Get Mom Ready Podcast

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Show Notes: What we Talked About + Products

Hey friends! welcome back to Get Mom Ready.

It’s the trio holding it down today: Meredith, Hannah, and Anna (Holly will be back!). And yes—today’s audio is a little different: Meredith is traveling and packing light, so her volume is a bit quieter than usual. Turn it up when she’s talking because she drops some of the best mental shifts in the episode.

Last week we talked about something counterintuitive: sometimes the most productive thing you can do is… nothing. Step back. Put the phone away. Regulate. Stop letting constant input run your day.

This week we’re holding the “both/and”:

You can give yourself permission to slow down… and still want to feel more productive.

Not “hustle harder” productive —More like: less pulled, less cluttered, less irritated, more present.

Because honestly? That’s what most of us want.

The theme of this episode: Stop living like everything is urgent.

We kept coming back to this word: pulled.

Pulled by:

* texts

* notifications

* rabbit trails

* “I’ll just do this one quick thing…”

* the never-ending mental tabs open in your brain

And when we’re pulled in ten directions, we end up doing life slightly irritated… even when nothing is actually wrong.

So today we talk about what’s actually helping right now — the tiny shifts that reduce mental load and decision fatigue.

1) The “leave your phone somewhere else” experiment

We all shared some version of this: physically separating from your phone.

Examples from the episode:

* leaving your phone in another room during the morning routine

* leaving it inside while you play outside after school

* charging it in an office (not your bedroom)

* treating it like a “landline” — you have to go to it to use it

And the surprising benefit?

Less irritation.Because your kids aren’t interrupting your phone/podcast/text spiral… you’re just with them.

No tug-of-war.

2) Turn off notifications (and take your power back)

We’re not saying “be unreachable.” We’re saying: you get to decide when the world gets access to your attention.

One line we loved:

“I want to happen to life. I don’t want life to happen to me.”

Start small:

* turn off Instagram + Substack notifications

* mute the noisiest group chats

* keep only calls/texts on (or set emergency contacts)

This is one of the fastest ways to reduce “everything feels urgent” energy.

3) Think one step ahead (not ten)

This was Meredith’s core practical shift, and it’s so good:

If planning overwhelms you… don’t plan the week.Just think one step ahead.

Examples:

* prep breakfast the night before

* decide lunch while you’re eating breakfast

* close curtains + turn on the sound machine before nap time chaos hits

* boil extra eggs while you’re already boiling one

* chop fruit/veg at night while you’re already cleaning the kitchen

It’s not about becoming a “planner.”It’s about reducing friction so you’re not living in constant scramble mode.

4) Time-block your phone the way you time-block your life

This might be the most helpful mindset shift for anyone who keeps their inbox at “zero” (hi, Anna 🙋‍♀️):

Instead of responding to everything all day long…create a few phone windows.

Like:

* 11:30–12:00 = texts + DMs

* 3:00–3:15 = quick check-in

* 8:30–9:00 = respond + catch up

Because being “caught up” isn’t the goal.

Being present is.

Side note: If you haven’t listened yet, go back to our episode with Jennifer Sise. It ties in perfectly to this chat. We talked about what it looks like to stop living in reactive mode, create intentional rhythms, and make decisions from a grounded place instead of a frantic one.

5) A gentle reminder: the goal isn’t perfect systems

We even said it out loud: we didn’t give “30 hot productivity tips” today.

But we did name what’s underneath all of this:

* reducing sensory input

* creating boundaries around attention

* choosing tiny systems that calm your nervous system

* making the next right step easier

And that’s the real productivity hack.

Get Mom Ready is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free subscriber.

Try this today (one tiny action)

Pick just one:

* Put your phone in another room for 60 minutes

* Turn off notifications for one app

* Write down the Amazon/to-do rabbit trail instead of doing it immediately

* Prep one thing tonight that future-you will thank you for

If you try something from this episode, tell us what you notice. We really do want to learn alongside you.

Listen + keep in touch

You can listen to the full episode wherever you get podcasts, or on our site: getmomready.com (you’ll also find our articles + resources there).

