In mOther Words | Motherhood Conversations with Steph Ting

inmotherswords

Opening up space for mama stories: the real, raw, and messy. In mOther Words, a play on “in other words,” is a motherhood podcast exploring what being a mum really feels like. Through conversations and reflections, we talk about the truths mothers do not always say: pregnancy loss, birth, postpartum recovery, identity shifts, second pregnancies, returning to work, the mental load, grief, guilt, love, resilience, and becoming. Subscribe for stories that help mothers feel a little more seen. For mothers who need somewhere to land.

  1. Jun 20

    The Dad I Never Had: Becoming A Father After Absence with Eldred Wee

    He grew up wondering why his dad left. Now, as a father himself, Eldred is trying to become the dad he never had. In this Father’s Day special of In mOther Words, Steph sits down with Eldred for a deeply honest conversation about fatherhood, father absence, provider pressure, emotional shutdown, and the family patterns we quietly carry into parenting. Eldred shares what it was like growing up after his father left, watching his mother carry four children, and becoming the eldest son who had to grow up too quickly. Now a father to Eden, he reflects on what it means to show up differently. Not just by providing. Not just by building a future. But by being present, emotionally honest, and willing to heal the parts of himself he does not want to pass down. This episode is not about blaming fathers. It is about asking what fathers carry, what mothers absorb, what children internalize, and how one generation can choose to stop handing the wound down. “No amount of money can buy my time with you.” In this conversation, we explore: Growing up without a father figure What father absence can do to a child The emotional weight mothers carry after separation Provider pressure and the guilt of not doing enough The fear of repeating your parents’ mistakes Why some fathers shut down emotionally The question: “Am I worthy of rest?” Intergenerational trauma and healing before parenting What it means to be emotionally present as a dad Becoming the parent you once needed A father’s message to his son This episode is for you if: You grew up with an emotionally absent parent You are a mother carrying more than people see You are a father trying to show up differently You are a parent trying to break generational patterns You have ever wondered what your childhood is teaching your parenting You are learning that presence is not the same as provision Join the conversation What is one thing you wish your father, your partner, or the father of your child knew how to say? We’d love to hear your reflections. Instagram: @inmotherwordsofficial @dredwee Watch on YouTube! https://youtu.be/DQXqV4JAJLI Subscribe to In mOther Words for real, raw and messy conversations on motherhood, parenting, identity, emotional resilience, and the stories we rarely say out loud.

  2. Jun 7

    Mothering with ADHD: Dawn Foo on Diagnosis, Shame, Creativity & Self-Forgiveness

    When we talk about ADHD, the conversation often centers on children. But what about the mothers parenting with ADHD? Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HE5KRX7BMJU In this episode of In Mother Words, Steph sits down with Dawn Foo, corporate trainer, emotional intelligence coach, author of Hope with ADHD, and a mother diagnosed with ADHD, for an honest and deeply personal conversation about motherhood, neurodivergence, and learning to understand your own mind. Dawn shares how her diagnosis journey began during Covid, when work, caregiving, motherhood, home logistics, and emotional overload pushed her executive functioning into “five shifts.” She recalls the moment she froze in the middle of a room, holding several things in her hands, knowing there were a million things to do but unable to move. Together, Steph and Dawn talk about the parts of ADHD that many mothers carry quietly: overstimulation, time blindness, emotional dysregulation, rejection sensitive dysphoria, guilt, shame, and the fear of being judged. They also explore the other side of ADHD: creativity, playfulness, spontaneity, fierce love, and the support systems that help mothers stop carrying everything alone. This episode is for mothers with ADHD, mothers wondering if they might have ADHD, and anyone who wants to better understand the tender, chaotic, and brilliant reality of parenting with an ADHD mind. In this episode, we talk about: Dawn’s ADHD diagnosis journey during Covid Executive-function overload and emotional dysregulation The stigma of telling people you have ADHD Why “everyone is a bit ADHD” can be harmful Rejection sensitive dysphoria, also known as RSD Time blindness, forgetfulness, guilt, and self-forgiveness ADHD strengths, creativity, spontaneity, and play Practical support systems for mothers with ADHD Connect with Dawn Foo via Instagram @dawnfoo If this episode spoke to you Please follow In Mother Words, share this episode with a mother who may need it, and leave a review. Every share helps another mother feel a little less alone and a little more understood. Mothering with ADHD is not a flaw. It is a landscape of challenge, tenderness, creativity, and courage. Together, we learn how to walk it with compassion.

