Katie & David wrap up Season 3 here by each sharing their Top 3 Tips for helping new parents better connect in the midst of new parenthood chaos. We both firmly believe that Better Partners Make Better Parents and really get into some (hopefully helpful!) specifics here in this episode. Katie unpacks:

1) Sharing the Care right from the start

2) Trying to be Curious vs assuming and arguing

3) Leaning into Joy - where can we find the "yes"?

David walks through:

1) Building Bridges of connection through Shared Agreements

2) Embrace the Suck so you can Own the Outcome as a way to get unstuck and move from "victim" to "Leader"

3) There is no Bouncing Back, only Bouncing Forward

Helpful links to some of David's previous Blogposts and Youtube Videos that further explore some of the ideas mentioned in this episode:

Becoming a "Leader IN" your relationship - https://www.welcometofatherhood.com/blog/the-leader-of-vs-a-leader-in

Shared Agreements - https://www.welcometofatherhood.com/blog/shared-agreements-amp-baby-basics

Building Bridges - https://www.welcometofatherhood.com/blog/build-those-bridges

Bouncing Forward - https://www.welcometofatherhood.com/blog/bouncing-forward

New Dad Blues Busters Video - https://youtu.be/9oswUd2Z14A

*****

Katie  continues to offer her FREE weekly Embracing Parenthood Postpartum support meetup via Zoom every Thursday at 1pm PST. Katie runs these herself, so please drop on in to experience more of her wisdom, grace, and compassion in person.

https://www.thenestfamilyresource.com/parenting

*****

Like what we have to say? Subscribe to the channel, like this show, and come see us over at the Nest and Welcome To Fatherhood!

For more information on Katie DaMota and Nest Family Resource please visit:

https://www.thenestfamilyresource.com

For more information on David Arrell, his book Welcome To Fatherhood, and his other coaching and consulting offerings please visit:

https://www.welcometofatherhood.com

*****

Podcast music credit for The Road Ahead:

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/zoo/the-road-ahead

License code: YQSX0VF4MX6S3N8K

Photo credit: https://www.pexels.com/

What happens when parenting approaches differ? How do our own unconscious patterns influence our ability to show up grounded and focused when things get tricky? How much variance in parenting styles is "normal," and how can those differences be navigated as a team? Listen in this week as we explore these questions and more. Topics covered include:

• How our own unconsciuous energy and issues often come up under the pressures of parenting
• How unhelpful patterns and processes can pull us, and/or our partners, away from our plans
• The power of self-compassion as an entry to better connecting
• Asking for a "re-do" when we don't show up as our best self in conflict
• Dad Tip #27 - Fathers Don't Mother
• Big Idea #10 - Be Attentive, Be Calm, Be Competent (in that order!)
• Shared agreements and bouncing forward

*****

Katie continues to offer her FREE weekly Embracing Parenthood Postpartum support meetup via Zoom every Thursday at 1pm PST. Katie runs these herself, so please drop on in to experience more of her wisdom, grace, and compassion in person.

https://www.thenestfamilyresource.com/parenting

*****

Like what we have to say? Subscribe to the channel, like this show, and come see us over at the Nest and Welcome To Fatherhood!

For more information on Katie DaMota and Nest Family Resource please visit:

https://www.thenestfamilyresource.com

For more information on David Arrell, his book Welcome To Fatherhood, and his other coaching and consulting offerings please visit:

https://www.welcometofatherhood.com

*****

Podcast music credit for The Road Ahead:

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/zoo/the-road-ahead

License code: YQSX0VF4MX6S3N8K

Photo credit: https://www.pexels.com/

This week we talk about Baby's parental preferences, why they are understandable and healthy, and share a few tips for helping better connect with your partner over this tricky topic. Items covered include:

• Familiarity and Safety needs drive Baby's behavior
• The Hierarchy of Attachment
• Balancing Baby's preferences and parental abilities
• Bostering your own abilities to share the load, and lots more
• Special tips for Dads struggling in this space
• And no, weaning is not the answer!

