Less Drama More Mama

In this episode of Less Drama More Mama, I’m unpacking one of the most misunderstood nervous system survival responses: fawn. From the outside, fawning looks like kindness, helpfulness, or flexibility. But underneath, it’s really your nervous system trying to keep you safe through people-pleasing and self-sacrifice. I share personal and client examples, as well as practical ways you can start showing up authentically while still maintaining love and connection with your kids. If this resonates with you, don’t miss my free workshop, It Ends With Me, happening this week. You’ll discover your unique survival patterns, how they’re impacting your parenting, and what to do about them. Sign up at lessdramamoremama.com/free-workshop For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/370 The post The Fawn Response in Parenting – 370 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

You’re running on empty…and can never seem to refill your tank. You stare at your to-do list…but can’t make yourself move. You go quiet when your kids need you most…and then beat yourself up for shutting down. This is the freeze response — your nervous system’s way of protecting you when life feels too big or too much. In today's episode, I’m breaking down what the freeze response is, how it shows up in your parenting, and what to do about it. If you ever feel stuck, numb, or overwhelmed, this episode will help you understand what’s happening inside you and how to take small steps toward calm, connection, and confidence. For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/369 The post The Freeze Response in Parenting – 369 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

What if the reason you're so busy all the time isn't actually because you have a lot to do? What if it's your body's way of avoiding the uncomfortable emotions you'd rather not feel? In today's episode, I'm diving into the flight response -- your nervous system's way of saying, "this feels unsafe, so let's escape." You'll learn why you feel compelled to stay busy with household tasks instead of slowing down to connect, and why you suddenly remember an "urgent" task every time you think about having a hard conversation with your teen. Listen now to learn how to get grounded when your flight response kicks in, so you can finally be present for the moments that matter most. For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/368 The post The Flight Response in Parenting – 368 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

If you’ve ever raised your voice and instantly regretted it, felt your whole body tense when your child ignored your request, or snapped at your child for something seemingly small, chances are you've felt the fight response in action. Those moments can leave you questioning yourself as a mom, when in reality, your nervous system is simply trying to protect you. Building on last week’s overview of the nervous system, part two of my From Protection to Connection series dives into what the fight response actually looks like in parenting. Spoiler: it’s not just the big blow-ups. By the end, you’ll be able to recognize fight patterns for what they are – automatic responses in your body, not a personal failing. That awareness alone can give you the space to respond with more calm and connection in the future. For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/367 The post The Fight Response in Parenting – 367 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

Back-to-school season is here, and for many moms, that means more stress, more rushing, and more moments that push you to your limit. Maybe you’ve found yourself yelling, shutting down, or saying yes when you really wanted to say no and then thinking, "Why do I keep doing this? I know better!" These reactions aren’t personal failings. More often than not, they’re your nervous system slipping into survival mode without you even realizing it. And many of those responses were wired into your nervous system in childhood, when you first learned what it took to feel safe. This episode will show you that when you start noticing what’s happening inside your body in those heated moments, you take the first step toward changing what happens inside your home. For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/366 The post How Your Nervous System Shapes Your Parenting – 366 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

"Mothering is messy and interrupted and loving." "Motherhood is about making mistakes and repairing them. And that's how we learn." "As moms, we do our best. We make it up as we go along and we muddle through." Those are some of the things Dr. Margo Lowy wishes someone had told her earlier in her parenting, and it’s exactly what she shares in this week’s episode of the podcast. Dr. Lowy is a psychotherapist and the author of ​Maternal Ambivalence: The Loving Moments & Bitter Truths of Motherhood​. She holds a PhD from the University of New South Wales, where she researched maternal ambivalence, and she’s a columnist for Psychology Today. In our conversation, we discussed the parts of motherhood no one likes to talk about... the moments when you don’t feel loving, when your kid is being a "little sh*t," and you wonder if you’re even cut out for this. Dr. Lowy brings compassion and clarity to the feelings so many moms carry quietly, and helps you see them not as failures, but as part of the full, human experience of being a mom. Tune in for this compassionate, grounded insight that every mom needs to hear. For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/365 The post It’s Okay Not to Love Every Moment of Motherhood with Dr. Margo Lowy – 365 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

