Melissa Bitan never planned to become a skincare entrepreneur. But when her son contracted hand-foot-mouth disease and doctors offered no solutions beyond "it's just a virus," her maternal instinct kicked into high gear. Drawing on her lifelong interest in natural remedies, she created a cream (Creme de Mekkai) that cleared her son's symptoms in just three days, a moment that would eventually birth the “Little Naturalz” child product line from her health-conscious advanced skincare line called “belle_lisse_beauty”.

Throughout our conversation, Melissa pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry's historical neglect of melanated skin. "When you make a product for melanated skin, everything has to be several steps above," she explains, detailing how standard ingredients like talc and mineral oil create ashy appearances and dryness on darker complexions. Her mission goes beyond selling products; she's elevating the entire conversation around aging, hormonal changes, and skincare for women who've been overlooked for too long.

What truly shines in this episode is Melissa's candid take on balancing entrepreneurship with motherhood. As a mother of three juggling a full-time career in textile sales and interior design alongside her skincare venture, she offers practical wisdom without sugar-coating the challenges. From setting boundaries with children (her top parenting struggle) to finding your "mommy village" and knowing when to seek professional help, Melissa's approach is refreshingly honest. Her mantra: "You can do anything, but you can't do everything at once", serves as both permission and caution for parent-entrepreneurs everywhere.

Whether you're interested in clean beauty, contemplating your own business venture, or simply navigating the daily complexities of parenting, Melissa's journey offers valuable insights on creating something meaningful while raising little humans. Check out her products on Instagram @ belle_lisse_beauty and watch for her website launch in Fall 2025.

⏰ Chapter Markers ⏰

0:00 - Show Introduction

2:15 - Meet Melissa Baton: Mother and Entrepreneur

6:10 - Creating Homemade Remedies for Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease

15:00 - Melanin-Aware Skincare and Industry Challenges

30:43 - Motherhood Style and Setting Boundaries

51:22 - Building a Parenting Village

1:11:11 - Teaching Kids Self-Value and Advocacy

1:31:55 - Navigating Child Development and Racial Dynamics

1:41:00 - Final Advice and Contact Information

➣ For Guest Appearances, Sponsorship & Bookings: [email protected]
➣ Visit our official website: https://www.ForShxttyMoms.com

Support the show

What happens when you combine mental health advocacy, teenage parenting challenges, and a journey of faith into one powerful conversation? Markeisa  Tassy, a single mother from Delray Beach, Florida, opens up about transforming her personal trauma into purpose while raising her teenage son Sincere.

"Working out for me is not what people see," Markeisa reveals as she discusses how physical activities like fitness and skating became her lifeline during panic attacks and divorce. "People think we work out and it's all about the body, but it's really all about the mind." Her candid approach to mental health challenges traditional perceptions of self-care and motherhood.

We dive deep into the complexities of raising a teenage son in today's world, from navigating their digital footprint to creating safe spaces for uncomfortable conversations. As an intake and family coach supervisor with Safe Families, Markeisa  brings professional expertise to personal parenting challenges, offering invaluable insights for parents struggling with similar situations. Her approach blends professional knowledge with spiritual guidance, revealing how faith has become her foundation for decision-making.

The conversation takes an unexpected turn when we explore school advocacy, with both hosts sharing raw stories about standing up for their children in educational settings. These honest exchanges showcase the reality many parents face when institutions fail to understand or accommodate their children's needs.

Whether you're a single parent, struggling with balancing work and family responsibilities, or seeking guidance on raising emotionally intelligent children, this episode delivers profound wisdom wrapped in authentic conversation. Markeisa leaves us with a powerful reminder: "We're not supposed to do motherhood alone." Her message of seeking help without shame offers hope for parents navigating their own challenges.

Join us for this transformative discussion that will change how you view parenting, purpose, and the power of community support in your motherhood journey.

Support the show

Step into the world of modern fatherhood as we sit down with Prentice Mobley, Superintendent for the city of Delray Beach and father to three children spanning different life stages. Prentice offers a refreshingly honest look at balancing career demands with family responsibilities, bringing a father's perspective to parenting conversations often dominated by maternal voices.

