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There’s a conversation happening right now that we don’t want moms sitting out of.

Recently, Reese Witherspoon posted on Instagram about learning AI and why women need to be part of shaping it. Not later. Not once it’s figured out. Now.

And this week’s episode felt like the perfect continuation of that conversation.

Because if we’re honest, most moms are somewhere between this feels overwhelming, I don’t trust it, and I know I should probably learn this…

That’s exactly why we invited Shreya Gulati, founder of Moms Build AI, to help us think through it, not as tech experts, but as moms.

🎧 What This Episode Is Really About

This isn’t a “here’s how to master AI” episode.

It’s a conversation about how we don’t get left behind, how we protect what matters most, and how we use something like this without losing ourselves or our kids in it.

Meet Shreya

Shreya spent her career in tech, advising AI startups and investors. But after becoming a mom, everything shifted.

She deeply resonated with the quote from our episode with Ericka Graham:

“You have to renegotiate your past life with your future.”

Instead of going back to corporate, she started asking a bigger question: what happens if moms aren’t part of shaping AI?

Because historically… we haven’t been in the room early enough. Not with social media. Not with screens. And we’ve seen how that’s played out.

The Core Tension With AI

This is the tension we kept coming back to:

AI can save time, reduce mental load, and make things easier. But it can also replace human connection, increase pressure, and make everything feel more optimized.

So what do we do with that?

Shreya said it simply:
“Don’t go to it for judgment. Go to it for information.”

Where This Actually Helps

When you bring AI into real life, it starts to feel less intimidating.

It can take things like meal planning, grocery lists, and weekend decisions and just… make them easier. Not to help you do more, but to help you carry less.

It’s also incredibly helpful for getting unstuck: drafting a hard email, organizing your thoughts, or just getting started on something you’ve been putting off.

And one of the most practical things she shared was using voice dictation during the in-between moments. Walking, driving, pushing a stroller—turning thoughts into something usable later. For moms, that’s often the only time we have.

But the key is this: it supports your thinking. It doesn’t replace it.

You can use it to compare schools or organize options, but you still visit, decide, and trust your gut.

The AI Conversation We Have to Have About Kids

This is where it gets more complicated.

Because there’s no clear guidance yet. No long-term data. No proven “right way” to handle AI with kids.

Which means we don’t get to outsource this decision.

AI is already everywhere, even if we don’t realize it. And our kids will encounter it earlier than we expect. Avoiding it completely may not actually protect them, it might just leave us unprepared.

What stood out most is thinking about this like an ongoing conversation, not a one-time talk. Staying informed enough to guide instead of react. Applying the same boundaries we already think about with screens.

And recognizing that if we’re not learning it ourselves, it’s going to be really hard to help shape how our kids use it.

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The Question That Stuck With Us

At one point we asked, does AI give us more time, or just more to do?

And the answer is… both.

Which brings it back to us.

What do we actually want our days to feel like? What’s worth optimizing, and what’s worth slowing down and enjoying?

AI doesn’t answer that for us. It just amplifies whatever we choose.

Where to Start With AI

Shreya kept this part refreshingly simple.

Pick one tool, ChatGPT or Claude. Start with something you already hate doing. Don’t try to learn everything. And follow one or two trusted resources instead of overwhelming yourself.

That’s it.

Free AI Resources for You

Shreya has built an incredible library of free resources for moms who want to start learning. You can find them here.

And follow her Instagram for daily tips on staying informed about AI.

She shares things like a “first 30 minutes with AI” guide, step-by-step prompts, privacy tips, and practical ways to actually use this in your day-to-day life.

Final Thought

This isn’t about becoming a “tech mom.”

It’s about being the same kind of mom you already are, thoughtful, protective, curious, and willing to learn for the sake of your family.

Because whether we like it or not, AI is shaping the future.

The question is, will moms help shape it too?

If this episode felt helpful, send it to a friend who’s been saying,
“I know I should learn this… I just don’t know where to start.”

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There are a handful of things I do now that I thought weren’t possible in my corporate job.

Not because anyone explicitly told me I couldn’t, but because somewhere along the way, I started believing I needed permission from my boss or my peers.

Now that I’m a year into running my own business full time, I’m realizing that I could have given myself permission all along.

If I’m honest, I don’t think the environment was as limiting as I made it out to be at the time…my male coworkers were setting plenty of boundaries. But as the only mom on the executive team, I just didn’t create the margin or maybe even have the guts to set the boundaries myself.

As I was reflecting on this the last couple of weeks, I wanted to share a few things I do now that I wish I would’ve done then for any of our working moms out there that are in the thick of navigating corporate, high-demanding jobs and being a fully present mom.

I’ve been there. I see you. Solidarity. You got this!

Here’s the list…it’s by no means perfect, just sharing what I’m learning along the way.

1. I invest in friendships that give me energy, not drain it.

I used to say yes to a lot of things out of obligation (I mean, I still do but I’m getting way better I think!). And more in personal relationships than business stuff than I’d like to admit.

About a year ago, I was reflecting on how I’m the more extroverted friend in almost all of my friendships, which means I’m usually the one that initiates hanging out. That’s true for us as a couple, too. We’re usually the ones that hosted our friend group or proactively planned movie nights, etc.

It was getting exhausting, so a few months back, I started decreasing my “check in texts” to friends that I rarely hear from and have tried to be intentional about increasing the frequency to those that show me their mutually invested in our relationship, and it’s been a game changer.

I’m so grateful for my mom friends in this season, most of them being new friends to me in the past two years!

Time is limited. Energy is even more limited.

2. I design my calendar instead of reacting to it

This might be the biggest one.

Most days, my working hours are between 8:30/9am and 4pm.

Of course there are exceptions. Early calls happen. Late things come up.

But that’s the exception for me now, not the default like it was.

In my corporate job as an executive at a high growth, investor-based tech company, I usually started my day with calls at 8am and was in back to backs until 5pm.

These days, I try not to take meetings before 9am or after 4pm if I can help it. Of course there are exceptions. As an entrepreneur, I value flexibility to be able to deliver for clients or attend a last minute networking invite. But having the set, more structured schedule allows me the margin to be able to flex when I choose to.

I used to let my calendar fill up based on everyone else’s priorities. Now, I (try to!) decide what it looks like first.

3. I go on (almost) daily walks

I’m not perfect at this, but most weeks I walk 4–5 days for about 30 minutes, usually right after I put my daughter down and before dinner.

It’s become this small but important transition point in my day.

Work brain → (mostly) off
Mom mode → (try to) exhale
Evening → begin

I used to power straight through the day and wonder why I felt fried by 8pm.

Again, I’m not perfect at this of course, and I’ve only been consistent about it for the last month or so as it’s stayed lighter longer, but the days when I prioritize this walk, I feel so much better.

4. I buy casual clothes I actually feel good in

This feels almost embarrassing to admit, but it mattered more than I expected. I was first inspired after our interview with Priscilla Smith who challenged us to think about dressing ourselves with the intentionality that we dress our kids.

Up until about a month ago, I was avoiding walks or just felt super self conscious on the playground during the weekend because my leggings felt too tight, I didn’t have a pocket for my phone, or I was wearing random old t-shirts that looked awful.

After some back-pocket-coaching with my fellow Get Mom Ready co-host , I finally just bought a few new things: a sports bra, a couple pairs of workout pants (and no, not leggings…I think I’m done with them), some simple tees from Amazon.

Nothing fancy, but it removed the friction, and suddenly, the simple habit of a walk felt doable…and a little cuter. :)

5. I put friend time on the calendar

Pre-kids, girl hang time happened organically or last minute.

Now? If it’s not planned, it probably doesn’t happen, and then I’m left feeling like I have no friends and telling myself a sob story.

So I’ve been trying to be better about planning it.

I’ve been trying to hold Fridays (when I can) for a breakfast or a walk with a friend. It doesn’t happen every week, but even having it on the calendar sometimes has made a huge difference.

It gives me something to look forward to, too! It reminds me that I’m not doing life alone. Because goodness gracious… friendship postpartum is a whole thing. In fact, it’s such a thing that we did a whole episode about it.

I think I thought I needed permission to make these choices and just defaulted to, “Well, this is just the way being a working mom is,” but I didn’t.

I just needed the courage to do it.

And if there’s one thing I’ve learned:

No one else is going to set your boundaries for you, so you gotta do it, girlfriend.

