DONE PLAYING BY THE RULES

This week, Jenelle shares the journey to her recent ADHD diagnosis.  Jenelle had suspicions for the last year and half, that ADHD could be a contributing factor to her mental health struggles, but didn’t go through with a perusing a diagnosis until 2 months ago.  ADHD diagnoses are becoming increasingly common in 30-40 year olds, as we start digging into our issues in therapy and addressing things that we don’t want to pass on to our kids.  And on that same topic, did you know ADHD runs in families?  Because Jenelle did NOT.  As usual, Jenna will pepper Jenelle with questions, and there will be humor and plenty of cussing.  Enjoy!

Jenelle’s medication: https://www.drugs.com/mtm/atomoxetine.html

Podcast: Whiskey Ginger (guest NIKKI GLASER)

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whiskey-ginger-w-andrew-santino/id1440300401?i=1000490899050

This episode is a different but important one. Jenna and Jenelle discuss their family safety plans and what they have in place to keep their families safe as well as where they need to improve. This is a conversation that is very important to the ladies and something not many people talk about since it is a subject that they hope never becomes a reality. 

Judy kit- https:www.judy.co

Cabellas freeze dried food kit- https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/wise-company-60-serving-freeze-dried-entree-meal-kit?ds_e=MICROSOFT&ds_c=Shop%7CCAB%7CTopPerformers%7CHunting&msclkid=b1c72443999c1782335146551b7088c8&gclid=b1c72443999c1782335146551b7088c8&gclsrc=3p.ds

Listen in this week to hear the ladies discuss what they call "mini spirals" versus "mega spirals". They give personal experience as well as discuss when to seek help.

This episode, Jenna and Jenelle dive into the comparision game that is as old as time.  Cave men probably compared who had the best cave, and today we compare who went on the most grandious vacation or who has the most coordinated holiday card.  But if when we break it down, it’s all a bit of facade, isn’t it?  No one’s life is perfect.  Not a single one of us has every physical and mental feature we desire.  And social media is just a bit old magnifying glass that makes your life feel subpar.  Jenelle feels inferior to moms with more kids and working moms and Jenna feels she can’t live up to her mom’s legacy.  

https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/learned-stop-comparing

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/prescriptions-life/201803/how-stop-comparing-yourself-others

Glennon Doyle IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CZBDsIrLvir/?utm_medium=copy_link

The long requested introvert/extrovert episode is finally here!  While it is long recognized that this is a spectrum situation, most people tend to lean one way or another.  Jenelle fully leans extrovert and Jenna lands more into introvert territory.  But their friendship works because they see the value in each others unique strengths (and weaknesses).  But many introverts feel very misunderstood by their friends (especially within female friendships, which can often be much more emotionally taxing than other friendships).  They will also talk about “Spoon Theory”, “Hermit Mode”, and “emotional hangovers’.  

Introvertdear.com

Spoon Theory: ButYouDontLookSick.com

“I’m a Spoon” by Kirsten Schultz: 

https://www.healthline.com/health/spoon-theory-chronic-illness-explained-like-never-before#1

Numbing of emotions is something every single one of us does or has done at some point in our lives, but it’s pretty unglamorous to talk about openly.  Luckily,  that’s what Jenna and Jenelle specialize in.  This episode, they get super vulnerable and honest while discussing the numerous coping mechanisms they (and many others) use to dull the emotions we feel every day, and the toll “emotional shoving-down” can take on both mind and body.  Whether it’s online shopping or lashing out at partners, we all have developed ways to squash down uncomfortable emotions, and our brains are designed to seek constant comfort and joy, so it’s not ALL our fault.  But how we learn from and grow from numbing our emotions IS in our control. And it’s going to take some practice, so buckle up.     

Jenelle’s Article: [A must read] 

https://www.self.com/story/emotional-regulation-skills

Hip stretching class from Peloton:  [any peloton member can currently get you a free 60 day trial, even us]

https://members.onepeloton.com/classes/yoga?modal=classDetailsModal&classId=978294e00c5143d4a706c977e32e5249

This week, Jenna and Jenelle attempt to tackle the tough topic of raising grateful kids.  Parents often assume their kids should just be grateful for all the opportunity and privilege they have but gratitude is a learned experience and is actually very unnatural to small children.  They can’t be expected to jump for joy at every sweater Grandma gives them for Christmas.  In fact, they are more likely to be over-stimulated at holidays and have a much less desirable reaction.  So how do we turn these “greedy little animals” into appreciative, generous, empathetic beings? Who knows, but Jenna and Jenelle have some jumping off points to help get you started.  Jenna will dive into her nightly gratitude ritual, and how she mindfully eats in order to feel more grateful regularly. Jenelle will realize she spends approximately zero minutes being mindful or grateful per day.  Which side do you fall on? And do you think it trickles down to your kids?  

@drbeckyatgoodinside

We’ve all been there.  The holidays are supposed to be a cheerful and joyous time yet we feel completely drained. This week, Jenna and Jenelle share their top tips on how to avoid holiday burnout. After experiencing burnout themselves and struggling with the stress that holiday expectations place on adults, the ladies are on a journey to try and embrace a slower, simpler holiday season. If that’s not your cup of tea and you love a huge and extravagant holiday season, they are all about that too! You do you and embrace what makes YOU happy this season. 

Have you ever posted a picture to your sparkling IG page of everyone crying right after you lost your mind on your partner and kids?  Nope?  Why not?  Because this is a part of the parenting struggle that we avoid talking about at all costs.  Yet, all evidence points to the fact that every single mom has experienced ‘mom rage’, at least once.  And for Jenna and Jenelle, that number is way more than once.  This week they open up about how prevalent “mom rage” is, how it’s increased ten-fold during this unprecedented parenting time (referred to as “pandemic parenting” by experts) and when to know if you need to get help.  Occasional blow ups are normal we just don’t talk about them with our friends.  But that’s exactly what we DO talk about on this episode.  

Take a break tips: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ways-sneak-mental-health-breaks_l_6176aab5e4b03072d6f9a073

MOPS (Moms of Preschoolers) -support-https://www.mops.org

SOURCES:

The EveryMom: https://theeverymom.com/how-to-deal-with-mom-rage/

MOTHERLY: https://www.mother.ly/life/mom-rage-is-real-what-to-do

‘I Am Going to Physically Explode’: Mom Rage in a Pandemic (Published 2020):

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/06/parenting/mom-rage-pandemic.html

Whether you are a fellow Halloween fanatic or just want to get in the spirit for spooky season, you don’t want to miss this episode! Jenna and Jenelle share their favorite Halloween memories, personal haunting stories as well as some stories shared by listeners. Listen in for stories of mysterious rocking chairs, childhood spirit guides, old ladies who watch you sleep.