Apple | Spotify | GetMomReady.com

Episode Show Notes

When you think of the Enneagram, you probably think of phrases like, “I’m such a 7,” or “That’s so Enneagram 8 of me.”

But what if the Enneagram was less about labeling yourself and more about learning how to notice your patterns with a little more honesty, kindness, and compassion?

In this episode of Get Mom Ready, Holly, Meredith, and Anna sit down with Meredith’s longtime friend Nicole Shephard to talk about the Enneagram, but not in a “put yourself in a number box and stay there forever” kind of way.

Nicole is certified in the Enneagram for Conscious Living, and she helps us think about the Enneagram as a tool for noticing our patterns, understanding ourselves with more kindness, and maybe yelling at our kids slightly less when bedtime goes off the rails (Or at least understanding why we yelled)…baby steps.

Why Moms Will Love This Conversation

Because motherhood has a special way of revealing exactly what is going on inside of us.

• The bedtime routine gets disrupted and suddenly you’re not just annoyed, you’re deeply annoyed.

• Your kid has a meltdown and somehow it activates every unhealed thing inside your body.

• Your spouse says one normal sentence and you’re like, “Wow, interesting tone.”

• You finally get a quiet moment and instead of relaxing, you start mentally reorganizing the pantry, planning summer logistics, and wondering if your child’s entire emotional future depends on how you handled bath time.

So yeah, we need tools to help us navigate the many emotions of motherhood.

And in this conversation, Nicole helps us see the Enneagram as one of those tools. Not to overanalyze everyone in your house. Not to type your toddler. Please do not walk around saying, “She’s giving unhealthy 4 energy” about your preschooler. But to ask better questions about ourselves:

• What’s actually underneath my reaction?

• Is this fear, shame, or anger?

• What pattern do I keep falling into?

• What does my kid need from me right now?

• What do I need right now?

• And Nicole’s favorite: how do I bring a little more compassion into the whole situation?

Subscribe now

The Enneagram Is Not Just a Personality Test

Nicole explains that the Enneagram is wayyy more layered than the quick internet version most of us have heard.

Instead of saying, “I am a type,” she uses the phrase “center of gravity,” which feels so much less dramatic and permanent. Your type is not your prison sentence. It’s simply a pattern you tend to return to.

The goal is not to say, “Well, I’m an 8, so good luck everyone.” The goal is to notice the patterns, understand what they were trying to protect, and decide whether they are still helping you now.

Please Don’t Type Your Toddler

One of our favorite parts of this conversation is when Nicole talks about using the Enneagram as a mom.

She is not trying to figure out her kids’ Enneagram numbers while they are still little. Instead, she uses the framework to pay attention to what might be driving their behavior by asking:

“Is this coming from fear, anger, shame?”

A much more useful approach than trying to diagnose every tantrum.

Because sometimes our kids are not “being difficult.” Sometimes they are scared, embarrassed, mad, tired, overstimulated, or all of the above (plus they were given the wrong color cup, which, as we know, is a full family crisis).

Nicole talks about meeting our kids in that place instead of immediately trying to fix or correct the behavior. And that led us into a really tender conversation about our kids’ essence: who they are before the world tells them who they should be.

Yes, we cried a little. 🥹

Leave a comment

Marriage, Routines, and the Plans We Keep Not Making

Nicole also talks about instincts (self-preservation, social, and attraction/sexual) and how they show up in real life.

And this is where Holly realizes that she and her husband, Elliott may both lean hard toward structure and routine, which would explain why they can talk about rock climbing for 13 years and never actually go rock climbing.

They have also discussed going to a concert multiple times but still haven’t bought the tickets, because apparently wanting to do something and actually disrupting your routine to do it are two very different activities.

If you have ever said, “We should totally do that,” and then immediately returned to your couch, your calendar, and your regularly scheduled life, this section is for you.

Your Spouse Is Not Supposed to Be You

One of Nicole’s most helpful reminders is that every type, center, and instinct has value.

The point is not to make your spouse, friend, child, or co-worker see the world exactly the way you do. The point is to get curious about what they see that you might be missing.

Nicole talks about how she shares what she is learning with her partner, owns the ways her own patterns affect their family, and tries to see his way of moving through the world as something she can learn from, not just something to correct.

When Other People Won’t “Do the Work”

We also get into the thing many of us feel but maybe do not always say out loud:

It is really frustrating when you are trying to grow, heal, become more self-aware, go to therapy, read the books, listen to the podcasts, take the walks, journal the feelings, and someone else is just… not.

Nicole offers a gentle but very inconvenient reminder: the work always starts with us.

Not because other people’s choices do not matter, not because you should tolerate unhealthy behavior, and not because boundaries are optional.

But because the only person you can actually change is you.

Share

Nicole’s Life in the Cotswolds

Nicole also shares her story of moving to the UK, raising two British-born daughters in the Cotswolds, and what it has looked like to follow a vision for her life that started long before motherhood.

It is dreamy and brave and very “wait, should we all move to the English countryside?”

Listen If…

Listen to this episode if you’ve ever:

• Used the Enneagram to explain yourself and then wondered if that was allowed

• Wanted to understand your reactions instead of just feeling bad about them

• Felt triggered by your child’s totally normal child behavior

• Wanted better language for marriage and conflict

• Had a toddler meltdown turn into a personal growth opportunity you did not ask for

• Said, “We should do that sometime,” and then never did it

• Needed a reminder that self-awareness should make you kinder, not meaner to yourself

Resources Mentioned to go Deeper Into The Enneagram

Nicole recommended Russ Hudson as her favorite Enneagram teacher and suggested starting with his work if you want to go deeper.

The Wisdom of the Enneagram by Don Richard Riso and Russ Hudson
A foundational overview of all nine types.

Understanding the Enneagram by Don Richard Riso and Russ Hudson
A deeper, more technical resource on the triads and structure of the Enneagram.

The Enneagram: Nine Gateways to Presence by Russ Hudson
An audiobook Nicole described as more meditative and embodied, especially helpful for people with a mindfulness practice.

The Enneagram Institute Type Descriptions and Assessment
Nicole said an assessment can be a helpful place to start, as long as you treat it as a direction to explore rather than a final answer.

Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode:

Apple | Spotify | GetMomReady.com

And honestly, I’ve been rolling my eyes at those posts.

Not because I don’t support lawn chair parenting. I deeply support lawn chair parenting. I aspire to lawn chair parent!! But as the mom of an only child who has also been a medical kid, I just never thought that would be me.

Emmie and I are deeply bonded. It is beautiful and precious, and it is also a lot. She has historically had very little interest in solo play. And yes, I know some people may want to say, “Well, that’s because you didn’t enforce it.” To which I lovingly say: if you have not spent months parenting in a hospital, please just pat my head and move on.