If this episode made you exhale even a little… send it to a mom friend who’s living with 47 tabs open.

And if you want to take this week’s advice to a more practical level, book a coaching call with Hannah, Meredith, Holly, or Anna to talk through the mental load you’re carrying and create simple systems that make your days feel lighter.

We’ll see you next week.

Before we go any further, let’s say this out loud:

You are not “too sensitive.”You are overstimulated.

Your phone is buzzing.The news is loud.The group chat is on fire.Your calendar is full.Your kids need snacks.Dinner isn’t made.

And somewhere in the middle of all of it… you snap.

Not because you’re a bad mom.Not because you don’t care.But because your nervous system was never designed for this much input.

Get Mom Ready is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

We Were Built for Acute Stress, Not Constant Stress

Thousands of years ago, stress came in short bursts.

A threat.A reaction.A recovery.

Adrenaline up.Adrenaline down.

Now?

The stress never fully resolves.

The notifications don’t stop.The news cycle doesn’t slow down.The scroll never ends.

Your body is staying in a low-grade state of fight-or-flight…and then your child spills milk and you feel like you might explode.

It’s not about the milk.

It’s about the cumulative load.

The Part We Don’t Talk About

There’s guilt, too.

Guilt for turning the news off.Guilt for not being “in the know.”Guilt for having calm when others don’t.

But guilt doesn’t regulate your nervous system.And it doesn’t help the world.

You can care deeply about what’s happening and still protect your peace.

Those are not opposites.

If You’re Snapping More Than You Want To, Start Here

Not with shame.Not with a new productivity system.Not with a 45-minute meditation you don’t have time for.

Start with evaluation.

Ask yourself:

* What am I allowing into my day?

* Is this input helping me live according to my values?

* Do I need this much information to be a good mom? A good citizen? A good human?

Most of us aren’t overwhelmed because we care.We’re overwhelmed because we have unlimited access to everything, all the time.

And no one else is setting limits for us.

PS. Don’t stop here. If you want super practical tools for evaluating your life and reducing decision fatigue, don’t miss our conversation with our favorite Productivity Coach Jennifer Sise. It pairs perfectly with this one.

Small Ways to Regulate (Even in the Chaos)

You don’t need a silent house.

You need reps.

* Leave your phone plugged in and walk into the next room without it.

* Mute the group chat for an hour.

* Decide when you will consume news instead of letting it consume you.

* Go outside without your phone.

* Do something with your hands (puzzles, folding laundry slowly, cooking, painting, organizing a drawer).

It will feel uncomfortable at first.

That’s not failure.That’s your nervous system detoxing from constant stimulation.

The Truth

You cannot carry the entire world and the mental load of your household at the same time.

You are allowed to:

* Be informed without being flooded.

* Care without being consumed.

* Protect your nervous system so you can show up regulated for your kids.

This isn’t about ignoring reality.

It’s about remembering that your children deserve a regulated mother more than they need a mother who knows every headline.

And you deserve peace in your own home.

If this landed somewhere tender for you, we’d love to hear it.

Have you noticed yourself snapping more because of the overwhelm on your phone?What’s helped you regulate lately?

Reply here or send us a message on instagram.

P.S. A big thank you to Pediped for sponsoring this episode. If you’re looking for developmentally healthy, truly kid-friendly shoes (that your nervous system doesn’t have to fight over), you can get 20% off your first purchase with code MOMREADY at pediped.com.

Get Mom Ready is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

If you’ve ever found yourself doing the “invisible work” of your home while also trying to keep everyone alive, fed, and emotionally okay… this episode is for you.

This week, Meredith, Hannah, and Anna talk about what’s underneath “I’m fine, I’ve got it,” and why asking for help often feels harder than just doing the thing (even when we’re drowning).

Holly is traveling this week, but we’ll be circling back soon to unpack what this season of travel has been like for her, with and without Iris.

