This Wasn't in the Manual

A new year is supposed to feel exciting. Fresh goals, new energy, a reset. But after becoming a mom, January can feel..heavy.

In this episode, we talk about the parts of motherhood no one really prepares you for when the calendar turns. The quiet identity shifts. The grief for who you used to be. The pressure to "have it all figured out" when you're still learning yourself in this new season.

This is an honest, reflective conversation for the mom who loves her child deeply but still feels unsure, slower, or different than she expected. If you're entering the new year without big resolutions, with more questions than answers, or just overwhelmed with where to start and how to move forward, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we talk about:

1. How becoming a mom reshapes your identity in ways no one warms you about
2. The grief and guilt that canc ome with missing your pre-mom self
3. Why the New Year feels different after motherhood
4. Letting go of timelines, pressure, and "bounce back" culture
5. Redefining growth, success, and goals in this season
6. Entering the year gently, without forcing a reset

Reflective prompts:

1. What parts of myself am I still getting to know?
2. What expectations can I release this year?
3. What would it look like to move forward more gently?

Important reminders:

1. You are not behind
2. You are not broken
3. You are becoming

Let's keep the conversation going:

DM us on Instagram @thiswasntinthemanualpod and share your motherhood reality check moments.

Listen now and don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review!

Every parent knows the drill, just when you're finding your rhythm, the sniffles, fevers, and sleepless nights hit. In this episode, Juliana and Nathaly open up about the reality of caring for sick little ones while still trying to juggle work, home, relationships, and self-care.

From the emotional toll of seeing your child unwell to the logistics of rearranging schedules, we share out personal stories, the chaos behind the scenes, and the small strategies that keep us going. You'll hear about:

• The guilt and pressure parents feel when life can't pause
• How to manage work responsibilities when kids need you most
• Ways to prioritize your own health while caregiving
• Reminders that it's okay to ask for help (and say no!)

Whether you're in the thick of it right now or just want to feel seen and supported, this episode is a reminder that you're not alone.

Tune in for an honest, unfiltered (and emotional) conversation about motherhood in the messiest seasons.

Let's keep the conversation going:

DM us on Instagram @thiswasntinthemanualpod and share your motherhood reality check moments.

Listen now and don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review!

Becoming parents changes everything—not just your daily routines, but also your relationship with your partner. In this episode, we talk about the messy, beautiful, and sometimes overwhelming transition from being lovers to being parents. We dive into how intimacy shifts after kids, why communication becomes more important than ever, and how to balance romance with the never-ending demands of parenthood.

Whether you’re a new parent wondering why your relationship feels different, or a seasoned parent trying to rekindle that spark, this conversation is for you. We share our own raw experiences, the challenges we didn’t see coming, and the small things that help us stay connected as partners while raising little ones.

What we talk about:

• The emotional adn physical shift in relationships after kids
• Navigating intimacy and expectations post-baby
• The importance of open, honest communication
• Practical ways to keep the spark alive while juggling parenthood
• Why grace and patience matter more than ever

We’re breaking the silence on a topic many couples struggle with but don’t always talk about. By the end, you’ll feel seen, less alone, and hopefully inspired with a few ideas to nurture your partnership while growing as parents.

Let's keep the conversation going:

DM us on Instagram @thiswasntinthemanualpod and share your motherhood reality check moments.

Listen now and don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review!

Raising boys today comes with unique challenges, and incredible opportunities. From navigating expectations to encouraging emotional intelligence, this conversation dives into what it means to raise boys in a world that's rapidly changing.

In this episode, Juliana and Nathaly share their personal experiences as mothers of boys and explore important questions:

• How do we teach boys to express their emotions?
• What role fathers, mothers, and caregivers play in shaping healthy masculinity?
• How do we balance resilience with compassion?
• What cultural and generational shifts are shaping the way we parent sons today?

Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or simply curious about how we can nurture the next generation of men, this episode will leave you with insights, stories and envouragment to raise boys with confidence, empathy, and strength.

Let's keep the conversation going:

DM us on Instagram @thiswasntinthemanualpod and share your motherhood reality check moments.

Listen now and don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review!

If you’ve ever ended the day replaying all the things you “should” have done differently as a mom, this episode is for you.

We’re talking about mom guilt—that quiet (and sometimes loud) voice in your head that says you’re not doing enough, not being enough, or not getting it “right.”

In this conversation, we unpack:

• The most common triggers of mom guilt (and why it shows up in so many forms)
• The invisible rules of "good motherhood" and where they come from
• The difference between guilt and shame, and why knowing the difference matters
• Our own way, personal stories of feeling guilty as moms
• Practical tools to release the guilt and replace it with self-compassion

Whether you're a working mom, stay-at-home mom, single mom, or somewhere in between, you'll walk away feeling less alone and more empowered to give yourself the grace you deserve.

You are enough. And you're not meant to carry this weight forever.

Let's keep the conversation going:

DM us on Instagram @thiswasntinthemanualpod and share your motherhood reality check moments.

Listen now and don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review!

In this intimate and fun episode, Nathaly interview Juliana about her experience as a single mom and what its been like to open her heart to love again.

