The Managing Motherhood Podcast: Recent Episodes
Orlesa Poole
Get ready for some real talk about the fun and “not so fun” aspects of motherhood that we’re not supposed to talk about. In the Managing Motherhood podcast, host Orlesa Poole provides advice as a therapist and mom on how to manage the chaos that is motherhood while maintaining your identity as a woman. Episodes will include interviews with other therapists, industry experts, and regular moms because we’re all just trying to figure this stuff out and we all have something to share. To learn more about our therapy and coaching for moms, visit psychotherapyformoms.com.
In this episode I chat with Erin Spahr, a certified perinatal mental health therapist, about the feminist perspective of motherhood in our society. We discuss how the impossible standards placed on mothers, combined with a lack of support on the societal level, can contribute to excessive stress, mental health challenges and burnout among moms. We discuss common misconceptions about feminism and what it means to be a "good feminist."
Connect with Orlesa:
- Book a free 15-minute consultation: https://psychotherapyformoms.com/free-consultation/
- Instagram: instagram.com/managing_motherhood_
- Website: https://psychotherapyformoms.com/
Connect with Erin:
- Website: https://www.erinspahrtherapy.com/
- Instagram: instagram.com/feminist.mom.therapist
Mom life is inherently stressful and can be the perfect recipe for burnout. Sometimes avoiding burnout takes deliberate effort. In this episode, I share 7 daily habits that help keep me above water and prevent me from burning out.
Connect with Orlesa:
- Book a free 15-minute consultation: psychotherapyformoms.com/free-consultation
- Instagram: instagram.com/managing_motherhood_
- Website: psychotherapyformoms.com
Moms are burned out right now, but what on earth do we do to fix that? This episode is chock full of information on actionable steps to take to get above your mom burnout. In this episode, I share:
- A glimpse into the signature 8 step framework I use with my 1:1 clients to bring them back from burnout
- Game changing mindset shifts that give you the confidence to ask for help, set boundaries to protect your time and ditch perfectionism and mom guilt
- Actionable steps you can take to lessen your workload and allow time for self-care
By the end of this episode, you will be equipped with actual steps you can take to begin fighting back against your burnout and get back to mothering in a way that feels good!
- Book a free 15-minute consultation: psychotherapyformoms.com/free-consultation
- Instagram: instagram.com/managing_motherhood_
- Website: psychotherapyformoms.com
On this episode of the Managing Motherhood Podcast, we're chatting about burnout. Often seen, rarely discussed. Society has placed the bar incredibly high for moms. We’re expected to live by unachievable standards which, surprise surprise is one of the biggest reasons so many moms experience burnout.
In this episode I explain what burnout is and how it can affect you as a mom. I also share 3 main reasons moms become burned out and common signs that it’s happening to you.
Connect with Orlesa:
- Book a free 15-minute consultation: psychotherapyformoms.com/free-consultation
- Instagram: instagram.com/managing_motherhood_
- Website: psychotherapyformoms.com
The holidays are magical, unless you’re a mom who’s juggling a million tasks and on the way to burnout. In this episode, I share the following tips (for moms) on managing burnout during the holidays:
- Drop some balls: How many of your holiday traditions are actually necessary?
- Share the planning responsibilities: Even delegating is a task and requires invisible labor, so share the task of planning and delegating.
- Take the easy way out: Does the family really care if you use box cake mix?
- Schedule alone time: Your family will be fine when you get back.
- Participate in the fun: Be intentional about activating your relaxation response.
By applying these tips, you can have more fun and less stress this holiday season!
Connect with Orlesa:
- Book a free 15-minute consultation: psychotherapyformoms.com/free-consultation
- Instagram: instagram.com/managing_motherhood_
- Website: psychotherapyformoms.com
In this episode I talk about the consequences of untreated/ unmanaged maternal anxiety and how Mom's anxiety can affect the entire family. I discuss my personal reasons for wanting to manage my anxiety: wanting to raise a confident child, consequences to my marriage and my desire to fully enjoy motherhood. I also talk about the research on how maternal anxiety affects childhood development.
As moms, we tend to focus on the wellbeing of our families before focusing on ourselves. My goal for this episode is for moms who are struggling with anxiety to see that in taking the time to care for themselves and get treatment or support for their anxiety, they are also caring for their families.
