3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms

You know that sting in your chest when one of your kids says "I hate you" or slams their door in anger? Every instinct in you wants to smooth it over, to fix it, to make them not be mad at you anymore. But what if your discomfort with their anger is actually getting in the way of the connection you're trying to build? In this episode, I'm talking with my longtime friend Eli Harwood, known online as Attachment Nerd. She's a licensed therapist, attachment expert, and bestselling author who earned secure attachment in her own life after a difficult childhood. Eli shares three simple phrases her mom said to her that helped heal their relationship and build trust between them—phrases any of us can start using today. In this episode, you'll learn: 💜 Why Eli's mom had to convince herself it was okay for Eli to be mad at her 💜 The difference between "right side up" and "upside down" parenting 💜 What Eli thinks about adult children cutting off their parents—and why nobody does this lightly Even if you didn't grow up with secure attachment modeled for you, even if you've made mistakes, you can start building that bond with your kids today. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: ✨ Want to start noticing the good in your motherhood? The Flecks of Gold Journal is a simple one-line-a-day practice that helps you see your kids and your life differently. Grab yours here—it's the perfect gift for yourself or another mom this holiday season. Related Episodes: 387: Why Calming Yourself Helps Calm Your Child // Eli Harwood, MA, LPC 386: Raising Securely Attached Kids // Eli Harwood, MA, LPC 367: 3 Ways to Create Lasting Bonds with Your Kids // Mike Westover (Rachel's Dad!) Episode Sponsors: Factor: Eat smart at FactorMeals dot com SLASH 3in3050off and use code 3in3050off to get 50% off your first box, plus Free Breakfast for 1 Year. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

You know that feeling when you're completely tapped out—when you can't give one more ounce of yourself to anyone, including you? That's not just exhaustion. That's burnout. And it doesn't mean you're failing at motherhood. This week is Thanksgiving 🦃, and for many of us, that means facing all the "lions"—family dynamics, cooking timelines, travel stress, and that never-ending holiday mental load. But here's the thing: your body doesn't know the difference between being chased by a lion and planning Thanksgiving dinner. And that matters more than you think. When I was a mom of young kids, I was deep in burnout—new baby who wouldn't stop crying, a husband working endless resident hours, and grief I hadn't processed from losing my own mom. I felt like the fire inside me had completely gone out. But I learned something powerful: recovering from burnout isn't about powering through or getting more sleep. It's about rekindling your fire in your body, your mind, and your spirit. In this encore episode (one of my all-time favorites), I'm sharing three science-backed strategies that helped me climb out of depletion mode—and that I still use today when I feel myself slipping. Even if you're not fully burned out right now, these tools will help you notice when you're heading in that direction and course-correct before you're running on empty. In this episode you'll learn: 🏃‍♀️ Why you hold onto every hard moment but forget the good ones by bedtime—and how to fix it 🧠 What Thanksgiving dinner planning and being chased by a lion have in common (spoiler: your nervous system can't tell the difference) 💓 The physical things your body needs to believe it's safe (because telling yourself to relax doesn't work!) Free worksheet! Download the Recovering from Mom Burnout worksheet with reflection prompts at 3in30podcast.com/recover For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: ✨ Slow-vember Reminder! Find calm in the chaos with our Flecks of Gold Journal—on sale now for $5 off through December 8 at 3in30podcast.com/flecks. A quick daily note of gratitude might just be the simplest soul-care practice you add this season. 💜 Related Episodes: 441: The 4 Types of Self-Care Every Mom Needs // Mia Hemstad 413: What to Do When You’re Juggling Too Much // Amy Wilson 398: How to Plan for an Energizing (not Exhausting) Holiday Season // Dr. Amber Price Episode Sponsors: AirDoctor: Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code 3in30 to get up to $300 off today! It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a free 3-year warranty—an $84 value Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

