Modern Mom Probs

FIRST AIRED APRIL 25, 2023 As parents, we often want to shield our children from the realities of the world, but it's ultimately impossible to do so. When children do hear about the news, it's important to have open and honest conversations with them. In this episode of the "Modern Mom Probs" podcast, Tara interviews Tracy Leeds Kaplan, the founder of Small But Mighty Media and creator of the popular podcast "The Ten News," about how to talk with children about the news. They discuss the importance of age-appropriate news sources for kids, the challenges of discussing sensitive topics, and the need for giving yourself space to be emotional. They also touch on the challenges of parenting in the digital age and finding time for family discussions. Tracy emphasizes the importance of listening and using age-appropriate language when discussing heavy news topics with kids. If you’ve ever been at a loss for words, listen to this episode. Links: https://www.thetennews.com/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ten-news-news-for-curious-kids/id1514325670 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/for-the-grown-ups-how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-gun-violence/id1514325670?i=1000607581233 Support the show • Follow & DM me @modernmomprobs • Pick up my book • Leave a review

BLAST FROM THE PAST: FIRST AIRED NOVEMBER 14, 2023 In this episode, Tara welcomes Alyssa Blask Campbell, CEO of Sew and Seed. Alyssa is a trusted expert in emotional development and the host of the popular podcast "Voices of Your Village." The conversation centers around Alyssa's new book, "Tiny Humans, Big Emotions: How to Navigate Tantrums, Meltdowns, and Defiance to Raise Emotionally Intelligent Children." Alyssa shares that the book is based on Collaborative Emotion Processing (CEP), a method for being with and moving through hard things. She and her colleague, Lauren Stauble developed this method after realizing that traditional behavior-focused approaches were not effective in real-life parenting situations. They wanted to create a comprehensive approach that focuses on the adult's self-awareness and self-care, as well as the interaction between adults and children. Tara and Alyssa discuss the importance of emotional intelligence and its impact on daily life. Alyssa shares how her perspective on emotional intelligence shifted when she started envisioning a world where these tools were accessible to everyone, including her own child and future generations. She emphasizes the need for emotional intelligence in adults, especially those in positions of power, so they can support others and model healthy ways of navigating difficult situations. Alyssa explains that emotional intelligence consists of five components: self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, social skills, and motivation. She highlights the significance of self-awareness, as it is the foundation for regulating emotions and accessing the other components. Alyssa uses personal examples, such as a social media backlash, to illustrate the importance of recognizing dysregulation cues and taking a step back before responding. They also touch on empathy and how it is best taught through modeling. Instead of claiming to understand exactly how someone feels in a given situation, she suggests connecting with the emotions someone is experiencing, rather than focusing on why they are feeling that way. If you’re interested in teaching your children empathy, you should listen to this episode! Links: https://www.seedandsew.org/ https://www.instagram.com/seed.and.sew/

In this episode, Tara sits down with popular content creator of @ThatDarnChat, Fair Play Facilitator, and author of the new book No More Mediocre, Laura Danger for an honest, validating, and occasionally uncomfortably relatable conversation about domestic labor, mental load, and why so many partnerships quietly slide into mediocrity. They unpack how the pandemic cracked things wide open exposing just how uneven household responsibilities really are and why so many couples are still struggling to rebalance things years later. Spoiler: it’s not because anyone’s “bad at helping,” it’s because the entire concept of help is part of the problem. Laura and Tara dig into the cultural conditioning that shapes our expectations at home, from who notices what needs to be done to who feels responsible for making sure it gets done. They explore the difference between expectations and standards (yes, they are not the same thing), and how unmet expectations can quietly turn into resentment, disconnection, and even feelings of betrayal. The conversation also touches on why mediocre relationships are so often tolerated (and normalized) especially for women and mothers who were taught to lower the bar and keep the peace. Drawing from her book No More Mediocre, Laura makes a powerful case for intentionality in domestic roles and communication, emphasizing that equity doesn’t happen accidentally. Tara and Laura also reflect on how online conversations have helped name the mental load and bring language to something so many parents feel but couldn’t quite articulate. If you’ve ever felt exhausted by carrying the invisible work at home, or wondered why “just tell me what to do” isn’t the solution, this episode will make you feel seen, validated, and maybe a little fired up (in a good way). Links: https://www.lauradanger.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thatdarnchat/

