Hey Hannah: Lessons of Love, Loss, and Parenthood

Mya Rae

Hey, Hannah is a heartfelt podcast that provides a platform to share the invaluable lessons of love, parenting advice, grief, and encouragement with a broad community. Created by a loving mother who tragically lost her precious daughter, Hannah, this podcast addresses the profound grief of infant loss, honors her memory, and shares the invaluable lessons she longed to impart. Together, let's navigate the beautiful yet challenging path of parenthood, find solace in grief, and discover the transformative power of love, resilience, and shared experiences.

  1. Aug 5

    How to Help Your Child Make Friends: Building Healthy Friendships That Last: E133

    Helping Kids Build Meaningful Friendships. Parents often grapple with how to guide their children in forming healthy, lasting friendships. In this episode of the Hey Hannah podcast, we explore practical strategies rooted in kindness, wisdom, and biblical principles to help your child develop social skills and confidence, fostering better relationships in childhood and beyond. Key topics: Why friendship is a skill that can be taught, not just an innate traitThe importance of fostering quality over quantity in friendshipsPractical ways to teach social skills like sharing, taking turns, and communicationSupporting shy or introverted children with compassionRecognizing healthy versus unhealthy friendshipsHow to navigate social rejection and conflict without oversteppingBiblical insights on friendship—love at all times and sharpening one anotherSimple questions to encourage empathy and social awareness in your childTimestamps:00:00 - Introduction: Why helping children build friendships matters00:11 - Friendship as a teachable skill, not just natural instinct00:29 - The value of quality friendships over lots of acquaintances00:53 - How to teach kids social skills through practice and role-playing01:22 - Making social skills fun and applicable, like asking to play at recess02:18 - Supporting shy or hesitant children with positive language02:48 - Celebrate small wins in social interactions03:14 - Recognizing and nurturing healthy friendships03:38 - Helping children understand and manage feelings of exclusion or rejection04:34 - The importance of listening versus solving problems for disappointed children05:01 - Use of parental wisdom to guide children in friendship choices05:48 - Signs of healthy vs. unhealthy friendships06:18 - Navigating social challenges like exclusion without overreacting06:46 - The importance of positive language and avoiding negative talk about others in front of children07:15 - Helping children handle rejection without internalizing it07:44 - The difference between listening and problem-solving during social conflicts08:13 - Validating your child's feelings and building emotional resilience08:42 - Being a model of friendship by embodying kindness and love09:12 - Biblical perspectives on friendship: making friends and sharpening one another09:41 - Practical ways to encourage children to notice and reach out to others10:10 - The importance of allowing children to resolve conflicts on their own10:38 - When to step back from over-involving in social disputes11:07 - Avoiding negativity and favoritism in friendships11:28 - Asking questions instead of coaching during social challenges11:56 - Biblical values of friendship and how they shape character12:24 - Encouraging children to practice empathy and confidence-building skills12:41 - Reflecting on friendship's biblical foundation: love and mutual growth13:09 - Teaching children to be the kind of friends they'd like to have13:39 - Asking children meaningful questions about friendship and kindness14:05 - Shift from asking about making friends to being a good friend14:34 - Final encouragement: cultivating character and compassion over popularity15:03 - Closing: Trusting God's guidance as you support your child's social journey. This episode offers both biblical insights and practical advice to equip parents with tools for nurturing empathy, resilience, and genuine friendships in their children.

  2. Jul 15

    Are Disney's Water Parks Worth It? Our Honest Family Review & Tips| E:131

    Are Disney's Water Parks Worth It? Our Honest Family Review & Tips In this episode, Dr. Mya shares her honest review of Disney's water parks, highlighting why they are a must-visit part of your Disney vacation—especially during the summer. She discusses tips, personal favorites, and whether visiting water parks enhances the Disney experience. Main Topics: Benefits of visiting Disney water parks and seasonal promotionsHighlights of both water parks' features (slides, lazy river, wave pools)Practical tips: packing, food options, character interactionsUnique merchandise and amenitiesWhy water parks might be the underrated gems of Disney vacationsThe value of free water park tickets with Disney resort stays during summer promotionsHow combining both Disney water parks in one day can be a fun, full experienceThe relaxing aspects of water parks that contrast with traditional theme park daysLittle conveniences like provided knee towels and Disney-themed swimwearThe quality and variety of food options and Disney character appearances in swimwearThe decreased availability of PhotoPass photographers at water parksTips for families, including locker use and exclusive merchandisePersonal reflection on how water parks create memorable, slow-paced momentsDisney Water Parks OfficialDisney Seasonal PromotionsDisney Gift Shop MerchandiseDisney Dining Plan DetailsInstagramTwitterIn this episode: Timestamps:00:00 - Why Disney water parks are an underrated family experience00:36 - Disney's seasonal promotions offering free water park admission01:03 - Benefits of visiting both Disney water parks in one day01:55 - Water parks' variety of attractions for all ages02:24 - The joy of the wave pool and simple fun memories02:52 - Practical tips: towels provided, less packing needed03:21 - Surprising quality of water park food and snack ideas03:48 - Character interactions in swimwear and relaxed atmosphere04:14 - Limited PhotoPass photographers: tips for capturing memories05:07 - Water park amenities: lockers, pen trading, merchandise05:34 - The unique Disney swimwear options and family matching outfits06:04 - Why the water parks provide a restful break during busy vacations06:32 - Final thoughts: adding water parks to your Disney itinerary

