3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms

What happens when your child's story looks nothing like the one you had imagined? This heartfelt encore episode features my dear friend, Michelle Barrow—a mother of four and grandmother of six—who generously shares the wisdom she’s gained from raising teenagers and supporting her adult children through life’s unexpected twists.This conversation is a powerful companion to last week’s episode with author Jessica N. Turner on moving forward when life doesn’t turn out as planned. In this episode, Michelle invites us into her journey of learning how to let go of rigid expectations, make room for her children’s evolving identities, and parent from a place of trust rather than fear.In this conversation, you'll hear:💜 Why “parenting formulas” don’t guarantee outcomes—and how letting go of expectations can lead to more peace and joy.💜 What it looks like to change the rules mid-parenting, and how doing so can strengthen trust and relationships within your family.💜 How to stay rooted in your values while giving your children the freedom to shape their own stories.💜 And ultimately, how you can find peace and steadiness in parenting, even when things don’t go as planned.Whether you're parenting toddlers or teens, this episode will leave you feeling seen, inspired, and encouraged to embrace the beautifully imperfect journey of motherhood.For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. ***Related Episodes:279: Navigating Parenting Triggers // Nat Vikitsreth272: How to Fall Back in Love with Motherhood When It All Feels Hard // Tessa Brown206: 3 Things to Remember when Parenting is DifficultSponsors: Acorns Early: Ready to help your kids learn the value of money? Just head to acornsearly.com/3in30 or download the Acorns Early app to get started. Sign up now and your first month is on us!Zocdoc: Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to Zocdoc.com/3in30 to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today. Helix Mattresses: Helix mattresses are award-winning and have been proven to help with deep sleep. They ship right to your house, and they have a 100-night risk-free trial. If you don't love your Helix, they'll pick it up and give you a full refund. Go to helixsleep.com/3in30 for 20% Off Sitewide. Air Doctor: 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, plus a 3-year warranty—an $84value, free! 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 lifeFind Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you were younger, did you imagine your life turning out a certain way? Maybe you thought you’d have a house full of children, a forever kind of love, or a career that lit you up. But what happens when the reality of your life looks nothing like the dream?In this heartfelt and hope-filled episode, I sit down with bestselling author Jessica N. Turner to talk about how to rise from life’s deepest disappointments and rebuild something beautiful. Jessica vulnerably shares her personal story of walking through a midlife divorce after her husband of 16 years came out—and the healing journey that followed.Whether you’re grieving the loss of a dream, struggling through a transition, or just feeling stuck in unmet expectations, this conversation will help you:💜 Feel less alone in your disappointment and more seen in your story.💜 Understand how to make meaning from your grief without rushing through it.💜 Explore practical ways to process emotional pain.Jessica’s wisdom is layered with empathy, grace, and real-life tools. She reminds us that even if we didn’t choose the hard thing, we can still choose what comes next.For full show notes including takeaways, click here. ***Related Episodes:104: How to Move Through Grief towards Joy // Anna Packard, PhD in Clinical Psychology205: How to Coach Yourself through Big Emotions // Georgia Anderson299: How to Let Go of Hard Stuff from Your PastEpisode Sponsors:Acorns Early: Ready to help your kids learn the value of money? Just head to acornsearly.com/3in30 or download the Acorns Early app to get started. Sign up now and your first month is on us!Tushbaby: Visit Tushbaby.com and start customizing your own carrier. Make sure to use code 3IN30 for 20% your first order.Nutrofol: Start your hair growth journey with Nutrafol. For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners ten dollars off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code 3IN30. 