But two weeks ago, our family went on a lake trip. And you guys, I had the thought: I finally made it.

Subscribe now

Not forever. Not in every category. Not in a “motherhood is easy now” kind of way. But for a moment, I felt it.

We played together in a way we both actually enjoyed. Not house, not Barbies, not me trying to remember the plotline she created three days ago and getting in trouble because I said the wrong voice for the wrong character. We played in the water. We jammed to music we both love. We took golf cart rides. We laughed. We joked. We splashed around. She loved the sand, the lake, the snacks, the whole thing.

And then? She found other kids to play with. And I sat in a beach chair next to my husband for thirty whole minutes.

Thirty. Unheard of!

The Instagram trend I had been rolling my eyes at a few weeks ago was suddenly my actual life, and I was thrilled.

This is your Sunday reminder that some seasons do shift. Maybe not all at once. Maybe not cleanly. Maybe not without new challenges waiting around the corner. I know there are harder decisions ahead, bigger emotions ahead, and more complicated parenting moments ahead. I have older nieces and nephews, so I am not under the illusion that the hardest parts of motherhood are behind me.

But for one little moment in motherhood, I felt like I had arrived.

And if you are in the thick of it right now, the baby years, the toddler years, the clingy years, the medically complicated years, the “why does every basic task require my entire nervous system?” years, I hope this encourages you. Not because you need to rush through this season, but because you may not always be quite as needed in the exact same way you are right now.

One day, you may look up and realize you are sitting in the chair. And it might feel like a tiny miracle.

If you are in the thick of something much heavier than a clingy kid, I hope you’ll listen to this week’s episode with Amber. She shares what it has looked like to walk through motherhood as a medical mom, release expectations, and find resilience when life looks nothing like the plan. It is honest, grounding, and such a gift for any mom carrying more than people can see.

Leave a comment

So here’s your Sunday Reset: notice one place where something may be shifting. Maybe your kid played independently for five minutes. Maybe bedtime was 2% less chaotic. Maybe you asked for help faster than you used to. Maybe you’re not thriving, but you are recovering a little more quickly.

That counts. And if you are not in your lawn chair era yet, I am cheering for you from mine! For exactly thirty minutes, apparently. ☺️

Anna

Share

Apple | Spotify | GetMomReady.com

We thought this conversation would be about navigating life as a medical mom.

And it is, but like every honest conversation on this podcast, it turned into an encouragement to every mom who feels like they’re carrying the weight of the world.

It became a conversation about what happens when the life you planned stops being the life you’re living. About releasing expectations you didn’t even realize you were carrying. About redefining what “success” looks like when you’re split in twelve directions and none of them come with a manual.

Amber is a mom of four, a full-time professional, a medical mom to her son Santi who has congenital heart disease and is currently awaiting a heart transplant at Texas Children’s Hospital, and she is somehow still the most positive, grounded person in the room.

As she shared in the episode:

“You can be optimistic about things, but you can’t be attached to them.”

That one line might be the most useful thing any of us hear this week.

Share

What This Episode Is Really About

Yes, we talk about Santi’s medical journey, hospital stays, and the day-to-day reality of caring for a child on a transplant list. But underneath all of that, this episode is about:

• The moment you realize motherhood isn’t going to look like you imagined

• What it means to keep showing up when you’ve had to let go of the plan

• How to redefine success when your old version of “enough” doesn’t fit anymore

• Why accepting help is one of the hardest and most important things a mom can do

• And how community and small moments of joy carry you through seasons that don’t make sense yet

Subscribe now

Themes We Keep Coming Back To From This Conversation

You can plan everything and still get blindsided, and that’s not failure, that’s life.

Letting go of expectations isn’t giving up. It’s how you survive and find joy.

“Strong” doesn’t always feel strong on the inside.

Sometimes the most important thing you do today is cuddle your kids and let the rest wait.

Asking for help doesn’t come naturally to most moms, so if you see one struggling, just show up. Don’t wait for her to ask.

If You’re In This Season Right Now…

This episode is for you if:

1. You’re managing more than feels manageable and wondering how other moms do it

2. You’ve had to grieve a version of motherhood or a version of yourself that you expected

3. You’re redefining what success looks like at work, at home, or both

4. You feel guilty for the way you’re parenting even though you know you’re doing your best

5. You’re a medical mom, a heart mom, or a mom who just needs to hear: you’re not behind. You’re in it.

Or you just need someone to remind you to listen to your body and when in doubt, rest.

Leave a comment

Resources + Links

Connect with Amber and ask to be a part of Santi’s group. She will send you the link to follow his medical journey:

Related Episodes/Resources:

• Parenting in the Middle of Medical Chaos: Anna’s Story as a Medical Mom

• Chronic Decision Fatigue: Why You’re Exhausted & How to Overcome It

• The Week I Couldn’t Even Look at My Daughter

Want More Support?

If this episode stirred something in you, if you’re holding more than you thought you’d be holding right now, or you’re trying to figure out what “enough” even looks like in this season, Get Mom Ready Coaching is here for you.

We don’t give you more to do. We help you become a version of yourself that can actually hold your life.

You can learn more about coaching by booking a call with Meredith or send us a DM on Instagram @getmomready.

See if Coaching is Right for you

You don’t get to choose most of what life hands you. You don’t get to choose the diagnosis, the hospital stay, the season that turns everything sideways.

But you do get to choose how you carry it. And sometimes carrying it well looks like letting go of the way you thought it was supposed to look and finding something real and good in what’s actually here.

Listen to your body. Accept the help. And when in doubt? Rest.

Share

Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode:

Apple | Spotify | GetMomReady.com

Hannah has such an eye for fashion and looking put together, and I am often…the opposite of that.

Which is one of the reasons I love GetMomReady so much. We are all so different, but we are unified by the same values: telling the truth, supporting each other, and making space for the whole mom.

Subscribe now

So this is my version of “what’s in my bag.”

Most days, my “bag” is:

• my phone

• a wallet stuck to the back of it

• and one car key

That’s it.

I don’t really carry a purse because digging through a bag is my personal nightmare. I like pockets. I like being hands-free.

Do I need a cute bag for networking events? Yes.

Especially after the time I showed up to a very fancy fundraising brunch at River Oaks Country Club in an outfit I felt amazing in (read more about that outfit in my Mother’s Day saga here)… only to realize my ancient clutch was literally shedding white pieces behind me as I walked to my seat.

Very humbling and very classic Holly Tate.

But that little “what’s in my bag” moment got me thinking about something bigger for this Sunday Reset.

My word for this year is simplify (see vision board pic in the video above or the pic below!).

And as we get close to the halfway point of the year, I’m checking back in with that word.

Because simplifying is not just about carrying less or carrying “the right” stuff.

