Dear COVID Mama: Recent Episodes
Ali OConnell
We did it! We survived 2020 and we are still here to fight another year/day/minute! This is a podcast about survival, triumph, grief, joy and all the other feels that come with mothering in a once in a century pandemic. Please join Ali OConnell, mama to one sweet boy, nurse and former mental health therapist, in vulnerable and honest roundtable discussions with mamas from all different walks of life. We will cover topics such as anxiety, expectations, family boundaries, guilt, support, coping and grief with a focus on normalizing our experiences and empowering each other to fight another day.
Good morning Flies, join us in this silly reading about a boy and his fly friend. Series by Ted Arnold.
Good Morning Henry’s and friends, thank you for joining us in this fun reading of a Disney Pixar classic. Also enjoy Declan’s Cheerio song.
Good morning 4 and a half year olds and other friends, join us in this interactive story about two unlikely friends helping each other. Help us listen for 4 words as we read the story: hawk, comet, rocks and storm.
Good morning Nolan’s and Cows and Chickens and other friends, join us in reading this story filled with silly jokes and lessons about friendship. Book written by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Joelle Dreidemy.
Good morning cars, please join us in the next reading of the Cars series (one of Declan’s favorites ). Let’s share in the excitement of Mater saving the day.
Good morning two year olds and friends, please join us in reading this clever and exciting story by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Also get a laugh while Declan and his mom try to say the word “tree top” as fast as they can. Try it with us!
Good morning Cars, join us in this silly reading of another Elephant and Piggy book by Mo Willems. Come guess with us why Elephant is sneezing so much!?
Good morning Libraries, please join us in this super super hero story for young readers. Written by Nick Eliopulos and illustrated by Loston Wallace and David Tanguay.
Good morning Kitties, please join us in reading this fun interactive book written by Linda Williams and illustrated by Megan Lloyd.
Good morning Doggies, please join us in reading this beautiful book about love and curiosity and noticing and giving. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did. It’s written by Matt De La Pena with pictures by Christian Robinson.
Good morning Arrows, please join us in reading this little golden book version of The Little Mermaid. Adapted by Michael Teitelbaum and Illustrated by Sue DiCicco. This episode is dedicated to Declan’s friend and classmate Torin who requested this book. We hope you enjoy.
Good morning Leaves, please join us in reading this sweet little chapter book about a girl and her dog named Barkus. Written by Patricia MacLachlan. What kind of cereal are you all having today?
Good morning Cereals, join us in this reading of a sweet story about giving and receiving gifts. Written by Sherri Duskey Rinker.
Good morning rainbows, please join us in this sweet reading of a little book about rainbows. Declan has dedicated this book to his good friend Parker. And it is by John Micklos Jr. Illustrated by Carlene Chua.
Good morning phones, we hope you are extra super hero special today. Join us in this zappy reading of a little golden book about Captain Marvel by John Sazaklis and illustrated by Penelope R. Gaylord
Good morning Books, we hope that you are being read today. Please join us in this reading all about learning to share. Book by Annna Dewdney.
Good morning Podcasts, we hope that people are listening to you today! Please join us in this exciting and sound effect full reading of a little golden book called Cars 3. Adapted by Victoria Saxon, illustrated by Vivian Wu and Designed by Tony Fejeran.
Good morning houses, we hope you are standing tall. Please join us for this reading of a fun and creative detective story given to us by our dear friend Chloe. Book written by Marjorie Weinman Shartmat. Illustrated by Marc Simont
Good morning Bulldozers, join us over a bowl of Cheerios for this fun reading of another Elephant and Piggy book by Mo Willems.
Good morning chairs, join us for this reading of a Little Golden book based off the television series Dinosaur Train on PBS. Written by Andrea Posner Sanchez. Declan and I even get to sing a sweet song at the end.
Good morning basketball hoops, come join us this morning in reading this very silly book by Laura Murray. Declan especially loves the part where the gingerbread man sets a trap to catch the cheeky Leprechaun.
Good morning friends, please join us in reading our first super hero book by John Sazaklis and Penelope R. Gaylord. We definitely have a lot of fun making silly sound effects. Maybe you can make some with us!
Good morning seeds, please join us in this sweet reading of a Daniel Tiger story while Declan eats his favorite Cheerios.
Join us for a sweet reading of a classic little golden book about Winnie the Pooh and his love for honey. This episode is dedicated to Declan’s good friend Corina who loves Winnie the Pooh.
Good morning cement mixers, join us in this fun reading of a book about animals and emotions. Written by Moira Butterfield and illustrated by Gwen Millard.
Good morning pots, please join us in this silly reading of another Elephant and Piggy book by Mo Willems. Declan hopes that you grow flowers and grow as big as the spruce tree in our back yard. And we hope you enjoy our story too.
Good morning umbrellas, come join us in this fun reading of a classic book by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury.
Good morning friends, please join us in our reading of this beautiful book as Declan enjoys a bowl of Cheerios. Story is by Patricia Polacco. Recipe for Thunder Cake revealed at the end.
Join Declan (4) and his little brother Nolan (almost 2) in this sweet story about going to Kindergarten. Written by Clara Cassidy and pictures by Eloise Wilkin.
