Why do we hammer with a hammer, rake with a rake, but sweep with a broom? This viral TikTok question sparked today’s conversation—a replay of my interview on Miss Beth’s podcast, The Play on Words Podcast. If you’ve ever wondered why English feels impossible to decode, this episode will give you clarity you can use with your child right away. 

Miss Beth breaks down why English spelling is so inconsistent, using her favorite example: the word “healthy.” Since the root word is “heal,” the spelling stays the same—even though the pronunciation shifts. 

We explore why the word “Pacific” contains three different sounds for the letter C, whether we’ve all been mispronouncing “longevity,” and why we drink a drink but definitely don’t “food a food.” Miss Beth also confirms that struggling with reading out loud in school doesn’t mean anything about your reading ability.

We’re already planning a part two, so start sending in the words that confuse you most. Whether it’s the spelling, the meaning, or the pronunciation, we’ll break it down and help make English make sense—one word at a time.

Links & Resources

Beth’s website: https://www.bigcityreaders.com/

Follow Beth on Instagram @bigcityreaders: https://www.instagram.com/bigcityreaders/

Beth’s FREE Workshop for Kinder - 2nd Grade Parents: https://my.demio.com/ref/NdBsEKF5wWoY4Tbs

LMNT: Get a free 8-count Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavors with any purchase at http://drinklmnt.com/MILESTONE. Find your favorite LMNT flavor, or share with a friend. 

💻 Website & Blog:
 https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/

📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:
 https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/

🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:
 https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/

🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence
https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining

📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates
https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097

🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:
 https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm

🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries?
Contact us at [email protected]

 Go deeper with KC on Substack

More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else.

https://substack.com/@morethanmilestones

Love what you’re hearing? Follow, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow mom or caregiver who needs a little less pressure and a little more support. 🤍

If the thought of “kindergarten readiness” has you spiraling, this episode is going to be a breath of fresh air. Today I’m joined by Beth Gaskill, better known as Miss Beth of @bigcityreaders, a former teacher turned literacy specialist who’s changing the way parents think about reading.

Beth breaks down why we’re putting way too much pressure on ourselves when it comes to kids starting school—and what’s really going on inside kindergarten classrooms across the U.S. From the lack of regulation to teachers paying out of pocket for literacy training, she’s not afraid to call it like it is.

We also get into some of the most common questions parents have about reading: whether we’re pushing kids to read too soon, if sight words are really necessary, and what the “science of reading” actually means. Beth shares what to look for in your child’s reading curriculum and why third grade is such a crucial turning point for reading development.

She leaves us with one powerful piece of advice for raising readers: let your kids see you reading. 

Beth’s website: https://www.bigcityreaders.com/

Follow Beth on Instagram @bigcityreaders: https://www.instagram.com/bigcityreaders/

Beth’s FREE Workshop for Kinder - 2nd Grade Parents: https://my.demio.com/ref/NdBsEKF5wWoY4Tbs

Links

A list of KC's favorite children's books: https://urlgeni.us/amzn/childrens-books

Book that KC’s Mom wrote, Grandpa’s Garden: https://urlgeni.us/amzn/yUsgo

LMNT: Get a free 8-count Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavors with any purchase at http://drinklmnt.com/MILESTONE. Find your favorite LMNT flavor, or share with a friend. 

💻 Website & Blog:
 https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/

📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:
 https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/

🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:
 https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/

🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence
https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining

📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates
https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097

🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:
 https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm

🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries?
Contact us at [email protected]

 Go deeper with KC on Substack

More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere els

Today, I’m joined by my closest social media friend, Amy Kiefer. Amy is the co-founder of Expecting and Empowered, a pregnancy and postpartum workout app she runs with her sister, Krystle. She also co-hosts the HERself Podcast, and her online journey began through @ameskiefer, where our friendship started. She’s now sharing her dream home journey at @athomewithameskiefer, and we dive into all the things — motherhood, social media, and growing through every stage.

This episode isn’t an interview — it’s a real chat between two friends. We share how our friendship began online and how it’s grown. Amy opens up about supporting me through my hardest postpartum chapter, and we talk about the bitter sweetness of leaving the little kid years behind while finding joy in watching our kids grow.

