Struggle & Strength: Moms Balancing It All with Nikki

Nicole Wallace
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Parenting
  • Weekly

Welcome to “Struggle & Strength: Moms Balancing It All,” the podcast for powerhouse moms who are managing family, career, and dreams, all while navigating the chaos of daily life. Hosted by Nikki, a full-time professional, mom of three, and entrepreneur, this show brings you candid conversations about real-life struggles, actionable parenting tips, and insights on nurturing ambition amidst the challenges of motherhood. From balancing work deadlines and side hustles to fostering independence in our kids, we cover it all. Tune in for weekly episodes that remind you you’re not alone in this journey—and help you build resilience, empowerment, and strength. If you’re a mom with big goals and a busy life, join us as we embrace the struggle, find the strength, and juggle it all together.

  1. 2d ago ·  Video

    Episode 97: Why Do Moms Feel Like Bad Parents When We Let Go? | Mom Guilt, Letting Go & Having Fun Too

    Have you ever let your kids go off on their own for the first time and immediately felt like you were doing something wrong? They are up the street with their friends. You are finally talking to another grown-up. You are laughing. You are actually finishing your sentences. And then a little voice says... "What kind of mom lets her kids go while she stands here having fun?" But are you really a bad mom? Or are you just a mom in a new season who is allowed to have fun too? On Halloween night, we ran into some friends while trick-or-treating and let our kids go up and down the street on their own for the first time. It felt like we were not doing our jobs. And it got me thinking about why moms feel so guilty the moment we enjoy something for ourselves. In Episode 97 of Struggle & Strength: Moms Balancing It All with Nikki, we are talking about mom guilt, letting go, giving our kids independence, mom friendships, and why moms deserve to have fun too. This is NOT about ignoring safety. Every family, every kid, and every situation is different. It is about recognizing the difference between uncomfortable and unsafe, and between being present and being on duty every second. You had fun while your kids had fun. Does that mean you are a bad mom? You caught up with a friend while your kids were a few houses away. Does that mean you stopped caring? Another mom is still walking her kids to every door. Does that mean you are doing it wrong? Maybe not. In this episode, I share three simple questions for the moment the "bad mom" feeling shows up: Is everyone safe? Is this wrong, or just new? What do I get to enjoy right now? Because loving them and letting them go are not opposites. And you are allowed to have fun too. If you have ever felt guilty for enjoying yourself, struggled to let your kids do things on their own, or worried that other parents were judging you, this episode is for you.   The Promise of Struggle & Strength:   Helping high-achieving moms reconnect with themselves so they can build a life that aligns with their values instead of just surviving their responsibilities.   Connect with Nikki: Instagram: @nikkiwallace247 Facebook: @ConnectWithNikkiW

  2. Oct 26 ·  Video

    Episode 96: Why Do Moms Blame Ourselves When Our Kids Struggle? | Mom Guilt, Fear of Failure & Kids Who Feel Different

    Have you ever tucked your child into bed and walked out of the room wondering if you have gotten this whole parenting thing wrong? Your child is lonely. Your child cries the second someone corrects them. Your kids say they do not have friends. They ask to be homeschooled. And suddenly one question will not leave you alone: Did I raise them wrong? This week I had two moments with my kids that stopped me in my tracks: my son, who feels like a failure every time he is corrected, and my daughter, who told me at bedtime that she feels lonely at school. And I realized I was doing the exact same thing I was teaching my son not to do. In Episode 96 of Struggle & Strength: Moms Balancing It All with Nikki, we are talking about mom guilt, fear of failure, kids who feel different, perfectionism in kids, and the way moms turn our children's struggles into our own report card. This is NOT about pretending our kids are fine when they are not. Sometimes our kids really are struggling, and sometimes they need more support. It is about recognizing the difference between paying attention and blaming yourself. Your child had a lonely day. Does that mean you failed them? Your child cried when they were corrected. Does that mean you made them too sensitive? Your kids do not fit in right now. Does that mean you chose the wrong life? Maybe not. In this episode, I share one simple question you can use when something hard happens with your kids: Is this a moment... or a verdict? And then: What is one small next step? Because your child's hard moment is not your verdict. And you deserve the same grace you give them. If you have ever blamed yourself for your child's struggles, worried that your kids do not fit in, watched your child crumble after a mistake, or wondered if you raised them wrong, this episode is for you. The Promise of Struggle & Strength: Helping high-achieving moms reconnect with themselves so they can build a life that aligns with their values instead of just surviving their responsibilities. Connect with Nikki: Instagram: @nikkiwallace247 Facebook: @ConnectWithNikkiW

