Don't Mom Alone Podcast

Don't Mom Alone Podcast
  • 4.9 (2.3K)
  • Parenting

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, connects you the listener with people and resources to help you feel less alone. Consider it an invitation to "withness".

  1. 1d ago

    Adult Child Estrangement: What to Do—and How to Hold On to Hope :: Dr. Jim Burns [Ep 587]

    What happens when our kids grow up and our role as their mom begins to change? This is something I think so many moms struggle with, but we don't always talk about it. When our kids are young, there is so much support and conversation around parenting. But once they become adults, the challenges can feel much more complicated and lonely. We can find ourselves comparing our kids' lives. Where did they go to college? Are they married? Do they have kids? What are they doing with their lives? And then there are the harder questions. What happens when our adult child makes choices we don't understand? What happens when they pull away from us? And what happens when there is little or no contact at all? In this episode, I talk with Dr. Jim Burns about one of the hardest topics many parents face: estrangement from an adult child. We talk about what estrangement can look like, why parents often ask themselves, "What did I do wrong?" and how we can move from heartache to hope. One of the biggest reminders in this conversation is that we cannot fix our adult children. But we can learn how to love them well, communicate differently, and keep the door open for reconciliation. In This Episode, We Talk About: Why moms often struggle silently when parenting adult children The comparison game that can happen when our kids become adults What adult child estrangement can look like Why parents often blame themselves when a child pulls away Why unsolicited advice can feel like criticism How to become the calmest person in the room Being a safe person without becoming a doormat Moving from being an advice giver to becoming a mentor How to respond when we feel defensive or hurt Connect with Dr. Jim Burns:  Website: HomeWord  Instagram: Dr. Jim Burns and Doug Fields (@homewordfamily) Facebook: HomeWord Family Links Mentioned:  When Your Adult Child Strays: By Jim Burns Ph.D Doing Life with Your Adult Children: By Jim Burns Ph.D Boundaries: By Henry Cloud and John Townsend Reconnecting with Your Estranged Adult Child: By Tina Gilbertson Jim Burns Podcast - HomeWord  Related Episodes: Strengthening the Relationship with Your Adult Child :: Kathy Cunningham [Ep 543] How to {really} Parent with Grace :: Jeannie Cunnion {Ep 55} “How do I connect better with my kids?” [Ep 475] Featured Sponsors:  Honeylove: Save 20% off Honeylove by going to honeylove.com/DMA #honeylovepodExperience the new standard in comfort and support with Honeylove. Wayfair: Join Wayfair Rewards today to get  5% back on every purchase and start saving on your next home upgrade. Head to Wayfair.com to shop all things home. Every Style. Every Home.

  2. Aug 17

    Who's Holding You? Your Soul is Worth Tending :: Dr. Alison Cook [Ep 586]

    In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Alison Cook to talk about attachment, emotional healing, and the ways our relationships shape how we understand ourselves, others, and God. We all have a deep need for connection, safety, and belonging, but we can sometimes place too much pressure on the people around us to meet those needs. Dr. Cook explains why human relationships are important while also reminding us that no person can be the ultimate source of everything our souls need. There is a deeper attachment available to us through God. We also talk about what happens when old wounds surface, particularly when we finally feel safe enough for those parts of us to emerge. Dr. Cook describes these experiences as “soul ruptures”, moments when core memories and beliefs about ourselves can become activated. Instead of responding with shame or criticism, we can learn to slow down, notice what we're feeling, and become curious about what that part of us needs. This conversation is especially meaningful for moms who spend so much of their time caring for everyone else. When we’re constantly focused on our children’s needs, it can be easy to lose touch with what’s happening inside of us. Dr. Cook encourages us to make space for our own souls, tend to the younger parts of ourselves that still need care, and allow God’s healing presence into those places. Our souls are worth tending to, too. In This Episode Why attachment is such a fundamental human need Why we can’t expect another person to meet all of our emotional needs What divine attachment means and how God becomes our ultimate source of connection Why parts of us can surface when we finally feel safe What a soul rupture is and how core memories can continue to affect us How shame and blame show up when we feel like we don’t belong Learning to recognize and care for the younger parts of ourselves What it means to “parent your soul” Recognizing our internal bids for connection Why healing requires space for difficult emotions How moms can make more room for their own emotional and spiritual needs Why we don’t change through shame or criticism  Connect with Dr. Alison Cook:  Website: Dr. Alison Cook Instagram: Dr. Alison Cook | Psychotherapist + Secure Attachment (@dralisoncook) Facebook: Dr. Alison Cook Links Mentioned:  The Secure Soul: By Dr. Alison Cook Boundaries for Your Soul: By Dr. Alison Cook You Are the One You've Been Waiting For: By Richard Schwartz PhD Dr. Alison Cook | The Best of You Podcast  The Best of You Every Day Podcast - 8 minute devotional   Related Episodes: Building Healthy Relationships by Exploring Adult Attachment Patterns (Part 1) :: Charissa Lopez [Ep 498] Building Healthy Relationships by Exploring Adult Attachment Patterns (Part 2) :: Charissa Lopez [Ep 499] Strengthening the Relationship with Your Adult Child :: Kathy Cunningham [Ep 543] Featured Sponsors:  Our place: Upgrade your kitchen with Our Place today. Visit fromourplace.com/DMA and use code DMA for 10% off sitewide. With a 100-day trial, you can try it completely risk-free. Oak Essentials: The Luminous Body Lotion has sold out multiple times — and once you try it, you’ll understand why. Head to Oakessentials.com and use code [DMA] for 15% off your first order at checkout. Lola Blankets: For a limited time, our listeners can get 40% OFF select Lola Blankets products with code [DMA] at checkout. Just head to LolaBlankets.com and use code [DMA] to get 40% OFF your order. Wrap yourself in luxury with Lola Blankets.

