I Get It From My Mom: Authentic Conversations Between a Mother and Her Daughters on Parenting and Growing Up

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From breastfeeding battles and toddler food rebellions to school lunch fatigue and the eternal “what’s for dinner?” question, feeding a family is never just about food—it’s about love, control, tradition, and survival. In this episode, Elissa shares her war stories from the trenches of motherhood: leaking pumps, picky eaters, Pinterest lunch fails, family dinners, and the nightly short-order kitchen.

Along the way, she digs into the science behind kids’ nutrition, the emotional tightrope of body image, and the unexpected joy of teaching her daughters to cook. Because in the end, it’s not really about the peas or the pizza; it’s about the memories made around the table.

And if you’ve ever wished there was an easier way to answer “What’s for dinner?”—good news. Elissa and a friend are building Fork & Tell, a new app that helps families and friends share, organize, and pass down recipes that matter. Think of it as the recipe box reimagined for real life. Stay tuned: it might just save dinner.

Like a good meal, this episode is best when shared, so pass it along to a friend who’s ever faced the nightly dinner dilemma.

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Sending your kid to college? Whether it’s your first time or your fifth, nothing truly prepares you for the emotional, logistical, and “oh-my-gosh-how-did-we-forget-a-fan?!” reality of freshman year.

In this solo episode, Elissa shares the unfiltered truth about getting ready for college move-in—what to buy (and what’s a total waste), how to handle the summer anxiety spiral, what really happens on move-in day, and the roommate, friendship, and academic adjustments no one warns you about.

Drawing from her daughter Ava’s freshman year experience, Elissa dives into the emotional side of the transition for both students and parents, offers practical tips for packing and prepping, and even reveals the silver lining of life with a “temporary only child” at home.

Whether you’re a parent bracing for goodbye or a student gearing up for your first semester, this episode delivers the mix of humor, honesty, and useful advice you won’t find on Pinterest. Grab your coffee, take a deep breath, and let’s make this milestone a little less overwhelming.

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What happens when your career hits pause… but the rest of your life keeps going?

In this honest (and sometimes funny) solo episode, Elissa reflects on the past year since getting laid off after 26 years in the workforce. From job loss grief and imposter syndrome to the weird freedom of unscheduled days and a happy dog who thinks she now lives at home forever, this is a candid look at identity, parenting, and reinvention in midlife.

Along the way, Elissa shares what surprised her most: how her daughters didn’t flinch when she stopped working, how her value was never tied to a paycheck in their eyes, and how, slowly, she’s learning to see herself that way too.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, sidelined, or simply in between roles, professionally or personally, this episode is for you.

For more reflections on parenting, career pivots, and trying to make sense of what comes next, follow along on:

Threads: @elissa_igetitfrommymom

Substack: https://igetitfrommymom.substack.com/ 

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Ever wonder why moms always seem exhausted, even when their kids are older? In this solo episode, Elissa dives deep into the invisible weight moms carry, known as the mental load. From packing for summer camp with military precision to managing every social twist, school assignment, and forgotten hair appointment—this episode explores what it means to be the default parent, emotional first-responder, and household CEO all at once.

Elissa shares honest stories about her own experience parenting teens, the never-ending to-do list running in her brain, and why letting go of perfection might just be the real key to sanity. If you've ever felt unseen, overextended, or like your family runs on your brainpower, this one’s for you.

Emotional labor
Mental exhaustion
Teen drama management
Default parenting

There’s no such thing as a perfect parent. Just a whole lot of us doing our best. Hit play, take a breath, and feel a little less alone by sharing with a friend.

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🎧 Dear Dads: This One's For You (Love, Your Teenagers)

This Father’s Day, we’re turning the mic toward the men who made us—and made us laugh. In this heartfelt episode, Elissa, Ava, and Maggie reflect on the dads and grandfathers who shaped their lives, from delivery room heroics to softball sidelines, Broadway nights to backyard BBQs.

You’ll hear funny stories, sweet memories, and a top-10 list of why their dad, David, is a true MVP—from concert planner and gift-giving king to grill master and family sarcasm lead. Plus, the girls honor their Papa and remember their Grandpa with love and laughter.

Whether your father figure is a dad, a grandpa, a coach, or someone who just shows up, this episode is a tribute to the everyday love that anchors a family.

Hit play for a feel-good listen full of real talk, teen perspective, and a whole lotta dad energy.

Share it with a dad-figure you love and follow us on socials for behind-the-scenes content on TikTok @elissa-igetitfrommymom and Instagram @i.get.it.from.mymom 

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Episode Title: Summer Camp Talk: What to Pack, What to Expect, and When Kids Are Ready

Episode Summary:

Is your child camp-ready, or are you just ready for a little peace and quiet? In this episode of I Get It From My Mom, Elissa, Ava, and Maggie dive into the world of summer camp - day camp, sleepaway, and everything in between.

