Episode 32: The Guilt Card – Working Moms vs Stay-at-Home Moms (Why We Can’t Win Either Way)

Episode 32: The Guilt Card – Working Moms vs Stay-at-Home Moms (Why We Can’t Win Either Way)

Are you a working mom who feels guilty for not being present enough? Or a stay-at-home mom who feels guilty for not “contributing” financially? Yeah. Same. In this episode, Shawna and Cara—one a working-from-home mom, one a stay-at-home mom—have an honest, unfiltered conversation about mom guilt, money, identity, and the impossible standards placed on mothers no matter what choice we make. We talk about: * Why moms feel guilty either way * The invisible labor no one prepares you for * Money guilt, contribution guilt, and “the story I’m telling myself” * Why presence matters more than perfection * How guilt steals joy—at work and at home If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I doing this wrong?”—this episode is for you. 💗 You’re not failing. You’re mom enough. 👉 If this episode gave you even a little relief, share it with a mom who’s questioning herself right now. 🧠 Free Guide: yourmomenough.com/stop

YME Episode 30 - The secret to chasing big goals when motherhood leaves you feeling spent

Feeling like your personal goals are on the back burner? In this episode, Shawna and Cara share their secrets for finding time and energy to pursue your ambitions, even in the busiest seasons of motherhood. From middle-of-the-night work sessions to the power of a 10-minute timer, learn practical ways to make "micro-progress" on your dreams without adding more guilt to your plate. TLFMTR (Too Long For Mom To Read): * Discover "Parkinson's Law," the idea that work expands to fill the time you give it, and why moms are often the most efficient people. * Your dreams stay alive when they're touched daily, even in small ways; five minutes of "micro-progress" is still progress. * Instead of waiting to "find" time, you have to "borrow" it by creating hybrid activities, like working out while your child plays nearby. * It's okay if your ambition is simply being the best mom you can be; that is a mission worthy of your energy and focus. What if your ambition hasn't disappeared, but has just changed shape? What's one tiny, five-minute step you can take today to honor the part of you that has dreams outside of motherhood? Remember, you're not falling behind; you're just rewriting what ambition looks like in this season.  If you're looking for more support on your journey, come and join our free community of moms who get it at https://joinhearttostart.com [https://joinhearttostart.com].

YME Episode 29 - That Wasted Hour on Your Phone Here’s Why It’s Actually Necessary

Do moms really have no time, or are we just scrolling it all away?  In this episode, Shawna and Cara put this question to the test with a personal time audit.  They uncover surprising truths about "wasted" time, the psychology behind mom guilt, and why choosing to rest can feel so impossible.  This episode is for any mom who’s ever felt guilty for choosing her phone over the laundry pile or any mom who secretly super cleans for 30 minutes before their partner gets home because they don’t want them to discover… what didn’t get done in the day.  TLFMTR (Too Long For Mom To Read): * Scrolling isn't always wasted time; sometimes it's a necessary mental break. * The pressure to be constantly productive is often rooted in our upbringing and societal expectations. * Understanding your personality tendencies (like being an "obliger") can help you reframe and prioritize self-care. * We challenge the default notion that spare moments must be filled with chores instead of activities just for you. When you find an unexpected moment to yourself, what is your default activity, and how can you offer yourself more grace in that choice? Remember, you are doing enough, and your need for rest is valid.  If you're looking for more support on your journey, come and join our free community of moms who get it at https://joinhearttostart.com [https://joinhearttostart.com].

YME Episode 28 - Habits Don't Stick You not Lazy, You Just Need the Right Strategy Mom

Tired of “habit stacks” and “motivational morning routines” that just don't stick?   It’s not you, it’s the strategy.   In this episode, Shawna and Cara explore Gretchen Rubin's "The Four Tendencies" to help you discover more about what makes you… get and stay motivated. Whether you're an Upholder, Questioner, Obliger, or Rebel. This is for any mom who has ever felt like the problem can’t be "lazziness" or lack of discipline. There has to be something else behind why she just couldn't follow generic advice into transformative life changing new habits. In this episode we explore what might be possible if we learn how to work with our personality not against it to finally build habits that last. TLFMTR (Too Long For Mom To Read): * An introduction to Gretchen Rubin's Four Tendencies: Upholder, Questioner, Obliger, and Rebel, which are based on how you respond to inner and outer expectations. * Why generic habit advice often fails and how understanding your unique wiring is the key to success. * The power of leveraging your natural tendency as a strength rather than trying to change who you are at your core. * Personal examples of how Shawna (a Rebel wanna be real life Obliger) and Cara (an Upholder) navigate motivation differently. * An invitation to stop the cycle of self-judgment and instead use self-awareness to build a life that feels more authentic and fulfilling. Instead of asking "Why can't I stick to this?", what if you gently asked, "What kind of support or structure do I naturally need to succeed?" Remember, you are not a project to be fixed; you are a person to be understood.  If you're looking for more support on your journey, come and join our free community of moms who get it at https://joinhearttostart.com [https://joinhearttostart.com]. To learn more about Gretchen Rubin and her work and take the Four Tendencies quiz: https://gretchenrubin.com/four-tendencies/ [https://gretchenrubin.com/four-tendencies/]

YME Episode 27 - The Mom Joy Challenge and Why We Failed

We tried a "14 Days of Joy" challenge... And we kind of failed. Join us for a hilarious and honest chat about why it's so hard for moms to prioritize their own happiness. From choosing chores over reading to turning "me time" into family time, we explore the mental hurdles we all face. This episode is for any mom who’s ever felt guilty for not being “better” at self-care. TLFMTR (Too Long For Mom To Read): * What’s with the battle between choosing personal joy versus a productive "mom task"? * Why is it "me time" so easily morphs into a "family activity"? * Do we really have "no time" or did we spend it scrolling on autopilot? * Why is modeling self-care for our kids is so important? * Our spontaneous new plan: the "Mom Time Audit" challenge! When was the last time you did something purely for your own joy, without it needing to be productive or for someone else? Remember, adding joy to your life doesn't have to be another thing you get perfect. You are mom enough, and you're not alone in this.  If you're looking for more support on your journey, come and join our free community of moms who get it at https://joinhearttostart.com [https://joinhearttostart.com].