What we’re really talking about: asking for help in real life

This episode isn’t a “make a better chore chart” conversation. It’s about the lived experience of motherhood where:

* your brain is carrying 47 tabs open

* your body is overstimulated by the end of the day

* resentment starts to feel like a pressure in your chest

* and you can’t even find the words to say what you need… until you’re already past capacity

We talk about how to notice what’s happening sooner, how to ask more directly, and how to do it in a way that invites partnership instead of defensiveness.

Here are the big themes we address.

1. “Take responsibility for the help you need.”

That sentence hit because it’s not about blaming anyone—it’s about recognizing: my system is overloaded, and I need to say so out loud.

Not passive aggression. Not storming around. Not silently keeping score.

Just the brave, honest moment of:

“I feel like I’m carrying a lot. Can we talk about where we can shift things?”

Anna referenced a really helpful Big Little Feelings Substack post that captures the “default parent” tension so well. Here’s the link.

2. The “behind the sink” resentment

Meredith named something so many of us feel but don’t always know how to explain:

Sometimes our partner is “helping”… but we’re still the CEO of the kitchen (or the parenting, laundry, decisions, etc.).And when you’re always the person behind the sink, it can start to feel like your home runs on your constant, unending effort.

The need wasn’t “help more.” It was more specific:

“I want you to step in and take the main task. I’ll be the support role for a minute.”

That clarity changes everything.

3. A reframe that actually helps: “It’s too much for both of us.”

We said it plainly: parenting is a lot, even with two engaged adults.

When you start from “we’re both carrying a lot,” the conversation becomes:

* less accusatory

* more collaborative

* more honest about reality

And it opens the door to solutions that feel sustainable instead of combative.

A few scripts you can steal

* Name it early (neutral + direct):“I’m starting to feel overloaded. Can we look at what’s on my plate today?”

* Share impact (without blame):“When I’m doing dishes after bedtime every night, I’m exhausted and we lose our time together.”

* Ask for one specific shift (not a full life overhaul):“Can you take nighttime dishes this week? I can’t do the kitchen one more time today.”

* Make the work an expectation, not a favor:“This is what our family needs to run. Everyone has a role.”

Have a friend who could use these scripts? Share the post.

Use tools that remove guesswork

Fair Play cards (mentioned in the episode) can help you see what’s being carried—and decide who owns what based on capacity and what each person doesn’t mind doing (or even enjoys).

It’s not about “perfectly equal.” It’s about “clear and agreed.”

Consider outsourcing without shame

Sometimes the most loving solution is: stop trying to do it all with zero support.

Meal help. Laundry help. A babysitter for two hours. A cleaner once a month. Even one recurring outsourced task can change the temperature of your whole home.

BTS: We also discuss inviting your kids to help you.

A gentle reminder we all needed

Some seasons are temporary.Some tasks are forever.

And both are easier when you stop trying to be the only functioning adult in the building.

If you’re feeling resentful, overstimulated, or chronically behind, it might not mean you’re failing.

It might mean you need help. (And you’re allowed to ask for it.)

We want to hear from you

If you have:

* a script that works in your house

* a way you split responsibilities that actually stuck

* a system that lowered your mental load

* or a future topic you want us to cover

Send it to us. We really do build episodes and resources from what you tell us.

And if something in this episode hit close to home and you want support, you can book a coaching session with any of us.

Today’s episode is sponsored by Pediped—shoes designed to support growing feet, and they’ve been awarded the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association.

If you’re looking for kid shoes with more room for toes to move (and a better fit for real-life kid feet), check them out. Use code MOMREADY for 20% off your first order.

Get Mom Ready is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free subscriber!

Money is one of those topics that can feel instantly overwhelming, especially in motherhood, when you’re juggling a million decisions and your brain is already full.

In this episode, we brought on Becca Gonzalez (The Money Girls) to make money feel simple, doable, and even kind of fun.

Becca shares how she went from bringing $90,000 of debt into her marriage (and becoming a full-blown “every dollar has a job” enforcer) to building a money system that helped her marriage feel like a team again, and helped her clients stop avoiding their accounts and start making confident decisions.

This is not a boring finance episode.

This is a “your shoulders drop and you think, oh… I can do this” episode.

