Torn: Finding a Mom Life Balance

Legacy is not just something we leave behind—it is something we build every day through our stories, values, relationships, traditions, and the way we show up for one another.In this episode, Athena and Mims reflect on the legacies that shaped them, from the strength of abuelas to the family stories, cultural traditions, faith, food, and lessons that continue to ground them. Inspired by themes from Encanto and Coco, they explore how each family member adds their own thread to the legacy being created.They also share why they are inviting their kids into the conversation next—to hear what legacy looks and feels like through their eyes.Torn Thought: Legacy starts at home. It lives in the stories we tell, the values we model, and the memories we intentionally create.In This Episode:✨ The values and traditions we inherit✨ How family stories shape identity✨ Honoring those who came before us✨ Helping kids recognize the legacy they carry✨ Creating memories through photos, stories, scrapbooks, and shared experiences✨ Why every family member’s “thread” mattersTorn Tribe Reflection: What story, value, or tradition do you hope your children carry forward?Share your thoughts on journaling to 📧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠tornmlb@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠📲 Follow @TornMLB on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠.💜 Choose Grace, Torn Tribe. Choose Grace. 💜

Before we sit our kids down for a “we need to talk” moment, there’s a lot to sort through in our own heads and hearts. In this episode, Athena and Mims get real about why timing, tone, and intent matter just as much as the actual words we say.Drawing from work performance cycles, adoption and bonus-parenting journeys, and sideline moments as sports moms, they unpack how to plan feedback that builds your child up instead of breaking them down.In This Episode, We Talk About:🕰️ Picking the right time and placeWhy “in the heat of the moment” is usually the worst time to give feedback at home.🎯 Being specific, not vague or harshNaming the what and why (“what happened” + “why it matters”) so kids understand, not just feel attacked.💪 Focusing on effort, not perfectionBalancing praise and growth areas so kids don’t walk away thinking they are always wrong or “never enough.”❓ Inviting reflection instead of lecturingAsking questions like, “What do you think went well?” and “What would you change next time?” instead of running a one-way critique.🎚️ Checking your tone and triggersNoticing when your own fears, history, or pet peeves are driving the conversation—and how to neutralize your tone.🧠 Considering age and emotional developmentWhy feedback for an eight-year-old, a teen, and a bonus child in a blended family cannot look the same.🌱 Ending with encouragementMaking sure your child leaves feeling seen, loved, and capable of growth—not defined by their mistakes.DM @TornMLB on IG/FB/X or email tornmlb@gmail.com💜 Choose Grace, Torn Tribe! 💜

“I’m boooored!” Sound familiar? Athena and Mims unpack why boredom isn’t a problem to solve—it’s a skill to practice. From resisting the quick-fix screen handoff to nudging kids toward self-directed play, they dive into how unfilled moments spark creativity, problem-solving, time management, and real conversation (yes, even about why they’re “bored”). Expect candid mom-moments, basement-play nostalgia, and practical ways to leave white space in family life—without turning you into the cruise director of your house. What you’ll hear:Why “I’m bored” doesn’t have to become your emergency 🚨The difference between boredom, low motivation, and “I want attention”Simple structures that invite imagination (forts, mash-up play, make-your-own rules 🎲)How boredom builds time-management and reflection musclesQuick checks to avoid turning reading/learning into “punishment”Try it this week:Ask: “What would you like to do with this time—something quick or a longer project?”Offer ingredients, not instructions: a bin of “maker” supplies, an open playlist, a backyard ball.Protect a daily 10–15 minute “nothing window” for everyone—no scroll, just still.Join the conversation: Got a boredom win (or flop)? Share it with us: 📧 tornmlb@gmail.com or DM @TornMLB on IG/FB/X. Let’s learn, laugh, and leave a little room for nothing—on purpose. 💜 Choose Grace, Torn Tribe! 💜Articles referenced:Child Mind Institute. “Why Boredom Is Good for Kids.” Child Mind Institute. https://childmind.org/article/why-boredom-is-good-for-kids/.University of Virginia School of Education and Human Development. “Boredom Can Be Great for Kids.” UVA Education. https://education.virginia.edu/news/boredom-can-be-great-kids.Cleveland Clinic. “Why It’s OK for Kids to Be Bored.” Health Essentials. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-its-okay-for-kids-to-be-bored/.

In this kickoff to our “Behind the Screens” series, Athena and Mims unpack the messy middle of modern screen life—starting with the why. Do families need time limits, or is the bigger issue content and context? From Athena’s humbling phone-use self-audit to Mims’ reflections on social media’s psychological pull, they begin to explore boredom as a brain booster, the dopamine loop of games, and how inconsistent rules turn into constant negotiations at home. They also ask what habits we’re actually teaching when we outsource self-control to timers and pop-ups.In this episode:Screen time vs. content: what matters mostFinding your why before making rulesModeling healthy habits (even when it’s hard)Join the convo: What’s your why for screen time? How do you set limits (for you or your kids), and how do your kids participate in that plan?Connect with us:📧 ⁠⁠tornmlb@gmail.com⁠⁠📱 Instagram / Facebook / X: @tornmlb💜 Choose Grace, Torn Tribe! 💜

