PODCAST · kids
Less Drama More Mama
by Pam Howard
Less Drama More Mama is the podcast for moms who want to feel calm, in control, and confident about how to handle anything life throws their way. As a Master Certified Life Coach, LCSW, former School Counselor, and blogger, Pam Howard has been empowering parents for years.In her podcast, she shares personal stories, case studies, and life coaching tools to help you go from feeling frazzled and disrespected to feeling calm and connected. Learn more at LessDramaMoreMama.com.
Episodes
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Are You Making Self-Control Harder for Your Child? (Self-Control Series, Part 1) - 427
Self-control is one of the hardest skills for kids to learn, and one of the most important. It's what helps them wait their turn, keep working when something feels hard, and handle frustration without falling apart or giving up. Today kicks off a three-part series on the podcast about helping…
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Making New Friends as a Mom - 426
Do you wish you had more friends, but find yourself hesitating to reach out? You might think you don't have the time or that making friends takes too much effort. You might assume other moms already have plenty of friends, are too busy, or wouldn't be interested. Those thoughts can make it harder...
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When Worry About Your Child's Future Shapes Your Parenting - 425
Your child talks back, lies about something small, or ignores your directions. You wonder: If this is happening now, what will they be like five years from now? In this week's episode, I'm talking about why worry about your child's future can make their current behavior feel so urgent, how that...
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Calm Parenting Doesn't Mean Tolerating Bad Behavior - 424
Your child is yelling because you said no, talking to you disrespectfully, or following you around trying to change an answer you've already given. You're trying to stay calm, but part of you is thinking, How much of this am I supposed to put up with? "Expanding your window of tolerance" can…
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Self-Reflection Questions for Moms - 423
"Why am I always so tired?" "Why are my kids so disrespectful?" "Why is parenting so hard?" These can sound like self-reflection questions, but the assumptions built into them can keep leading you back to the same answers. This week, I'm bringing back one of the earliest episodes of the podcast...
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After-School Meltdowns: How to Help Your Kids Without Having One Too - 422
Your child's teacher says they had a great day, but once they get home, the smallest thing sends them over the edge. After-school meltdowns can make it seem as though your child saved their worst behavior for you, but there may be more contributing to the reaction. In this episode, I'm looking at...
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When Kids Keep Asking to Go to the School Nurse - 421
The school nurse's number flashes on your phone again. Your child has a stomachache, a headache, or another symptom that feels serious enough to make them want to leave school. They've been medically checked, and everything appears to be normal. The nurse says they're okay. Your child insists...
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Homework Help (replay) - 420
When your child is struggling with homework, it's hard to know how much you should get involved. If you step in, are you helping or taking over? If you back off, are you teaching responsibility or letting your child fall behind? The answer isn't always obvious, especially when missing assignments...
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Take Back Your Parental Authority - 419
My daughter thanked me at dinner the other night for "not letting" her drop out of college. She's an adult, so I couldn't have stopped her if I'd tried.🤷🏻♀️ What I did instead is why she thanked me. Like me, you may be working hard to parent differently from the way you were raised. You don't...
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Adjusting to a New School Year (replay) - 418
Your child finds out they aren't in class with any of their friends. They say their teacher is too strict. They come home crying and tell you they have no one to sit with at lunch. Your mind immediately jumps to: "This shouldn't be happening." "They're going to be miserable." "I need to do...
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Helping Your Child Adjust to Being Home After Sleepaway Camp - 417
You've been looking forward to having your child home from sleepaway camp. Then they walk through the door exhausted, disappear into their room, complain that there's nothing to do, or get annoyed the first time you remind them to put something away. It's easy to wonder: Did they miss me? Are…
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Lessons from Grief Camp (replay)
I'm currently in Georgia for my eighth summer as a grief specialist at Experience Camps, a nonprofit that provides free, one-week camps for kids who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, or primary caregiver. While I'm there, I'm replaying Episode 158, "Lessons from Grief Camp," which...
