Moms Got This

When you don't know what day it is, juggling schedules and priorities between spouses, the transformation of moving to the suburbs, learning to drive again, the return of romance after having kids, and the schedule flexibility of owning your own business. Acupuncturist and traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner Deb Ruffalo Ross shares her mom routines and relationships with hosts Stacy Igel and Michelle Park. In this episode: What day is it? And mom exhaustion leads to confusion... When spouses assume each other's schedules Mom as the constant guiding post How Deb and her family moved to suburbs last summer How moving from city to suburbs was massively transformational Having to learn to drive again, feeling confident with kids in the car Commuting two days a week, working late, not coming home until 10pm those days, other days she’s present with girls How Deb kept setting herself up for failure, and how she now makes sure to get that extra 30 minutes of sleep Romance, when theres a return to yourself and relationship with partner Date nights, trips without kids, important to be about each other and not family once in a while Missing your spouse from business trip, a reminder of what you miss and take for granted Going from 5 work days to 2-3 days, and why now not working Saturdays The beauty of Deb's  business is making her own schedule, and allowing it to evolve as her kids evolve To share your #MOMSGOTTHIS MOMENT just call 833-844-THIS-MOM (833-844-7666) and leave a voicemail with your first name and city along with your moment.

When kids lie, the massive shift in identity when becoming a mom, a very difficult labor, activating her network to get healthy after 10 months of post-birth misery, the pressure to appear happy, the transition between the first and second child, and the ride home from the hospital. Acupuncturist and traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner Deb Ruffalo Ross shares her mom journey with hosts Stacy Igel and Michelle Park. In this episode: Deb's work in acupuncture, herbal therapy, Chinese massage cupping, lifestyle and nutrition, and as a health coach Stacy on a new phase with Dylan, figuring out whether he is telling a lie or not Stacy's strategy of saying lies bring monsters into the bedroom – testing for a lie Deb's two girls ages 3 and 6 The identity shift of becoming a mom, how Deb was surprised at how lifechanging it was What it means to become a mom, how Deb couldn’t find a lot of people who identified, massive shift in identity "Before kids Deb", and  "after kids Deb" Working makes her feel like herself The added benefit of becoming a mom, and a spectrum of experiences with her kids Howdy had a vaginal birth after a C-section A very difficult labor Deb's C-section after 1 hours of labor Visiting nurses for one month after birth, how Deb didn’t feel well, took a while to find happiness Around 10 months she decided treating herself like a patient, and activated all the healers in her network How having children changed career, being able to treat based on her own experiential knowledge The importance of feeling understood Searching for mom friends to be yourself with, but too many weren’t able to relate in truth and the reality The pressure to act like you’re all happy Two tragedies on the way home from the hospital with her baby for Michelle A transition between kids #1 and #2, feeling more prepared The drive home with the second child, when she felt she’s got this, got her crew It is all about the moments To share your #MOMSGOTTHIS MOMENT just call 833-844-THIS-MOM (833-844-7666) and leave a voicemail with your first name and city along with your moment.

Recording moments to capture them forever, leading kids to live a fulfilling life, building a company with an inspiring ethos, when your child starts becoming more aware and interacting with people and friends, and how it goes by fast. Grace Choi, PhD, host of Cooking with Grace on The Cooking Channel, CEO/Founder of Cookable Inc., and Adjunct Professor at The New School, shares special moments and aspirations with hosts Stacy Igel and Michelle Park. Presented by Keepsake Frames. Print, frame your photos easily and fast from your phone – handmade in the USA and delivered with free shipping. Use discount code #MOMSGOTTHIS at www.keepsakeframes.com for 30% off first order. In this episode: Recording moments in the 1-2-3 period to hold on to them When Michelle's daughter covers her in kisses and lets her cuddle Inspiring her daughter to live a fulfilling life Building a company that provides everyone involved the opportunity to spend time with family, being inspired When Grace's daughter Kasper waked her up to "boop" her nose Becoming more aware of other people, friends Obsessed with babies, prying babies from their mothers' arms Realizing it goes by so fast To share your #MOMSGOTTHIS MOMENT just call 833-844-THIS-MOM (833-844-7666) and leave a voicemail with your first name and city along with your moment. Make sure to subscribe, review and rate on iTunes!

