In this conversation, Nina and Laura discuss the complexities of neurodivergence, particularly in children. They explore the meaning of neurodivergence, the role of diagnosis, and the challenges parents face in understanding and supporting their neurodivergent children. Laura shares insights from her experience as a pediatric occupational therapist, emphasizing the importance of recognizing individual needs and the benefits of labels in providing support. The discussion also highlights...

In this conversation, Nina and Emma Christmas delve into the concept of love languages, particularly focusing on how understanding these can enhance parenting and strengthen connections with children. They discuss the five love languages—words of affirmation, physical touch, quality time, gifts, and acts of service—and how recognizing a child's love language can improve their emotional well-being and behavior. Emma emphasizes the importance of adapting parenting styles to nurture children's...

In this conversation, Nina and Julia Woods delve into the common issue of repetitive conflicts in relationships, exploring the underlying causes and offering insights on how to navigate these challenges. They discuss the importance of self-awareness, the role of tone in communication, and practical techniques for effective dialogue. Julia introduces the concept of viewing conflicts as 'X marks the spot' on a treasure map, emphasizing the potential for growth and healing within these recurring...

In this conversation, Nina and Cassidy recap the successful Mama Knows Live event, which focused on women's mental health and community building. They discuss the event's highlights, the mission behind the Nurtura Foundation, and the importance of confidence and support among women. The conversation also touches on the challenges of event planning and the key takeaways from the experience, emphasizing the need for connection and vulnerability in motherhood and beyond. 00:00: Introduction and...

With Halloween quickly approaching we wanted to revisit thoughts on sweets and if we should be limiting their intake and how we can talk to our kids about sweets. Sammie and I talked about how we should approach the topic of sweets and treats when it comes to our kids on this fan favorite episode. We covered: How do we talk about sweets and treats to our kids? How do we limit sweets & treats without causing deprivation and or a complex around certain foods? How much access should the...

In this conversation, Nina and Eli delve into the intricacies of attachment theory and its profound influence on parenting. Eli shares her personal journey with attachment styles, the impact of childhood experiences on adult relationships, and the importance of fostering secure attachments with children. They discuss the various attachment styles, how they manifest in parenting, and the significance of conflict resolution and repair in maintaining healthy relationships with children. In this...

In this conversation, Nina interviews Stephen and Erin Mitchell, a couple who run a company called Couples Counseling for Parents. They discuss the common issue of in-laws causing tension in relationships and provide insights on how to navigate this challenge. They emphasize the importance of setting boundaries, validating each other's experiences, and working as a team. The conversation covers topics such as handling sensitive conversations about in-laws, dealing with defensive partners, and...

In this conversation, Nina and Rebekka discuss the often-overlooked importance of sleep for adults, particularly for parents. They explore the concept of chronotypes, how understanding one's natural sleep patterns can enhance productivity, and practical tips for adjusting sleep habits. The discussion also addresses common sleep issues, misconceptions about sleep, and the significance of establishing a healthy bedtime routine. Rebekka shares her expertise as an adult sleep consultant,...

In this conversation, Nina and Danielle discuss the challenges of maintaining friendships, especially in motherhood. They explore the different types of friendships and how to align with different friends. They also discuss the importance of setting boundaries and managing expectations in friendships. Danielle provides tips on how to navigate a perceived lack of balance and reciprocity in a friendship, and how to identify toxic dynamics. They also discuss the impact of social media on female...

In this conversation, Nina and Dr. Darria discuss baby safety and the importance of keeping children safe in various aspects of their lives. Dr. Darria, an ER physician and mother, shares her passion for helping families navigate the overwhelming amount of information on baby safety. They discuss the importance of trusting a mother's intuition and the challenges of balancing safety with allowing children to explore and play. Dr. Darria emphasizes the key areas of focus for baby safety,...

In this conversation, Nina and Alyssa discuss the topic of money and its impact on relationships. They explore the concept of money guilt and scarcity, and how it can stem from one's background and upbringing. They also delve into the challenges couples face when it comes to money, including conflicts and financial infidelity. Alyssa provides tips on how to have productive conversations about money with your partner, as well as the importance of budgeting and building an emergency fund. She...

In this conversation, Nina discusses her concerns about her son's reading development with Jessica Farmer, an expert in early literacy. They cover key milestones in early reading development, tips for parents to introduce reading skills, common mistakes to avoid, and red flags that indicate a child may be struggling with reading. Jessica emphasizes the importance of early intervention and provides resources for parents to support their child's reading journey. Chapters 00:00: Introduction...