We cover a lot…

1. The money shift that changes everything: understanding what’s happening

Becca’s core message is simple:

When you understand what your money is doing, you stop being afraid of it.

So many of us are living in:

* “I think we’re fine?”

* “I don’t want to look.”

* “It’s probably bad.”

Becca calls this moving from drama to data.

When you look at the numbers, it’s almost never as catastrophic as your brain has convinced you it is. And once you know what’s happening? You can actually move forward.

Becca shared that in six years of coaching, only a couple of clients were in as bad of a situation as they feared.

Most women are spiraling emotionally… while the numbers are manageable.

And even if they aren’t? Once you know, you can build a plan.

Clarity is power.

Becca Tip: If you’re wondering where your money is going, she says historically it’s usually:

* Groceries

* Eating out

* Convenience (hello, Amazon)

The good news?

Those are controllable.

You don’t have to eliminate joy, just decide consciously.

Get Mom Ready is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

2. Investing in yourself: Is there a “golden ratio”?

One of you asked:

How much is too much to gamble on starting a business? Is there a golden ratio?

Becca’s answer? There isn’t a magic percentage — but there are grounding questions:

* Does money already feel tight?

* Do you have any savings buffer?

* Are you investing in retirement (or moving in that direction)?

* Is this decision coming from fear/scarcity… or clarity and alignment?

If you invest while panicked, you’ll likely pressure yourself to earn it back immediately, and that pressure can sabotage your growth.

But if you invest from stability and intention? That’s a very different story.

She also reframed ROI:

Sometimes the return isn’t just financial.Sometimes it’s clarity. Confidence. Direction.And knowing what you don’t want to replicate.

3. Getting on the Same Page With Your Partner

This is where it got really good.

Becca sees two common scenarios:

* You share life, but not finances

* You share life and finances, but you’re not aligned

Her biggest lesson from her own marriage?

You can’t drag someone into money peace.

You can go first.You can model consistency.But you can’t control.

Try This: The “Values List”

Each partner separately writes 1–5 things they genuinely want to spend money on.

Then come together and explain the why behind each one.

It turns:“That’s dumb.”Into:“Oh… I didn’t realize that mattered to you.”

It shifts the conversation from numbers to meaning.

Holly shared that the Fair Play system has been helpful for dividing responsibilities (including money ownership) with less resentment and more clarity.

If you’ve never seen it, it’s a card deck and system designed to help couples divide household labor intentionally. You can find it here.

4. The Money Rhythms That Actually Works

A. If “weekly money meeting” makes you want to cry, Becca suggests:

* Set a timer for 15 minutes

* Have a tiny agenda

* Make one decision

* Stop

That’s it.

You can build from there. But start small.

B. Envelope System vs. Counting Up

Becca gave a mindset shift that blew our minds.

When you use envelopes, you’re often counting down:“I only have $25 left.”

When you budget intentionally, you count up:“I get to spend up to $X.”

Same math.Very different psychology.

C. Kids + Money: Skills Over Safety Nets

We also talked about saving for kids.

529? Trusts? Custodial accounts?

Becca’s perspective was powerful:

Before opening up any kind of account, determine your family values.

She goes much deeper into this on the pod.

Becca’s also gave us one game-changing tip for teaching kids wise spending… and stopping the constant “Can I have that?” battle at checkout. Don’t miss this in the episode.

A Perspective Shift We’re Still Thinking About

Holly shared a fact that stopped us:

The Equal Credit Opportunity Act passed in 1974, meaning women couldn’t independently access credit without a male co-signer until then.

That’s not ancient history.

If money feels intimidating… we are still culturally very new to full financial autonomy.

Grace. For all of us.

Connect With Becca

If you NEED a Becca in your life or want to check out her offerings, Becca lives mostly on Instagram and is new to TikTok.

Learn about her membership + free challenge to help you figure out where your money is going in about 15 minutes + offers: https://stan.store/mindherbusinessgirls

Money Girls Membership ($67/month as mentioned in the episode) is linked through her Stan Store.

Email Becca for 1:1 coaching inquiries:[email protected]

Want to Suggest a Future Topic?

