Real Moms Welcome

Send us Fan MailWatching your child grow is something you want… so why does it feel so emotional when it actually happens?In this episode, I’m sharing what it’s been like as my daughter turns 3—and the unexpected mix of pride, relief, overwhelm, and quiet sadness that has come with it. Because while things are getting easier in some ways, there’s also this shift happening that no one really talks about… the feeling of being needed less.If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “I wanted more space… so why does this feel hard?”—this episode is for you.We’re diving into the emotional transition that happens as our kids grow, why overwhelm doesn’t just disappear when things get “easier,” and how to hold both gratitude and grief at the same time without feeling like something is wrong.🌿 In This Episode, We Talk About:The bittersweet emotions of your child growing upThe shift from being constantly needed to slowly letting goWhy motherhood can still feel overwhelming—even when things get easierThe emotional and identity changes that come with each new phaseHow to hold conflicting feelings (relief, sadness, love) at the same time💛 A Gentle Reminder:You can want more space… and still feel emotional when you get it. You can love watching your child grow… and still grieve the version of them that needed you.Nothing has gone wrong. This is part of it.✨ Join Me Live: Breaking Free from Postpartum Survival ModeIf this episode resonated and you’re feeling stuck in that underlying overwhelm—even when life looks “fine” on the outside—I’d love to support you deeper in this live workshop:Breaking Free from Postpartum Survival Mode 🗓 April 11th ⏰ 10:00am HSTIn this workshop, we’ll walk through the real reason so many moms feel stuck in survival mode—and the three foundational shifts that help you feel more steady, grounded, and like yourself again.👉 Save your spot here📩 Let’s ConnectHave questions about the workshop or just want to reach out? I’d love to hear from you.Email me anytime at: [email protected]🤍 Loved This Episode?If this resonated with you, share it with another mom who might need to hear it.And if you haven’t already, leaving a review helps more moms find this space.

Send us Fan MailMotherhood can be beautiful — but it can also feel incredibly overwhelming.In this episode of Real Moms Welcome, Jess shares an honest conversation about what happens when life starts to feel like too much and why so many mothers struggle to give themselves permission to slow down.When we’re juggling parenting, relationships, work, and the invisible mental load of motherhood, it’s easy to push past our limits without realizing how much pressure we’re carrying. Over time, that pressure can lead to emotional exhaustion, irritability, and the feeling that even the things we love have become heavy.In this episode, we explore the difference between quitting and pausing, why honoring your capacity matters for your nervous system, and how learning to slow down can actually help you show up as a more grounded and present mother.Jess also guides listeners through a short breathing moment to help reset and reconnect with their bodies during overwhelming seasons.If you’ve ever felt like motherhood is too much, this conversation will remind you that you’re not alone — and that sometimes the most supportive thing you can do is pause.In This Episode We Talk About:Why motherhood can feel overwhelming even when you love your children deeplyThe invisible mental and emotional load many moms carryHow pushing past your limits affects your nervous systemThe difference between quitting and pausingThis Episode is For You If:You feel overwhelmed by motherhoodYou’re juggling too many responsibilitiesYou feel pressure to keep going even when you're exhaustedYou want to feel more grounded and emotionally steady as a momIf this episode resonated with you, share it with another mom who may need to hear this today.And if you're enjoying the podcast, leaving a review helps more moms find Real Moms Welcome.

Send us Fan MailHave you ever looked at old photos of yourself and thought, “Who even is that?”In this episode, I’m talking about the identity shift that happens after becoming a mom — and why feeling lost might actually mean you’re evolving.Motherhood changes more than your schedule and sleep. It changes your brain, your nervous system, your priorities, and your sense of self. This transition even has a name: matrescence — the developmental shift into motherhood.We’ll explore:Why you may not recognize yourself after having a babyThe science behind matrescence and maternal brain changesWhy grief and gratitude can exist at the same timeWhat it really means to “lose yourself” in motherhoodHow to gently reconnect with who you’re becomingIf you’ve ever wondered, “Who am I after becoming a mom?” — this conversation is for you.What Is Matrescence?The term matrescence was originally coined by anthropologist Dana Raphael and later expanded by reproductive psychiatrist Alexandra Sacks to describe the physical, emotional, hormonal, and identity changes that occur when a woman becomes a mother.Research published in Nature Neuroscience has shown measurable brain changes during pregnancy and early motherhood, particularly in areas related to empathy, emotional regulation, and bonding. In other words — if you feel different, it’s because you are different.Reflection Questions from This EpisodeWhat parts of me feel like they’re shedding?Where do I catch glimpses of myself lately?If I stop trying to go back, what might I allow forward?If this episode resonated, share it with a mom who needs to hear that she’s not alone in this.And if you’re enjoying the podcast, leaving a review helps more moms find these conversations.