  3. Jul 8

    Disney World Tips for Families: What I'd Do Again (and Differently) Next Time| E:130

    Planning a Disney trip can be overwhelming, but in this episode, I share practical insights, hacks, and personal stories to help you make the most of your visit. From staying on property to creating unforgettable memories, this guide will inspire your next magical adventure. Key Topics: Why staying on Disney property enhances the experienceThe importance of using a Disney travel planner for stress-free planningSplurging on unique experiences and character diningPractical tips like refillable popcorn buckets and building resort timeLessons learned: skipping the dining plan, how to be flexible with weather, and capturing more videosDisney hacks: character dining advantages, specific snack tips, and avoiding autographs from Darth VaderThe Disney MVP awards for resorts, rides, character meals, snacks, and surprisesReflecting on Disney’s focus: making family memories beyond ridesJennifer with a Pair of Years Travel – Disney travel plannerGuardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind – Ride infoMickey and Minnie's Runaway RailwayGarden Grill RestaurantDarth Vader Autograph Note – Learn about autographs in the parksInstagramTwitterTimestamps:00:00 - Welcome and overview of Disney recap series00:26 - Experiences shared in parts one and two, and episode preview00:55 - The most helpful tips for future trips01:24 - Staying on Disney property: why it adds magic01:52 - Benefits of boardwalk in resort and moments you can't plan02:44 - Using a Disney travel planner to ease planning stress03:38 - The value of splurging on a memorable experience05:29 - Upgrading to character dining and special events07:08 - Practical tips: refillable popcorn, resort activities, and scheduling09:35 - What we do differently next time: skip dining plan, shorter park days, more flexibility with weather11:57 - Capturing more videos and handling weather changes13:23 - Disney hacks for character dining, autographs, and snacks15:39 - Tips for enjoying Epcot and shopping considerations16:07 - Disney family MVP awards: resorts, rides, character meals, snacks, and surprises19:33 - The true magic of Disney: making lasting family memories20:21 - Final thoughts and encouragement to embrace the messiness of parenting and family adventuresResources & Links:Connect with Dr. Mya:Note: Remember, the magic is in the memories and moments shared with loved ones. Happy planning and making memories!

  4. Jul 1

    Disney World with Kids: Our Honest Review of Rides, Character Dining & Park Favorites| E:129

    Show Notes – Hey Hannah PodcastEpisode Title: Disney World with Kids: Our Honest Review of Rides, Character Dining & Park Favorites (Part 2) In Part 2 of our Disney vacation recap, I’m sharing our favorite park experiences from our recent Disney World trip with the boys! From thrill rides and character dining to fireworks and practical family tips, this episode is packed with honest thoughts to help parents planning their own Disney vacation. We visited Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, and EPCOT, and I’m breaking down what we loved, what surprised us, and what we’d recommend for families traveling with kids. ✨ Our favorite rides at Hollywood Studios✨ Why Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster was a surprise family favorite✨ Honest review of Tower of Terror with kids✨ Why Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is a must-do✨ Ronto Wrap review — worth trying?✨ Hollywood & Vine character dining experience✨ Character meet-and-greets (including Darth Vader!)✨ Why I don’t consider Hollywood Studios a full-day park ✨ Magic Kingdom highlights✨ TRON Lightcycle / Run review✨ Was the Magic Kingdom Dessert Party worth it?✨ Tips for fireworks viewing with kids ✨ EPCOT favorites✨ Why staying at BoardWalk makes EPCOT even better✨ The famous Disney “Birkin” bag review✨ Maple popcorn (yes, it deserves its own mention!)✨ Garden Grill character dining review✨ Why Garden Grill became one of our favorite meals 🍴 Ronto Wrap🍴 Hollywood & Vine🍴 Garden Grill🍿 Maple Popcorn at EPCOT🍿 Blue Popcorn at Hollywood Studios Plan ahead—but don’t overplan Prioritize your family’s must-do experiences Character dining can be worth the splurge Special add-ons can reduce stress with kids Leave room for spontaneous magic Sometimes the best Disney memories aren’t the big-ticket rides—they’re the unexpected moments: late-night swimming, character interactions, and watching your kids experience pure joy. Disney’s BoardWalk Inn Hollywood Studios Magic Kingdom EPCOT Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Tower of Terror Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway TRON Lightcycle / Run Hollywood & Vine Garden Grill Magic Kingdom Dessert Party 🎧 Next Episode: Disney Tips, Hacks & What I’d Do Differently Next Time Thanks for being part of Hannah’s Hive. If this episode encouraged you or helped with your Disney planning, please subscribe, leave a review, and share with another parent who loves making magical memories with their family. In This Episode, We Cover:Our Favorite Disney Dining from This Episode:Biggest Takeaways for Disney Families:Mentioned in This Episode:

5
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

Hey, Hannah is a heartfelt podcast that provides a platform to share the invaluable lessons of love, parenting advice, grief, and encouragement with a broad community. Created by a loving mother who tragically lost her precious daughter, Hannah, this podcast addresses the profound grief of infant loss, honors her memory, and shares the invaluable lessons she longed to impart. Together, let's navigate the beautiful yet challenging path of parenthood, find solace in grief, and discover the transformative power of love, resilience, and shared experiences.