You’re running on empty…and can never seem to refill your tank.

You stare at your to-do list…but can’t make yourself move.

You go quiet when your kids need you most…and then beat yourself up for shutting down.

This is the freeze response — your nervous system’s way of protecting you when life feels too big or too much.

In today's episode, I’m breaking down what the freeze response is, how it shows up in your parenting, and what to do about it.

If you ever feel stuck, numb, or overwhelmed, this episode will help you understand what’s happening inside you and how to take small steps toward calm, connection, and confidence.

For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/369

The post The Freeze Response in Parenting – 369 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

What if the reason you're so busy all the time isn't actually because you have a lot to do?

What if it's your body's way of avoiding the uncomfortable emotions you'd rather not feel?

In today's episode, I'm diving into the flight response -- your nervous system's way of saying, "this feels unsafe, so let's escape."

You'll learn why you feel compelled to stay busy with household tasks instead of slowing down to connect, and why you suddenly remember an "urgent" task every time you think about having a hard conversation with your teen.

Listen now to learn how to get grounded when your flight response kicks in, so you can finally be present for the moments that matter most.

For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/368

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If you’ve ever raised your voice and instantly regretted it, felt your whole body tense when your child ignored your request, or snapped at your child for something seemingly small, chances are you've felt the fight response in action.

Those moments can leave you questioning yourself as a mom, when in reality, your nervous system is simply trying to protect you.

Building on last week’s overview of the nervous system, part two of my From Protection to Connection series dives into what the fight response actually looks like in parenting. Spoiler: it’s not just the big blow-ups. 

By the end, you’ll be able to recognize fight patterns for what they are – automatic responses in your body, not a personal failing.

That awareness alone can give you the space to respond with more calm and connection in the future.

For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/367

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Back-to-school season is here, and for many moms, that means more stress, more rushing, and more moments that push you to your limit.

Maybe you’ve found yourself yelling, shutting down, or saying yes when you really wanted to say no and then thinking, "Why do I keep doing this? I know better!"

These reactions aren’t personal failings. More often than not, they’re your nervous system slipping into survival mode without you even realizing it. And many of those responses were wired into your nervous system in childhood, when you first learned what it took to feel safe.

This episode will show you that when you start noticing what’s happening inside your body in those heated moments, you take the first step toward changing what happens inside your home.

For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/366

The post How Your Nervous System Shapes Your Parenting – 366 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

"Mothering is messy and interrupted and loving."

"Motherhood is about making mistakes and repairing them. And that's how we learn."

"As moms, we do our best. We make it up as we go along and we muddle through."

Those are some of the things Dr. Margo Lowy wishes someone had told her earlier in her parenting, and it’s exactly what she shares in this week’s episode of the podcast.

Dr. Lowy is a psychotherapist and the author of ​Maternal Ambivalence: The Loving Moments & Bitter Truths of Motherhood​. She holds a PhD from the University of New South Wales, where she researched maternal ambivalence, and she’s a columnist for Psychology Today.

In our conversation, we discussed the parts of motherhood no one likes to talk about... the moments when you don’t feel loving, when your kid is being a "little sh*t," and you wonder if you’re even cut out for this.

Dr. Lowy brings compassion and clarity to the feelings so many moms carry quietly, and helps you see them not as failures, but as part of the full, human experience of being a mom.

Tune in for this compassionate, grounded insight that every mom needs to hear.

For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/365

The post It’s Okay Not to Love Every Moment of Motherhood with Dr. Margo Lowy – 365 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

As my summer hiatus comes to an end, I’ve been reflecting on how I spent my time during the past two months and the insights I gained.

I’m excited to share what I’ve learned with you and how it can help you show up as a more grounded, present mom.

In today’s episode, I’m giving you a recap of my summer, including the lessons that can support you in your parenting and emotional well-being as you head into the new school year.

For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/364

The post Summer Recap and Insights to Support Your Parenting – 364 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

Recently, I found myself crying over things that normally wouldn’t faze me, running on broken sleep, dragging through the day, and binge-watching TV more than I’d like to admit. Everything seemed heavier than usual.

I realized I was in a funk.

I know I’m not the only mom going through this right now, especially as the slower pace of summer starts to shift and everything feels a little "off."

After listening to this episode from 2020, I took my own advice and it helped me feel more in control, more grounded, and less stuck.

If you’re feeling blah, unmotivated, or just not yourself lately, I hope it helps you, too.

For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/363

The post Getting Out of a Funk: Summer Playback Series – 363 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

Have you ever heard one of your kids say, “You love them more than me”?

It’s easy to dismiss, but sometimes those comments open the door to a deeper reflection: Is there a pattern here I haven’t noticed?

This week on the podcast, I’m bringing back an episode that explores the uncomfortable (but important) question: Do I have a favorite child?

You’ll hear how favoritism shows up in everyday parenting, why your thoughts matter more than you might think, and how your kids’ perception of favoritism can impact your relationship with them.

For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/362

The post Favorites and Fairness: Summer Playback Series – 362 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

Last week while venting to a friend about her day, my mom caught herself telling a negative, victimy story.

When she realized this, she switched to talking about what went well that day instead, and completely shifted her mood.

This reminded me about how the stories we tell ourselves matter. They shape how we feel and how we show up as moms.

If you’re telling yourself, “I can’t stop yelling,” “Nothing’s working,” or “I’m failing as a mom,” you don’t have to stay stuck in that story.

You have the power to change your story—and today's summer playback episode will show you how.

For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/361

The post What’s Your Story: Summer Playback Series – 361 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

Wondering how to handle it when your kid curses for the first (or next) time?

Swearing can stir up a lot of emotions for moms, including shame, anger, worry, and embarrassment.

Whether it’s your 6-year-old testing limits or your teen trying to sound cool, how you respond matters more than the fact that they used a four-letter word.

In this episode, I talk about why kids swear, how to stay calm when it happens, and what kinds of consequences (if any) actually help.

You’ll also hear stories from my own life and coaching practice, along with a surprising research study about cursing and pain tolerance that might shift your perspective.

It’s the kind of episode that will help you stay calm the next time an f-bomb drops—whether it comes from your kid or slips out of your own mouth.

For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/360

The post Kids, Cursing, and WTF to Do About It: Summer Playback Series – 360 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.