Modern Mom Probs

What happens when two powerful advocates for gender equity join forces? Can they change the narrative surrounding working mothers? Tune into this riveting conversation with Rachel Bauer and Kelsey Pytlik, the trailblazing co-founders of Gild Collective. They share their inspiring journeys, the inception of their organization, and their relentless pursuit to elevate empathy and understanding in workplaces, particularly for working mothers.Tara and her guests navigate the complex terrain of maternal bias and the 'daddy bonus' phenomenon. Rachel and Kelsey shed light on the often unseen tasks that disproportionately burden women, the criticality of setting boundaries, and the role managers play as allies for working mothers. Kelsey and Rachel not only challenge these stereotypes but provide actionable insights on how to combat them.In the final portion of the conversation, they delve into the silent epidemic of invisible labor and its unequal distribution. Rachel and Kelsey offer guidance on how mothers can assertively demand their fair share and the importance of tracking and evaluating our contributions at work. They also explore the three steps of allyship and the significance of managers in preventing burnout. So, if you're a working parent or an organization looking to foster an inclusive environment, this episode is a must-listen! Links:https://www.gildcollective.com/https://www.gildcollective.com/gender-inequity-simulatorSupport the show Follow & DM me @modernmomprobs Pick up my book Check out modernmomprobs Shout out to Citizens of Sound Leave a review

Did the TikTok “Egg Crack Challenge” make you cringe? Us too.This week, Sarah Adams, creator of the popular social media account, Mom Uncharted, joined the show to shed light on child exploitation on social media.Sarah's journey began in late 2017 when she became a mother and started following mommy influencers for guidance and support. However, during the pandemic, she noticed an unsettling trend of parents oversharing their children's lives online. This led her to delve deeper into the subject, sparking conversations with her husband, reading books, and eventually starting her own TikTok account to discuss child exploitation and minor safety online.In this enlightening and thought-provoking conversation, Sarah emphasized the importance of trust and privacy when it comes to sharing information and images of children online. She raised concerns about the development of parasocial relationships with other people's children and the need for parents to be more cautious about who they trust with intimate information and personal pictures of their kids. This resonated with Tara, making her reevaluate her own approach to sharing her son's life on social media.Sarah discussed a concerning trend where some parents are selling exclusive content of their influencer children, without considering the potential risks and consequences of who may be subscribing to it.The conversation shifted to the topic of family vloggers, discussing the recent case of Ruby Franke from the YouTube channel “Eight Passengers.” This case highlighted the lack of regulations and protections for children involved in this industry, raising questions about privacy and the potential for abuse.This discussion was a stark reminder of the importance of protecting children's privacy in the digital age and the potential impact on children's mental health as they grow up and become aware of their online presence.Links:https://www.momuncharted.com/https://www.tiktok.com/@mom.unchartedhttps://www.youtube.com/@mom_unchartedhttps://www.instagram.com/mom.unchartedhttps://blog.feedspot.com/mom_podcasts/Support the show Follow & DM me @modernmomprobs Pick up my book Check out modernmomprobs Shout out to Citizens of Sound Leave a review

This week, Tara welcomed Chesca Hause, the talented cartoonist behind the popular Litter Box Comics and author of the new book "Parenting is Weird: Tales from the Litter Box." Chesca's comics are a humorous take on the rollercoaster ride of motherhood. She draws inspiration from her own family experiences (except for the fact they’re cats), making her work relatable, heartwarming and hilarious.Chesca's journey into the world of webcomics began with her own family. She found humor in the ups and downs of motherhood, using it as a way to navigate through the craziness. Her oldest son, a high-needs baby who didn't enjoy being a baby, was a significant source of inspiration. As he grew older and things got better, Chesca found herself drawing from her family experiences to create Litter Box Comics, highlighting the good, bad, and laugh out loud aspects of parenting.Tara and Chesca took a trip down memory lane, reminiscing about ‘80s movies. They agreed that timing is key when introducing these classics to children. Jurassic Park and Who Framed Roger Rabbit were hits in their houses. Ghostbusters and Labyrinth not so much!Chesca highlighted the weirdness of parenting, reminding us that growing a person inside one's tummy is a sci-fi concept. She also mentioned that each child has their own unique personality and brings different kinds of humor to the family, which should be celebrated.The conversation with Chesca Hause was a delightful exploration of parenting, creativity, and the humor that binds them together. As we navigate the ups and downs of modern parenting, it's comforting to know that we're not alone, and there's always room for a good laugh, even if the mom is a cat!Links:https://www.litterboxcomics.com/https://www.facebook.com/LitterboxComicshttps://www.instagram.com/litterboxcomicshttps://x.com/LitterboxComicsSupport the show Follow & DM me @modernmomprobs Pick up my book Check out modernmomprobs Shout out to Citizens of Sound Leave a review

