Caitlin Creer is an interior designer known for creating timeless designs from California beach houses to colonial estates in Connecticut. She's also a mom of five, so you know she's got some real-life wisdom to share about juggling design projects around the country, family life, and everything in between.

In this episode Caitlin answers your design questions and shares what trends she is tired of and the ones she wants to see more of. Whether you're a design junkie or just trying to figure out how to make your house feel more like home, this episode is packed with inspiration, tips, and plenty of relatable mom moments.

Check out Caitlin's brand new book, An Intentional Home, to see more of her beautiful work and stories. And be sure to check out her store Foundation Goods. 

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3:00 A return to color in design 

5:15 How Caitlin got into the design world 

9:15 Caitlin's memory of home growing up 

14:00 How to create a plan for your home that is unique to you 

17:15 How to refresh a room without spending a fortune 

20:15 Great sectional for families?

24:30 Organizational tips for busy families 

31:15 No one lives in a picture perfect house 24/7 

I’m thrilled to welcome Sarah Molitor to the MomForce! Known to nearly 800,000 followers as @modernfarmhousefamily, Sarah is a mom of seven and an absolute ray of sunshine. As a fellow redhead, I knew right away we were kindred spirits!

In our chat, Sarah opens up about a powerful lesson she learned: words matter. She shares how, as a new mom navigating a tough season in her marriage and adjusting to a new place, her words began to reflect negativity. But one eye-opening phone call changed everything, inspiring her to shift her perspective and set her on a mission to help others communicate with grace, purpose, and love.

I know you’ll love this conversation! Sarah’s wisdom and experience is very relatable. 

Use code: MOMFORCE for 20% off your first  Chatbooks order! 

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Sarah's new book Well Said 

3:00 Sharing her family story online 

9:00 How Sarah decides what not to share online 

13:30 Learning the lesson that "words matter" 

17:15 Words of encouragement are free 

23:30 How to get away from the victim mindset 

24:30 Words of encouragement for first time mom Sarah 

26:30 How Sarah holds onto what matters 

 

Wedding season is here and it is a great time to reminisce on your own love story. In this episode of The MomForce Podcast we are diving into the topic of "Empowering Relationships,"  with some incredible guests who share their insights on how to strengthen relationships. Hear from influencer and author Sazan Hendrix, professional dancer Jenna Johnson of Dancing with the Stars, design queen Julia Marcum, ballerina extraordinaire Misty Copeland, and entrepreneur and philanthropist Camila McConaughey as they discuss their personal experiences and offer tips to be a better partner. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from these amazing women and enhance your own relationships!

2:00 Forbidden love with influencer and author Sazan Hendrix 

5:30 Professional dancer Jenna Johnson on working with her spouse

7:45 Family movie night and date night traditions with Julia Marcum of Chris Loves Julia 

9:30 Misty Copeland on growing up with a single mom and how amazing single parents are. And how grateful she is for her supportive partner. 

10:40 Camila McConaughey on how she keeps curiousity alive in her marriage with Matthew McConaughey. 

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Building a business takes patience, grit, and a whole lot of passion. Vanessa chats with Anna Lozano and Lindy Sood of @lovepoweredco. The mission at Love Powered Co is "to empower the next generation of mindful leaders, through the POWER of I AM. "

Starting a company while raising young families didn't come without its hiccups, but Anna and Lindy's passion for helping others through positive affirmations has been what has kept the two of them going. If ever the world needed to be flooded with inspiring self-talk, it's now! 

To find more information on Love Powered Co, check out their website and instagram. They offer products for littles, teens, and adults.

Then be sure to head over to our MOMFORCE FACEBOOK GROUP - full of thousands of moms from all over the world, helping each other through the highs and lows of motherhood!

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Vanessa and co-host Erika are talking to Emily Nelson, co-founder of High Fitness. Emily shares how and why she started the High Fitness movement with her co-founder Amber Zenith. What is High Fitness, you might ask? Take everything you loved about aerobics in the 80's and throw in some burpees and tuck jumps. Using simplified aerobic sequences and adding intense fitness-based moves, participants get a safe and effective workout! Check out High Fitness’ Youtube Channel or Instagram page for ideas. 

We are so happy you are here! Make a Chatbook and use code POD20. Happy Chatbooking! 

