In this episode Lee Lee and Marie talk about how they make parenting decisions with the other person they each parent with .. . in their case “the dads.” We hash out what it means to hold your partners' boundaries even if you don’t agree with them, or how we live with those in-the-moment parenting decisions that totally backfire.

Mama Now Conversations

38 Co-Parenting with Our Partners

In this episode, Marie and Lee Lee explore the different ways we all think we should use our time . . . and then how we then really use our time. Along the way we talk about the differences between working from home and away from home as moms and how our guilt and stress is can be more of a time suck than the things we actually need to want to do

37 Thinking about how to Compartmentalize

In this episode, Marie and Lee Lee chat with Dara Lovitz, author of Twinsight: A Guide to Raising Emotionally Healthy Twins and mother of twin girls! We chat about the lessons Dara learned while writing her book, and what that looks like to apply those lessons to her own parenting. We also talk about what twin-parenting teaches all of us and get some insight into the various ways we all look for guidance on our parenting journey

36 Raising Twins (and, really, just kids!) with Dara Lovitz

Lee Lee and Marie reflect on the end of the school year and the start of summer. Along the way we talk about how our kids (and how we) deal with transitions. We also take some time to pause and think intentionally about what we want out of our summer - we hope you use this episode to pause and do the same for yourself!

35 Summer thoughts (reflecting on the school year and parenting for the summer)

Charnaie Gordon is the founder of Here Wee Read (http://hereweeread.com) and mom of two. She started her blog as a book reviewer who help people find fantastic diverse books for their families (after getting asked for children’s book recommendations from lots of friends and family!). She is also the founder of 50 states, 50 books (www.50states50books.net), where the mission is to help get 50 diverse children books into the hands of kids who need them in all 50 states 

34 Reading and Quality time with Charnaie Gordon

In this episode, Lee Lee and Marie discuss self-care, a topic we have brought up a ton, but never focused on for a whole episode on! We talk about the two “criteria” for self-care and how we are reframing “self-care” as nurturing a relationship with yourself. We don’t get down on pedicures, but we do talk about ways to add layers of intentionality to the self-care or personal care that is already part of your life

33 Self-care with Lee Lee and Marie

In this episode Lee Lee and Marie and talk about mother, identity and the messy stuff in between with Maria Lianos-Carbone, author of Oh Baby! A Mom's Self-Care Survival Guide for the First Year: Because Moms Need a Little TLC, Too!  We discuss the ways that motherhood can cost us all some of our own sense of self, and what it looks like to recover that self and identity while still being a parent. Along the way we also discuss depression, “performative” motherhood and so much more.    Check out Maria’s writing at amotherworld.com and check out her book at https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Self-care-Survival-Guide-First/dp/1945547707/

32 Motherhood and shifting identities with Maria Lianos-Carbone

In this episode, Lee Lee shares her thoughts and epiphanies as she takes on a new job where she actually leaves the house for a paycheck. Along the way, we talk about what makes work “worth it,” the way our children react to job transitions, and a bit of thinking about the ways a new job is great for the whole family.

31 Back to Work

In this episode, we talk to Lisa Bobyak about losing yourself and finding yourself in the space of motherhood. Along we way we discuss balance and the role of feelings and intention as we all seek meaning and balance in our lives as busy parents. Check out Lisa's work at http://www.livingfullybalanced.com/

30 Finding Yourself in Small Steps with Lisa Bobyak

Lee Lee and Marie discuss the absurdities and hilarious contradictions of motherhood, including: The ridiculousness that comes with being pregnant The reality that breastfeeding hurts like hell, even when it’s supposed to be “life-giving” How babies are beautiful and boring The contradictions between societies expectations (“mothers are responsible for who their children are!”) and the realities (these children are their own little people!) The analysis and deep thinking we bring to the most ridiculous situations our kids struggle with 

29 The Absurdity of Motherhood

Briah Luckey, art teacher, and art therapist joins us for this episode where we talk about the layers of identity that build (and that we sometimes discard) as we move through our lives. We talk about the power of bringing women together, some of the strange ironies of motherhood, and the power of art.

28 Layers of Identity and Community with Briah Luckey

In this episode, Lee Lee and Marie talk about mom friendships - how they are found, how they are built, and what makes them last (or not). Along the way we talk about how it feels when your emotional “dance card” is full, how logistics and scheduling are real things when it comes to nurturing friendships, and Lee Lee’s potential new mom friend

27 Mom Friends

Erin (founder of Magical Homemaking) joins us to discuss making a home - not just in terms of the space we live, but space we inhabit, feeling at home in our bodies, and what becoming a mom does to ALL of this! Our conversation roams between the search for “home,  the question of what it looks like to feel significant and feel like we belong, and how we can use natural cycles to guide our time and attention.

26 Magical Homemaking

Lee Lee and Marie start the year with a conversation about what identities and stories we have let go of - and need to let go of - as we continue on our journey as parents and people. We discuss what how we have each changed, and the common stories moms tell themselves about motherhood and identity that may not be true (or helpful!)

25 Letting Go of Identities and Motherhood

Our end-of-2018 reflection! We talk about what keeps us coming back to these conversations, what we’ve learned about ourselves as parents this year, and which of our podcast episodes really stuck with us. Want to be a guest on our podcast (or suggest someone?) Sign up for our mailing list at www.mamanowconversations.com or email Marie directly at marie@createbalancedlife.com with “Mama Now Guest” in the subject line!

24 Reflecting on our parenting (and podcast) for 2018

Conversations about motherhood, identity, and the messy stuff in-between! Get our newsletter and show notes here: www.mamanowconversations.com