3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms

Oh, the stories I could tell about raising a strong-willed child.   But the truth is, if you have a spicy one of your own, you don’t need to hear my stories because you’ve got plenty of your own! Parenting an intense, persistent, sensitive kiddo is a daily rollercoaster. And sometimes, what you need most isn’t another “quick fix”… it’s a wise, compassionate mentor who truly gets it. That’s why I’m so excited to re-share this conversation with Mary Van Geffen, an international parenting coach who specializes in helping moms of "spicy" ones. Mary’s work is rooted in self-compassion, calm leadership, and connection over control - and her advice is the kind that actually works for kids who don’t respond to conventional parenting strategies. This episode is part of our SAM 6 Summer Series, where we’re exploring the six principles of the Self-Assured Motherhood Framework. Today’s focus is the sixth and final principle: Support Their Struggles. It’s about showing up for your child with tenderness in their hardest moments - and learning how to support yourself in the process, too. In this episode, you’ll hear: 🌶️ What to do when your child’s intensity makes you wonder if you’re the problem 🌶️ A daily mindset mantra that can transform how you see your spicy one 🌶️ Why your physical posture might be sending your child a louder message than your words Whether your summer has been sweet, spicy, or somewhere in between, I hope this episode will remind you that you’re not alone… and you’re doing better than you think. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: Want to reflect on how you’re really doing in motherhood right now? Take the free Self-Assured Motherhood Framework Assessment. It’s a quick check-in that gives you a visual snapshot of where you’re thriving and where you might need more support. Related Episodes: 426: What to Do When You Don’t Like Your Kid (Even Though You Love Them!) 423: How to Parent a Strong-Willed Child Without Losing Your Mind // Kirk Martin 357: Tips for Staying Calm During Your Big Kid’s Big Meltdowns // Cheryl Cardall Episode Sponsors: K12: Go to K12.com/TAKEAWAYS today to find a tuition-free K12-powered school near you and enroll now. Skylight Calendar: Right now, Skylight is offering our listeners $30 off their 15 inch Calendars by going to skylightcal.com/takeaways. GoPure: For a limited time, our listeners get 25% off goPure with code 3in30 at checkout. Just head to gopurebeauty.com, use code 3in30, and you’re all set. Motherhood Decluttered Course: My Motherhood Decluttered audio course is a step-by-step guide to help you inventory your overwhelm, edit your expectations, and make room for more joy. It comes with a free Buddy Pass so you can do it with a friend, so go to 3in30podcast.com/declutter to learn more. 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 ***