From his pre-dawn routine juggling workouts and school drop-offs to managing 48 city parks while being "Mr. Make It Happen" at home, Prentice reveals how he navigates professional responsibilities while remaining present for milestone moments. His unique position, having more workplace flexibility than his wife who works 12-hour nursing shifts, challenges traditional parenting dynamics and offers insights into how fathers can take leading roles in childcare.

The conversation delves into complex family structures, as Prentice shares how he parents children from different relationships and manages age gaps spanning more than a decade. He speaks candidly about protective fatherhood, awkward dating conversations with his teenage daughter, and finding the balance between enforcing boundaries and maintaining open communication.

With remarkable self-awareness, Prentice reflects on his own childhood experiences with an absent father and how they shaped his parenting philosophy: "Be present." Rather than getting caught in day-to-day frustrations, he takes a big-picture approach to family life, envisioning his role as nurturing a family tree while celebrating small victories like potty training successes and school achievements.

Whether you're a father seeking guidance, a mother wanting insight into a dad's perspective, or simply interested in modern parenting dynamics, this episode offers valuable wisdom on presence over perfection and the delicate balancing act of raising the next generation.

Listen now and join the conversation on what it means to be fully present as a parent in today's demanding world.

⏰ Chapter Markers ⏰

0:00 - Episode Introduction and Guest Welcome

2:53 - Day in the Life: Balancing Work and Family

9:23 - Parenting Philosophy and Being "Mr. Make It Happen"

18:05 - Navigating Daughter Relationships and Sibling Dynamics

30:46 - Parenting Challenges and Work-Life Balance

47:39 - Present Parenting and Bigger Picture Thinking

1:00:49 - Father-Daughter Relationships and Dating Conversations

1:10:18 - Closing Thoughts and Contact Information

➣ For Guest Appearances, Sponsorship & Bookings: [email protected]
➣ Visit our official website: https://www.ForShxttyMoms.com

Support the show

What happens when you approach parenting like an investment strategy? In this refreshingly candid conversation, real estate agent Alan Monica pulls back the curtain on fatherhood as a dad of triplets—identical twin girls and a fraternal boy.

Alan brings a unique perspective that many parents might find liberating: complete freedom from parental guilt when pushing his children toward excellence. "Until you turn 18, you have to do this stuff if we tell you to," he explains with a laugh, detailing how he evaluates his children's activities based on their potential long-term benefits rather than immediate enjoyment. This "return on investment" approach led his family to prioritize piano and singing for his daughters over cheerleading, which he viewed as having limited future applications.

The discussion reveals how Alan balances the unpredictable "feast or famine" nature of real estate work with his parenting responsibilities. From navigating school pickup lines to coordinating extracurricular schedules, he shares practical insights on time management that working parents will appreciate. He's refreshingly honest about leaning on his partner Maria, whom he credits as "the backbone" of their family unit.

Perhaps most compelling is Alan's commitment to modeling the behaviors he expects from his children. After receiving concerning health news, he changed his diet and exercise habits, explaining: "I don't want to be the kind of dad that just verbally says it. I want to try my best to show it as well." This authenticity extends to his parenting philosophy: "Go with your gut—what I want to see them doing, what I feel is right, I just try to push it."

Whether you're a mom seeking perspective on co-parenting, a dad looking for solidarity, or anyone interested in a straightforward approach to raising confident, skilled children, Alan's stories will leave you questioning your own parental guilt and considering whether a more decisive approach might benefit your family. Take a listen and reconsider what it means to truly invest in your children's future.

⏰ Chapter Markers ⏰

0:00 - Meet Alan: Real Estate Agent and Father of Triplets

9:05 - The Challenges of Real Estate and Parenthood

20:41 - Parenting Style and Extracurricular Strategy

31:31 - The Return on Investment Approach to Activities

45:28 - Leading by Example and Modeling Behaviors

54:02 - Dealing with Loss and Final Parenting Advice

➣ For Guest Appearances, Sponsorship & Bookings: [email protected]
➣ Visit our official website: https://www.ForShxttyMoms.com

Support the show

What if the most dangerous day in your child's life could be made safer through simple knowledge and preparation? After 21 years as a medical malpractice attorney specializing in birth trauma cases, Gina Mundy is pulling back the curtain on preventable childbirth mistakes in this eye-opening conversation.

