Struggling with screen time guilt? 😅 In this episode, Aleea and Hav dive into the tricky world of kids and screens. They share real-life experiences, tips for finding balance, and how to set boundaries without feeling like a “bad parent.”

Screens aren’t the enemy—they can be tools for learning, fun, and even relaxation. The key? Being gentle with yourself and remembering that every family has its own rhythm.

Listen in for practical screen time strategies and a reminder that love, presence, and connection are what truly make great parenting.

RESOURCES

• Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @goldengoosecreative

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CHAPTERS

00:00 Exciting news!
01:11 Screen time drama 😅
04:05 Feeling guilty about screens?
09:28 Quality vs. quantity — the struggle
14:49 Can screens actually teach your kids?
17:50 Easy tips to manage screen time
26:04 Give yourself a break, mama
26:56 Parenting pressure is real… but manageable

Ever catch yourself stuck in the comparison trap of motherhood? In this episode, Hav and Aleea dive into how social media can quietly fuel comparison—whether it’s parenting styles, milestones, or the picture-perfect lives we see online.

They open up about the emotional toll of constantly measuring yourself against other moms and the freedom that comes from embracing your own unique journey. You’ll hear real talk on the difference between healthy and unhealthy comparisons, how to create a more supportive mom community, and why being gentle with yourself matters more than keeping up.

Because here’s the truth: just because something felt easy for you doesn’t mean another mom’s struggle isn’t real—and none of us get an award for having it “all together.”

Listen in for an honest and supportive conversation about doing our best, our way.

P.S. Got any mom groups, communities, or podcasts you swear by? Share them in the comments!

RESOURCES

• Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @goldengoosecreative

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CHAPTERS

00:00 When motherhood feels like a competition
11:17 How social media messes with mom life
17:10 Getting out of the comparison trap
24:20 You’re not the only one feeling this way
25:39 Doing motherhood your own way

Do the holidays already feel like a to-do list? In this week’s episode, Hav and Aleea unpack the emotional and mental load of being the one who “makes the magic.” Because sometimes the pressure to create the perfect holiday turns into resentment, guilt, and burnout.

They talk about the Pinterest-perfect expectations, the subtle shame around gifts, and how social media can make even meaningful traditions feel like they’re not “enough.” They are breaking down how to redefine holiday traditions, reduce pressure, and focus on what actually matters — connection, not consumption.

If you’re craving a more grounded, joyful season (and permission to ask for help), this episode is for you. ✨

RESOURCES

• Missed the last episode? Listen in here!
• Hear Emily's episode on The Messy Mom Podcast!
• Connect with Emily on TikTok
• Sign up for Emily's newsletter
• Want Christmas-specific magic? She has that too!
• Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @goldengoosecreative

• Need podcast support? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our services!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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CHAPTERS

00:36 Creating Christmas magic without spending big

03:23 Halloween costume hacks & swapping ideas

09:01 Let’s talk crafts: the cute ideas vs. the reality

14:44 Gift budgets, boundaries & resetting expectations

20:16 Holiday traditions that matter more than presents

28:33 Holiday pressure is REAL — here’s how we cope

Are you already feeling the holiday financial stress — before the season even starts? In this episode, Hav and Aleea get real about trying to create holiday magic without breaking the bank.

They talk about the pressure to make create ‘holiday magic’ for our kids, the intensity of early holiday marketing, and how easy it is to feel “behind” when everyone online seems to be doing the most.

They also share practical ways to simplify gifts, tap into local resources, and make meaningful memories — even with a budget.

Tune in for a reminder that the holidays are about connection, creativity, and presence… not price tags.

RESOURCES

• Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @goldengoosecreative

• Need podcast support? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our services!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  Want to be a guest or have a topic in mind? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send us a message!⁠⁠⁠

CHAPTERS

00:36 Creating Christmas magic without spending big

03:23 Halloween costume hacks & swapping ideas

09:01 Let’s talk crafts: the cute ideas vs. the reality

14:44 Gift budgets, boundaries & resetting expectations

20:16 Holiday traditions that matter more than presents

28:33 Holiday pressure is REAL — here’s how we cope

Do you ever head to work and feel that tug of guilt for leaving your kids behind? This week, Aleea and Hav are diving into what it’s really like to be the parent who leaves for work. And for the first time ever, they’re bringing on two special guests — their husbands, Ty and Tony — to share their side of the story.

Together, they unpack the emotional and practical challenges of being a working parent — from the guilt and pressure of providing for their families to the unspoken expectations that come with it. They also open up about the unseen struggles, the importance of communication, and the lessons they’ve learned while trying to balance work and family life.

Listen in for an honest conversation that reminds us both parenting roles are deeply valuable — just in different ways.

