MOMlitics with Rebecca Sheehan

#207: Holiday Etiquette - Do's and Don'ts

Elevate Etiquette Founder Alison Cheperdak reveals the unwritten rules of the holiday season – including how to avoid (and end) those awkward holiday party conversations. In this episode of MOMlitics, Alison shows us how to navigate the do’s and don’ts of the holidays with ease, using kindness, grace and honesty to replace uncomfortable situations with positive and meaningful connections. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.momlitics.com [https://www.momlitics.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

#206: How to have a screen-free holiday season

This holiday season, skip social media in favor of family time and other valuable pursuits. Because who ever feels more grateful and less alone - after scrolling our feeds? ScreenStrong Founder Melanie Hempe explains how to go screen free, and why it’s so essential for the wellbeing of our families. She also talks about the lawsuit that 42 states have filed against Meta - and why waiting for the verdict simply isn’t good enough.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.momlitics.com [https://www.momlitics.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

#205: A Scandinavian’s Winter Survival Guide

Swedish author and nature-play expert Linda McGurk explains why it’s essential to get your family outdoors, and how to brave - and even enjoy - the cold, dark winter days ahead. McGurk says, “I think we’ve just become very comfortable, and then all of a sudden, you start thinking, well, maybe it’s not a good thing to be outside because it’s uncomfortable.” So the mother of two set out to change that. In her book “There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather,” her goal is to help American families become more comfortable heading outdoors at all times of year – even on those imminent dark winter days. “Head outside for a little bit every day, regardless of the weather,” she says, “I think it’s good for kids to learn to be comfortable with the discomfort. That it’s not dangerous to experience cold weather…and that’s how my friends back home in Sweden were raising their kids.” Scandinavian tips for (actually enjoying) cold weather outdoors: For a successful outdoor experience, McGurk says the goal is to identify any risks and mitigate them. Start by making sure kids’ physical needs are met before heading outside, i.e. they’re fed, hydrated, have gone to the bathroom, and aren’t too tired. Dress for the weather with lots of removable layers – and head outdoors wearing all of them. Have activities in mind. When you’re outside, McGurk recommends having a couple of games or ideas up your sleeve, just in case. This can be as simple as tag, hide and seek, or playing with a ball. Assess the weather. How cold is too cold? She says, “I think it’s pretty rare to get to those [extreme] temperatures where you can’t even leave the house.” If you’re not sure, she recommends staying close to home, so you can quickly get inside if anyone gets too cold.  And remember: independence helps kids thrive. McGurk insists that letting children play on their own isn’t as perilous as Americans often think. Watch on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dric-YwfZWI] | Read the full blog post at momlitics.com [http://momlitics.com] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.momlitics.com [https://www.momlitics.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

#204: The Danger of Indifference

“The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference.” - Elie Wiesel In this episode of MOMlitics, Rebecca delves into the aftermath of the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel with Lane Koch, a political advisor who specializes in grassroots campaigns. As someone with expertise in messaging and the organic circulation of information, Lane talks about the spread: the spread of misinformation (e.g. the idea that supporting Palestinians equates to supporting Hamas), along with growing antisemitism and propaganda. She then discusses how and why this detrimental and dangerous content is so easily spread, and how we can discern fact from fiction. Other episode topics include where to find legitimate information on the Israel-Hamas war,  what Americans can do to make a difference, and why every American should care. Lane also advises parents how to discuss the situation in the Middle East with children. Resources mentioned in episode: Books: Amusing Ourselves to Death [https://a.co/d/2rBzyKp] by Neil Postman A History of the Modern Middle East [https://a.co/d/h7hse0m] by William Cleveland and Martin Bunton Arab and Jew: Wounded Spirits in a Promised Land [https://a.co/d/glX5Nh4] by David K. Shipler Righteous Victims: A History of the Zionist-Arab Conflict [https://a.co/d/7dYD0fC] by Benny Morris Instagram: @just.chi.talks @stop_antisemitism @jewishoncampus @jewishbreakingnews - also good resource for places to donate @standwithus - IDF @onthisdayinjewishhistory This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.momlitics.com [https://www.momlitics.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

#203: The price of following your faith

Stay true to your values and lose your job - or compromise them to keep it. What would you do?  That's the conundrum sports broadcaster Teryn Gregson was facing. In this episode of MOMlitics, Teryn shares with Rebecca what's happened in the aftermath of her decision to “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.momlitics.com [https://www.momlitics.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]