Managing ADHD during the holidays takes more than willpower—it takes understanding your brain and planning around it with compassion. When I started researching ADHD to help one of my kids, I didn’t expect to discover that I had it too. But learning how my brain works has changed everything about how I approach motherhood, especially during the busiest season of the year.   In this episode, I’m joined by Amy Marie Hann, author of Master the Mundane, to talk about how ADHD shows up in motherhood and how we can create calmer, more intentional rhythms through the chaos of the holidays. Amy’s wisdom helped me see my brain with more grace and gave me tools to protect my energy instead of pushing past my limits. Even if you don’t have ADHD, this conversation will help you navigate the mental load of motherhood with more clarity, calm, and self-kindness. In this episode you’ll learn: 🧠 How to recognize when you’ve slipped into “depletion mode” — and what to do to climb out of it. 🧠 How to build a holiday season that fits your brain’s actual capacity (not everyone else’s). 🧠 Why rest and creativity are non-negotiable if you want to avoid ADHD burnout. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: ✨ Slow-vember Reminder! Find calm in the chaos with our Flecks of Gold Journal—on sale now for $5 off through December 8 at 3in30podcast.com/flecks. A quick daily note of gratitude might just be the simplest soul-care practice you add this season. 💜 Related Episodes: 403: Brain Science Simplified: How to Be a More Effective Parent // Dr. Dan Siegel 391: Parenting a Child with ADHD: How to Stay Calm and Connected // Rachel on The Childhood Collective 323: Parenting with ADHD // Alex Gilbert Episode Sponsors: BetterHelp: 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms is sponsored by BetterHelp. Go to betterhelp.com/3in30 to get 10% off your first month of online therapy. Cure Hydration: For 3 in 30 listeners, you can get 20% off your first order at curehydration.com/3in30 with code 3in30. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

When I think about the kind of parent I want to be, I often think about my dad—steady, grounding, and always there. His quiet consistency has shaped so much of how I show up for my own children. And that’s why Glen Henry’s new book, Father Yourself First: Everything You Need to Become the Father Your Family Deserves, caught my attention.   Even though Glen wrote this book for fathers, the message is one every parent needs: to be a steady presence for our children, we first have to become our own source of stability. This conversation will help you see your partner—and yourself—with more empathy. It’s an honest, funny look at what happens when we slow down, let each other learn, and create a home where everyone is growing. Plus, you’ll also hear: 💜 Why I couldn’t stop laughing when Ryan pointed out that every light in the house was on. 💜 How inviting others to see your family’s real life can be one of the most meaningful ways to lead. 💜 What weight-lifting has to do with empathy—and why partnership in parenting might take more muscle than you think. Listen in for wisdom, warmth, and a few good laughs as Glen shares what it really means to “father yourself first.” For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: ✨ Our annual Slow-vember Sale is happening now! Get $5 off all Flecks of Gold Journals—including the new camel leather edition (it’s absolutely gorgeous!)—through December 15. Slow down, savor the season, and notice the good in your motherhood. Related Episodes: 367: 3 Ways to Create Lasting Bonds with Your Kids // Mike Westover (Rachel’s Dad!) 365: Intentional Fatherhood // Tal Eyre 153: How to Actually Hear Your Spouse // Yvette and Glen Henry Episode Sponsors: Skylight Calendar: Right now, Skylight is offering our listeners $30 off their 15 inch Calendars by going to MySkylight.com/TAKEAWAYS. KiwiCo: Tinker, create, and innovate with KiwiCo! Get up to 50% off your first crate at kiwico.com, promo code 3in30. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

The holidays often bring equal parts joy and exhaustion. Between school programs, family gatherings, and the endless to-do lists, it’s easy to feel like you’re giving everything you have...but still falling short of the calm and connection you crave. In this episode, psychotherapist and best-selling author Niro Feliciano shares three practical takeaways from her new book All Is Calm-ish: How to Feel Less Frantic and More Festive During the Holidays. She offers gentle, research-backed tools to help you care for yourself and your family without burning out in the process. In this episode, you’ll learn: 🎄 The surprising way to set the tone for your home for a calmer, happier holiday 🎄 The 5-word boundary phrase every mom needs in her back pocket 🎄 A two-minute mental reset for when the holidays feel like too much This conversation is your invitation to create a holiday that’s not perfect—but calm-ish, connected, and true to what matters most. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: 📣 During our Slow-vember Sale, get $5 off every Flecks of Gold journal—including the new camel vegan leather edition—at 3in30podcast.com/flecks. Because peace doesn’t come from doing more (it comes from noticing more!) Related Episodes: 406: Navigating Holiday Melancholy // Dr. Tanmeet Sethi 405: 3 Tips to Manage Your Mental Load During the Holidays // 3 in 30 Team 325: How to have Less-Stressful, More Meaningful Holidays // Desirae Endres from Minimal-ish Episode Sponsors: 💜 Motherhood Decluttered: Right now, get $30 off with code PODCAST, plus you’ll also get a free Buddy Pass to gift a friend so you can go through it together—but only through the end of the year. Find it at 3in30podcast.com/declutter. 💜 Factor: Eat smart at factormeals.com/3in3050off and use code 3in3050off to get 50% off your first box, plus Free Breakfast for 1 Year. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