Airbrushed makeup for fast exits, the magic of Alexa, Dr. Sears, feeling understood, being seduced by advertising, and a buckle whale toy. Grace Choi, PhD, host of Cooking with Grace on The Cooking Channel, CEO/Founder of Cookable Inc., and Adjunct Professor at The New School, shares her mom products and solutions with hosts Stacy Igel and Michelle Park. Support for today’s episode comes from luxury footwear brand Tamara Mellon. Visit tamaramellon.com today to receive a $100 gift toward your first order using code MOMS100! In this episode: Trying to get out door fast, LuminessAir airbrush cosmetic The magic of Alexa, setting reminders, timers, birthdays, singing songs Dr. Sears, "The Discipline Book" Feeling understood by one's mom, one of the best things you can do Teaching empathy and understanding, how it affects other people The SNOO (Dr Sears) helps rock baby tp sleep Things Grace bought that were useless as a mom Being easily seduced by advertising, especially as a sleep-deprived mom The "mamaRoo" infant seat A buckle toy whale ("Blu" Whale) To share your #MOMSGOTTHIS MOMENT just call 833-844-THIS-MOM (833-844-7666) and leave a voicemail with your first name and city along with your moment. Make sure to subscribe, review and rate on iTunes!

The sex life when pregnant, every day is by the seat of your pants with a child, 5am writing exercises, the rewards and risks of co-sleeping, starting a company with a young child, falling into conventional gender roles, being tired, and how being a chef trains you for having kids. Grace Choi, PhD, host of Cooking with Grace on The Cooking Channel, CEO/Founder of Cookable Inc., and Adjunct Professor at The New School, shares her mom routines and relationships with hosts Stacy Igel and Michelle Park. In this episode: How sex life changes  when pregnant Pregnancy massages Men can’t multi task Living every day by the seat of your pants with kids How Grace used to wake up at 5am, writing exercise, would love to do it again Still nursing Co-sleeping Grace starting a company with a new child, keeps you focused, organized How doing so is risky, but have to work harder, better, faster, time is money, stakes are high When a child pretends she is on a business call Falling into conventional stereotypical gender roles Having to share more, men must feel more tired Why co-sleeping can be important for a baby’s health Sleeping on a floor matress Co-sleeping as a controversial issue With co-sleeping you become comfort object for a child, traveling away from them becomes difficult Ecological breastfeeding Being a chef preparing for having a kid If I wasn’t crazy nothing would get done To share your #MOMSGOTTHIS MOMENT just call 833-844-THIS-MOM (833-844-7666) and leave a voicemail with your first name and city along with your moment.  

Banana pancakes, when your child needs a lot of attention, a babysitter you can trust to do their own thing, running a a new food tech startup with an 18 month old child, and when a child learns to not hit. Grace Choi, PhD,  host of Cooking with Grace on The Cooking Channel, CEO/Founder of Cookable Inc., and Adjunct Professor at The New School, shares her mom journey with hosts Stacy Igel and Michelle Park. In this episode: Banana pancakes Grace's daughter 18 months is Kasper, a wild kid, super cute and funny Grace's PhD  in food studies, teaches at The New School in food psychology, and has a food and tech company called Cookable Running a startup business, and coping with the demands while raising a young child Her daughter needs real attention from Grace Having a babysitter you trust to do her thing Moving obstacles out of the way of a cook Cookable as a voice and video assisted interactive recipe instructiuon platform, a virtual recipe box for the future The moment when a child realizes they aren’t supposed to hit To share your #MOMSGOTTHIS MOMENT just call 833-844-THIS-MOM (833-844-7666) and leave a voicemail with your first name and city along with your moment.  