For me, it’s about simplifying my commitments, having fewer unfinished decisions, cancelling subscriptions that aren’t serving me, and reflecting on the things living rent-free in my brain.

For years in my corporate jobs, Sunday meant the Sunday scaries for me: that pit in my stomach when I looked at the week ahead and thought about everything I owed, everything I was behind on, and everything waiting for me on Monday.

I don’t live in that same rhythm anymore, and I’m really grateful for that.

But I still need a reset.

Because I’m not usually the person who needs motivation to do more.

So this week, I’m asking myself:

1. What am I carrying that I do not actually need to carry? (physically and mentally!!)

2. What decision have I already made in my gut but haven’t acted on yet?

3. What commitment, subscription, or expense is no longer serving me in this season?

4. Where am I over-activating instead of simplifying?

5. What is the smallest next step I can take to make this week feel lighter?

That’s my Sunday Reset.

Just one honest check-in with what I said mattered to me this year.

What are you resetting this week?

Here’s to small steps that lead to simplifying our weeks before Monday.

Two years ago, I tried to get my daughter a passport in Houston.

And when I say “tried,” I mean I entered what can only be described as a bureaucratic escape room designed specifically for tired mothers.

The first time, I showed up without an appointment.

Rejected.

The second time, I had the paperwork, or so I thought, but didn’t have a passport photo because I had been told USPS could take one on site. Their machine was broken.

Rejected again.

So I went to Walgreens to get her picture taken. Except that Walgreens’ photo machine was also down that day, because of course it was. So I drove to another Walgreens, got the picture, made another appointment, showed up again, and then realized I was still missing one of the required forms from my husband.

At that point, I gave up.

We didn’t actually need the passport yet, and I was too tired to keep trying to win Passport Olympics.

But now we’re traveling internationally next year, so it was time to try again. (Mind you, now we live in the suburbs, and I’m not kidding when I say everything is 10x faster when you’re 40 minutes removed from a big city.)

And this time? It took 20 minutes. Twenty. Minutes.

The difference was not that I suddenly became more organized as a person. The difference was that I had already learned the hard way exactly where things can go wrong.

So for every mom who has “get child’s passport” sitting on her mental to-do list and feels her nervous system activate just thinking about it, here’s the order I would do it in.

Subscribe now

First: Get the passport photo before your appointment

Do not assume the passport office, USPS, or pharmacy will be able to take the picture that day. Call ahead.

Ask:

“Do you take passport photos for children?”

And then ask the very important follow-up question:

“Is your photo machine working today?”

Because apparently this is a real thing.

Once you have the picture in hand, protect it with your life. Put it in the folder with your other documents and do not let your toddler touch it, bend it, snack near it, or lovingly crumple it into a ball.

Second: Make the appointment

Most passport acceptance facilities require or strongly prefer appointments, especially USPS locations.

Do not do what I did and just show up with hope and a diaper bag.

Find a location, make the appointment, and put it on the calendar for both parents if both of you are able to go.

For children under 16, both parents or guardians generally need to appear in person with the child. If one parent can’t go, there is extra paperwork involved, usually a notarized consent form. That is doable, but it is also exactly the kind of thing that can derail your appointment if you realize it too late.

So my recommendation?

If at all possible, bring both parents. It made the whole thing so much easier.

Third: Fill out Form DS-11 ahead of time

For a child’s first passport, you’ll need Form DS-11.

Fill it out before you go, print it single-sided, and do not sign it until they tell you to at the appointment. The State Department specifically says DS-11 should be printed single-sided and signed only when instructed.

This is not the moment to freestyle. In fact, I waited to fill out her height, hair color, and eye color in case they had a specific format they wanted me to use.

Have the form ready, but wait to sign and leave any info you’re unsure of blank until you’re there.

Fourth: Bring a checkbook

Yes, a checkbook.

I know. It feels like packing a relic from 2004, but passport fees can be split between the U.S. Department of State and the acceptance facility, and payment methods may vary by location. For children under 16 applying with DS-11, the State Department says there are two separate fees: one paid to the Department of State and one paid to the facility where you submit the application.

So bring the checkbook. This is not where we take a stand for modern payment systems.

Fifth: Pack your passport folder

Here’s what we brought:

• Form DS-11

• Our daughter’s real birth certificate

• My photo ID

• My husband’s photo ID

• Passport photo

• Checkbook

• Photocopies of the documents, just in case

The official guidance says children under 16 need to apply in person, and you’ll need evidence of U.S. citizenship, proof of parental relationship, parent or guardian photo IDs, photocopies, photo, and fees.

I made photocopies of everything because, at that point, I was not interested in being humbled by a copier.

Did they need every single photocopy I brought? No. Did I regret having them? Also no.

Leave a comment

The simple order I’d follow

Here’s the mom-friendly version:

1. Find your child’s real birth certificate.

2. Fill out DS-11, print it single-sided, and do not sign it yet.

3. Get the passport photo ahead of time.

4. Call first to make sure the photo location’s machine is working.

5. Make the passport appointment.

6. Put both parents’ IDs in the folder.

7. Make photocopies of everything.

8. Bring your child, both parents if possible, the documents, the photo, and a checkbook.

9. Leave 20 minutes later feeling like you just beat the system.

The real lesson

The first time I tried to get my daughter’s passport, I felt like I kept failing at something that should have been simple.

But looking back, I wasn’t failing. I was tired, I was missing information, I was trying to do a multi-step government errand while also being a mom, which automatically makes every task 40% more complicated.

This time, I wasn’t a different person. I just had a better order of operations. And sometimes that’s what makes motherhood feel lighter.

Not doing more, not becoming more organized overnight, just knowing what comes first, what comes next, and what paperwork absolutely cannot be forgotten on the kitchen counter.

So if getting your kid’s passport is on your list, consider this your little nudge:

• Make the appointment.

• Get the picture first.

• Bring the checkbook.

• And may every machine you encounter be working.

Happy travels!

Share

Not in a dramatic, announcement-to-the-world way. More like a quiet, steady conclusion she carried after losing her mom in a car accident at 24, two months into running her business full time, two weeks before Christmas.

Her brain did what a lot of our brains would do. No mom. Can’t be a mom. Not happening.

And for a long time, that felt like the answer.

Leave a comment

The Workbook That Changed Everything

Years later, after a fostering experience that was equal parts meaningful and traumatic, after watching close friends have babies, after sitting in the tension of “I genuinely don’t know if I’m supposed to do this,” Jess did what any type-A woman would do.

She found a workbook on Amazon.

Somewhere around chapter eight, there was a prompt: Write a letter to the child you’re choosing not to have. (yes, we all got chills.)

And she couldn’t do it.

That was the answer.

“You Could Just Have One”

Jess brought this realization to a mentor, a friend about ten years older who knew she’d been wrestling with this. Jess told her she thought she was supposed to have kids, and that it was terrifying.