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When Your Child Is Moody: What Helps and What Doesn't - 415
Your child is in a bad mood. You offer suggestions, make a joke, or point out what's going well. Nothing seems to help, and before long, you're in a bad mood, too. It's easy to feel responsible for turning their mood around. But what if supporting them doesn't require changing how they feel? In...
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How to Release Anger Without Taking It Out on Your Kids - 414
Everyone gets angry. But not everyone recognizes it, lets themselves feel it, or knows what to do with it when it shows up. Sometimes anger is obvious. Other times, it looks more like irritation, resentment, anxiety, tension, or the need to control everything around you. You may not think of...
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When Your Child Reminds You of Yourself - 413
Have you ever looked at your child and thought, "Wow. You're so much like me"? At first, that recognition can feel sweet. You understand them in a way other people might not. But it can also create some blind spots. You may think you know what they're feeling, what they need, or why something...
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Why You Overreact as a Mom - 412
Have you ever reacted to your child and wondered afterward, "Why did that feel so big?" The thing they did was small. Your reaction was not. This week, I share the story of a mom in my program who had a huge reaction over a tray of sliders. She came to coaching convinced she knew exactly why…
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This One's for My Dad: A Father's Day Tribute - 411
For years on this podcast, when I've talked about my dad, it's been in the context of understanding myself, my patterns, and some of my struggles. Most of us carry complicated feelings about our parents. We can wish some things had been different and still be grateful for what they gave us. Both...
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Five Things To Make Parenting Feel Easier This Summer - 410
"Mom, I'm bored." "There's nothing to eat." "Can you drive me?" "He's touching my stuff." It's 10 a.m. and you've already refereed two arguments and answered the same question four times. And there are still nine more hours until bedtime. Summer sounded so relaxing back in May. No morning rush,...
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The Parenting Advice I No Longer Give - 409
Over the past 14 years of coaching moms, I've learned a lot and changed my mind about a few things. You might assume I'm talking about time-outs, sticker charts, rewards, consequences, or some other parenting strategy. The truth is, my views on those things haven't changed all that much. What has...
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Holding it Together vs. Having it Together - 408
From the outside, you look like you're doing fine. Maybe even great. So why does it feel like you're one "that's not fair!" away from losing it? It's the difference between two things that look similar from the outside, but feel nothing alike on the inside. One of them is exhausting. The other...
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Parenting Problems Aren't Always What They Seem with Dawn Friedman - 407
Today's episode is the final one in the Mental Health Awareness Month podcast collaboration I organized with a few other parenting and mental health podcast hosts. We each chose one episode from our own show to share on the others' podcasts throughout the month. This episode comes from Dawn...
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Helping Anxious Kids Do Hard Things with Cynthia Coufal - 406
"I don't want to go." "Can I just stay home?" "I don't even care about that anyway." When your anxious child says these things, it can feel kinder (and easier) to let them skip the party, stay home from school, or avoid taking the bus. But short-term relief often creates bigger anxiety in the…
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When Your Kids Don't Need You the Same Way Anymore with Leah Davidson - 405
Since May is Mental Health Awareness Month, I put together a small podcast collaboration with a few other hosts who talk about parenting, anxiety, and emotional health. Each week, I'm sharing one of their episodes here on the podcast, followed by a few of my own thoughts on what stood out to me…
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Asking For What You Want - 404
You've probably heard the phrase, "If you don't ask, you don't get." And yet, asking for what you want can feel surprisingly hard. You hint. You wait. You hope someone notices. And when they don't, you end up feeling frustrated, unseen, or resentful. When you don't ask, you don't just miss out on...
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How to Protect Your Kids Through Divorce with Erica Komisar - 403
Divorce is often talked about as a legal process or a decision between two adults. This week's episode shifts the focus to your child's emotional health. My guest, Erica Komisar, is a clinical social worker, psychoanalyst, and parenting expert who has spent decades helping families through…
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The Japanese Way of Parenting with Lisa Katayama - 402
What can Japanese parenting teach us about raising calm, capable kids? This week, I'm talking with Lisa Katayama, author of The Japanese Way of Parenting: What It Taught Me About Raising Mostly Calm, Caring, Capable Kids. Lisa was born and raised in Tokyo and now lives in Northern California. In...