When kids become self aware about humor, teaching a child about meditation, battling for kisses, teaching girls they are in control of their bodies, teaching values by living as examples, the selective listening of kids, and the wonder of watching a baby turn into a person. Designer Tabitha St. Bernard-Jacobs, co-founder of Tabii Just (a zero waste line of womenswear clothing made in NYC), co-founder of Livari, and Youth Director of The Women's March, shares her special moments and aspirations as a mom with hosts Stacy Igel and Michelle Park. (Tabitha's Instagram: @tabithastb) Presented by Keepsake Frames. Print, frame your photos easily and fast from your phone – handmade in the USA and delivered with free shipping. Use discount code #MOMSGOTTHIS at www.keepsakeframes.com for 30% off first order. In this episode: When a kid becomes self aware about humor How every day is a new moment, things click, watching a baby turn into a human and learn stuff, and  how it happens early Tabitha on the possibility of having one more child Finding balance, Tabitha on caring for herself Teaching a 3 year old to meditate, using Headspace (in a kids section) For Tabitha, success is teaching her son skills to be a functioning human being Why Tabitha is not focused on career goals anymore, expansion Tabitha's son is "anti-kisses" Lately her has started kissing her, then laughing – the sweetest thing Michelle on her daughter wanting only kisses in bed, not allowed outside of morning time And Michelle on the need to teach her daughter and reinforce she is control of her body Tabitha on teaching her son by being a example to him, by the way they live their lives, showing the kind of human being they want him to be Sometimes her son has selective listening like many young kids Teaching by talking, he’s listening but not giving eye contact Living by example of values that prioritize love, togetherness, better community, people first To share your #MOMSGOTTHIS MOMENT just call 833-844-THIS-MOM (833-844-7666) and leave a voicemail with your first name and city along with your moment.

Creating a toy storage system, a kiddie pool for hours, sleep training, the problem with baby gates, and setting sleeping boundaries. Designer Tabitha St. Bernard-Jacobs, co-founder of Tabii Just (a zero waste line of womenswear clothing made in NYC), co-founder of Livari, and Youth Director of The Women's March, shares her mom products and solutions  with hosts Stacy Igel and Michelle Park. (Tabitha's Instagram: @tabithastb) Support for today’s episode comes from luxury footwear brand Tamara Mellon. Visit tamaramellon.com today to receive a $100 gift toward your first order using code MOMS100! In this episode: St. Bernard-Jacobs on being stuck inside in bad weather Michelles' daughter's tiny kiddie pool, filled with water and toys A handwritten calendar Tabitha's cabinet with different drawers with different categories of toys How the system of the cabinet keeps you from searching She bought toy chest from Ikea Tabitha's son associates that it is where he gets stuff from, it’s a sytem he's used to, helps with cleaning up a little Loving clear shoeboxes for storing toys, etc. Trouble with sleep training Baby gates at front of room, can see out, you see in, but there is a barrier Baby gate too much like a dog gate? Tabitha got a tall baby gate, but her baby climbed, worked 3 nights, and shook it so much ripped out of wall, then started throwing toys over the gate to get attention Tabitha and her husband set boundaries, and now her son sleeps in his bed with parents in room till like 2 in am, and he gets up and comes in bed with them Why it is the best they can do now, trying to enjoy it To share your #MOMSGOTTHIS MOMENT just call 833-844-THIS-MOM (833-844-7666) and leave a voicemail with your first name and city along with your moment.

