Mary shared she always wanted kids, and kept a running list in her mind of things she saw that wanted to do or wanted to not do as a future mother herself. She nannied for a few families before having her first kid, so the transition into motherhood was pretty easy for her. She talked about how pregnancy was really hard for her. During her second pregnancy, Mary's doctors recommended against having any more kids. Mary shared that she was surprised to find out that there are free parenting resources available. She took a free parenting class in her area, and still has connections to some of the people in that class. Mary shared that the lack of sleep, even now when her kids are 9 and 7, is hard. Mary also shared that watching her kids grow up and learn, and sharing her favorite things with them, is amazing. She shared that even with the lack of sleep and sometimes things are hard, parenting is still so fun!

If you want to come on the podcast and share your experiences of being a mom, send me (Laura Pruett) a message! I'd love to chat. You can reach out to me on the Laura Asks About Motherhood Facebook page or Instagram account. Please subscribe, 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 the second set of 5 guests: Stephanie from the 6th interview, Tracy from the 7th interview, Meghan from the 8th interview, Ginny from the 9th interview, and Sheyla from the 10th interview. To check out Stephanie's blog, go to shineindarkness.blog. If you want to come on the podcast and share your experiences of being a mom, send me (Laura Pruett) a message! I'd love to chat. You can reach out to me on the Laura Asks About Motherhood Facebook page or Instagram account.

This week is a break from interviews to start a mini-series within the podcast that will recap advice given from previous guests. Today is advice given from the first 5 guests: Mary, Joni, Debi, Dezerrae and Mindy. 

To check out Debi's music therapy company, visit mindfullmusic.com. Check out Dezerrae's counseling services at Total Life Counseling. To check out Dezerrae's placenta services, visit www.eastvalleyplacenta.com. To check out Mindy's podcast and social medias, search for The Storytinker on any podcast platform, or on YouTube, Instagram or Facebook. If you want to come on the podcast and share your experiences of being a mom, send me (Laura Pruett) a message! I'd love to chat. You can reach out to me on the Laura Asks About Motherhood Facebook page or Instagram account. Please subscribe, and thanks for listening!

Marcela was 30 years old when she became a mother, after 5 years of trying for kids. She shares that her kids and her husband are a blessing to her, it's so sweet. She briefly talks about growing up in Lima, Peru. Marcela shares she was in a car accident 4.5 years ago, and the way that changed her life. She talks about her faith throughout the interview, and how her trials and having a relationship to God affects the way she mothers. I mention the Come Follow Me program offered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, you can read more at churchofjesuschrist.org or on the Gospel Library app, available in any app store. Marcela shares that she was placed for adoption when she was born, and lived with a foster mother till she was almost 3 years old before she was adopted. She talks about what she learned from her foster mother and adoptive mother, and towards the end of the interview she reminds the listener that there are many kids and babies that need loving homes.

If you want to come on the podcast and share your experiences of being a mom, send me (Laura Pruett) a message! I'd love to chat. You can reach out to me on the Laura Asks About Motherhood Facebook page or Instagram account.

Michelle talks about how she and her husband are school teachers, and how that affects their parenting. She talks about struggling with anxiety, trying to let go of the need to control, and finding a balance of knowing when to ask and/or accept help. Michelle talks about planning her first pregnancy, and then having two happy surprise pregnancies because she was too scared to plan for another child after her first. Michelle gushes about her husband and kids, and it is so sweet. Michelle talks about how her religion helps her know her worth and to teach her kids to love everyone. Michelle shares that they have a strong family culture of putting family first, partly because her husband is Tongan, and also partly because Michelle's two oldest siblings passed away during Michelle's childhood. Michelle talks about how both sets of grandparents are very involved with her children, it is so sweet.

If you want to come on the podcast and share your experiences of being a mom, send me (Laura Pruett) a message! I'd love to chat. You can reach out to me on the Laura Asks About Motherhood Facebook page or Instagram account.

Bobbi spent a lot of time around babies and little kids growing up, so becoming a mom was a natural transition for her. She shares about role playing adopting kids when she was a kid, and then adopting her second child. She reflects on the cultural differences between living in Utah, the Los Angeles area and North Georgia. Bobbi talks about having a miscarriage at 14 weeks and the culture of not sharing you are pregnant till after 12 weeks to hide any pregnancy loss, if it happens. Bobbi talks throughout the interview about being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Bobbi gushes about her husband, it is so sweet. She gushes about each of her kids as she discusses how they're different and how parenting each one is different. Bobbi talks about homeschooling her kids. She talks about how awful healthcare is for women. She talks about losing her dad when she was 19 years old. She shares that she grew up as one of nine kids, and what it's like living far away from family support. She talks about being super extroverted and the importance of community. Bobbi shares her worries and joys as a mom as she talks about her kids.