Send us Fan MailBefore I had my daughter, I had very strong opinions about the kind of mom I was going to be.No excessive screen time. No separate meals. No bribery. Always patient. Never losing myself.And then… I became a mom.In this lighter, more playful episode of Real Moms Welcome, I’m sharing five things I swore I would never do as a mom — and the very humbling ways real-life motherhood proved me wrong.If you’ve ever judged a parenting choice… only to find yourself doing that exact thing later — this episode is for you.This isn’t about guilt. It’s not about perfection. It’s about growth, compassion, and laughing at ourselves along the way.Because motherhood has a way of softening our sharp edges — and replacing them with humility.In This Episode We Talk About:The screen time standards I once swore I’d never bendWhy “my child will eat what we eat” didn’t last longThe Target parking lot bribe that humbled meThe myth of being the endlessly patient momThe subtle ways motherhood changes your identityWhy regulated moms matter more than rigid rulesHow pre-kid parenting confidence hits differently once you’re in itThis Episode Is For You If:You’ve ever said “I will never…” — and then absolutely didYou’ve felt guilty for not parenting the way you imaginedYou want a reminder that imperfection is normalYou need something light, funny, and deeply relatableYou’re learning to have more compassion for yourself as a momMotherhood isn’t the golden-hour Pinterest board we imagined.It’s snacks in every purse pocket. Negotiations over vegetables. Repairing after short tempers. And realizing that the version of you who judged other moms… just didn’t know yet.If this episode made you laugh or nod your head in solidarity, share it with a mom friend. And if you’re loving the show, leaving a quick review helps more moms find their place to exhale.Because here at Real Moms Welcome, we’re not aiming for perfect — we’re aiming for real.

Send us Fan MailHave you ever gone through a season where your child suddenly only wants the other parent?The “Dad phase.” The “Mom phase.” The “Don’t touch me — I want them” phase.Even when you know it’s developmentally normal… it can still feel personal.In this episode, I’m sharing a real-life story from last week when Addy went straight into a dad phase after Jason returned from an overnight work trip — and how unexpectedly hard it hit me.We’re talking about:Why kids go through parent preference phasesThe psychology behind attachment and reconnectionWhy children often push away the parent they feel safest withWhat it can trigger in us emotionallyHow to cope when you feel rejected, replaced, or invisibleThis episode is honest, vulnerable, and grounded in nervous system awareness — not perfection.Because motherhood will activate old wounds. And that doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re human.If you’re currently in a season where you’re not the “chosen” parent, this one is for you.This Episode Is For You If:Your toddler or young child suddenly prefers the other parentYou feel hurt when your child pushes you awayYou struggle with identity as the primary caregiverYou want to understand attachment and nervous system dynamics in motherhoodYou’re navigating postpartum emotional sensitivity

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when your child is having big emotions… and you are too?In this episode of Real Moms Welcome, Jess shares honestly about a weekend marked by anger, guilt, and emotional overwhelm — and the reminder that sometimes, motherhood isn’t about fixing or regulating in the moment. It’s about understanding that emotions rise, peak, and eventually settle again.Jess talks about how hormonal shifts during the luteal phase can intensify emotional reactions, why it’s normal to lose capacity at times, and how remembering the temporary nature of these states can soften shame. This episode is an invitation to stop judging yourself for hard moments and to trust that even when things feel intense, they will come back down.In This Episode, We Talk About:What happens when moms are the ones with big feelingsHow luteal phase hormones can amplify anger, tears, and overwhelmThe anger → guilt → shame cycle many moms experienceWhy not every hard moment needs to be “worked through”Trusting that emotions move, settle, and soften with timeRemembering you’re a good mom even when you don’t get it rightThis Episode Is For You If:You feel overwhelmed or emotionally reactive at timesYou judge yourself harshly after hard parenting momentsYou’re craving permission to stop fixing and start trusting the processYou want reassurance that intense emotions don’t last foreverGentle ReminderYou are not meant to stay regulated all the time. Emotions rise. They peak. And they settle again. You are still a good mom in all of it.If you never want to miss an episode, join our email list!