Being present with your child, juggling work and school schedules, being 100% with work or child, postpartum and therapy, a supportive husband, date night, self care, and how a kid's routine also helps mom. Designer Tabitha St. Bernard-Jacobs, co-founder of Tabii Just (a zero waste line of womenswear clothing made in NYC), co-founder of Livari, and Youth Director of The Women's March, shares her mom routines and relationships with hosts Stacy Igel and Michelle Park. (Tabitha's Instagram: @tabithastb) In this episode: A walking to school routine with Stacy and her son Dylan The importance of routines Tabitha on trying to juggle being home with him twice a week with school 3 days/week Finding relief with a nanny-share 2 days a week Play dates are rough---need to do work in between Cut off when he gets home and really be present with him Way more efficient 100% working or 100% with him When you’re working vs. fun on phone Making an impression Leap Frog- typing while mom is typing Married in August, pregnant in April, dating for 3 years, but not enough time just them married together Not easiest mom to be with, super paranoid, postpardum depression All the pressures, many in her head When she’d leave him, she’d be miserable and difficult with anyone when she was away from him Husband is supportive, and pushes back t0 bring her to reality How working with a therapist helped Tried having a date night, the need to Michelle on her Sunday movie dates, and a sense of freedom Setting up routines, general schedule Really be present with him How Tabitha's son’s routine helps her as a mom Take turns picking her son up Try to say prayers together every night Dedicating 4pm-8:30pm every day just for her son Postpartum, been in therapy for over a decade so always had that help Started centering happiness as action, instead of waiting to be happy again How self care and working out centers her To share your #MOMSGOTTHIS MOMENT just call 833-844-THIS-MOM (833-844-7666) and leave a voicemail with your first name and city along with your moment.

The challenges of being pregnant with a toddler, taking on The Women's March, not loving the baby stage, how a child can make you more empathetic, when your career grows after a baby, quitting grad school after two weeks to be a better mother, including your child in social justice, what mixed race parents mean for a child's identity, and prioritizing self-care to be better at work and a better mom. Designer Tabitha St. Bernard-Jacobs, co-founder of Tabii Just (a zero waste line of womenswear clothing made in NYC), co-founder of Livari, and Youth Director of The Women's March, shares her mom journey with hosts Stacy Igel and Michelle Park. (Tabitha's Instagram: @tabithastb) In this episode: How hard it is to be pregnant and have a toddler at the same time How Tabitha got started in the Women’s March, and how it ended up being a bigger part of her life than she anticipated Being part of organizing school walkouts nationally The big role played by Tabitha's very supportive husband Tabitha's three year-old son Why Tabitha didn’t enjoy the baby stage as much, worried about her baby being very fragile How her son helps her be more nurturing, empathetic How Tabitha's career and activities have actually grown since becoming a mom Motherhood was very tough in beginning, and so she applied to grad school right away When Tabitha realized she had to prioritize family, and left grad school after two weeks Working from the hospital while son was still under care after birth Incorporating her son into her work life Living lives as a family centered around social justice, but not just talking about it at home Tabitha on taking her son with her on some marches The implictions of a mixed race parents and what it means for her child’s identity How Tabitha realized that when she is taking good care of herself, she is able to be a better mom Prioitizing self care, scheduling gym time as a meeting To share your #MOMSGOTTHIS MOMENT just call 833-844-THIS-MOM (833-844-7666) and leave a voicemail with your first name and city along with your moment.

When your kid asks how your day was, seeing your son play in a band on an iconic stage for the first time, sharing your art with you, adding a string section to the Lez Zeppelin music, and how the band is gearing back up -- to pay for  college. Steph Paynes, lead guitarist and founder of tribute band Lez Zeppelin, shares her special moments and aspirations with hosts Stacy Igel and Michelle Park. (Steph's Instagram:  @lezzeppelin and @stephpaynes) Presented by Keepsake Frames. Print, frame your photos easily and fast from your phone – handmade in the USA and delivered with free shipping. Use discount code #MOMSGOTTHIS at www.keepsakeframes.com for 30% off first order. In this episode: Stacy at the dinner table with family and her son Dylan asked how her day was, moments that surprise you, try to do Friday night dinner as much as possible, don’t do dinner every day together Stacy told him pieces of her day Steph shares special moments from the last week Seeing her son Max play in a band at The Bitter End, where Steph used to play Son Harrison enjoying an Elton John album with her When Harrison stopped the record and listened to Steph play guitar, and saying he was liking hearing her play Seeing mom as a whole person with accomplishments and interests If you’re not happy it translates to the kids, tough balance to make it all work When Steph's son was trying to figure out guitar parts, and Steph being able to show him how to do it better, so lucky an experience As son goes onto college, trying to figure out Band gearing up again, finishing another album, but how does one pay for college Very touring physically and mentally demanding to be in a touring band Not winding up, getting busier to pay for college Adding a string section to newest music and concerts To share your #MOMSGOTTHIS MOMENT just call 833-844-THIS-MOM (833-844-7666) and leave a voicemail with your first name and city along with your moment.