  3. Aug 10

    Seeing Your Child Differently :: Mentor Series Wk 6 [Ep. 585]

    As moms, it's so easy to compare our children to everyone else's. We wonder why one child seems to thrive in situations where another struggles. We ask ourselves if we're doing something wrong or if we'd somehow be a better parent if our child were different. But what if God intentionally gave you the child you have? In this episode, I'm talking about what it looks like to parent the child God created instead of the child we expected. Everyone has a unique personality, unique strengths, unique struggles, and a unique purpose. Our job isn't to force them into a mold, it’s to become students of who God made them to be. I share an episode with Sally Clarkson and her son Nathan about how our parenting often changes when we begin looking beyond behavior and start asking what our children truly need. Sometimes what looks like defiance is anxiety. Sometimes what looks like impulsiveness may be part of how God uniquely wired them. As parents, we have the opportunity to respond with curiosity, compassion, and wisdom instead of frustration. We'll also discuss the reality of raising children with ADHD, OCD, sensory challenges, autism, or other forms of neurodivergence. Receiving a diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't define your child. It simply gives you a better map for understanding how they experience the world. God isn't surprised by your child's wiring, and He certainly isn't limited by it. Remember, God didn't make a mistake when He gave your child to you. He chose you to be their mom for a reason, and He promises to give you the wisdom and grace you need for every step of the journey. Connect with Sally Clarkson:  Website: SallyClarkson.com  Instagram: Sally Clarkson (@sally.clarkson) Facebook: Sally Clarkson Links Mentioned:  Don't Mom Alone: By Heather MacFadyen Different: By Sally and Nathan Clarkson Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend Related Episodes: Loving Your “Different” Child :: Sally and Nathan Clarkson [Ep 149] Mothering Autism: Navigating Grief, Marriage, and Community :: Carrie Cariello, Kate Swenson, and Adrian Wood [Ep 515] Featured Sponsors:  Hiya Health: We've worked out a special deal with Hiya. Receive 50% off your first order on any of their products. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/DMA. This deal is not available on their regular website. Get your kids the full-body support they deserve. Honeylove: Treat yourself to the most advanced bras and shapewear on the market. Use our exclusive link to save 20% off Honeylove at honeylove.com/DMA . Experience the new standard in comfort and support with Honeylove. Branch Basics: And here’s the good news—Branch Basics is now available everywhere you shop: at Target, Target.com, Amazon, and of course, BranchBasics.com. Tossing the toxins has never been more convenient! For anyone grabbing the Premium Starter Kit, you can still get 15% off at BranchBasics.com with our code [DMA]. The Premium Starter Kit comes with The Concentrate, and refillable bottles for your surface cleaners, including All-Purpose, Bathroom, Streak-Free, Foaming Hand Wash, and Laundry. It also comes with Oxygen Boost for extra stubborn stains on pots and pans, laundry, bathroom tile and more. This kit is a great way to kickstart your human-safe cleaning routine

  4. Aug 3

    When You Have Nothing Left to Give as a Mom :: Mentor Series Wk 5 [Ep. 584]