If you’re currently in the thick of navigating work and life, your Get Mom Ready crew is here for you. Book a time on ’s calendar to explore if coaching is right for you.

Apple | Spotify | GetMomReady.com

This episode is your permission slip to escape perfectionism.

Because the truth is, the shame spirals don’t work.

Meet Ericka

This week, we sat down with Ericka Graham:

• A mom of two boys

• A preacher at Ecclesia in Houston

• A former NFL wife

• Co-founder of Project 88 (a nonprofit that raised $1.9M)

• Host of the podcast Curiously with Ericka Graham

And she’ll be the first to tell you she’s also a “messy mom.” Not in a chaotic way. In an honest, human, deeply freeing way.

Her best quotes from the episode are highlighted below, and believe us… you don’t want to miss them.

Motherhood Will Change You (And That’s the Point)

“When you become a mom, you have to renegotiate your past life with your future.”

Motherhood isn’t just an addition. It’s a reorganization. A sifting of what stays and what falls away in this new season.

And here’s the part we don’t talk about enough:

Every decision comes with loss.

“I get stuck thinking there’s a perfect decision that won’t come with loss.”

But that version doesn’t exist.

The Trap: Trying to Do It All “Right”

We feel it when:

• We’re not performing like we used to

• We forget something important

• We don’t feel like the “put together” version of ourselves

And our default response? Shame.

“The shame spirals don’t work.”

They don’t make you better. They just keep you stuck.

Why Perfection Is Actually the Problem

“A perfect mom would not be a good mom… because they’re perfect.”

Your imperfections aren’t the issue. They’re the gift.

They’re what make you human, relatable and a safe for your kids to be imperfect too.

Leave a comment

A Better Way to Live (and Mom)

Ericka said yes to getting help organizing her pantry. No spiral. No overthinking. No meaning-making. Just… “come on over.”

That kind of freedom comes from letting go of this idea that you have to be everything (because you don’t).

You don’t have to be:

• the most organized

• the most productive

• the best at everything

You just have to be present enough to notice what matters.

Curiosity > Certainty

“The opposite of faith isn’t doubt. It’s certainty.”

And motherhood will strip you of certainty fast. But in its place comes curiosity.

• What does this season require?

• What can I let go of?

• What actually matters right now?

That’s where peace in motherhood is found.

If This Episode Felt Like You…

Send it to the friend who’s been saying, “I feel off, but I don’t know why.”

Or the one who’s:

• trying to figure out who she is now

• comparing herself to her old life

• quietly wondering if she’s doing this wrong

She’s not… and neither are you.

Listen + Connect with Ericka

• Podcast: Curiously with Ericka Graham

• Instagram

• Substack

• Sermons: Ecclesia Houston on YouTube

• Facebook

You don’t have to be perfect to be a good mom. In fact, perfection is the enemy of a present motherhood.

If you’re in a season of renegotiating who you are, what you carry, and what you let go of, coaching can help you do that with intention.

Our Get Mom Ready coaches are here to walk with you through it.

You can book an exploratory call here to get started or email us at info@thereadynetwork.com.

Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode:

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The amount of times I have come home from being out of town around 9 at night with stores closed, no good healthy-ish fast food options open, AND no items to prep coffee the next morning is…too many.

So I’ve taken a cue from my friend and queen of preparedness, Lizanne, on how to come home after being out of town and have at least SOMETHING to set yourself up for success.

She tends to have groceries delivered so they’re ready to unload by the time she gets home which I think is brilliant.

I haven’t hopped on the grocery delivery train just yet, so here’s what I do (as with anything we say at GMR, take what’s helpful and leave the rest):

• I make sure to have coffee necessities ready to prep. I use Nutpods in my coffee so I can buy them shelf-stable so I always have creamer (a non-negotiable for my coffee). If you’re a half and half girlie and you’ll be gone for more than a few days, stick yours in the freezer and let it defrost in the fridge overnight when you get home.

• Prep or buy some kind of breakfast option for the next morning so you have something to get you through the next morning. We tend to always keep smoothie ingredients on hand, but recently I’ve been making protein muffins and keeping some frozen. Or some Trader Joe’s breakfast item (their breakfast tortilla comes to mind).

• Before you go, prep an easy meal (or buy one) that you can stick in the freezer and re-heat when you’re home, starving, and nothing is open. I’ve done anything from soups from Whole Foods to seasoned ground meat and roasted veggies. Think of a quick meal that’s easy to put together, then freeze it.

• If you’re out of town plans include being at family’s, and you have a cooler, you can always prep food there to bring home (I make my protein sheetpan pancakes to have for the drive home and breakfast the next day. Recipe below)

I have to add the self-depractaing caveat (because I am who I am) and say that I know for many of you, this is not rocket science. But if you’re anything like me, and in your late 30’s you’re finally figuring out how to not shoot-from-the-hip at every turn, I hope this is helpful.

MM’s High-Protein Cottage Cheese Pancakes

(I pour into my cast iron or a medium-sized sheetpan- 9x13- and bake at 350 for about 22 minutes):

• 1 1/4 cups oats

• 1 1/4 cups cottage cheese

• 5 eggs

• 1 1/4 bananas (could also use applesauce, pears or pumpkin. Potentially add a bit of honey or maple syrup for sweetness to your liking)

• Splash + a half of vanilla

• 1 1/4 tsp baking powder

• Generous shakes of cinnamon

• 1-2 scoops of Vanilla Protein Powder if you’d like

• A couple pinches of salt

Blend everything together and pour into a greased pan of choice. Bake at 350 for 22ish minutes.

For more easy-to-do-and-still-good-for-you recipes, follow our friend Jennifer Sise over on IG. You can listen to her BRILLIANT episode on GMR on Apple, Spotify, or watch it on GetMomReady.com

Episodes drop every Sunday night!

Until next time,

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Shownotes + Links

You’re tired.
But not just “mom tired.”

You feel off.
More anxious than usual.
More reactive than you want to be.

And you can’t quite explain why.

If any of that resonates, this episode is for you.

This week, we sat down with Dawn Marraccino, coach for women in midlife (or really any transition), READY-certified coach, mom of four, grandma of three, and someone who has lived just about every version of motherhood you can imagine.

Single mom at 20.
Blended family.
Working mom.
Stay-at-home mom.
Empty nester.
And now… living on a sailboat in San Diego (casual).

But what makes this conversation so powerful isn’t just her story.

It’s the moments where you go:

“Wait… that’s happening to me too.”
“Oh… I thought that was just me.”
“No one told me THIS part.”

Seriously, all of us teared up at one point or another.

Some of our favorite “this is me” moments

• “I didn’t know everyone didn’t talk to themselves the way I do.”

• “I thought I was having a nervous breakdown… it was my hormones.”

• “You can do anything. But you can’t do everything.”

• “Don’t become the villain in your own story.”

• “It’s all hard. Just choose your hard.”

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What we talk about in this episode

Motherhood in every season

• Becoming a mom at 20 vs. later in life

• Blended family dynamics (and the real, messy parts)

• What changes when your kids become adults

Work, identity, and all the hats

• Why “working mom” can look a hundred different ways

• Letting your career evolve with your season

• The tension of wanting to work and be present

The conversation every woman in her 30s needs to hear

• Perimenopause (yes… it might already be happening)

• Symptoms no one connects to hormones: anxiety, rage, brain fog, vertigo

• Why so many women feel like they’re “losing it”

The deeper work

• Parenting your kids… while learning to parent yourself

• Community vs. doing it alone

• Letting go of the “perfect life” narrative

If this sounds like the mental load you’re working through, we offer coaching for high-achieving moms wanting to master your many roles in life. Book a call to see if coaching is right for you.

Book an Intro Coaching Call

The line we can’t stop thinking about:

“You are enough exactly how you are. You don’t have to do one more thing.”

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Resources + Links

• Dawn’s recommended book on perimenopause: The New Perimenopause: An Evidence-Based Guide to Surviving the Zone of Chaos and Feeling Like Yourself Again.

• Dawn’s website.

• Dawn’s Substack (Grit & Grace).

• Follow Dawn on Instagram.

• The Ready Framework that Dawn said changed the way she coaches forever.

If this episode felt like you…

Send it to a friend who’s been saying, “I feel off but I don’t know why.”

Or the one who’s:

• trying to discover what’s next

• questioning everything

• or just trying to feel like herself again

Because transitions don’t mean you’re falling apart.