Getting baby bottles through the TSA, the magical baby wipe, taking a five year old on a concert tour, the many uses of burp rags, and when your kids are "roadies". Steph Paynes, lead guitarist and founder of tribute band Lez Zeppelin, shares her products and solutions as a mom with hosts Stacy Igel and Michelle Park. (Steph's Instagram:  @lezzeppelin and @stephpaynes) Support for today’s episode comes from luxury footwear brand Tamara Mellon. Visit tamaramellon.com today to receive a $100 gift toward your first order using code MOMS100! In this episode: Getting a bottle or liquids through TSA at airports, what you’re allowed to do A whore’s bath, the magical baby wipe Her 5 year old son shared a bus for a tour Burp rag, double duty for guitar case Keeping the hospital swaddling towels? Her son helps with road crew, having him along for the trips and gigs To share your #MOMSGOTTHIS MOMENT just call 833-844-THIS-MOM (833-844-7666) and leave a voicemail with your first name and city along with your moment.

When your job titles are "rock star" and "mom", the joys of when your kids come see you perform, support systems when you have to travel as a working mom, when your kids have talent, surviving a lack of supportive relationships on the road,  surprising places you'll find support, and balancing two worlds as a mother. Steph Paynes, lead guitarist and founder of tribute band Lez Zeppelin, shares her routines and relationships as a mom with hosts Stacy Igel and Michelle Park. (Steph's Instagram:  @lezzeppelin and @stephpaynes) In this episode: Michelle on an impending change of routines with second baby expected How you just figure it out new routines, like solving a puzzle Steph Paynes on having a job title "rock star" When Steph started the band, and then got pregnant shortly after Her son Harrison is not as much a musician, her son Max is a gifted musician, went to a special gifted music school How he attended school for 6 years, studied violin, but then changed paths into computers an engineering That special time when Max picked up a guitar and tried to figure out Led Zeppelin When Steph's kids come and see her play in the band, some of the great moments Steph on the joy of seeing her kids in the audience or wings, knowing they were there, and she didn’t have to leave them Harrison coming on Australia tour with Steph Support systems, friends who understand what you’re doing Parents nearby were able to help How when touring there weren’t people who could help or give advice Why Steph never thought she should stop doing it, but maybe she is crazy anywhere Showing up in preschool with leather pants and long velvet coat is weird, and perhaps often late How Steph got support in surprising places, such as the office of the preschool Steph on being able to live sincerely in a a lot of different worlds, different parts of her, unlike many rock musicians To share your #MOMSGOTTHIS MOMENT just call 833-844-THIS-MOM (833-844-7666) and leave a voicemail with your first name and city along with your moment.

