other loved ones. Two months ago, I found myself thrust into the unexpected role of caregiver for my father after he fell and broke his shoulder. Almost immediately, I reached out to Jennifer and asked her to be a guest on the podcast because I knew I wasn’t the only mom struggling with the demands of parenting, caregiving, work, and other responsibilities. Even if caring for your parents isn't currently your role, it may likely be a consideration in your future, so tune in and listen to Jennifer's expert advice. Get full show notes and information at www.lessdramamoremama.com/286

Have you ever given your child the silent treatment, resorted to sarcasm, or subtly layered on the guilt rather than directly expressing your negative feelings? Welcome to the world of passive-aggression, the focus of this episode. Join me as I share examples of passive-aggressive parenting, discuss the impact on parent-child dynamics, and explore how to transition from passive-aggressive to assertive communication. Get full information and show notes at www.lessdramamoremama.com/285

After decades of working with families, and as a mom myself, I can tell you that one of the biggest “hacks” to parenting is letting kids learn through their own mistakes. As simple as that sounds, it can be extremely challenging for parents (especially moms) to allow mistakes and consequences to occur. So in this episode, I’m talking about the benefits of letting your kids learn through natural consequences. You'll realize how much more effective it is than nagging, lecturing, and getting into power struggles for raising responsible and resilient kids/adults. Get full show notes and information at www.lessdramamoremama.com/259

Do you wish you could connect more with your kids, but have trouble finding the time? Would you like ideas for screen-free family fun? If so, this episode is for you! I've compiled a list of 31 ways to connect with your kids in ten minutes or less that don't involve screens, are mom-tested, and kid-approved. Tune in to get fresh ideas and spark some more of your own. Get full show notes and information at www.lessdramamoremama.com/258

Today's guest is my good friend and Certified Teen Coach, Kendra Huffman. Kendra helps teenagers find relief from anxiety, stress, and pressure from trying to feel "enough." She helps them release the need to be perfect, and replace it with more self-confidence and self-compassion. This episode is packed with great wisdom and tools for dealing with your own anxiety and helping your teens with theirs, too. Get full show notes and information at www.lessdramamoremama.com/257

After working with hundreds of moms, I know I’m not alone in feeling anxious about the decisions our kids make. I’m not alone in tightening my grip when I can’t control my kids, their decisions, or their behavior, either. So today, when America celebrates Independence Day, consider this episode your invitation to release some control and allow your children the freedom to take more risks and make more mistakes. In the long run, those experiences will help pave the way to their successes and deepen your relationships! For full show notes and information, visit www.lessdramamoremama.com/256

I’ve had lots of experience disciplining other people’s kids in my role as clinician in an adolescent day treatment program, as a religious school teacher, a camp counselor, and a school counselor. But when it comes to disciplining other people’s kids in my role as a mom, it feels a bit tricky because I don’t want my behavior to impact my kids' friendships in a negative way. In this episode, I'm talking about the three most important things to focus on when it comes to dealing with other people’s kids so you can handle situations with confidence, compassion, and respect. Get full show notes and information at www.lessdramamoremama.com/255

Fun fact: Today (June 20th) is World Productivity Day. I'd never heard of this holiday, but since productivity is a common struggle among moms, I thought I'd take the opportunity to share some hands-on, practical strategies you can start using today to help you get the important things done in less time, so you can spend more time doing what you enjoy with people you love. Whether you want to feel more productive or less overwhelmed and bombarded by your to-do list, this episode is for you. Get full show notes and information at www.lessdramamoremama.com/254