Her friend said two things. First: I know you can do this. Second: You could just have one.

And Jess said something on the podcast that stuck with us. She said she knew she didn’t need permission. But in that moment, the permission opened a door she didn’t know was available.

She got pregnant a month later.

Share

“She Has the Best Advocate in Her Back Pocket”

Jess is a type 1 diabetic, diagnosed at three. One of her biggest fears about having a baby was passing it on. There’s no guarantee either way, and the not-knowing is its own kind of weight.

But when we asked how she navigated that surrender, she said something that wrecked us:

“Well, she has the best advocate in her back pocket if it happens.”

That confidence didn’t come from nowhere. It came from watching her own mom advocate fiercely for her. Standing in the hallway at school going to bat for her. Making sure her daughter was seen and cared for, even when the systems around her didn’t get it.

Jess is carrying that forward now.

Designing a Life, Not Just Running a Business

Jess has been running Jess Creatives for 15 years. She also founded The Ordinary Business, a podcast and community for business owners who want to do good work and work with cool people without chasing a million-dollar goal.

What stood out to us in this conversation wasn’t just her business success. It was how intentionally she’s built her life around it.

She doesn’t work Fridays. She has a clear revenue ceiling she’s comfortable with. She turns down projects when she’s full, even when the money is tempting. She’d rather be present at bedtime than answering one more email.

And she said something we think every mom building something needs to hear: she’s not willing to say yes to work just for money if it means missing bedtime, staying up until midnight, or skipping the park. “You can wait until my next availability, or you can go find someone else.”

That’s not luck. That’s 15 years of designing a life on purpose.

Subscribe now

The Thing About Mother’s Intuition

At the very end of our conversation (the part that wasn’t even supposed to be recorded), Jess said something that we couldn’t not share.

She expected mother’s intuition to be loud. Like a clear signal. A flashing sign. And for months after her daughter was born, she thought she didn’t have it.

Then she realized: for her, it’s quiet. It’s the small thought that crosses her mind, like “maybe I should take her to the doctor.” Not a dramatic knowing. Just a nudge.

She followed one of those nudges once. Double ear infection.

That was her intuition. She just didn’t recognize it because she was waiting for it to shout.

Why This Episode Matters

This is a conversation about grief and motherhood and entrepreneurship and identity and what happens when you stop waiting for life to feel certain and start designing it anyway.

If you’ve ever felt like you needed permission to want something, or like your instincts were too quiet to trust, or like you had to have it all figured out before you could take the next step, this one’s for you.

If This Episode Hit Close to Home

Sometimes you hear a story and realize you’ve been carrying something similar. If you’re in a season where you’re navigating big decisions, identity shifts, or just trying to figure out what you actually want, our coaches get it and would love to help you build a life that fits the season you’re in.

You can learn more about coaching by booking a call with Meredith or send us a DM on Instagram @getmomready.

Explore Coaching

Find Jess

• Jess Creatives Website

• The Ordinary Business Website

• Jess’ Instagram

• Jess’ Threads

Get Mom Ready is the community for driven moms living full lives and figuring out how all the pieces work together. Subscribe to get every episode and article delivered to your inbox.

Subscribe now

Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode:

Apple | Spotify | GetMomReady.com

Summer has officially started in our house now and I’ve got all three kids home with me, I’m going to share what I’m preparing for, and what’s going to hopefully save our summer. I still have child-care on Tuesdays and Thursdays when I see clients, the rest of the week, I’ve got all the kids with me! First up is our pool bag. I packed this last week to put in the trunk as a “just in case” because in the past I’ve been left “high and dry” but actually “high and wet” with no bathing suits, no towels, no change of clothes, and soaking wet children from running through the splash pad on a 95 degree day. I digress.

So what are we packing? I’m going to influence but also de-influence you on a large LLBean tote. I got myself for my wedding 11 years ago, and I still use the same one. I put in towels, a bathing suit for each child AND myself, and then our bag of sunscreen, pool hair spray, a brush, and some bug spray. If you know me, then you know I’m quite the minimalist. I probably wont be the Mom with bandaids at the park, but I’ll be with someone that has them!!

This bag stays in the car unless we are using it, and once we do, I’ll bring it in the house to wash, dry and repack the bag. Then it goes right back in the trunk for the next time. I do this because I like to be spontaneous in the summer. I like to get a text that says, “Wanna come over and swim?” and be able to be on our way !! There are so many decisions I have to make throughout the year, so this helps to take some of these away. The day of, I always pack snacks and water and the diaper bag, because oh yeah, I’ve got a toddler again !!

Another thing that is being reset this week is our schedule.

We have a couple of weeks before we leave Texas for the summer and we desperately need a new routine. I’ve probably said it on the podcast before, but we are a “no screens during the week” family. I grew up like this, and this works for our family while kids are in school. We usually let them watch TV in the mornings on the weekends when Dave and I are reading, but now that there’s no school? They want to watch TV every morning. I also have early risers, like 5:30 early risers. Dave and I are also early risers, but we like to be without kids when we wake up to drink our coffee and read in peace. Ha! That doesn’t work when the whole house wakes up at 5:30. I’m trying to encourage our kids to sleep in, so I don’t want them to be excited to watch TV in the morning. we have implemented (starting today) that until 7:00am, it is quiet or reading time. You can be up, but you must choose a quiet activity. It could be reading or playing. Nora will play with her toys (not that quietly) but she bops around. It’s only day 1, So I’ll update you as the summer goes on. My hope is that it encourages them to sleep in! Or, at least let us have a quiet start to the day.

I will also keep a morning walk, because I need my sanity and movement. Nora and I usually walk in the mornings when the girls leave for school, so now, I will bring the girls along and they can scooter or bike. Some days we’ll head off to the gym and the girls can go to childcare while I work out and then we can all go to the pool unless we have other plans with friends. We’ll come home for Nora’s naptime, and then probably do another activity in the afternoon ! Thats what i’ve got so far and I think having a loose schedule will help us have guidelines but nothing set in stone. I’m not someone who likes a strict schedule but I do need a consistent rhythm.

What does everyone else’s summer look like? Is it pretty similar to the school year? or completely different? Ours looks completely different in the summer, and I’m excited for the change !

💔 The Last Time You’ll Feed Your Baby
A conversation about the weird, beautiful grief built into motherhood even in the sweetest moments. If you’ve ever realized “this is the last time” while actively being climbed on, this one’s for you.

😵‍💫 A Perfect Mom Would Not Be a Good Mom
Permission to stop chasing the imaginary mom who folds laundry calmly, meal preps organically, and never loses her patience. (She’s not real. We checked.)