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 lifeFind Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course*** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you have a strong-willed child, you know that traditional parenting strategies just don’t work. No amount of reasoning, bribing, or threatening seems to move the needle—and sometimes, the more you push, the harder they push back. So what does work?In this episode, I’m joined by Kirk Martin, founder of Celebrate Calm and host of the Calm Parenting Podcast. With his signature humor and straight-talking style, Kirk shares practical strategies for understanding and guiding strong-willed kids—without constant power struggles.Tune in to learn: ✨ The quickest way to change your child’s behavior (hint: it has little to do with them!) ✨ How to de-escalate meltdowns -- without saying, "Calm down!" ✨ The power of using body posture and tone to foster cooperation ✨ Why strong-willed kids thrive in adulthood—and how to survive their childhoodFor a FREE printable with tips for de-escalating meltdowns, along with a private podcast feed that includes all of the episodes I've produced on raising strong-willed kids, click here! My friend, if you're feeling exhausted, frustrated, or just plain out of ideas with your strong-willed child, this episode is for you. And please know I'm in the trenches with you, and I'm rooting for you! For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. ***Announcements: For a FREE printable with tips for de-escalating meltdowns, along with a private podcast feed that includes all of the episodes I've produced on raising strong-willed kids, click here! Related Episodes:242: What to Do When Your Kids are Fighting // Dr. Laura Markham266: Parenting Strong-Willed Kids // Wendy Snyder391: Parenting a Child with ADHD: How to Stay Calm and Connected // Rachel on The Childhood CollectiveEpisode Sponsors:Acorns Early: Ready to help your kids learn the value of money? Just head to acornsearly.com/3in30 or download the Acorns Early app to get started. Sign up now and your first month is on us!Wild Grain: For a limited time, Wild Grain is offering our listeners $30 off your first box plus free croissants in every box when you start a subscription.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 lifeFind Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course*** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever asked your kids about their day, only to get one-word answers in return? Or sat across from your spouse on a long-awaited date night and struggled to find something meaningful to talk about? Communication can feel hardest with the people we love the most—but what if we could change that?In this episode, I sit down with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and bestselling author Charles Duhigg to explore what makes someone a super communicator and how we can apply these insights to deepen our most important relationships.Tune in to learn: 💜 Why conversations feel disconnected—and how to fix it 💜 Simple yet powerful ways to ask better questions and spark meaningful discussions 💜 A proven technique to make sure your loved ones truly feel heardThese small shifts can strengthen your marriage and help you connect more deeply with your kids. I hope you find them as helpful I have! For full show notes, including takeaways, click here.***Related Episodes:368: Using the Enneagram to Improve our Relationships // Kelsey Lincoln340: How to Be a Safe Place for your Sweetheart// Eli Harwood342: Communicating to your Partner that Things Need to Change// Eli HarwoodEpisode Sponsors:Acorns Early: Ready to help your kids learn the value of money? Just head to acornsearly.com/3in30 or download the Acorns Early app to get started. Sign up now and your first month is on us!  Team Supercrew: Check out Team Supercrew and find out what parents and educators are raving about. Visit TeamSuperCrew.com and use code 3in30 at checkout to get 10 percent off. You'll also get a free gift: step by step reading imaginary play guides that helps you and your child learn these important emotional regulation skills.Hello Fresh:  HelloFresh is America's number one meal kit. Get up to 10 free meals and a free high protein item for life at HelloFresh.com/3in3010fm.  GoPure Beauty: Tighten, lift, and restore elasticity in your neck because your skincare routine shouldn't stop at your jawline. For limited time, our listeners get 25 percent off GoPure with code 3in30 at checkout. That's gopurebeauty.com/3in30. Use code 3in30.Let’s Connect!Join me on Instagram!Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my lifeFind Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course*** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