  3. Oct 18 ·  Video

    Episode 95: Not Rich Enough. Not Pretty Enough. Not Skinny Enough. Says Who? | Mom Comparison, Feeling Inadequate & Imposter Syndrome

    Have you ever picked up your phone late at night and, two minutes later, decided you are behind in your entire life? One mom ran a half marathon. Another made homemade costumes for every kid. Somebody launched a business. Somebody's kitchen is spotless. And suddenly you feel not rich enough, not stylish enough, not pretty enough, not skinny enough... Just not enough. But says who? But are they actually ahead of you? Or are they just running a different race? A little while ago I saw a post from another pharmacist mom that left me feeling not enough and like an imposter. Then this week I walked into a pharmacy summit I was dreading, and I realized I had never been in competition with her at all. In Episode 95 of Struggle & Strength: Moms Balancing It All with Nikki, we are talking about comparison, imposter feelings, social media, mom confidence, feeling like an outsider, and the stories we tell ourselves when someone else's life looks better than ours. This is NOT about "just stop comparing" or pretending you never feel not enough. Comparison is human, and sometimes the feeling comes from somewhere real. It is about recognizing the difference between what you actually saw and the story you wrote about it. She posted a great picture. Does that mean your life is not good enough? She is further along in her business. Does that mean you are behind in yours? You feel like an outsider in the room. Does that mean you do not belong there? Maybe not. In this episode, I share the Race Check, three simple questions for the next time comparison hits: What am I actually looking at? What race is she running? What race am I running? Because she is not always ahead of you. Sometimes she is just somewhere else. If you have ever felt behind after scrolling social media, felt like an imposter in your own life, or compared your whole messy day to another mom's perfect picture, this episode is for you. The Promise of Struggle & Strength: Helping high-achieving moms reconnect with themselves so they can build a life that aligns with their values instead of just surviving their responsibilities. Connect with Nikki: Instagram: @nikkiwallace247 Facebook: @ConnectWithNikkiW

  4. Oct 11 ·  Video

    Episode 94: Lonely in a Room Full of People | Friendship, Fitting In & Finding Your People

    Have you ever stood in a room full of people and felt completely alone? Everyone is laughing. Everyone seems to know each other. And you are standing by the snack table, pretending to be very interested in the pretzels. Now imagine your child feeling that way. This weekend my daughter went to a birthday party and told me afterward that she felt so lonely. She did not share the same interests as the other girls, and at times she went into other rooms just to get away. In Episode 94 of Struggle & Strength: Moms Balancing It All with Nikki, we are talking about loneliness, friendship, fitting in, raising kids who find their people, and the difference between being alone and being lonely. This is NOT about forcing every kid (or every mom) to be the life of the party. Some people fit in anywhere. Some people need quiet. Some people need one good friend instead of twenty. It is about the difference between what happened and the story we tell ourselves about it. You did not fit in at one party. Does that mean something is wrong with you? Those girls liked different things. Does that mean nobody will ever like you? That room was not your room. Does that mean there is no room for you? Maybe not. In this episode, I share three simple questions for you and your kids after a lonely moment: Did I try? What did I learn about me? Where might my people be? Because you do not need the whole room. You just need one person who gets you. If you have ever felt lonely in a crowd, watched your child struggle to fit in, wondered why making friends feels so hard, or hidden in the kitchen at a party to avoid small talk, this episode is for you. The Promise of Struggle & Strength: Helping high-achieving moms reconnect with themselves so they can build a life that aligns with their values instead of just surviving their responsibilities. Connect with Nikki: Instagram: @nikkiwallace247 Facebook: @ConnectWithNikkiW