Article Referenced:

Hierarchy of Attachment- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0163638312001117

***** 

Katie continues to offer her FREE weekly Embracing Parenthood Postpartum support meetup via Zoom every Thursday at 1pm PST. Katie runs these herself, so please drop on in to experience more of her wisdom, grace, and compassion in person.

https://www.thenestfamilyresource.com/parenting

*****

Like what we have to say? Subscribe to the channel, like this show, and come see us over at the Nest and Welcome To Fatherhood!

For more information on Katie DaMota and Nest Family Resource please visit:

https://www.thenestfamilyresource.com

For more information on David Arrell, his book Welcome To Fatherhood, and his other coaching and consulting offerings please visit:

https://www.welcometofatherhood.com

*****

Podcast music credit for The Road Ahead:

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/zoo/the-road-ahead

License code: YQSX0VF4MX6S3N8K

Photo credit: https://www.pexels.com/

In honor of World Breastfeeding Week, Katie leads the way in our conversation about Breastfeeding and Weaning as a whole family commitment. How this commitment looks and what challenges are faced vary from the planning and beginning stages of Breastfeeding, to the ongoing efforts to sustain it, and to the inevitable concluding process of Weaning. All of these stages have emotional, relational, and practical components, so listen in this week as we discuss:

• Helpful tips for getting off to the best start to your Breastfeeding jounrey
• The importance of your Village for support and comfort
• Partner focused tips for connecting and supporting the journey every step of the way
• and so much more

Reference links for this episode include:

• Katie's weekly support group: /www.thenestfamilyresource.com/parenting
• Previous Breastfeeding episode: https://www.babytalkpodcast.net/infant-feeding-pt-1-breastfeeding-basics/
• Previous Partner focused perspective: https://www.babytalkpodcast.net/infant-feeding-pt-2-partners-pumping-and-planning-ahead/

***** 

Katie continues to offer her FREE weekly Embracing Parenthood Postpartum support meetup via Zoom every Thursday at 1pm PST. Katie runs these herself, so please drop on in to experience more of her wisdom, grace, and compassion in person.

https://www.thenestfamilyresource.com/parenting

*****

Like what we have to say? Subscribe to the channel, like this show, and come see us over at the Nest and Welcome To Fatherhood!

For more information on Katie DaMota and Nest Family Resource please visit:

https://www.thenestfamilyresource.com

For more information on David Arrell, his book Welcome To Fatherhood, and his other coaching and consulting offerings please visit:

https://www.welcometofatherhood.com

*****

Podcast music credit for The Road Ahead:

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/zoo/the-road-ahead

License code: YQSX0VF4MX6S3N8K

Photo credit: https://www.pexels.com/

Join is this week as Katie & David explore and discuss some of the profound and powerful differences in the biology of new Mothers and Fathers. How do their respective brains change and adapt to parenthood in different ways? How does knowing about various neurotransmitter levels and activations help us see our partners in a more understanding and compassion light? How can we appreciate these differences as attributes rather than flaws? Topics covered include:

• How Mom Brains and Dad Brains are wired differently
• What this wiring looks like and how it shows up in attention and behavior
• What feedback loops are heightened, and how these circuits shape parenting
• Testosterone, Oxctocin, and other hormonal influences
• Specific tips for new Moms and Dads for better connecting to each other
• Bringing more space, grace, and understanding into how parenting styles differ

Articles reference in this episode include:

• https://bloomlife.com/preg-u/dadbrain/
• https://www.happiestbaby.com/blogs/parents/fatherhood-mens-bodies
• https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/15/parenting/baby/fatherhood-mens-bodies.html
• https://bigthink.com/neuropsych/neuroscience-of-fatherhood/
• https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/thoughts-and-feelings/202304/being-more-involved-affects-new-fathers-biologically
• https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.745767/full

*****

Katie continues to offer her FREE weekly Embracing Parenthood Postpartum support meetup via Zoom every Thursday at 1pm PST. Katie runs these herself, so please drop on in to experience more of her wisdom, grace, and compassion in person.

https://www.thenestfamilyresource.com/parenting

*****

Like what we have to say? Subscribe to the channel, like this show, and come see us over at the Nest and Welcome To Fatherhood!

