Torn: Finding a Mom Life Balance

Torn

Motherhood can often leave a woman feeling torn between her emotions and reality, her job and personal life, friends and family. On Torn: Finding a Mom Life Balance, hosts Athena, and Mims share their journey, laugh their woes away, and dismantle the deceptions of motherhood by giving a new voice to mommy-hood. Cover art photo provided by Logos on the Go

  1. Aug 12

    #186: Not Just Your Summer Packet: Creative Summer Reading and Math for Children

    Summer learning doesn't have to look like worksheets. The best lessons often happen through curiosity, play, and everyday life. This week, Athena and Mims share creative ways to keep reading and math alive over summer break—without turning them into chores. From researching the perfect family dog and budgeting expenses to board games, baking, geography, libraries, and following your child's interests, they explore how learning becomes meaningful when kids don't even realize they're doing it. 🌟 Torn ThoughtReading and math aren't school subjects to survive—they're lifelong tools that unlock curiosity, confidence, and opportunity. In This Episode: Creative alternatives to summer packets Turning children's interests into reading adventures Everyday math through games, budgeting, cooking, and problem-solving Raising curious, lifelong learners instead of worksheet completers Why learning happens far beyond the classroom Giving kids ownership of their summer learning 💛 Torn Tribe ReflectionWhat's one everyday activity your family does that secretly teaches reading, math, or problem-solving? Torn Tribe Reflection: Who in your family has a story you want to hear while you still can?Share your thoughts on journaling to 📧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠tornmlb@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠ 📲 Follow @TornMLB on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠. 💜 Choose Grace, Torn Tribe. Choose Grace. 💜

  2. Jul 30

    Episode 184: Bedtime Battles: Surviving Summer Nights

    Summer break brings freedom, flexibility… and bedtime battles. This week, Athena and Mims unpack the challenge of balancing late summer nights with the routines everyone needs to thrive. From teenagers staying up until 1:00 a.m. to younger kids catching a “second wind,” they explore how every family can find a rhythm that works without letting comparison steal the joy of summer. The sisters discuss why one bedtime rule doesn’t have to fit the entire season, how communication and trust can help children develop responsibility, and why parents shouldn’t feel guilty for protecting their own rest. They also reflect on teaching kids to recognize their body’s need for sleep, giving age-appropriate independence, and embracing flexibility for vacations, camps, and special summer memories. In this episode, we discuss: Why bedtime often becomes the biggest parenting battle during summer break.Creating flexible routines instead of rigid rules.Helping children build responsibility and self-awareness around sleep.Letting go of comparison and choosing what works for your family.Protecting your own rest and self-care as a parent.Torn Thought: Summer routines don’t have to look like school-year routines. Find the rhythm that allows your family to enjoy the season while still caring for everyone’s well-being. What’s Mending Us Athena shares how coaching basketball camp reminded her why she loves the game and reflects on the motivation she finds through “secret competitions” that keep life fun and purposeful. Mims shares how returning to work with a new team energized her while also embracing the full pace and joy of summertime with her family. Share your Torn Thoughts to 📧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠tornmlb@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠ 📲 Follow @TornMLB on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠. 💜 Choose Grace, Torn Tribe. Choose Grace. 💜