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How to Handle Your Child's Behavior Without Making It Worse - 401
Have you ever been in a situation with your child where you can feel it escalating while it's happening? They're getting more upset, you're talking more, explaining more, trying to get things back on track, and at the same time, you can tell it's not helping. In this episode, I'm breaking down…
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Ask Me Anything: Tantrums, Sibling Conflict, Co-Parenting, and Staying Calm - 400
Four hundred episodes. For this one, I did something I've never done before. I asked you to send in your parenting questions by voice message, and I answered them on the show. This episode covers six real questions from moms in my community. We talk about things like a five-year-old's defiance…
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7 Things Loving Moms Do - 399
In today's episode, I'm sharing seven things loving moms do. These are the same things I teach inside Damn Good Mama, and they're what help moms start showing up differently at home. Of course, you love your kids deeply. But how do you show that love when your child is upset, pushing back, or not...
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When Your Child Is Rude to You in Front of Others - 398
Your child is perfectly fine at home. Relaxed. Talkative. Maybe even sweet. Then you show up at school, wave a little too enthusiastically, and suddenly you're getting an eye roll, a sharp "Mom, stop," or something worse, right in front of their friends. When your child is rude to you in front of...
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Parenting Tween Boys vs Girls: What's Different and Why It Matters - 397
Boys and girls move through the tween years very differently. They handle friendships, express emotions, and start testing their independence each in their own ways. And if you don't know what to expect, it's easy to misread what's going on. In this episode, the third in our tween series, I share...
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Puberty and the Tween Years: What Moms Need to Know - 396
The topic of puberty can feel intimidating for a lot of moms. Between their child's mood swings, body changes, and sudden self-consciousness, many parents aren't quite sure what to expect or how to talk about it. This episode addresses how you can support your child through this stage with more...
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Tween Years 101: As Your Tween's Identity Shifts, So Does Your Role as a Mom - 395
The tween years don't just change your child. They change you. Around ages 9 to 12, your child begins the important developmental work of identity formation. They start caring more about their friends, forming stronger opinions, and creating more space between you. This shift can feel just as big...
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Nervous System Terms Every Mom Should Know - 394
The nervous system is complex. But you don't need a neuroscience degree to understand what's happening in your body when parenting gets hard. In this episode, I'm breaking down nervous system terms every mom should know, so your reactions stop feeling so mysterious. When you understand the…
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How to Build Nervous System Capacity for Calmer Parenting - 393
Picture two moms. They both work full time. They both keep track of schedules, appointments, groceries, school emails, and everyone's emotional temperature. They both have kids who talk back, make messes, and test limits. One mom snaps more often than she wants to. She yells, feels out of…
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How Nervous System Work Changes Your Parenting - 392
You know your triggers. You understand why certain things your kids say or do set you off. You've read the parenting books. You've listened to the podcasts. You know how you want to respond. And yet — in the moment — you still react. Why? Because survival patterns override insight. In this week's...
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Why Parenting Feels Harder in Winter (And What Helps) - 391
Winter can be hard on moms. And right now, much of the U.S. is dealing with extreme cold, dangerous wind chills, school closures, and being stuck inside more than usual. When your world shrinks and your responsibilities don't, parenting can feel even heavier. In this episode, I break down why...
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Letting Them Walk Their Own Path (Even When You Don't Agree) - 390
The hardest part of parenting for me, especially as my kids get older, is watching them make a choice I wouldn't make and letting them do it anyway. I have to take a breath and remind myself—it's their lives, not mine. In today's episode, I share a personal story about a time when my daughter and…
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The Relief of Speaking Your Truth as a Mother - 389
There are thoughts many moms have that feel too scary, shameful, or unacceptable to say out loud. Thoughts like: "I don't like my kid right now." "I can't do this anymore." "I wish I could just disappear." And almost immediately, those thoughts are followed by guilt, shame, or a voice that says,...
