Drive Like A Motha

Season 1 Finale: Positive and Purposeful Parenting with Domari Dickinson

The Season Finale is Here! We've heard the saying "Kids don't come with a parenting guide" over and over but there are people who are making waves to change that. Domari Dickinson is one of those people. She is an accomplished educator who has done extensive training and has the experience to teach us a thing or two about how to raise children in a more peaceful, respectful, and purposeful way. On the podcast, Domari shares so many tips- from how to identify our triggers, to changing the language we use when talking to our kids. Domari stressed the importance of first identifying your family's core beliefs. What does your family value and what are your beliefs? Identifying your triggers will help you respond differently and communicate better with your children. Sometimes this work may require therapy. How you communicate matters: 1. Get clear with your directions - Clean your room vs. make your bed, vacuum, dust, etc. 2. Be specific - Stop jumping on the furniture vs. Go outside to burn off some energy for 30 minutes. 3. Focus on the positive - thank you for using walking feet in the house vs. pointing out every time they run in the house. The most impactful take away from my time with Domari on this episode was the idea that we don't have to CONTROL our kids to be a good parent. We must give them the chance to practice using their voice, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking. Domari offers positive parenting classes, one on one coaching, and her next cohort begins October 1, 2020 (online of course ;) ). Go to www.DomariDickinson.com [http://www.DomariDickinson.com] for more information. Follow Domari on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @DomariDickinson.

Surviving Life with Lisa Johnson Smith

Breast cancer survivor, phenomenal mom to three sons, tv show host, and producer - Lisa Johnson Smith joined me in an interview to talk about everything from raising three boys to surviving breast cancer and post-op complications. This woman is strong! She has survived what many of us may not have. During the interview, she shared that while she has worked on many shows, Teen Summit was the best television production experience. She talked about her current project which is her oldest son’s show #Simplyput, very reminiscent of Teen Summit. Here are some takeaways from the episode: 1. You can’t parent each of your kids the same way. They are individuals and need to be treated as such. 2. Fight for your rights in health care and have an advocate with you whenever possible. 3. Hardships will happen in life and you have to learn from them. 4. Speak up when someone mistreats you. 5. Live on purpose and be thankful for each day. Check out Lisa’s production with her oldest son Chaz, #SimplyPut. [https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VE3QP1m82AQ] Follow Lisa on Instagram @lisajohnsonsmith

Protecting Our Families During COVID-19 with Drs. Elana McDonald & Delana Wardlaw

"The one predictable thing about the coronavirus is that it is unpredictable." Twin sister doctors, Dr. McDonald and Dr. Wardlaw go on to discuss the coronavirus and how to protect our families during the pandemic. They pointed out that COVID Fatigue is real but stressed that we cannot let up because it is badly affecting our health. During our conversation, the doctors also talked about vaccine research and data to support vaccines and why it is important that we ask questions to make an informed decision on vaccines. Tips 1. Lead by example and wear a mask and wash your hands. Have your child also wear a mask 2. Remind children about why they cannot go on with their normal routine and check-in with their emotions. 3. When vaccines are available, ask the doctor questions that will allow you to make an informed decision. Reach out to @twinsisterdocs on Instagram and Twitter for more info.

Tapping into Your Divine Self Through Yoga and Meditation with Dr. Jerika Johnstone

On this episode of the Drive Like a Motha podcast, I talked with Dr. Jerika Johnstone. She is a wife, mother of three, and serious yogi! She shared so much wisdome about Kemet Yoga, a style of yoga used to tap into the energy of our ancestors. Kemet, we know it as Egypt, has a rich history as the land of the beginning. Kemet Yoga is the practice of connecting with ancestors through poses and hand gestures during yoga and meditation. Jerika also uses these techniques with her kids to calm their bodies through intentional breathing. This helps them communicate effectively without letting emotions take over. This episode educated me on so many things. The most freeing part of the episode is when Jerika shared that we don't have to make meditation this whole big ordeal. Make it work for you. "We are walking mediations. We are living temples". You can find Jerika on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVmHetehnQE [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVmHetehnQE]. Follow her on Instagram @ka.kemetic.yoga

Let's Talk About Sex, Baby with LaDawn Lanier

In this episode, we have Ladawn Lanier, Sexologist, and Psychologist. I feel that the majority of moms who listen to this episode will walk away feeling relieved. LaDawn normalized everything I was feeling. I literally felt like I went to a therapy session. A sexologist is usually a psychologist or therapist who has taken specialized courses in sex education. LaDawn shares that the biggest myth is that if you go to a sex therapist, you'll be required to have sex right there in the office- that's NOT going to happen she says. Take comfort in knowing that our sexual wants/desires change over the course of our life and the best thing we can do is to communicate and be sure our partners comprehend what we are saying so that we continue to stay on the same page. Here are some key takeaways from my time spent with LaDawn: 1. Everything doesn't have to be a penis and vagina! Enjoy the journey start the four play in the morning- send text messages, stick post-it notes in most visual areas. 2. Don't limit yourself to the bedroom. 3. Put sex on the calendar and/or get a babysitter- go to the hotel! 4. To get in the mood- take a shower; know and communicate what feels good to you. 5. Get some sleep! LaDawn is a professor, certified psychologist, and sex therapist. You can find LaDawn on Instagram @sexologist_lala