They might be the moment you finally come back to yourself.

Dawn is the kind of coach you want in your corner.

She’s deeply passionate about helping women navigate the in-between, with grit, grace, and the kind of wisdom that only comes from living it.

Book a coaching call on Dawn’s website.

Don’t miss an episode!

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Click above to listen on Apple or click HERE to listen on Spotify.

Show Notes: What we Talked About + Coaching Link

There are some parts of motherhood that aren’t necessarily hard because they’re huge.

They’re hard because they happen every single day.

Dinner. Bedtime. School pickup. Getting out the door. Managing expectations for a “fun” weekend. Thinking about the thing you have to do later… five hours before you actually have to do it.

And the very real thing that happened to Holly 2 minutes into our recording…getting the dreaded call from school that your kid has a fever and needs to come home. Cue rescheduling the afternoon meetings, cancelling your productive afternoon, and embracing the call of motherhood.

In this week’s episode, we ended up talking about all of it: meal planning, bedtime checklists, school pickup resets, Disney World expectations, and the mental pressure moms carry before anything has even happened yet.

And honestly? That’s kind of the point.

Because so often, the issue isn’t that we’re doing motherhood “wrong.”
It’s that there’s too much friction built into the way we’re trying to do it.

Sometimes the most helpful question isn’t:

“How do I become better at this?”

Sometimes it’s:

“Why does this feel so hard in the first place?”

This episode is full of the kinds of practical, real-life shifts that come from asking that question.

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A few of the things we talked through:

• taking the pressure off the belief that you have to do something because “that mom” does it

• creating a “bank” of meals instead of having to make the decision from scratch each week

• noticing where the friction is in your routine and adjusting from there

• stopping work 10–15 minutes before pickup to reset your brain before mom mode

• preparing kids for what’s coming instead of assuming they’ll just roll with it

• holding expectations loosely so one hard moment doesn’t define the whole experience

One of our favorite takeaways from this conversation was this:

“The goal isn’t perfection. It’s reducing friction.”

That tiny mindset shift feels small, but it changes a lot.

Because once you stop forcing yourself into a system that doesn’t work for your brain, you can actually build one that does.

Maybe that looks like taking the pressure off of perfect routine.
Maybe it looks like doing more with other moms to make the “daily grind” more fun.
Maybe it looks like buying pre-chopped onions and calling it a win.
Maybe it looks like realizing your kids don’t need the most elaborate plan to have fun, they just need a mom who isn’t completely maxed out.

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That’s really what this episode is about: getting curious about the pressure points instead of just powering through them.

And maybe, just maybe, giving yourself permission to make things easier.

Because you’re allowed to do that.

You’re allowed to choose the version of motherhood that works for your actual capacity.
You’re allowed to prepare more (or less).
You’re allowed to expect less perfection.
You’re allowed to care about your experience too.

And if you’ve been feeling like every routine in your life has just a little too much drag in it right now, this episode will probably feel very familiar.

Leave a comment

And if this conversation hits a little too close to home, coaching might be the next right step. We offer coaching calls for moms who want practical support, fresh perspective, and help untangling the mental load. You can book a call here.

I’m going to use this post as a sort of therapy.

I don’t have all the answers or even any. But I write this in the hopes that even one person might read it and feel understood. Less alone. Because sometimes in our darkest moments, that’s all we need, to feel seen.

I’ve lived through numerous post-surgical hospitalizations with my daughter. Some were shorter. Some were manageable. And one was traumatic beyond anything I had language for: coding alarms, life support, repeat surgeries, days without holding her, weeks of weaning the strongest medications available. She was two years old.

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People sometimes ask me, “How did you do it?”

I always want to say, “I don’t know. The same way we all get through anything.” One foot in front of the other.

But if I’m honest?

It wasn’t heroic.

There was a week… maybe longer (I think I’ve honestly blocked a lot of that experience), when she was sedated and paralyzed.

And this is the part that’s hardest to admit:

I couldn’t bear to touch her.

I asked my husband to kiss her. My sister to rub her hair. My parents to lean in close and talk to her.

I was so afraid of losing her. And I was afraid that being close would somehow make it worse. I carried so much guilt. I couldn’t look at her without my chest tightening and my brain spiraling into what if this is the last time.

So I stepped back.

Not because I didn’t love her.

But because my nervous system couldn’t hold both love and terror at the same time.

And then the day she was extubated, she immediately jumped into my arms. No hesitation. Like she never missed a beat.

This was two years ago. I still wonder what her brain did during those days she was sedated. I still wonder what she remembers.

But I know this: she knew me.

And that moment undid so much of the shame I had been quietly carrying.

Here’s what I’m learning, slowly:

Survival isn’t always pretty.

Sometimes it looks like holding your child down for treatments.
Sometimes it looks like learning medical language you never wanted to know.
Sometimes it looks like stepping out of the room because you can’t breathe.
Sometimes it looks like asking someone else to be strong for a minute.
Sometimes it looks like holding your child for hours, simply because you finally can.

You are not a superhero when you walk through hard things.

You are a human.

And being human means you will freeze sometimes.
You will shut down sometimes.
You will not show up the way you imagined you would.

And you are still a good mom.

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Whatever you’re facing today… Whatever habits you’re trying to start or stop, whatever weight feels like it’s just too much to carry, whatever season feels scary, you are still a good mom.

If you’ve walked through something hard and it didn’t look the way you thought it would, you’re not alone.

And sometimes the bravest thing you can do is let it not be pretty and love your child anyway.

Leave a comment

PS. I talk about this experience and other challenges of being a medical mom on this episode of The Get Mom Ready podcast. Listen on Apple, Spotify, or on GetMomReady.com.

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What if the thing making motherhood feel so hard… isn’t just the workload?

What if part of the exhaustion is coming from spending your energy on things you don’t actually value, but feel like you’re supposed to?

Anna came in with a simple question:
“How do I figure out my values in motherhood?”

Not in a fluffy way.
In a “my days feel chaotic and I’m barely keeping up” kind of way.

What unfolded is a conversation every mom needs about misalignment, mental load, and the things we’re doing just because we think we should.

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The real problem (that no one tells you)

You might not be overwhelmed because you’re doing too much.

You might be overwhelmed because: you’re doing things that aren’t actually important to you, but you feel like they should be.

And that gap? That’s where burnout lives.

The example we couldn’t stop coming back to: DINNER

Meal planning. Grocery shopping. Cooking. Cleaning. Repeating.

Anna said what we’re all thinking:

“I have a system for meal planning and prep… and I still hate doing it.”

And that’s the tension:

• The system works

• But it’s built around something she doesn’t actually value

So instead of asking:
“How do I get better at this?”

We asked:
“Do you even want to keep doing this?”

What we uncovered (aka the actually helpful part)

1. Start with what you don’t value

Anna realized:

• Home-cooked meals every night? Not it for her

• Eating together / eating nutritious meals / quality time? Yes

That shift matters.

Because when you stop forcing what isn’t yours,
you finally have space for what is.

2. Systems don’t fix misalignment

You can optimize your routine all day long, but if it’s built around obligation, you will still feel exhausted.

Alignment first. Systems second.

3. You’re not just low on time, you’re low on energy

Some things don’t just take time…

They take so much mental and emotional energy:

• decision fatigue

• guilt

• resentment

And when your day is full of those things?
Of course you feel maxed out.

Try this instead of spiraling: get curious

Instead of:

“Why can’t I just do this like everyone else?”

Try:

“Hmm… where did I learn that this matters? Who’s voice am I listening to? How can I find what matters to me and focus more on doing that well?”

That one question can unravel a LOT.

4. You might be discovering yourself for the first time

Some moms feel like they just want to get back to “their old selves,” you know, pre-kids. And some of us feel like we never even figured out who we were in the first place.

• what we like

• what we value

• what we want

And honestly? That’s allowed to take time.

5. The simplest test: do you clench or exhale?

When you imagine not doing “the thing”…

• Do you feel tight, stressed, resistant? → 🚩

• Or do you feel relief, space, ease? → 👀

That exhale? That’s data. Recognize it and start figuring out what does bring you joy if you want to start prioritizing your life around your values.

Of course, there are some jobs in life we just have to do, but for the most part, we get to decide what we pursue, what we spend energy on, and how we do those things to maximize joy in the process.

Leave a comment

Okay but what do I DO with this?

