The Mom Instructed Podcast

This week’s Dear Mom Monday hits where it hurts—but also where we heal. A listener asked, “What do you do when your family doesn’t support you?” And whew, that one deserves more than just a typed-out response. So I hit record, laundry nearby, heart wide open.In this episode, I’m sharing what I wish someone had told me when I felt like I was solo-parenting in a house full of people. We’re talking real talk: how the village you need isn’t always the one you came from, how to support yourself when it feels like no one else is, and how sometimes your village looks more like a Facebook comment thread or a voice note from a mom friend who “gets it.”It’s raw, it’s rambling (but in the best way), and it’s a reminder that needing support doesn’t make you weak—it means you’re human. And if you don’t have a village yet? You can borrow mine.Press play, breathe deep, and remember: just because you’re doing it alone doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong.

In this real-talk, early-morning edition of Dear Mom Monday, Laterra folds laundry and spills some truth before the school day chaos begins. She’s keeping it raw and relatable—talking about SOL testing season, the pressure moms put on themselves, and why her kids are "snack-and-lunch" kids, not breakfast kids. If you’ve ever struggled to remember anything without writing it down, this episode is your reminder that a to-do list (even one the length of a CVS receipt) can save your sanity. Plus, she shares how she juggles her flexible job, virtual schooling challenges, and the beauty of summer break—alarms off and all. Pull up a basket of laundry and hang out with your favorite mom-friend in real life audio form.

This week’s episode hits close. Someone lost full custody in court—and instantly questioned if she was still a good mother.Let me tell you: yes, you are.Court outcomes don’t define your love, your effort, or your parenting. I’ve seen amazing, present, and protective parents be overlooked because of manipulation, appearances, or broken systems. I’ve also seen those same parents rise and still pour into their kids in every way possible.Whether you're a mom, a dad, or someone in between—this episode is for you.Your love is still valid.Your role is still powerful.You are still a good parent.Subscribe for more episodes of Dear Mama, where we talk about the hard stuff in co-parenting, and remind each other we’re not alone.