In this episode, Tara interviews Stephanie Rosenfield, a former speech pathologist turned life coach for overwhelmed moms and host of the podcast "The Five Minute Shift for Moms." Her journey from overwhelmed mom to life coach will have you nodding your head. She shares her unique concept of the three buckets of emotional management - emotional diffusion, self-regulation, and connection. This doesn't mean being calm all the time, but rather being in control of oneself in challenging situations.Tara and Stephanie agreed that traditional parenting scripts often fall short, and the importance of focusing on the parent-child relationship and building each other up is key. They discussed the significance of timing when communicating with children, especially when it comes to discipline.Stephanie introduced the concept of different communication, highlighting that many people were never taught how to effectively communicate with their loved ones. She shared an example of a client who used to yell from upstairs to call her kids, and how she helped her change this pattern. Tara and Stephanie shared personal experiences of realizing that their previous approaches were not effective and that buying time until everyone is calm and ready to listen is crucial.If you need help to stop losing your sh*t, parent the way you want, and start enjoying your family, listen to this episode!Links:https://stephaniercoaching.com/social-links/Support the show Follow & DM me @modernmomprobs Pick up my book Check out modernmomprobs Shout out to Citizens of Sound Leave a review

This week, Tara welcomes Eric Taylor, "dadfluencer" and creator of the popular Instagram account @girl_dad_e, to discuss the importance of raising confident and empowered children and breaking generational cycles. Eric shares his motivation for creating his viral “dusty son” content that helps his daughters recognize their worth and navigate life. They also explore the meaning of the term "dusty," which refers to being stuck in ignorance, fear, and pain. Tara and Eric discuss their childhood upbringings and share how it’s challenging to “know how to be” if you weren’t exposed to it. Eric shares his personal experience of growing up without a safe space to express his emotions. He emphasizes the importance of creating an environment where children can openly communicate their feelings.The conversation dives into the influence of media on children's perception of masculinity and gender roles and the importance of monitoring what our children consume online. From returning shopping carts to understanding finances, the pair highlights the importance of teaching children small acts of kindness, personal responsibility, and respect.If you don’t want to raise a “dusty” child, then listen to this episode! Links:https://www.instagram.com/girldad_e/Support the show Follow & DM me @modernmomprobs Pick up my book Check out modernmomprobs Shout out to Citizens of Sound Leave a review

In this podcast episode, Tara welcomes Dr. Joel “Gator” Warsh, a pediatrician and advocate for holistic health and integrative medicine. They discuss the impact of excessive screen time and social media on mental health, particularly in children and teenagers.Drawing from a study by Sapien Labs, Dr. Joel explains how the study found a correlation between the age of first smartphone and poorer mental health outcomes, such as self-harm. He likens the situation to the historical shift in attitudes towards smoking, urging us to address the issue of excessive screen time and social media use among children and teenagers. Dr. Warsh explains how dopamine plays a large part in device addiction and how to seek out dopamine naturally. Dr. Warsh also shares practical tips on how parents can set boundaries for their children's device usage. From having designated phone-free times to encouraging other hobbies, he provides a roadmap for parents to navigate this digital age. He also discusses the issue of poor posture caused by screen time and suggests exercises and ergonomic adjustments to mitigate the problem.If you’re struggling with screen time in your home, you should listen to this episode!Links:www.instagram.com/@drjoelgatorwww.raisingamazingplus.comhttps://sapienlabs.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Sapien-Labs-Age-of-First-Smartphone-and-Mental-Wellbeing-Outcomes.pdfSupport the show Follow & DM me @modernmomprobs Pick up my book Check out modernmomprobs Shout out to Citizens of Sound Leave a review

