Burnt Pancakes: Momversations | Conversations for Imperfect Moms, Chats About Mom Life & Interviews with Real Mamas

Katie Fenske - Mom of 3 | Potty Training Coach | Former Teacher | Mama Mentor | Boy Mom | Imperfect Mom | Lover of Mom Chats
  • 5.0 (34)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

The Burnt Pancakes Podcast is here to remind you that in motherhood, EVERYONE BURNS THEIR FIRST PANCAKE. I’m Katie Fenske, a (not so perfect) mom of 3, and I’m inviting you to join in on my conversations with other moms as we talk about all things motherhood; the good, the bad and everything in between. We're flipping our motherhood mistakes into successes and learning how to just keep flipping. MOTHERHOOD TOPICS I DISCUSS:Child Birth and Postpartum RecoveryAdjusting to MotherhoodRaising BoysToddler Mom TipsBeing a Teen MomSelf Care in MotherhoodManaging Kid Sports and a Busy Family ScheduleEpic Mom FailsPotty Training WoesSurviving Summer VacationAND SO MUCH MORE!To see more of Katie, you can find her... Instagram @burntpancakeswithkatieYouTube: @burnt-pancakesWebsite: burntpancakes.comemail: katie@burntpancakes.com

  1. 2d ago

    164. Wait... You Let Him Do WHAT?! How Birth Order Changes Parenting

    Why does your first kid get all the rules while your youngest seems to get away with everything? 😂 In this episode, I'm talking about birth order and how differently kids can experience the exact same family. Having three boys has made me realize just how different childhood can look depending on where you fall in the birth order. Maverick, my youngest, is six and already playing video games, watching shows with his brothers, wearing PSD and Ethika underwear, and throwing around words like "bruh" and "chud." Meanwhile, at the same age, his oldest brother Ronin was wearing Elmo underwear, watching little-kid shows, and I was horrified when he came home from preschool saying "what the heck." 😂 I talk about:  Why firstborns often get the strictest version of us  Being the "guinea pig" parent with your oldest  How parenting changes as we gain experience  Why younger siblings are exposed to older kids, language, technology, and freedoms much earlier  Why Maverick's childhood looks NOTHING like Ronin's did at the same age  How our rules around bikes, technology, independence, and screen time evolve  Why being treated differently doesn't necessarily mean being loved differently  The unique experience of being the middle child  Why middle kids may become adaptable, independent, or learn to find their own identity  How easy it is for the "easy" child to get overlooked  Why three kids can grow up in the same house but have completely different childhood experiences  And the realization that maybe our firstborn wasn't just our first child... they were also the child who taught us how to be parents Because let's be honest: the first kid gets the rule book, the middle kid gets lost in the shuffle, and the youngest gets raised by the other two. 😂 And somehow, we're all going to turn out okay. Listen, laugh, and then tell me... Where do you fall in your family, and do you think your birth order affected who you became? And if you have multiple kids: Are you parenting your youngest differently than you parented your 📺 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOpw5ui4uxJHx0tLFVtpnfSkpObfc4d-K You can find Katie at: website: burntpancakes.com YouTube: @burnt.pancakes Instagram: @burntpancakeswithkatie Email: katie@burntpancakes.com 🚽 Did you know Katie is also a Certified Potty Trainer? 🚽 ☎️ Schedule a 1:1 chat today: Schedule Here 💻 Digital Potty Training Course HERE 📖  Potty Training E-Book HERE 🆓  FREE potty training resources HERE Instagram: @itspottytime Tiktok: @itspottytime_ Some episodes include affiliate links at no cost to you.

