For Shxtty Moms

EP 18: The Alchemist Mom: From Rashes to Radiance; One Mom’s Journey to Building Her Skincare Empire

Melissa Bitan never planned to become a skincare entrepreneur. But when her son contracted hand-foot-mouth disease and doctors offered no solutions beyond "it's just a virus," her maternal instinct kicked into high gear. Drawing on her lifelong interest in natural remedies, she created a cream (Creme de Mekkai) that cleared her son's symptoms in just three days, a moment that would eventually birth the “Little Naturalz” child product line from her health-conscious advanced skincare line called “belle_lisse_beauty”. Throughout our conversation, Melissa pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry's historical neglect of melanated skin. "When you make a product for melanated skin, everything has to be several steps above," she explains, detailing how standard ingredients like talc and mineral oil create ashy appearances and dryness on darker complexions. Her mission goes beyond selling products; she's elevating the entire conversation around aging, hormonal changes, and skincare for women who've been overlooked for too long. What truly shines in this episode is Melissa's candid take on balancing entrepreneurship with motherhood. As a mother of three juggling a full-time career in textile sales and interior design alongside her skincare venture, she offers practical wisdom without sugar-coating the challenges. From setting boundaries with children (her top parenting struggle) to finding your "mommy village" and knowing when to seek professional help, Melissa's approach is refreshingly honest. Her mantra: "You can do anything, but you can't do everything at once", serves as both permission and caution for parent-entrepreneurs everywhere. Whether you're interested in clean beauty, contemplating your own business venture, or simply navigating the daily complexities of parenting, Melissa's journey offers valuable insights on creating something meaningful while raising little humans. Check out her products on Instagram @ belle_lisse_beauty and watch for her website launch in Fall 2025. ⏰ Chapter Markers ⏰ 0:00 - Show Introduction 2:15 - Meet Melissa Baton: Mother and Entrepreneur 6:10 - Creating Homemade Remedies for Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease 15:00 - Melanin-Aware Skincare and Industry Challenges 30:43 - Motherhood Style and Setting Boundaries 51:22 - Building a Parenting Village 1:11:11 - Teaching Kids Self-Value and Advocacy 1:31:55 - Navigating Child Development and Racial Dynamics 1:41:00 - Final Advice and Contact Information ➣ For Guest Appearances, Sponsorship & Bookings: shxtmom@gmail.com ➣ Visit our official website: https://www.ForShxttyMoms.com Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2240024/support]

EP 17: Mom Guilt & God's Grace: A Survival Guide

What happens when you combine mental health advocacy, teenage parenting challenges, and a journey of faith into one powerful conversation? Markeisa  Tassy, a single mother from Delray Beach, Florida, opens up about transforming her personal trauma into purpose while raising her teenage son Sincere. "Working out for me is not what people see," Markeisa reveals as she discusses how physical activities like fitness and skating became her lifeline during panic attacks and divorce. "People think we work out and it's all about the body, but it's really all about the mind." Her candid approach to mental health challenges traditional perceptions of self-care and motherhood. We dive deep into the complexities of raising a teenage son in today's world, from navigating their digital footprint to creating safe spaces for uncomfortable conversations. As an intake and family coach supervisor with Safe Families, Markeisa  brings professional expertise to personal parenting challenges, offering invaluable insights for parents struggling with similar situations. Her approach blends professional knowledge with spiritual guidance, revealing how faith has become her foundation for decision-making. The conversation takes an unexpected turn when we explore school advocacy, with both hosts sharing raw stories about standing up for their children in educational settings. These honest exchanges showcase the reality many parents face when institutions fail to understand or accommodate their children's needs. Whether you're a single parent, struggling with balancing work and family responsibilities, or seeking guidance on raising emotionally intelligent children, this episode delivers profound wisdom wrapped in authentic conversation. Markeisa leaves us with a powerful reminder: "We're not supposed to do motherhood alone." Her message of seeking help without shame offers hope for parents navigating their own challenges. Join us for this transformative discussion that will change how you view parenting, purpose, and the power of community support in your motherhood journey. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2240024/support]

EP 16: Are You Present or Just Providing? A Father's Reflection on Parenthood

Step into the world of modern fatherhood as we sit down with Prentice Mobley, Superintendent for the city of Delray Beach and father to three children spanning different life stages. Prentice offers a refreshingly honest look at balancing career demands with family responsibilities, bringing a father's perspective to parenting conversations often dominated by maternal voices. From his pre-dawn routine juggling workouts and school drop-offs to managing 48 city parks while being "Mr. Make It Happen" at home, Prentice reveals how he navigates professional responsibilities while remaining present for milestone moments. His unique position, having more workplace flexibility than his wife who works 12-hour nursing shifts, challenges traditional parenting dynamics and offers insights into how fathers can take leading roles in childcare. The conversation delves into complex family structures, as Prentice shares how he parents children from different relationships and manages age gaps spanning more than a decade. He speaks candidly about protective fatherhood, awkward dating conversations with his teenage daughter, and finding the balance between enforcing boundaries and maintaining open communication. With remarkable self-awareness, Prentice reflects on his own childhood experiences with an absent father and how they shaped his parenting philosophy: "Be present." Rather than getting caught in day-to-day frustrations, he takes a big-picture approach to family life, envisioning his role as nurturing a family tree while celebrating small victories like potty training successes and school achievements. Whether you're a father seeking guidance, a mother wanting insight into a dad's perspective, or simply interested in modern parenting dynamics, this episode offers valuable wisdom on presence over perfection and the delicate balancing act of raising the next generation. Listen now and join the conversation on what it means to be fully present as a parent in today's demanding world. ⏰ Chapter Markers ⏰ 0:00 - Episode Introduction and Guest Welcome 2:53 - Day in the Life: Balancing Work and Family 9:23 - Parenting Philosophy and Being "Mr. Make It Happen" 18:05 - Navigating Daughter Relationships and Sibling Dynamics 30:46 - Parenting Challenges and Work-Life Balance 47:39 - Present Parenting and Bigger Picture Thinking 1:00:49 - Father-Daughter Relationships and Dating Conversations 1:10:18 - Closing Thoughts and Contact Information ➣ For Guest Appearances, Sponsorship & Bookings: shxtmom@gmail.com ➣ Visit our official website: https://www.ForShxttyMoms.com Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2240024/support]

