Motherhood Radio - Dr Christina Hibbert

Being a mother is tough enough, but raising children with medical challenges, illness, developmental delays, or special needs makes it all the tougher. Some days, it may feel like you're all alone, with the weight of the world on your shoulders, like no one understands your struggle. Today, we're here to tell you, "We understand." My guest, Dr. Erin Joyce, clinical psychologist, is also a mother raising three children, including twins, one of whom lives with medical challenges everyday. She understands the pain of watching your child suffer and the fear of wondering if s/he will be okay. Dr. Joyce shares with us the compassion, understanding, tools, and resources all parents need when facing a child's health, mental health, or developmental trials.

One of the hardest things for parents, and especially moms, to do is give themselves a break. When life is busy and stressful, as it always is, when you make mistakes, when you just don't know what to do--self-compassion is what's needed most. But how do we learn to practice self-kindness, self-love, and self-compassion? And how can we extend that compassion, and teach it to, our children? Dr. Hibbert welcomes guest Kim Fredrickson, author of Give Yourself a Break and Give Your Kids a Break, licensed marriage and family therapist of 30+ years, and true survivor in every sense of the word (http://www.kimfredrickson.com). Together, they share the secrets to living with self-compassion and the tools for teaching your children. A powerful, inspiring episode not to be missed! Visit "Practicing Self-Compassion: How to Give Yourself A Break" for more (http://www.drchristinahibbert.com/practicing-self-compassion-how-to-give-yourself-a-break).

Self-sabotage: as parents, we all do it. We stand in our own way, make things emotionally harder for ourselves, fail to forgive our parenting mistakes, and too often forget our all-important self-care. Why are we so hard on ourselves as mothers and parents, and what can we do to identify and change self-sabotaging tendencies? Dr. Christina Hibbert and guest, mental health clinician and doula Nicole Woodcox Bolden, LSW (www.thrivingwithbaby.com), share enlightening insights on how we all exhibit self-sabotaging behaviors from time to time, how to recognize these destructive patterns, and tools to help us avoid and overcome them. Then, visit Dr. Hibbert's article, "Avoiding & Overcoming Self-Sabotage in Parenthood" (http://www.drchristinahibbert.com/avoiding-and-overcoming-self-sabotage-in-parenthood) for more ideas to keep you self-sabotage-free!

When you're "mom," intimacy can easily fall by the wayside. Too many people need you, you don't feel sexy, and if one more person touches you, you just might lose it! Most marriages and partnerships experience challenges keeping the passion alive over the years, and especially in parenthood. A healthy sex life is important to healthy intimate relationships, however; so, what can you do to reignite the flame, or keep it burning, when motherhood feels like it's taking over? I'm talking with therapist and author of "Before I Do," Olivia Baylor, LCPC (http://www.LifeRevisions.com), about how to redefine intimacy and connection, identify your physical and emotional needs, and help yourself and your partner get those needs met to keep the sexual fires burning and your relationships strong and flourishing! (Parents: Because of the "intimate" nature of today's episode, you may wish to keep the kids away as you listen!) Please visit my article, "Couples & Romantic Love: 9 Ways to Build Intimacy in Relationships" at http://www.drchristinahibbert.com/couples-romantic-love-9-ways-to-build-intimacy-in-relationships/ for more.

Family can be chaotic, loving, and everything in between. From interactions between siblings, to parent-child relations, to parenting adult children, to family-of-origin relationships, yes, navigating family relationships can be complex. Today, I'm talking with some very special guests--my aunt Christina Anderson, and cousins Hilary Anderson and Eden Koenig about family relationships, sibling rivalry, common challenges, and how to navigate those challenges in ways that strengthen us, our children, and our family unit as a whole. With 11 children in their family of origin (6 biological and 5 adopted, including many foster children over the years), these ladies know what they're talking about! Then, be sure to visit Christina & Eden's adorable baby clothing line, Neo's Nook, on Etsy (https://www.etsy.com/shop/NeosNook?ref=search_shop_redirect), and pass it on! And for more on surviving holiday relationships, visit my blog post, "Holiday Stress Relationship Survival Guide" http://www.drchristinahibbert.com/holiday-stress-relatioinship-survival-guide/.