There seems to be no getting around screen time with teenagers, especially when mom needs some uninterrupted time to get a few things done! On this MomForce Mini episode, Leah is sharing her thoughts on screen time, particularly video games and social media. (pssst. She may have said "death to Snapchat!") 

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Psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Lisa Damour joins Vanessa, and co-host (and sister) Shelly, to talk about how to manage stress and anxiety. “Stress occurs anytime we are adapting to new circumstances.” Dr. Damour says that feelings of stress aren’t always bad - they are a normal human function that can lead to growth and durability. But what happens when that stress is too intense? She suggests staying away from negative coping strategies. Those can be poor eating habits, not getting enough exercise, and substance abuse. Instead, look to maintain social connections, get outside more, and take care of your body. 

Dr. Damour has a step-by-step strategy that we can all use to help get us through any meltdown. Click HERE to see it! 

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This is an uncertain time, full of worry and anxiousness. Being pregnant can intensify those feelings! In this MomForce mini-episode, Vanessa is chatting with her sister Kara about her experiences being pregnant with baby #5 during a pandemic. Lets just say, thank heavens for FaceTime! 

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Social distancing has upended most of our lives, we’ve been told to “stay safe, stay home”. And while that is exactly what we need to do, it's created a dire situation for many businesses that rely on the public to keep their doors open. Without major corporations backing them, these “ma and pop” shops have had to get creative in how they continue. 

Vanessa Quigley is joined by her husband Nate, Chatbooks co-founder, as they chat with three local restaurant owners about how they have adapted to the current situation. 

Click here to watch Waffle Love's TV show

Vanessa and Nate's podcast episode on The Nitty Gritty Podcast 

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The lack of GNO's and lunch dates on the calendar has left many of us feeling isolated and alone. On today's MomForce Mini, Vanessa chats with her sister Shelly about staying connected while keeping physical distance.  Psssst - Call your girlfriends, you both will feel better because of it!

We are so happy you are here! Make a Chatbook and use code POD20. Happy Chatbooking! 

There is an acronym that is having its time in the spotlight: WFH. Working From Home is not a new concept, but due to the world wide pandemic and #socialdistancing, many of us have found ourselves trying to figure out how to make the most of this new norm!

Chatbooks co-founder and podcast host Vanessa Quigley is talking to Ashley aka AB, our marketing product manager about how she is managing her WFH schedule while having a 6 month old baby at home. 

Vanessa also gets some best tips from some veteran WFH Chatbooks employees. Did you know the majority of Chatbooks Customer service team is all remote, and mostly all mothers - 12 babies born to our MomForce team this past year! ! So when questions come up about how to balance WFH and motherhood (and for so many of us - HOMESCHOOLING) we knew we would get the best tips from these women.

Tip 1: Krista, who has been WFH for 10 years says do NOT get rid of “me time”! Whether it is a walk outside or taking a bath, taking care of yourself is what will give you the stamina to keep going.

Tip 2 : Hilary likes to block out 30 minutes in the day to tidy up. With kids home all day and schoolwork and homework and meals, the house can get away from you. Take some time to pick up - enlist kids to help. Having a tidy workspace can help improve everyone's mood and productivity. 

Tip 3 : This tip comes from Ashley, who knows all too well that the 3pm slump happens at home as well as at the office! Her go to fix - Dr. Pepper! Find something that you love, a treat, a drink, a snack and allow a moment of indulgence. 

Tip 4 : Alyce is 100% cool with tech! When she really needs some time to buckle down and get work done, or if she needs to take a call with a client, allowing screen time for her kids is top of her go to strategy! And especially now, with kids home from school, all day, everyday, relaxing whatever screen limits you may have just might prove to be the best course. 

This sudden change of circumstances can be hard. On everyone. It might take a hot minute to find what works for you and your family. Vanessa’s final tip is it's ok to let things go! And we get a new day to try again! Good luck mamas! We are rooting for you. 

Check out The MomForce Facebook group for lots more advice on WFH, homeschooling, self care and more!

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Social distancing has given us a lot more time at home with our families.  So what are you doing with all of that time? On this MomForce Mini episode, Vanessa chats with her sister Erika about family time. Be ready to hear about some creative game nights! 

Here's 36 super creative and totally free family games to try at home!