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Procrastination is Protection - 388
If procrastination has been a lifelong issue for you, as it has been for me, there's a good chance you've spent years trying to solve it. More discipline. Better systems. Tighter deadlines. Pep talks. Shame. And if any of that actually worked, I'd be the first one to tell you to do it. This…
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Why Slowing Down is the Fastest Way to Change - 387
January can come with a lot of pressure. Set goals. Build momentum. Hit the ground running. Fix what's not working . . . and do it fast. Today's episode goes in the opposite direction. Instead of talking about how to change faster, I talk about why slowing down is often the fastest way to get...
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2026 Word of the Year - 386
I've been choosing a Word of the Year every December since 2014. It's a practice I return to because it gives me a steady way to orient myself toward how I want to show up, what I want to focus on, and who I want to become. A Word of the Year can reshape your parenting without the pressure and...
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How to Reinvent Yourself in the New Year (Replay) - 385
In the Chinese zodiac, 2025 was the Year of the Snake, associated with shedding old layers and releasing what no longer fits. 2026 is the Year of the Horse, which represents forward movement, momentum, and action. As we head into the last weeks of December, I wanted to bring back an episode from...
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Creative Holiday Gifts That Won't Break the Bank - 384
For many families, this is one of those years where the holiday gift budget just doesn't stretch the way it used to. And that can bring up stress, guilt, and fear of disappointing the kids. This episode reminds us that meaningful gifts don't have to be expensive, and your kids don't need more…
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Don't Let Winter Break Break You, Part Two - 383
Winter break can feel overwhelming when routines disappear and expectations rise. Days lose their rhythm. Decision-making never ends. And even small things can feel harder than usual. In this episode, I share a calmer way to get through winter break in one piece, with simple insights that help…
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Don't Let Winter Break Break You, Part One - 382
Winter break can bring up a mix of emotions for moms. You might want to enjoy the extra time with your kids, but the lack of structure, routine, and personal space can make the days feel harder than you expect. This episode breaks down what actually happens in your brain and body when the kids…
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Holiday Magic Your Kids Will Remember - 381
The word "magic" has come up in almost every one of my coaching sessions this month. If you're feeling responsible for creating a picture-perfect holiday season, you're not alone. What starts as excitement quickly turns into rushing, planning, and managing everyone's experience. The ease and joy...
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Why Holiday Boundaries Feel Hard and What to Do About It - 380
When my older daughter was in preschool, I volunteered to be the room mom. After that year, the teacher asked if I wanted to do it again. I said no and felt zero guilt. None. I simply didn't want to spend my time that way again. Saying no made my life easier, not harder. As the holidays approach,...
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Why It's Good for Your Kids to See You Cry Sometimes - 379
You know that lump in your throat you try to swallow when you want to hold back tears? Most of us do it automatically. We tell ourselves we have to be strong because crying will make our kids worry, or that holding it together proves we're in control. But what if tears aren't a sign of weakness…
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What Really Happens in a Somatic Coaching Session - 378
Nervous system work is the missing piece for so many moms who've tried therapy or mindset coaching and still find themselves reacting in ways they don't like. In this episode, I'm sharing clips from an actual coaching session of mine. Over the course of the episode, you'll hear a mom's nervous...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Less Drama More Mama is the podcast for moms who want to feel calm, in control, and confident about how to handle anything life throws their way. As a Master Certified Life Coach, LCSW, former School Counselor, and blogger, Pam Howard has been empowering parents for years.In her podcast, she shares personal stories, case studies, and life coaching tools to help you go from feeling frazzled and disrespected to feeling calm and connected. Learn more at LessDramaMoreMama.com.
HOSTED BY
Pam Howard
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Less Drama More Mama have?
Less Drama More Mama currently has 430 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Less Drama More Mama about?
Less Drama More Mama is the podcast for moms who want to feel calm, in control, and confident about how to handle anything life throws their way. As a Master Certified Life Coach, LCSW, former School Counselor, and blogger, Pam Howard has been empowering parents for years.In her podcast, she shares...
How often does Less Drama More Mama release new episodes?
Less Drama More Mama publishes regularly with 430 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Less Drama More Mama?
You can listen to Less Drama More Mama on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Less Drama More Mama?
Less Drama More Mama is created and hosted by Pam Howard.
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