We also get real about social media & the influencer world. Amy shares how she’s learned to handle criticism, reframe negativity, and protect her energy. Her perspective on mean comments will shift the way you think about showing up publicly. Amy shares why genuine friendships matter more than follower counts. She also shares what most people get wrong about influencers — and yes, it involves money.

Whether you’re in the baby years, growing alongside your kids, or navigating friendships and social media, this one will leave you feeling seen, understood, and a little lighter.

Follow Amy on her personal page: https://www.instagram.com/ameskiefer/

Expecting and Empowered: https://www.expectingandempowered.com/

Listen to the HERself Podcast: https://www.herselfpodcast.com/

Links

LMNT: Get a free 8-count Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavors with any purchase at http://drinklmnt.com/MILESTONE. Find your favorite LMNT flavor, or share with a friend. 

💻 Website & Blog:
 https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/

📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:
 https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/

🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:
 https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/

🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence
https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining

📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates
https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097

🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:
 https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm

🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries?
Contact us at [email protected]

Go deeper with KC on Substack

More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else.

https://substack.com/@morethanmilestones

Today we’re joined by Dr. Morgan Cutlip — relationship expert, psychologist, and author of How to Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself and A Better Share. We’re talking about the invisible weight of motherhood: the mental load.

Dr. Morgan breaks down what the mental load really means and why one of the hardest parts is explaining it. She shares how to get on the same page with your partner without turning it into a fight, and how to visualize the load so it’s easier to communicate.

We discuss why this burden often falls on women and how to build natural check-ins with your partner as life changes — because the load shifts every day. Dr. Morgan also shares what women want most: partners who anticipate needs and show appreciation, and how to invite that change without resentment.

We wrap up with a conversation about mom guilt, the slow erosion that can happen in relationships, and how to stay connected through the chaos. Dr. Morgan reminds us that it’s okay to take the moment you need — because knowing and asking for what you need is one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself and your family.

Follow Dr. Morgan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmorgancutlip/

Dr. Morgan’s Website: https://drmorgancutlip.com/

A Better Share: https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amzn/a-better-share

How to Love Your Kids without Losing Yourself: https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amzn/love-your-kids-without-losing-yourself

The Brief: A No BS Guide to the Mental Load for Men: https://drmorgancutlip.com/the-brief

Links

💻 Website & Blog:
 https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/

📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:
 https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/

🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:
 https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/

🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence
https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining

📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates
https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097

🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:
 https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm

🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries?
Contact us at [email protected]

 Go deeper with KC on Substack

More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else.

https://substack.com/@morethanmilestones

This episode is a raw one for me. It came out of the blue, right in the middle of an overwhelming season. There’s been a lot happening personally and medically within my family, and when that happens, I tend to put my head down and just get through it without really processing what’s going on.

After a long, exhausting day, I was putting the kids to bed and completely lost it. I yelled, felt terrible, apologized, and cried. It hit me—this is restraint collapse. We talk about it with kids; they hold it together all day and then fall apart at home. But sitting there in tears, I realized I was experiencing the adult version.

All day, I can show up for clients, for work, and on social media. But when I walk through the door, my patience and energy are gone. The guilt that comes with realizing I can give my best to others but not always to my family—it’s heavy. That moment was a wake-up call.

I talked with my kids about creating a safe word they can use when they notice I’m not being my best self. I’ve been working on supporting myself better—prioritizing movement, validating my feelings, being honest with Jay, gratitude journaling, cutting screen time, using noise-canceling headphones, and giving myself a short transition period when we all get home.

We talk a lot about helping kids cope with restraint collapse, but not what it looks like for us. Hard seasons will always come, but how we care for ourselves can change. My hope is that this episode reminds you to take a step back, give yourself grace, and focus on the small things that help you breathe again. This season won’t last forever.

Links:

LMNT: Get a free 8-count Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavors with any purchase at http://drinklmnt.com/MILESTONE. Find your favorite LMNT flavor, or share with a friend. 

💻 Website & Blog:
 https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/

📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:
 https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/

🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:
 https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/

🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence
https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining

📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates
https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097

🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:
 https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm

🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries?
Contact us at [email protected]

 Go deeper with KC on Substack

More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else.

https://substack.com/@morethanmilestones

Love what you’re hearing? Follow, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow mom or caregiver who needs a little less pressure and a little more support. 🤍

Welcome back to part two of our conversation with speech-language pathologist and pediatric feeding expert Bri Miluk (@pediatricfeedingslp), we’re diving into one of the most important topics for parents today—misinformation and pseudoscience on social media. If you haven’t listened to part one yet, be sure to go back to hear our discussion on primitive reflexes and why they matter.