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Host Vanessa Quigley and co-host Erika to talk to licensed sex therapist and sleep expert Christine Lawler about the science behind our sleep routines. Here are a few of Christine's tips:

Tip 1. If you don’t fall asleep within 20 minutes of lying down, get out of bed and go do something productive until you start to feel drowsy. 

Tip 2. Stop the negative talk. When we tell ourselves, “I’m a terrible sleeper”, we create an association that can make it difficult to get rest. Our beds need to be the place where we sleep, not scroll social media.

Tip 3. Find your ideal amount of sleep. Some people can function perfectly on 6 hours while others need 7.5 hours. Christine helps her clients find that sweet spot that allows them to get the most beneficial night's sleep.

Tip 4. Talk about sex. Tiredness can be interpreted as disinterest. Open conversations about where your head is at can clear most confusion about desire and frequency. 

Tip 5. It’s ok for both partners not to go to bed at the same time. You may just need to get more creative at when you can be intimate. 

You can check out Christine’s websites The Peaceful Sleeper and Christine Lawler for more tips and resources on both topics! 

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In this episode of The MomForce Podcast titled "The Power of Showing Up," Vanessa Quigley chats with Dr. Tina Bryson, an expert in parenting and child development. They explore the essential role of the "4 S's" – Safe, Seen, Soothed, and Secure – in fostering secure attachments and emotional resilience in children. Dr. Bryson highlights that showing up consistently and empathetically is crucial for a child's development and well-being.

This episode is packed with practical parenting tips and insights into creating strong family bonds, making it a must-listen for anyone looking to enhance their parenting skills.

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More on the research from Chatbooks and HP about strengthening families.

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Did you ever think you’d be homeschooling all of your kids? Well whether we like it or not, many of us are getting that opportunity right now amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. And in today’s MomForce Mini Vanessa shares some of her experiences homeschooling 5 of her 7 children and why she loved it! 

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Host Vanessa Quigley is joined by co-host (and sister) Shelly to talk to pediatric sleep expert Lauren Olson about how we can get our kids to sleep - and Shelly REALLY needs the help. Her darling 18-month-old is waking up 5x a night. Here are a few tips Lauren shared:

Tip 1. Try not to give your toddler food an hour before bedtime - their bodies will be wanting to digest instead of falling asleep. BUT - if you have to give a snack, did you know bananas have tryptophan in it??? Go with that.

Tip 2. Make sure your child is getting their caloric needs met during the day. 

Tip 3. Wean your child off their dependency. If they are falling asleep with a bottle, Lauren tells us to only offer half a bottle. And then the next night, maybe it’s water instead of milk. And then the next night, it's a sip of water. 

Tip 4. For a child that used to be a great sleeper but suddenly stops, look for outside stressors. Has there been a change in their daily routine? Are they going through a growth spurt? Is a parent traveling more? A new baby? Once you identify that stressor, you can help talk your child through their feelings.

Tip 5. If your child wakes up scared, redirection works well. Christine gives the example of giving them a “dream stick” or rock so that when they wake up afraid, they can hold the stick or rock and feel mom’s love for them. 

Tip 6. If you give melatonin, 2-3 days max. Don’t rely on it as a permanent solution to sleep problems.

And perhaps the best tip of all, be patient. For more information on Lauren and her sleep solutions, check out https://www.sleepandthecity.com/

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Social distancing is the new buzzword. And Vanessa and Erika are giving their take on the news surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic. Pssst, as mothers of 7 children each, they really aren't hoarding toilet paper. One package lasts them til Wednesday! Stay calm, everyone. Wash your hands and take care of your neighbor! 

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March is National Sleep Month and to kick off our 3 part series dedicated to helping us get the best sleep possible, we have pediatric sleep consultant Becca Campbell joining Vanessa and co-host Kara to talk all things related to babies sleeping. Here are some tips from Becca:

Tip #1: Many moms like to have their babies close to them at night. A bassinet next to the bed is a great way to keep your newborn close. But then you might find yourself waking up to every coo and grunt. Try moving the bassinet to the other side of the room. Your baby is still nearby, but all those sweet nighttime sounds aren’t disturbing your own sleep.