🧠 Chronic Decision Fatigue: Why You’re Exhausted & How to Overcome It with productivity coach Jennifer Sise
Why deciding what’s for dinner feels like an Olympic event and practical ways to reduce the constant mental load of motherhood without becoming a robot productivity queen.

Listen while:
• hiding in your car
• folding tiny socks
• rage-cleaning your kitchen
• pretending you “just need to switch the laundry”

We’ll be back soon with fresh episodes and more conversations that make moms feel seen and a little more like themselves again.

Happy Memorial Day weekend!

Share

Subscribe now

Apple | Spotify | GetMomReady.com

Okay…we thought this episode was going to be practical, like: “10 easy self-care tips for moms.”

Maybe a conversation about bubble baths. Maybe a Target run. Maybe one of us would say “drink more water” and we’d all nod in agreement…instead, we somehow ended up questioning the entire concept of self-care (because, of course we did). 🫣

Here’s why: somewhere along the way, self-care started feeling like another thing moms were supposed to optimize.

Another thing to buy, another thing to earn, another thing to perform, and a lot of the time, it still leaves us exhausted.

The MRI That Accidentally Became Self-Care

This episode starts with Anna getting an MRI on Mother’s Day weekend.

Which sounds stressful… except she somehow found it relaxing.

No phone, no interruptions, a warm blanket, and permission to lay still for 45 minutes…basically a spa day.

And while most people would describe an MRI as claustrophobic, Anna’s immediate thought was:

“Wow. Nobody can reach me.”

Which honestly says a lot about modern motherhood. That story became the jumping-off point for a bigger conversation:

What if self-care isn’t always about escaping your life, but about finding ways to feel more grounded inside your life?

Leave a comment

Maybe Real Self-Care Is More Proactive Than Reactive

One of the biggest themes from this conversation was this idea that self-care isn’t always the thing you do after you hit your breaking point. Sometimes it’s the tiny systems that help prevent the breaking point in the first place.

Like:

• organizing the makeup drawer that irritates you every morning

• finally dealing with the chaotic shoe basket by the front door

• prepping the coffee the night before

• creating rhythms that reduce mental friction (something we also talked about on an episode with Productivity Coach Jennifer Sise and her idea of “naming your time” - seriously, drop everything and go listen now.)

• cleaning the kitchen before bed so tomorrow-you feels calmer

Not because these things magically fix motherhood, but because little moments of frustration add up. And when every part of your day feels slightly harder than it needs to be, eventually your nervous system notices.

The Difference Between Dopamine and Restoration

We also talked about how easy it is to confuse:

• fun

• distraction

• treats

• shopping

• scrolling

• “I deserve this” energy…

with actual restoration.

To be clear: we are not anti-fun.

Nobody here is trying to take away your Target run or your TJ Maxx stroll or your iced coffee.

But we are asking a deeper question:

What actually helps me show up better for myself and for the people I love?

Because those aren’t always the same thing. Sometimes self-care is a massage. Sometimes it’s texting your girlfriends and putting dinner on the calendar before another month slips by. Sometimes it’s finally fixing the thing in your house that’s quietly stressing you out every single day.

Share

The Word We Kept Coming Back To: Reset

At one point in the episode, we realized maybe what we’re all actually looking for isn’t “self-care.”

It’s a reset.

A reset for:

• your nervous system

• your environment

• your expectations

• your mental load

• your attitude

• your capacity

Not necessarily escape. Just enough space to feel like yourself again.

A Few Practical Self-Care Tips We Shared

Yes, we did finally get into the practical. Here are some of the little things that genuinely help us feel more grounded lately:

• waking up before the kids for quiet coffee + reading time

• doing as much life as possible with other moms instead of alone

• keeping the kitchen reset at night

• creating tiny organization systems that reduce decision fatigue

• scheduling “me” tasks and kid tasks throughout the day to make sure everyone is happy instead of trying to do it all at once

• reading instead of endless scrolling

• making plans with girlfriends before burnout hits

None of these are revolutionary. But honestly? That’s kind of the point. We don’t need one more thing to do or buy, we just need to find stillness and joy in the day-to-day.

Subscribe now

Get Mom Ready Coaching

A lot of what we talked about in this episode comes back to something we believe deeply at Get Mom Ready:

Most moms don’t necessarily need more information. They need support creating lives that actually feel sustainable. Sometimes that looks like:

• processing identity shifts.

• reducing mental load.

• learning how to stop living in constant overstimulation, resentment, or survival mode.

• or having someone help you figure out what actually helps you feel more like yourself again.

That’s a huge part of what we do in coaching.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, disconnected from yourself, or like you’re constantly running on fumes, we’d love to talk with you.

You can learn more about coaching by booking a call with Meredith or send us a DM on Instagram @getmomready.

Explore Coaching

Maybe real self-care isn’t about constantly trying to escape motherhood. Maybe it’s about creating small rhythms, systems, and relationships that help motherhood feel a little softer to live inside of.

If this episode resonates with you, send it to a mom friend who’s tired of being told self-care is just buying another candle.

Share

Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode:

Apple | Spotify | GetMomReady.com

On Mother’s Day, I wore an outfit that made me feel like myself.

Which feels important to mention because a few weeks earlier, I had a mild identity crisis over what to wear to a fundraising brunch at River Oaks Country Club.

The event was beautiful and floral and flowy and very much giving “ladies who have their lives together.”

I am not a floral dress girl.

I do not enjoy shopping.

I especially do not enjoy trying things on.

And I definitely don’t feel like I fit in at the River Oaks Country Club….not one bit.

But I wanted to feel confident, so I used a gift card I had to Chloe Dao, a local Houston designer. Chloe happened to be there that day, and she pulled together this outfit for me: hot pink wide-leg pants, a button-up shirt with tiny hearts, and heels that were frankly way too tall…but oh so cute.

When I put the outfit on, I thought:

Oh. There she is.

This is Holly Tate.

Fast forward to Mother’s Day.

I had not planned what to wear, so I put that same outfit back on…big heels and all.

Church was lovely. Truly. Bouquet bar, mimosas, macarons, a beautiful sermon from about the joy and grief motherhood holds. Iris and I had lunch together in the café afterward, and I was feeling very proud of my Mother’s Day plan:

Feed the toddler at church.
Go home.
Put her down for a nap.
Take the longest, most glorious Mother’s Day nap of my life.

And after running after her inside the church building trying to convince her that it was time to go home, we finally started walked to the parking lot.

I was carrying Iris, my bag, probably flowers, probably 47 invisible mental tabs, and eventually I put her down next to the car so I could find my keys.

She immediately started running around the car.

I couldn’t see her.

I panicked…trying not to fall in my stupid heels as I walk around the car trying to find her.

She peeked around the side of the car, laughing like it was hilarious, so I grabbed her arm and sternly said, “Iris Tate.”

She pulled away, fell on the pavement, and when I picked her up, blood was pouring down the side of her face.

