The Mom Collective

Celeste Howard
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

Four Catholic moms. Four ages and stages of motherhood. We’re talking about the things we’re all thinking about—from just being a mom to faith, family, marriage, parenting, and the challenges of everyday life. We’re in this with you. You are not alone.

  1. Jul 1

    S2E6 - Mom Guilt, Housework & Learning What Actually Matters

    Are you constantly feeling behind on laundry, dishes, cleaning, meal planning, and everything else that comes with running a household? In this episode, we have an honest conversation about housework, mom guilt, outsourcing, and the pressure many moms feel to "do it all." We share our very different relationships with cleaning, laundry, cooking, and organization—and why comparing yourself to other moms is a losing game. More importantly, we talk about priorities: what matters most when raising a family and how to stop letting housework steal time from the people you love. Whether you're overwhelmed by laundry, struggling to keep up with the mental load, or wondering if you're failing because your house isn't perfect, this episode is for you. • Why some moms love housework—and others hate it• Laundry systems that actually work• The truth about outsourcing help• Letting go of perfectionism• Why relationships matter more than chores• Mom guilt and the pressure to do everything• Mental health days for families• How to reset when everyone is overwhelmed **If this episode encouraged you, follow the podcast and share it with another mom who needs to hear that she's already doing enough.** #MomLife #Motherhood #MomGuilt #Housework #MentalLoad #ParentingPodcast #StayAtHomeMom

    23 min

  2. Jun 24

    Vacation Hacks for Moms: Cruises, Road Trips, Flights & Family Travel Tips

    Are family vacations really vacations when you're still planning meals, managing schedules, and entertaining kids? In this episode, we're sharing our favorite family travel experiences, vacation wins, and hard-earned travel hacks. From all-inclusive cruises and cross-country road trips to European adventures with young children, we're talking about what actually makes traveling with a family easier—and more enjoyable. We discuss practical tips for airports, road trips, flights with toddlers, sibling travel strategies, screen-time rules, packing essentials, and why some destinations are far more family-friendly than you might expect. Whether you're planning a summer getaway, a weekend road trip, or your dream family vacation, you'll walk away with ideas you can use right away. ✈️ Airport hacks that save time and stress🚗 Road trip strategies for kids of all ages🛳️ Why all-inclusive vacations feel different for parents👶 Flying with babies and toddlers🌍 Family travel in Europe vs. the U.S.🎒 Packing and organization tips👧 Sibling buddy systems while traveling💡 Budget-friendly vacation ideas If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with another parent who has a trip coming up. #FamilyTravel #TravelWithKids #MomLife #ParentingPodcast #RoadTripTips #VacationHacks In This Episode:

    25 min

  3. Jun 10

    S2E4 - Navigating Summertime

    Summer with kids is equal parts joy, chaos, flexibility, and unforgettable memories. In this episode of The Mom Collective, we share honest conversations about summer parenting, raising kids through different ages and stages, and finding balance during a season that often feels both beautiful and overwhelming. We also discuss practical summer activities for kids, local family adventures, library programs, splash pads, simple ways to create meaningful memories, and how AI tools can help moms simplify meal planning, family schedules, and daily life. Most importantly, we talk about choosing connection over perfection and embracing the moments that matter most. If you're looking for encouragement, practical parenting advice, summer activity ideas, or simply a reminder that motherhood doesn't have to be perfect, this conversation is for you. Subscribe to The Mom Collective for honest conversations about motherhood, parenting, marriage, faith, family life, and raising grounded, resilient kids.

    25 min

  4. Jun 3

    S2E3 - Raising Kids for Freedom, Not Just Compliance

    How do we teach our kids about alcohol without making it mysterious or forbidden? In this episode of The Mom Collective, we discuss why parenting is about more than setting boundaries. While rules have their place, our goal is to help our children develop virtue, discernment, and the ability to choose what is good long after they’ve left our homes. We share our approach to talking openly about alcohol, why we don’t treat it as a taboo topic, and how introducing children to healthy family attitudes around drinking can help remove the “cool factor” often attached to partying and excess. We also discuss helping kids understand the reality of sin, the consequences of their choices, and the abundance, freedom, and joy that come from living a life rooted in faith and virtue. Join us as we explore practical ways to raise holy, happy, well-adjusted kids in a culture that often sends the opposite message. In this episode: * Why boundaries alone aren’t enough * Teaching discernment instead of just compliance * Talking to kids about alcohol in age-appropriate ways * Removing the mystery and allure of drinking * Helping children understand sin and virtue * Raising kids for freedom, joy, and true abundance (🙈 sorry about the blackout blooper at the end ) 🎙️ Follow The Mom Collective for honest conversations about motherhood, marriage, faith, and raising children in today’s world.