RESOURCES

• Listen in on the wfh mom perspective: https://bit.ly/MOMFilesEp8

• Listen in on at-home parents' "hidden" work: https://bit.ly/MOMFilesEp2

• Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @goldengoosecreative

• Need podcast support? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our services!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  Want to be a guest or have a topic in mind? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send us a message!⁠⁠⁠

CHAPTERS

00:00 Meet our guests - the parents who leave for work

01:14 The emotional toll of leaving kids for work

03:28 The working parent guilt

06:22 The unrealistic expectations on working parents

10:45 The invisible struggles of the parent who leaves

13:57 Balancing work and family

18:50 Advice for the working parent

Do you find yourself struggling to find balance as a work-from-home mom? In this conversation, Aleea and Hav discuss the guilt, pressure, and invisible load that come with juggling work and motherhood under one roof.

They talk about what it really looks like to find flexibility, set realistic expectations, and redefine what success means as a mom who’s doing it all from home.

Listen in for an honest chat full of grace, validation, and reminders that you’re doing better than you think.

RESOURCES

• Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @goldengoosecreative

• Need podcast support? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our services!⁠⁠⁠⁠

  Want to be a guest or have a topic in mind? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send us a message!⁠⁠

CHAPTERS

00:00 Work-from-Home Mom Struggles
05:32 Pressure and Expectations on Moms
10:55 Invisible Labor and Mom Guilt
17:09 Finding Flexibility and Flow
22:10 Redefining Success as a Mom

Ever feel overwhelmed when people say, “Savor every moment of motherhood”? 🙋‍♀️ In this episode, Aleea and Hav get real about the emotional ups and downs of parenting — from the guilt of not enjoying every phase to the pressure of staying positive all the time.

They unpack the difference between realistic positivity and toxic positivity, and why it’s okay to feel both grateful and exhausted. This is your reminder that you don’t have to love every moment to be a good mom.

Listen in for a reminder that it’s okay not to love every phase. It’s about giving yourself grace, letting go of guilt, and finding balance in the beautiful chaos of motherhood.

RESOURCES

• Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠ @goldengoosecreative

• Need podcast support? ⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our services!⁠⁠⁠

  Want to be a guest or have a topic in mind? ⁠⁠⁠⁠Send us a message!⁠

CHAPTERS

00:00 Why you don’t have to enjoy every moment of motherhood
02:53 Dealing with mom guilt
10:31 The complex emotions of motherhood
20:15 Realistic Positivity and Toxic Positivity

Have you felt like a completely different person since becoming a mom? There’s actually a word for that transformation: Matrescence.

In this episode, Hav and Aleea unpack this powerful identity and emotional shift that happens during motherhood. From the science behind maternal changes to the emotional highs and lows of new mom life, they explore how this season impacts your sense of self, relationships, and work-life balance.

They also dive into the importance of honest communication, finding support from other moms, and embracing the duality of emotions—because joy and overwhelm can coexist.

Listen in for a real, honest conversation that reminds you: it’s okay to embrace the messy parts of motherhood. Your journey is valid, and it’s yours.

RESOURCES

• Research on Matrescence: article 1 and article 2

• Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠ @goldengoosecreative

• Need podcast support? ⁠⁠⁠Check out our services!⁠⁠

  Want to be a guest or have a topic in mind? ⁠⁠⁠Send us a message!

CHAPTERS

00:00 What Matrescence Really Means

02:09 The Science of Matrescence: How Motherhood Transforms You

05:20 Emotional Rollercoaster: The Hidden Challenges of Motherhood

07:59 How Motherhood Shifts Your Relationships (Even the Strong Ones)

10:37 Balancing Career and Motherhood

13:35 Identity Shifts & Societal Pressure: Who Am I Now?

16:30 Touch, Intimacy & Connection: What Changes After Baby

21:29 Marriage After Baby: Navigating New Dynamics Together

27:07 Rediscovering You After Becoming a Mom

32:49 Communication Challenges in Parenting

36:30 Embracing the Messy Parts of Motherhood

Blood is thicker than water, but is it? In this episode, Aleea and Hav open up about the hard but necessary conversation around cutting toxic family ties.

From cultural pressures to the subtle (and not-so-subtle) signs of toxic behavior, they unpack how to spot red flags, set healthy boundaries, and the potential pushback. They also share why support systems matter and how prioritizing your mental health is an act of self-love.

Tune in if you’re ready to protect your peace and break free from family toxicity—for yourself and for your kids.

RESOURCES

• Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ @goldengoosecreative

• Need podcast support? ⁠⁠Check out our services!⁠⁠

  Want to be a guest or have a topic in mind? ⁠⁠Send us a message!

Love your kids, but miss who you were before motherhood? In this episode, Aleea and Hav get real about the complicated emotions of motherhood—the tug between missing who you were before kids while embracing who you’re becoming.

They unpack balancing personal passions with parenting, redefining your identity after kids, and giving yourself permission to feel the full range of emotions that come with motherhood.

Listen in for the reminder that it’s normal to love your kids deeply and still grieve parts of who you were before. Finding balance is possible—and so is feeling whole.

RESOURCES

• Missed the self-care episode? Listen to it here!

  Follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠TikTok⁠ @goldengoosecreative

• Need podcast support? ⁠Check out our services!⁠

  Want to be a guest or have a topic in mind? ⁠Send us a message!