We Are The Family Room

Karen shares that the podcast will be on a summer break and why! We can't wait to be back in the Fall with new episodes, stories, and support. Wishing our podcast family a great summer!

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Families with one child are far more common in the United States today than ever before, outnumbering two-child families for several decades. Yet, stereotypes and pressure still persist. 

On the podcast to talk with Karen about their families' decision to have one child is Cara Purgason and Snow Lau. Cara and Snow attended the same Parent & Me group with their sons years ago and have stayed really good friends.  While Cara and Snow both have one child, their feelings and experiences around the decision are very different!

Cara and Snow share: 

-       If they discussed how many children they wanted to have before getting married and if that changed after having their sons. 

-       The pressure (or not) they feel from family or friends to have other children.

-       If either has wavered in the decision to have one child.

-       What they think about only child stereotypes and if it affects their parenting. 

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Mommy wine culture is pervasive and drinking while parenting has been normalized in recent years.  For many people, having a drink at night can feel like a reward for a hard day of parenting. Some parents find their alcohol consumption actually increases after kids as a way to not only reward themselves, but to reconnect with their relaxed and carefree past. There is a debate about how mom wine culture could be a troubling trend and is proof that the pressures of modern parenting are simply too much.

On the podcast to share her story is Vanessa Garcia. Karen got to know Vanessa at The Family Room in Toluca Lake. She took Parent & Me with her daughter Scarlett, graduated and just recently aged-out of Toddler & Me. Vanessa has always been very open about her sobriety and shares  her story and what being alcohol- free in motherhood looks like for her.

Vanessa specifically discusses: 

·       How long she has you been sober and what caused her to make a change.

·       How she navigates social events centered around drinking. 

·       Advice she would you give someone who feels like their drinking may be problematic. 

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https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

We do want to share a trigger warning, as the content of the episode may be emotionally challenging. We always encourage listeners to check in with themselves and listen to how you are feeling.

Birth trauma is described as any physical or emotional distress you may experience during childbirth. According to the National Institutes of Health, up to 45% of new mothers experience birth trauma—and the repercussions of the experience can continue long after the birth itself affecting the postpartum period.

Back on the podcast with me today is Marielle Skouras. You may remember Marielle from Episode 78 on Infertility and IVF. Marielle is a mom in our community, a licensed marriage and family therapist and facilitates our weekly online Postpartum Support Group. She is here today to discuss birth trauma—her own story and advice for healing from the emotional toll.

 Marielle discusses:

- her hopes and expectations for childbirth 

- the birth story of her daughter

- how it affected her postpartum experience

- how she healed emotionally and physically

- advice she would give others navigating birth trauma

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Karen often talks about her husband James on the show, so she decided to bring him for a special episode! Karen was a single mom when she met James and they discuss the early days of dating, who said I love you first, what it is like parenting three girls, what he thought when Karen told him she wanted to open The Family Room, and so much more. 

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Today on the podcast we are talking all about acupuncture and herbal medicine with Dr. Beck Hoehn.  Acupuncture can help with things from pain management to illness and infertility.  Living in Los Angeles, acupuncture feels very accessible and prevalent in our communities, yet there are somethings you may still be surprised to learn!

Dr. Hoehn is a neighbor of ours in Toluca Lake and specializes in women’s health. She is board certified in both acupuncture and herbal medicine and creates tailored wellness plans, setting achievable weekly milestones alongside her patients. 

With a master’s from Emperor’s College of Oriental Medicine and a doctorate from the Pacific College of Health Sciences, Beck’s educational background speaks to her dedication and expertise. 

Dr Hoehn shares:

- what drew her to acupuncture and Chinese medicine
- the basic principles of both
- three things people are surprised to learn about the practice
- some common myths
- her favorite part of her job 

Dr. Hoehn is a true joy and we are lucky to have her in our community!

Links:
Website: mightyriverwellness.com
Instagram: drbeckhoehn

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Nature can be restorative and healing. On this episode, Karen chats with her friend Daniela Ray about her decision to move out of Los Angeles to connect with nature and where that decision has led her -- from homeschooling her two children, to running a nature school, becoming an herbalist, and starting her own business, Growing Up Rooted. 

Daniela shares:

- why her family decided to move from Pasadena to Wrightwood and how the transition has gone
- how the move changed her relationship with nature and her surroundings
- her passion for herbs and how it has grown into a new business
- advice for anyone looking to connect more with nature 

Daniela's life has been transformed by her move and reconnection to nature.  We hope you find this episode inspiring and a reminder to enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds us however you can. 

Links:
Instagram: growinguprooted
Website: growinguprooted.com

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https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

Where we decide to raise our children is a fascinating topic, as many families today are raising their children in different places than their own childhood. 

Karen explores this topic with Bill Sy, a dad in our community and team member at The Family Room.  Karen met Bill almost ten years ago at playgroup in San Marino. Through chatting, she learned that Bill attended a boarding school not far from where she grew up.  Bill is now on The Family Room team and Karen later learned that while his parents are from the Philippines, his childhood was spent in Saudi Arabia, before he went to boarding school outside of Philadelphia, college in Michigan and now is raising his son in Pasadena.

Childhood is shaped by the place or places where we are raised. Karen and Bill discuss how the different countries impacted Bill and how it affects his parenting today, too.  

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Cancer is not common in kids, but when it happens to your family it can be the most terrifying experience of your life. The good news is that many childhood cancers are highly treatable. Here today to share her daughter’s story is Elsa Saldana. Many of you may know Elsa from our Toddler & Me program where she supports Gia or from playgroup in San Marino. 

It’s a story of an unbelievably scary diagnosis, but also one of hope. We are so grateful to Elsa for sharing. 

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Brandi Andrews reached a point in her life when she was ready to have a baby. She was not in a romantic relationship and knew her path would be a bit less traditional as a lesbian woman. Her gay best friend Lawrence was  also ready to have a baby, too.  So after a lot of talking and a parental contract laying the foundation for a co-parenting framework, they decided to start the journey as parents together.  Their journey was filmed and shared on 9 Months by Courtney Cox. 

Brandi shares her story from meeting Lawrence to co-parenting with him today, including:

• how she and Lawrence met and went from best friends to parents
• how friends and family reacted 
• the process of getting pregnant
• the details of their parenting contract 
• what parenthood has been like 
• how parenthood has affected  or changed her relationship with Lawrence
• what has surprised her the most

Brandi's story is unique, but many of the challenges are very relatable.  Her honesty, vulnerability,  and courage in parenting is refreshing and brave. 

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https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/