  5. Oct 4 ·  Video

    Episode 93: Are You Having a Bad Day... Or Did You Have a Bad 10 Minutes? | Mom Stress, Mindset & Choosing What Happens Next

    Have you ever had something go wrong first thing in the morning and decided five minutes later that the entire day was ruined? The kids cannot find their shoes. Someone spills breakfast. Nobody is listening. You are running late. You lose your patience. And suddenly... “Today is going to be a disaster.” But are you actually having a bad day? Or did you just have a bad ten minutes? After listening to Tony Robbins' Life Force, I started thinking about how much power we give the difficult moments in our lives, and how often we continue carrying them long after the actual moment is over. In Episode 93 of Struggle & Strength: Moms Balancing It All with Nikki, we are talking about mom stress, mindset, emotional regulation, perspective, and the stories we tell ourselves when life does not go according to plan. This is NOT about toxic positivity or pretending difficult things do not hurt. Sometimes life really is hard. It is about recognizing the difference between what actually happened and what we are making it mean. Your child forgot something. Does that mean nobody ever listens to you? You lost your patience. Does that mean you are a bad mom? Your morning was chaotic. Does that mean the entire day has to be terrible? Maybe not. In this episode, I share three simple questions you can use when you feel yourself spiraling: What actually happened? What am I making this mean? What happens next? Because you cannot always control what happens to you. But you still get a say in what happens next. If you have ever let one frustrating moment ruin your entire day, carried an argument around for hours, felt overwhelmed by motherhood, or struggled to let things go, this episode is for you. The Promise of Struggle & Strength: Helping high-achieving moms reconnect with themselves so they can build a life that aligns with their values instead of just surviving their responsibilities. 📲 Connect with Nikki: Instagram: @nikkiwallace247 Facebook: @ConnectWithNikkiW

  6. Sep 27 ·  Video

    Episode 92: Why Are We Trying So Hard to Impress Everyone? | Self Worth, Comparison & Finally Being Yourself

    How much of your life is spent worrying about what other people think? How you look. What you wear. How your kids behave. Whether your house is clean enough. Whether you are a good enough mom. Whether you are successful enough. Whether people like you. But what if they judge you anyway? This week, after hearing Ben Kjar share his powerful story at Funnel Hacking Live, I came home thinking differently about judgment, appearance, self worth, and the enormous amount of energy we spend trying to make ourselves acceptable to other people. Then something happened with my son at his soccer game that showed me just how powerful these lessons can become when we bring them home to our kids. In this episode of Struggle & Strength: Moms Balancing It All with Nikki, we are talking about comparison, people pleasing, motherhood, body image, self worth, outside validation, and the pressure women feel to look, parent, work, and live the “right” way. Because maybe the goal is not getting everyone else to accept us. Maybe the harder question is: Can we finally accept ourselves? If you have ever changed yourself to fit in, worried about what other moms think, compared your body or life to someone else's, or wondered whether you are really enough, this episode is for you. Because there will always be someone with an opinion. And if they are going to judge you anyway... you might as well give them the real you to judge. The Promise of Struggle & Strength: Helping high-achieving moms reconnect with themselves so they can build a life that aligns with their values instead of just surviving their responsibilities. 📲 Connect with Nikki: Instagram: @nikkiwallace247 Facebook: @ConnectWithNikkiW

  7. Sep 20 ·  Video

    Episode 91: The Things We Miss When We Need Everything to Feel Safe | Fear, Control & Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone

    Have you ever noticed how quickly your brain can take one uncomfortable moment and turn it into the worst possible scenario? A child does not answer their phone. Your boss says, “Can we talk?” You hear a noise in the middle of the night. You walk into an unfamiliar situation and suddenly your mind is ten steps ahead, imagining everything that could go wrong. This week, I caught myself doing exactly that. An unexpected motel style hotel room had me imagining break ins, crime and danger that I had no evidence were actually happening. Then an unfamiliar low cost airline and a little turbulence had my brain jumping straight to a plane crash. It made me realize how easily we can confuse unfamiliar with unsafe, and uncomfortable with wrong. In Episode 91 of Struggle & Strength: Moms Balancing It All with Nikki, we are talking about fear, control, worst case scenario thinking and what can happen when our need to feel safe keeps us from experiencing life outside our comfort zone. We will explore the difference between legitimate safety concerns and the stories fear creates, why moms can become so good at anticipating everything that could go wrong, and one simple question that can help interrupt the spiral: What do I actually know right now? Because fear can give us information, but it does not have to write the ending. If you have ever talked yourself out of something because there were too many unknowns, struggled to let go of control, or found yourself preparing for a worst case scenario that had not even happened, this episode is for you. The Promise of Struggle & Strength: Helping high-achieving moms reconnect with themselves so they can build a life that aligns with their values instead of just surviving their responsibilities. 📲 Connect with Nikki: Instagram: @nikkiwallace247 Facebook: @ConnectWithNikkiW

  8. Sep 13 ·  Video

    Episode 90: Are We Raising Resilient Kids... or Pushing Them Too Hard? | Tough Love, Grit & Knowing When to Stop

    We want to raise resilient kids. But can we push that lesson too far? At a soccer game this weekend, Nikki watched an 8 or 9-year-old boy who had already played three games in extreme heat tell an adult he wasn't okay. He raised his hand, came out of the game, and later said he felt sick to his stomach. What happened afterward left Nikki thinking about one question: When are we teaching our kids resilience, and when are we teaching them to ignore their own limits? The moment hit especially hard because just weeks earlier, Nikki had watched another young athlete collapse during a cross-country race in extreme heat after playing soccer earlier that morning. He fell, suffered a concussion, was taken to the hospital by ambulance, and required continued medical care. These experiences raised a much bigger parenting question. We tell our kids: "Don't quit." "Push through." "You can do hard things." And those are important lessons. But shouldn't we also teach them: "Listen to your body." "Speak up when something isn't right." "It's okay to ask for help." In this episode of Struggle & Strength: Moms Balancing It All with Nikki, Nikki explores the complicated line between raising resilient kids and pushing them too hard. You'll hear about: The difference between discomfort and knowing something isn't right Why stopping isn't always the same as quitting How our own expectations can influence how hard we push our kids Why kids need to learn both perseverance and self-awareness The importance of creating kids who trust themselves enough to speak up Why listening to your body can actually be part of resilience Because maybe raising strong kids isn't about teaching them to push through everything. Maybe it's teaching them what deserves pushing through, what requires stepping back, and giving them the confidence to know the difference. 🎧 Listen now and share this episode with another parent who has ever wondered where the line is between encouraging their child and pushing too hard. 📲 Connect with Nikki: Instagram: @nikkiwallace247 Facebook: @ConnectWithNikkiW

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About

Welcome to “Struggle & Strength: Moms Balancing It All,” the podcast for powerhouse moms who are managing family, career, and dreams, all while navigating the chaos of daily life. Hosted by Nikki, a full-time professional, mom of three, and entrepreneur, this show brings you candid conversations about real-life struggles, actionable parenting tips, and insights on nurturing ambition amidst the challenges of motherhood. From balancing work deadlines and side hustles to fostering independence in our kids, we cover it all. Tune in for weekly episodes that remind you you’re not alone in this journey—and help you build resilience, empowerment, and strength. If you’re a mom with big goals and a busy life, join us as we embrace the struggle, find the strength, and juggle it all together.

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