  2. Sep 25

    163. Detachment Parenting: How to Stop Trying to Control Your Kids with Anya Jensen

    What if one of the hardest parts of parenting isn’t figuring out how to control our kids’ behavior, emotions, and choices… but learning to let go of that control? In this episode, I’m talking with writer and mother Anya Jensen about her philosophy of detachment parenting. Anya found herself struggling with the emotional demands of parenting teenagers and the growing tension in her relationship with her daughter. She eventually realized that some of her heartache came from trying to control things that were never actually hers to control. We talk about what detachment parenting really means, why moms can feel responsible for their kids’ emotions, and how we can love our children deeply without taking on every emotion, problem, or disappointment they experience. And while Anya’s work focuses heavily on teenagers, I think this idea applies to motherhood at every stage: We can support our kids without trying to control them. In this episode, we talk about:  What “detachment parenting” actually means  Why moms feel responsible for their kids’ emotions  The emotional exhaustion that can come with parenting teenagers  Learning to accept the limits of our influence  Parenting our kids without trying to give them the childhood we wish we had  What detachment can look like in everyday parenting  Loving our kids without losing ourselves Connect with Anya: Tiktok: @detachmentparenting Substack: Notes by Anya YouTube: Notes by Anya The takeaway: Detachment doesn’t mean caring less. Sometimes it means learning to love our kids while letting them have their own feelings, make their own choices, and become their own people. 📺 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOpw5ui4uxJHx0tLFVtpnfSkpObfc4d-K You can find Katie at: website: burntpancakes.com YouTube: @burnt.pancakes Instagram: @burntpancakeswithkatie Email: katie@burntpancakes.com 🚽 Did you know Katie is also a Certified Potty Trainer? 🚽 ☎️ Schedule a 1:1 chat today: Schedule Here 💻 Digital Potty Training Course HERE 📖  Potty Training E-Book HERE 🆓  FREE potty training resources HERE Instagram: @itspottytime Tiktok: @itspottytime_ Some episodes include affiliate links at no cost to you.

  3. Sep 18

    THROWBACK: Why It's So Hard For Moms to Find and Maintain Friendships with Brenda Ridgley

    This is a Throwback episode from September 2024. I sit down with Brenda Ridgely, an author and podcast host, to discuss reclaiming individuality and fostering deep, meaningful friendships amidst the demands of motherhood and professional life. Brenda shares her personal journey through midlife discontent and offers valuable insights on how to overcome the silent epidemic of losing one's sense of self. Together, we explore the importance of genuine connections beyond superficial social media interactions and the challenges of making and maintaining friendships while managing family and career responsibilities. Brenda's practical advice on creating empowering friendship circles will help you rediscover your identity and combat loneliness. In this conversation, we also delve into the concept of building your personal tribe as adults. Discover the significance of having a core group of close friends, the importance of local connections, and the necessity of stepping out of your comfort zone to meet new people. Brenda provides practical tips for transforming casual friendships into deeper, more meaningful connections and emphasizes the value of one-on-one time. Whether you're an introvert or extrovert, busy mom, or career woman, this episode offers strategic advice for fostering connections, rediscovering past interests, and designing your ideal tribe to bring the right people into your life. Listen in and find out how to build and nurture empowering female friendships that will support you through all stages of life. You can find more about Brenda on her Website https://www.brendaridgley.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brendaridgley/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC73PSKAWMaEvXS0SaH7NDaA 📺 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOpw5ui4uxJHx0tLFVtpnfSkpObfc4d-K You can find Katie at: website: burntpancakes.com YouTube: @burnt.pancakes Instagram: @burntpancakeswithkatie Email: katie@burntpancakes.com 🚽 Did you know Katie is also a Certified Potty Trainer? 🚽 ☎️ Schedule a 1:1 chat today: Schedule Here 💻 Digital Potty Training Course HERE 📖  Potty Training E-Book HERE 🆓  FREE potty training resources HERE Instagram: @itspottytime Tiktok: @itspottytime_ Some episodes include affiliate links at no cost to you.

