Buckle up and have fun because its one of the best times of the month when I have my guest co-host Katie Costa, from @Mommyneedsmorewine, joining me. Katie's Corner was an idea I came up with to bring on a new  dynamic to help break up the something very uncomfy and heavy hearted topics that often cross our paths as moms/parents. Why? Because you know it isn't all sunshine and rainbows. This job is a hard one but when you surround yourself with the right people (and Katie is one of those) it can be so much fun too. We laugh, we think about crying but don't actually do it,  get way too TMI and so much more. Picture sitting on my front porch with a yummy drink in hand because that's exactly how you will feel after listening. 

Topics touched on in today's episode:

• Deciding to be done having babies
• Discipline
• Academic struggles and worries
• Eating disorders
• Of course, some cringey sex stories 

Join Mary everyday for a real look into life with 3 crazy ass kids, surviving, thriving, and whatever the F else you might consider over at www.instagram.com/theverymarylife. Or if you're a Tik Tok fan, find me at https://www.tiktok.com/@theverymarylife. And of course, explore more on Theverymarylife.com

What if as parents there was a way to feel more confident in what we are doing and ultimately have more joy because of it?  What if we could better define the children who perhaps in the past have been said to be "difficult or bad?" What if we could see more of the moments worth savoring and not always feel like we are surviving?

Today I am joined by guest, mama, and PCI certified parent coach & parent educator, Myla Leinweber. Showing up on social channels, Myla fiercely committed to helping parents raise a generation of kids who are emotionally intelligent, resilient, have grit, perseverance and are problem solvers. She produces content that offers a reframing of tough parenting moments. She helps parents identify what they need, what their children need and come up with a plan to make that happen. 

In today's episode, topics discussed are:

• Spicy kids
• Emotional Regulation
• Parenting Triggers
• Communication & Parent Styles 

Join Mary everyday for a real look into life with 3 crazy ass kids, surviving, thriving, and whatever the F else you might consider over at www.instagram.com/theverymarylife. Or if you're a Tik Tok fan, find me at https://www.tiktok.com/@theverymarylife. And of course, explore more on Theverymarylife.com

About 12% of all women trying to conceive another child will struggle with doing so. That is 1 in 8 couples. Shocked? So am I. But this a hard reality for so many. And being that these couples have in the past had success, this secondary infertility is often hard to navigate. The path doesn't seem as clear and for those looking in, it often doesn't make much sense. "Why not just be happy with the one you do have?" "Just relax." "It will happen because it clearly happened before."

In todays episode, I am joined by mama Erin Mackenzie. Mom of 1, who is currently in the midsts of this very struggle. Erin has been present on social media sharing her story about secondary infertility along with so many other things that speak to my heart: mom support, books worth reading and more. She can be found on instagram but also on Tik Tok. 

In today's episode, we discuss:

• Infertility
• IVF
• Having kids close in age
• Male factor infertility 

Join Mary everyday for a real look into life with 3 crazy ass kids, surviving, thriving, and whatever the F else you might consider over at www.instagram.com/theverymarylife. Or if you're a Tik Tok fan, find me at https://www.tiktok.com/@theverymarylife. And of course, explore more on Theverymarylife.com

Did you know that 1 in 5 women will experience maternal mental health conditions during pregnancy or the first year of postpartum? And 75% of those women will go untreated? As someone who has dealt personally with PPA and PPD, the topic of maternal mental health has always been near and dear to my heart. And when it comes to postpartum care, that topic alone can be discussed for hours. Because there is so much that needs to happen in that arena to help mothers. A simple 6 week post visit just doesn't cut it.

Today I am joined by not just one but 5 other women to help me speak on these issues and experiences. Katie Sproul, Jordan Bradford, Emily Dickt, Britt Hanlon, and Jessica Meninger. Each brings something so amazing to the table and shares in a way that any listen can relate. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• Postpartum health care
• The Village disappearing
• Intrusive thoughts
• Self harm
• Mom rage

Join Mary everyday for a real look into life with 3 crazy ass kids, surviving, thriving, and whatever the F else you might consider over at www.instagram.com/theverymarylife. Or if you're a Tik Tok fan, find me at https://www.tiktok.com/@theverymarylife. And of course, explore more on Theverymarylife.com

It could have been me. After the recent happenings in Duxbury MA, the discussion of Maternal Mental Health has sky rocketed. And for good reason. It just isn't talked about enough and even when it is, it is still seen as taboo. That ends today. Join me and guest @authencially_alicia, a certified and licensed mental health professional, as we deep dive into this very topic. 