EP 15: The Guilt-Free Dad: Why This Father Makes No Apologies for Pushing His Kids

What happens when you approach parenting like an investment strategy? In this refreshingly candid conversation, real estate agent Alan Monica pulls back the curtain on fatherhood as a dad of triplets—identical twin girls and a fraternal boy. Alan brings a unique perspective that many parents might find liberating: complete freedom from parental guilt when pushing his children toward excellence. "Until you turn 18, you have to do this stuff if we tell you to," he explains with a laugh, detailing how he evaluates his children's activities based on their potential long-term benefits rather than immediate enjoyment. This "return on investment" approach led his family to prioritize piano and singing for his daughters over cheerleading, which he viewed as having limited future applications. The discussion reveals how Alan balances the unpredictable "feast or famine" nature of real estate work with his parenting responsibilities. From navigating school pickup lines to coordinating extracurricular schedules, he shares practical insights on time management that working parents will appreciate. He's refreshingly honest about leaning on his partner Maria, whom he credits as "the backbone" of their family unit. Perhaps most compelling is Alan's commitment to modeling the behaviors he expects from his children. After receiving concerning health news, he changed his diet and exercise habits, explaining: "I don't want to be the kind of dad that just verbally says it. I want to try my best to show it as well." This authenticity extends to his parenting philosophy: "Go with your gut—what I want to see them doing, what I feel is right, I just try to push it." Whether you're a mom seeking perspective on co-parenting, a dad looking for solidarity, or anyone interested in a straightforward approach to raising confident, skilled children, Alan's stories will leave you questioning your own parental guilt and considering whether a more decisive approach might benefit your family. Take a listen and reconsider what it means to truly invest in your children's future. ⏰ Chapter Markers ⏰ 0:00 - Meet Alan: Real Estate Agent and Father of Triplets 9:05 - The Challenges of Real Estate and Parenthood 20:41 - Parenting Style and Extracurricular Strategy 31:31 - The Return on Investment Approach to Activities 45:28 - Leading by Example and Modeling Behaviors 54:02 - Dealing with Loss and Final Parenting Advice ➣ For Guest Appearances, Sponsorship & Bookings: shxtmom@gmail.com ➣ Visit our official website: https://www.ForShxttyMoms.com Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2240024/support]

EP 14: From Courtroom to Delivery Room: A Lawyer's Mission to Save Babies

What if the most dangerous day in your child's life could be made safer through simple knowledge and preparation? After 21 years as a medical malpractice attorney specializing in birth trauma cases, Gina Mundy is pulling back the curtain on preventable childbirth mistakes in this eye-opening conversation. Mundy reveals the stark reality that many parents don't realize they are the ultimate decision-makers during labor and delivery. Every intervention, from Pitocin induction to C-sections, is technically a recommendation that parents can accept or decline. This revelation comes alongside her identification of recurring patterns in birth injury cases that prompted her to write "A Parent's Guide to a Safer Childbirth" and launch a podcast dedicated to preventing these tragedies before they happen. The discussion takes an honest turn when Mundy shares her struggles balancing her mission-driven work with motherhood. Her touching story about reconnecting with her 10-year-old son during a camping trip, where he initially told her the "World's Best Mom" cup didn't apply to her, resonates deeply with any parent trying to juggle meaningful work with family life. By the trip's end, he changed his mind, illustrating how intentional, undistracted time can transform parent-child relationships. For parents considering their birth options, Mundy offers valuable context about the differences between hospital births, birthing centers, and home births. Rather than advocating for one approach, she emphasizes the importance of preparation and informed decision-making regardless of setting. Her perspective is particularly valuable given her unique position of seeing what goes wrong when parents aren't adequately prepared. Whether you're planning a family, expecting a baby, or simply interested in healthcare advocacy, this conversation offers rare insights from someone who's witnessed the aftermath of childbirth gone wrong, and is now dedicated to preventing these outcomes. Subscribe to For Shxtty Moms now and join our community of parents committed to doing their best, even when perfect isn't possible. ⏰ Chapter Markers ⏰ 0:00 - Introduction to Gina Mundy 5:29 - Common Pitfalls in Childbirth 11:42 - Being Your Own Advocate 20:08 - Juggling Career and Motherhood 34:40 - Reconnecting with Kids Amid Busyness 51:38 - Family Impact of Birth Trauma Cases 59:27 - Final Thoughts and Resources ➣ For Guest Appearances, Sponsorship & Bookings: shxtmom@gmail.com ➣ Visit our official website: https://www.ForShxttyMoms.com Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2240024/support]