Tip #2: Does this scenario sound familiar? Baby is tired and cranky but won’t go down for a nap, so you strap him in the car seat for a quick ride around the neighborhood to fall asleep? Becca says eliminate the props. Teaching your baby to fall asleep without pacifiers, bottles, or car rides allows them to self-soothe, so when they wake up 20 minutes into their nap, they can roll over and fall back asleep on their own.

Tip #3: It’s 5 am and your toddler is ready to roll for the day... to buy ourselves more precious sleep, we give them a sippy cup of chocolate milk, turn a show on and go back to bed. Yes, we might get an hour or so of sleep, but this teaches your child that as soon as they wake up, they get their “fix”. Becca suggests waiting at least 10 minutes before giving any drinks or shows or “fixes”. 

Need more help? Use code MOMFORCE to get $10 off Becca’s sleep course. And check out her website for a free napping calendar. 

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Vanessa and her sister Shelly are chatting with powerhouse, Meaghan Murphy. Meaghan is the editor-in-chief of Women’s Day magazine, with previous experience at MTV, Victoria's Secret, Self Magazine, Cosmo, and Good Housekeeping. She’s also a regular on TV shows like Live with Kelly & Ryan - and she has 3 kids! In this episode, she shares what her “secret sauce” is for managing life and finding joy every day. 

Want to hear more from Meaghan? Follow her on Instagram: @meaghanbmurphy @offthegrampodcast and @theyaylist and follow hashtag #theyaylist for more inspiration on daily gratitude.

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We’ve all heard of Marie Kondo her method of decluttering that frees up space in your homes, closets, dressers, and attics. But did you know you can do the same thing for your motherhood? You can actually purge some of the things from the way you “mother” that don’t spark joy! Vanessa is chatting with Rachel Nielson, host of the popular 3 in 30 Podcast, about how to take an internal inventory of your to-do list to make sure you have space and time for what you find most fulfilling.  

So how do we declutter our motherhood, you ask? It's very similar to how you would declutter a physical space.

Step 1: Take inventory of how you spend your time. Write down everything you are currently doing - for yourself, for your kids, your job, etc. 

Step 2: On a seperate sheet of paper, write down everything you think you should be doing.

Step 3: Look at those two lists and start Kondo-ing away! Mark which ones aren’t sparking joy, or aren’t necessary, or things that could be delegated to someone else.

Step 4: Once you’ve made this inventory of your life and you’ve eliminated or delegated things off your list, you’re ready for the fun part! Now you get to fill that newly found time and space with things that you truly love including those things you’ve been missing out on.

Rachel reminds us to be careful not to compare to what we see other moms doing on social media. We are each different and the way we mother will be different too! But one thing is for certain...every mother deserves to have deep joy, clarity, and contentment in her life.

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We've got TWO sisters on today's MomForce Mini!  Kara and Shelly discuss the whole gender reveal phenomenon. Are we crazy, but does a helicopter sprinkling colored confetti onto the onlookers seem a little much? ALSO - Kara spills the beans on a secret she's been keeping!

We are so happy you are here! Make a Chatbook and use code POD20. Happy Chatbooking! 

For years, Ralphie Jacobs of @simplyonpurpose has been teaching parents to find the good in their children. Today, she is answering a few of the most common questions we see in our MomForce Facebook group.

Question 1: How do you discipline a child when they do NOT listen? 

Question 2: How do you stop children from teasing and fighting with their siblings?  

Question 3: How do you discipline a two-and-a-half-year-old? 

Listen to the episode to hear Ralphie's answers and remember her words of advice, “It’s never too late to make positive changes”! 

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Valentine's Day, do you love it or hate it? Do you expect roses and chocolate? In this MomForce Mini episode, Leah talks about the unmet expectations she once had about love day back when she was dating her husband. She tells us how those have changed over the years and how her family of 9 (NINE!) likes to celebrate Valentine's day! 

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Being married for 25 years is an accomplishment. Throw in raising 7 children and running a successful business and that is something to be proud of! Vanessa is joined by her husband Nate on this special episode where they share 7 tips for feeling more connected.  

Tip 1. The Check-in. 

Tip 2. Assume the Best. 

Tip 3. Cheer Each Other On. 

Tip 4. Date Each Other. 

Tip 5. Have Fun!

Tip 6. Work at the Relationship.

Tip 7. Don’t Compare. 