To find Alicia, give her a follow or receive therapy services in the state of NY, you can find her here: https://beacons.ai/_authentically_alicia?fbclid=PAAaZGSKmJkmHEKEpldGQpGhiL176d8UikcClA0iVqR06fzKoypsx5h-Jt0pk

Join Mary everyday for a real look into life with 3 crazy ass kids, surviving, thriving, and whatever the F else you might consider over at www.instagram.com/theverymarylife. Or if you're a Tik Tok fan, find me at https://www.tiktok.com/@theverymarylife. And of course, explore more on Theverymarylife.com

When it comes to motherhood, it is so often seen in one lense. More specifically, a heterosexual way. A husband and wife. But what happens when there are two moms? Do things change? Join me and guest Holly Shoaf as we sit and chat exactly this and more. Sharing her life as a gay woman, wife and mother, this was such a wonderful perspective.  

Join Mary everyday for a real look into life with 3 crazy ass kids, surviving, thriving, and whatever the F else you might consider over at www.instagram.com/theverymarylife. Or if you're a Tik Tok fan, find me at https://www.tiktok.com/@theverymarylife. And of course, explore more on Theverymarylife.com

You spoke, we listened and I am so excited to introduce a new monthly segment with my friend and fellow mama,  Katie Costa from @mommyneeds_morewine. Each month, Katie will join me as a co-host. Today's episode was a longer one (even though I tried editing it down) but that's just because we were so excited. I just love this mama and friend and I know you will too.

Join Mary everyday for a real look into life with 3 crazy ass kids, surviving, thriving, and whatever the F else you might consider over at www.instagram.com/theverymarylife. Or if you're a Tik Tok fan, find me at https://www.tiktok.com/@theverymarylife. And of course, explore more on Theverymarylife.com

Mom friends. Woof.  Who else feels like this is near impossible thing to achieve having? I mean just finding friends as an adult is hard but add in the responsibility of raising another human and the shame, judgement and second guessing that comes with it and we have a quite the challenge. Today join me as I sit with another real mama, Shelby Christensen as we talk about this very thing. 

Join Mary everyday for a real look into life with 3 crazy ass kids, surviving, thriving, and whatever the F else you might consider over at www.instagram.com/theverymarylife. Or if you're a Tik Tok fan, find me at https://www.tiktok.com/@theverymarylife. And of course, explore more on Theverymarylife.com

Are you a bad parent? Probably because according to someone somewhere you are doing it wrong. No matter how hard you try or how right you think you are. On today's episode, join me and host from Are We Bad Parents Podcast, Kristan Barczak, as we do a collaborative podcast and discuss this very thing.

To follow Kristan and her husband, check them out over on Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@are_we_bad_parents

Kristan and Tim have been married for almost four years and are parents to a spirited toddler. After dropping out of PhD programs in education, they needed somewhere else to direct all their energy, and the Are We Bad Parents podcast was born. Each week, Kristan and Tim break down their own parenting decisions and answer listener questions. At the end of the day, they just want you to know one thing: If you're asking yourself if you're a bad parent, you're probably a good one. 

Join Mary everyday for a real look into life with 3 crazy ass kids, surviving, thriving, and whatever the F else you might consider over at www.instagram.com/theverymarylife. Or if you're a Tik Tok fan, find me at https://www.tiktok.com/@theverymarylife. And of course, explore more on Theverymarylife.com

We've all heard of stay at home moms and the struggles,  stigmas and criticisms that surround it. But what about the stay at home dad? With women starting to excel more and more in the workforce, the stay at home father is becoming more prominent, yet less seen or discussed. And just like the moms face, men are hit with a whole other level or critique. So for this taboo Tuesday, lets get into it with Charlie Ceballos. Sharing his point of view from his time at home. we all can listen and learn from this new perspective. 

To find Charlie:
Tik Tok & www.thesahddysshop.com 

Join Mary everyday for a real look into life with 3 crazy ass kids, surviving, thriving, and whatever the F else you might consider over at www.instagram.com/theverymarylife. Or if you're a Tik Tok fan, find me at https://www.tiktok.com/@theverymarylife. And of course, explore more on Theverymarylife.com