  3. Jul 15

    REPLAY #160: Your Summer Toolkit — Supplies, Sanity & Structure

    Revisiting a previous episode from May 2025! In Episode 160 of Torn: Finding a Mom-Life Balance, Athena and Mims return for the second installment of their summer planning series, equipping the Torn Tribe with a practical and heartfelt Summer Toolkit designed to support families in three core areas: Supplies, Sanity, and Structure. 🧠 Torn Thought: “Preparedness brings presence. Let’s enjoy the season instead of surviving it.” 🧺 Supplies to Have on Hand- Summer essentials: sunscreen, water toys, snacks, notebooks, art supplies, and first-aid items- Household items for parents working from home: kid-friendly snacks, books at the right reading level, a stocked art station, screen-time boundaries, and outdoor activity options- Pool/beach bags packed and ready: cooler, towels, goggles, flip flops, backup clothes, and snacks- Reusable tote filled with portable snacks (chips, fruit, pretzels) to reduce the “I’m starving” moments 🧘‍♀️ Sanity Savers- Schedule one friend meet-up per child each week—build in social outlets to reduce tension and encourage independence- Identify your “buffer days” where there’s minimal running around- Plan ahead for medical needs: physicals, prescriptions, and locations of nearest clinics when traveling- Try a parent hobby: painting, reading, writing, learning a language, or summer reading challenges for YOU 📅 Structure for Summer Days- Theme Days: Rotate through reading, science, cooking, art, or adventure days- Free Play Days: Let your child choose how they spend the day to balance out structured time- Skill or sport exploration: Use the summer to try something new as a family or per child- Craft & Game Zones: Reorganize home spaces to highlight engaging options and reduce screen time- Library trips, cultural reads, and storytelling podcasts to keep imagination and curiosity alive 📣 Stay Connected & ShareAthena and Mims also encourage the Torn Tribe to share their favorite summer tips and download the ⁠Torn Tribe Summer Prep List⁠ (linked in show notes and on social). 💌 Got Torn Moments or Mends to share? Drop us a line at tornmlb@gmail.com. 🎧 Listen, Follow, Subscribe & Share! Find us on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠. 💜 Choose Grace, Torn Tribe 💜

  4. Jul 2

    #183: Legacy Interview with Zeke & Sophie Grace

    Legacy comes alive when we ask questions, listen closely, and make space for the stories our elders carry. In this special episode, Zeke and Sophie Grace join Torn for a legacy interview after speaking with their grandpas. From childhood memories in Jamaica and Chicago to hard work, patience, perseverance, retirement, karate, family businesses, and life lessons, their conversations remind us that legacy is not only what we inherit—it is what we notice, name, and carry forward. Torn Thought: Legacy can be passed down in everyday conversations. The gems are already there—we just have to ask. In This Episode: ✨ Zeke and Sophie Grace make their Torn debut ✨ What they learned from interviewing their grandpas/ abuelos ✨ Family values like perseverance, planning, hard work, patience, and listening ✨ Why elders’ stories matter ✨ How simple questions can open meaningful conversations ✨ The joy of preserving family memories in their own voices Torn Tribe Reflection: Who in your family has a story you want to hear while you still can? Share your thoughts on journaling to 📧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠tornmlb@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠ 📲 Follow @TornMLB on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠. 💜 Choose Grace, Torn Tribe. Choose Grace. 💜

  5. Jun 19

    #182: Legacy Starts at Home

    Legacy is not just something we leave behind—it is something we build every day through our stories, values, relationships, traditions, and the way we show up for one another. In this episode, Athena and Mims reflect on the legacies that shaped them, from the strength of abuelas to the family stories, cultural traditions, faith, food, and lessons that continue to ground them. Inspired by themes from Encanto and Coco, they explore how each family member adds their own thread to the legacy being created. They also share why they are inviting their kids into the conversation next—to hear what legacy looks and feels like through their eyes. Torn Thought: Legacy starts at home. It lives in the stories we tell, the values we model, and the memories we intentionally create. In This Episode: ✨ The values and traditions we inherit ✨ How family stories shape identity ✨ Honoring those who came before us ✨ Helping kids recognize the legacy they carry ✨ Creating memories through photos, stories, scrapbooks, and shared experiences ✨ Why every family member’s “thread” matters Torn Tribe Reflection: What story, value, or tradition do you hope your children carry forward? Share your thoughts on journaling to 📧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠tornmlb@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠ 📲 Follow @TornMLB on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠. 💜 Choose Grace, Torn Tribe. Choose Grace. 💜