  4. Sep 11

    162. What Moms Should Know Before Labor and Delivery with Gina Mundy

    Giving birth is one of the biggest and most unpredictable experiences of motherhood. We spend so much time preparing for the baby, setting up the nursery, buying tiny clothes, and reading about newborn sleep, but how much time do we really spend preparing for labor and delivery? In today's episode I sit down with Gina Mundy, a childbirth attorney, bestselling author, speaker, podcaster, and mom of three. Gina has spent more than 23 years analyzing labor and delivery cases to better understand why birth injuries happen and what families can do to become more informed and prepared. This conversation isn't about creating fear around childbirth. It's about helping expecting parents understand that preparation can provide knowledge, confidence, and a greater sense of calm when entering the delivery room. In this episode, we discuss:  What expecting moms often don't know about labor and delivery until it's too late  What Gina has learned from more than 23 years of reviewing childbirth cases  Common patterns surrounding birth injuries and birth trauma  How to prepare for labor beyond simply creating a birth plan  Why understanding the labor process can help parents feel calmer and more informed  How to ask questions and participate in decisions about your care  Ways moms can advocate for themselves without feeling like they need to know everything  How to prepare for the unexpected while still feeling empowered about birth  The biggest takeaway Gina hopes every expecting mother learns before going into labor Whether you're pregnant with your first baby, preparing for another birth, or know someone who is expecting, this episode offers an important conversation about feeling informed, supported, and prepared for the delivery room. Connect with Gina: https://www.tiktok.com/@ginacmundy?lang=en https://www.instagram.com/ginamundy/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093989808329 https://www.linkedin.com/in/gina-mundy-70318554/ https://www.youtube.com/@thechildbirthattorney www.ginamundy.com 📺 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOpw5ui4uxJHx0tLFVtpnfSkpObfc4d-K You can find Katie at: website: burntpancakes.com YouTube: @burnt.pancakes Instagram: @burntpancakeswithkatie Email: katie@burntpancakes.com 🚽 Did you know Katie is also a Certified Potty Trainer? 🚽 ☎️ Schedule a 1:1 chat today: Schedule Here 💻 Digital Potty Training Course HERE 📖  Potty Training E-Book HERE 🆓  FREE potty training resources HERE Instagram: @itspottytime Tiktok: @itspottytime_ Some episodes include affiliate links at no cost to you.

  5. Sep 4

    161. Oh No… Am I Officially Old?

    At what point do you officially realize you’re getting old? Is it when a 7:00 movie suddenly feels way too late? When you start saying, “They don’t make music like they used to”? Or when you’re out on a walk and hear a bird and immediately tell your husband to pull out his bird identification app? In this  episode I share all the signs that my husband and I may have officially entered our “old” era. From Jake's unexpected love of birds, history biographies, nonfiction, and researching vacuums our their collection of vitamins and  inability to commit to a movie that ends after 9:30, getting older is starting to look a lot different than we expected. Katie also shares the hilarious results of our Spotify ages.  But despite the bird apps, early bedtimes, vacuum research, vitamins, and throwback playlists, there’s something really great about this stage of life. Because even though we might be getting older, we can still feel young and maybe getting older just means becoming more comfortable enjoying exactly what we enjoy. In this episode, we talk about:  The moment Katie realized she and Jake might officially be old  How Jake unexpectedly became a bird person  Why a 7:00 movie now feels dangerously late  Saying “They don’t make music like they used to” and realizing the music from high school is almost 30 years old  Jake's surprising obsession with researching vacuums  The growing collection of vitamins in their house  Jake's Spotify age being in his 60s thanks to history, biographies, and nonfiction  Why Katie’s Spotify age was around 16 because her boys hijacked her account  Why getting older doesn’t necessarily mean feeling old  Finding the humor and joy in this stage of marriage and life Question for you: What was the moment you realized you were officially getting old? Was it getting excited about a new appliance? Going to bed early? Complaining about today’s music? Or having strong opinions about your thermostat? 📺 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOpw5ui4uxJHx0tLFVtpnfSkpObfc4d-K You can find Katie at: website: burntpancakes.com YouTube: @burnt.pancakes Instagram: @burntpancakeswithkatie Email: katie@burntpancakes.com 🚽 Did you know Katie is also a Certified Potty Trainer? 🚽 ☎️ Schedule a 1:1 chat today: Schedule Here 💻 Digital Potty Training Course HERE 📖  Potty Training E-Book HERE 🆓  FREE potty training resources HERE Instagram: @itspottytime Tiktok: @itspottytime_ Some episodes include affiliate links at no cost to you.