    26 min

  5. May 28

    S2E2 - Schedule...SEX? X

    Motherhood changes everything — including your marriage. In this episode, we’re talking honestly about what happens when you stop feeling connected to your husband after kids. When the daily routine takes over, your partner can start to feel more like a co-parent, roommate, or just another person who needs something from you. We dive into:• Why emotional distance happens after having children• Feeling touched out, exhausted, and disconnected• How intentional date nights can rebuild connection• Simple at-home date night ideas for busy parents• The truth about scheduling sex in marriage (and why it helps)• Small ways to bring intimacy, friendship, and fun back into your relationship If you’ve ever wondered:“How do I reconnect with my husband after kids?”“Why don’t I feel close to my spouse anymore?”“Is it normal for marriage to feel different after children?”— this episode is for you. Whether you’re in the newborn stage, raising toddlers, or simply feeling stuck in survival mode, this conversation will help you feel seen and give you practical ways to reconnect emotionally and physically with your partner. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and share the podcast with another mom who needs this reminder: your marriage deserves attention too.

    22 min

  6. May 20

    S1E1 - Transitions in Motherhood

    Motherhood is full of transitions… and let’s face it: change is hard. Just when we finally feel like we’ve figured things out, the game changes again. We go from feeling capable… back to feeling unsure. We settle into a rhythm, learn how to manage the day, maybe even begin enjoying the season we’re in—and then suddenly we’re standing at the edge of another unknown. The truth? There’s often grief in motherhood, even in good transitions. It’s natural to feel a little sadness as we let go of what’s familiar and step into something new. If you’ve been feeling unsteady in a changing season, you’re not failing. You’re growing. And you’re not alone.

    18 min

  7. May 7

    Four Phases of Motherhood

    Motherhood is not something learned, perfected and moved on from . It is a constant cycle of seasons and phases, beginning again and again. So often we try to hurry through the phase we find ourselves; to only look back wishing we could hold on to moments of the past. In this episode, we are sharingopenly about the ups and downs of the Phase of Motherhood we each find ourselves. It is such a blessing to gain perspective of mom's who have been there, to step back and soak in the good stuff (well, maybe not the dirty diapers though!)

    30 min

  8. Apr 29

    From Failure to Freedom: The Workflow That Changed Our Family

    As we near the end of our Becoming Mom season, we’re talking about something every mom wrestles with: how to organize your days, your home, and your time—without the constant guilt and overwhelm. Because let’s be honest… trying to do everything at once is exhausting. And even when it all gets done, it still doesn’t feel like enough. In this episode, we share real-life rhythms, practical strategies, and simple mindset shifts to help you move from chaos to peace. Not perfect schedules—but intentional structure that actually works in motherhood. From laundry piles to quality time, screen time to prayer life—this is your permission to simplify, reset, and create a flow that serves your family (not stresses you out). In This Episode, We Talk About: 💛Why trying to “do it all” leads to guilt, anxiety, and burnout 💛How creating simple rhythms (not rigid schedules) brings freedom 💛The mindset shift: you’re not failing—you just need structure 💛Letting go of perfection and embracing what actually works for your family 💛The power of being intentional with your time, your kids, and your home

    23 min
See All (14)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Four Catholic moms. Four ages and stages of motherhood. We’re talking about the things we’re all thinking about—from just being a mom to faith, family, marriage, parenting, and the challenges of everyday life. We’re in this with you. You are not alone.

Information

  • Creator
    Celeste Howard
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Celeste Howard
  • Show Website
    The Mom Collective

You Might Also Like