We LOVE hearing from you.

Email us at [email protected].

Want Coaching?

You can book a coaching call with any of the Get Mom Ready crew here.

Question For You

When you think about money right now, what feels hardest:

Clarity?Communication with your partner?Or consistency?

Tell us in the comments.

And if this episode helped you take even one brave step toward looking at your numbers, that’s getting mom ready.

Holly’s onsite with a client today, so it’s just Anna + Hannah + Meredith on the mic, talking about something that quietly shapes your whole motherhood experience:

Friendship.Not “how to make more mom friends.”But how to know who’s safe… and how to be safe when someone hands you something tender.

Because motherhood has a way of turning friendship into both:

* lifeline

* and landmine

And a lot of us are carrying a low-grade question in the background of our lives:

Who can I really bring my real life to?

The word we’re side-eyeing: “loyalty”

We started with a spicy-ish take from Anna:

“Loyalty” feels like a weird expectation to place on friendship.

Not because commitment isn’t beautiful, but because friendship isn’t a contract.

When people say “I value loyalty,” sometimes what they mean is:

* “I need you to prove you’re on my side.”

* “I need you to show up the same way forever.”

* “I need you to be available when I’m not.”

* “Don’t change. Don’t drift. Don’t evolve.”

And motherhood will absolutely test that.

We talked about the difference between:

* desire (“I miss you. I wish we had more time.”)

* expectation (“If you cared, you would.”)

That line matters.

Thanks for reading Get Mom Ready! This post is public so feel free to share it.

A safe friend doesn’t demand your nervous system

One of the most freeing ideas in the episode:

A safe friend understands that availability can’t be “drop everything, always.”

Instead of “prove you’re loyal,” a safe friendship sounds like:

* “Do you have it to give right now?”

* “Can I put something here?”

* “Do you want validation or feedback?”

* “No pressure to respond fast, I just needed to say it.”

That’s not distance. That’s respect.

The most practical tool we shared

Hannah brought in something we wish every adult friendship had language for:

Before someone shares something hard, ask:

What do you want right now?

* Validation?

* Support?

* Feedback?

* Suggestions?

* A solution?

* Just a place to vent?

Because a lot of friendship tension isn’t “bad friend energy.”

It’s misaligned expectations:

* One person is venting.

* The other is fixing.

* Someone leaves feeling unseen.

* Someone leaves feeling rejected.

This one question fixes so much.

Get Mom Ready is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

How do you know someone is safe?

We didn’t give a cute listicle answer… because honestly, you learn over time.

But some clear “tells” came up:

Safe friends tend to:

* treat other people’s stories with care (no “she wouldn’t mind me telling you…”)

* disagree respectfully (no contempt, no reduction)

* handle your hard moments without pearl-clutching

* let you be human without making it about them

* disappoint you sometimes… and let you disappoint them sometimes (without punishment)

Safety isn’t perfection.

Safety is trust + emotional maturity + respect.

Next week: money talk (anonymous + no questions off the table)

We have a finance guru joining us next week and no questions are off the table and everything stays anonymous.

Send anything you want us to ask to [email protected] and we’ll get answers on next week’s episode.

Question for you (comment and tell us)

When you think about a “safe friend,” what’s the #1 trait that makes you feel like you can exhale and be fully yourself?

Sponsor: Pediped makes developmentally appropriate kids shoes. Use code MOMREADY for 20% off at pediped.com.

Somehow we all wear clothes every day…And yet most of us are still getting dressed on autopilot. In the dark. Half-awake. Wondering how we became the person who owns that many black leggings.

In this episode of Get Mom Ready, Holly, Hannah, and Meredith sit down with Priscila Smith (author, Substack writer (Follow her page, Put Together), and actual style whisperer) to talk about why personal style is never just clothes. It’s identity. It’s presence. It’s self-respect. And yes, it’s also a very real way to feel more grounded in your day…even if you’re sweating at the playground chasing a toddler who refuses shoes.

And listen…if you’re already thinking, “This episode is not for me,” because the idea of getting ready makes you want to want to crawl in a hole…this episode is especially for you.