  6. Jun 3

    #181: The Power of a Pause

    What happens when life is filled with so much goodness that you can no longer keep up with it? After an intentional break from the podcast, Athena and Mims return to share the real reason behind their pause. Between milestones, caregiving, work, celebrations, leadership, and everyday responsibilities, they realized something important: sometimes our bodies arrive before our spirits do. In this honest conversation, they explore the fears that keep us from slowing down, why rest often feels harder than work, and how creating space for reflection can help us show up more fully for the people and moments that matter most. Whether you're navigating a busy season, feeling stretched too thin, or struggling to give yourself permission to rest, this episode is a reminder that pausing is not quitting—it's preparation. In This Episode: ✨ Why taking a pause can feel uncomfortable—even when it's needed ✨ The fear of disappointing others when you choose rest ✨ Decision fatigue, overwhelm, and recognizing your limits ✨ The difference between earned rest and intentional rest ✨ Building a sustainable rhythm instead of constantly pushing through ✨ Lessons from leadership, legacy, and creating space for reflection Torn Thought:In the middle of moving, producing, caregiving, solving, leading, and responding to everyone else's needs, we can forget to check whether our spirit has arrived where our body already is. Sometimes we need to pause long enough to catch up. What's Mending Us:💛 Reflecting on legacy, leadership, and what we leave behind 💛 Embracing God's enduring mercy and faithfulness Torn Tribe Reflection: What fear is keeping you from taking the pause you need? Share your thoughts on pausing to 📧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠tornmlb@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠ 📲 Follow @TornMLB on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠. 💜 Choose Grace, Torn Tribe 💜

  7. Apr 22

    #180: Am I Burnt Out or Just Busy?

    🎙️  Episode Summary: Are you overwhelmed—or truly burnt out? In this episode, we break down the difference between normal stress and burnout, and how to recognize when your tank is truly empty. Busy vs. Burnout The invisible pressure of modern life. How burnout slowly creeps in ⚖️ Busy vs. Burnout Busy: Temporary stress, still motivated, rest helps Burnout: Constant depletion, no motivation, rest doesn’t restore 🛠️ Quick Resets Delegate, drop, or lower the bar on 1–2 things Protect your sleep + reduce screen time Use quiet moments to reset (car rides, waiting time) Move your body + stay hydrated ❤️ Real Talk“You don’t always crash… sometimes you just slowly disappear from yourself.” 📣 For the Torn Tribe Check in with yourself—busy or burnt out?  🔗 Stay Connected Follow us @TornMLB  ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠. ✉️Email: tornmlb@gmail.com 💜 Choose Grace, Torn Tribe 💜

  8. Apr 10

    #179: Stop Stressing Me! Series – Why Am I Always on the Edge?

    🎙️ Show Notes:   In this episode, we we kickoff a series on stress by unpacking the invisible mental load of parenting, the pressure to “do it all,” and the societal systems that make it harder than it should be. From school schedules to work demands to self-imposed expectations—we’re naming it all and finding a path back to peace. 🔥 What We’re Talking About The invisible mental load parents carry every day Why modern life feels misaligned with family needs The pressure to justify your time, energy, and boundaries The reality of decision fatigue + overstimulation Recognizing when you’re “living on the edge” (snappy, overwhelmed, reactive) 🚩 Signs You’re On the Edge You’re snapping at everything and everyone Your inner dialogue sounds like: “I always… they never…” You feel like everything depends on you You struggle to accept help (or control how it’s given) Small things feel like big triggers 🛠️ Small Shifts to Move from Edge → Peace Name what you need (don’t wait until you explode) Take a timeout—step away before the breaking point Ask for help—and accept it imperfectly Check your self-talk (“I always/they never” is a warning sign) Release control and focus on what you can manage Invite your family into your reality (share your stress, don’t hide it) ❤️ Real Talk Moments “It’s not always exhaustion… sometimes it’s control.” You don’t have to carry it alone. Name it, share it, and give yourself permission to reset. 🔗 Stay Connected, Torn TribeFollow us @TornMLB  ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠. ✉️Email: tornmlb@gmail.com 💜 Choose Grace, Torn Tribe 💜

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Motherhood can often leave a woman feeling torn between her emotions and reality, her job and personal life, friends and family. On Torn: Finding a Mom Life Balance, hosts Athena, and Mims share their journey, laugh their woes away, and dismantle the deceptions of motherhood by giving a new voice to mommy-hood. Cover art photo provided by Logos on the Go

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