    Have you ever reached the end of the day and felt like you had absolutely nothing left to give? Maybe it was the question, "What's for dinner?" that pushed you over the edge. Maybe it was another toddler tantrum, another sleepless night, a teenager's attitude, caring for aging parents, or simply feeling touched out after pouring into everyone else all day. If that's you, I want you to hear this: There is nothing wrong with you. God is not surprised that you feel overwhelmed. One of the biggest lies we believe as moms is that good moms don't get overwhelmed. Somewhere along the way, we begin acting as though we're supposed to be limitless. But only God is limitless. I share an episode from Kat Lee that has stayed with me. As a young mom, she found herself sitting in her van in the garage, overwhelmed and in tears. She cried out to God, expecting Him to change her circumstances, but instead He gently invited her to begin preparing her heart before the day ever began. His invitation wasn't about checking off another spiritual discipline or becoming a "better Christian." It was simply an invitation to spend a few quiet moments remembering who He is, reading a few verses, praying for her children, and asking Him to help her become a conduit of His grace throughout the day. Jesus invites us to return to Him again and again throughout the day. He is the source of Living Water that never runs dry. Whether you're feeling emptied by toddlers, teenagers, aging parents, anxiety, work, or simply the weight of everyday motherhood, His grace is still available. The goal isn't to become a mom who never runs out of energy or patience. The goal is to become a mom who knows where to go when she does. Connect with Kat Lee:  Website: InspiredToAction.com - Inspiration for Motherhood  Instagram: Hello Mornings with Kat Lee (@hellomornings) Links Mentioned:  Don't Mom Alone: By Heather MacFadyen Hello Mornings - We help you build a consistent morning routine.  Related Episodes: The Mom Game Changer :: Kat Lee {Ep 41}  Don’t Mom Alone (#GCMLive Event) :: Kat Lee and Wynter Pitts [Ep 185] Healthy Habit Building :: Kat Lee [Ep 300] Featured Sponsors:  Hiya Health: We've worked out a special deal with Hiya. Receive 50% off your first order on any of their products. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/DMA. This deal is not available on their regular website. Get your kids the full-body support they deserve. Thrive Causemetics: Amplify your look with Thrive Causemetics. Go to thrivecausemetics.com/DMA to get 20% off your first order.

  5. Jul 27

    Making Friends Who Really Know You :: Mentor Series Wk 4 [Ep 583]

    Have you ever felt lonely in a season where you actually had people around you? I know I have. After having my fourth child, I found myself feeling incredibly overwhelmed. I had people in my life, but I realized I wasn't truly letting them in. I wasn't being honest about what was hard, where I was struggling, or what I really needed. After experiencing a panic attack, I found myself in counseling and on a journey toward finding deeper, more meaningful connections. In this week’s Coffee with Heather mentor series, I want to talk about community in motherhood because I know how hard it can be. As moms, we are constantly pouring out—meeting our kids' needs, managing schedules, and caring for everyone around us. Sometimes friendship gets pushed to the side because we simply don't have the energy left. But the truth is, we were never meant to do motherhood alone. In this conversation, I share: Why making and maintaining friendships can feel so difficult as a mom. How we can unintentionally keep people at a distance. The insecurity that can come when we see groups of moms who already seem connected. How vulnerability helps us move from surface-level relationships into real connection, and how to practically do that.  Practical ways to start building community, even in a busy season. I also share an interview with Jada Edwards about the importance of remembering that our kids don't need a perfect mom—they need the mom God created us to be. We can trust Him with the gaps and allow Him to bring people into our lives who can speak truth, love, and encouragement into our children.  God often provides a village in ways we don't expect. Sometimes we just have to be willing to ask Him to show us who those people are and take the first step toward connection. Connect with Melanie Shankle:  Website: Big Mama – the big mama blog  Facebook: Melanie Shankle -The Big Mama Blog Connect with Jada Edwards:  Website: Jada Edwards  Instagram: Jada A Edwards (@jada_edwards) Links Mentioned:  Feelings Chart Needs Chart Don't Mom Alone: By Heather MacFadyen Related Episodes: You are Qualified in Christ :: Jada Edwards [Ep 248] Generational Healing: Becoming the Mom You Needed :: Melanie Shankle [Ep 508] Navigating Friendship :: Melanie Shankle [Ep 273]  Featured Sponsors:  Branch Basics: And here’s the good news—Branch Basics is now available everywhere you shop: at Target, Target.com, Amazon, and of course, BranchBasics.com. Tossing the toxins has never been more convenient! For anyone grabbing the Premium Starter Kit, you can still get 15% off at BranchBasics.com with our code [DMA]. The Premium Starter Kit comes with The Concentrate, and refillable bottles for your surface cleaners, including All-Purpose, Bathroom, Streak-Free, Foaming Hand Wash, and Laundry. It also comes with Oxygen Boost for extra stubborn stains on pots and pans, laundry, bathroom tile and more. This kit is a great way to kickstart your human-safe cleaning routine Hiya Health: We've worked out a special deal with Hiya. Receive 50% off your first order on any of their products. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/DMA. This deal is not available on their regular website. Get your kids the full-body support they deserve. Honeylove: Save 20% off Honeylove by going to honeylove.com/DMA #honeylovepod