KC Davis, a mom, therapist, and author of "How to Keep House While Drowning," shares invaluable insights on housework and self-care. She introduces the concept of 'care tasks,' helping listeners reframe their cleaning and organizing as acts of self-kindness. KC discusses powerful affirmations for releasing guilt about household messes and reveals a clever system to simplify laundry. Through her personal experience, she emphasizes the importance of embracing chaos as a sign of family life and prioritizing rest for mental well-being.

Are you raising a neurodivergent child? If so, you know the journey can often feel isolating, exhausting, and uncertain. How can you teach them the essential skills they need? How do you build a strong relationship with them? Are there other moms who share your struggles?In this episode, I’m thrilled to share an inspiring conversation with Kim Gameroz, the founder of Teaching Inside Out and a leading expert in helping parents and teachers cultivate social and emotional skills in children. Kim's insights are truly transformative, and I believe you'll find her approach both empowering and practical.In this episode, you'll hear: 💜 Strategies to maintain patience when your neurodivergent child isn’t meeting expectations—along with actionable tips to help them succeed.💜 Suggestions for how to find your support people as you're raising a neurodivergent kid (and why it's so important!) 💜 A simple yet impactful strategy that can create positive change for those around you.I hope you find this episode as helpful as I did! Kim exudes such warmth and connection that is sure to fill you with hope and validation. You've got this!For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. ***Related Episodes:419: 3 Things Moms of Children with Disabilities Want You To Know // Katie Blackburn323: Parenting with ADHD // Alex Gilbert317: Helping Your Children Advocate for Themselves // Dr. Traci BaxleyEpisode Sponsors:Zocdoc: Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to zocdoc.com/3in30 to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today. Factor: Eat smart with Factor. Get started at factormeals.com/factorpodcast and use code FACTORPODCAST to get 50% off your first box plus free shipping. 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 lifeFind Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course*** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Katie Blackburn, contributing writer and author, shares her heartfelt experiences as a mom of children with disabilities. She offers thoughtful scripts to help neurotypical kids understand and support their peers. The discussion navigates the fear of saying the wrong thing and emphasizes the power of compassion in fostering connections. Heartwarming anecdotes showcase simple gestures that uplift families in the disability community. This insightful conversation serves as a guide for anyone wanting to provide genuine support.

Spring Break is coming up, and if travel isn’t an option this year, don’t worry—you can still make it a fun and memorable week for your kids and yourself at home! In this episode, Abby, Stacey and Steph, three members of the 3 in 30 team, share simple, stress-free strategies to make your staycation special—without feeling like you have to entertain your kids 24/7, including:🌷 Creative, low-prep activities that keep kids engaged without draining your energy.🌷 The one sanity-saving strategy every mom needs to recharge and enjoy the break. 🌷 A simple way to lighten the mental load of planning the week.Plus! We’ve put together a Free Download: 50 Spring Break Staycation Ideas to take the guesswork out of your planning. Grab it here!Spring Break at home doesn’t have to be overwhelming—it can be a time for connection, fun, and even a little rest. We hope this episode helps you do just that!For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. ***Announcements:Click the link to receive a printable with 50 Spring Break Staycation Ideas.   Related Episodes:405: 3 Tips to Manage Your Mental Load During the Holidays // 3 in 30 Team402: How to Travel More as a Family without Breaking the Bank // Amber Paul237: Our Best Hacks for Summer! A Crowdsourced Episode from the 3 in 30 CommunityEpisode Sponsors:Hello Fresh: HelloFresh is America's number one meal kit. Get up to 10 free meals and a free high protein item for life at HelloFresh.com/HelloFreshPodcastLet’s Connect!Join me on Instagram!Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my lifeFind Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course*** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kathie Gwilliam, an author and speaker, shares her insights on the subtle ways comparison infiltrates our conversations. She reveals three common phrases that fuel comparison and offers healthier alternatives. Kathie emphasizes the importance of mindful communication, particularly around children, to foster confidence and self-acceptance. She also discusses how to introduce oneself with assurance and encourages listeners to appreciate their unique journeys without comparison. Her tips aim to cultivate a more positive dialogue, both personally and socially.

Logan McKenna, a general surgeon and adventurer who has conquered the heights of 49 U.S. states, shares heartfelt insights on supporting a partner struggling with mental health. He discusses the nuances of providing emotional support while managing frustration and feelings of helplessness. Logan emphasizes the importance of self-care and finding joy amidst challenges, along with practical tips like personalized therapy and animal therapy. His compassionate approach reminds listeners that understanding and love are crucial in navigating these difficult journeys.