Motherhood is celebrating its 100th episode! Join me, Dr. Christina Hibbert, as I talk with some of our favorite past guest experts about their best advice for moms EVER about how to "master" motherhood, including why mastery of motherhood is possible, how to manage energy, parenting skills advice, best ways to improve self-care, and more. Get your pen and paper ready to take notes! Then, be part of my "Mastery of Motherhood" book project by taking the M.O.M. survey and sharing your stories/experiences at http://www.MasteryOfMotherhood.com! A HUGE thank you to all of today's incredible guests and especially to all you fabulous mom listeners who've made these 100 episodes possible. Here's to 100 more! http://www.drchristinahibbert.com

Motherhood is, by nature, a process of self-reinvention. From becoming a mom for the first time, to coping with the obstacles life throws our way, to dealing with the empty nest and beyond, yes, motherhood requires us to continually reinvent ourselves. My guest, Ashley Hanna Morgan, LCSW, clinical social worker and author of "I Gave Birth to My Heart" (http://www.ashleyhannamorgan.com) and I are talking about the many ways we, as mothers, might "reinvent ourselves" through the seasons of motherhood, what stands in our way, and how to overcome the obstacles to becoming the mother, and person, we most desire to be. Tune in, and then check out "Becoming the Butterfly: The Power of Personal Transformation" http://www.drchristinahibbert.com/becoming-the-butterfly-the-power-of-personal-transformation/.

As moms, we tend to take on the emotional load of our children and family. From kids' personal struggles to school challenges to basic life distress, it's hard not to heap the emotional burden upon ourselves until we become completely overwhelmed. How can we deal with these feelings that overwhelm us? Today, in this one-on-one session, I'm sharing some strategies for how to identify and process emotional overwhelm, in order to let powerful feelings go. Join me and realize you're not alone, and with some work and time, you too can tackle and triumph over your emotions! For more, visit http://www.drchristinahibbert.com/overcoming-mom-guilt/.

How much do you really know about the menstrual cycle and how it affects your body, mood, sleep, and brain? Most women, I've found, know far too little of the facts and even less about how to honor this sacred cycle. How can we prepare our daughters for menarche when we still have so much to learn? Learning about our body and our own unique rhythm is the beginning to honoring this cycle, bringing greater peace and healing, and allowing us to model this for our daughters. My guest, massage therapist, Reiki Master and Holistic Pelvic Care Practitioner, Sophia Wise One (http://www.SophiaWiseOne.com), is here to help us better understand and honor our female body and its rhythms, and teach us how to prepare our daughters to do the same. Join us for this insightful episode, share it with your daughters and granddaughters, and then check out my 3- part "Women's Emotions" blog series for more on the menstrual cycle, the female brain, and mood http://www.drchristinahibbert.com/womens-emotions-the-3-components-of-emotional-health/ and my FREE "Introduction to Women's Emotions" Webinar http://www.drchristinahibbert.com/introduction-to-womens-emotions-webinar-page/.

Having a baby is supposed to be the happiest time of our lives. Right? For many new moms, however, postpartum can pack a punch, with emotional changes ranging from the Baby Blues to depression to anxiety to, in extreme cases, psychosis. What role does trauma, including birth trauma, play in postpartum mental health? How do postpartum emotional changes impact dads and partners? And how can we overcome stigma to find the help we need after the birth of a baby? My guest, Kristina Cowan (http://www.kristinacowan.com), author of the powerful new book, "When Postpartum Packs a Punch," and I are discussing how to navigate the postpartum period, where to turn for support, and how to reach out and let that support and help in. Please visit my "Postpartum Depression Treatment" series for more on pregnancy and postpartum emotional health and healing (http://www.drchristinahibbert.com/postpartum-depression-treatment/).