In this episode of 'Balanced As a Mother,' hosts Hannah and Jackie navigate the raw, emotional landscape of parenting amidst the chaos of current events. They open up about the challenges of maintaining balance while addressing topics like school safety drills, the impact of recent tragedies, and the deep sense of vulnerability felt by parents and educators alike. As they explore the tension between shielding children from the harsh realities of the world and preparing them for it, they emphasize the power of community, empathy, and human connection. Through heartfelt stories and candid discussions, they encourage listeners to engage in meaningful conversations, fill others' emotional buckets, and lean on their faith as an anchor in a chaotic world. The episode concludes with a reminder that no one is alone on this journey, and that reaching out for support can lead to powerful, transformative change.Find us at: balancedasamotherpodcast.com00:00 Introduction to Balanced As a Mother00:41 A Raw and Emotional Week02:08 The Importance of Real Conversations02:59 Parenting in Challenging Times04:25 Personal Reflections and Vulnerability06:54 The Role of Faith and Community18:19 Lessons from Our Children20:50 The Power of Filling Buckets22:03 Challenges Faced by Teachers23:46 The Emotional Toll of Recent Events24:37 Parenting Amidst Fear and Uncertainty26:04 The Role of Teachers in Crisis27:52 Mental Rehearsals and Preparedness28:42 Supporting Teachers and First Responders29:43 Children's Perspective on Safety Drills34:42 Finding Hope and Resilience40:16 The Importance of Community and Conversation40:35 Closing Thoughts and Encouragement

Hosts Jackie and Hannah reflect on their weekend filled with friendship, funny anecdotes, and life as mothers with kids entering kindergarten. They discuss the ups and downs of balancing business and family life, sharing personal stories about their chaotic but fulfilling weekend. The hosts delve into the essence of their podcast, emphasizing the importance of giving and receiving permission to redefine balance, embrace imperfection, and pivot when life demands it. They also explore their creative process and the motivations behind the podcast, providing insights and encouragement for ambitious women navigating multiple roles.Find us at: balancedasamotherpodcast.com00:00 Welcome to Balanced As a Mother00:36 Catching Up and Weekend Recap01:01 Friendship and Funny Anecdotes01:52 Podcast Reflections and Listener Questions03:16 Adventures in Parenting12:20 Kindergarten Chronicles18:18 Navigating Kindergarten Emotions19:20 Dress Code Dilemmas19:44 Mom Guilt and Emotional Exhaustion19:57 Kindergarten Updates and Teacher Appreciation20:36 Podcasting Journey Begins21:40 Balancing Motherhood and Podcasting22:38 Defining the Podcast's Purpose24:17 Empowerment vs. Permission28:17 Intentional Living and Courage32:52 Redefining Balance and Progress35:54 Conclusion and Reflections

Hosts Hannah and Jackie welcome Alex, a former special education teacher turned stay-at-home mom and children's book author. The discussion delves into the challenges and triumphs of balancing motherhood, personal dreams, and career shifts. Alex shares her journey from teaching to following her passion for writing, emphasizing the importance of overcoming self-doubt and embracing imperfection. Listeners are encouraged to tackle their own dreams, starting with small, manageable steps, and to find satisfaction and contentment in the pursuit of their passions.Connect with Alex: @alexandra.ng.authorFind Us At: balancedasamotherpodcast.com00:00 Welcome to Balanced As a Mother00:35 Introducing Our Special Guest: Alex00:56 College Memories and Friendship02:54 Life After College: Marriage and Career04:42 Navigating Motherhood and Major Life Changes09:11 Pursuing Dreams: Writing a Children's Book11:36 Balancing Passion and Parenthood21:30 Overcoming Self-Doubt and Taking Action23:59 Defining Success: Then vs. Now24:36 The Myth of Perfection28:34 The Journey of Publishing a Book35:32 Leaving Teaching: A Personal Journey40:54 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome43:58 Introducing 'Umber and Belina'47:16 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

In this episode of 'Balanced As a Mother,' hosts Hannah and Jackie discuss the realities of imposter syndrome, particularly for ambitious women juggling parenthood and careers. Inspired by Mel Robbins, they emphasize the importance of self-kindness and recognizing that feeling like an imposter is often a sign of growth and stretching one's abilities. The conversation explores the idea of owning your story, accepting where you are in your journey, and the importance of staying in the game even when feeling inadequate. Through personal anecdotes and actionable insights, they encourage listeners to embrace their beginner status and continue moving forward. The episode also touches on the evolving business landscape, advocating for a more collaborative approach where success is shared and celebrated.Find us at: balancedasamotherpodcast.com

In this episode of Balanced As a Mother, hosts Hannah and Jackie continue their back-to-school series with special guest Jennifer Bryerton, co-founder and publisher of Charlottesville Family Magazine. Jen shares her insights on balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, the evolution of her parenting style, and lessons learned from Dutch parenting. The conversation covers practical strategies for managing the back-to-school shift, teaching kids independence, and maintaining self-compassion. Jen’s wisdom provides valuable takeaways for ambitious women juggling family and career.Connect with JenniferFind out more: balancedasamotherpodcast.com00:00 Introduction to Balanced As a Mother00:37 Meet Our Special Guest: Jen Brierton01:20 Jen's Journey: From Special Education to Entrepreneurship03:12 Balancing Motherhood and Business05:50 Parenting Insights and Strategies10:46 Teaching Independence and Responsibility14:03 Navigating Work and Family Life27:22 Navigating Back-to-School Nerves29:39 Balancing After-School Time31:36 Managing Work and Home Life35:06 Embracing Fluidity in Parenting35:48 Insights from Dutch Parenting44:39 Overcoming Overcomplication51:14 Final Thoughts and Local Tips

