Why Am I Google? - The Mental Load Mums Didn’t Sign Up For

Ever feel like the household Google, Uber, and therapist rolled into one? You’re not alone. In this episode, Tammy and Carolyn unpack the invisible mental load mums carry — and share practical, playful ways to lighten it.

If you’ve ever been asked “Where’s the cheese?” or “Is there a bank in Botany?” while juggling dinner, work, and 27 other things… this episode is for you.

Tammy and Carolyn dive into the hidden load that so many mothers carry , the emotional, mental, and logistical responsibilities that are invisible, unacknowledged, and often overwhelming. Through relatable stories (including one hilarious real-life moment that inspired the title), they explore how mums often become the default parent, the household oracle, and the fixer of all things, simply because they can.

But just because you can doesn’t mean you should.

You’ll hear three tiny but mighty tools to help shift the mental load:

• Pause and Reassign – how to gently hand back questions instead of always providing the answers.

• The Load Audit – a reflective brain-dump exercise to see what you’re carrying and what you can release.

• “Just Because I Can, Doesn’t Mean I Should” – a powerful mantra to help you pause, realign, and reclaim your energy.

Tammy and Carolyn also share creative, real-life strategies like assigning a “go-to” parent (or even a teen!) to help balance the load — all done with warmth, humour, and permission to drop the guilt.

Reflection questions included at the end will help you tune in to what you’re carrying, where you can let go, and who might share the load with you.

And if you’re in Auckland, don’t miss the Real Talk Workshop for Parents and Teens on Saturday 4 October 2025 a beautiful opportunity to rest, reconnect, and reset. For more information and to get your earlybird tickets please click on this link

https://events.humanitix.com/realtalk

You’re not alone, and you don’t have to do it all. Let’s lighten the load together.

When your teen says, “You’re not listening,” or your parent says, “Why do I have to nag?”, it’s time for a deeper look. In this episode, Tammy and Carolyn answer two raw and relatable questions about emotional shutdowns and chore-related standoffs, and share ways to build connection without all the yelling.

In this episode of This Might Get Awkward, Tammy and Carolyn tackle two all-too-familiar challenges in the parent-teen universe:

1. “I hate it when my parents talk over me or say I’m just being emotional. It makes me want to shut down.”
   

2. “We argue constantly over chores and responsibilities. How do I communicate expectations without being seen as a nag?”
   

With warmth and honesty, they explore how dismissing emotions can lead to disconnection, and how teens can gently advocate for themselves without escalating conflict. For parents, they unpack how timing, tone, and old habits can shape our reactions, and why "nagging" often comes from burnout and overload.

You’ll hear:

• How to signal “now’s not a good time” without shutting down the convo completely
  

• Ways teens can name their emotions and ask for space or clarity
  

• Why parents sometimes repeat patterns without realising it
  

• Simple mindset shifts to reduce the eye rolls during chore talks
  

• How to gamify responsibility and bring a bit of fun to everyday tensions
  

• That yes, we’ve all been there, and it’s okay to laugh about it afterward
  

This one’s for anyone who’s ever stormed off mid-conversation... or thought about hiding in the laundry cupboard to avoid another talk about dishes.

When you try to help and it backfires, or ask for space and they take it personally. Tammy and Carolyn respond to two powerful questions from a parent and a teen about what happens when communication shuts down and love gets lost in translation.

In this episode of This Might Get Awkward, Tammy and Carolyn explore the sometimes painful gap between intention and impact, when you're trying to help, trying to connect, or trying to protect space… but the other person doesn’t receive it the way you hoped.

They answer two deeply relatable questions:

• A parent asks: “My daughter told me something personal and I tried to help, but now she won’t talk to me at all. How do I rebuild that trust and keep communication open?”
  

• A teen asks: “When I ask for privacy or space, my parents act like I’m being rude or secretive. How do I explain that I still love them — I just need room?”
  

Tammy and Carolyn unpack what’s often happening beneath the surface in both situations — for parents, it might be the instinct to rescue, or to jump in with advice that wasn’t asked for. For teens, it’s the struggle to set boundaries without hurting someone they care about.

Key takeaways from the episode include:

• Why circling back to a tricky conversation builds trust more than getting it right the first time
  

• How to ask your teen (or parent) what they actually need in a moment, instead of guessing
  

• How to introduce conversations outside of intense moments (e.g., in the car, on a walk, or doing something side-by-side)
  

• Recognising the difference between being present and being a fixer
  

• The importance of normalising self-reflection and giving grace, to teens and to yourself
  

Tammy also shares a coaching insight: when you feel the urge to help, pause and ask, “What does support look like to you right now?” And Carolyn reminds listeners that saying “I still love you - I just need a bit of space” can be more powerful than we think.

This episode is a gentle reminder that it’s okay to mess up, say the wrong thing, or need room, what matters is how we show up afterwards.

Welcome to the very first episode of This Might Get Awkward, the podcast where parents and teens talk, listen, and sometimes cringe… together.

In this episode, we’re diving into two big questions: why is it so hard to communicate without things getting weird, emotional, or shut down completely?

We share real Q&A examples from both sides, a few of our own awkward moments, and what actually helps when you’re trying to connect but don’t quite speak the same language.

Whether you’re a parent trying not to sound like a lecture, or a teen wondering if your parents will ever get it you’re in the right place.