M.O.M. Files - Moments of Motherhood | Podcast for moms

Aleea + Hav | motherhood podcast

Feeling overstimulated, touched out, or burnt out as a mom? You’re not alone—and you’re in the right place. M.O.M. Files – Moments of Motherhood is a cozy, community for moms craving connection, not perfection. A space where the hard stuff exists without shame. Think honest reflections, not rigid advice—from moms in the thick of it. If hustle culture, Pinterest parenting, or toxic positivity leave you unseen, this is for you. Join us Wednesdays for wisdom, validation, and the reminder you’re never alone in this. Welcome to your village.

  1. Jun 18

    Baby Q&A - From Newborn to Toddler Tips

    Have questions about labor, postpartum, newborn life, or motherhood in general? In our season 3 finale, we’re sitting down and answering all your listener questions! We chat about: Tips for managing newborn care The emotional side of postpartum and what it felt like trying to feel like ourselves again after birth Favorite shows, books, and activities for young children Essential baby gear that actually helped us Ways to meet and connect with other moms during motherhood Listen in for our personal experiences, honest opinions, and the reminder that every family is different, take what works for yours and leave the rest. RESOURCES Episodes mentioned: Make first 6 weeks postpartum easier: https://bit.ly/MOMFilesEp29 Postpartum reality meets play: https://bit.ly/MOMFilesEp30 A study on a million words when reading to your child Mom resources Karrie Locher on IG Our affiliate link for her cool mom merch Hey Sleepy Baby CONNECT WITH US Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @goldengoosecreativeNeed podcast support? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our services!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Want to be a guest or have a topic in mind? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send us a message!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CHAPTERS 00:00 Season finale + postpartum Q&A 01:33 Labor fears + birth prep 05:09 Real postpartum recovery 08:57 Newborn care overwhelm 14:46 Feeling like yourself after baby 17:18 Favorite toddler TV shows 22:30 Baby products we loved 25:55 Developmental toys we recommend 33:20 Books for toddlers we love 37:23 Connecting with other moms

  2. Jun 11

    Newborn Anxiety Is So Real

    “I’m scared to have a baby.” If you’ve ever thought that quietly to yourself, you are far from alone. We’re chatting all about the very real fears and anxieties that can come with preparing for a newborn and stepping into parenthood. We chat about: Our personal experiences with newborn fears, postpartum emotions, and the overwhelming transition into parenthood Worries around breastfeeding, soothing a crying baby, sleep deprivation, and feeling like you don’t know what you’re doing Why acknowledging these fears matters instead of pushing them away Practical ways to manage stress and feel more grounded during the newborn stage Listen in for a reminder to give yourself grace as you navigate one of the biggest transitions of your life. CONNECT WITH US Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @goldengoosecreativeNeed podcast support? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our services!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Want to be a guest or have a topic in mind? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send us a message!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CHAPTERS 00:00 The common fears before having a baby 02:58 What newborn anxiety actually felt like for us 05:49 Common first-time mom fears 09:05 Breastfeeding fears, stress & pressure 11:59 How we managed newborn overwhelm 14:47 Giving yourself grace

  3. Jun 4

    Preparing for Baby #2 | Helping Your Toddler Through the Transition

    Are you preparing your toddler for a new baby and wondering how everyone is going to adjust? We’re discussing the emotional transition of growing your family and preparing siblings for a new baby. We chat about: Hav’s personal experience preparing for baby #2 The emotions, guilt, excitement, and fears that can come with the transition from one child to two Simple, realistic ways to help older siblings feel included and supported Why patience, flexibility, and connection matter more than “perfect” preparation Listen in if you’re pregnant, preparing for another baby, or navigating the shift of growing your family and helping everyone adjust to this new season together. CONNECT WITH US Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @goldengoosecreativeNeed podcast support? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our services!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Want to be a guest or have a topic in mind? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send us a message!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CHAPTERS 00:00 Bringing home a new baby with a toddler 02:58 Preparing your older child for a sibling 06:07 Managing big emotions after baby arrives 10:04 Creating a calm home during the transition 13:54 Simple ways to ease sibling adjustment 19:56 Honest reflections on growing your family

  4. May 28

    Slowing Down and Reflecting Before Baby Arrives

    Are you in that quiet in-between — waiting for baby to arrive while trying to soak in these final moments exactly as they are? In today’s episode, we’re exploring the emotional and mental landscape of the last weeks of pregnancy. We talk about: The push and pull of preparing for a new baby while cherishing the final moments with your current child (or your current season of life) Balancing family time, rest, self-care, and the emotional weight of knowing everything is about to change The mental and emotional side of preparing for motherhood (or motherhood again) Finding softness and presence in a season full of mixed emotions Listen in if you’re in the waiting season and need a reminder to slow down, process, and care for yourself, too. RESOURCES: Dr. Kim’s episode: ⁠https://bit.ly/MOMFilesEp30⁠ CONNECT WITH US Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @goldengoosecreativeNeed podcast support? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our services!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Want to be a guest or have a topic in mind? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send us a message!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CHAPTERS 00:00 Waiting for baby while soaking in the last moments 08:13 Preparing mentally for life with two kids 12:58 The emotional shift into motherhood again 16:47 Finding balance in the overwhelm of motherhood

  5. May 21

    Why Postpartum Can Feel So Isolating (Even When You’re Not Alone)