We didn’t just stay theoretical. Here’s where this lands practically:

If dinner is draining you:

• Try meal delivery for a season

• Use pre-made grocery options

• Repeat meals you already know work

• Lower the bar (a lot)

• Or outsource where you can

And most importantly, take the time to learn what does put food on the table in a life-giving way for YOU.

Because maybe your value isn’t cooking from scratch.

Maybe it’s having energy left at the end of the day or enjoying time with your family.

If this episode felt a little too relatable…

If you’re:

• constantly overwhelmed by decisions

• doing things out of guilt

• unsure what actually matters to you anymore

You don’t need another hack.

You need:

• space to think

• someone to process with

• permission to do things differently

That’s what coaching is for.

You can book a call with Hannah or Meredith here.

Book a Coaching Call

Links & things we mentioned

• The blow dryer/shark-airwrap situation… if you know, you know. We were influenced in real time 😂

• If you want to go deeper on the time vs. energy conversation, revisit the Jennifer Sise episode. It pairs perfectly with this one and will reframe how you think about capacity.

• If this episode stirred up identity questions like “what do I even like anymore?”, the Priscila Smith episode is a must-listen. It’s one of our best conversations on rediscovering yourself and your style.

• When Meredith referenced looking at finances before outsourcing meals, that came from the Becca Gonzalez episode - super practical if you’re trying to make changes without blowing your budget.

• The book True to You came up as a next step if you want to go deeper on identity, boundaries, and understanding your own patterns in relationships.

• For our Houston moms, Tres Market is one of those “this could save dinner this week” places! Great prepared meals you can grab and be done.

• Julie Barnes’ meal planning system is a practical solution if you like structure but hate the decision-making. Think: pre-built grocery lists + less Pinterest spiraling.

• And of course, everything we create (podcasts, weekly resources, coaching) lives at Getmomready.com

And yes…HelloFresh, if you’re reading this…we are ready for a partnership.🤝

Leave a comment

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Somewhere along the way, we start believing that once we make a decision as a mom… it becomes part of our identity.

Working mom.
Stay-at-home mom.
Traveling mom.
Always-home mom.
Co-sleeping mom.
Strict bedtime mom.
No-screens mom.

Like once we pick it, we owe it permanence.

But here’s my hot take:

You’re allowed to change your mind as a mom.

Not because you’re flaky.
Not because you’re inconsistent.
But because motherhood is not static.

It’s seasonal.

The Season That Tested Me

January, February, and March were heavy travel months for me.

There was a three-week sprint where I was gone 12 of those days.

Twelve.

I felt the mom guilt. Of course I did.

There were moments in airport security lines where I thought,
“Should I be doing this?”

But here’s what I also know to be true:

When I feel fulfilled in my work — when I’m operating in my purpose — I show up better at home.

I am more present.
More patient.
More alive.

So instead of deciding from guilt, I decided from curiosity.

I told myself:
Let’s try this.
And if it doesn’t work, I can adjust.

Refusing to Live From Guilt

What I refuse to do is make decisions purely from guilt — and then quietly wonder for years:

What would have happened if I’d tried?

So we got creative.

For one trip, we flew my mom in so Elliott could join me for part of it and we turned it into a mini vacation.

For another stretch, I had to be in Missouri for two days and North Carolina for two days. I flew home late one night — it made zero logistical sense — just so I could walk Iris to school the next morning before heading back to the airport.

It wasn’t efficient.
But it mattered to me.

For another conference at a resort, we used points to fly my mom out. I brought Iris with me — the last time she could fly free before turning two. She had beach days with Mimi while I worked, and I saw her in the mornings and at night.

But guess what…we ended up in an Uber at 2am on the way to the ER because she had thrown up four times in 90 minutes. Turns out, FluB was the culprit.

Was that fun? No.

Was it simple? No.

Was I tired? Yes.

Was it worth trying? Absolutely.

And I would do it again, even with the flu, because I felt way better knowing she was with me and her Mimi than me being across the country with her dad alone navigating an awful sickness.

I talked allllllllll about what I learned navigating this in our episode called “I Left My Toddler for 8 Days. Here’s What Actually Happened.”

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Apple Podcasts

I don’t want to build my motherhood around fear of “what if I regret this?”

I’d rather build it around experimentation and honesty.

The Freedom of “We’ll See”

The truth is:

I don’t know yet what long-term travel will look like for our family.

I don’t know if I’ll love bringing her.
I don’t know if I’ll decide it’s too hard.
I don’t know if we’ll restructure everything next year.

But I refuse to lock myself into a version of motherhood that isn’t allowed to evolve.

Trying something doesn’t mean committing to it forever.

It means gathering data.

And motherhood is a lot of data collection.

You’re Not Betraying Your Kids by Being Honest About Yourself

There’s a quiet fear that if we change our minds, we’re being unstable.

But what if adaptability is actually stability?

What if our kids don’t need us to be rigid —
They need us to be reflective?

I want Iris to grow up seeing a mom who:

• Thinks deeply.

• Tries bravely.

• Adjusts honestly.

• And doesn’t let guilt run the show.

Here’s What I’m Learning

Motherhood isn’t about picking the “right” lane and staying in it.

It’s about paying attention.

If something works, we keep it.
If something doesn’t, we pivot.

That applies to:

• Work decisions.

• Travel rhythms.

• Sleep plans.

• School choices.

• Friendships.

• Marriage seasons.

You’re allowed to test.
You’re allowed to adapt.
You’re allowed to say, “This isn’t working anymore.”

That’s not instability.

That’s maturity.

So I’m curious:

Where have you changed your mind as a mom — and what did that season teach you?

Leave a comment

Let’s normalize the pivot.

Click above to listen on Apple or click HERE to listen on Spotify.

Show Notes: What we Talked About + Products

This week on Get Mom Ready, we started with a travel horror story.

Airport chaos.
A toddler meltdown on a plane.
And a mom crying under a blanket mid-flight.

You know… the usual.

But somewhere in the middle of swapping travel stories, the conversation turned into something bigger:

How do we actually set ourselves up for success as moms?

Not just when traveling.

But anytime we’re trying to juggle work, motherhood, logistics, identity, and our own sanity.

This episode is one of those conversations where we start talking about travel…

…and end up talking about support systems, guilt, experimentation, and what it takes to feel present in our own lives.

Also, purely by accident, all three of us showed up wearing denim.

Completely unplanned.
Completely on brand for moms everywhere.

So if you want to witness the accidental Denim Day, you can watch the episode at GetMomReady.com.

Subscribe now

In this episode we talk about…

What it actually looks like to navigate travel as a mom.

The logistics.
The emotions.
The unexpected curveballs.

We get into:

• traveling with kids vs. without them
• preparing caregivers before you leave
• the difference between real guilt and fear of what other people might think
• the tiny logistical decisions that dramatically reduce mental load
• how to ask for help without apologizing for it
• why a spirit of experimentation might be one of the healthiest mindsets in motherhood

And yes, we also talk about what happens when your kid gets the flu on a work trip and you find yourself in an ER at 2 AM in Tampa.

Motherhood keeps things humble.

The mindset we keep coming back to

One of the biggest themes that came up in this conversation was something we all want to hold onto more:

The spirit of experimentation.

Instead of asking:

“Am I doing this the right way?”

What if we asked:

“What happens if I try this?”

Motherhood changes constantly.

What works when your baby is 6 months old
might not work when they’re 2.

What worked last year
might not work this year.

Experimentation gives you permission to:

• try something
• learn from it
• adjust
• change your mind

And honestly? That might be one of the most freeing parenting tools there is.

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A few things that actually helped

A lot of what made travel feel doable weren’t huge life changes.

They were small, practical decisions.

A caregiver “playbook”

Before leaving, we talked about how helpful it can be to create a shared note with things like:

• routines
• preferences
• school logistics
• important contacts
• pet instructions
• random household things you don’t want someone guessing about

Not because everything has to be perfect.

But because preparation helps everyone breathe easier.

Identifying your triggers

Every parent has a couple of things that spike their anxiety more than others.

For some it’s choking.

For others it’s driving.

For others it’s sleep.

Instead of pretending those concerns don’t exist, sometimes it helps to just name them.

Sometimes readiness looks like saying:

“Hey, this is one of my things. Will you humor me?”

It’s not about control.

It’s about giving your nervous system a little more peace.