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Real Moms Welcome, Jess and Alanna sit down for a real, unfiltered conversation about motherhood, identity, and what happens when becoming a mom cracks parts of us open we didn’t even know were there.We talk about the moments when motherhood feels destabilizing — when relationships shift, things get messy, and it feels tempting to believe something must be “wrong” with us. Instead, this conversation gently explores how those moments are often invitations to listen more closely, adjust our support, and come back into relationship with ourselves.This is not a conversation about fixing yourself. It’s about honoring the season you’re in, trusting yourself, and remembering that you already have access to the awareness and capacity you need to support yourself through motherhood’s transitions.What We Talk About in This EpisodeHow motherhood can crack us open emotionally and relationallyIdentity shifts that happen after becoming a motherWhy needing support doesn’t mean you’re failingAllowing tools and support to change as your life changesLetting go of the belief that something is “wrong” with youReconnecting with self-trust during seasons of transitionWhat it looks like to come back to yourself, gentlyConnect with AlannaIf you felt drawn to Alanna’s words or energy, you can find her here:Instagram: @lettersfromlannaJoin her letters

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Real Moms Welcome, Jess shares a deeply relatable story about taking her daughter to the ER, navigating mom guilt, and getting stuck in indecision. Not because there were not options, but because of an unseen belief running the show. After learning her daughter had RSV, Jess found herself juggling childcare disruptions, a work trip, and the start of the semester for her MSW program at University of Southern California. When a critical class conflicted with a follow-up pediatrician appointment, a simple solution suddenly felt impossible and that's when she uncovered the belief under it all: that being a "good mom" meant she had to be the one physically there.This episode explores how subconscious beliefs are formed, how they quietly shape our decisions in motherhood, and why awareness, not fixing or forcing, is the most powerful first step toward relief. If you've ever felt stuck in mental ping-pong, or overwhelmed by mom guilt, or unsure why making a "simple" decision feels so hard, this conversation will help you feel seen, validated, and less alone. In this episode, we talk about:Mom guilt and second-guessing yourselfTrusting your instincts as a motherWhy indecision can feel so exhaustingHow subconscious beliefs are formedLetting go of the need to prove yourselfHow awareness creates space, choice, and reliefThis episode is for the mom who is doing her best, questinong herself anyway, and learning to meet herself with more compassion along the way.

Send us Fan MailThere's a quiet pressure in motherhood to enjoy every moment, to soak it all in, stay grateful, and appreciate every phase because "it goes so fast."But what if that pressure is actually making motherhood feel heavier?In this episode of Real Moms Welcome, Jess shares an honest, heart-to-heart conversation about the reality of motherhood seasons that are demanding, exhausting, and deeply human. She talks openly about navigating the emotional weight of constant boundary-pushing, and the guilt that can surface when you're not enjoying every moment, even when you love your child deeply.This episode is a gentle permission slip to let moments be what they are, without forcing gratitude or meaning, and without making it mean something about your worth as a mother.This episode is for you if:You love your kids but don't enjoy every part of motherhoodYou feel pressure to "soak it all in" even when you're exhaustedYou've felt guilt for wishing certain phases would passYou want more honestly and less perfection in motherhoodThis conversation isn't about fixing yourself or reframing every moment into gratitude. It's about permission, honesty, and remembering that real motherhood includes the full range of human emotions and experience. If this episode resonates, consider sharing it with another mom who might need to hear this today and leave us a review! 

Send us Fan MailWhat I’m Committing to for a Lighter Season of MotherhoodComing out of the holidays can feel heavy — the schedules, the chaos, the constant “keeping up,” and the emotional weight of doing it all while still trying to be present.In this episode of Real Moms Welcome, Jess shares honestly about this current season of motherhood: feeling worn out after the holidays, navigating a toddler deep in her independence phase, and holding both the beauty and the exhaustion that come with it.Instead of offering fixes or routines to add to your plate, Jess opens up about three simple commitments she’s making this year to help motherhood feel more spacious and light — commitments she’s actively learning and practicing alongside you.This episode is for you if:you’re coming out of the holidays feeling depletedmotherhood feels loud, busy, or relentless right nowyou want more space without doing moreyou’re craving honesty instead of perfectionIn this episode, we talk about:The emotional toll of post-holiday motherhoodParenting a toddler in the “independence” phaseWhy practices have to look different in real motherhoodBuilding a consistent breathwork practice that actually fits your lifeRecommitting to health without guiltProtecting your capacity through simpler rhythms and boundariesThe power of naming what you’re committed to in this seasonThis conversation isn’t about changing who you are or fixing your life. It’s about choosing what supports you now — and allowing that to be enough.At the end of the episode, you’re invited to reflect on one thing you’re committed to this year and share it with someone you trust.If you want to follow along for more, you can find Jess on Instagram @jess_bonini_