Priscila is not here to turn you into a fashion influencer or convince you to suddenly care about trends. She’s here for the moms who are tired, overwhelmed, living in default, and just want one small, doable way to feel like themselves again, without adding a 45-minute routine to their morning.

Get Mom Ready is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

What we unpack in this episode

1) Why what you wear actually changes how you thinkPriscila introduces enclothed cognition—the research-backed idea that what you put on your body sends signals to your brain about who you are and how you show up. Translation: this is not vanity; it’s neuroscience.

2) Comfort vs. default (these are not the same thing)Leggings are not the enemy. Autopilot is. We talk about how many moms aren’t choosing comfort, they’re choosing whatever is closest to the laundry pile.

3) The most honest closet question you’ll ever be askedPriscila’s rule:👉 “Would you let a friend borrow this?”If the answer is no because it’s faded, stretched, or secretly your emotional support shirt from 2012…that’s data.

4) The “three style words” that simplify everythingInstead of chasing trends, pick three words that anchor your style in this season of life (one can absolutely be a feeling word like “comfortable” or “practical”). Bonus: your words are allowed to change, because, you guessed it, you’re allowed to change.

5) How to look put together in real-life mom clothesWe get very practical here:• fabric quality• fit (not tight, not sloppy)• monochrome outfits• clean sneakers• layers, jewelry, hair, makeupBecause “top + bottom” is not an outfit. It’s just clothes.

6) Why this actually matters more than we thinkCaring about how you show up isn’t selfish, it’s grounding. When you feel more like yourself, everyone around you benefits too.

If you want a starting point (no overhaul required)

* Wear one outfit you love on purpose this week

* Notice how you feel at the end of the day

* Look at your laundry basket. What do you keep reaching for, and why?

* Add a “third piece” to your go-to casual look

* If you’re wearing black leggings…please bless the community with a lint roller 😄

You’re welcome.

Links & resources mentioned

* Priscila Smith’s book: Put Together: It’s Never Just Clothes

* Priscila’s Substack: Put Together

* Instagram: @priscila_c_smith (one “L,” very important detail)

* Sponsor: pediped — use code MOMREADY for 20% off your first order

Priscila also shared that she’s not currently taking 1:1 clients, but if that changes, you’ll hear it first through her Substack.

If you loved this episode, send it to a mom friend who’s doing the “oversized tee + chaos bun + survival mode” thing on repeat…and doesn’t realize she deserves better than her 2014 faded leggings.

Thanks for reading Get Mom Ready! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Sometimes the most “emotionally healthy” thing you can do as a mom is admit the truth: you’re overwhelmed, you’re over-functioning, and social media is not helping.

In this episode, Holly, Hannah, and Meredith sit down with Alli Worthington (author, speaker, business coach (Holly’s actual business coach!), and mom of five) to talk about what it looks like to become an emotionally healthy mom… so we can raise emotionally healthy kids.

What we unpack in this conversation

1) Why moms feel so much guilt (and why it’s getting worse)

Alli doesn’t mince words: social media can be toxic for moms. Because your brain starts believing “everybody is doing everything,” when you’re really watching a highlight reel + a business model.

Instead, find your trusted people, and go to them when things feel merky.

2) Confidence doesn’t come first… reps come first

We talk about how confidence is built through action, mistakes, and evidence over time, especially in motherhood. Stop believing the lie that one mistake can mess everything up and instead put effort into becoming the mom you want to be...over and over again.

3) What “regulation” actually means in real life

Not in a fluffy way. In a “how do I calm myself down before I snap” way.Tools that came up:

* Counting down (and saying out loud what you’re doing)

* Taking a pause before disciplining

* Naming what’s happening in your body (hot, sweaty, escalated)

* Preparing for your predictable “activation moments” (car line, dinner rush, bedtime)

4) Overwhelm makes reactivity inevitable

We talk about how chronic overload pushes you into emotion-brain (amygdala) and takes your thinking-brain offline, which is why you say things you don’t even agree with later…and how to stop this hamster wheel.