As my summer hiatus comes to an end, I’ve been reflecting on how I spent my time during the past two months and the insights I gained. I’m excited to share what I’ve learned with you and how it can help you show up as a more grounded, present mom. In today’s episode, I’m giving you a recap of my summer, including the lessons that can support you in your parenting and emotional well-being as you head into the new school year. For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/364 The post Summer Recap and Insights to Support Your Parenting – 364 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

Recently, I found myself crying over things that normally wouldn’t faze me, running on broken sleep, dragging through the day, and and binge-watching TV more than I’d like to admit. Everything seemed heavier than usual. I realized I was in a funk. I know I’m not the only mom going through this right now, especially as the slower pace of summer starts to shift and everything feels a little "off." After listening to this episode from 2020, I took my own advice and it helped me feel more in control, more grounded, and less stuck. If you’re feeling blah, unmotivated, or just not yourself lately, I hope it helps you, too. For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/363 The post Getting Out of a Funk: Summer Playback Series – 363 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

Have you ever heard one of your kids say, “You love them more than me”? It’s easy to dismiss, but sometimes those comments open the door to a deeper reflection: Is there a pattern here I haven’t noticed? This week on the podcast, I’m bringing back an episode that explores the uncomfortable (but important) question: Do I have a favorite child? You’ll hear how favoritism shows up in everyday parenting, why your thoughts matter more than you might think, and how your kids’ perception of favoritism can impact your relationship with them. For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/362 The post Favorites and Fairness: Summer Playback Series – 362 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

Last week while venting to a friend about her day, my mom caught herself telling a negative, victimy story. When she realized this, she switched to talking about what went well that day instead, and completely shifted her mood. This reminded me about how the stories we tell ourselves matter. They shape how we feel and how we show up as moms. If you’re telling yourself, “I can’t stop yelling,” “Nothing’s working,” or “I’m failing as a mom,” you don’t have to stay stuck in that story. You have the power to change your story—and today's summer playback episode will show you how. For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/361 The post What’s Your Story: Summer Playback Series – 361 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

Wondering how to handle it when your kid curses for the first (or next) time? Swearing can stir up a lot of emotions for moms, including shame, anger, worry, and embarrassment. Whether it’s your 6-year-old testing limits or your teen trying to sound cool, how you respond matters more than the fact that they used a four-letter word. In this episode, I talk about why kids swear, how to stay calm when it happens, and what kinds of consequences (if any) actually help. You’ll also hear stories from my own life and coaching practice, along with a surprising research study about cursing and pain tolerance that might shift your perspective. It’s the kind of episode that will help you stay calm the next time an f-bomb drops—whether it comes from your kid or slips out of your own mouth. For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/360 The post Kids, Cursing, and WTF to Do About It: Summer Playback Series – 360 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

Have you ever felt like silence is a luxury you can’t have? Or when you finally get it, it feels uncomfortable? If quietness feels unsettling instead of relaxing for you, you're not alone. When the noise stops, your brain scrambles to fill the gap, and your body can tense up or feel restless. The good news is, quiet time is one of the simplest ways to lower stress and feel calmer, and you don’t need a silent house or hours of meditation to get it. If sitting in silence feels impossible, this episode is exactly what you need. Your body can learn to feel safe in the quiet — and the peace you get in return is worth it. For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/359 The post Peace and Quiet: Summer Playback Series – 359 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

If you’ve ever thought that fully allowing a big emotion like anger, fear, or grief might swallow you whole… ...or that if you let yourself really go there, you’d lose control, fall apart, or not be able to come back… ...this episode will offer a fresh perspective. In this week’s summer playback, I’m sharing a practical and powerful tool I teach moms to help them manage their emotions in a healthy way: the 90-second rule. When you understand what’s really happening in your body during those intense emotional moments, you stop bracing against them. You stop resisting and start expanding your ability to be with what you feel without being overtaken by it. That’s what helps you build emotional resilience and helps you stay calm and present with your kids when they’re having big feelings, too. For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/357 The post The 90-Second Rule: Summer Playback Series – 357 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