Mundy reveals the stark reality that many parents don't realize they are the ultimate decision-makers during labor and delivery. Every intervention, from Pitocin induction to C-sections, is technically a recommendation that parents can accept or decline. This revelation comes alongside her identification of recurring patterns in birth injury cases that prompted her to write "A Parent's Guide to a Safer Childbirth" and launch a podcast dedicated to preventing these tragedies before they happen.

The discussion takes an honest turn when Mundy shares her struggles balancing her mission-driven work with motherhood. Her touching story about reconnecting with her 10-year-old son during a camping trip, where he initially told her the "World's Best Mom" cup didn't apply to her, resonates deeply with any parent trying to juggle meaningful work with family life. By the trip's end, he changed his mind, illustrating how intentional, undistracted time can transform parent-child relationships.

For parents considering their birth options, Mundy offers valuable context about the differences between hospital births, birthing centers, and home births. Rather than advocating for one approach, she emphasizes the importance of preparation and informed decision-making regardless of setting. Her perspective is particularly valuable given her unique position of seeing what goes wrong when parents aren't adequately prepared.

Whether you're planning a family, expecting a baby, or simply interested in healthcare advocacy, this conversation offers rare insights from someone who's witnessed the aftermath of childbirth gone wrong, and is now dedicated to preventing these outcomes. Subscribe to For Shxtty Moms now and join our community of parents committed to doing their best, even when perfect isn't possible.

⏰ Chapter Markers ⏰

0:00 - Introduction to Gina Mundy

5:29 - Common Pitfalls in Childbirth

11:42 - Being Your Own Advocate

20:08 - Juggling Career and Motherhood

34:40 - Reconnecting with Kids Amid Busyness

51:38 - Family Impact of Birth Trauma Cases

59:27 - Final Thoughts and Resources

➣ For Guest Appearances, Sponsorship & Bookings: [email protected]
➣ Visit our official website: https://www.ForShxttyMoms.com

Support the show

What happens when a serial entrepreneur welcomes two babies in 12 months while running a thriving virtual business and raising a teenager? Takera Hubbard knows firsthand as she navigates this extraordinary balancing act alongside her stay-at-home husband.

Takera's journey defies conventional paths at every turn. After having her first daughter as a young mother at 20, she built an impressive consulting empire offering over 40 different business services. When she married and decided to "start over" with more children in her mid-thirties, everything changed. With a 16-year-old daughter and two infant sons, Takera found herself juggling motherhood across vastly different developmental stages while maintaining her position as the family breadwinner and a doting wife.

The conversation takes a powerful turn as Takera courageously shares her battle with postpartum depression. Without family support in her new city and after being pregnant for nearly two consecutive years, she describes the profound disconnection she felt from her business identity and her struggle to reconnect with herself. Rather than medication, Takera discusses how journaling, visualization, and the steadfast support of friends and family helped her reclaim her sense of self.

Perhaps most fascinating is the role reversal in her marriage, with her husband assuming primary caregiving responsibilities. Takera offers rare insight into how men experience their own version of postpartum challenges as they adjust to being the stay-at-home parent while maintaining their status as the head of the household. Takera goes on to describe additional challenges that active stay-at-home dads face such as, sacrificing career aspirations and sometimes feeling a loss of identity. She shares practical ways they support each other's mental health while ensuring children receive the attention they need.

For families seeking financial freedom, Takera reveals several small businesses that families can start to generate substantial income without sacrificing valuable time together.

Whether you're a working mom, a stay-at-home dad, or anyone navigating the complex dance of family life and career ambitions, Takera's story offers both practical strategies and emotional reassurance that you're not alone in finding your own path to balance.

Support the show

What happens when traditional education doesn't serve your children well? For Akina, a mother of three who has spent a decade homeschooling, the answer was taking education into her own hands. In this revealing conversation, she shares her journey from banking professional to full-time homeschool parent after discovering her children were being taught concepts in school that they had mastered at home two years earlier.