Talking about kids publicly for the first time in fourteen years, playing rock and roll while nine months pregnant, not allowing having kids to change who you are or what you can accomplish, finding authenticity and faith in your self from motherhood, switching between road life and mom life, questioning choices, and pumping breast milk between rock and roll concert sets. Steph Paynes, lead guitarist and founder of tribute band Lez Zeppelin, shares her mom journey with hosts Stacy Igel and Michelle Park. (Steph's Instagram:  @lezzeppelin and @stephpaynes) In this episode: Stacy on signing Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell to her son nightly, and he asked why we can’t return back Do something the same, but different every day Becoming the founder and lead guitarist of the tribute band Lez Zeppelin Steph never before talked about her kids publicly The mystery of Rock and Roll, and sharing less is more Having a band named Lez Zeppelin (Lez) don’t answer that question Being a private person, and not always a great idea to discuss kids in public Steph played her first gigs while nine months pregnant, and had to side-saddle wear her guitar Her first is 18 year-old Max, second is Harrison who is 14 Steph toured with Ronnie Spector prior to Max Why an all-girl band Playing Led Zeppelin music is ambitious, and as women the band had to be twice ad good as others for credibility Steph did it for fun, and realized she was pregnant around 4 months into the band Being nauseous during both pregnancies, and the only time she felt better was when rehearsing and playing Steph took 3 years off from music, worked on a novel Being determined not to let having children interfere with who she is and what she can accomplish A side effect of having kids was “cutting out all the crap that didn’t matter”, becoming a mega efficient person Steph was a journalist before, never thought she’d be a big rock star, just wanted to have fun Finding balance, discovering authenticity and courage and faith in herself to go out and play what she wanted because of becoming a mother Then – the band took off Road-life is like a bubble, like having an alter ego -- -when in band mode, she’s not mom mode Bouncing back and forth between those two worlds was very difficult Steph had a great nanny and could not have done it without her As leader of the band she has found herself mothering them in a way Questioning choices at times, and she never met a single woman on the road in her position Was she doing harm to kids or being a role model? Steph’s incredible #MOMSGOTGTHIS moment incolved playing a set of a concert, needing to pump breast milk in a bathroom during the break, then going out and playing another set Steph realized you can do virtually anything in the world if you have the will to do it, no one can stop you

Less time with her first child when the second comes, raising a mixed child, aspirations for your child, attention to who your kid is rather than who they become, being present with your kids as they enter teenage years, and when a single mom thinks about reentering dating. Plus Size Model and Activist Denise Bidot shares special moments and aspirations with hosts Stacy Igel and Michelle Park. (Denise's Instagram: @denisebidot) Presented by Keepsake Frames. Print, frame your photos easily and fast from your phone – handmade in the USA and delivered with free shipping. Use discount code #MOMSGOTTHIS at www.keepsakeframes.com for 30% off first order. Stacy on keeping old fashion pieces Michelle shares a Korean term "Cold Rice" – won't have same amount of attention for first child with a second child There's no handbook on raising a mixed child Denise shocked when her daughter referred to "her people", despite Black History Month, context of slavery at 6 or 7 years old, a likely activist Aspirations for Denise's daughter: Lawyer? Activist? Denise has focus for her  daughter's future: not as much what she does as who she is when she does it Working on raising a strong independent woman When her daughter said she's ready for modeling Ready for the world Denise will support her daughter as her mom supported her Just take them as far as you can and be with them and support them Denise is thankful to live passion/dreams and have a successful life Wanting to be present with her daughter as she enters teens Are Denise and her daughter like the Gilmore Girls? Is dating in Denise’s future? BIO: Denise Bidot is a plus size model, activist and pioneer of the widely acclaimed body positivity movement. Bidot, a Latina-Arab Miami native, has defied fashions standards since being discovered on a photo shoot back in 2006 where she was working as a makeup artist. Soon after, her modeling career took off and she became one of the most sought models in the curve category. Being the first plus size model to walk multiple runways during New York Fashion Week, her mission has and always will be to utilize her voice to promote change in the way the fashion industry views women and what it means to have a healthy body. As the founder of the No Wrong Way Movement, Bidot is an outspoken critic of representation in the fashion industry, starring in progressive advertisements for companies like Lane Bryant, Target and Dove, who notoriously push the envelope of fashion's restrictive beauty standards. As a single mother of 10 year old daughter Joselyn, Bidot looks at the younger generation as her inspiration to continue to break down barriers when it comes to self love and acceptance. Bidot is based in New York City where she lives with her daughter and their adorable puppy Millie. For more information, please visit www.denisebidot.com. To share your #MOMSGOTTHIS MOMENT just call 833-844-THIS-MOM (833-844-7666) and leave a voicemail with your first name and city along with your moment.