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Making travel lighter (literally)

One travel tip that came up in the episode was a portable car seat option that made traveling so much easier.

The RideSafer Travel Vest works like a wearable car seat and folds into a small bag.

If you’ve ever tried to manage a toddler, a suitcase, a backpack, and a giant car seat through an airport… you know why this matters.

When the plan falls apart

Of course, motherhood loves to test our plans.

In this case, everything was going perfectly…until a toddler woke up throwing up at 1 AM.

Cue the ER visit.

Cue the Uber ride in the middle of the night.

Cue the moment where you think:

“Why did I think traveling with a toddler was a good idea?”

But the interesting thing?

Even in the chaos, the takeaway wasn’t “never do this again.”

It was actually the opposite.

Sometimes the things we’re most nervous about are the things that remind us:

We can handle more than we think.

A reminder about support systems

Another theme that kept surfacing in this conversation:

People often want to help more than we realize.

Grandparents who love extra time with grandkids.
Friends who are willing to be “on call.”
Partners who hold down the fort.

We’re not meant to do motherhood alone.

And sometimes the bravest thing we can do is simply let people show up for us.

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If this episode resonated

We’d love to hear from you.

Tell us:

• what season of motherhood you’re in
• what you’re experimenting with right now
• what topics you want us to cover next

You can reach us at: info@thereadynetwork.com

And if you’re in a season where work, motherhood, identity, and life logistics all feel like they’re colliding…we offer Get Mom Ready coaching.

You can book a discovery call and choose the coach who feels like the best fit for your season here.

Book a Discovery Call

If this conversation resonated…

You’re exactly who Get Mom Ready is for.

Every week we share honest conversations about motherhood — the identity shifts, the mental load, the work-life tension, the things nobody really prepares you for.

If you want these conversations delivered straight to your inbox, make sure you’re subscribed.

Because motherhood is a lot easier when you realize: you’re not the only one figuring it out.

Subscribe below and we’ll see you next week.

Subscribe now

One last thought

This episode may start with travel.

But the deeper question we kept coming back to was this:

What helps us feel ready for the life we’re living?

Ready to leave.
Ready to ask for help.
Ready to try something new.
Ready to change our minds.

Ready to grow.

And sometimes…

ready to handle a midnight ER visit in Tampa.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, and Getmomready.com on your way to the grocery store or in the drop off line today.

Listen on Apple

Listen on Spotify

Click above to listen on Apple or click HERE to listen on Spotify.

Show Notes: What we Talked About + Products

Hey friends! welcome back to Get Mom Ready.

It’s the trio holding it down today: Meredith, Hannah, and Anna (Holly will be back!). And yes—today’s audio is a little different: Meredith is traveling and packing light, so her volume is a bit quieter than usual. Turn it up when she’s talking because she drops some of the best mental shifts in the episode.

Last week we talked about something counterintuitive: sometimes the most productive thing you can do is… nothing. Step back. Put the phone away. Regulate. Stop letting constant input run your day.

This week we’re holding the “both/and”:

You can give yourself permission to slow down… and still want to feel more productive.

Not “hustle harder” productive —
More like: less pulled, less cluttered, less irritated, more present.

Because honestly? That’s what most of us want.

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The theme of this episode: Stop living like everything is urgent.

We kept coming back to this word: pulled.

Pulled by:

• texts

• notifications

• rabbit trails

• “I’ll just do this one quick thing…”

• the never-ending mental tabs open in your brain

And when we’re pulled in ten directions, we end up doing life slightly irritated… even when nothing is actually wrong.

So today we talk about what’s actually helping right now — the tiny shifts that reduce mental load and decision fatigue.

1) The “leave your phone somewhere else” experiment

We all shared some version of this: physically separating from your phone.

Examples from the episode:

• leaving your phone in another room during the morning routine

• leaving it inside while you play outside after school

• charging it in an office (not your bedroom)

• treating it like a “landline” — you have to go to it to use it

And the surprising benefit?

Less irritation.
Because your kids aren’t interrupting your phone/podcast/text spiral… you’re just with them.

No tug-of-war.

2) Turn off notifications (and take your power back)

We’re not saying “be unreachable.” We’re saying: you get to decide when the world gets access to your attention.

One line we loved:

“I want to happen to life. I don’t want life to happen to me.”

Start small:

• turn off Instagram + Substack notifications

• mute the noisiest group chats

• keep only calls/texts on (or set emergency contacts)

This is one of the fastest ways to reduce “everything feels urgent” energy.

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3) Think one step ahead (not ten)

This was Meredith’s core practical shift, and it’s so good:

If planning overwhelms you… don’t plan the week.
Just think one step ahead.

Examples:

• prep breakfast the night before

• decide lunch while you’re eating breakfast

• close curtains + turn on the sound machine before nap time chaos hits

• boil extra eggs while you’re already boiling one

• chop fruit/veg at night while you’re already cleaning the kitchen

It’s not about becoming a “planner.”
It’s about reducing friction so you’re not living in constant scramble mode.

4) Time-block your phone the way you time-block your life

This might be the most helpful mindset shift for anyone who keeps their inbox at “zero” (hi, Anna 🙋‍♀️):

Instead of responding to everything all day long…
create a few phone windows.

Like:

• 11:30–12:00 = texts + DMs

• 3:00–3:15 = quick check-in

• 8:30–9:00 = respond + catch up

Because being “caught up” isn’t the goal.

Being present is.

Side note: If you haven’t listened yet, go back to our episode with Jennifer Sise. It ties in perfectly to this chat. We talked about what it looks like to stop living in reactive mode, create intentional rhythms, and make decisions from a grounded place instead of a frantic one.

5) A gentle reminder: the goal isn’t perfect systems

We even said it out loud: we didn’t give “30 hot productivity tips” today.

But we did name what’s underneath all of this:

• reducing sensory input

• creating boundaries around attention

• choosing tiny systems that calm your nervous system

• making the next right step easier

And that’s the real productivity hack.

Try this today (one tiny action)

Pick just one:

• Put your phone in another room for 60 minutes

• Turn off notifications for one app

• Write down the Amazon/to-do rabbit trail instead of doing it immediately

• Prep one thing tonight that future-you will thank you for

If you try something from this episode, tell us what you notice. We really do want to learn alongside you.

Listen + keep in touch

You can listen to the full episode wherever you get podcasts, or on our site: getmomready.com (you’ll also find our articles + resources there).

Listen on Apple

Listen on Spotify

If this episode made you exhale even a little… send it to a mom friend who’s living with 47 tabs open.

And if you want to take this week’s advice to a more practical level, book a coaching call with Hannah, Meredith, Holly, or Anna to talk through the mental load you’re carrying and create simple systems that make your days feel lighter.

We’ll see you next week.

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A few years ago, I volunteered at a migrant shelter in El Paso. Guests rotated cooking and cleaning, which meant I got a front-row seat to incredible food — and a mindset that has quietly shaped my motherhood.

The minute breakfast dishes hit the sink, someone was already soaking beans for lunch.

That detail stuck with me.

As someone who is not naturally gifted in the “plan ahead” department, this shift has been everything. The question is simple:

How can I set myself up for the next thing?

Because here’s what I know: in my house, “fine” can turn to “hangry” in under three minutes (a certain little boy takes after his Mama). And when that happens, everyone’s nervous system pays.

I am a self-preservationist. If I can prevent being screamed at while chopping vegetables, I will.

Here’s what that looks like:

• Coffee prepped and timed the night before. (I am a coffee-first girlie.)

• Sunday breakfast batch: baked oatmeal, egg casserole, hard-boiled eggs + fruit.

• If I’m already in the kitchen, I start something else. Boil eggs. Throw meat in the Dream Cooker. Roast vegetables. I call this capitalizing on energy. I’m here anyway, may as well.

• Veggies get steamed or roasted whenever I have momentum. No elaborate system. Just: I’m here. Let’s help Future Me.

It’s not just food; it’s mental load.

After breakfast, we walk. But I decide ahead of time: am I cleaning up now or later? If it’s later, I name when. That single decision keeps the mess from buzzing in my brain.

The biggest lesson from that shelter wasn’t about beans.

It was this:

1. Planning ahead doesn’t require a personality transplant.

2. The plan can be extremely simple.
   

This morning before our walk, I quickly clocked lunch: what he’d eat, when he’d eat, and whether we had the ingredients. We did. If we hadn’t, I still had margin to pivot — before a certain angel boy started nipping at my heels whining for food.

