MomCast

Moms, we all get swallowed up by motherhood sometimes, right? It takes practice and intention to create space for both of our identities: woman and mother.Today, we sit down with one of our own moms, Amanda Vlastas, who curates the site West University Moms, in Houston, Texas. Amanda has been part of The Local Moms Network for nearly a decade, building the site and raising her two boys all at the same time.Amanda’s sons are tweens now, and she’s grown a lot, too. She’s an open book about years spent getting back to herself following divorce, sobriety, and a shocking health scare. Hear her reflections about:* how diving into work helped save her during her divorce* rediscovering herself in the quiet of not having kids around all the time* mold poisoning in her home and the long process to detoxifying* how a single Dry January kicked off an alcohol-free future–and why’s she’s never going back* the mentors and self-help books that boosted her journey of reflection and changeTo learn more about Amanda follow @westuniversitymoms and check out westuniversitymoms.comFind us at www.thelocalmomsnetwork.comIG: @thelocalmomsnetworkEmail: demetra@thelocalmomsnetwork.comPodcast facilities provided by Stamford Studios Digital Factory

Moms, feeding our kids can feel like a full-time job and just when we think we’ve got it figured out, the rules change.With the government rolling out an updated food pyramid, it’s no wonder we’re curious about what actually matters. We’ve got you! Registered dietitian Stefani Sassos joins us for the key takeaways on the latest guidelines and all the food hacks to keep mealtime manageable.A mom of two and Nutrition & Fitness Director at “Good Housekeeping,” Stefani’s motto is “don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.” We’ll take it!In this episode, we cover:*what the new food pyramid gets right—and where protein (and red meat) really fit*exactly how to read labels, including how much added sugar is too much*why fiber is the unsung hero for digestion, cancer prevention, and long-term health*why frozen veggies are a mealtime MVP for both nutrition and your wallet*how to stay away from clever marketing and stick with whole foods when snackingMake sure to follow Stefani for more @stefanisassos and @goodhousekeepingFind us at www.thelocalmomsnetwork.comIG: @thelocalmomsnetworkEmail: demetra@thelocalmomsnetwork.comPodcast facilities provided by the Digital Factory of NBCUniversal at Stamford Studios.

Moms, the childhood you create for your kids shapes who they become. It’s an enormous responsibility, right! It forces us to look at our own triggers and insecurities and do better.Our guest is Celia Kibler, a parenting expert and creator of the Be A Better Parent App. A mother of 5 kids in a blended family-and a grandmother to 9!-Celia has been supporting parents for more than 40 years. She grew up in a loving home where yelling was common and vowed to help other families break this generational cycle. As you’ll hear in the episode, her strategies are simple enough to try immediately, along with other advice she has gathered over a lifetime:*how to notice the good your child is doing-and make sure to tell them you notice!* why our goal should be for children to cooperate, not obey (and what the difference is)* how yelling at our children changes their relationship with themselves, not just us* the power that lies in modeling mutual respect between us and our children* how we teach integrity by inviting children to make decision along with us and then hold up their end of the bargainNow you can have access to Celia and her decades of professional experience 24/7!  Download the Be A Better Parent App and gain access to online resources, a private member community, and monthly live masterclasses.You can also learn more at BeABetterParent.com or in Instagram @beabetterparentdotcomFind us at www.thelocalmomsnetwork.comIG: @thelocalmomsnetworkEmail: demetra@thelocalmomsnetwork.comPodcast facilities provided by the Digital Factory of NBCUniversal at Stamford Studios.

Moms, we have so many partners in raising our kids and one of the most trusted should be our pediatrician.Today, we sit down with Dr. Mona Amin, the pediatrician millions of parents turn to on social media for clear, credible answers about our children’s health. Known for her no-nonsense, science-backed approach, Dr. Mona cuts through the headlines on her platform PedsDocTalk and as host of The PedsDocTalk Podcast.She’s relatable rather than rigid, empowering parents to be curious and confident without feeling confined by “rules.”We cover the biggest hot-button topics in pediatrics, and you will definitely be surprised by what you hear:* real talk about vaccine schedules, plus what Dr. Mona says you can skip and what’s a must!* her expert take on possible link between vaccines and autism and why we need more research in this debate * the true causes of precocious puberty and what parents can realistically control to support their kids* when it’s safe to travel with a newborn and why a mom’s mental health should guide decision-making from day one* why multiple opinions might come into play for a neurodivergent diagnosisMake sure to follow Dr. Mona on IG @pedsdoctalk and catch her on The PedsDocTalk PodcastFind us at www.thelocalmomsnetwork.comIG: @thelocalmomsnetworkEmail: demetra@thelocalmomsnetwork.comPodcast facilities provided by Stamford Studios Digital Factory.

Moms, only you know when your family is complete. Deciding how many children to have is a deeply personal decision, and frankly, one that requires no approval from family and friends.  Yet, judgement abounds…That’s why Shannon Eng, a California-based mom, created the platform Only, Not Lonely Kids.  She and her husband have one child, by choice, and she celebrates other families who make the same decision.Shannon spoke so honestly about her feelings and, truthfully, even moms of multiple kids will agree with much of the realities of motherhood we struggle with. Listen in to hear:* the common misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding only children—and why most of them aren’t true* how Shannon and her husband decided together on having one child and how they navigated outside pressure* the inspiration behind creating Only, Not Lonely Kids and how the community supports one-child families* sharing the emotional and practical factors that went into their decision to stop at one child…and yes, mental health and finances both matter!.* encouragement for other parents to trust themselves, honor their limits, and define family size on their own terms.Learn more about Shannon on IG @onlynotlonelykids - give her a follow!Find us at www.thelocalmomsnetwork.comIG: @thelocalmomsnetworkEmail: demetra@thelocalmomsnetwork.comPodcast facilities provided by the Digital Factory of NBCUniversal at Stamford Studios.