  3. May 12

    Kindness Is Not Weakness | Raising Emotionally Resilient Kids

    In this episode of In Mother Words, Steph sits down with Faustina, founder of HiBuyMama and Raising Resilient Rascals, for a grounded and honest conversation about raising emotionally resilient children without losing kindness along the way. Together, they unpack the quiet pressures modern parents carry: how to teach emotional resilience, how to repair after parenting mistakes, and how to raise kind children in a world that often rewards competition over compassion. This conversation explores emotional regulation, repair, parenting while healing our own inner child, helping children cope with losing, and why kindness should never be mistaken for weakness. Because maybe resilience isn’t about becoming harder. Maybe it’s about staying kind through life’s challenges. ⏱ Episode Highlights 00:00 – Wanting to become better parents 00:41 – Raising kind kids in an unkind world 03:24 – How play nurtures empathy and kindness 05:26 – Repairing after parenting mistakes 08:13 – Healing our inner child through parenting 11:00 – Helping children cope with competition and losing 13:38 – “It’s okay to lose” and emotional resilience 16:06 – The future we hope to create for our children 20:12 – Emotional regulation tools for kids and parents 21:16 – Learning to be kinder to ourselves as mothers 💛 Connect with Faustina Instagram @hibuymama @fennecfolk @faustinatheelf Websites www.hibuymama.com www.fennecfolk.com 📸 Follow us on Instagram @inmotherwordsofficial ▶️ Watch on YouTube https://youtu.be/4WiXwwTsUF4 🔔 Follow In Mother Words for heartfelt motherhood conversations. Thank you!

  4. 12/05/2025

    Drowning in Parenting Advice: Montessori, Sibling Struggles & Trusting Yourself

    Are modern moms feeling empowered by parenting philosophies — or overwhelmed by them? In this episode, Steph speaks with Ola, a Montessori playgroup guide, kids physiotherapist, and mom of two, about finding clarity in a world full of advice. Ola shares her journey from traditional teaching to Montessori education, the challenges she faced when welcoming a second child, and the moments that made her question everything she thought she knew about parenting. Through her story, we explore what happens when theory meets real life — and why trusting your own instincts matters more than any method. In this episode: • How Montessori supports children from 0–3 • Gentle parenting vs. authoritative approaches • The trap of information overload • Sibling rivalry and emotional adjustment • Why quick fixes don’t work with kids • A simple practice to reconnect with your child • Learning to trust yourself again as a parent This conversation is a comforting reminder that you know your child best, and that parenting becomes clearer when you tune in to your own voice instead of the noise. Connect with Ola: Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/practicalmontessori/ Montessori Playgroup — https://practical-montessori.com/course/playgroup Facebook Page — https://www.facebook.com/share/17Uc7r21ha/ Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/FOJBpT8wSVg 🔔 Follow In Mother Words for heartfelt motherhood conversations IG @inmotherwordsofficial

  5. 11/14/2025

    Redefining Success Beyond Grades | In Mother Words Podcast

    In Singapore, success is often tied to academic performance — but what happens when that pressure affects our children’s emotional well-being… and our own? In this episode of In Mother Words, I sit down with Marilyn, an educator with more than 10 years of teaching experience, a mum to a strong-willed six-year-old, and the co-founder of ARTÉ Pickleball. Marilyn has spent years observing how children learn, how they cope, and how parents often shoulder silent emotional burdens. Together, we talk about: • How Singaporean children start linking their self-worth to grades • Why mums feel the weight of academic pressure the most • The importance of validating our children’s emotions • Why resilience matters more than perfection • What emotionally safe parenting looks like day to day • Why letting our kids “fail” is essential for growth • How sports (like pickleball!) can build grit and confidence This episode is a gentle reminder that you don’t have to be a perfect mum. You just have to be a good enough one. And “good enough” goes further than you think. If you’re a mum who’s ever felt overwhelmed, not good enough, or worried about whether you’re doing right by your child — this conversation is for you. ❤️ Connect with Marilyn & ARTÉ Pickleball Shop ARTÉ Pickleball paddles: 🔗 https://artepickleball.com Follow ARTÉ Pickleball: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artepickleball TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@artepickleball Connect with Marilyn: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/snugglyfam Watch this Episode on YouTube!  https://youtu.be/i2gi6CI4cNg

About

Opening up space for mama stories: the real, raw, and messy. In mOther Words, a play on “in other words,” is a motherhood podcast exploring what being a mum really feels like. Through conversations and reflections, we talk about the truths mothers do not always say: pregnancy loss, birth, postpartum recovery, identity shifts, second pregnancies, returning to work, the mental load, grief, guilt, love, resilience, and becoming. Subscribe for stories that help mothers feel a little more seen. For mothers who need somewhere to land.