Marriage and running a business are not for the faint of heart. But if you put the work in, you can reap the dividends and happiness in your marriage. And if all else fails, take Nate’s advice, “I know that if I’m doing the dishes, Vanessa’s happy“.

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Dr. Lisa Damour has been a huge resource to me on my parenting journey. She the mother of 2, the host of one of the top parenting podcasts Ask Lisa, and a New York Times bestselling author three-times over–In fact she wrote 2 of my all time favorite parenting books Untangled and Under pressure and I've heard amazing things about her latest book The Emotional Lives of Teenagers. I was so honored to have her as a guest on the Momforce Podcast years ago to talk about the deteriorating mental health of kids and teens these days.

In this encore episode you will see that Lisa is a welcome voice of reason committed to  “Untangling Family Life” as she calls it. I love how she's able to explain calmly and rationally how we can best help our kids. In this conversation we talk a lot about stress and I love her nuanced approach–so often we assume it's bad and try to avoid it at all costs. But really, the stresses of life, are not only inevitable but can also be beneficial in certain contexts. especially for adolescents, as it's what helps them learn to navigate challenges and build resilience. I know you will love learning from Lisa and gleaning from her wisdom for your own family.

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Vanessa and her sister Kara are joined by New York Times bestselling author, Rachel Bertsche, of The Kids Are In Bed. Rachel tells us how to be honest with ourselves about what we really enjoy and how to find our personal identity outside of motherhood.

Rachel suggests making a list of the things you can do for yourself as you make free time in your schedule. She shares what she enjoys doing, and encourages every mom and parent to enjoy the little indulgences along the way. 

We are so happy you are here! Make a Chatbook and use code POD20. Happy Chatbooking! 

 

Have you ever said something to your child or husband and then thought, “Oh my gosh. I am my mother!” Well for better or worse, our childhood experiences, family dynamics, and the way we were mothered all play a role in how we raise our own families.

Vanessa and her sisters Erika, Leah, Shelly, and Kara are joined by their mother April Munns to chat about how she’s influenced each of their mothering styles. With 30 children between the sisters, they see little bits of their mom in themselves and celebrate their ability to see life through rose-colored glasses—something they inherited from her. April’s ability to “remember the good stuff” is apparent as she recalls some funny stories and even some of the harder parts of life while raising 12 children.

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Do you make New Years Resolutions only for find yourself half way through January and you've already failed! You are NOT alone! In today's MomForce Mini, Vanessa is joined by her sister Shelly, who gives her opinion on goals and what she does to keep things manageable! Hint: she focuses on the day-to-day. 

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Is your never-ending to-do list sucking the joy out of your life? Pop culture has taught us that we can and should be doing it all. These unrealistic expectations make most of us feel stressed, exhausted, and falling short. 

Vanessa and her sister, Leah, chat with lawyer, PR executive, and award-winning author, Romi Neustadt, to discuss ways to live a less frazzled and more fulfilling life.

Priorities and goals are two different things. If your goals aren’t serving your priorities you’re not helping yourself. Throughout the episode, Romi teaches ways to “relentlessly edit”. Learning to say no, identify our priorities, and set goals that will help us create the life we strive for.

We are so happy you are here! Make a Chatbook and use code POD20. Happy Chatbooking! 

Being present and showing up is important in every relationship, especially when it comes to raising our children. The best predictor of how a child turns out is their attachment to at least one parent. It’s not simply about being there when they come home from school or showing up for each baseball game, it’s about making our children feel safe, seen, soothed, and secure.

Vanessa is chatting with Dr. Tina Bryson, author of “The Power of Showing Up.” Tina, a therapist and mother of three, discusses the power of the 4 S’s and how they relate to “attachment science”.  Whether you’re a working mom, a foster mom, a first-time mom, a single parent, or otherwise, you will want to hear what she has to share. 

When children feel safe, seen, and soothed they become secure in themselves and develop grit and resilience to face life’s challenges. And isn’t that what we all want for our kids? 

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Vanessa has always been a huge fan of Rifle Paper Co., and so when Chatbooks teamed up with the brand, it was truly a dream come true!

In this episode, Vanessa chats with Rifle Paper Co. co-founder, Anna Bond, all about growing a hugely successful business while growing a family. Spoiler alert--it’s all about managing time, turning work off when you’re not at work, and learning how to cope when you’re feeling overwhelmed or things don’t go as planned. 