What if every emotion—anxiety, anger, overwhelm—was like an unexpected guest knocking at your front door? You could pretend you’re not home and hope it goes away (that’s avoiding). You could yank the door open and yell at it to leave (that’s reacting). Or you could open the door just a crack and try to hold it shut while the guest pushes to get in (that’s resisting). But there’s another option that most moms were never taught. You could simply let the emotion in. Offer it a seat. Sit with it for a little while and give it a chance to be seen and heard. When it’s had that moment of recognition, it’ll get up, say “Thanks for seeing me,” and leave on its own. Being able to allow emotions is one of the most powerful skills you can learn, not just for your own emotional well-being, but so you can model and teach it to your kids, too. This episode walks you through four common ways people manage emotions and the one that actually helps you stay calm, present, and in control. It’s the first in my 2025 Summer Playback Series, and it’s just as relevant now as when it first aired. For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/356 The post How to Feel a Feeling: Summer Playback Series – 356 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

You’ve done the thought work. You’ve challenged old beliefs. You know your child isn’t trying to make your life harder, but you still lose it, shut down, and spiral into guilt. This week’s podcast episode explains why that happens, and what you can do when mindset work isn’t enough on its own. I’m introducing something I’ve been studying and integrating into my coaching lately: Somatic Experiencing, a body-based approach that helps you understand and work with your nervous system. It’s making a noticeable difference for my clients—and for me. If you’ve ever felt like there’s a gap between what you know and how you actually react, this episode will help you bridge it. For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/355 The post You Changed Your Mindset, So Why Are You Still Losing Your Mind? – 355 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

There’s a pattern I see every year around this time. Kids feel stressed about the upcoming shift from school to summer, but they don’t always say they’re stressed. Instead, they act it out. The clinginess, meltdowns, and defiance are signs that their nervous systems are trying to manage a big internal shift. And moms often take that stress on as their own, trying to prevent problems before they happen and keep everyone happy. They feel like they’re already running on empty before summer even begins. In this week’s episode, I’m sharing how to shift from school to summer without spinning out, and how I'm handling things in my own home, too. For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/353 The post Shifting Gears From School to Summer – 353 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

On Mother’s Day (and really, any day), it’s easy to get caught up in how everyone else sees you as a mom. What if, this year, you took a few minutes to see yourself? In today’s episode, I’m sharing five simple, meaningful questions to help you reflect on how you’re showing up, what’s working in your parenting, and what you want more of. It’s a chance to reconnect with the kind of mom you want to be. Whether Mother’s Day feels joyful, complicated, or somewhere in between, these questions offer a way to see yourself—and your motherhood—with more clarity and compassion. For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/352 The post Five Questions to Ask Yourself This Mother’s Day – 352 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

We don't often hear people say, “I adapted well to harsh discipline as a child. I learned how to stay small, quiet, and agreeable.” Instead, they say, "I turned out fine." But what does "fine" really mean? In this episode, I’m unpacking the myth of “I turned out fine”—the phrase so many parents lean on to justify repeating what was done to them when they were kids. This episode might challenge you. And that’s the point. Because we’re not here to settle for raising kids who turn out “fine.” We’re here to raise adults who thrive. For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/350 The post The Myth of “I Turned Out Fine” – 350 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

After her separation, my client Victoria felt lost in her parenting. She didn't trust her parenting decisions and second-guessed everything. She thought she needed to learn parenting "rules." What she really needed was to connect with her own wisdom. In this week’s episode, Victoria opens up about her experience in the Damn Good Mama program and how it helped her find her footing again. If you’ve ever felt stuck between “I think I’m a good mom” and “Why do I still feel so unsure?” — this is an episode you’ll want to hear. For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/349 The post From Self-Doubt to Parenting with Confidence: Victoria’s Success Story – 349 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.

I recently sat in the back of a church watching two young girls say goodbye to their mother. As I listened to the stories shared about her life, I was struck by what people remembered most - the small gestures, the everyday presence, and the little ways she showed up consistently for those she loved. It made me think about how I'm showing up for my own children, and what they'll remember years from now. Today’s episode isn't about adding more to your already full plate, but a reminder to stop rushing through the moments you’ll later wish you’d slowed down for. I don’t know how many bedtime stories, school lunches, or "watch this, Mom!" moments you'll get. But I do know that you have the chance to be present today and show up fully for the ones you love. Not because you should, but simply because you can. For full show notes and information, visit https://lessdramamoremama.com/348 The post Because You Can: Practicing Presence With Your Kids – 348 appeared first on Less Drama More Mama.