For someone who prefers to fly by the seat of her pants, this is absolutely building new neural pathways. It can feel like work.

But you know what’s more work?

A toddler screaming while I panic-chop.

Simple shifts. Big payoff.

(Most of the time).

In this together,

You are not “too sensitive.”
You are overstimulated.

Your phone is buzzing.
The news is loud.
The group chat is on fire.
Your calendar is full.
Your kids need snacks.
Dinner isn’t made.

And somewhere in the middle of all of it… you snap.

Not because you’re a bad mom.
Not because you don’t care.
But because your nervous system was never designed for this much input.

We Were Built for Acute Stress, Not Constant Stress

Thousands of years ago, stress came in short bursts.

A threat.
A reaction.
A recovery.

Adrenaline up.
Adrenaline down.

Now?

The stress never fully resolves.

The notifications don’t stop.
The news cycle doesn’t slow down.
The scroll never ends.

Your body is staying in a low-grade state of fight-or-flight…and then your child spills milk and you feel like you might explode.

It’s not about the milk.

It’s about the cumulative load.

The Part We Don’t Talk About

There’s guilt, too.

Guilt for turning the news off.
Guilt for not being “in the know.”
Guilt for having calm when others don’t.

But guilt doesn’t regulate your nervous system.
And it doesn’t help the world.

You can care deeply about what’s happening and still protect your peace.

Those are not opposites.

If You’re Snapping More Than You Want To, Start Here

Not with shame.
Not with a new productivity system.
Not with a 45-minute meditation you don’t have time for.

Start with evaluation.

Ask yourself:

• What am I allowing into my day?

• Is this input helping me live according to my values?

• Do I need this much information to be a good mom? A good citizen? A good human?

Most of us aren’t overwhelmed because we care.
We’re overwhelmed because we have unlimited access to everything, all the time.

And no one else is setting limits for us.

PS. Don’t stop here. If you want super practical tools for evaluating your life and reducing decision fatigue, don’t miss our conversation with our favorite Productivity Coach Jennifer Sise. It pairs perfectly with this one.

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Small Ways to Regulate (Even in the Chaos)

You don’t need a silent house.

You need reps.

• Leave your phone plugged in and walk into the next room without it.

• Mute the group chat for an hour.

• Decide when you will consume news instead of letting it consume you.

• Go outside without your phone.

• Do something with your hands (puzzles, folding laundry slowly, cooking, painting, organizing a drawer).

It will feel uncomfortable at first.

That’s not failure.
That’s your nervous system detoxing from constant stimulation.

The Truth

You cannot carry the entire world and the mental load of your household at the same time.

You are allowed to:

• Be informed without being flooded.

• Care without being consumed.

• Protect your nervous system so you can show up regulated for your kids.

This isn’t about ignoring reality.

It’s about remembering that your children deserve a regulated mother more than they need a mother who knows every headline.

And you deserve peace in your own home.

If this landed somewhere tender for you, we’d love to hear it.

Leave a comment

Have you noticed yourself snapping more because of the overwhelm on your phone?
What’s helped you regulate lately?

Reply here or send us a message on instagram.

P.S. A big thank you to Pediped for sponsoring this episode. If you’re looking for developmentally healthy, truly kid-friendly shoes (that your nervous system doesn’t have to fight over), you can get 20% off your first purchase with code MOMREADY at pediped.com.

We all know her.

The friend who replies first.
The one who says, “Can I bring you dinner?”
The one who shows up when someone is struggling.
The one who celebrates loudly when someone wins.

And somehow… she always has time.

I have a friend like this. In every group she’s in, when someone texts that they’re overwhelmed, just had a baby, lost something, or even just hit a milestone, she’s the first one to respond:

“Can I make you a meal?”

She doesn’t just say it. She does it.

And if I’m honest? I want to be that friend.

But a lot of days… I’m tired.

I feel maxed out.
I fill every open pocket of time.
If I have 30 free minutes, I find something to do with it.

So I finally asked her how she does it.

Her answer stopped me:

“I intentionally live with margin so I can love on others.”

Not because she has less going on.
Not because her life is easier.

Because she chooses not to live at capacity.

And that convicted me… in the best way.

What Is Margin?

Margin is the space between your load and your limit.

It’s the breathing room in your calendar.
It’s the emotional capacity to respond instead of react.
It’s having something left to give.

And if we’re honest, most of us are allergic to it.

If we have 30 free minutes, we:

• Add another errand

• Say yes to another commitment

• Scroll

• Catch up on “just one more thing”

We’ve normalized being maxed out.

But here’s the hard truth:

If we live at capacity, we can’t show up for anyone else.

Why Margin Matters (Especially in Motherhood)

Motherhood is already demanding.
Our homes need us.
Our kids need us.
Our work needs us.

If we don’t build margin on purpose, it disappears by default.

And without margin:

• We miss the text from a struggling friend.

• We feel annoyed instead of compassionate.

• We celebrate from afar instead of showing up.

But with margin?
We get to be the friend who brings the meal.
The one who watches the baby.
The one who says, “I’ve got you.”

And that kind of life feels rich.

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If You Want to Live With Margin…

But you feel stacked to the brim already, start here:

1. Ask: What’s one thing I could cut?

Not ten.
Just one.

One commitment.
One recurring obligation.
One habit that drains more than it gives.

Margin doesn’t require a life overhaul.
It starts with subtraction.

2. Redefine What “Support” Looks Like

Maybe you truly don’t have time to cook a meal.

What could you do instead?

• Send a $20 DoorDash gift card.

• Drop off a coffee or flowers.

• Send a voice memo prayer.

• Watch her kids for 45 minutes.

• Put a reminder in your phone to check in next week.

Love doesn’t have to be elaborate.
It just has to be intentional.

3. Leave White Space on Purpose

What if you left one evening a week unscheduled?
What if you didn’t automatically fill your “free” Saturday?
What if you said, “Let me check my margin,” instead of “Let me check my calendar”?

White space feels uncomfortable at first.

But that’s where generosity lives.

How to Become “That” Friend

If you want to be a friend like that (the one who consistently shows up) what’s one small way you could create margin this month?

And if you feel like you have none to give… what’s one creative way you could still love someone well?

You don’t need a perfectly curated life to be there for others.

You just need a little space.

And sometimes, space is something we have to choose.

This is something I’m working on, too.

If you try living with margin this month, let me know what changes. What feels lighter? What feels harder? What surprises you?

Let’s build a little breathing room together.

Leave a comment

This week, Meredith, Hannah, and Anna talk about what’s underneath “I’m fine, I’ve got it,” and why asking for help often feels harder than just doing the thing (even when we’re drowning).

Holly is traveling this week, but we’ll be circling back soon to unpack what this season of travel has been like for her, with and without Iris.

What we’re really talking about: asking for help in real life

This episode isn’t a “make a better chore chart” conversation. It’s about the lived experience of motherhood where:

• your brain is carrying 47 tabs open

• your body is overstimulated by the end of the day

• resentment starts to feel like a pressure in your chest

• and you can’t even find the words to say what you need… until you’re already past capacity

We talk about how to notice what’s happening sooner, how to ask more directly, and how to do it in a way that invites partnership instead of defensiveness.

Here are the big themes we address.

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1. “Take responsibility for the help you need.”

That sentence hit because it’s not about blaming anyone—it’s about recognizing: my system is overloaded, and I need to say so out loud.

Not passive aggression. Not storming around. Not silently keeping score.

Just the brave, honest moment of:

“I feel like I’m carrying a lot. Can we talk about where we can shift things?”

Anna referenced a really helpful Big Little Feelings Substack post that captures the “default parent” tension so well. Here’s the link.

2. The “behind the sink” resentment

Meredith named something so many of us feel but don’t always know how to explain:

Sometimes our partner is “helping”… but we’re still the CEO of the kitchen (or the parenting, laundry, decisions, etc.).

And when you’re always the person behind the sink, it can start to feel like your home runs on your constant, unending effort.

The need wasn’t “help more.” It was more specific:

“I want you to step in and take the main task. I’ll be the support role for a minute.”

That clarity changes everything.

3. A reframe that actually helps: “It’s too much for both of us.”

We said it plainly: parenting is a lot, even with two engaged adults.