In this conversation, Nina discusses the topic of shame in children with Alexandra Idens, the founder of Big Life Journal. They explore how children experience shame, how parents can recognize and address it, and how to build resilience in children to handle setbacks and failures constructively. 00:00: Introduction and Personal Experiences with Shame 08:38: Creating Family Agreements to Address Shameful Behavior 17:07: Supporting Children Through Shameful Experiences 25:23: Building...

The conversation explores the importance of talking to kids about disabilities and how to approach the topic. Amanda Owen, who has a brother with a rare chromosomal disability, shares her personal experience and passion for advocating for individuals with disabilities. They discuss the need to normalize disabilities early on, finding common ground with individuals with disabilities, and the importance of open and honest conversations. They also touch on the generational shift in attitudes...

In this conversation, Nina and Jessica discuss the importance of routines for children, especially during the back-to-school transition. Jessica, a pediatric occupational therapist and founder of Rooted in Routine, shares the benefits of routines for children's physical and mental health, cognitive development, and stress management. They also discuss strategies for preparing children for the school year, managing screen time, and helping children decompress after school. Jessica provides...

In this conversation, Nina and Dr. Menije discuss perfectionism and its impact on women, particularly in the context of motherhood. They explore different types of perfectionism and how it can manifest in various areas of life. Dr. Menije emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and embracing imperfection as antidotes to perfectionism. They also discuss how parents can help their children navigate perfectionism by teaching them to embrace mistakes and regulate their emotions. Overall, the...

Do you struggle with self confidence? Having confidence is something I struggle with and have been working on across all areas of my life. In this episode we dive into the topic of confidence and how you can work on building yours! Discussion: 1. Why are some flamingos lighter pink/more washed out than others? 2. Signs you are lacking self confidence. 3. Simple things to implement daily to boost your self confidence. Click here to buy my Manifestation Guide.  Disney Jr.’s Ariel is an...

In this conversation, Nina and Dr. Kristin Neff discuss the importance of self-compassion and its power to improve our well-being. Dr. Neff, a researcher and expert in self-compassion, shares insights from her own personal experiences and research. They explore the difference between self-compassion and self-esteem, the reasons why people struggle with self-compassion, and practical steps to cultivate self-compassion. They also discuss the role of self-compassion in parenting and how to help...

DREAMLAND BABY: To shop with my code “Go to dreamlandbabyco.com and enter my code MAMAKNOWS at checkout to receive 30% off pajamas + free shipping. That’s dreamlandbabyco.com code MAMAKNOWS. This offer is for new and existing customers!” Do you ever feel upset over plans changing or things not going the way you had planned it out? In this episode we dive into ambiguous grief (i.e. when things don't go according to plan, grieving unmet expectations, accepting life's curveballs) (ex:...

Invest in your whole family’s health with Seed. Go to Seed.com/MAMAKNOWS and use code 25MAMAKNOWS to get 25% off your first month of DS-01® Daily Synbiotic or PDS-08® Pediatric Daily Synbiotic. That’s 25% off your first month of Seed’s DS-01® or PDS-08® at Seed dot com slash MAMAKNOWS, code 25MAMAKNOWS. Disney Jr.’s Ariel is an animated musical series for preschoolers inspired by the beloved story of “The Little Mermaid.” It follows 8-year-old mermaid princess Ariel as she and her friends...

Body image and and neutrality is something I didn't really learn about until I was an adult, after struggling for years. Especially after having my own kids I began to wonder, how do we do better for our kids so that they don't have to struggle with the same body image issues like most of us did as kids? On this weeks episode we dive into the topic and address some important questions! How can we talk to our kids about their body early on & in their teens to promote body...

Get your BEST YOUNGEST LIPS EVER with citybeauty.com with code MAMAKNOWS for 15% off. There is so much information out there on the effects of social media it is hard to know where to start. If you are like me and want to make sure you are setting your kids (and yourself!) up for success with boundaries and conversations around social media with your kids, then this episode is for you! What are the effects you have seen from social media on kids? I am a data girl so give me all your...

Dreamland Baby We love our Dream Land Baby Pajamas for the kiddos, go the dreamlandbabyco.com and enter code MAMAKNOWS at checkout to receive 30% off sitewide + free shipping! Career, parenting, being a spouse, showing up how you want to show up; it can be exhausting and lead to feeling burnt out. Sometimes I even wonder if I am helping or hurting myself when I am feeling burnt out. But how do I break the cycle? On this weeks episode Dr. Carolyn Rubenstein answers our questions on burn out...

Feeling lost in your career after becoming a mother? Or feeling torn between the career you love and the love you have for being a mom? The balance is so hard and figuring out how to navigate and balance it all is exhausting. But you aren't alone and this week we dive into feeling lost in our careers after motherhood. How can motherhood influence our career trajectory? How can we overcome our fear of taking a risk especially when it comes to our career and livelihood and how can we...