Mama Opportunities

Do you have events or people in your life that are life giving to your soul? Cookbook Club has been that for me!Episode 11: Happy (Early) Mother's Day! Listen on Apple or Spotifymamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

Are there some tried and true parenting practices that work and promote connection with our children?Example of The Red Platemamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

How can we teach our children manners in an age appropriate way? How can we present the idea of manners in a way that is inviting?You Tube Video: American Sign Language for PleaseYou Tube Video: American Sign Language for Thank YouFlipbook: 52 Modern Manners for Today's Teens by Brooke Romneymamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

What if we think about times of quiet and solitude as self-care? How can we encourage our children to have times when they are free from distraction in a way that is inviting and winsome?Funny Instagram Reel I mentioned: Alone TimeEpisode 34: Margin: We All Need it!Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotifymamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

How we view things matters: what if we saw interruptions as our "work" in motherhood? How would that perspective shift impact our words and attitudes?Morning Song/Prayer "Good Morning, God"The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comermamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

What is the connection between identity and praise? Is there a way to offer encouragement that promotes internal motivation and satisfaction of a job well done for the listener?mamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

How can we use the powerful strategy of role play to help prepare our children for new or challenging situations? How can we use role play as a teaching tool? And how can we use role play to retrain the brain from cycling in negative thought loops?Mama Opportunities Podcast: Ep. 10 Talking to Adultsmamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

Is there a creative endeavor that brings you joy and is life giving? Have you considered sharing that joy with your children?mamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

What season of motherhood are you in? What joys and challenges come with that season?mamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

In this episode, I discuss how we can help our children develop confidence and resilience when they are placed in situations that offer risk within a safety net. Summer camp is a great place to experience risk within some boundaries.Ira Sleeps Over by Bernard Webermamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

There are so many opportunities in daily life for children to develop resilience. How can we as parents support this growth?The Read Aloud Family by Sarah Mackenziemamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

As parents, sometimes we explicitly teach our children things and at other times we gently encourage certain character qualities. In this episode, I share a phrase that helps grow resilience and how asking questions can help our children find the pathway to resilience.Book I mentioned: What Do You Do with a Problem? by Kobi Yamadamamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

Unfortunately, disappointment in life is inevitable. How do our children respond in disappointing situations? How can we support their process of becoming resilient in the face of disappointment? Are there strategies that we can use to help our children move through disappointment?mamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

We all want to have resilient kids! I've come to see that building resilience is like having various pieces of a puzzle that together strengthen resilient character. In today's episode, I discuss a phrase that helps us as Moms lay the foundation for a resilient mindset.mamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

My friends told me about giving birth, and they told me about potty training. No one told me about teaching my child to drive! In this episode, I discuss some mistakes I made, and things I want to do differently next time..all while keeping in my mind "relationship first".mamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

How do we begin conversations involving conflict?mamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

How do you approach the new year? Does it hold promise and hope for you? Do you tire of the usual talk of resolutions? How can we model thoughtful change for our kids?mamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

What has surprised you in parenting with your spouse? How have you come to a decision or resolution?mamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

Merry Christmas, Mamas! I hope you get moments this season to experience the gift of Motherhood.mamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

Do you enjoy playing board/card games? Was it part of your growing up experience? Are there games that hold special memories? In addition to all the fun they hold, what can we learn about our children from playing board games together?Think Fun Roll and Play for toddlers and preschoolersSussed? The game of wacky choicesmamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

What if we made decluttering with our children a regular rhythm in our homes? How can we help our children see the value of de-cluttering? In what ways can we empower them to make choices about what to keep and what to pass on to someone else?It's All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff by Peter WalshThe Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter by Margareta MagnussonArticle I mentioned about How Household Mess Triggers Stressmamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

In this busy Christmas season, we are doing many things.  How can we be present and alive to what is actually going on in our homes?Felt Christmas Tree for ToddlersLuke 2 from The BibleO Holy Nightmamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

When it comes to building relationships--efficiency is not king.Meal Planning Episode, Ep. 27Plan to Eatmamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

Two sides of the same coin. I think of this metaphor when parenting a lot. We can express basically the same thing in a negative or positive way. In this episode, I discuss my frustration at finding my kitchen messy after going to bed early one night. I want to move in my mind from "Can we not do better?" to the other side of the coin which is "Do One Better."mamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

In this season of Thanksgiving, we often consider things that we are thankful for. How can we cultivate thankfulness that extends throughout the year?Article I mentioned: An Attitude of Gratitude mamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

How do you view family traditions? Do you look forward to some things you do every year? Do you feel weighted down by them? In this episode, I discuss the benefits of family traditions and the variety of traditions that we can have.Christmas Devotional I mentioned: The Advent Jesse Treemamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

What did Christmas morning look like when you were a child? How do you decide on gifts now that you are a parent?The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapmanmamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

Birthday parties are a lot to plan! Who, what, when? In this episode, I offer thoughts that I've had over the years of planning parties.mamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