When you start from “we’re both carrying a lot,” the conversation becomes:

• less accusatory

• more collaborative

• more honest about reality

And it opens the door to solutions that feel sustainable instead of combative.

A few scripts you can steal

• Name it early (neutral + direct):
  “I’m starting to feel overloaded. Can we look at what’s on my plate today?”

• Share impact (without blame):
  “When I’m doing dishes after bedtime every night, I’m exhausted and we lose our time together.”

• Ask for one specific shift (not a full life overhaul):
  “Can you take nighttime dishes this week? I can’t do the kitchen one more time today.”

• Make the work an expectation, not a favor:
  “This is what our family needs to run. Everyone has a role.”

Use tools that remove guesswork

Fair Play cards (mentioned in the episode) can help you see what’s being carried—and decide who owns what based on capacity and what each person doesn’t mind doing (or even enjoys).

It’s not about “perfectly equal.” It’s about “clear and agreed.”

Consider outsourcing without shame

Sometimes the most loving solution is: stop trying to do it all with zero support.

Meal help. Laundry help. A babysitter for two hours. A cleaner once a month. Even one recurring outsourced task can change the temperature of your whole home.

BTS: We also discuss inviting your kids to help you.

A gentle reminder we all needed

Some seasons are temporary.
Some tasks are forever.

And both are easier when you stop trying to be the only functioning adult in the building.

If you’re feeling resentful, overstimulated, or chronically behind, it might not mean you’re failing.

It might mean you need help. (And you’re allowed to ask for it.)

We want to hear from you

If you have:

• a script that works in your house

• a way you split responsibilities that actually stuck

• a system that lowered your mental load

• or a future topic you want us to cover

Send it to us. We really do build episodes and resources from what you tell us.

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And if something in this episode hit close to home and you want support, you can book a coaching session with any of us.

Today’s episode is sponsored by Pediped—shoes designed to support growing feet, and they’ve been awarded the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association.

If you’re looking for kid shoes with more room for toes to move (and a better fit for real-life kid feet), check them out. Use code MOMREADY for 20% off your first order.

When my friend called me stressed about her registry, we didn’t start by comparing brands.

We started with this: “What’s actually stressing you out the most?”

It wasn’t safety.
It wasn’t budget.
It wasn’t even the baby.

It was the pressure to get everything right.

Car seat.
Stroller.
Bassinet.
Crib mattress (why are there 47 kinds?).
Monitor.
Bottles.

Every decision felt loaded.

And here’s my hot take:

The baby industry doesn’t sell products.
It sells relief from anxiety.

And we buy it.

(I’ll have to do another post on my postpartum anxiety…the struggle is REALLLLL.)

Because we love our babies.

Because we want to be prepared.

Because we don’t want to mess this up.

But somewhere along the way, preparation quietly becomes performance.

You Don’t Need the “Best.” You Need the One That Fits Your Life.

In our conversation, the stroller question turned into something bigger.

Not: “What’s the best stroller?”

But: “How do you actually live?”

Do you walk daily?
Is your driveway pavement or gravel?
Do you live in the city of Houston where the sidewalks are absolute crap? (Sorry, I might be venting now…)
Do you travel?
Do you want one-handed fold because you’re always holding coffee and keys?

Your lifestyle should determine your gear.

Not Instagram.

Not Amazon reviews.

Not the mom who lives in a high-rise when you live on acreage…or vice versa.

Side note…I registered for one of those Solly wraps because all the cute Instagram mom influencers had them, and ended up being gifted with two. I was so excited, tried using them three times, and after breaking a sweat and wanting to throw it out the window, I bought a carrier that I didn’t have to have the patience of Mother Theresa to use…(my blood pressure literally went up just typing that sentence because I hated the Solly wrap that much, ha!), because I’m not your cute mom Solly wrap girl…I’m your practical, fast-paced, multitasking mom that just wants to go for the freaking walk without 20 minutes of wrapping a thing around my body hoping my baby doesn’t fall out.

Okay, moving on…

The Lie: If You Choose Wrong, You’ll Regret It Forever

You won’t.

You’ll adjust.

You’ll sell it.
You’ll borrow something else.
You’ll laugh about it later.

Motherhood is not a single high-stakes purchasing decision.

It’s a series of small pivots.

Here’s the Inspiring Part

You are allowed to build a registry (and anything for that matter) that supports your version of motherhood.

Not the aesthetic one.
Not the minimalist one.
Not the hyper-optimized one.

The one that reduces friction in your real life.

That might mean:

• A jogging stroller for walks and a travel stroller that stays in the car.

• A pack-and-play bridge instead of a designer bassinet.

• Skipping the bottle sanitizer.

• Registering for comfy postpartum pajamas in a size bigger than you think (I realllllly wish I’d done that because the pjs I brought to the hospital were way too small).

It might mean asking for help making decisions because you don’t have the energy.

That’s not weakness.

That’s wisdom.

Get Mom Ready Means This

It doesn’t mean “get everything perfect.”

It means:
Get ready to adapt.
Get ready to learn.
Get ready to change your mind.

And most importantly?

Get ready to protect your mental energy.

Because that’s the resource you’ll use more than any stroller.

If you’ve already had a baby, I’d love to know:

What registry item did you overthink… and what ended up not mattering nearly as much as you thought? Let us know in the comments below.

Let’s make this easier for the next mom reading.

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In this episode, we brought on Becca Gonzalez (The Money Girls) to make money feel simple, doable, and even kind of fun.

Becca shares how she went from bringing $90,000 of debt into her marriage (and becoming a full-blown “every dollar has a job” enforcer) to building a money system that helped her marriage feel like a team again, and helped her clients stop avoiding their accounts and start making confident decisions.

This is not a boring finance episode.

This is a “your shoulders drop and you think, oh… I can do this” episode.

We cover a lot…

1. The money shift that changes everything: understanding what’s happening

Becca’s core message is simple:

When you understand what your money is doing, you stop being afraid of it.

So many of us are living in:

• “I think we’re fine?”

• “I don’t want to look.”

• “It’s probably bad.”

Becca calls this moving from drama to data.

When you look at the numbers, it’s almost never as catastrophic as your brain has convinced you it is. And once you know what’s happening? You can actually move forward.

Becca shared that in six years of coaching, only a couple of clients were in as bad of a situation as they feared.

Most women are spiraling emotionally… while the numbers are manageable.

And even if they aren’t? Once you know, you can build a plan.

Clarity is power.

Becca Tip: If you’re wondering where your money is going, she says historically it’s usually:

• Groceries

• Eating out

• Convenience (hello, Amazon)

The good news?

Those are controllable.

You don’t have to eliminate joy, just decide consciously.

2. Investing in yourself: Is there a “golden ratio”?

One of you asked:

How much is too much to gamble on starting a business? Is there a golden ratio?

Becca’s answer? There isn’t a magic percentage — but there are grounding questions:

• Does money already feel tight?

• Do you have any savings buffer?

• Are you investing in retirement (or moving in that direction)?

• Is this decision coming from fear/scarcity… or clarity and alignment?

If you invest while panicked, you’ll likely pressure yourself to earn it back immediately, and that pressure can sabotage your growth.

But if you invest from stability and intention? That’s a very different story.

She also reframed ROI:

Sometimes the return isn’t just financial.
Sometimes it’s clarity. Confidence. Direction.
And knowing what you don’t want to replicate.

3. Getting on the Same Page With Your Partner

This is where it got really good.

Becca sees two common scenarios:

1. You share life, but not finances

2. You share life and finances, but you’re not aligned

Her biggest lesson from her own marriage?

You can’t drag someone into money peace.

You can go first.
You can model consistency.
But you can’t control.

Try This: The “Values List”

Each partner separately writes 1–5 things they genuinely want to spend money on.

Then come together and explain the why behind each one.

It turns:
“That’s dumb.”
Into:
“Oh… I didn’t realize that mattered to you.”

It shifts the conversation from numbers to meaning.

Holly shared that the Fair Play system has been helpful for dividing responsibilities (including money ownership) with less resentment and more clarity.

If you’ve never seen it, it’s a card deck and system designed to help couples divide household labor intentionally. You can find it here.

4. The Money Rhythms That Actually Works

A. If “weekly money meeting” makes you want to cry, Becca suggests:

• Set a timer for 15 minutes

• Have a tiny agenda

• Make one decision

• Stop

That’s it.

You can build from there. But start small.

B. Envelope System vs. Counting Up

Becca gave a mindset shift that blew our minds.