Good morning Deck Friends, please join us in reading this silly book we got from the library while Declan enjoys some Frosted Mini Wheats.
Good morning trees, come along with us this morning in this fun reading of a counting book. This little golden book was written by Stephanie Calmenson and illustrated by Terri Super.
Good morning dinosaurs, please join us in this fun reading of one of our favorite books by Barbara Cooney. And learn about Declan’s favorite color.
Declan and his mom might be a little under the weather, but they are still excited to share this book that they got from the library by Mo Willems. Come have a listen.
Declan and his mom read a silly book from the library while Declan eats Honey Bunches of Oats. This book was created by Kevin Diller and Justin Lowe and illustrated by Tian Mulholland. We hope you enjoy.
Join us in reading a fun Disney Pixar Cars Little Golden Book where we learn about how Deputy Mater keeps Radiator Springs safe.
Declan and his mom get silly in this Little Golden Book reading of Mickey Mouse Heads for the sky. Come join us in this fun flying adventure story.
Join Declan and his mom for a funny reading of Let’s Play Monsters by Lucy Cousins while Declan enjoys a bowl of Raisin Bran.
Join funny Declan and his mom for a fun reading of Cars 3, the Little Golden Book edition.
Join silly Declan and his mom in the lively reading of Go Dog Go by P D Eastman. While Declan enjoys a delicious bowl of Honey Bunches of Oats.
In this previously recorded episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Cassie and Shawni about their childcare journey through the Covid pandemic over this past year. Cassie is a Nurse Midwife and became a new mama only a week before the first Covid shut down last March. She openly shares about the stress and anxiety of finding and keeping a childcare provider in the wake of Covid. Shawni, a senior project manager for a construction company and second time mama opens up about her experiences with judgment around childcare and her fierce desire to keep her family safe.
We also candidly talk about:
- Some of the assumptions that have been made regarding personal choices during Covid.
- My ongoing road rage issues and my toddler's growing vocabulary.
- The things we are proud of as mamas.
- New found patients with our children.
- And, of course, what we are looking forward to as we move into a post-Covid world
Email me at dearcovidmama@gmail.com with any questions or comments about this episode and with suggestions for future episodes. I appreciate your feedback and words of wisdom.
Disclaimer:
Please note that these episodes are conversations with individual mamas sharing their own personal journey, experience, struggles and triumphs. The stories shared are not meant to represent everyone's journey or experience. We definitely want to hold space and honor the fact that we may not be able to represent every mama's unique and personal journey. I am, however, very interested in hearing from anyone who would like to share what this past year has been like for you and how you have been navigating the Covid Era.
Also, this podcast is not meant to be a substitute for mental health services or advice. If you, or someone you know is experiencing depression or anxiety during the postpartum period please refer them to Postpartum Support International at (800) 944-4773. Or, if you are concerned about your safety or of someone you know and love, you can get help right away by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255.
This week I am taking the time to share why it is taking me so long to get out new podcast episodes! I will cover topics like:
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Time scarcity
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Avoidance
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Fear of Judgement
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The next phase of Covid...
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And, ways that I am trying to manage all of these complexities (i.e. coping).
Thank you for taking the time to listen to my ramblings. Email me at dearcovidmama@gmail.com with any questions or comments about this episode and with suggestions for future episodes. I appreciate your feedback and words of wisdom.
Disclaimer:
Please note that these episodes are conversations with individual mamas sharing their own personal journey, experience, struggles and triumphs. The stories shared are not meant to represent everyone's journey or experience. We definitely want to hold space and honor the fact that we may not be able to represent every mama's unique and personal journey. I am, however, very interested in hearing from anyone who would like to share what this past year has been like for you and how you have been navigating the Covid Era.
Also, this podcast is not meant to be a substitute for mental health services or advice. If you, or someone you know is experiencing depression or anxiety during the postpartum period please refer them to Postpartum Support International at (800) 944-4773. Or, if you are concerned about your safety or of someone you know and love, you can get help right away by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255.
In this weeks episode, I have the privilege of speaking with Shannon and Steph, two full-time nurses and first-time mamas. Steph works as a charge nurse on night shift on a cardiothoracic intermediate care unit and Shannon works swing shift in an Emergency Department. Both women courageously share their journeys of navigating motherhood in the wake of the Covid pandemic.
More specifically, we dive into topics like:
- Returning from maternity leave at the start of the Covid pandemic into a constantly changing hospital environment.
- The fear of "bringing danger home" to our new babies.
- Anxiety and all the different ways that it manifests.
- The impact of the pandemic on available coping strategies/skills.
- Recognizing our privilege and reminding ourselves that "we are all doing the best we can with what we have available to us."
- The things we are proud of over this past year.
- And, of course, what we are looking forward to in our new new normal.
Email me at dearcovidmama@gmail.com with any questions or comments about this episode and with suggestions for future episodes. I appreciate your feedback and words of wisdom.
Disclaimer:
Please note that these episodes are conversations with individual mamas sharing their own personal journey, experience, struggles and triumphs. The stories shared are not meant to represent everyone's journey or experience. We definitely want to hold space and honor the fact that we may not be able to represent every mama's unique and personal journey. I am, however, very interested in hearing from anyone who would like to share what this past year has been like for you and how you have been navigating the Covid Era.