Connect with Orlesa:
- Book a free 15-minute consultation: psychotherapyformoms.com/free-consultation
- Instagram: instagram.com/managing_motherhood_
- Website: psychotherapyformoms.com
As a therapist and coach, it’s important to me that you know that I share the same struggles as you. I’m not a perfect mom, I get angry with my child, and I experience Anxiety.
In this episode, I talk about my history of living with an anxiety disorder and how my anxiety was triggered by having a child. I also share my experience with pandemic anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and milestone anxiety as a first-time mom. I explain how I use mental reframes, coping statements and mindset shifts to keep my anxiety in-check so that I can enjoy motherhood instead of living in a state of fear.
If you are a mom struggling with anxiety or wondering if you have anxiety, my hope is that this episode helps you feel less alone, reminds you that there’s no shame in seeking help and lets you see that it can get better.
Connect with Orlesa:
- Book a free 15-minute consultation: psychotherapyformoms.com/free-consultation
- Instagram: instagram.com/managing_motherhood_
- Website: psychotherapyformoms.com
Alicia Dorn is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the state of Maryland. She provides mental health therapy services through her private practice – Adorned with Life, LLC, specializing in anxiety, chronic illness, and pain. She unapologetically advocates for people struggling with anxiety and chronic illness in her clinical work and through social media.
In this podcast, Alicia shares the challenges of parenting with a chronic illness, including her own experience of parenting while dealing with diagnoses of multiple sclerosis and Lyme disease. She gives us tips on making the every-day a little easier and how to honor your own needs while caring for the needs of your family.
Takeaways:
Alicia is a huge fan of advocating for your needs, even when it feels uncomfortable. This might mean sending your doctor a message in between appointments to get a question answered, asking for accommodations at work, or having a support system in place to step in when you aren’t feeling your best.
Regularly take a break to check in with yourself. Ask yourself how you’re feeling and what you need at that moment. This little check-in allows you to be aware of what’s happening so that you can listen to your body and step back and ask for help before becoming overwhelmed or pushing past your limit.
Keep it sweet and simple (KISS). Make your days as simple as possible. It’s okay if your life isn’t always Pinterest or social media-ready. Your priority is caring for yourself so that you can be at your best for your family.
There is nothing “weak” about living with a chronic illness. Parenting with a chronic illness builds your endurance and makes you stronger over time. It teaches you perseverance and patience and passes these lessons on to your children.
Find Alicia:
• Website: adornedwithlife.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/adornedwithlifellc
• Facebook: facebook.com/adornedwithlife
Connect with Orlesa:
• Book a free 15-minute consultation: psychotherapyformoms.com/free-consultation
• Instagram: instagram.com/managing_motherhood_
• Website: psychotherapyformoms.com
Ugh mom guilt! We all want to be the best for our children so it’s hard when life (and mistakes!) happen. Mom guilt seems to be built into our DNA. While guilt can be protective and give us very useful information, being consumed by guilt actually takes away from our ability to be the amazing mothers we are. In this episode, Orlesa talks about her beef with marketers who capitalize on moms’ emotional struggles, how mom guilt can be harmful, and 4 questions you can ask yourself to ditch mom guilt.
Connect with Orlesa:
- Book a free 15-minute consultation: psychotherapyformoms.com/free-consultation
- Instagram: instagram.com/managing_motherhood_
- Website: psychotherapyformoms.com
How’s motherhood treating you? Whether you are brand new to motherhood or have been momming for a while, chances are, it's much different than you imagined and you’re still trying to figure it out. Motherhood is unpredictable and ever-changing so there’s always something to learn. The Managing Motherhood Podcast is a place for you to feel supported in motherhood and learn ways to handle the challenges- because you know another one is right around the corner! In this introductory episode, Orlesa shares about her experience as a new mom, working and parenting in the pandemic and the reason she chose to start the Managing Motherhood Podcast.
Connect with Orlesa:
- Book a free 15-minute consultation: psychotherapyformoms.com/free-consultation
- Instagram: instagram.com/managing_motherhood_
- Website: psychotherapyformoms.com
Get ready for some real talk about the fun and “not so fun” aspects of motherhood that we’re not supposed to talk about.
In the Managing Motherhood podcast, host Orlesa Poole provides advice as a therapist and mom on how to manage the chaos that is motherhood while maintaining your identity as a woman.
Episodes will include interviews with other therapists, industry experts, and regular moms because we’re all just trying to figure this stuff out and we all have something to share.
Subscribe or follow the podcast today so you don't miss any of our upcoming episodes. To learn more about our therapy and coaching for moms, visit psychotherapyformoms.com.