Juliana shares her fears, doubts, and unexpected surprises she's encountered as she begins dating again. From the insecurities that come with balancing motherhood and the desire to connect with someone new, to the small steps that have helped her trust herself, and love, once more.

In this episode we talk about:

• The breakup and her emotional healing process
• How to talk to your child about new people
• Why self-love is essential before dating again
• Real advice for single moms who want to date again without guilt

This episode is an honest, judgment-free conversation about what it really means to "get back out there" as a mom. If you've ever wondered how to start again, this one's for you!

Let's keep the conversation going:

DM us on Instagram @thiswasntinthemanualpod and share your motherhood reality check moments.

Listen now and don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review!

En este episodio poderoso y vulnerable, profundizamos en los patrones inconscientes que cargamos desde nuestra infancia y como estos se infiltran en nuestra manera de criar, lo reconozcamos o no. Desde creencias generacionales hasta detonantes emocionales, exploramos como la programacion infantil moldea la forma en la que nos presentamos como mamas. Lo mas importante: hablamos sobre cdomo la conciencia, la sanacion y tomar decisiones conscientes pueden ayudarnos a romper el ciclo y crear un camino nuevo y mas saludable para nuestros hijos.

En este episodio hablamos sobre:

• Que significa realmente la "programacion infantil" y como se forma
• Historias personales de cuando nuestra programacion infantil sale a luz en la maternidad
• La diferencia entre reaccionar y responder a nuestros hijos
• Por que ciertos momentos con nuestros hijos despiertan emociones intensas en nosotras
• Como el reparenting a nosotras mismas impacta nuestra manera de criar
• Darnos gracia (a nosotras y a nuestros padres) durante el proceso de sanacion

Sigamos la conversación:

Mándanos un DM en Instagram a @thiswasntinthemanualpod y cuéntanos tus momentos de realidad en la maternidad.

¡Escúchalo ahora y no te olvides de suscribirte, calificar el podcast y dejar una reseña!

En este episodio íntimo y lleno de verdad, Nathaly entrevista a Juliana sobre su experiencia como mamá soltera y cómo ha sido el proceso de abrir nuevamente su corazón al amor.

Juliana comparte con nosotras los miedos, dudas, y también las sorpresas que ha vivido al comenzar a salir de nuevo. Desde las inseguridades que surgen al balancear la maternidad con el deseo de conectar con alguien, hasta los pequeños pasos que le han ayudado a confiar nuevamente en sí misma y en el amor.

Hablamos de:

• La ruptura y el duelo emocional
• Cómo hablar con tu hijx sobre nuevas personas
• La importancia del amor propio antes de salir con alguien más
• Las citas modernas: apps, expectativas y filtros emocionales
• Consejos reales para mamás solteras que quieren salir de nuevo sin culpa

Este episodio es una conversación honesta, sin juicios, sobre lo que realmente significa “volver al ruedo” como mamá. Si alguna vez te has preguntado cómo empezar de nuevo, este episodio es para ti.

Sigamos la conversación:

Mándanos un DM por Instagram a @thiswasntinthemanualpod y cuéntanos tus momentos de “realidad” en la maternidad.

¡Escucha el episodio ahora y no olvides suscribirte, calificarnos y dejar una reseña!

En este episodio íntimo y lleno de reflexión, hablamos sobre lo que significa criar a nuestros propios hijos mientras seguimos siendo hijas de madres latinas. Exploramos las dinámicas culturales, emocionales y a veces conflictivas que surgen cuando las expectativas tradicionales se encuentran con una nueva visión de la maternidad.

Desde comentarios no solicitados hasta consejos bien intencionados, este episodio es una carta abierta a nuestras madres —y a nosotras mismas— mientras navegamos el reto de romper patrones sin perder nuestras raíces.

Temas que tocamos:

• El choque generacional entre nuestra forma de maternar y la de nuestras mamas
• Comentarios clasicos como "lo estas malcriando"
• La dificultad de poner limites con respeto
• Reconciliar el amor profundo con el deseo de hacerlo diferente
• Como sanar heridas mientras construimos nuestro propio camino como madres

Sigamos la conversación:

Mándanos un DM por Instagram a @thiswasntinthemanualpod y cuéntanos tus momentos de “realidad” en la maternidad.

¡Escucha el episodio ahora y no olvides suscribirte, calificarnos y dejar un review!

In this powerful and timely episode, we’re diving into the evolution of fatherhood—how the role of dads has shifted from distant provider to present, emotionally available parent—and what that means for families today.

In this episode we discuss:

• What modern fatherhood looks like and how it's changing across generations
• Why many dads want to show up differently, but aren't always sure how
• The emotional & societal pressures men face when stepping into this new role
• Ways we (mothers/partners) can offer/show support without necessarily micromanaging or judging
• How to encourage teamwork, co-parenting, and mutual respect in parenting dynamics

Whether you’re parenting with a partner, co-parenting, or just curious about how family roles are shifting, this episode offers fresh insights and compassionate guidance.

Let's keep the conversation going:

DM us on Instagram @thiswasntinthemanualpod and share your motherhood reality check moments.

Listen now and don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review!