In Episode 13 of 'Balanced As a Mother,' hosts welcome a special guest, a veteran educator and kindergarten aide, who is also the host’s mama. They introduce their 'Back to School' series, aimed at helping parents set their children up for success in school. The discussion covers the importance of communication between parents and teachers, practical routines at home, and letting children solve their own problems to build confidence. The episode emphasizes consistency, flexibility, and the importance of setting clear expectations.It concludes with fun and heartwarming anecdotes from the classroom, advice for educators, and a reminder to parents and teachers about the importance of partnership in education.Find us at: balancedasamotherpodcast.com00:00 Welcome to Balanced As a Mother00:38 Episode 13: Special Guest Introduction00:51 Back to School Series: Episode 201:24 Meet the Veteran Educator03:23 Teaching Journey and Challenges04:37 Balancing Work and Motherhood08:35 Transition to Kindergarten Aide10:38 The Joys of Working with Kindergartners12:08 Supporting Your Child's Education16:09 Effective Communication Between Parents and Teachers21:00 Encouraging Independence in Children24:10 Tantrums and Toys: Parenting Challenges25:06 The Importance of Letting Kids Work It Out27:45 Establishing Routines for School Success30:10 Flexible Routines Based on Your Child's Needs35:19 Funny Teacher Stories and Classroom Insights42:21 Advice for Teachers Starting the School Year

In this episode of 'Balanced As a Mother,' the hosts delve into the chaotic yet exciting back-to-school season, particularly focusing on the theme of distinguishing preferences from priorities. They share personal anecdotes about preparing for the school year, such as shopping for school supplies and planning for smooth daily routines. Emphasis is placed on the importance of being mentally and emotionally present for their children, setting realistic expectations, and prioritizing what truly matters. Additionally, they discuss practical strategies, including using time management apps, to reduce digital distractions and create a more intentional approach to balancing work, family, and self-care. This episode serves as a thoughtful guide for moms looking to navigate the fall with purpose and clarity.Find us at: balancedasamotherpodcast.com00:00 Welcome to Balanced As a Mother00:35 Kicking Off the Episode00:54 Back to School Series Introduction01:46 Preferences vs. Priorities02:46 School Supply Shopping Adventures04:15 Mr. Beast Lunchbox Saga07:17 Reflecting on Parenting Promises08:49 Back to School Tips and Tricks09:57 Managing Expectations and Priorities18:03 Reflecting on Last Year's School Start18:23 Managing Expectations and Letting Go19:37 Balancing Priorities and Preferences20:58 Handling Frustrations and Family Dynamics22:55 Preparing for the New School Year23:58 Creating a Back-to-School Routine25:54 Setting Boundaries and Managing Time35:43 Screen Time Detox and Facing Reality40:14 Final Thoughts and Priorities41:07 Marketing Message

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In this episode of 'Balanced as a Mother,' hosts Jackie and Hannah celebrate reaching their 10th episode milestone and discuss a fascinating topic: bravery from a child's perspective. Reflecting on their own children's feats of courage, they explore how they as adults can learn from the unconditioned bravery of their kids. Through personal anecdotes, like Hannah's son Owen and his marble solution for anxiety, they delve into the dynamics of fear and how conditioned responses as adults often inhibit our bravery. Jackie and Hannah ultimately conclude that embracing life’s uncertainties with the mindset of continuous learning and excitement can help channel that inner bravery innate in us all. Tune in for an engaging conversation about parenting, personal growth, and living with courage.Find us at: balancedasamotherpodcast.com00:00 Introduction to Balanced As a Mother00:35 Celebrating Episode 10 Milestone01:16 Exploring Bravery Through Our Kids03:04 Shannon's New Summer Camp Experience08:44 The Marble Solution for Anxiety20:29 The Nature of Bravery in Children21:27 Conditioning and Unconditioning23:02 Projecting Fears onto Children23:58 Teaching Moments and Parenting Strategies29:46 Embracing Uncertainty and Instability32:49 Learning from Our Children36:36 Infinite Mindset and Childlike Bravery38:08 Conclusion and Final Thoughts38:18 Marketing Message

Hosts Jackie and Hannah discuss the complex emotions that come with motherhood and life. The fact is that two emotions can exist at one time. They dive into the duality of experiencing joy and grief simultaneously and how to create space for all emotions. Jackie vulnerably shares personal stories of her family's challenges and triumphs, highlighting the importance of having a support system and the power of reframing perspectives. Through laughter and deep conversation, they explore the concept of balance and offer insights on living a life full of grace, grit, and resilience.00:00 Introduction to Balanced As a Mother00:36 Surprise Game and Deep Topic Introduction02:12 Would You Rather: Fun and Insightful Questions09:03 Exploring Joy and Grief in Life11:33 Personal Stories of Joy and Grief22:10 Emotional Reflections and Hard Goodbyes23:59 Navigating Life's Dualities25:20 The Complexity of Human Emotions27:38 Learning Through Repetition32:28 The Importance of Vulnerability34:46 Creating Space for Emotions41:46 Final Thoughts and Gratitude