  6. Jul 20

    When You Feel Like You're Failing as a Mom :: Mentor Series Wk 3 [Ep 582]

    Have you ever had one hard parenting moment and immediately thought, "I'm such a bad mom"? I know I have. It's amazing how quickly we can go from, "Today was hard," to believing something is wrong with us instead of recognizing we simply had a difficult moment. In this week's Coffee with Heather mentor series, we're talking about one of the most important relationships we have—the relationship with ourselves. As moms, we're often so quick to extend grace to our kids, our spouses, and our friends, yet we're incredibly harsh with the woman staring back at us in the mirror. We hold ourselves to impossible standards, compare ourselves to what we see online, and believe the lie that we're supposed to have motherhood figured out. In this conversation, I want to encourage you to begin recognizing the difference between conviction, condemnation, and shame. We'll talk about why self-compassion isn't self-pity, how to quiet your inner critic, and how to replace the lies we believe with the truth of God's Word. Motherhood was never meant to be lived under the weight of perfection. God isn't asking you to be a perfect mom—He's inviting you to faithfully walk with Him, receive His grace, and extend that same grace to yourself. If you've been carrying around mom guilt, feeling like you're constantly falling short, or wondering if you're enough, I hope this conversation reminds you that your identity isn't found in one parenting moment. It's found in Christ. There is no perfect formula for raising kids, but there is a faithful God who redeems our mistakes, transforms our hearts, and walks with us through every season of motherhood. Connect with Kim Fredrickson:  Facebook: The Self-Compassion Club Instagram: Kim Fredrickson (@kimfredrickson) Connect with Jada Edwards:  Website: Jada Edwards  Instagram: Jada A Edwards (@jada_edwards) Links Mentioned:  Give Yourself a Break: By Kim Fredrickson Give Your Kids a Break: By Kim Fredrickson Don't Mom Alone: By Heather MacFadyen Related Episodes: You are Qualified in Christ :: Jada Edwards [Ep 248] Quiet Your Inner Critic and Practice Self-Compassion :: Kim Fredrickson Remaining You While Raising Them  :: Alli Worthington [Ep 420] Featured Sponsors:  Wayfair: Ready to upgrade your home for way less? Head to wayfair.com right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less.  Our place: Upgrade your kitchen with Our Place today. Visit fromourplace.com/DMA and use code DMA for 10% off sitewide. With a 100-day trial, you can try it completely risk-free. Lifepro: For a limited time, our listeners can get $20 OFF the Waver Vibration Plate plus Free Shipping with code [DMA] at lifeprofitness.com.

  7. Jul 13

    Connection Before Correction :: Mentor Series Wk 2 [Ep. 581]