Send us Fan MailIn this deeply personal episode, Jess opens up about her own journey of losing herself in motherhood and slowly finding her way back. From working in the healing space and caring for four bonus kids, to the shift she felt after having Addy, Jess shares the honest, raw truth about leaving the work she loved, disconnecting from her breath, and spiraling into survival mode.This episode explores the identity collapse that so many mothers experience, but rarely talk about. Jess explains why this happens on both a psychological and nervous system level, how disconnection from the body leads to disconnection from the self, and what it really looks like to rebuild slowly, gently, one breath at a time. She guides you through a grounding practice designed to reconnect you with teh part of you that feels lost or forgotten. And most importantly: she reminds you that the "old you" isn't gone...she's waiting.Key Topics:Why identity shifts are a normal part of motherhoodHow leaving yourself begins with disconnecting from your bodyThe signs that you're living in survival modeA guided practice to start coming back home to yourselfJoin the Email List for breathwork and somatic tools every week!

Send us Fan MailIn today's episode of Real Moms Welcome, Jess breaks down the truth about the inner critic -- and it's probably now what you think. Instead of viewing this voice as the enemy, Jess revels how the inner critic is actually a protector of your nervous system, formed in childhood and activated in the chaos of motherhood. You'll learn how to identify the moments when your inner critic gets loud, what she's trying to keep you safe from, and how to shift from judgement ot compassion. Jess also guides you through a calming somatic practice o soften the critic and reconnect with your body...even on your hardest days.If you've been struggling with mom guilt, self-judgement, or feeling like you're "not enough," this episode is your reminder that nothing is wrong with you. You're human. You're doing your best. And you deserve kindness from yourself. Key Topics:Why your inner critic exists (and why she's not tyring to hurt you)How motherhood activates old protective patternsThe body signals that tell yyou your cirtic is onlineHow reparenting helps you respond instead of reactGentle refelction questions to reconnect with yourself.What does my inner critic sound like?How does she try to protect me?What is she most afraid of?What would I say to her if she were a younger version of me? Join the email list!Get your free "Meet Your Inner Protector" guide here.

Send us Fan MailWelcome to the very first episode of Real Moms Welcome! This is the podcast for moms who love their kids deeply, feel everything intensely, and are trying to navigate motherhood without losing themselves in the process.In this intro episode, I'm sharing my full story: how becoming a mom to my daughter Addy cracked me open, how stepping away form my work in the healing space sent me into a spiral of dysregulation, and how reconnecting with my nervous system brought me back to myself. This episode is for any mom who feels overwhelmed, overstimulated, or stuck in reaction mode and is craving a place to feel seen, supported, and understood. In this episode, I talk about: My life before becoming a momThe identity shift that hit after having my daughterHow stepping away from breathwork and somatic work shut my body downLiving in constant reaction mode and losing my capacityMy slow return back into my body and healthWhy I created Real Moms Welcome for mothers who feel like I didIf you've every wondered:"Why am I so overwhelmed as a mom?""How do I regulate my nervous sytem?""Why do I react the way I do?""How do I find myself again?"...this episode and podcast will feel like a deep exhale. Connect with me:Instagram: @jess_bonini_Join the email list to never miss an episode!

Send us Fan MailIf you've ever wondered "Why am I so reactive?" or "Why can't I handle all this noise?" --- this episode is for you.Jess breaks down what overstimulation actually is, why it's so common in motherhood, and how your nervous system is working overtime to keep you safe (not failing you). Through relatable stories, like the bedtime meltdown that sent her spiraling, Jess unpacks the biology behind mom anger, shutdown, and overwhelm.You'll learn the four survival states (fight, flight, freeze, and fawn) in simple "mom terms", how to recognize them in real time, and why your reactions make complete sense. Plus, Jess shares a quick mouth-breathing practice that helps bring you back into the body during moments of intensity.Moms, you are not broken. You are overloaded and there's a way to make it feel lighter. Key Topics:Why moms get overstimulated so easilyFight, flight, freeze, and fawn through the lens of motherhoodHow to interrupt overwhelm using a 30-second breathing techniqueWhy repair matters more than being the "perfect mom"Join the email list to get weekly breathwork tools and nervous system support.

Send us Fan MailThis is Real Moms Welcome — the podcast for moms who love their kids deeply but sometimes just need a minute to breathe.Hosted by Jess Bonini, breathwork facilitator, somatic guide, and mom of a toddler (and four bonus kids!), this show is all about helping mothers regulate their nervous systems, calm the chaos, and reconnect with themselves — one real conversation at a time.If you’ve ever found yourself reheating the same cup of coffee, hiding in the bathroom for a moment of quiet, or wondering where you went in the middle of motherhood… you’re in the right place.Expect honest stories, simple nervous system tools, and gentle reminders that you’re not broken — you’re just human.💛 Subscribe now to Real Moms Welcome — your place to take an exhale.