Ever found yourself stuck in a cycle of constant correction, nagging, lecturing, or repeating yourself while your kids seem to tune you out? It happens to almost every parent at some point. In the moment, it can feel like the only option… but learning a new way of responding can be a game-changer. Today’s guest, Ralphie Jacobs of Simply On Purpose, shares three powerful tools that can shift the emotional climate in your home by focusing on connection, encouragement, and play (rather than punishment or control). She teaches that one of the most effective ways to improve behavior is also one of the simplest: notice what your kids are doing right. Tune in to learn: 💡 The parenting habit that’s scientifically proven to reduce misbehavior by 80% 💡 What to say instead of “stop that” when your child is doing something you don’t like 💡 The surprising way to turn a meltdown around - using humor, imagination, or even Altoids This episode is a beautiful example of the fifth principle in my Self-Assured Motherhood Framework, Gather the Good, which is all about learning to see and savor the small moments of beauty in your day. Because what you focus on grows. And when you start focusing on the good in your kids, your home, and yourself… it changes everything. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: Motherhood is always evolving (and so are we!). If you’re looking for a simple way to check in with yourself and see where you’re currently thriving and where you might want more support, take my free Self-Assured Motherhood Framework Assessment. Related Episodes: 304: Motherhood is hard. This helps. 426: What to Do When You Don’t Like Your Kid (Even Though You Love Them!) 434: How to Actually Enjoy Summer as a Mom Episode Sponsors: K12: Go to K12.com/TAKEAWAYS today to find a tuition-free K12-powered school near you and enroll now. 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. GoPure: For a limited time, our listeners get 25% off goPure with code 3in30 at checkout. Just head to gopurebeauty.com, use code 3in30, and you’re all set. 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 conversation is full of gentle reminders and practical ideas for building rhythms of care into your everyday life... so you’re not just making it through motherhood, you’re actually enjoying it.   You’ll hear from three incredible moms: Celeste, Tiffany, and Abby, who each found their own way to prioritize soul care. Not the spa-day kind, but the kind that fits into the cracks of real life. The kind that helps you feel more like yourself again. In this episode, you’ll hear: 💜 How to kindly remind yourself that you matter too, even on the hardest days 💜 A powerful wake-up call one mom had while tracking her time—and what she changed as a result 💜 A creative way to infuse soul care into kid-filled outings, so you can show up fully and savor the moment These stories beautifully illustrate one of the core principles of my Self-Assured Motherhood framework: Sanctify Your Soul Care. When we honor our whole selves (body, mind, and spirit!), we show up with more strength, more presence, and more joy for the people we love most. You are worth caring for, and this episode will remind you how to start. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: If today’s conversation resonates, I know you’ll love the ⁠Self-Assured Motherhood Framework Assessment⁠—a free tool to help you see where you're thriving and where you may need more support in your emotional well-being. Related Episodes: 170: Taking Care of Mama after a Baby // Andrea Faulkner Williams of Tubby Todd Bath Co. 318: Combating Emotional Fatigue while Caregiving // Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts 320: Making Space for Self-Care: It Might Not Be As Hard As You Think // Dr. Nicole Sparks Related Sponsors: K12: Go to K12.com/TAKEAWAYS today to find a tuition-free K12-powered school near you and enroll now. Skylight: Go to Skylightcal.com/takeaways for $30 off your 15-inch Calendar. Factor: Get started at factormeals.com/3in3050off and use code 3in3050off to get 50 percent off plus FREE shipping on your first box.AirDoctor: Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code 3IN30 to get UP TO $300 off today! AirDoctor 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 ***

Emotional resilience is one of the most powerful skills you can develop as a mom - and let’s be honest, it’s also one of the hardest to master.   From toddler tantrums to teen drama, from work stress to family dynamics… there’s no shortage of moments that can leave you feeling stretched thin and emotionally spent. And there’s no season that tests this quite like summer, when the routines are loose, the noise is constant, and everyone seems to need something from you all day long. That’s why I’m re-airing this powerful conversation with Dr. Jen Riday, a mom of six with a PhD in Human Development and Family Studies and host of the Vibrant Happy Women podcast. Jen combines research-backed wisdom with real-life experience to help women build emotional resilience... and the healthy boundaries that make it possible. Because here’s the truth: You can’t be emotionally resilient without boundaries. Boundaries aren’t about controlling others, they’re about protecting your peace. Learning to say, “This is what I will do to care for myself,” is one of the most courageous and transformative skills you can develop as a mom. In this episode, you’ll learn: 🔅 The mindset shift that helps you stop absorbing everyone else’s emotions 🔅 A simple way to create emotional “margin” in your day (no bubble baths required) 🔅 How to set boundaries that actually stick—without guilt or drama If you’re feeling overwhelmed, overstimulated, or emotionally drained this summer… this episode is for you. For full show notes and takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: Wondering how you're doing in motherhood? Grab your free SAM Framework Assessment today! Related Episodes: 251: How to Set Boundaries with your Children // Stacey Collins 258: Boundaries with Kids Part 2 // Stacey Collins 136: How to Set Loving Limits with your Children, Part 1 // Dr. Katie Penry 137: How to Set Loving Boundaries for your Children, Part 2 // Dr. Katie Penry Episode Sponsors: Zocdoc: Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to zocdoc.com/3in30 to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today. KiwiCo: Build the best summer ever with KiwiCo! Get $15 off on your Summer Adventure Series. Head to kiwicode.com/3in30 and use promo code 3in30. 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 ***