We are so happy you are here! Make a Chatbook and use code POD20. Happy Chatbooking! 

Do your kids believe in Santa Claus? If so, at what age should you tell them the truth? Should we feel guilty about “lying” to our children? Vanessa shares her opinions about all things Santa, on this MomForce mini.

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Vanessa sits down with Shawni Pothier to discuss choosing one word to focus on for the year.  Mindful. Guided. Discipline. Focus. Enjoy. Choose. Be Still. A resolution doesn’t have to be something that’s daunting. Make it simple. Pick one word to represent the coming year. It should be something that inspires you or helps you progress toward who you want to be.

We are so happy you are here! Make a Chatbook and use code POD20. Happy Chatbooking! 

Sometimes you are a better mom after some time away to reset whether that is a weekend alone or a quick trip with girlfriends. Vanessa is joined by her sister, Shelly, on this episode of The MomForce Podcast to chat about tips and tricks for prepping for a getaway, so you can relax and not stress about everything at home. What do you do about meals, homework, or after-school activities? 

They share tips on how to set yourself up for success so you can actually relax while you are away!

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There is one word that all parents want to avoid when it comes to their kids, and that is entitled. We all want to create opportunities for our families to experience the joy of service, but how do we get started?

Vanessa chats with Kristin Andrus about how to create a culture of service in your family. Kristin is the self-proclaimed “Chief Culture Officer” of her family and married to Jeremy Andrus, CEO of Traeger Grills. With 6 young kids, Kristin has found simple ways to make service fit into their busy schedules. She recommends picking what you are passionate about and giving or doing what you can. You don’t have to travel the globe to make a difference!

We are so happy you are here! Make a Chatbook and use code POD20. Happy Chatbooking! 

 

Addiction can be a heavy topic which is why I am so glad we have Moira Kucaba at the helm of the conversation! She bravely shares her story and shows that there is always a path forward – and it is usually not a straight line. 

As a high achieving student and athlete Moira fell into alcohol and substance abuse during her high school years. Soon she found herself completely taken over by her addictions. By age 21, she confronted her addictions head-on, transitioning from alcohol and drugs to battling an eating disorder for a decade. Through her recovery process, Moira credits her faith and supportive community for helping her gradually reclaim her life. 

Now, as a thriving entrepreneur, devoted mother of two, and esteemed career coach, Moira's resilience shines through. Join us as she shares invaluable insights and tools for confronting life's challenges. She shares what has helped keep her sober for more than 20 years

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There are two sides of the aisle - decorating for Christmas before Thanksgiving or NOT! On this MomForce Mini, Erika talks about why she decks the halls soon after Halloween, and she has science to back her up reasons. Where do you stand? 

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While our moms may have been great about buying Christmas gifts year round and filling stockings months in advance, we aren’t all cut out for that sort of holiday preparation. But the season is upon us and whatever you celebrate, it’s finally time to start thinking about gifts! 

It’s not hard to get our kids to share what they want. They presented us with a seven page (front and back) letter to Santa, after all. But Santa is on a budget, and we don’t want to fill their Christmas with more “stuff.” On today’s episode of The MomForce Podcast, Vanessa is joined by her sisters Kara and Shelly to talk about those “home run gifts.” The ones sure to get played with year round. Scoring the gift that stops them in their tracks doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank, either! The sisters share their tricks and tricks to finding the best toys at the best prices (while sharing what was a big miss, as well). 

Gift giving isn’t always easy. Husbands, extended family, neighbors, and in-laws are sure to leave you stumped. Some of our favorite gifts haven’t been extravagant. Finish a project your spouse was never going to wrap up on their own. Personalize something they can treasure for years to come. Give them the gift of an experience they won’t forget. Help beautify the neighborhood, or make charitable donations on behalf of others. 

Simplifying your shopping list will prevent you from making that panicked last-minute dash to Target to load up your cart with stuff you don’t need. Being prepared will also allow you to put thought into gifts and make the most of your holiday season. After all, it can’t be the most wonderful time of year if you don’t enjoy it!

We are so happy you are here! Make a Chatbook and use code POD20. Happy Chatbooking! 

Traditions show children that their family circle is a living link to a chain of generations. Research shows that much like displaying printed photos, practicing family traditions helps build children’s identity and family connection. But holiday traditions can be overwhelming! You don’t have to do ALL of the things in order to make your season magical. 