Athena and Mims dive into sibling dynamics: rivalry vs. healthy competition, birth-order tendencies (oldest/middle/youngest/only), and practical ways to nurture lasting sibling bonds. With candid stories (board-game meltdowns, back-to-school budgeting, “alpha dog” energy in all-boy homes, and mixed-age families), they show how our own sibling roles follow us into adulthood—and into how we parent.Highlights & Key IdeasRivalry → Connection: Reframe “winning” as skill-building, teamwork, and celebrating each other’s milestones.Birth Order Matters (…and so does spacing & gender): Oldest often “paves the way,” middles crave visibility/uniqueness, youngest leans on charm & access; big age gaps and mixed genders change the script.Model the Cheer Squad: Teach kids to root for one another (not just race one another).Different doesn’t mean behind: Younger sibs often appear faster simply because of exposure—don’t compare, stay curious.Know your lane as a parent: Your own sibling role shows up in your default parenting settings (planner, peacemaker, driver, free-spirit). Use it—don’t be limited by it.Segments:1) Sibling Rivalry Survival Guide: Turning Competition into ConnectionPractical swaps: cooperative board games sometimes; rotate “wins;” name strengths out loud; normalize losing without shaming.2) Birth Order Blues & BonusesHow “oldest energy,” “middle flair,” “youngest sparkle,” and “only-child depth” show up—plus how spacing and gender stacks amplify or soften those traits.3) Raising Team PlayersRituals that bond: shared chores with joint goals, sibling shout-outs at dinner, “coach for a day,” and quarterly check-ins where kids set family goals for each other.🎯 Torn Tribe: Sibling Superpower Quiz: Ask yourself (and your kids!): Which are you—Peacemaker ☮️, Leader 👑, Wild Card 🃏, Rock 🪨, or Caretaker 🫶?Share your results with us and tell us how it shows up at home.Listener Shout-Outs:💌 Stephanie — for calling our convo candid and relatable.💌 Whitney — for naming the honesty & vulnerability that moved you. Keep ’em coming, TornTribe!Connect with us:📧 ⁠⁠tornmlb@gmail.com⁠⁠📱 Instagram / Facebook / X: @tornmlb💜 Choose Grace, Torn Tribe! 💜

🎙️ Episode 162: Back to Our Roots – Parenting Without the MaskAfter a long summer pause, Athena and Mims return to the mic to revisit why they started Torn in the first place—creating a safe, judgment-free space to talk about the messy, beautiful truth of parenting.From unfiltered confessions to the surprising loneliness that can come with motherhood, they explore:Unfiltered Motherhood — Why your honest feelings about parenting might make people uncomfortable (and why that’s okay).The Pendulum Swing — From euphoric highs to deep lows, and how those shifts impact relationships, routines, and self-image.The Loneliness Factor — How parenting can feel isolating, even when you’re never “alone.”Judgment in Disguise — Why criticism often comes dressed as “advice” and how to protect your peace.Reflections & Resets — Building regular check-in rhythms (quarterly, seasonally, or around life milestones) to measure growth and stay intentional.💡 Torn Thought: Parenting is a journey—your kids aren’t the only ones growing.📣 Call to Action:Send us your real parenting confessions via email or DM. We want to hear the unfiltered moments no one talks about, so we can laugh, reflect, and extend grace together.Connect with us:📧 ⁠tornmlb@gmail.com⁠📱 Instagram / Facebook / X: @tornmlb💜 Choose Grace, Torn Tribe! 💜

🎧 Episode 161: Halfway There: Parenting Resets for the Rest of the Year🎙️This episode is your mid-year check-in with Athena and Mims as they reflect on wins, changes, and challenges from January through June. From recital nerves to lunch menu debates, to supporting adult children and navigating career milestones, they ask: What’s working? What needs recalibrating?🌀 Torn Thought: “Am I missing something?”✨ Main Themes:Parenting Reset: How small shifts—like lunch planning or more communication—make a big difference.Seasonal Wins: From job changes and recital triumphs to high school graduations and adult children stepping into careers.Letting Go of Control: Navigating unexpected transitions with resilience and grace.Mid-Year Reflection: Choosing grace over guilt and celebrating family rhythms.💜 Choose Grace, Torn Tribe 💜💌 Connect with us: 📧 tornmlb@gmail.com 📱 Follow @tornMLB on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠X⁠. ⭐ Rate & review to help others find the show!#TornTribe #MomLifeBalance #AmIMissingSomething #MidYearCheckIn #MendingMoments #ChooseGrace

🎙️ Episode 159: Mother's Day Offering Part I: Easing into Summer with Intention and ClarityIn this all-new episode of Torn: Finding a Mom-Life Balance, co-hosts Athena and Mims gift the Torn Tribe a much-needed summer planning reset. With school winding down, it's easy to feel the pressure—but this episode is your invitation to approach the season with purpose, flexibility, and family collaboration.💭 Torn Thought: “Planning isn’t pressure—it’s protection of your peace.”✨ In This Episode:Biweekly Summer Check-Ins: Learn how setting aside time to plan (as a form of self-care!) helps everyone feel grounded—and how to make it a family affair, not just a mom mission.Go-To Summer Resources: Tap into your community with gems like:▪ Summer at the Library - Summer Reading Programs▪ Movies in the Park▪ Local park events (like watching synchronized fireflies at Congaree!)▪ Museum admission specials▪ Food tours and culinary adventuresHelpful Tools: Organize your summer with planning apps and family event newsletters like:▪ Mommy Poppins – NYC & NJ▪ Macaroni Kid – South Charlotte▪ Charlotte ParentAthena & Mims’ Regional Summer Picks: Favorite spots for beach days, concerts, splash pads, and Fourth of July celebrations.🌞 Whether you’re juggling camp schedules, planning low-cost adventures, or simply trying to carve out time for joy, this episode brings fresh ideas and real-life support to help you ease into summer with clarity.💌 Got Torn Moments or Mends to share? Send us a message to📧 tornmlb@gmail.com.🎧 Listen, Follow & Share! Find us on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠X⁠: @tornmlb💜 Choose Grace, Torn Tribe! 💜