When you use envelopes, you’re often counting down:
“I only have $25 left.”

When you budget intentionally, you count up:
“I get to spend up to $X.”

Same math.
Very different psychology.

C. Kids + Money: Skills Over Safety Nets

We also talked about saving for kids.

529? Trusts? Custodial accounts?

Becca’s perspective was powerful:

Before opening up any kind of account, determine your family values.

She goes much deeper into this on the pod.

Becca’s also gave us one game-changing tip for teaching kids wise spending… and stopping the constant “Can I have that?” battle at checkout. Don’t miss this in the episode.

Share

A Perspective Shift We’re Still Thinking About

Holly shared a fact that stopped us:

The Equal Credit Opportunity Act passed in 1974, meaning women couldn’t independently access credit without a male co-signer until then.

That’s not ancient history.

If money feels intimidating… we are still culturally very new to full financial autonomy.

Grace. For all of us.

Connect With Becca

If you NEED a Becca in your life or want to check out her offerings, Becca lives mostly on Instagram and is new to TikTok.

Learn about her membership + free challenge to help you figure out where your money is going in about 15 minutes + offers: https://stan.store/mindherbusinessgirls

Money Girls Membership ($67/month as mentioned in the episode) is linked through her Stan Store.

Email Becca for 1:1 coaching inquiries:
mindherbusinessgirls@gmail.com

Want to Suggest a Future Topic?

We LOVE hearing from you.

Email us at info@thereadynetwork.com.

Want Coaching?

You can book a coaching call with any of the Get Mom Ready crew here.

Question For You

When you think about money right now, what feels hardest:

Clarity?
Communication with your partner?
Or consistency?

Tell us in the comments.

And if this episode helped you take even one brave step toward looking at your numbers, that’s getting mom ready.

Leave a comment

It’s like we’re just getting the crumbs from our friends in this season of Motherhood

We talked on the podcast about friendship and how, these days, it’s normal in motherhood to feel like you’re getting and giving crumbs to each other because we are all in a tough season. Our resources go to our kids, our spouses, our homes, or our work—and then, lastly, to friends and extended family.

I made a comment that I want more for us. I don’t think we just deserve crumbs! What if we were able to weave friendship into the other things that we value?

For example, if giving your kids fun experiences is a value, invite your friend and her kids to the zoo. If spending time at home with your kids is a value, invite friends over for an easy dinner and let the kids run wild outside. If exercise is a value, invite your friend for a walk (or even walk and talk on the phone together!). I have even heard of people inviting their friends to grocery shop together. You could find ways to work together, too (maybe even start a podcast!). If possible, I will also always encourage mothers to find other mothers in their neighborhood. Being able to walk out your door and down your street to see friends is life-changing. Seriously.

While it might feel like prioritizing friendships is adding one more thing to your plate, it gives back tenfold. You will` always feel better after spending time with a good friend.

Now we can ask: Who are your good friends? Are they giving you energy or draining it? Are they cheering you on? Are they supportive? Are they someone you want to call and talk to? Are they there for you when things are hard? Are they good listeners? Do you have fun together?

How can you be a good friend? When your friend comes to you with an issue, you can ask if they’d like you just to listen, validate, or if they want advice. This helps them feel seen and builds your relationship.

Remember: friendships take time to develop, and they evolve over time. There are women I was very close to when my kids were little, and through moves and different schools, we aren’t as close anymore. That doesn’t mean I didn’t cherish the years we spent together. And it doesn’t mean that anything happened to ruin the friendship. Friendships simply evolve.

I think it’s safe to say we love and value friends over here at Get Mom Ready. If this article made you feel like you want to up your game in the friend department, we’d love to help! Don’t hesitate to reach out for coaching.

Friendship.

Not “how to make more mom friends.”

But how to know who’s safe… and how to be safe when someone hands you something tender.

Because motherhood has a way of turning friendship into both:

• lifeline

• and landmine

And a lot of us are carrying a low-grade question in the background of our lives:

Who can I really bring my real life to?

The word we’re side-eyeing: “loyalty”

We started with a spicy-ish take from Anna:

“Loyalty” feels like a weird expectation to place on friendship.

Not because commitment isn’t beautiful, but because friendship isn’t a contract.

When people say “I value loyalty,” sometimes what they mean is:

• “I need you to prove you’re on my side.”

• “I need you to show up the same way forever.”

• “I need you to be available when I’m not.”

• “Don’t change. Don’t drift. Don’t evolve.”

And motherhood will absolutely test that.

We talked about the difference between:

• desire (“I miss you. I wish we had more time.”)

• expectation (“If you cared, you would.”)

That line matters.

A safe friend doesn’t demand your nervous system

One of the most freeing ideas in the episode:

A safe friend understands that availability can’t be “drop everything, always.”

Instead of “prove you’re loyal,” a safe friendship sounds like:

• “Do you have it to give right now?”

• “Can I put something here?”

• “Do you want validation or feedback?”

• “No pressure to respond fast, I just needed to say it.”

That’s not distance. That’s respect.

The most practical tool we shared

Hannah brought in something we wish every adult friendship had language for:

Before someone shares something hard, ask:

What do you want right now?

• Validation?

• Support?

• Feedback?

• Suggestions?

• A solution?

• Just a place to vent?

Because a lot of friendship tension isn’t “bad friend energy.”

It’s misaligned expectations:

• One person is venting.

• The other is fixing.

• Someone leaves feeling unseen.

• Someone leaves feeling rejected.

This one question fixes so much.

How do you know someone is safe?

We didn’t give a cute listicle answer… because honestly, you learn over time.

But some clear “tells” came up:

Safe friends tend to:

• treat other people’s stories with care (no “she wouldn’t mind me telling you…”)

• disagree respectfully (no contempt, no reduction)

• handle your hard moments without pearl-clutching

• let you be human without making it about them

• disappoint you sometimes… and let you disappoint them sometimes (without punishment)

Safety isn’t perfection.

Safety is trust + emotional maturity + respect.

Next week: money talk (anonymous + no questions off the table)

We have a finance guru joining us next week and no questions are off the table and everything stays anonymous.

Send anything you want us to ask to info@thereadynetwork.com and we’ll get answers on next week’s episode.

Question for you (comment and tell us)

When you think about a “safe friend,” what’s the #1 trait that makes you feel like you can exhale and be fully yourself?

Leave a comment

Sponsor: Pediped makes developmentally appropriate kids shoes. Use code MOMREADY for 20% off at pediped.com.

This week on the Get Mom Ready podcast, we had Meredith’s dear friend, style coach, and author Priscila Smith on the show, and the conversation went so much deeper than clothes. (PS: grab her short, EXCELLENT book on the power of being Put Together here. Meredith loved it so much she gifted it to the women in her life!)

We talked about presence, about living out of ‘default;’ about how the way we get dressed can quietly shape how we show up for our lives.

Priscila shared something that stopped us in our tracks:

If you wouldn’t let a friend borrow it, it’s not good enough for you.

Not in a harsh way- in a loving, self-respecting way.

So many of us live in what Meredith refers to as default mode- wearing black because it’s easy and supposedly ‘chic’ but inevitably this means wearing the same black LuLuLemon leggings and cute-enough sweatshirt or oversized shirt with a top-knot every day. And while that makes sense in motherhood, it can also slowly dim us.

In this conversation, Priscila reframed style as a form of readiness.

Not for perfection.
For presence.

She shared research on enclothed cognition- the idea that what we put on our bodies sends signals to our brains about who we are and how we should behave. In other words, our clothes don’t just reflect our mood… they shape it.

The 3 Style Words

One of our favorite tools from Priscila is choosing three style words to guide how you dress.

They answer:

• How do I want to feel?

• How do I want to show up?

• What does my life actually require right now?

Your words might be things like:
practical, comfortable, put-together
or
cool, playful, bold.

They’re allowed to change as your life changes.

A Simple Invitation

Priscila’s challenge is beautifully simple:

Put on one outfit this week that you truly love- one you’d let a friend borrow- and just notice how you feel at the end of the day.

Because getting dressed isn’t just getting dressed.

It’s saying:
I’m here. I matter. I’m ready.

You will love this conversation. Listen to it anywhere you tune into podcasts or on the Get Mom Ready site.

PS: listen to the end for HOT TAKES on brands we love and don’t love!

Here’s a sneak peak: