I Swear I Was Smarter Than This

Parenting Teens Through Social Media and FOMO

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2552312/fan_mail/new] Parenting teens today feels completely different than it did even ten years ago — and honestly? A lot of us are figuring it out in real time. In this episode of This Is Common – Life Beyond the Baby, we’re talking about the emotional reality of raising teenagers in a world of social media, smartphones, AI, vaping, anxiety, constant comparison, online pressure, and nonstop stimulation. Because modern parenting isn’t just about keeping our kids physically safe anymore — it’s about protecting their mental health, emotional well-being, attention span, self-esteem, and nervous system too. In this raw, honest, and practical episode, we discuss: *  parenting teens in the digital age  *  social media and teen mental health  *  screen time and overstimulation  *  why teens seem emotionally overwhelmed  *  how phones and social media impact the teenage brain  *  setting healthy boundaries without becoming controlling  *  building trust and communication with your teen  *  practical parenting tools that actually help  *  how to stay connected to your teenager in a distracted world  We also dive into the pressure parents feel to let kids have “what everyone else has,” the fear of saying no, and why so many moms feel exhausted trying to raise emotionally healthy kids in an online world we barely understand ourselves. If you’re raising teens, preteens, or tweens and wondering: *  “Am I being too strict?”  *  “How do I protect my child without isolating them?”  *  “Why does parenting feel harder now?”  *  “How do I get my teen to actually talk to me?”  This episode will leave you feeling validated, informed, and more confident in your parenting decisions. Because your kids don’t need perfect parents.  They need connected ones. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2552312/support]

You Can't Do It All, But You Can Do This - Balancing Business and Motherhood with Lori Ervin

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2552312/fan_mail/new] Motherhood is already a full-time job… so what happens when you add a business on top of it? In this episode, I’m joined by Lori Ervin, who has built multiple six-figure businesses online and now helps women grow their brands in a way that actually fits into their life.  We’re not sugarcoating anything. We’re talking about what it actually looks like to build and run a business while raising kids — the messy schedules, the guilt, the pressure, and the constant feeling of being pulled in a million directions. Lori shares real, practical advice for moms who want to start something of their own (or are already in it and barely holding on). From managing your time when there is none, to letting go of perfection, to figuring out what actually matters — this is the kind of conversation moms need but don’t hear enough. If you’ve ever thought:  “How the hell am I supposed to do both?” This one’s for you. You can find Lori at www.loriervin.com and over on instagram @theloriervin  Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2552312/support]

I Swear I Was Smarter Than This

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2552312/fan_mail/new] I don’t feel like myself lately — and I can’t tell if it’s burnout, ADHD, hormones… or all of the above. I used to be on top of everything. Now I forget why I walked into a room, start things I don’t finish, and feel behind even when I technically have time. It’s not just being tired — it feels like my brain just isn’t working the way it used to. In this episode, I’m talking through what this actually feels like, why so many moms are experiencing it, and how burnout, undiagnosed ADHD, and perimenopause can all show up in really similar ways. This isn’t a “here’s how to fix it” episode — it’s an honest conversation about that in-between stage where you’re functioning… but not quite like yourself. If you’ve been thinking “what is wrong with me lately?” — you’re not the only one. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2552312/support]

Episode 7 - Cougar Puberty - Rage and Hormones

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2552312/fan_mail/new] We’re back with Megan Schrumm! In our last conversation, we unpacked hot flashes, brain fog, and the physical symptoms of perimenopause. Today, we’re diving into something just as real — and often harder to talk about — the emotional mess of this stage. If you’ve ever gone from zero to snapping in 2.4 seconds… felt waves of rage you barely recognize… or caught yourself thinking, “I don’t even feel like myself anymore” — this episode is for you. We break down: * Why mood swings hit so hard during perimenopause * The hormonal rollercoaster of estrogen and progesterone (and how it impacts your brain) * Why disrupted sleep and blood sugar crashes make everything worse * The identity shift so many women experience in midlife * How grief, capacity overload, and years of “giving, giving, giving” compound it all Megan explains what’s actually happening inside your body — and more importantly, what you can do about it. We talk practical, doable strategies like: * Stabilizing blood sugar with simple food swaps * Prioritizing sleep to increase emotional capacity * “Habit stacking” small nervous system resets into your day * Setting boundaries without guilt * Protecting relationships while protecting yourself This isn’t about becoming a brand-new person. It’s about understanding why you feel different — and learning how to support yourself through it. If perimenopause has you feeling snippy, exhausted, anxious, or disconnected from the woman you used to be, this episode will remind you: you’re not broken. Your hormones are shifting — and you deserve support through it. Tune in for validation, science-backed insight, and small, empowering changes that can make a big difference. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2552312/support]

Social Media for Pre Teens is a Hard No In This House

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2552312/fan_mail/new] Teens, social media, and the pressure to be the “cool mom”… let’s talk about it. In this honest and relatable episode, we dive into the emotional tug-of-war so many parents face: wanting your child to “have what everyone else has” while also protecting their mental health, safety, and developing brain. Because let’s be real — social media isn’t just harmless fun anymore.  It’s comparison, validation, anxiety, overstimulation, and exposure to a world kids may not be ready for. In this episode, we unpack: • The pressure parents feel to say yes  • “Cool mom” syndrome and fear of your child feeling left out  • The real impact of social media on kids and teens  • Anxiety, self-esteem, and online comparison  • How to set boundaries without guilt  • Age-appropriate safety considerations  • Practical ways to talk to your kids about social media  • How to balance independence with protection We also touch on the social media restrictions and phone policies emerging in countries like Australia and France — and why many parents are starting to question whether stronger limits might actually help families. If you’ve ever wondered:  “Am I being too strict?”  “Should I let them have it?”  “How do I keep them safe without isolating them?” This episode will leave you feeling validated, informed, and equipped with grounded, realistic strategies to navigate social media in your home. Because protecting your child doesn’t make you uncool —  it makes you intentional. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2552312/support]