Hi Lady! At this time of year, we're facing increased commitments, increased stressful interactions (with in-laws, family of origin, etc.), AND we want to make meaningful Advent resolutions in order to enter into the "already...not yet" of this season and living it in light of eternity.

When it comes to commitments, I'd love for you to ask "What do I really want to happen?" and then to modify what those line items look like (esp if, for ex, the thing you really want to happen is to make someone you love happy, and isn't easy or enjoyable for you).

When it comes to stressful personal interactions, how can you spend more time in the Lord's presence to be filled with trust in His mercy so that you can maintain your peace in those tense or painful moments?

And as you craft an Advent resolution, not from a place of panic or punishment, but with an eye to opening yourself up to the soul-level ache we each have ("the God-shaped hole in our heart," I've heard it called), I share a couple quotes from the book I'm committing to reread this Advent.

If you enjoyed this episode, I'd love for you to SUBSCRIBE and RATE the podcast and SHARE it with a mom friend. Get in touch on Instagram @postpartumonpurpose or [email protected].

Hi Lady! I look at 4 months postpartum as a key transition point: your hormones are still likely pretty low if you're breastfeeding but your daily activities are more or less back to normal (including your 'new normal'). Here's what this key transition time looks like for me in terms of sleep, activitity level, a baby milestone, and the outside support I'm still needing.

If you enjoyed this episode, I'd love for you to SUBSCRIBE and RATE the podcast and SHARE it with a mom friend. Get in touch or share your free thing of the week or one small change on Instagram @postpartumonpurpose or [email protected].

Hi Lady!

This week wraps up an informal 3-part miniseries. The first episode (#66) addressed what to do when everyone (thinks they) need you at once, with two movie quotes to make you laugh and help you shift your mindset about (and perhaps during) those moments. The second episode (#67) offered some logistical or practical considerations for triaging the times when your time and attention are in high demand, often from pre-rational people. ;) This episode encourages the use of buffers, breaks, moments of peace and rest and recovery in your day so that one stressful interaction doesn't bleed into (or scribble all over) the rest of your day.

First, categorize the activities in your day based on quadrants of an 'energy grid.' Red and yellow deplete you, blue and green build you back up. I shared examples of my own R,Y,B, and G activities. If that metaphor doesn't work for you, you can use The Mindful Catholic book's 'nourishing or depleting' classification (spoiler: some activities will be both!). I shared the first half of my (sample) day and what I consider N, D, or both.

If you enjoyed this episode, please SUBSCRIBE, RATE the podcast (this helps other moms find it!) and SHARE with a mom friend. Send me your 'free thing of the week' or 'one small change' to be mentioned (anonymously) in a future episode! Get in touch on Instagram @postpartumonpurpose or [email protected].

Hi Lady! This week wraps up an informal 3-part miniseries. The first episode (#66) addressed what to do when everyone (thinks they) need you at once, with two movie quotes to make you laugh and help you shift your mindset about (perhaps even during) those moments. The second episode (#67) offered some logistical or practical considerations about triaging the times when your time and attention are in high demand, often from pre-rational people. ;) This episode encourages the use of buffers, breaks, moments of peace and rest and recovery into your day so that one negative or stressful interaction doesn't bleed into (or scribble all over) the rest of your day.

First, I emphasized categorizing the activities in your day based on quadrants of an 'energy' grid, with red and yellow draining your emotional batteries and green and blue building it back up. And in case that analogy didn't strike your fancy, I shared an even simpler classification system: N for nourishing, D for depleting activities (thanks to The Mindful Catholic book for this!)(hint, hint: An activitiy could count as both N and D for you!).

Next, I laid out a smattering of ideas for blue and green (restful, rejuvenating, relaxing, or recharging) activities and how you might incorporate them in your day based on how postpartum you are.

If you enjoyed this episode, I invite you to SUBSCRIBE, RATE the podcast (written reviews are my fave!), and SHARE with a mom friend. Share your 'free thing of the week' or 'one small change' with me on Instagram @postpartumonpurpose or [email protected].

Hi Lady! Last week, I talked about the 2 movie quotes that help keep me sane when everyone (thinks they) need me at once. This week, I'm sharing 3 principles that help me navigate this type of scenario: 1) Safety first 2) Prevention is the Best Medicine (avoid four-alarm everyone-needs-me-at-once scenarios when possible) 3) Build Buffers into Your Day (....and the reason scrolling on your phone doesnt' count as a buffer).

If you enjoyed this episode, I'd love for you to SUBSCRIBE, RATE the podcast, and SHARE with a mom friend. Get in touch [email protected] or on Instagram @postpartumonpurpose.

Hi Lady! In this episode, I share 2 quotes from the 1938 Cary Grant/Katharine Hepburn hit Bringing Up Baby that I rely on in those moments when everything seems to be going sideways at once. The baby needs to eat and the little boys are crying and one of the older kids isn't listening and the other needs to know how to spell a word...from the other room. Here's how I get as close as I can to calm, cool, and collected. ;)

If you enjoyed this episode, I hope you'll RATE the podcast and SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE it with a mom friend. Get in touch over on Instagram @postpartumonpurpose or [email protected].

Hi Lady! In this episode, guest host Grace Shepard shares the four pillars for preconception health, and my favorite is the fourth one (hint: it's not all on you, Mama!). Here's what to consider if you're postpartum now and hoping to conceive again in the future.

If you enjoyed this episode, I'd love for you to SUBSCRIBE and RATE the podcast and share this with a mom friend! Get in touch [email protected] or over on Instagram @postpartumonpurpose.

Hi Lady! I've been interviewed for 2 different podcasts lately, and each host has asked me to share the one main thing I want women to know about or do during postpartum. My one main thing is: Build a Grandma Tribe. Today I'm talking about why to start one (including why I say you have to 'build' one) and how to do so in a painless way.

If you enjoyed this episode, I hope you'll RATE the podcast, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE it with a mom friend. Get in touch at [email protected] or on Instagram @postpartumonpurpose.

Hi Lady! Here's how things went at my first lactation consultant appointment (and what you can expect if you work with a LC yourself), plus why I sought one out and the exact moment all my stress about feeding/weight gain/pee and poops went away.

If you enjoyed this episode, I'd love for you to SUBSCRIBE, leave a REVIEW (especially a written review, so other moms know what to expect) and SHARE with a mom friend. Get in touch [email protected], or on Instagram @postpartumonpurpose.

Hi Lady! Postpartum hair loss is a real deal, and I'm in the thick (or thin!) of it now. Let's talk what causes it, how long it lasts, whether biotin and other over the counter products can slow it down, and then the type of haircut that can help it look fuller.

If you enjoyed this episode, I'd love for you to SUBSCRIBE, RATE the podcast (and esp to leave a written review, please and thank you!) and SHARE with a mom friend. Get in touch on Instagram @postpartumonpurpose or [email protected].