Akina pulls back the curtain on modern homeschooling, dispelling myths about socialization and rigid teaching structures. Her approach is refreshingly practical: scheduling courses like college classes, incorporating martial arts six days a week for physical activity and social development, and tailoring education to each child's needs. For her gifted oldest son who completed high school math early, or her daughter who struggles with dyslexia and ADHD, homeschooling has provided the flexibility traditional education couldn't offer.

The conversation takes an honest turn as Akina discusses her serious health challenges in 2020 when she was on sixteen medications and preparing end-of-life arrangements. Her journey back to health through lifestyle changes parallels her philosophy on education that consists of finding “what works” for the individual rather than following prescribed systems. This same approach helped during COVID when her family navigated learning gaps that continue to affect children everywhere.

Perhaps most valuable are Akina's insights on maintaining balance by implementing "Self-Care Sundays," protecting her marriage through dedicated couple time, and teaching her children practical independence skills from cooking to laundry. As she puts it, "Teach them how to survive when you're gone", advice that has guided her parenting philosophy.

Whether you're considering homeschooling, struggling with traditional education, or simply looking for fresh parenting perspectives, this conversation offers practical wisdom from someone who's navigated these waters successfully for years. Listen now and discover why sometimes the best educational path is the one you create yourself.

⏰ Chapter Markers ⏰

0:00 - Podcast Introduction and Sponsor

0:56 - Meet Akina, Veteran Homeschool Mom

5:44 - The Transition to Homeschooling

15:04 - COVID Impact on Education

26:16 Social Development and Extracurriculars 

34:25 - Family Balance and Self-Care

50:38 - Digital Detox: The "Ass Phone" Solution

1:30:26 - Parenting Challenges and Successful Strategies

1:45:49 - Creating Support Systems and Rewards

➣ For Guest Appearances, Sponsorship & Bookings: [email protected]
➣ Visit our official website: https://www.ForShxttyMoms.com

Support the show

In this deeply personal episode, Dr. Lori steps away from her usual interviewer role to share the story behind "For Shitty Moms" and her own journey through motherhood. As a behavior analyst with a doctorate in applied behavior analysis, she reveals how her professional expertise intersects with her parenting challenges, particularly as she navigates raising a confident Black son while managing her own recently diagnosed ADHD.

The podcast's name comes from those moments all parents experience, when we fall short of our own expectations or when setting boundaries makes us feel like we're somehow failing. Dr. Lori  candidly discusses the "struggle and juggle" of motherhood, rejecting the myth of work-life balance in favor of a more realistic approach where sometimes certain priorities must temporarily take precedence while others wait.

Particularly moving is her discussion of parenting a Black son in a system that often doesn't extend the same grace to children of color. She shares both heartbreak and pride in watching her child develop resilience in the face of microaggressions, revealing the complex emotions that come with preparing him for a world that may not always see his full potential.

What sets this episode apart is Dr. Lori’s unflinching honesty about the role financial status plays in accessing parenting resources. Having worked to create a career that allows her flexibility, she acknowledges this privilege while offering practical strategies for those without the same options. From panic-inducing misunderstandings with teachers to the transformative advice about letting partners parent their own way, her stories resonate with authenticity.

Whether you're a longtime listener or new to the show, this episode provides valuable insight into using behavior modification principles to improve your parenting experience. Subscribe now and join a community of parents who are embracing their imperfect moments while striving for growth.

⏰ Chapter Markers ⏰

0:34 - Show Introduction and Sponsorship

1:36 - Meet Dr. DeLoren: Background and Profession 

4:47 - Applying Behavior Analysis to Motherhood

11:19 - Educational Journey and Career Path

19:29 - Origins of the Show's Concept

26:33 - Motherhood Challenges and ADHD Diagnosis

37:11 - Coping with "Shitty Mom" Moments

47:05 - The Role of Income in Motherhood

54:18 - Parenting as a Black Mother

1:03:24 - Struggle and Juggle vs. Work-Life Balance

1:08:45 - Best Parenting Advice: Let Partners Help

➣ For Guest Appearances, Sponsorship & Bookings: [email protected]
➣ Visit our official website: https://www.ForShxttyMoms.com

Support the show

What’s the secret to balancing a demanding career and a thriving family life? Join us as we uncover the answers with Dr. Francine Harper, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Professor, Wife and mother of three neurodivergent sons. In our candid conversation, Francine shares her journey from high-powered executive roles to flexible positions that accommodate her family's unique needs. She provides actionable strategies for prioritizing responsibilities, maintaining mental health, and fostering open communication within the family.