For more information on Katie DaMota and Nest Family Resource please visit:

https://www.thenestfamilyresource.com

For more information on David Arrell, his book Welcome To Fatherhood, and his other coaching and consulting offerings please visit:

https://www.welcometofatherhood.com

*****

Podcast music credit for The Road Ahead:

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/zoo/the-road-ahead

License code: YQSX0VF4MX6S3N8K

Photo credit: https://www.pexels.com/

This week Katie & David tackle one of the touchiest topics out there in the new parenthood space, and one that is sure to resonate for those with children of any age - Invisible Work. What is this so-called "Invisible Work"? Why is it such a touchy topic? For Moms and Dads alike, what really "counts" here, and how can we help our partners understand and appreciate all that we do? And equally as important, what can we do to better understand and appreciate what they do that may be invisible to us? Areas covered include:

• How new parenthood brings on a lot of new "work," most of which needs to be done in the moment
• How that work can remain hard to quantify, but still add up to a lot
• How each partner has an unconscious list, or caretaker ticker, that they keep track of and manage
• Comparing lists to share the load
• Clarifying roles and responsibilities
• Turning unexpressed expectations into shared agreements
• Turning unexpressed hopes into concrete plans
• Letting go of perfection
• Communication, teamwork, collaboration, and so much more

*****

Katie continues to offer her FREE weekly Embracing Parenthood Postpartum support meetup via Zoom every Thursday at 1pm PST. Katie runs these herself, so please drop on in to experience more of her wisdom, grace, and compassion in person.

https://www.thenestfamilyresource.com/parenting

*****

Like what we have to say? Subscribe to the channel, like this show, and come see us over at the Nest and Welcome To Fatherhood!

For more information on Katie DaMota and Nest Family Resource please visit:

https://www.thenestfamilyresource.com

For more information on David Arrell, his book Welcome To Fatherhood, and his other coaching and consulting offerings please visit:

https://www.welcometofatherhood.com

*****

Podcast music credit for The Road Ahead:

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/zoo/the-road-ahead

License code: YQSX0VF4MX6S3N8K

Photo credit: https://www.pexels.com/

What does intimcacy look like in early parenthood? And how can we redefine it together to help us connect with more care, compassion, and empathy and we try to bounce forward and strengthen our relationship?

Intimacy issues are one of the most energized topics that come up in the new parent support groups that we both host, and here in this episode we share some of common barriers that new parents face as well as strategies and options for overcoming them. Bouncing forward into parenthood is the name of the game here, not trying to bounce back to your pre-baby relationship dynamcis. Topics covered here include:

• Physical & Emotional challenges common to new Moms and Dads
• Emotional challenges like loneliness, confusion, and 
• Self-honesty as a prerequisite for clear requests of your partner
• Us time vs Me time
• Resentment is a thief
• Sharing "brakes & accelerators"
• Love Language application
• "Stratitude of Gratitude"
• Space & Grace

... and so much more

Reference links:

https://www.welcometofatherhood.com/blog/new-baby-who-dis

https://www.welcometofatherhood.com/blog/gratitude-the-6th-love-language

https://5lovelanguages.com/quizzes

https://www.emilynagoski.com/come-as-you-are-worksheets

*****

Katie continues to offer her FREE weekly Embracing Parenthood Postpartum support meetup via Zoom every Thursday at 1pm PST. Katie runs these herself, so please drop on in to experience more of her wisdom, grace, and compassion in person.

https://www.thenestfamilyresource.com/parenting

*****

Like what we have to say? Subscribe to the channel, like this show, and come see us over at the Nest and Welcome To Fatherhood!

For more information on Katie DaMota and Nest Family Resource please visit:

https://www.thenestfamilyresource.com

For more information on David Arrell, his book Welcome To Fatherhood, and his other coaching and consulting offerings please visit:

https://www.welcometofatherhood.com

*****

Podcast music credit for The Road Ahead:

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/zoo/the-road-ahead

License code: YQSX0VF4MX6S3N8K

Photo credit: https://www.pexels.com/

Season 3 is finally here! Our theme is going to be Parenting & Partnership and here in the intro episode we talk about our plans for exploring the most common concerns and challenges that we each hear from from the new Moms and Dads in our support groups. We hope that these weekly discussions can help cultivate more awareness, empathy, and understanding for ourselves and our partners. We aren't here to take sides, but to build bridges and foster greater connection and collaboration in all of our efforts to be the best parent and partner possible. Topics we'll cover this season include:

• Redefining Intimacy in Early Parenthood
• Biology of Parenthood in Men and Women
• Fathers Don't Mother
• Making the Invisible Work Visible
• Understanding and Appreciating Partnership
• Managing Differences in Parenting Styles and Values
• Working With Baby's Preferences
• Breastfeeding as a Family Commitment

And so much more!