Do you have any birthday traditions that you do each year to celebrate a child's birthday? How can we make birthday traditions a practice that communicates to our children that they are seen and valued?mamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

How do we help our children create margin in their lives? How can we model it? How do we talk about it?mamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

How do you celebrate your birthday? Has that changed throughout your motherhood journey?mamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

How can we encourage our children by pointing out the good qualities that we see in them? How can we influence what they hear when the tapes play in their heads?mamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

Most people tend to think of intelligence as something a person has or does not have. In this episode, I share developmental psychologist Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences that he put forth in his 1983 book called Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. I think this information is another useful tool in our Mama "toolbox" which we have to encourage our children and help them broaden their minds.Written article from Simplypsychology.org: Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences by Michelle MarenusYoutube Video on The Theory of Multiple Intelligences: Link Heremamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

How can we be kind to ourselves? What does that look like in a Mama's life?mamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

Is there something that frustrates you on a daily basis? What if you made a change for a season to tone down or eliminate that "bee in your bonnet"? Is there a small physical change you need to make in order to pursue a greater goal you have for your kids?Article I mentioned: 41 Positive Quotes About Change and Growthmamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

I love Labor Day! It feels like a little gift of a day at the final end of summer. How will you spend Labor Day? To focus your thoughts...think about this: what do you need this year? In this episode, I give some ideas and examples of ways to spend this day.mamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

What comes to mind when you think of meal planning? How can we take some mental load off of us and develop a framework that is sustainable?Questions for Reflection:How often do you want to meal plan?What framework can you set up as a template for meal planning?Can you chose a main protein for each night which will limit the endless recipe options?How will you organize your recipes?My favorite meal planning app -- Plan to Eatmamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

This is a time of year where many of us (and/or our kids) are beginning new things. I created this episode to examine what one thing would we like to prepare or do to make a time of transition easier? And is there any practice that we would like to incorporate into our daily life as we desire to grow and change?mamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

In this episode, I give three of my favorite phrases that we use at our house related to school. The beginning of school is so exciting! And it is full of transitions. So we want to be aware that emotions may come out sideways, so that we can be calm and present to our child's needs.mamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

As Moms, we have a heavy mental load. How do you lighten your mental load? What systems or decisions have you put in place to make room in your brain? What could you put in place to lighten your mental load?The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachimamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

In this episode my hope is to share my experience with cell phones and my kids without offering too many opinions but to describe our experience as a starting point as you consider cell phones and your kids.Gabb Phones & WatchesBark MonitoringThe Anxious Generation by Jonathan HaidtThe Hiding Place by Corrie Ten BoomThe Baby Whisperer Solves All Your Problems by Tracy Hogg and Melinda BlauWired HumanScrolling 2 Death Podcastmamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

Have you ever started a home project only to leave it unfinished? Have you had the satisfaction of a job well done? Have you felt the weight of project overload? In this episode, I explore the benefits and pitfalls of home projects.mamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

Article with Age-Appropriate Chores for ages 2-18, link hereList of How Chores can help Children from the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, link hereBook I mentioned: How to Raise an Adult by Julie Lythcott-Haimsmamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

Are you intimidated of middle school students? Does parenting that age child excite or scare you? In this episode I describe this unique stage of a child's development and discuss some challenges for middle schoolers and us parents.Books I mention: How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber & Elaine MazlishUntangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through Seven Transitions Into Adulthood by Lisa Damour, Ph.D.Feeding the Mouth That Bites You by Kenneth Wilgusmamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

What are some difficult summer realities you are experiencing? How can we reframe the frustrations as opportunities for growth in ourselves and our kids?mamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

If you are parenting with a husband, it is a great benefit! How can we let our guys "be themselves" in parenting? Sometimes that means getting out of the way.mamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

How can we give our kids knowledge so that they can make healthy decisions about the food they eat?mamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

Kids love souvenirs! How we make the experience meaningful? What life lessons can begin to be understood and lived out as our children use their decision making skills and agency to choose something to purchase?Book I mentioned: Feeding the Mouth That Bites Youmamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

How can we make the packing for a vacation part of the fun?  How can we teach our kids that even fun things like vacations take some preparation?  How can we see the vacation packing as a team effort where everyone helps to accomplish the goal of leaving (hopefully happily!) for vacation?Introduction 0:00What Kind of Packer are you? 0:47Packing With Your Kids 2:45Packing Mistakes 4:56The 4 day "runway" before leaving town 6:39Growth in relationship through packing 9:03Questions for reflection 12:02mamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."My Favorite Toddler Blow up Bed from Walmart

How can we make the planning for a vacation part of the fun? Even though we as Moms still have to do many tasks of life while on vacation, how can we choose a couple of little things to make vacation feel special?mamaopportunities.comThe quote at the end of each episode is by Jill Churchill, an American author. "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."My Favorite Toddler Blow up Bed from Walmart