In this episode, we talk about how parents can confidently navigate the minefield of social media and spot misleading or pseudoscientific claims. Bri shares practical tools for identifying red flags like unfalsifiable claims, exaggerated proof statements, emotional testimonials, cherry-picked studies, and overly technical “technobabble”.

We also dig into the world of dark marketing tactics—how trauma-based storytelling and hidden pricing strategies can be used to manipulate parents’ emotions and influence their decisions. These methods often prey on fear, guilt, and trust, making it harder to recognize when information is misleading.

Bri introduces a simple but powerful framework created by Dr. Jessica Stokes-Parish called CRABS, which stands for conflicts of interest, references, author, buzzwords, and scope of practice. This quick mental checklist helps you pause and evaluate what you’re seeing online before believing it.

We wrap up by exploring the issue of predatory journals—what they are, how people can pay to get published, and why not all research is created equal. Bri offers examples of how to verify if a study is credible and how to protect yourself from impressive-sounding but unreliable “science.”

Connect with Bri on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pediatricfeedingslp

Bri’s Podcast Episode with Dr. Jessica Stokes-Parish on the CRABS Framework: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4eSwFr0tpUPG21Z6UQHjOD?si=k5jzl0DaQ8O8KBiBTexcRA&nd=1&dlsi=9bb41e6995b7466d

Links

💻 Website & Blog:
 https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/

📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:
 https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/

🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:
 https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/

🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence
https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining

📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates
https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097

🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:
 https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm

 Go deeper with KC on Substack

More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else.

https://substack.com/@morethanmilestones

Today we’re diving into one of the most misunderstood & controversial topics circulating on social media right now — primitive reflexes. I’m joined by Bri Miluk, a speech-language pathologist who specializes in infant and medically complex feeding and is the face behind @pediatricfeedingslp.

In this first episode of our two-part conversation, Bri and I unpack what primitive reflexes actually are, what purpose they serve, and why there’s so much misinformation online about them.

We start by defining primitive reflexes — are they real? What role do they play in your baby’s early development? We’ll talk through common reflexes you’ve probably noticed, how they support survival at birth, and how they naturally integrate as your baby grows.

Bri and I also explore what happens when these reflexes don’t integrate or fail to emerge, and what that might mean for your child’s development. We discuss why parents should be cautious when it comes to “retained primitive reflex” content on social media, especially when it comes to testing and treatment claims that aren’t supported by research.

Bri shares her expert insight on the risks of non-evidence-based interventions, how to assess whether a treatment plan is legitimate, and the importance of task-specific, functional movement when supporting your child’s development.

If you’ve ever come across posts claiming your child’s challenges are due to “retained primitive reflexes,” this episode will help you understand what’s really happening beneath the surface — and empower you to ask the right questions before pursuing any intervention.

Connect with Bri on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pediatricfeedingslp

Links

💻 Website & Blog:
 https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/

📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:
 https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/

🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:
 https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/

🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence
https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining

📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates
https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097

🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:
 https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm

🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries?
Contact us at [email protected]

 Go deeper with KC on Substack

More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else.

https://substack.com/@morethanmilestones

Love what you’re hearing? Follow, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow mom or caregiver who needs a little less pressure and a little more support. 🤍

Burnout isn’t just about feeling tired—it’s a complex mix of exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced effectiveness that so many parents and professionals silently struggle with. In this episode of More than Milestones, KC Rickerd sits down with Nina Nesdoly, a stress management speaker, researcher, and PhD candidate studying stress at work, to unpack what burnout really means and how we can build resilience in both ourselves and our children.

Nina shares her personal journey into neuroscience and stress research, including the life-altering experience that led her to dedicate her career to helping people create sustainable, joy-filled lives. Together, KC and Nina explore practical questions like: How do we know when stress has tipped into burnout? Can work-life balance truly exist for parents? And how can small, realistic acts of self-care prevent us from burning out completely?

This conversation also dives into the role of resilience—what it means biologically, how too much or too little adversity shapes it, and how we as parents can foster resilience in our kids. From navigating parenting during COVID to handling children’s big emotions, Nina shares strategies that can help families manage stress in healthier, more connected ways.