5) “Over-functioning” (aka: doing too darn much)

One of the biggest mic-drop themes: over-functioning doesn’t just exhaust you, it quietly trains everyone around you to do less.Alli’s practical gut-check:If someone can do it 75% as well as you, let them.

6) The long game: don’t make your kids your identity

This part matters: if your worth comes from being needed, you’ll accidentally rescue too much, and your kids won’t build competence or confidence.

Get Mom Ready isn’t here to tell you how to parent. We’re here to help you stay connected to who you are while you’re doing it, so both you and your kids can thank you later.

A question to sit with this week

Where am I over-functioning right now… and what’s one “75% solution” I can accept without fixing it?

Mentioned + linked in this episode (Alli’s stuff)

* Alli’s book: Remaining You While Raising Them: The Secret Art of Confident Motherhood

* Finding Your Secret Superpower Quiz

* Alli’s Instagram: @alliworthington

* Alli’s website: alliworthington.com

* The Alli Worthington Show (podcast)

If you’ve been doing everything and calling it “being a good mom,” consider this your permission slip (actually, your order) to stop over-functioning.

And if you know a mom who’s drowning in decision fatigue and trying to do it all perfectly…send her this episode as a little love note.

Getting ready for maternity leave can feel like trying to plan for a season you’ve never lived before…because you are.

In this episode, we kick off a multi-part conversation on preparing for maternity leave—starting with mindset and practical preparation (and keeping it very real about what you can and can’t control).

What we covered:

- Our different maternity leave experiences (corporate, clinical, startup, and flexible/fractional work)

- Why mindset matters more than a perfect plan

- Setting low (or no) expectations for the leave itself

- Identifying where you fall on the spectrum: tightly wound vs. loose, and how to adjust

- How to support your team/spouse/community before you step away

The practical prep that helps most:

- List what you do daily / weekly / monthly

- Document simple processes and handoffs

- Give people a little margin (babies love an early arrival…)

Quote we loved: “Grace starts now—not the day maternity leave begins.”

Sponsor

PediPed — kids’ shoes for every seasonUse code MOMREADY for 20% off at PediPed.com

Want the full show notes + resources?

We put the full breakdown (key takeaways, examples, links, and a shareable recap) on GetMomReady.com.

👉 Head there for the complete show notes for Episode 17: GetMomReady.com

If you’ve ever thought, “If I could just get more organized, everything would feel easier,” this episode is for you.

This week on Get Mom Ready, we’re welcoming someone we trust deeply and couldn’t be more excited to introduce to this community: Jennifer Sise.

Jennifer is a time and productivity coach, author, podcast host, and mom who has worked with hundreds of women to help them stop managing time and start owning it. She’s also someone who understands motherhood seasons from the inside out, not from a pedestal.

This conversation is honest, practical, and surprisingly gentle.

It’s not about waking up earlier, doing more, or finally getting your life together.

It’s about understanding why so many moms feel behind…even when they’re doing everything they can.

The Real Issue Isn’t Time. It’s Decision Fatigue.

One of the most grounding moments in this episode is when Jennifer names what so many of us are experiencing:

When you’re making decisions all day long, you end up in chronic decision fatigue.

So you default to survival mode.You get through the day, but you’re not building the life you actually want.

That doesn’t mean you’re bad at time management.It means you’re tired.

What You Want Is Actually Possible

Jennifer gently but confidently reminds us of something many moms have stopped believing:

What you want is possible.

Not all at once.Not without trade-offs.And not without intentional decisions.

But you don’t have to choose between being a present mom and having dreams.You don’t have to sacrifice what matters most in order to build something meaningful.

You can have both.

And the path forward doesn’t start with more effort…it starts with clarity.

Why Structure Can Actually Feel Like Relief

This is the counterintuitive shift many of us need:

The more decisions you make in advance, the more margin you create.

Structure isn’t about rigidity.It’s about fewer emotional spirals when life goes sideways (because it will).

When time is already “set apart,” interruptions feel less personal and less overwhelming.

The Recovery Hour

Jennifer introduces a concept we immediately wanted to implement:

A weekly recovery hour.