We talk about how to know if your kid is ready, how to choose the right camp (arts vs. sports, co-ed vs. single gender, etc.), and what really happens once they’re there. From Ava’s camp counselor stories to Maggie’s time as a camper-turned-waitress, to Elissa and David’s own camp experiences, it’s a hilarious, helpful, and heartfelt look at this rite of passage for so many families.

You’ll hear:
✅ Tips on what to pack
✅ How to handle homesickness (yours and theirs)
✅ The experiences kids and parents should expect
✅ Why the camp photo portal is both joy and torture

Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned camper parent, this episode will help you prepare—and laugh—through it all. 

Check out behind-the-scenes content on TikTok: @elissa-igetitfrommymom and Instagram: @i.get.it.from.mymom

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Pads, PMS & Period Panic: A Teen Survival Guide (With Mom)

Episode Summary:
Periods are natural—but the awkwardness, confusion, and panic that come with them? Totally avoidable. In this no-shame, no-secrets episode of I Get It From My Mom, Elissa and her daughters Ava (19) and Maggie (16) get real about all things menstruation.

From early signs of puberty to that first OMG moment, to cramps, culture, and the best products out there—this is the real talk every tween, teen, and parent needs to hear. The trio shares personal stories (yes, including leaks), tips for managing symptoms, and how to talk to boys, dads, and even your doctor without feeling weird.

Whether you're prepping your child, surviving your own cycle, or still hiding your tampon up your sleeve—this episode’s for you.

Topics include:

• First periods and what to expect
• Puberty signs parents shouldn’t ignore
• Period products (pads, tampons, cups, etc.)
• How PMS really feels—and how to handle it
• Cultural traditions & period taboos
• What we wish schools taught about menstruation

🩸 It’s time to ditch the shame and start the conversation.

Follow us:
Instagram: @i.get.it.from.mymom 
Threads: @elissa_igetitfrommymom 
TikTok: @elissa_igetitfrommymom and @avamorgan.klein

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Join us for a very special birthday episode celebrating Ava turning 19! In this heartfelt journey through nearly two decades, Elissa shares the real story of raising Ava, her and David's firstborn—and how she taught them to be parents.

Ava's Journey Highlights:

• Dramatic birth story and "juiciest baby" phase with reflux struggles
• The legendary three-day potty training standoff that showed her determination
• Finding her passion in softball, including a grand slam home run on her 15th birthday
• Navigating multiple school changes and learning to advocate for herself
• Health challenges, injuries, and social struggles that built her resilience
• Brave decisions to leave situations that weren't serving her—from quitting softball to switching colleges

Key Takeaways for Parents:

• How firstborns teach you to parent while you help shape them
• The importance of letting kids advocate for themselves
• Recognizing when it's time to support big changes
• Why confidence means showing up even when things are hard

Plus: Hear Ava's thoughts on her future—career goals, relationships, friendships, and what kind of mom she wants to be.

Perfect for parents of firstborns and tweens and teens learning to trust their instincts. A celebration of growth, resilience, and figuring it out together.

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Sweet Dreams: Sleep Habits and the Importance of Sleep from Cradle to College

From sleepless newborn nights to college all-nighters, sleep—or the lack of it—is a shared thread through every parenting and growing-up journey. In this episode of I Get It From My Mom, Elissa and Ava (minus Maggie this time!) dive deep into sleep: how it changes as kids grow, why teens fight it, and how parents never really rest again.

You’ll hear:

• Honest stories from the baby and toddler years (including night terrors and pacifier mishaps)
• The science of adolescent sleep cycles and why teens are biologically wired to stay up late
• What chronic sleep deprivation does to teens’ mental health and performance
• The "eternal vigilance" of mom sleep (and why dads sleep through everything!)
• Power naps, dream talk, and nighttime routines that actually help
• Tips for improving your family’s sleep, from bedtime routines to sleep environments

Whether you're a parent of little ones, navigating the teen years, or just trying to survive your own sleepless phase, this one’s for you. Comment, follow, and share it with a sleep-deprived parent.

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From kindergarten applications to college essays, academic pressure starts early and only gets more intense. In this episode of I Get It From My Mom, Elissa, Ava, and Maggie get real about the emotional roller coaster of school stress. From NYC’s test-in school system to AP classes, SAT anxiety, and "study hacks" that don’t always hack it, they break down what students are really dealing with and how parents can help without hovering.

🎓 What you’ll learn:
 ✔️ How early academic pressure is impacting kids’ mental health
 ✔️ Study strategies that actually work (and which don’t)
 ✔️ A real-time look at how different learning styles play out
 ✔️ What to say—and not say—to your kid before a big test
✔️ How to balance support vs. smothering (we’re looking at you, car ride quizzes)

Whether you’re a parent trying to be a safe space, or a student who just wants a break from the pressure, this episode is for you.

✨ Share your best study tip or school stress moment with us on Instagram at @i.get.it.from.mymom. And if you found this helpful, like, follow and share this episode and others from this podcast with other parents and kids who will benefit.