    Feeling isolated after having a baby? In this episode, we talk honestly about the lonely side of postpartum — the identity shifts, mom guilt, emotional overwhelm, and feeling disconnected even when you’re constantly needed. We discuss… Why postpartum can feel so isolating Staying connected to friends, your partner, and yourself as best you can Finding joy in small moments during survival mode Simple coping strategies for overwhelmed moms Getting outside, self-care, and celebrating small wins If early motherhood has felt heavier or lonelier than you expected, this conversation is for you. RESOURCES: COLORS: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2Qw1dzXDBAZPwS7zm37g8g Dr. Kim’s episode: https://bit.ly/MOMFilesEp30 Her book, Parenting through Play: https://theparentologist.com/book/ Making the first 6 weeks easier episode: https://bit.ly/MOMFilesEp29 CONNECT WITH US Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @goldengoosecreativeNeed podcast support? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our services!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Want to be a guest or have a topic in mind? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send us a message!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CHAPTERS 00:00 Why postpartum feels so lonely 02:56 Losing yourself in motherhood 05:58 Staying connected when you feel isolated 09:10 Coping with postpartum overwhelm 12:01 Finding joy during survival mode 15:02 Self-care that actually feels doable 18:04 Why getting outside helps postpartum 20:48 Celebrating tiny wins as a new mom

  6. May 14

    Postpartum Reality Meets Play with Dr. Kim Van Dusen

    Feeling exhausted postpartum but still want to connect with your older kids without burning yourself out even more? In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Kim Van Dusen to talk about realistic ways to connect through play during postpartum and overwhelming seasons of motherhood — without adding more pressure. We chat about… Easy low-energy play ideas for tired moms Couch play and simple connection moments Working through mom guilt and unrealistic expectations How playful parenting can reduce tantrums and power struggles Tiny ways to stay intentional when you’re touched out Play doesn’t have to mean hours of entertaining your kids. Listen in for practical, doable ideas for real life! Grab your copy of Parenting through Play here: https://theparentologist.com/book/ RESOURCES: Her website: https://theparentologist.com/The Parentologist Podcast: https://pod.link/1568620347IG: https://www.instagram.com/theparentologist/Parenting through Play Book: https://theparentologist.com/book/ CONNECT WITH US Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @goldengoosecreativeNeed podcast support? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our services!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Want to be a guest or have a topic in mind? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send us a message!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CHAPTERS 00:00 Introducing Dr. Kim and why play matters more than you think 01:04 The parenting play myth hurting moms 04:00 Easy couch play ideas for exhausted parents 07:31 Creative parenting when nothing is working 09:21 Mom guilt, burnout, and self-care pressure 15:51 Emotional regulation tips that actually help 18:28 Micro self-care habits for overwhelmed moms 25:10 Playful parenting vs constant power struggles 30:33 Inside Dr. Kim’s Book Parenting through Play

  7. May 7

    Make the First 6 Weeks Postpartum Easier (Without Doing More)

    Are you preparing for postpartum or just preparing for the baby? In this episode, Aleea and Hav talk about the small things that quietly make postpartum harder—or easier. The real-life systems that matter once the visitors leave, and survival mode kicks in. From nighttime setups and “drop zones” to freezer meals, mental load, and lowering expectations, they share the things they didn’t realize would matter so much during the 4th trimester, until they were in it. Because postpartum isn’t usually made harder by one big thing. It’s the tiny frictions you don’t notice until you’re exhausted. Listen in for the realistic side of preparing for life after birth. RESOURCES: Link to (not affiliates)… Burp cloths Egg nightlight Flip over nightlight CONNECT WITH US Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @goldengoosecreativeNeed podcast support? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our services!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Want to be a guest or have a topic in mind? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send us a message!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CHAPTERS 00:00 The postpartum mindset shift no one talks about 03:21 How to set up your home for postpartum + newborn life 08:50 Drop zones that make postpartum less chaotic 12:57 Simplifying middle-of-the-night baby routines 15:54 Postpartum meal prep and easy snack ideas 20:34 Laundry and household task systems for surviving the newborn stage

  8. Apr 30

    Realistic Postpartum Prep

    How are you supposed to heal, function, and care for a newborn at the same time? This week, Aleea and Hav get honest about the part no one really prepares you for: postpartum. From the physical recovery and mental load to the guilt, anxiety, and pressure that hit in those early weeks, they share what caught them off guard—and what actually helped. They also talk through the practical things they wish they had done ahead of time, the support systems that made the biggest difference, and how to make postpartum feel just a little less overwhelming. Listen in for practical ways to prepare for postpartum recovery. RESOURCES: Karrie Locher on IG Our affiliate link for her cool mom merch (she has a drop coming soon!) Last episode link Unsolicited advice episode link Setting boundaries episode link Want all to watch all the pregnancy episodes? Watch season 2 here on YouTube! CONNECT WITH US Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @goldengoosecreativeNeed podcast support? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our services!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Want to be a guest or have a topic in mind? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send us a message!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CHAPTERS 00:00 Preparing for postpartum, what no one warns you about 02:38 The real postpartum recovery nobody talks about 06:07 Physical healing and emotional recovery after birth 10:44 Postpartum supplies that actually make a difference 14:12 How new parents cope in the early weeks 16:16 The mental side of postpartum no one prepares for 22:28 Postpartum guilt anxiety and the pressure of motherhood 28:01 Why support systems matter so much after baby 35:16 How to realistically prepare for postpartum life

About

Feeling overstimulated, touched out, or burnt out as a mom? You’re not alone—and you’re in the right place. M.O.M. Files – Moments of Motherhood is a cozy, community for moms craving connection, not perfection. A space where the hard stuff exists without shame. Think honest reflections, not rigid advice—from moms in the thick of it. If hustle culture, Pinterest parenting, or toxic positivity leave you unseen, this is for you. Join us Wednesdays for wisdom, validation, and the reminder you’re never alone in this. Welcome to your village.