3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms

Julie Bastedo, a veteran high school English teacher and mother of two, teaches us how to celebrate our own unique gifts as mothers

Craft blogger Sarah McKenna (who is also my older sister!) and I discuss three easy and super fun Valentines' traditions to build love in your family

April Perry, the co-founder of the website Power of Moms, shares a step-by-step process for getting out of overwhelm and learning to say "no" when opportunities don't fit with our current projects.

Rachel Gainer, a mindset coach and mother of four plus an angel baby, talks about the experience of losing her two-month-old daughter and gives us ideas for how we can reach out to those who are grieving

While in counseling for an eating disorder, Rachel learned many tools for reversing negative self-talk. She shares 3 of her favorite tools in this episode.

As a recovering perfectionist, Monica Packer chooses to focus on "progress, not perfection." In this episode, she teaches us how to do it too.

"How are you today, Grampy?" "Oh the same: old and ugly, but contented." This is the opening line of this week's interview with my 88-year-old grandpa.  You are going to love his personality and spunk, as he shares memories from his childhood Christmases.  My Granny also hops on to talk about what she remembers.  My heart just melts at the sound of their voices, and I am so grateful for all of the Christmas Eves that I spent in their home when I was a child.  (And we are headed there next week!  I can't wait!) Listen as I reflect on how to create cherished traditions that your children and maybe even grandchildren will remember, by creating "anchors" every year: * A special food * A meaningful gift * A memorable activity Stay tuned until the end of the episode to hear about my Christmas gift to you!  I think it will be useful to anyone who is a consistent listener to the 3 in 30 podcast. Merry Christmas to all of you.  I truly love and appreciate you! Show Notes Granny's Orange Rolls Tommy Right Game 3in30podcast Instagram **Get your Christmas present here.**

Though you may never have defined it as  "soul fever" before, all parents have witnessed this malady taking over their children from time to time...when kids have had too much excitement, too little sleep, too much sugar, and too little downtime--and their behavior shows it! On today's episode, Carrie Thomas Scott--a licensed professional counselor and a mother herself--uses the four pillars of Simplicity Parenting to teach us how to protect our kids from catching a "soul fever" this holiday season. Listen in for concrete strategies on how to help your children stay balanced and soul-healthy this holiday using these four pillars: 1. Environment 2. Schedule 3. Rhythms 4. Filtering Out the Adult World Show Notes Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne SimplicityParenting.com

It's the witching hour--when you are trying to get dinner made--and your four-year-old son is whining that there's nothing to do.  You walk with him to the playroom, only to find that he has dumped out every bin of toys, yet can't seem to find anything suitable to hold his attention. Unable to face the mess of Legos, cars, Magformers, and stuffed animals that are now strewn everywhere, you simply close the door to the playroom and pretend it doesn't exist.  You turn on the TV to keep your little man occupied, and you wonder, What new toy should we get him for Christmas that he will actually play with? If this scene sounds familiar, this episode is for you.  I invited Tana Parke, a mother of five children and a semi-professional organizer, to share three strategies for keeping our kids' clutter at bay.  Our discussion includes exciting topics, like: * Why you should hide some toys from your children for a while * Who might be happy to receive some of the little trinkets that your kids have collected (it's not who you think!) * How to teach your kids to think critically about whether or not they actually want a new toy or trinket * Why The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up doesn't work for children (and how you can modify it!) * How to allow your children to have some "treasures" while also keeping them from being hoarders ...and much more!

"At any given point, you can say, 'This is not how the story is going to end.'" Cate Johnson was a mother of two young children with a big, beautiful home in the country.  From the outside, it looked like she was "living the dream," but inside, she felt like she was drowning. She craved peace and connection with her children--but instead she felt only chaos and overwhelm. She spent hours cleaning her big home while her kids watched television. She felt heartbroken that she was not the mother that she had always wanted to be. In this powerful episode, Cate shares three small but significant changes that transformed their home environment: 1) Using the five senses to create a haven of peace. 2) Designating a "kid of the day" to eliminate fighting. 3) Structuring their family time around rhythms to create stability. Cate is now a fulfilled, empowered mother, and she has a message of hope for all of us: We can have more peaceful homes, no matter where we live. Show Notes Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne Lullaby Playlist Whole Family Rhythms

This week, my family has been through a terrible loss: the death of my son's birthmother, Katie.  We've had an open adoption with her and she became part of our family over the last seven years. We are grieving deeply, and I couldn't go on with business as usual on the podcast; so I took a break from our usual show format to record some thoughts on how we can find hope, even in the darkest of trials. Listen in as I share three scriptural phrases that gave me strength during my long battle with infertility and the ups and downs of the adoption process.  Whether or not you're religious, whether or not you've ever adopted, I think these messages of hope will uplift you.  They are universal. * Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. * He gives unto them beauty for ashes * When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold. Hold your families close this week.  Much love. In Memory of Katie Rose Stratford

Is your child's life at school a bit of a mystery to you? Whenever you ask what he/she did today, do you hear the lackluster response, "Oh, nothing." Amanda Hamilton Roos taught high school English for nearly a decade before deciding to stay home with her three children. She has continued to be very involved in education by writing curriculum and developing a website called BuildingtheBridge.org. Her mission is to help families bridge the divide between home and school and build strong, effective partnerships. In today's podcast, she shares three easy steps for forming a "working relationship" with your child's teacher.  Within the discussion, you will learn... * Why talking to your child's teacher about something other than school is so important * How to start these conversations without sounding like an awkward teenager on a blind date * How often you should "follow up" with teachers and in what ways * Why a little praise and gratitude goes a long way * What you should be asking to see within the classroom Show Notes Amanda's website for families and teachers: BuildingtheBridge.org * The article we discuss in the podcast: "The Best Way to Support Your Child in School" Beyond the Bakesale: The Essential Guide to Family and School Partnerships by Anne Hendersen

Ralpie Jacobs, a parenting expert, teaches us three principles to help us control our anger and increase patience and love in our homes

Jennifer Brimhall, a mother of five and the founder of the website Raise the Good, teaches us how to surround our children with good role models whom they will want to emulate.

This week my little sister Laura Webb, a mother of two young children and a Chemistry and Math teacher--"not a writer!" she is quick to point out--will share her ideas for easy ways that we can fit record-keeping into our busy lives as moms. Listen in as Laura details ideas for how to... * Use technology to help us capture memories * Find routine times or triggers to remind us to journal * Remember that something is better than nothing when it comes to documenting our lives What are your best ideas for keeping records of your motherhood experience?  Please share them in the comments or on Instagram @3in30podcast.  We want to learn from you! Show Notes Chatbooks Qeepsake: The Text Message Baby Journal One-Sentence Journals on Amazon How to Journal as a Busy Mom (Rachel's article for Power of Moms) Photography Feature Image: Alexis Johnson Photography (Eagle River, Alaska) Webb Family Photo: Brynmarae Photography  (Denver, Colorado)