  6. Aug 28

    160: What Happens When Your Birth Doesn't Go According to Plan? with Toni Curtis

    In this episode I sit down with maternal and women’s health practitioner Toni Curtis for an honest conversation about birth, postpartum recovery, maternal advocacy, and letting go of the idea that there is one “right” way to give birth. Toni shares her own traumatic first birth experience, when her concerns and requests were ignored and she suffered a hemorrhage that nearly took her life. That experience led her to dedicate nearly 30 years to helping other women have more support, information, and agency throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. We discuss why so many women feel like they have “failed” when their birth doesn't go according to plan, what moms really need to know before entering the delivery room, and how to speak up when you feel like you're not being heard. They also get into the realities of postpartum recovery that many women aren't prepared for, navigating expectations around breastfeeding, and why your birth story—no matter how it unfolds—does not determine your worth as a mother. In This Episode, We Discuss:  Toni's traumatic first birth and how it shaped her life's work  Why no birth experience makes you a failure  The pressure and expectations surrounding birth plans  What every pregnant woman should know before going into labor  How to advocate for yourself when you feel unheard  What to do when you disagree with your medical team  Why postpartum recovery deserves more preparation and attention  The realities of breastfeeding and letting go of shame  How Toni's maternal health model is improving outcomes for moms  The most important message Toni wants every pregnant mom to hear Connect with Toni Curtis: https://birthwisedoulas.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/BirthWiseDoulas https://www.youtube.com/@birthwisedoulas https://www.instagram.com/birthwisedoulas_/ 📺 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOpw5ui4uxJHx0tLFVtpnfSkpObfc4d-K You can find Katie at: website: burntpancakes.com YouTube: @burnt.pancakes Instagram: @burntpancakeswithkatie Email: katie@burntpancakes.com 🚽 Did you know Katie is also a Certified Potty Trainer? 🚽 ☎️ Schedule a 1:1 chat today: Schedule Here 💻 Digital Potty Training Course HERE 📖  Potty Training E-Book HERE 🆓  FREE potty training resources HERE Instagram: @itspottytime Tiktok: @itspottytime_ Some episodes include affiliate links at no cost to you.

  7. Aug 21

    THROWBACK: Bittersweet Moments: A Mother's Feelings on the First Day of School

    This is a throwback from August 2024 Join me this week on Burnt Pancakes as I return from a rejuvenating summer hiatus to share the emotional rollercoaster as my youngest, my baby, starts school. Hear my candid thoughts on the developmental differences and the internal debates I faced about early academics, and why, despite my reservations, we ultimately decided this was the best move for our family. With all my kids now in school, I find myself entering an exhilarating new phase of motherhood. From the anxiety of that first drop-off to the unexpected freedom of having more time to focus on myself, I reflect on this transformative period. . Plus, I'll be sharing some heartwarming encouragement for moms with younger kids and inviting you to join me for virtual coffee dates to build a supportive community. Get ready for a sneak peek at some incredible interviews lined up for future episodes, and let's navigate this new chapter together! 📺 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOpw5ui4uxJHx0tLFVtpnfSkpObfc4d-K You can find Katie at: website: burntpancakes.com YouTube: @burnt.pancakes Instagram: @burntpancakeswithkatie Email: katie@burntpancakes.com 🚽 Did you know Katie is also a Certified Potty Trainer? 🚽 ☎️ Schedule a 1:1 chat today: Schedule Here 💻 Digital Potty Training Course HERE 📖  Potty Training E-Book HERE 🆓  FREE potty training resources HERE Instagram: @itspottytime Tiktok: @itspottytime_ Some episodes include affiliate links at no cost to you.