A block of time where all the things that didn’t get done have a place to go.

Because so much mom stress isn’t about unfinished tasks…it’s about feeling like there’s nowhere to put them.

When there’s a plan for recovery, missed tasks stop feeling like failure and start feeling like life.

The “Should” Shift

Another powerful moment in this episode is Jennifer calling out how often we use the word should.

I should be able to do more.I should be able to keep up.I should have this figured out by now.

She invites us to replace should with want.

Not to lower standards.But to bring honesty and ownership back into our choices.

Because when you choose something because you want to, you carry it differently.

A Gentler Question for the Week Ahead

Instead of asking:“What’s wrong with me that I can’t keep up?”

Try asking:“What decision can I make in advance that would support me?”

That one question has a way of quieting the noise.

🎧 Listen to Episode 16 of Get Mom Ready for super practical tips on managing your time, cancelling the “shoulds” in your life, and more on the ever-freeing recovery hour.

You can also connect with Jennifer here:

* Instagram: @jennifersise

* Podcast: In Nine Minutes

* Book: It’s Only a Matter of Time

If this episode resonated, share it with a mom who feels stretched thin right now.These conversations land differently when you don’t feel alone.

You’re not behind.You’re getting ready in real time.

With you,- Holly, Anna, Meredith, and Hannah

If you’re entering the new year already feeling behind, tired, or a little disoriented, you’re not alone.

At Get Mom Ready, we’ve been hearing this from ourselves and our mom friends this month. The holidays end, routines are disrupted, inboxes are full, and suddenly there’s pressure to feel refreshed, focused, and motivated…often overnight.

But for most moms, the new year doesn’t start with rest. It starts with recovery.

The Expectation vs. Reality Gap

January is often framed as a “fresh start.” New habits. New goals. A clean slate.

The reality of motherhood looks different.

The holiday season is full emotionally, physically, and mentally. Even when it’s joyful, it can be exhausting. So when the calendar flips and life resumes at full speed, it’s normal to feel like you’re still catching your breath.

Feeling behind doesn’t mean you failed the new year. It means you’re human.

How Mom Guilt Sneaks In

This time of year is especially loud when it comes to guilt.

Guilt for not being more organized.Guilt for wanting quiet after weeks of togetherness.Guilt for craving structure while also missing the slower days.Guilt for not feeling as grateful or energized as you “should.”

We often see guilt masquerade as motivation, but it’s a fragile fuel. It pushes hard, burns fast, and leaves moms depleted instead of supported.

Redefining What It Means to Be “Ready”

At Get Mom Ready, we talk often about readiness but not the kind that demands perfection or productivity.

Readiness might look like:

* Allowing routines to return gradually

* Choosing rest before resolution

* Naming what actually feels supportive in this season

* Taking one honest step instead of ten forced ones

More specifically, it looks like:

* Holly Tate giving herself space to do a certain number of workouts in a week rather than specific days

* Anna Baker finding joy in stretching rather than high intensity workouts

* Hannah Castle, LCSW giving herself permission to take a rest day from training for her half marathon (which by the way, go Hannah! We are so proud of you!)

* Meredith Mayo allowing herself to not pack jeans and choose cookies over the holidays because she wants to, knowing it’s just a season

Then Hannah gracefully challenged all of us to have self-compassion as we work toward the habits we want to build, and Meredith reminded us that we all have many links in our chain that take energy.

You don’t need a perfect plan for the year.You don’t need a word, a system, or a fully mapped vision.You need space to ease back into yourself.

A Gentler Question for the Week Ahead

Instead of asking, “What should I be doing right now?”We invite you to ask, “What would support me in this season?”

That question tends to lead to quieter answers but ones that last.

You’re not behind.You’re not doing it wrong.You’re getting ready in real time.

🎧 Listen or watch this week’s episode of Get Mom Ready for an honest conversation about mom guilt, rest, and entering the new year with compassion instead of pressure.

If this resonated, consider sharing it with another mom who needs permission to slow down. This season is easier when we don’t walk it alone.

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