Ever wondered how to teach essential life skills to teenagers with disabilities? Francine opens up about her personal experiences, detailing the importance of family collaboration, structured environments, and empathetic parenting. She highlights her approach to nurturing independence in her children, supported by her husband and other family members. From teaching coping skills to fostering self-advocacy, Francine's practical advice is both inspirational and deeply insightful for any parent navigating similar challenges.

Considering a career change or looking to enhance your parenting approach? This episode is packed with valuable insights into balancing professional ambitions with family responsibilities. Francine discusses the nuances of career flexibility, the benefits of leaving high-stress roles, and the importance of supportive dialogue between partners. 

Additionally, we explore the concept of Black liberation in parenting and the transformative power of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Whether you're a working parent or simply seeking personal growth, our conversation with Francine Harper offers a wealth of wisdom and encouragement to help you make meaningful changes in your life.

⏰ Chapter Markers ⏰
0:00 - Juggling Family & Professional Responsibilities
13:43 - Parenting a Teenager With Disabilities
21:07 - Balancing Career and Motherhood
33:21 - Navigating Career Changes With Family
46:44 - Reevaluating Career Goals and Parenting
52:06 - Motherhood Challenges and Strategies
1:00:05 - Teaching Children Coping Skills
1:07:31 - Parenting With Self-Advocacy and Respect
1:18:13 - Redefining Parenting Through Black Liberation
1:25:06 - Career Insights and Parenting Tips

➣ For Guest Appearances, Sponsorship & Bookings: [email protected]
➣ Visit our official website: https://www.ForShxttyMoms.com

Support the show

Remember the time when balancing work and family life seemed like an extreme sport? Christina Martin, CEO of Mom to M.I.L.F LLC and a dynamic single mother, joins us on For Shxtty Moms to share her playbook on juggling a demanding engineering career while raising three kids. With stories that swing from her meticulous maintenance of B-52 aircraft, to orchestrating Family Fun Fridays, Christina's narrative is a relatable story that demonstrates the power of resilience and the art of finding ceaseless joy in the mayhem of motherhood.

If parenting is a rollercoaster, then education is the loop-de-loop that gets the heart racing. We tackle the ever-changing landscape of teaching methods and academic standards, along with Christina's firsthand account of navigating late-night homework breakthroughs with her teenage daughter and the quest for balance between being supportive and challenging. The conversation is a candid look at the trials of adapting to new educational norms and fostering unique learning paths for our children, all the while sprinkled with laughter and the occasional potty-training debacle.

Climb aboard for a heartfelt episode that not only pulls back the curtain on the life of a working mom in the engineering field but also dives into the trenches of daily parenting challenges. Christina and I share our experiences in finding solace in mom groups, discuss the creativity needed in managing the high cost of childcare, and reflect upon the importance of spirituality and personal growth in reclaiming the joy of motherhood. This episode is a heartfelt reminder that we're all in this together, imperfectly perfect and doing the best we can with the time we've got.

⏰ Chapter Markers ⏰
0:00 - Working Mom in Engineering Field
13:50 - Finding Enjoyment in Family Activities 
20:48 - Navigating Teaching Methods With Children 
25:35 - Navigating Educational Standards and Parenting 
39:39 - Challenges of Potty Training and Costs 
47:15 - Navigating Middle School Challenges With Confidence 
1:00:30 - Balancing Life as a Mom 
1:10:53 - Challenges of Working Mothers 
1:23:45 - Reclaiming Joy in Motherhood

➣ For Guest Appearances, Sponsorship & Bookings: [email protected]
➣ Visit our official website: https://www.ForShxttyMoms.com

Support the show