Laura Asks About Motherhood

Andrea mentioned that she works as a Music Therapist with preschoolers with autism, and also volunteers with the Arizona Music Therapy Association (or AZMTA, you can learn more at azmta.org). She is from the city in Wisconsin (Milwaukee), and her husband is from the country in Colorado, and now they live in Arizona. She talked about how those different backgrounds influence her parenting. Andrea shared she grew up as an only child, and how that affects the parenting of her two kids. She talked about finding ways to recognize and lesson anxiety and pressure as a parent, which was very helpful for me!

If you would like to come on the podcast to share your experiences of being a mom, send me a message! Or if you know someone who would be interested in being on the podcast, send them my way! I'd love to chat. You can reach out to me on the Laura Asks About Motherhood Facebook page or Instagram account. Please subscribe, leave a rating and review, and thanks for listening!

Frances talked about how intense the postpartum period was, and even more so after her second child was born. She mentioned there are resources now to help families transition with a new child, such as 4th Trimester AZ. She talked about her breastfeeding journey, including pumping at work. She shared she and her husband have a more attachment or gentle parenting approach. She talked about her episcopal faith as well as spiritual exploration. Frances shared that she sometimes found herself going counter culture to follow her gut in parenting. She shared about having postpartum rage and weaning depression, but not knowing what they were till after the fact. I mention the book Post Pardon Me, by Suzanne Yatim Aslam, you can find more information at www.suzanneyatimaslam.com. Frances also teaches Bradley Childbirth Education classes, you can learn more at www.bradleybirth.com/franceslandreth. I can vouch that she is a great instructor!

If you would like to come on the podcast to share your experiences of being a mom, send me a message! Or if you know someone who would be interested in being on the podcast, send them my way! I'd love to chat. You can reach out to me on the Laura Asks About Motherhood Facebook page or Instagram account. Please subscribe, leave a rating and review, and thanks for listening!

My good friend, Gina, interviews me about my pregnancy again! I talk about how I'm feeling in my 3rd trimester, my hopes and plans for the labor and birth, and a bunch of other stuff. I mention the parenting podcasts I am currently listening to, which are the Badass Breastfeeding Podcast, specifically the episode from July 18, 2022 called "How Policy Changes Affect Breastfeeding and Parenting", Evidenced Based Birth, Evolutionary Parenting Podcast and Birthright.

Also, I shout out Blossom Birth Center for their awesome prenatal care. I highly recommend them if you are in the Phoenix area.

If you would like to come on the podcast to share your experiences of being a mom, send me a message! Or if you know someone who would be interested in being on the podcast, send them my way! I'd love to chat. You can reach out to me on the Laura Asks About Motherhood Facebook page or Instagram account. Please subscribe, leave a rating and review, and thanks for listening!

Katie talked about her infertility journey, and the depression she experienced tied to infertility. She spoke about having preeclampsia in her last pregnancy, and how that has altered her plans for future kids. She spoke about having more compassion since becoming a mom. She shared she is a member of The Church of Latter Day Saints, and how her relationship to God shapes how she mothers. Katie talked about her mother passing away when she was 4 years old, and shared how she has two moms since her step-mom has been such a great mother to her. Katie talked about the small joys in parenting, and how much she values the little things.

If you would like to come on the podcast to share your experiences of being a mom, send me a message! Or if you know someone who would be interested in being on the podcast, send them my way! I'd love to chat. You can reach out to me on the Laura Asks About Motherhood Facebook page or Instagram account. Please subscribe, leave a rating and review, and thanks for listening!

Darcy shares openly about her secondary infertility issues with the miscarriages and stillbirth she experienced. We mention The Compassionate Friends, and The Miss Foundation, which are two nonprofit resources for grief and loss. Darcy shared her journey to wellness and healing with Traditional Chinese Medicine and her own personal practices that led to her starting A Deep Well, her business offering alternative support services specifically in the birth field. Click HERE for more information. Part of that journey included Darcy reading the book Zero Limits The Secret Hawaiian System for Wealth, Health, Peace and More by Joe Vitale and Ihaleakala Hew Len, PhD. In the book she learned about the practice of Ho'oponopono, which has influenced her entire life. Darcy also emphasized the importance of naps.

If you would like to come on the podcast to share your experiences of being a mom, send me a message! Or if you know someone who would be interested in being on the podcast, send them my way! I'd love to chat. You can reach out to me on the Laura Asks About Motherhood Facebook page or Instagram account. Please subscribe, leave a rating and review, and thanks for listening!