Our first real bloody kid injury.

And there I was, in my hot pink pants, tiny heart shirt, and dumb heels…shaking, yelling for help, carrying my crying toddler back into church while both of us had blood on our clothes.

A mom I barely knew from the playground jumped in immediately. She grabbed the first aid kit and started cleaning Iris up.

People were asking me what I needed, and I had no idea.

A police officer asked if I wanted them to call the fire department, and I said, “I don’t know. I’ve never been in this situation before.”

Which honestly feels like the most accurate sentence I have ever said about motherhood.

A doctor from our church came over, helped calm both of us down, and eventually we realized it was a small cut on her forehead. We still went to urgent care, because of course we did, and thank goodness she was okay and didn’t need stitches.

But I keep thinking about the whiplash of that day.

Feeling like myself in an outfit I loved.
Celebrating Mother’s Day.
Eating lunch with my daughter.
Planning my nap.
Then suddenly holding her bleeding face in my hands, blood pouring down both of our outfits, needing help, and not knowing what to do next.

That is motherhood, isn’t it?

You can feel confident and completely unprepared in the same hour.

You can be grateful and terrified in the same moment.

You can be wearing the outfit that makes you feel most like yourself while also realizing you are still becoming someone new.

And sometimes the bravest, most honest thing you can say is:

I don’t know.
I’ve never been in this situation before.
Can someone please help me?

When I got home, I realized something else: this moment hit a deeper nerve.

I have a recurring dream where I’m screaming for help, and no one can hear me.

That day, even though I felt embarrassed by how scared I was, it reminded me how deeply I fear being unheard when I need help.

And honestly, it’s why I’ve always tried to be the one who does hear others, who helps, who has a plan.

But I’m learning I also need that village around me, and that’s what Get Mom Ready is all about…helping each other hear and help.

So I invite you: lean into your community…this community.

We’re exploring deeper ways to do that, and I’d love to know what you want this community of women to become. Let us know in the comments.

Leave a comment

Raising a toddler is…revealing, humbling, fun, hard, exhausting, life-giving…everything all at once.

I feel like my daughter went to bed 23 months and 30 days old and then woke up on her 2nd birthday with super powers to do the opposite of everything I say and push my buttons.

But I’ve been reflecting over the last couple of weeks how I’m being shaped and formed in this season in a very specific, sometimes uncomfortable, oh wow, I didn’t realize that about myself kind of way.

It’s like living with a tiny mirror that follows you around all day.

Here are a few things it’s been reflecting back to me lately:

1. I’m way more impatient than I thought

I knew I wasn’t the most patient person in the world, but raising a toddler has put a giant spotlight on it.

The constant repetition. The slow pace. The unpredictability. The “no” to everything.

It’s not that I didn’t know this about myself…I just didn’t realize how quickly it would show up when things aren’t moving at my speed.

My reflection question to myself: Why do I feel the need for everything to be fast-paced? (My therapist told me once I have a very interesting relationship with time…that I’m always racing against it.) I know I’ll look back on these years and wish they were slower, so what does it look like to slow them down intentionally while I’m in it?

2. I love a plan more than I thought I did

I’ve never labeled myself as a super structured or routine-driven person, but give me a day where things go according to plan? I’m thriving.

Give me a day where nap is off, meals are weird, or the schedule gets thrown? I feel frustrated immediately.

Apparently, I like predictability more than I realized.

And toddlerhood is…not that.

My reflection question to myself: What does it look like to embrace the days that don’t go according to plan with joy and gratitude even when shifting my mindset feels like work?

3. I like to be doing something

Weekends with no plans used to sound restful.

Now? I get antsy.

Part of it might just be this toddler stage where I can’t fully relax because she’s one second away from climbing something or putting something questionable in her mouth.

But I’ve realized I don’t love just sitting around the house in this season.

I like a plan. An outing. A walk. Something that gives the day a little shape.

My reflection question to myself: What does it look like for the doing something to be doing nothing?

Share

4. What do we do with all the things??

A friend told me before I became a mom: “Just wait until you’re cleaning up a million tiny toys every night.”

And now my living room has tiny pieces of things everywhere.

In our episode with , she talked about what it’s like to be a messy mom, and I love her ability to embrace the fact that there are sometimes toys everywhere at her house, and that doesn’t bother her.

She dropped this fire quote in the episode called “A Perfect Mom Would Not Be a Good Mom”

I want more of that perspective!

My reflection question: What does it look like for me to be more present with my daughter, even when it feels messy?

5. Empathy hits different when you feel it

My daughter was sick last week. Then I got what she had. And wow. I remember thinking: she is tough.

She kept going. Still playing. Still engaging.

Meanwhile, I felt completely down for the count.

It made me realize how quick I can be to underestimate what someone else is carrying.

Whether it’s a toddler, a friend, or someone at work…we don’t always see the full weight of what they’re pushing through.

My reflection question: What does it look like to have more empathy and more grace for myself and others?

6. Slow down and actually listen

My daughter loves cheese. All forms of it: cottage cheese, string cheese, sliced cheese, mac and cheese.

The other day she kept saying “cheese,” and I was trying to guess what type she wanted from the fridge.

Cottage cheese? “No.”
String cheese? “No.”
Sliced cheese? “No.”

We went back and forth like this until I realized she was saying something before the word cheese and pointing.

Mac and cheese.

Specifically, the container with the five leftover pieces in the fridge that I had forgotten about.

It hit me in that moment how frustrating it must be to feel like you’re communicating clearly…and not be understood.

And then I thought, how often does that happen in my own relationships?

With my husband, with friends, and with work.

My reflection question: How often am I half-listening, jumping to conclusions, or trying to solve before I actually understand? Slow down and listen, Holly.

Leave a comment

7. My energy is limited

This one feels simple, but it’s been clarifying. I don’t have unlimited capacity, and pretending I do just makes everything harder.

Raising a toddler has forced me to be more aware of where my energy is going, and whether it’s actually worth it.

Not everything deserves a yes, and not everything deserves my best energy. And that’s okay.

My reflection question: What deserves my best energy today, tomorrow, and the next day?

I don’t think any of these lessons are exclusive to motherhood, but toddlerhood has a way of accelerating them…or maybe for me, just forcing me to face them more head-on.

Like holding up a mirror and saying, hey… you might want to look at this.

Some of it is humbling.
Some of it is helpful.
Most of it (I think) is both.

If you made it this far, you deserve a gold star. This is therapeutic for me to write, especially on the days when it’s hard so I can remember that the version of me seven years ago wasn’t sure if I was ever going to be able to have a toddler of my own, so to even have the opportunity to write a reflection post like this is a gift.

