Confessions of a Mama Brain

***TRIGGER WARNING*** In this week's episode, I have a fellow Mama Brainer, mental health advocate, and podcaster--Beth Syverson. Beth, a recovering addict herself, discusses the journey for recovery and DE-stigmatizing substance disorders...and how that has affected both her life, and her son, Joey. Beth provides us with a better understanding and using different approaches, when it comes to communicating and supporting a child, who has an addiction. Beth also mentions that we, as parents, need to peel back the layers, and educate ourselves, in order to understand WHY our child might turn to substance abuse. This is the first episode, I have no experience with, but one that a limelight should be shined on. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, there are resources! Below is contact & podcast information for Beth, as well as alternative resources.
[email protected]
anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast
safehomefamilies.com/5things
https://www.drugfree.org/treatment
National Hotline: 1-800-662-4357

In this week's SEASON THREE PREMIERE-- I discuss what it has been like having my younger children now in school, alongside my resigning from my previous employer. I mentioned what I have been learning, and realizing what has NOT been working, in our family dynamic. I share the all-ready achieved milestones my children have completed, as well the sane-ISH family environment we've been loving, because of it! 

**TRIGGER WARNING**(NO apologies for the noise,doggies, & babies in the background.. it's real MAMA BRAIN life!) 
In this week's SEASON 2 FINALE(& longest episode yet!)-- I brought two medical professionals, and fellow Mama Brainers-- to discuss all things, from our children's illnesses and injuries..for when it comes to tending to those boo-boos, as a Mama, AND an actual life saver. Sarah Dickerman, is a board-certified advanced practice registered nurse, in family practice. Sarah has been in various practices of the nursing game, for over a decade, and a life-long friend. Sarah's a devoted Mama, of her athletic little boy, raising him proudly, alongside her husband. Dr. Caroline Schreeder, is a  board-certified, SELFLESS breast oncologist & surgeon, for almost a decade! Dr. Caroline raises her two young babies, alongside her husband, as well! All of us, very different backgrounds: whether we are licensed medical professionals and parents, or having to live a life, as a chronically ill parent, with revolving doors, of doc visits and multiple diagnoses-- we all constantly keep that MAMA BRAIN HAT on, at all times...because, at the end of the day, we want to support, listen to our own bodies and mind, and always, always, keep our children safe & healthy(without smothering)!

*Apologies for the tech issues! & Possible Trigger Warning* In this week's episode--I invite back, one of my bffest-- Yazmin Cowan! You might recognize Yazmin from a couple of episodes in Season 1 & 2. Yazmin is a fellow Mama Brainer of THREE boys, like me! Yazmin and I mention how this Summer made us feel more like anxious work, than relaxation-- but also, noting that we are both very lucky, to have opportunities & resources, when it comes to creating memories, in the Summer, with our children. Despite the different backgrounds & situations-- Yazmin and I find so much similarity and solidarity-- when it comes to setting high expectations for Summer, and then feeling like we didn't meet them. We both know, in the end, is about being PRESENT, in those moments, that truly matter to our children... and that we are still learning to forgive ourselves, for however those moments, may look!

*Apologies, for the toddler background noise!* In this week's episode, I mention the difficult, beautiful, INSANE, trials & MANY TRIBULATIONS: of having MULTIPLE CHILDREN. It is indeed a SH** SHOW. I discuss how this amplified, during our recent family vacations, this Summer. I discuss that there is not much comparison-- between a parent of one, versus a parent of two, three, etc-- just bigger & worse! Ha! I do remember to note, the beauty in my +3 humans- life, and how my partner and I, KEEP trying, every day, to make sure, our children don't feel any less loved.. despite our kiddos constantly comparing themselves, to their siblings!

*POSSIBLE TRIGGER WARNING*
In this week's episode, I bring out, my colleague, soul sister, and FELLOW MAMA BRAINER, Dr. Roshe Davis, PhD.  Dr. Roshe & I, discussed our many (F-WORD= FAILURES), we overcame, and had to bounce back, reframe, and refocus, from! Dr. Roshe mentions how this has changed her views on "failure", as her identities evolved, and what was best and NOT best, in her life, in order to be the BEST MAMA, she could. Serious Black Girl Magic, here. 

**POSSIBLE TRIGGER WARNING** In this week's mini premiere episode, I get to laugh & revisit generational trauma, all over again, with THE FIRST OG BFF/COUSIN, Heather Camacho.  Heather is a fellow Mama Brainer, of one, who also saves lives, for a living. Heather  mentions how our typical "Hispanic Mom" cleaning and expectations, has both affected & molded her-- into the Mama, she is, today. Both Heather and I, discuss how our fears of not meeting those INSANE expectations, as well as our approach to cleaning, NOW, is shown in our motherhood. We both mention that there's more to being a good woman, partner, and mother... than what social media/culture, tells us... and what the small steps towards that, looks like, for us, and our children, in our homes!

In this week's episode, we revamped what was previously, WINE ABOUT IT, WED—and turned it into: FUSS ABOUT IT, FRIDAY! I brought back my mom, Carmen Ylonka Batista, as well as a couple of my little sisters, Cherilyn Diaz, & Nickole Czernecki— for a few games and laughs! We first mention, what each of us, needed to FUSS ABOUT, while also reminding each other, to unWINE, and know we’re all struggling… together!

 *New podcast music & POSSIBLE TRIGGER WARNING* In this week's episode, I brought my guest for the 3rd time, and one of my besties: Jenna Johnson! Jenna, a fellow Mama Brainer and Boss Babe AF, mentions how her mental health, has tied into her bold hair choices. Both Jenna and I, discuss our hair evolving journeys, and how that has shaped our motherhood, and our forever views of hair, and self care! Jenna and I, also mention the various moments, where  we are still struggling, still changing, but embracing these Mom manes of ours! 

**POSSIBLE TRIGGER WARNING**In this week's episode, I tackle how society views LOVE LANGUAGES, and those expectations.. but F THAT. I DIG in, and share how the unique ways, my love language is shown, and received. As parents, we struggle to even  prioritize ourselves, in our demands list.. so language is "spoken" & "felt" differently. I mention my culture, as always, as my foundation, and how THAT played into my adulthood, and my former relationships, and friendships. I discuss how my physical & mental illnesses have drastically changed my love language...into a huge, bright, colorful, all-across-the-spectrum way of communicating, & showing what my emotional needs are now..and how they are constantly met, by the ones that love me.