    Welcome back to the Coffee with Heather series! This week, we're talking about something that has completely transformed the way I parent: connection before correction. For a long time, I believed it was my job to control my boys' behavior. I thought that if I could just get them to listen better, behave better, or make fewer mistakes, then I would be doing my job as a mom. But if I'm honest, that mindset left me feeling anxious, overwhelmed, and disconnected from the very people I wanted to love well. The more parents, mentors, and experts I interviewed over the years, the more I realized something beautiful: God never called me to control my children. He called me to guide them, disciple them, and build a relationship where they know they are deeply loved and safe. When connection becomes the foundation, correction becomes so much more effective. In this episode, I share some of the parenting lessons that have given me freedom, including insights from Jim and Lynne Jackson and the biblical reminder that God's kindness leads us to repentance. That verse has changed the way I think about discipline—not as punishment, but as teaching, guiding, and helping my children grow. When our children know they are loved, enjoyed, and accepted, trust begins to grow. And trust creates partnership. From that place, correction feels less like control and more like discipleship. In this episode, we'll talk about: The difference between behavior management and heart transformation. Why discipline is really about teaching, not punishing. How to become a safe place for your children. The importance of staying calm and regulating your own emotions. Why giving your child—and yourself—a "do-over" can strengthen your relationship. Practical ways to create meaningful one-on-one connections, even during busy seasons. Connect with Jim and Lynne Jackson:  Website: Home | Connected Families  Instagram: Connected Families | Parent with Confidence and Grace (@connectedfams) Facebook: Connected Families Links Mentioned:  Heartfelt Discipline: By Clay Clarkson Discipline that Connects by Jim and Lynn Jackson Don’t Mom Alone book  Related Episodes: Discipline 101 (LIVE Event–Friday Night) :: Jim and Lynne Jackson [Ep 221] Parenting a Spicy Child: How to Stay Calm, Set Boundaries, and Keep the Connection :: Mary Van Geffen [Ep 558] Choosing Connection Over Critique :: Rachel Macy Stafford [Ep 280] Featured Sponsors:  Hiya health: We've worked out a special deal with Hiya. Receive 50% off your first order on any of their products. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/DMA. This deal is not available on their regular website. Get your kids the full-body support they deserve. Branch Basics: And here’s the good news—Branch Basics is now available everywhere you shop: at Target, Target.com, Amazon, and of course, BranchBasics.com. Tossing the toxins has never been more convenient! For anyone grabbing the Premium Starter Kit, you can still get 15% off at BranchBasics.com with our code [DMA]. The Premium Starter Kit comes with The Concentrate, and refillable bottles for your surface cleaners, including All-Purpose, Bathroom, Streak-Free, Foaming Hand Wash, and Laundry. It also comes with Oxygen Boost for extra stubborn stains on pots and pans, laundry, bathroom tile and more. This kit is a great way to kickstart your human-safe cleaning routine.

  8. Jul 6

    Marriage after kids :: Mentor Series Wk 1 [Ep 580]

    Motherhood changes everything—including your marriage. In this first episode of my summor of mentorship series, I'm sharing the conversation I wish someone had invited me into years ago. If we were sitting across from each other with a cup of coffee, these are the things I'd want every mom to know. Parenting is one of the greatest blessings, but it can also become one of the biggest stress tests on a marriage. The shift from dating and dreaming together to managing schedules, diapers, sports, meals, and endless logistics can leave even the healthiest couples feeling disconnected. The good news? You're not alone, and your marriage doesn't have to become another casualty of the busy parenting years. In this episode, we talk about: Why parenting often creates tension in marriage—and why that's completely normal. How different parenting styles can actually become one of your family's greatest strengths. The danger of keeping score and how resentment quietly grows. Practical communication habits that help couples stay connected. A simple weekly marriage check-in you can start this Sunday. The power of praying together, especially when parenting feels overwhelming. How small daily habits shape a strong marriage over time. One truth I hope you'll remember this week: Your parenting differences don't have to divide you. They can become one of your greatest strengths when you choose to work as a team.God never intended for us to navigate marriage and motherhood alone. The Holy Spirit is our Helper—the One who comes alongside us, gives us wisdom, and strengthens us for the work He's called us to do. When we bring our parenting struggles to Him first, we make room for His peace, wisdom, and perspective. Connect with Dr. Kim Kimberling:  Website: Awesome Marriage — Marriage, Relationships Instagram: Christian Marriage | Help and Education (@awesome_marriage) Facebook: Awesome Marriage Links Mentioned:  Don't Mom Alone: By Heather MacFadyen [book]Related Episodes: How to Align with Your Spouse in Parenting :: Dr. Kim Kimberling [Ep 491] Self-Differentiation and Why it Matters :: Nancy Houston [Ep 335] Talking, Teens, and Twenty-four Years :: Bruce + Heather [Ep 399] Featured Sponsors:  Honeylove: Treat yourself to the most advanced bras and shapewear on the market. Use our exclusive link to save 20% off Honeylove at honeylove.com/DMA.  Greenchef: Head to greenchef.com/50alone and use the code 50alone to get fifty percent off your first month, then twenty percent off for two months.  Lola: For a limited time, our listeners can get 40% OFF select Lola Blankets products with code [DMA] at checkout. Just head to LolaBlankets.com and use code [DMA] to get 40% OFF your order.

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Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, connects you the listener with people and resources to help you feel less alone. Consider it an invitation to "withness".

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