Catch the full episode with where we talk about how to overcome the desire to be the perfect mom and find freedom in being present instead:

Apple | Spotify | GetMomReady.com

We thought this conversation would be about breastfeeding.

But like so many conversations in motherhood… it became about so much more.

It became a conversation about identity, expectations, how nothing quite prepares you for the reality of feeding your baby no matter how much you think it will, and ultimately… it became a conversation about this:

Motherhood is both grief and joy, all at once.

As Shelby Nelson, known as Supportive Breast Friend, an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) candidate who so much of her time supporting and educating moms through their feeding journeys, shared in the episode:

“Motherhood is grief. These changes are gonna bring grief. And I think also accepting that and keeping that in the back of our minds as we move through motherhood… it really takes off some of the stress and burden of the changes of seasons.”

On a day like Mother’s Day, where we celebrate, reflect, and maybe feel a little bit of everything, this felt especially true.

Share

What This Episode Is Really About

Yes, we talk about breastfeeding, pumping, weaning, and feeding decisions; but underneath all of that, this episode is about:

• The unexpected emotional weight of feeding your baby

• The identity shifts that come with motherhood

• The pressure we put on ourselves to “get it right”

• The reality that every mom’s journey looks different

• And how to hold grief and joy at the same time

Because feeding your baby isn’t just physical. It’s relational, emotional, and deeply personal. All of our experiences are unique, and no one experience is the “right” one.

Leave a comment

A Few Baby Feeding Truths We Keep Coming Back To

• No one expects it to be this hard

• You can prepare… and still feel unprepared

• You might feel empowered and exhausted at the same time

• You might want to stop… and never want it to end

• You’re allowed to change your mind (daily, hourly, mid-feed)

And maybe most importantly:

Healthy mom + healthy baby > everything else

If You’re In This Season Right Now…

This episode is for you if:

• You’re navigating breastfeeding, pumping, or weaning

• You’re questioning your decisions (constantly)

• You feel pressure to do it a certain way

• You’re grieving a version of motherhood you expected

• Or you just need someone to say, “this is normal”

Subscribe now

Resources + Links

Connect with Shelby:

• Instagram

  • Follow her to stay tuned for her website + upcoming support group

• Podcast: Supportive Breast Friend

  • Apple

  • Spotify

Each of our stories on becoming moms + our breastfeeding/pumping stories

• Becoming a Mom: Holly’s Story of Miscarriage, Pumping, and Finding Herself

• Parenting in the Middle of Medical Chaos: Anna’s Story as a Medical Mom

• Trusting Your Gut (and Laughing Through the Tears): Meredith’s Story

• Intentional Living & Growing Your Capacity: Hannah’s Story

Holly’s Story on Shelby’s Podcast:

• Supportive Breast Friend episode featuring Holly

Starting Solids + Nutrition:

• Katie Ferraro podcast

The Book that Broke Meredith’s Heart:

• They Bloom Because of You: Poems on the Infinite Love, Growth, and Magic of Motherhood

Want More Support?

If this episode stirred something in you, if you’re holding a lot right now, or if you’re trying to figure out how to navigate motherhood on your terms, Get Mom Ready Coaching is here for you.

We don’t give you more to do. We help you become a version of yourself that can actually hold your life.

See if Coaching is Right For You

Motherhood is a series of “last times.” The last feed, the last middle-of-the-night wake-up, the last version of who you were before everything changed, and maybe that’s what Mother’s Day holds too: a moment just to notice it all.

You don’t have to rush past it, and you don’t have to hold onto it forever. You just get to be in it: the grief, the joy, and all of it at the same time.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Share

Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode:

Apple | Spotify | GetMomReady.com

As a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, I am all too familiar with the sage advice for women to eat breakfast within 30-60 minutes of waking up. Do I know the benefits? Yes. Do I know how helpful it is for stabilizing blood sugar and cortisol? Indeed.

Do I always follow said wisdom? I do not.

And mainly because I don’t feel like putting the effort into making something first thing in the morning.

But if it’s already made and in the fridge ready to be consumed? It’s a game-changer.

Here are the 3 breakfasts we have on rotation in Casa Mayo:

1. High Protein Cottage Cheese Bake (think of it as a much healthier cheesecake)

2. Baked Oatmeal (I tend to eat it with Greek yogurt on top for additional protein)

3. Hard Boiled Eggs, Sourdough with olive oil, berries, and yogurt

Come to think of it, here’s another one I’ve been keeping on hand:

Overnight oats.

I tend to save eggs for the weekend. In fact, here’s a SUPER easy, 2-ingredient egg recipe I’ve recently employed:

Brown breakfast sausage in a cast iron, then drain the fat. Add a carton of egg whites. Season with salt pepper. Bake until eggs are set. Top with parmesan before or after baking, if desired.

Reply back with your go-to breakfasts!

Apple | Spotify | GetMomReady.com

There’s a tension a lot of moms don’t say out loud. You finally have the option to step back, go hybrid, or stay home, and instead of just feeling grateful, you feel weird.

• Guilty.

• Privileged.

• Unsure if you’ve “earned” it.

• Questioning if it’s “okay” not to work a 9-5.

This week on Get Mom Ready, all four of us sat down and went there because this isn’t just about work.

• It’s about identity.

• It’s about money.

• It’s about relationships.

• It’s about how the rules for women have changed faster than we’ve emotionally caught up with.

And it’s complicated!

The Conversation We’re All Quietly Having

We started with a simple question: What does it look like to move from full-time work to something more flexible… without guilt?

And quickly realized there’s no clean answer. Because:

• You can feel grateful and still feel uncomfortable

• You can choose this life and still question it

• You can love your days and still wonder if you’re doing enough

That tension isn’t failure, it’s being a modern mom.

Why This Feels So Hard (Even When It’s Good)

Here’s something we don’t talk about enough: Women have only had the ability to build independent financial lives for a few generations, so of course this feels new.

We are:

• The first (or second) generation to fully navigate career + motherhood

• The first to have real flexibility and autonomy

• The first to ask: what do I actually want my life to look like?

No one handed us a clear blueprint for this, so we’re building it in real time.

Subscribe now

The Identity Piece No One Warns You About

Even when motherhood becomes the priority, there’s still a part of you that wants to exist outside of it. Not because you don’t love your kids. But because you’re still… you.

In this episode, we talked about:

• Wanting work that feels meaningful, not just necessary

• The pull toward part-time or hybrid work you actually enjoy

• The fear of losing yourself entirely in one role

And the truth is: You don’t have to pick one identity, you’re allowed to hold multiple things at once.

The Money Conversation (That Shapes Everything)

Let’s be honest, this decision is never just emotional. It’s deeply financial. We talked about:

• Lowering expenses to create freedom

• Taking a pay cut for flexibility

• The real stress of month-to-month tradeoffs

And also: The quiet calculation every mom is making:

“Is this worth it?”