If you’ve ever wondered how burnout impacts parenting, why your emotional state affects your kids, or how to reframe self-care without guilt, this episode is packed with science, insights, and encouragement you won’t want to miss.

Nina’s Burnout 101 Ebook : https://www.ninanesdoly.com/burnout-101-ebook

Nina’s Burnout Toolkit Assessment: https://www.ninanesdoly.com/burnout-assessment

Follow Nina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ninanesdoly/

Follow Nina on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ninanesdoly

Follow Nina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nina-nesdoly/

Nina’s Website: https://www.ninanesdoly.com/

Links

Go deeper with KC on Substack

More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else.

https://substack.com/@morethanmilestones

💻 Website & Blog:
 https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/

📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:
 https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/

🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:
 https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/

🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence
https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining

📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates
https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097

🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:

Burnout has been a part of my motherhood journey in ways I never expected. For most of my life, I had systems and methods that helped me succeed — whether it was in school, work, or personal goals. But once I started adding more and more to my plate — a job, a house, a partner, kids — those methods stopped working the way they used to. Suddenly, what had always kept me afloat wasn’t enough anymore.

I used to think burnout meant shutting down completely, being unable to function, or feeling constant exhaustion. But I quickly learned that burnout looks different for everyone. For me, it showed up as irritability, mood swings, brain fog, and the kind of overstimulation that left me frustrated with the people I love most. At the same time, I could still show up for my kids — making sure they had three meals a day and healthy snacks — while completely neglecting myself. There were so many days I’d get to 9 p.m. and realize all I’d eaten was a scrap of avocado leftover from my child’s baby-led weaning meal.

In this episode, I share the real ways burnout has surfaced in my motherhood journey, from the moments of frustration where I needed Jay to literally squeeze me to calm down, to the deeper realization that self-care can’t come last if I want to show up well for my family. Burnout is something almost every parent will face at some point, but that doesn’t mean we have to stay stuck there. I’ll talk about what has helped me and how you can begin recognizing burnout in your own life too.

This conversation is a lead-in to next week’s episode, where I’ll be joined by an expert who shares practical strategies for managing burnout in parenthood.

Links

Just Ingredients: listeners can save 10% with code MILESTONES.

https://just.crrnt.app/6_-Qo5A0

💻 Website & Blog:
 https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/

📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:
 https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/

🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:
 https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/

🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence
https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining

📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates
https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097

🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:
 https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm

🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries?
Contact us at [email protected]

 Go deeper with KC on Substack

More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else.

https://substack.com/@morethanmilestones

Love what you’re hearing? Follow, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow mom or caregiver who needs a little less pressure and a little more support. 🤍

Too often, women walk into pregnancy and postpartum without the tools and education they deserve. In this episode, KC is joined by Krystle Howald and Amy Kiefer, founders of Expecting and Empowered, to share how they’re changing the conversation around women’s health.

Together, they dive into the importance of pelvic floor therapy, the differences between C-section and vaginal delivery recovery, and why preventative care is essential for every mom. Krystle and Amy highlight the distinction between what’s common and what’s actually normal postpartum, and they emphasize the role of strength training and self-care in protecting long-term health.

This conversation is both empowering and practical, offering insight into how moms can adapt movement to fit their busy schedules, advocate for themselves in the healthcare system, and lean on community support during one of the most transformative seasons of life.

Follow Expecting and Empowered on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/expectingandempowered/

Expecting and Empowered’s Website:

https://www.expectingandempowered.com/. Use the code ‘KC10’ for a discount.

Listen to the Expecting and Empowered Podcast:

https://www.expectingandempowered.com/podcast

Sponsors

LMNT:  Get a free 8-count Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavors with any purchase at http://drinklmnt.com/MILESTONE. Find your favorite LMNT flavor, or share with a friend. 

Links

Just Ingredients: listeners can save 10% with code MILESTONES.

https://just.crrnt.app/6_-Qo5A0

💻 Website & Blog:
 https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/

📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:
 https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/

🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:
 https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/

🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence
https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining

📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates
https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097

🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:
 https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm

🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries?
Contact us at [email protected]

 Go deeper with KC on Substack

More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else.

https://substack.com/@morethanmilestones