*****

Katie continues to offer her FREE weekly Embracing Parenthood Postpartum support meetup via Zoom every Thursday at 1pm PST. Katie runs these herself, so please drop on in to experience more of her wisdom, grace, and compassion in person.

https://www.thenestfamilyresource.com/parenting

*****

Like what we have to say? Subscribe to the channel, like this show, and come see us over at the Nest and Welcome To Fatherhood!

For more information on Katie DaMota and Nest Family Resource please visit:

https://www.thenestfamilyresource.com

For more information on David Arrell, his book Welcome To Fatherhood, and his other coaching and consulting offerings please visit:

https://www.welcometofatherhood.com

*****

Podcast music credit for The Road Ahead:

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/zoo/the-road-ahead

License code: YQSX0VF4MX6S3N8K

Photo credit: https://www.pexels.com/

Katie and David wrap up Season 2 and share some exciting updates and offerings from both The Nest and Welcome To Fatherhood in their own efforts in Bettering the Birth Space.

Katie also continues to offer her FREE weekly Embracing Parenthood Postpartum support meetup via Zoom every Thursday at 1pm PST. Katie runs these herself, so please drop on in to experience more of her wisdom, grace, and compassion in person.

https://www.thenestfamilyresource.com/parenting

*****

Like what we have to say? Subscribe to the channel, like this show, and come see us over at the Nest and Welcome To Fatherhood!

For more information on Katie DaMota and Nest Family Resource please visit:

https://www.thenestfamilyresource.com

For more information on David Arrell, his book Welcome To Fatherhood, and his other coaching and consulting offerings please visit:

https://www.welcometofatherhood.com

*****

Podcast music credit for The Road Ahead:

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/zoo/the-road-ahead

License code: YQSX0VF4MX6S3N8K

Photo credit: Katie & David

Since 98% of US births happen in the hospital then there needs to be a better way to get prepared for Hospital Birth and lower the rates of trauma and preventable interventions that many folks want to avoid. Tune in today to hear how Lisa & Marnie, The Hospital Doulas, have put together some programs focused on supporting this vast majority of parents to have amazing birth outcomes beyond the Hospital's minimal standards of "healthy Baby and Mama." In this episode we discuss:

- You don't know what you don't know - and how to see past your blindspots

- The BRAIN acronym and its usefulness in labor and delivery

- Their unique approach to working together with your Hospital team

- The importance of treating your birth team as individual people to help you get treated as an individual person

- A positive birth experience is much more about empowered decision making than external events

- "Routine Care" can be VERY different than "evidenced-based care"

- The true role of us Dads in the delivery room

... and so much more.

Helpful links:

Main page: https://www.thehospitaldoulascircle.com

Free PDF of 100 questions: https://www.thehospitaldoulascircle.com/opt-in

Their Masterclass registration: https://www.thehospitaldoulascircle.com/kajabisalespagetemplate-201208-152631-1619377878-1

*****

To learn more about Katie's FREE weekly Zoom Postpartum Support Group - Thursday's at 1pm PST - check us out here: https://www.thenestfamilyresource.com/parenting

Like what we have to say? Subscribe to the channel, like this show, and come see us over at the Nest and Welcome To Fatherhood!

For more information on Katie DaMota and Nest Family Resource please visit:

https://www.thenestfamilyresource.com

For more information on David Arrell, his book Welcome To Fatherhood, and his other coaching and consulting offerings please visit:

https://www.welcometofatherhood.com

*****

Podcast music credit for The Road Ahead:

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/zoo/the-road-ahead

License code: YQSX0VF4MX6S3N8K

Photo credit: The Hospital Doulas