On this week's episode, Tara is joined by Ryan Viktorin, Fidelity Investments Financial Consultant, on the topic of planning for the unexpected, in particular, life insurance planning.During this Life Insurance Awareness Month, Ryan shares her takeaways about life insurance, including when to start thinking about it, what it covers and why it's important to protect yourself even if you aren't currently in the workforce.Ryan explains how protecting your family's financial future is more attainable than you may think.If you've ever thought "I didn't know I needed life insurance," then this episode is for you! This episode is sponsored by Fidelity.Links:www.fidelity.com/termlifeSupport the show Follow & DM me @modernmomprobs Pick up my book Check out modernmomprobs Shout out to Citizens of Sound Leave a review

How would you have liked it if your parents shared every embarrassing detail of your childhood with friends and family? It’s a good thing the 80s and 90s weren’t that documented. Just think about the hairstyles and outfits alone!In this week’s podcast episode, Tara interviews Dr. Devorah Heitner, an expert in media technology and society and author of the new book, Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World. Tara and Dr. Heitner explore the concept of 'sharenting' - parents sharing about their families online. While it can be a way for parents to seek recognition and maintain connections, Dr. Heitner encourages us to engage in real-life conversations and respect our children's privacy. One phone call with a good friend can be more beneficial than 1,000 Instagram likes.The pair also discuss the importance of teaching children about consent and privacy. By respecting their privacy at home, parents can guide children to understand the ethical implications of sharing content without consent. They also stress the need to prepare kids for situations where they may encounter inappropriate content or unsolicited messages online. They even highlight the importance of teaching kids about their options when faced with negative comments or uncomfortable situations online.What’s a parent to do in this brave new digital world? Dr. Heitner emphasizes actively mentoring kids and having open conversations about online behavior, even if it’s uncomfortable. Instead of covertly monitoring their activities, she encourages parents to establish parameters for online behavior and focus on teaching kids to be mindful of the impact their posts can have on others.If you’re a parent living in the 21st Century, then this episode is for you! Links:https://devorahheitner.com/https://devorahheitner.com/growing-up-in-public/Support the show Follow & DM me @modernmomprobs Pick up my book Check out modernmomprobs Shout out to Citizens of Sound Leave a review

This week, Tara welcomes celebrity cookbook author, TV star, and host of MTV’s hit series Deliciousness, Tiffani Thiessen to talk about her new book, Here We Go Again: Recipes and Inspiration to Level Up Your Leftovers.In this episode, Tara and Tiffani discuss how to take your leftovers from blah to bangin', and why reducing food waste is a cause that's close to Tiffani's heart. They also tackle a classic modern mom problem: never knowing what to do with leftovers.So if you're looking for some dinner inspo, or just want to learn how to level up your leftovers, this is the episode for you!Links:https://tiffanithiessen.com/https://tiffanithiessen.com/here-we-go-again/Support the show Follow & DM me @modernmomprobs Pick up my book Check out modernmomprobs Shout out to Citizens of Sound Leave a review

Are you a “good enough” mother?On the latest episode of Modern Mom Probs, Tara welcomes Dr. Tanya Cotler, a seasoned psychologist specializing in reproductive and maternal mental health and the parent-child relationship. Dr. Cotler explored the idea of the "good enough mother," a term coined by Donald Winnicott in the 1950s. Being a good enough mother means finding a balance between not being overly precise or intrusive in parenting, while also not being dismissive. This approach allows the child to develop into their true self while still receiving the necessary care and support from their mother. Dr. Cotler explains that if a parent is overly hands-on or too dismissive, there is not enough space for the child to develop their own identity. This can lead to the development of a false self or a coping mechanism like people-pleasing. The key is finding the sweet spot!To explore further, she touched on the phase of maternal preoccupation in early motherhood, where the mother is completely focused on the child. However, as the child grows, there needs to be space for them to become their own person. Good enough mothering also involves allowing the child to experience failures and frustrations, which helps them develop trust and frustration tolerance.In this insightful, relatable conversation, Dr. Cotler also emphasizes the need for mothers to create space for themselves, allowing for a range of emotions and reducing shame. She discusses the concept of rupture and repair in parent-child relationships and highlights the importance of inner repair through self-reflection. She is currently working on a book that explores maternal mental health and parent-child attachment.If you’ve ever wondered if you’re a “good enough” mother, you should listen to this episode.Links:https://drtanyacotler.com/https://www.instagram.com/drcotler/https://renni.ca/Support the show Follow & DM me @modernmomprobs Pick up my book Check out modernmomprobs Shout out to Citizens of Sound Leave a review