  8. Aug 14

    159. Summer Mom Survival: Can I Admit I'm Ready for School to Start?

    Summer is supposed to be magical, right? Lazy mornings. Family adventures. Beach days. Pool days. Popsicles. Making memories with our kids. So why do so many of us find ourselves counting down the days until school starts? In this episode of Burnt Pancakes: Momversations, I'm getting real about the less glamorous side of being a summer mom. I had visions of creating this amazing, carefree summer with my boys, but the reality has been a little different. I'm tired. I'm overstimulated. I'm spending a fortune on snacks. My house is constantly messy, and I feel like I'm saying the same things over and over again. "Close the door!" "Flush the toilet!" "No, you can't have a snack. We just had breakfast!" "Get off the video game!" "Go outside and play!" "Stop bothering your brother!" And then there's the complicated part of wanting my kids to have the freedom to just go outside and be kids, while also worrying about neighbors, accidents, arguments and whether they're bothering anyone. I'll share a story about my boys riding bikes in the neighborhood, a situation where a neighborhood kid got hurt while playing with my kids, and the guilt and anxiety that followed—even though it was an accident. I'm also talking about the pressure to keep kids academically engaged over the summer, my attempt at summer schoolwork that quickly became a battle, the never-ending snacks and grocery bills, screen-time struggles, preteen attitudes, sibling fighting, and the guilt I feel when I admit that sometimes... I just want school to start. Because maybe we can love our kids, cherish these years and appreciate summer while also admitting that we're exhausted. In this episode, we talk about:  The summer we imagine vs. the summer we actually experience  The endless snacks and grocery bills  The constant noise and overstimulation  The never-ending summer mess  Parenting preteens during summer break  The things moms say on repeat all summer  The constant battle over screens and video games  Wanting our kids to go outside and play—but worrying about neighbors and accidents  The guilt that comes when another child gets hurt while playing with our kids  Why giving older kids freedom can still come with a huge mental load  The pressure to make summer educational  Why I gave up on summer schoolwork  Feeling guilty for wishing school would start  Why loving summer and being exhausted by summer can both be true  Letting go of the pressure to create the "perfect" summer 📺 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOpw5ui4uxJHx0tLFVtpnfSkpObfc4d-K You can find Katie at: website: burntpancakes.com YouTube: @burnt.pancakes Instagram: @burntpancakeswithkatie Email: katie@burntpancakes.com 🚽 Did you know Katie is also a Certified Potty Trainer? 🚽 ☎️ Schedule a 1:1 chat today: Schedule Here 💻 Digital Potty Training Course HERE 📖  Potty Training E-Book HERE 🆓  FREE potty training resources HERE Instagram: @itspottytime Tiktok: @itspottytime_ Some episodes include affiliate links at no cost to you.

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About

The Burnt Pancakes Podcast is here to remind you that in motherhood, EVERYONE BURNS THEIR FIRST PANCAKE. I’m Katie Fenske, a (not so perfect) mom of 3, and I’m inviting you to join in on my conversations with other moms as we talk about all things motherhood; the good, the bad and everything in between. We're flipping our motherhood mistakes into successes and learning how to just keep flipping. MOTHERHOOD TOPICS I DISCUSS:Child Birth and Postpartum RecoveryAdjusting to MotherhoodRaising BoysToddler Mom TipsBeing a Teen MomSelf Care in MotherhoodManaging Kid Sports and a Busy Family ScheduleEpic Mom FailsPotty Training WoesSurviving Summer VacationAND SO MUCH MORE!To see more of Katie, you can find her... Instagram @burntpancakeswithkatieYouTube: @burnt-pancakesWebsite: burntpancakes.comemail: katie@burntpancakes.com

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