Feeling overwhelmed by holiday chaos and expectations? You're not alone! Christmas magic, as it turns out, is a lot of work—especially for moms. Lisa Valentine Clark and the Council of Moms—Hilary Craner, Ruth Aguirre, and Liz Palmer-Bastian—get real about the challenges of project-managing family Christmases and memories, and how to prioritize your mental health and well-being without sacrificing meaning during the Christmas season. They share what they've tried: traditions that stuck, and some that weren't worth the work. Give yourself the gift of peace this Christmas by making a few tweaks that everyone will remember and cherish for years to come—and not at the expense of your sanity.

Lisa and the Council of Moms--Dr. Juhi Raizada, Julie Suazo, and Whitney Call--talk about setting boundaries, delegating, and choosing appropriate milestones for kids to help boost their independence and save mom's sanity. They'll also talk strategies for couples to keep the load evenly divided so that everyone's needs are met.

Halloween is supposed to be fun, but for many parents, it can feel more like a haunted house of sugar highs, late nights, and expensive costumes. Lisa Valentine Clark and the Council of Moms—Geraldine “G” Fitisemanu, Erika Price, and Wendy Mar—share how they handle the chaos with humor and heart. From navigating candy with a child who has Type 1 diabetes, to deciding how old is too old to trick-or-treat, to creative costumes, the moms remind us that Halloween doesn’t have to be perfect to be memorable.

When chores turn into daily battles, how do you get kids to actually help without the endless reminders or frustration? Lisa and the Council of Moms—Julie Taylor, Emilie Campbell, and Sunny Mahe—share how they’ve learned to make chores a family effort instead of a fight. From dividing jobs by principle (not just convenience) to teaching accountability in everyday routines, they explore what it really means to work with your kids rather than against them.

What happens when your child seems unfazed by consequences? Lisa Valentine Clark and the Council of Moms—Cree Taylor, Amy Hackworth, and Michelle Love-Day—talk about how to reset your approach. They share how to shift from punishment to purpose while finding ways for kids to connect their choices to meaningful learning.

With endless streaming options and constant new content, it can feel nearly impossible to keep up with what your kids are watching. Ruth Aguirre, Hilary Craner, and Liz Palmer-Bastian join Lisa on The Council of Moms to talk about teaching media literacy at home—how to help kids build their own filter for what’s appropriate, even when you can’t preview everything first.

Screens can be a lifesaver in some moments—but what happens when the habit has gotten bigger than you’d like? Lisa Valentine Clark and the Council of Moms—Whitney Call, Julie Suazo, and Juhi Raizada—take on the guilt so many parents feel about screen time. It’s easy to wonder if it’s already “too late” to change course once the precedent has been set, but the moms remind us that there are always ways to reset. From recognizing that not all screen use is created equal (some can actually build skills), to setting tech-free zones or times (like no screens after 8pm or during meals), to inviting kids into the process through open conversations and family plans, the moms share their honest experiences and practical strategies. This episode is about moving past guilt and taking small, realistic steps to reset screen boundaries with confidence and connection.

It’s easy to scroll through social media and feel like every other parent is doing it better—handling emotions, avoiding mistakes, and saying all the “right” things. So what do we do when we get it wrong? Lisa Valentine Clark and the Council of Moms—Geraldine “G” Fitisemanu, Erika Price, and Wendy Mar—open up about their own parenting missteps and what recovery really looked like. From overreacting in the moment, to kids getting access to things sooner than expected, to learning how to take ownership and keep the door open for honest conversations, the moms remind us that mistakes don’t define us as parents---repair, connection, and love do.

Asking for help can feel tricky—especially when you worry about burdening others. Lisa and her Council of Moms—Emilie Campbell, Sunny Mahe, and Julie Taylor—open up about how to move past people-pleasing habits and embrace honesty with the people around you. From building a support system you can lean on, to offering service in return when you’re able, to learning that true friendship makes space for give and take, the moms share how they’ve learned to both ask for and accept help with grace.

Back-to-school season feels like a fresh start, but how do you keep that blank-slate energy alive once the chaos sets in? Lisa and her Council of Moms--Cree Taylor, Amy Hackworth, and Michelle Love-Day--share their tried-and-true strategies for attempting to stay organized and grounded through the school year. From the power of a Sunday reset, to forming habits that really stick, to knowing what’s worth sacrificing (and what’s not), these moms get real about what works and why school routines don’t look the same for every child.