If you want to come on the podcast and share your experiences of being a mom, send me (Laura Pruett) a message! I'd love to chat. You can reach out to me on the Laura Asks About Motherhood Facebook page or Instagram account.

Karla shares that her first pregnancy was a surprise when she was in grad school, and being so nervous to tell her parents that she was having a child out of wedlock. Her boyfriend, now husband, is a huge support to her, and they planned their second child together. Karla shares the birth story of her son, Francisco, leading to a cesarean birth. At her son's suggestion, Karla then shares the birth story of her daughter, Katalyna, a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). Karla talks about finding out she had PCOS while pregnant with her daughter, and the importance of having a doctor who will listen to you.

Karla talks so sweetly about her husband and her mom throughout the interview. She shares that she was born in Nicaragua and almost died on her journey with her mom to get to the U.S. when she was 2 years old. Karla talks about being undocumented for much of her life and losing some parts of her culture, and how that affects her mothering. She talks about growing up Catholic and how that affects her mothering now. Karla talks about having tough conversations with her kids about things like racism, sexism, homophobia, slavery and genocide. She talks about mom guilt and the uncertainty of making decisions for and about her kids. She also shares the many joys she finds in being a mom.

If you want to come on the podcast and share your experiences of being a mom, send me (Laura Pruett) a message! I'd love to chat. You can reach out to me on the Laura Asks About Motherhood Facebook page or Instagram account.

Sarah talks about being around people a lot before kids, and when she became a mom she was suddenly alone. Sarah shares she has MS and how she needed to plan her pregnancies with her doctors. Sarah talks about the difference of having 1 or 2 kids and a smaller living space versus having 4 kids in a larger living space. Sarah shared that being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints influences everything about the way she parents. She also talks about how she grew up in the South, but now lives in San Diego, and how the general parenting tone is different in each place. Sarah talks about trying different things with her kids to see what works, managing emotions, the joy of introducing new things to her kids, and the importance of having fun with her kids.

If you want to come on the podcast and share your experiences of being a mom, send me (Laura Pruett) a message! I'd love to chat. You can reach out to me on the Laura Asks About Motherhood Facebook page or Instagram account.

Jennifer did not want kids, and then found out she was pregnant a few years into her first marriage. Her pregnancy opened her up to learning more about natural medicine, and changed the trajectory of her career and whole life. After a while she left the corporate world for birth work, and now owns a midwifery practice serving the Phoenix valley Called Moxie Midwifery. You can find out more at moxiemidwife.com.

Jennifer talks about divorcing her first husband, being a single parent and co-parenting, and then getting remarried. She shares how having anxiety impacts her parenting. She talks about her journey of personal growth and conscious parenting, and the difference it has made in parenting her son versus parenting her daughter 13 years later. Jennifer talks about how her culture of wellness and her spiritual practice both deeply impact her parenting. Jennifer talks about how connecting to the Divine Feminine is an important part of her relationship with her daughter.

Jennifer talks about having trauma triggers during her kids' first 2 years of life, and not knowing why. In working with a therapist, she approached her dad about it and found out what happened in her first few years of life. She talks about how therapy, meditation, massages and lots of self-care practices help her heal and parent.

If you want to come on the podcast and share your experiences of being a mom, send me (Laura Pruett) a message! I'd love to chat. You can reach out to me on the Laura Asks About Motherhood Facebook page or Instagram account.

Janai talks about growing up in a family of 6 kids, and loving it. She wanted a family like the one she grew up in, and planned for her 2 babies right after she and her husband were married. She talks about how her mom shaped the way she views motherhood and how she mothers now. She shares she had a really rough birth that required blood transfusions and a hard recovery, but also shares how much joy she has in being a mom to her daughter. She shares that her religion has helped give her purpose and guidance, and a road map for how to parent and teach her daughter about God and Jesus Christ. She found that having mom friends that have kids about the same age as her kid has been so helpful, a "game changer" for her.

If you want to come on the podcast and share your experiences of being a mom, send me (Laura Pruett) a message! I'd love to chat. You can reach out to me on the Laura Asks About Motherhood Facebook page or Instagram account.