In this festive, laugh-out-loud episode, Tara is joined by Jackie Santillan and Priscilla Kavanaugh, hosts of the new podcast We Say What, for a cozy (and slightly chaotic) holiday roundtable that feels like catching up with friends over spiked cocoa. The trio swaps stories about how holiday traditions evolve as families grow, like coordinated outfits, holiday videos, and the never-ending question of whether sending Christmas cards is worth the time, money, or sanity. They also tackle holiday fashion (yes, buffalo plaid has officially taken over) and reflect on how modern motherhood adds a whole new layer to the “most wonderful time of the year.” Things really heat up when the conversation turns to holiday movies. Through a spirited bracket-style showdown, they debate classics like It’s a Wonderful Life, Christmas Vacation, A Christmas Story, and modern favorites like Elf. Along the way, they unpack why childhood staples like Home Alone, Rudolph, The Grinch, and even The Muppets hold such powerful emotional weight, and why nostalgia often decides the winner long before the final argument is made. The hosts also touch on how portrayals of family dynamics in older films can be both hilarious and… a little questionable. By the end, the episode becomes less about crowning the “best” Christmas movie and more about what these films represent: memories, traditions, and the comfort of revisiting stories that shaped us. With plenty of humor, friendly debate, and knowing nods to the holiday hustle, Tara, Jackie and Priscilla remind listeners that the magic of the season isn’t about doing it perfectly. It’s about taking time to enjoy special moments with our families. Links: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-say-what/id1856328887 https://www.instagram.com/wesaywhatpod/ https://www.instagram.com/itspkav/ https://www.instagram.com/kindminds_smarthearts/

In this fun solo episode, Tara dives into one of the most universal parts of family life: dinner time. From picky eaters to last-minute meal planning, Tara explores why dinner can feel like a juggling act. She reminds listeners that dinner doesn’t have to be Pinterest-perfect to be meaningful. Instead, it’s about presence, laughter, and creating small moments that bring your family closer together. Tara also shares practical strategies and her favorite tips to take the pressure off mealtime, from simplifying dinner plans to getting kids involved in the process. She emphasizes that lowering expectations can reduce stress and that predictability often helps children feel more comfortable at the table. At the end of the day, family dinners aren’t about flawless recipes. They’re about connection and showing up for one another.Tune in to hear how a shift in perspective can turn dinner from another thing on your to-do list into one of the most grounding moments of your family’s day. A special thank you to the sponsor of the video, New York Bakery, for being a busy parents mealtime sidekick and for helping Tara to remind her audience to embrace quality family time above all else. Where to buy New York Bakery dinnertime favorites: https://nybakery.com/where-to-buy/?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Ambassador&utm_campaign=Modernmomprobs New York Bakery's Dinnertime Recipe Inspiration: https://www.instagram.com/thenybakery/https://www.tiktok.com/@thenybakery Check out Tara's interview with real parents about what matters most when it comes to dinnertime: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQ20tidkaPd/

In this episode, Tara sits down with clinical psychologist, podcaster, and author of the new book "You, Your Husband, and His Mother," Dr. Tracy Dalgleish for an honest and eye-opening conversation about one of the most universally challenging family dynamics: the relationship between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law. Together, they unpack why an incredible 85% of people experience conflict in this area, exploring how cultural shifts in parenting, emotional socialization, and postpartum expectations all play a role. Dr. Tracy introduces her powerful Vault Method, a structured framework that helps couples navigate in-law relationships with clearer communication, stronger boundaries, and a deeper understanding of their own emotional patterns. Tara and Dr. Tracy dive into the difference between healthy and unhealthy family systems, shedding light on why daughters and daughters-in-law are often treated differently and how these dynamics can create guilt, resentment, or pressure, especially for new moms. Dr. Tracy outlines the six types of mothers-in-law, from the supportive types who foster emotional independence to the blamers who scapegoat others instead of looking inward. Through compassionate, relatable examples, she and Tara highlight the importance of self-awareness, emotional detachment from guilt, and the courage to set boundaries that protect your well-being. Listen to this episode if you want to walk away with practical tools to create healthier family relationships, open up communication with your partner, and navigate in-law challenges with more clarity, confidence, and calm. Links: https://drtracyd.com/ https://drtracyd.com/you-your-husband-and-his-mother https://www.instagram.com/drtracyd