Also, this podcast is not meant to be a substitute for mental health services or advice. If you, or someone you know is experiencing depression or anxiety during the postpartum period please refer them to Postpartum Support International at (800) 944-4773. Or, if you are concerned about your safety or of someone you know and love, you can get help right away by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255.
In this episode I have the opportunity to speak with my mama friends Miranda and Caroline, who are both Mental Health Therapists in private practice and mamas to school age children. Miranda opens up about her experience raising her two daughters over this past year while working remotely as a couples and individual therapist. And, Caroline shares the ups and downs in parenting her two sweet and strong-willed boys while working remotely with young children, teens and families in her therapy practice.
We take the time to unpack and discuss:
- What the evolution of Covid has been like for our children and partnerships, and how we are working to support ourselves and those that we love.
- What impact Covid has had on their work as therapists and the biggest changes and challenges they have noticed for their clients.
- Both Miranda and Caroline share some of the strategies that they have employed to help clients and their children process Covid; i.e. talking about pre-pandemic versus post-pandemic self, identifying coping strategies, and trying to be more in the present moment.
- The things we are proud of over this past year, and why it can be hard to identify these things some times.
- Miranda's perfection of the sourdough bread loaf.
- And, of course, what we are looking forward to when Covid is in our rear-view mirror.
Email me at dearcovidmama@gmail.com with any questions or comments about this episode and with suggestions for future episodes. I appreciate your feedback and words of wisdom.
Disclaimer:
Please note that these episodes are conversations with individual mamas sharing their own personal journey, experience, struggles and triumphs. The stories shared are not meant to represent everyone's journey or experience. We definitely want to hold space and honor the fact that we may not be able to represent every mama's unique and personal journey. I am, however, very interested in hearing from anyone who would like to share what this past year has been like for you and how you have been navigating the Covid Era.
Also, this podcast is not meant to be a substitute for mental health services or advice. If you, or someone you know is experiencing depression or anxiety during the postpartum period please refer them to Postpartum Support International at (800) 944-4773. Or, if you are concerned about your safety or of someone you know and love, you can get help right away by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255.
In this episode I have the opportunity to speak with my mama friend's Alcina and Andrea regarding their Covid pregnancy experiences. Alcina was only weeks away from giving birth when the first Covid lock down happened in the States, while Andrea was early in her pregnancy.
Both mamas openly share about:
- Their experience and fears in learning about Covid and it's implications on their impending births.
- Deeper emotions around resentment, grief and expectations.
- The importance of giving space for our own needs where we can and feeling empowered to ask for help.
- Setting boundaries and managing guilt.
- Silver linings and what we are doing well.
- And, of course, what we are looking forward to in a Post-Covid world.
Email me at dearcovidmama@gmail.com with any questions or comments about this episode and with suggestions for future episodes. I appreciate your feedback and words of wisdom.
Disclaimer:
Please note that these episodes are conversations with individual mamas sharing their own personal journey, experience, struggles and triumphs. The stories shared are not meant to represent everyone's journey or experience. We definitely want to hold space and honor the fact that we may not be able to represent every mama's unique and personal journey. I am, however, very interested in hearing from anyone who would like to share what this past year has been like for you and how you have been navigating the Covid Era.
Also, this podcast is not meant to be a substitute for mental health services or advice. If you, or someone you know is experiencing depression or anxiety during the postpartum period please refer them to Postpartum Support International at (800) 944-4773. Or, if you are concerned about your safety or of someone you know and love, you can get help right away by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255.
In this episode I have the pleasure of speaking with first time mamas Jenni Dingeldein and Maya Wright as we explore the experience of welcoming our first babies into the world only months before COVID washed over our lives.
In conversational fashion, we had the opportunity to talk about:
- Our expectations about becoming mamas before and after our exposure to the Covid pandemic.
- Grief as it relates to Covid and some of the things that we have lost or missed out on. Jenni also relates grief to mom guilt in a skillful way.
- Silver linings.
- How we are coping and managing all of these complex feelings and balancing our own needs with those of our family.
- The things that we are proud of over this past year.
- And, what we are looking forward to as Covid becomes less present in our lives.
Disclaimer:
Please note that these episodes are conversations with individual mamas sharing their own personal journey, experience, struggles and triumphs. The stories shared are not meant to represent everyone's journey or experience. We definitely want to hold space and honor the fact that we may not be able to represent every mama's unique and personal journey. I am, however, very interested in hearing from anyone who would like to share what this past year has been like for you and how you have been navigating the Covid Era.
Also, this podcast is not meant to be a substitute for mental health services or advice. If you, or someone you know is experiencing depression or anxiety during the postpartum period please refer them to Postpartum Support International at (800) 944-4773. Or, if you are concerned about your safety or of someone you know and love, you can get help right away by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255.
In this episode, host Ali OConnell introduces her intention behind creating the Dear Covid Mama podcast. She also takes a moment to share her own personal journey to motherhood and how Covid has impacted that experience.