Mary talked about feeling so empowered after giving birth to each of her three children. She talked about working as a music therapist, getting a doctoral degree in education and combining her music therapy and education work. She has worked as a music therapist for over 3 decades, and has worked in the birth field for 25 years. She offers several courses in birth work for music therapists, like Music Therapy Assisted Childbirth, but also services for birthing families. You can find out more information at soundbirthingmusic.com.

Mary also talked about having celiac disease, and the huge transition it was to take wheat out of her diet, especially since she married into an Italian family. Mary talked about being Catholic and raising her kids in the church. She shared that one of the hardest parts of mothering is when her kids get sick and/or need surgery. She shared a lot of joy in her journey as a mother, even now as her two older children navigate adulthood.

If you would like to come on the podcast to share your experiences of being a mom, send me a message! Or if you know someone who would be interested in being on the podcast, send them my way! I'd love to chat. You can reach out to me on the Laura Asks About Motherhood Facebook page or Instagram account. Please subscribe, leave a rating and review, and thanks for listening!

This week is a break from interviews to continue a mini-series within the podcast that will recap advice given from previous guests. Today's recap is advice given from 5 previous guests: Marcela from episode 26, Mary G from episode 29, Jes from episode 30, Derrelyn from episode 31, and Jermeika from episode 33.

If you want to come on the podcast and share your experiences of being a mom, send me (Laura Pruett) a message! Or if you know someone who would like to come on the podcast, send them my way! I'd love to chat. You can reach out to me on the Laura Asks About Motherhood Facebook page or Instagram account. Please subscribe, leave a rating and review, and thanks for listening!

I forgot time keeps passing. Another episode will come out next Wednesday, July 6. 

If you would like to come on the podcast to share your experiences of being a mom, send me a message! Or if you know someone who would be interested in being on the podcast, send them my way! I'd love to chat. You can reach out to me on the Laura Asks About Motherhood Facebook page or Instagram account. Please subscribe, leave a rating and review, and thanks for listening!

Marquisa talked about working as a Speech Language Pathology Assistant and being a graduate student to become a Speech Language Pathologist. Because of her schooling and work, Marquisa stressed the importance of reading and talking to your child. Marquisa shared she felt a lot of pressure when her daughter was a baby, but now loves the 3-4 year old ages. She talked about using natural family planning and knew the exact date of conception. She talked so sweetly about her super supportive husband, and how he does a lot with their daughter since Marquisa's body grew, birthed, and fed their child. Marquisa shared about that since she is Black, she was especially at risk during her perinatal experience because the Black maternal mortality rate is so high here in the United States. She also shared about getting carpal tunnel and mother's thumb, and how hard and rewarding breastfeeding was.

Marquisa shared she is not sure where she falls on the religious spectrum, but her white husband is devoutly Muslim. Marquisa talked about how they have lots of help raising their mixed race daughter in their multigenerational household. Marquisa shared that her brother Ahkeen passed away a few years ago, and they do a lot to honor and incorporate his memory in raising her daughter. Marquisa shared that The Compassionate Friends support groups have been so helpful for her family. To learn more, you can visit compassionatefriends.org.

If you would like to come on the podcast to share your experiences of being a mom, send me a message! Or if you know someone who would be interested in being on the podcast, send them my way! I'd love to chat. You can reach out to me on the Laura Asks About Motherhood Facebook page or Instagram account. Please subscribe, leave a rating and review, and thanks for listening!

Tina talked about becoming a mom at the young age of 21, and the career changes she made to better support her family. She shared about using hormonal birth control and the migraines they caused, which led her to use the fertility awareness method. The more she learned about women's health, the more fascinated she became. She now works as a freelance copywriter, focusing on women's health. You can learn more at christinamarieagency.com. One particular article on her website that caught my eye is "5 Ways to care for yourself after childbirth: and 6 must-have items". For anyone getting ready for childbirth, go check it out!

Tina also talked about separating from her first child's father, being a single parent for a few years, and now parenting with her current partner. She shared that she grew up with her aunt taking her to church, and even though she has chosen a different Christian faith as an adult, she still teaches her children about Jesus. Tina talked about growing up with a big Mexican family and continuing the food traditions. She shared her musical childhood and talked about continuing the love of music with her partner and their kids now.

If you would like to come on the podcast to share your experiences of being a mom, send me a message! Or if you know someone who would be interested in being on the podcast, send them my way! I'd love to chat. You can reach out to me on the Laura Asks About Motherhood Facebook page or Instagram account. Please subscribe, leave a rating and review, and thanks for listening!