Ever catch yourself comparing your motherhood to someone else’s? In this heartfelt episode, my friend and motherhood mentor, Julie Bastedo, shares how a simple moment of comparison while cooking dinner led her to a powerful mindset shift: you don’t have to be all the things—you just have to be yourself. This conversation is a beautiful example of the second principle in my Self-Assured Motherhood framework: Celebrate Your Strengths. When we stop trying to be the mom we think we should be, and start honoring the mom we are, everything changes. Tune in to hear: 💜 A surprising mindset shift that can instantly deflate mom guilt 💜 A practical trick for quieting comparison (it involves a sticky note!) 💜 Why one of the kindest things you can do for yourself is unfollow 💜 How embracing your “non-strengths” can actually increase your confidence As you listen to this conversation, I hope you feel what I always feel when I talk to Julie: less pressure, more peace, and more acceptance of who you are. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: If today’s conversation resonates, I know you’ll love the Self-Assured Motherhood Framework Assessment—a free tool to help you see where you're thriving and where you may need more support in your emotional well-being. Related Episodes: 428: What Fashion Taught Me About Motherhood (Yes, Really!) // Julie Allen 410: Align Your Goal-Setting with Your Menstrual Cycle // April Davis of Haus of Vagina 314: How to Feel like Yourself in Motherhood // Aleisha McKean Episode Sponsors: Tushbaby:  Visit tushbaby.com and start customizing your own carrier. Make sure to use code 3in30 for 20% off your first order. Summer Survival Guide: I want to make sure you know about an amazing resource my team created. It is a summer hacks PDF, full of activity ideas for the whole family, sanity saving tips for parents, and road trip ideas. This is a curated list of ideas our team has used and found successful over the years. 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 ***

If you’ve ever felt paralyzed by a decision–spinning in circles, overanalyzing every possible outcome, and feeling like you can’t move forward until you get it just right–I'm here to tell you that the struggle is SO real. I’ve been there. In fact, decision-making used to be one of my biggest struggles as a mom.   But over the past few years, I’ve been on a quiet quest to become a more confident, grounded, and calm decision maker. And one of the people who has helped me the most on this journey is today’s guest: Kendra Adachi, the two-time New York Times bestselling author of The Lazy Genius Way and The Lazy Genius Kitchen. In this episode, Kendra shares three practical mindset shifts that can help you feel less frantic and more empowered the next time you’re faced with a decision–whether it’s what to make for dinner or whether to buy a piece of land for your dream home. Tune in to learn: 💡 A simple strategy that builds your confidence as a decision-maker (and why you should start with the little things) 💡 The powerful question that brings instant clarity when you’re overwhelmed by too many options 💡 How to avoid making “everything matter” during the decision-making process This conversation is a beautiful example of the first principle in my Self-Assured Motherhood Framework—Voice Your Values—which is all about getting clear on what matters most to you so you can make aligned decisions in your motherhood. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: Grab my free Values Guide at 3in30podcast.com/values to explore what your values are. Record your golden moments this summer with my Flecks of Gold journal. Related Episodes: 349: Overcoming Decision Fatigue through Reflection // Emily P. Freeman 375: 3 Ways Voicing Your Values will Help Lighten Your Mental Load // Rachel Nielson on the Happy Mom Summit 269: How to Create a Morning Routine that will Last // Sara Dean Episode Sponsors: Skylight: Skylight is offering our listeners $30 off their 15-inch calendars by going to skylightcal.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 ***

Summer can feel overwhelming for moms, but it can also be a joyful gift. Discover the SAM 6 framework, designed to help you feel fulfilled while navigating the chaos. Learn why burnout might be creeping in and how a simple mindset shift can enhance your summer. Explore how a special journaling tool can promote mindfulness and gratitude in the hustle. Get tips on balancing personal values with family activities to create a more enjoyable and meaningful season!