Time. Energy. Childcare. Work. Presence. It’s all connected.

The Part No One Likes to Admit: Guilt + “Earning It”

One of the most honest moments of the episode came from this:

“I feel like I haven’t done enough to earn this life.”

That feeling? It shows up in different ways:

• “I should be more productive if I have this flexibility”

• “Other people don’t get this option”

• “I didn’t sacrifice enough to deserve this”

And underneath it is a belief many of us carry: If you’re not suffering, you must not be doing it right.

Let’s Challenge That for a Second

What if that’s not true?

What if:

• You don’t have to grind to prove your worth

• You don’t have to justify enjoying your life

• You don’t have to earn rest, presence, or joy

What if the goal isn’t to be exhausted, but to actually build a life that fits you?

Leave a comment

The Permission We’re Giving Ourselves (and You)

Here’s where we landed:

• You can love your kids and want something for yourself

• You can enjoy your life without apologizing for it

• You can change your mind in different seasons

• You can build your life on your terms

And maybe most importantly, you don’t have to do it the same way forever.

Share

One Line We’re Taking With Us

“You can do all the things. You just can’t do all of them at the same time.”

This is a season, and all seasons change.

If This Episode Hit Home…

You’re not alone in this. This is exactly the kind of conversation we’re having every week, honest, nuanced, and rooted in the real lives we’re actually living.

Subscribe at getmomready.com to get:

• New episode drops

• Articles you won’t see anywhere else

• Resources to help you navigate this season

Subscribe now

Want support actually applying this to your life?

Knowing what you need and actually building a life around it are two very different things. That’s where coaching comes in.

Get Mom Ready coaching is designed to help you:

• Get clear on what you actually want in this season

• Work through the guilt, pressure, and “shoulds”

• Build rhythms that support both your life and your identity

Not a one-size-fits-all plan, not more “ you should…,” just thoughtful, personalized support to help you move forward.

Explore Coaching

And We’d Love to Hear From You

Where are you right now in your relationship with motherhood and work? And what’s the tension you feel most?

Reply, DM us, or share this with a friend who’s in it too.

Leave a comment

Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode:

Apple | Spotify | GetMomReady.com

We’ve all been there: a friend has a baby, surgery, or just a really rough week, and you think, “I should bring them a meal.”

It’s such a kind idea. But then the logistics start swirling:

• What if they don’t like what I make?

• Should I stay and visit or just leave it?

• How do I avoid making it awkward?

• What if they have food allergies?

Here’s the truth: meals are one of the most tangible, helpful ways to show up for someone. But the way you drop it off matters just as much as what’s inside the dish.

Here’s your guide to doing it well:

Subscribe now

1. Keep it Simple (and Familiar)

Skip the complicated new recipe you’ve been meaning to try. Go for comfort food, pasta bakes, tacos, rotisserie chicken with sides, or soups with bread. Meals that reheat or freeze easily (and taste good the next day) are a gift.

If you’re unsure about their allergies or aversions, ask ahead of time or do a little Pinterest search for everyone-safe meals.

Pro tip: Think about the whole family. Add fruit, a kid snack, or breakfast muffins for the next morning.

2. Use Disposable Containers

Nothing adds stress like a stack of dishes to return. Foil pans, takeout-style containers, or even Ziploc bags make cleanup (and storage) easy. If you must use a dish, tell her it’s a gift — no return necessary.

3. Communicate Clearly

When you text, be specific:

• “Hey! Dropping off dinner around 5. No need to answer the door. I’ll leave it on the porch.”

• “Made extra soup. I’ll swing by tomorrow at noon and leave it by the door.”

This lets her relax without worrying about being “ready” for company.

4. Don’t Linger (Unless Invited)

The meal is the gift. She doesn’t owe you a visit, a tour of her messy house, or a thank-you speech. Unless you’re the bestie with fridge privileges, plan to just drop and go.

5. Add a Thoughtful Touch

Slip in a sticky note with a kind word: “You’re doing an amazing job.”
Or a small treat for her kids: fruit snacks, bubbles, or a coloring book.

6. Bonus: Organize a Meal Train

If the need is ongoing, set up a Meal Train (MealTrain.com, SignUpGenius, or even a shared Google Doc). It keeps things coordinated so she doesn’t end up with four lasagnas in one week.

Leave a comment

5 Foolproof Meal Ideas for a Friend

1. Chicken Taco Kit

• Rotisserie chicken (shredded)

• Tortillas + shredded cheese + salsa

• Bag of chips + guac or queso

• Brownies or cookies for dessert
  ✨ Easy, flexible, and everyone can build their own.

2. Soup + Salad + Bread

• Big pot of chicken noodle, chili, or veggie soup

• Bagged salad kit (no prep needed)

• Crusty bread or rolls

• Add muffins or fruit for breakfast the next morning
  ✨ Comforting and reheats beautifully.

3. Baked Ziti or Pasta Bake

• Ziti or penne with marinara + mozzarella

• Garlic bread

• Side Caesar or garden salad

• A few freezer pops or ice cream sandwiches for the kids
  ✨ Classic, hearty, and makes great leftovers.

4. Breakfast-for-Dinner

• Egg casserole (sausage/cheese or veggie)

• Muffins or cinnamon rolls

• Fresh fruit

• Jug of OJ or cold brew
  ✨ Fun twist, and leftovers work for breakfast the next day.

5. Sheet Pan Chicken + Veggies

• Roasted chicken breasts or thighs with seasoning

• Roasted veggies (potatoes, carrots, green beans)

• Pre-cooked rice or quinoa packet

• Store-bought pie or fruit crisp
  ✨ Balanced, healthy, and minimal cleanup.

Pro tip: If cooking isn’t your thing, buy family-sized takeout (think Chick-fil-A nuggets + mac & cheese, Costco lasagna, or a big sub sandwich tray) or opt for a DoorDash Gift Card. It still counts, and it’s still a gift.

Bottom Line

Food is comfort, but the way you deliver it makes all the difference. When in doubt: keep it simple, keep it disposable, keep it no-pressure.

Skip the weirdness. Show up with dinner.

✨ Reflection: Who’s one person in your life right now who would breathe easier if you dropped off a meal this week?

Leave a comment

PS. we have a whole podcast episode about friendship after kids, and how to show up in simple, loving ways. Check it out for more ideas. Because mom friends are everything.

Apple | Spotify | GetMomReady.com

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.

Leave a comment

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.”

Share

Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode:

Apple | Spotify | GetMomReady.com

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:

Apple | Spotify

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,

Apple | Spotify | GetMomReady.com

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.”

Share

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.”

Leave a comment

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!

Subscribe below to GetMomReady.com for a weekly article and podcast episode straight to your inbox.

You can also listen on:

Apple | Spotify | GetMomReady.com