Read. Talk. Grow.

25. Making mom friends when you don't fit in


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We talked with:

  • Helena Andrews-Dyer is an award-winning culture reporter for The Washington Post, covering the intersection of popular culture, race, politics and art. She's the author of "Bitch is the New Black," "Reclaiming Her Time," and this episode's focus: "The Mamas: What I Learned about Kids, Race, and Class from Moms Not Like Me." She lives in D.C. with a husband whose laugh can be heard for miles and two carefree little brown girls.
  • Angela Mattke, M.D., is a pediatrician in the Division of Community Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at Mayo Clinic Children's Center in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Mattke is the medical editor of the "Mayo Clinic Guide to Raising a Healthy Child" and co-medical editor of the Parenting channel on the Mayo Clinic Press website. In her daily work, Dr. Mattke enjoys seeing her patients smile and helping families who are struggling with health challenges.

We talked about:
In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests discuss:

  • The need for solidarity. Motherhood is a time when you reach for friends with kids so you can complain, compare and question what's "normal." These friendships can be a big help, but sometimes parenthood is all you have in common. Helena talks about how George Floyd's murder highlighted the differences between the mothers, as she learned who she could trust as a Black mom. 
  • The need to talk about race. Our guests say that parents of every race need to talk to their kids about the role of race in society. But talking isn't enough: You have to put your values into action. Your kids notice what you do and who your friends are.
  • The need to build resilient kids. It's important to help your kids learn how to express and cope with their emotions. You can't protect your kids from every bad thing — including racism or more general bullying — but you can build their confidence and resiliency.

Can't get enough?

  • Purchase the Mayo Clinic Press book "Mayo Clinic Guide to Raising a Healthy Child."
  • Purchase Helena's book "The Mamas: What I Learned about Kids, Race, and Class from Moms Not Like Me."
    • From Bookshop.org
    • From Amazon
    • From Barnes & Noble 
  • Want to read more on the topic? Check out our blog:
    • Talking to kids about racism
    • The 4 types of parenting styles: What style is right for you?
    • Calming, Engaging, Rewarding: How music can help mental health with children

Got feedback?

  • If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at [email protected]
  • We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

The podcast is for informational purposes only and is not designed to replace the physician’s medical assessment and judgment. Information presented is not intended as medical advice. Please contact a healthcare professional medical assistance with specific questions pertaining to your own health if needed.

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