Making new friends as an adult is challenging—and motherhood often makes it even harder. Between family responsibilities, full schedules, and emotional fatigue, it can feel like there’s no space left for connection. And even when we do show up, it’s not always easy to know how to move from polite small talk to real, meaningful friendship. In this episode, psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Marisa G. Franco joins me to unpack why friendship often feels so complicated in adulthood—and how we can begin to build the kind of relationships we long for. Whether you’re starting from scratch or hoping to deepen the friendships you already have, this conversation will give you both clarity and compassion for where you are—and the tools to take a small step forward. This episode will help you: 🤗 Break out of the “I showed up but still feel lonely” cycle 🤗 Rewire your mindset to believe people actually want to be your friend (because they do!) 🤗 Recognize the hidden habits that may be quietly sabotaging your ability to connect 🤗 Learn what to do when you feel like you’re trying…but still not clicking with anyone If friendship has felt harder than you expected in this season of life, this episode will remind you that you’re very much not alone—and that meaningful connection is still possible. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Related Episodes: 400: 3 Modern Manners for Friendship // Brooke Romney 386: Raising Securely Attached Kids // Eli Harwood, MA, LPC 417: The Sneaky Ways Comparison Creeps Into Conversations (and How to Stop It) // Kathie Gwilliam Episode Sponsors: Brightbox: Go to brightboxes.com to check out all their thoughtful options. Whether you're sending encouragement, appreciation, or just a little joy, Brightbox makes it easy to spread light. Factor: Get started at factormeals.com/3in3050off and use code 3in3050off to get 50 percent off plus FREE shipping on your first box. 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 want to raise kids who are responsible, capable, and financially wise—but it’s hard to know where to start. It can feel especially tricky to teach life skills like money management and personal responsibility without constant reminding or frustration.   In this episode, I’m joined by Saren Eyre Loosli, founder of Power of Families and one of my earliest parenting mentors. Saren is a mom of five and a family systems expert who shares a simple, sustainable way to teach these skills within the flow of everyday life—without turning your home into a battleground. Summer is an ideal time to reset routines and try something new. This episode will give you practical tools and a clear framework to help your family work together more smoothly. You’ll hear: 💰 A clear structure for helping kids earn and manage their own money 💰 How to connect allowance to responsibility and attitude, not just tasks 💰 A system for daily routines that fosters independence and ownership 💰 Tools for tracking money and chores that work for all ages This conversation is both practical and encouraging, especially if you’ve been wanting more clarity (and less conflict) around chores, allowance, and life skills at home. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Related Episodes: 369: How to Teach Your Kids about Money // Abby Chipman 350: Rethinking Chores: A Quick Mindset Shift to Help with Overwhelm 373: Teaching Children to Work Without Being a Drill Sergeant // Danielle Porter Episode Sponsors: Zocdoc: Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to Zocdoc.com/3in30 to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today. KiwiCo: Build the best summer ever with KiwiCo! Get $15 off on your Summer Adventure Series at kiwico.com/3in30. 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 ***

Summer is almost here… which means it’s road trip season! If you’re gearing up for some long drives with your kids in tow, this episode is packed with practical tips to help make those hours in the car smoother, more fun, and a little less chaotic.    Brittney Hanks—mom of four and the genius behind Home and Kind—is here to share her favorite road trip hacks that she’s developed over years of cross-country drives with her kids. She’s all about simple systems that ease the mental load for moms and bring more connection and joy into everyday moments. Whether you're a seasoned road tripper or just trying to survive your first long haul with littles, Brittany’s creative ideas will have you feeling calm, confident, and ready to roll. In this episode, you’ll learn: 🚗 A clever way to visually track your progress (and keep kids from asking “Are we there yet?” every five minutes) 🚗 How to turn a gas station stop into a fun, energy-boosting family relay 🚗 The best podcasts and audiobooks for a variety of ages that the whole family will enjoy 🚗 Why embracing flexibility—and letting some of your usual rules slide—can actually lead to more meaningful connection You’ll come away from this conversation feeling inspired and equipped to make your summer road trips less stressful and a lot more special. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: Click here to receive my Travel Hacks for Families handout Related Episodes: 402: How to Travel More as a Family without Breaking the Bank // Amber Paul 363: Tips & Tricks for Family Travel // Meesha Slade 370: How to Adventure As a Family // Chamaine WollenzeinEpisode Sponsors: Zocdoc: Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to Zocdoc.com/3in30 to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today. Storyworth: Give the “dads” in your life a unique, heartfelt gift you’ll all cherish for years—Storyworth! Right now, save $10 during their Father’s Day sale when you go to Storyworth.com/3in30! Skylight: Right now, Skylight is offering our listeners $30 off their 15-inch Calendars by going to Skylightcal.com/takeaways. Aquatru: Today my listeners receive 20% OFF any AquaTru purifier! Just go to AquaTru.com and enter 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 ***