With the holidays coming up, many moms wish they could visit family or plan a getaway—but the price of flights makes it feel impossible. That’s why I’m re-airing this popular episode with Amber Paul from Amber on Points, who teaches families how to travel for free (or almost free) using credit card points. A year after recording this, I’ve now been practicing what Amber teaches—and it’s truly changed what’s possible for our family. We earned about $12,000 in free travel this year, and my credit score has continued to go up. I know it sounds too good to be true, (that’s exactly what I thought at first!), but it’s real—and it’s absolutely worth learning. In this encore episode, you’ll learn: ✈️ Why opening multiple credit cards (responsibly!) can actually improve your credit score ✈️ How to use welcome offers strategically to earn far more points from the spending you already do ✈️ Why you might qualify for a business card even if you’re just side-gigging A quick note: conversations about money and credit can bring up a lot of feelings. Wherever you are in your financial journey, this episode is meant to spark possibility—not pressure. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: Grab the free companion guide (with Amber’s favorite starter cards) and sign up for our live Q&A with Amber on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 by clicking here! Related Episodes: 369: How to Teach Your Kids about Money // Abby Chipman 430: Plan Meaningful Family Travel Without the Stress // Meggie Busath 431: 3 Road Trip Hacks for Traveling with Kids // Brittney Hanks Episode Sponsors: BetterHelp: 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms is sponsored by BetterHelp. Go to betterhelp.com/3in30 to get 10% off your first month of online therapy. AirDoctor: Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code 3in30 to get up to $300 off today! It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 3-year warranty—an $84 value, free! Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

We all lose our temper sometimes. That’s part of being human—and part of being a mom. But what happens next matters most. Because repair, not perfection, is what builds real trust with our kids. In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Devon Kuntzman from Transforming Toddlerhood to talk about one of the most healing and hopeful skills a parent can learn: how to reconnect after those hard moments. Devon shares a simple, four-step framework for circling back after we’ve yelled or overreacted—so instead of getting stuck in guilt, we can model accountability, empathy, and growth. Even though Devon primarily teaches parents of toddlers, this conversation applies beautifully to kids of all ages (trust me—my teen and tween are proof!). In this episode, you’ll learn: 💜 The one phrase that instantly shifts your apology from surface-level to deeply connecting 💜 Why skipping this often-forgotten step in your apology can actually keep your child from trusting you fully 💜 A powerful, brain-based reason to “redo” the moment—and how this single practice can help you yell less over time You’ll walk away with words you can use, steps you can remember, and a renewed sense of grace for yourself as a beautifully human mom. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: ☀️ Want to feel lighter in your motherhood? My mini course Motherhood Decluttered will help you simplify what’s weighing you down and reconnect with what really matters. For a limited time, your purchase includes a buddy pass so you can go through the course with a friend. Related Episodes: 004: How to Stop Yelling at your Kids // Ralphie Jacobs of Simply on Purpose 423: How to Parent a Strong-Willed Child Without Losing Your Mind // Kirk Martin 440: Tools for Parenting a “Spicy” Child // Mary Van Geffen Episode Sponsors: Skylight Calendar: Right now, Skylight is offering our listeners $30 off their 15 inch Calendars by going to MySkylight.com/TAKEAWAYS Factor Meals: Eat smart at FactorMeals.com/3in3050off and use code 3in3050off for 50% off your first box, plus Free Breakfast for 1 Year. Get delicious, ready-to-eat meals delivered—with Factor. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

This week marks the 8th birthday of 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms 🎉, and I wanted to celebrate it in a way that feels true to the heart of this community. Instead of looking back at download numbers or milestones, I invited someone who has quietly shaped nearly every part of this podcast behind the scenes for the past seven years: my dear friend and teammate, Molly Alexander. Recently, Molly made the bittersweet decision to step away from her role to pursue a new chapter, and it felt only right to honor her by sharing her voice here with you. As part of our conversation, she reflects on the three lessons that have shaped her most deeply during her years with 3 in 30—insights that continue to guide her motherhood and her life today. She talks about the surprising math equation that reframed how she approaches depression, the freedom she’s found in releasing old expectations of the kind of mom she “should” be, and the joy of moving beyond surface-level friendliness into real, honest friendship. This episode is both a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the story of 3 in 30 and a heartfelt reminder that growth often comes when we give ourselves permission to change, to soften, and to connect more authentically with others. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: In the episode, Molly references some things she learned while going through my Motherhood Decluttered Course (previously known as Declutter Your Motherhood). Click here to take the course yourself! Related Episodes: 079: How to Be a Friend Instead of Just Being Friendly // Brooke Romney 218: How can I enjoy having little kids close in age?// Molly Alexander 300: Coping with Illness or Pain as a Mom // Becky and Candace Episode Sponsors: BetterHelp: 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms is sponsored by BetterHelp. Go to betterhelp.com/3in30 to get 10% off your first month of online therapy. Cure Hydration: For 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms listeners, Cure is offering 20% off your first order! Just go to curehydration.com/3in30 and use code 3in30 at checkout. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

Have you ever caught yourself second-guessing something as small as what to make for dinner or as big as how to respond to a struggling child and felt completely paralyzed? As moms, we make thousands of decisions every day, and it’s easy to lose confidence in our ability to choose well, especially when we’re weighed down by “shoulds” from outside voices.  In today's episode, I’m joined by Jessica Frew, a decision coach who helps women rebuild trust in themselves and make choices that feel aligned with their true values. Jessica has lived through some incredibly complex circumstances (tune in to learn more! 😘). Out of those experiences, she created her Be.Be.Be. Decision-Making Formula a simple framework that can guide us all to make bolder, more confident decisions.  In this episode, you’ll learn:  🫶 Why so many of us were first taught not to trust ourselves—and how to rebuild that trust as adults 🫶 A simple mindset shift that can instantly loosen the grip of guilt and judgment in your everyday life 🫶 How to know when you’re making decisions out of alignment—and the surprising signs that show up in your relationships when you are  If you’ve been feeling stuck or second-guessing yourself lately, I think this conversation will give you both the encouragement and the tools to move forward with confidence.  For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: 👭 Motherhood Decluttered Buddy Pass!  I would love to invite you to enroll in my brief but impactful audio course. For a limited time, it comes with a free buddy pass so you can do it with a friend, two for one. You can go to 3in30podcast.com/declutter to get signed up and use the code podcast to get 20% off. Related Episodes: 435: How to Make Decisions Without Overthinking // Kendra Adachi of The Lazy Genius 349: Overcoming Decision Fatigue through Reflection // Emily P. Freeman 410: Align Your Goal-Setting with Your Menstrual Cycle // April Davis of Haus of Vagina Episode Sponsors: KiwiCo: Tinker, create, and innovate with KiwiCo! Get up to 50% off your first crate at kiwico.com, promo code 3in30. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

Have you noticed that since school started, your afternoons feel more chaotic? Maybe your child walks in the door, drops their backpack, and bursts into tears—or lashes out over the smallest thing. It can leave you wondering if something is wrong with them…or with you.   The truth is, what you’re seeing is incredibly common. In fact, there’s even a name for it: restraint collapse. After holding it together all day at school, kids often come home to the one place where they feel safe enough to release all the emotions they’ve been bottling up. And while it can be overwhelming to parent through these meltdowns, there are simple, practical ways to help them regulate and recharge. In this encore episode, I’m joined by Alyssa Blask Campbell, an educator, researcher, and founder of Seed & Sew. Alyssa explains why after-school meltdowns are so common and offers doable strategies you can put into place right away to help your afternoons feel calmer and more connected. In this conversation, you’ll learn: 🍎 The surprising brain-based reason why kids save their biggest meltdowns for home (and why it’s actually a sign of safety) 🍎 Two types of movement that recharge your child’s “battery” and keep afternoons from spiraling into chaos 🍎 A quick connection ritual that takes just 10 minutes but dramatically reduces sibling squabbles and attention-seeking behaviors Whether your child’s after-school crankiness shows up as slammed doors, snappy remarks, or full-blown tears, Alyssa’s insights will help you create calmer, smoother evenings for the whole family. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Related Episodes: 192: The Hidden Reason for Misbehavior (in kids AND parents!) // Wendy Bertagnole 306: Creating Back-to-School Routines for a Smooth Transition // Mika Perry 357: Tips for Staying Calm During Your Big Kid’s Big Meltdowns // Cheryl Cardall Episode Sponsors:  Skylight: Right now, Skylight is offering our listeners $30 off their 15 inch Calendars by going to myskylight.com/TAKEAWAYS BetterHelp: 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms is sponsored by BetterHelp. Go to betterhelp.com/3in30 to get 10% off your first month of online therapy. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***