Rituals and traditions can be as elaborate as planning daily activities for your Elf of the Shelf, or as simple as starting each morning with a kiss as you send your kids out the door. In this episode of The MomForce Podcast, Erika and Leah join Vanessa to discuss the traditions they had growing up, the traditions they bid adieu to as they got older, and the compromises they made when their spouses brought their own holiday traditions to the family. 

We are so happy you are here! Make a Chatbook and use code POD20. Happy Chatbooking! 

The first of a new series! Vanessa and her sisters are going to take turns giving their own "unpopular" opinion on a trending topic/debate/question. We love the diversity of our Facebook group, The MomForce, and would love for you to join the group and chime in on the conversations happening here.  

We are so happy you are here! Make a Chatbook and use code POD20. Happy Chatbooking! 

Are you frazzled at the mere thought of traveling with your children? Jessica Gee, mother of 3 from The Bucket List Family, has chosen to embrace it and has traveled to more than 80 countries with her family!

Vanessa chats with Jessica about her tips and tricks for traveling with kids. Everything from how to acclimate to time changes and introduce new cultures and foods, to what her favorite kid-friendly destinations are and how to travel on a budget.

And if you've seen any of The Bucket List Family's pics on Instagram or videos on YouTube, you know that documenting their travel is a high priority. Jessica shares her tips for capturing fleeting moments and the easy way she holds on to them forever. 

Check out the Bucket List Family Chatbook HERE 

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Not everyone is fortunate enough to have a great relationship with their Mother-in-Law, but Vanessa says she hit the jackpot! In today’s episode of The MomForce Podcast, Vanessa (a new MIL herself!) chats with her Mother-in-Law, Bonnie Quigley, about their success in fostering their in-law relationship. It's all about space, support, and respect.

As a special bonus, Bebe shares the gifts that she, as a Mother-in-Law, has cherished most (and don’t we all need help with that!).

Follow along with Vanessa and the latest from The MomForce Podcast @vanessaquigley.

We are so happy you are here! Make a Chatbook and use code POD20. Happy Chatbooking!  

Moms everywhere are overwhelmed: driven to tears, hyperventilating, rage cleaning, or perhaps hopping in the car and driving away. Caring for an entire family is challenging. Often we ask ourselves, are we doing enough? Are we fun enough, compassionate enough, patient enough? 

Good moms have bad days. The newborn stage is hard. The toddler stage is hard. Teenagers are hard. Heck! Even our adult children are hard! On today’s episode of The MomForce Podcast, Leah joins Vanessa to talk about how they handle the weight that motherhood places on your shoulders. They discuss recognizing your own needs and taking action. 

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We are so happy you are here! Make a Chatbook and use code POD20. Happy Chatbooking! 

The oldest child in the family is often the guinea pig, but by the time it comes to establishing a curfew for the younger kids, parents are worn down and the rules become a bit more relaxed. Whether it’s your first time dabbling into the world of curfews, or you’ve been there done that, determining the appropriate level of freedoms to give your kids is hard! 

Whether you’re going to follow the letter of the law or allow your child the flexibility to make their own responsible choices, you have the right to know where they’re going, who they’re going to be with, and how they’re getting home (even if they roll their eyes at all your questions). On today’s episode of The MomForce Podcast, Vanessa and Erika talk about their own curfews growing up, how they enforce curfews for their own teens and tweens, and share some brilliant advice from the MomForce Facebook group. 

No matter where you land on your curfew, it’s important to let your expectations be known and stick to the consequences, should it come to that. Sometimes that’s easier said than done, but remember what they say… “Nothing good ever happens after midnight.” 

Check out our instagram page @theMomForcePodcast for some fun extras! 

Wanna connect with us? Join our MomForce facebook group.

We are so happy you are here! Make a Chatbook and use code POD20. Happy Chatbooking! 

There are varying degrees of grief, but it is always complicated. Time heals, but grief never fully goes away. Rather it evolves and manifests itself differently over time. It is human nature to want to help those we love through difficult times. Sometimes our actions are helpful, sometimes our words are meaningful. But other times even the best intentions leave us with our foot stuck in our mouth.

In this episode, Vanessa sits down with Keenan Sanders, one of Chatbooks’ original MomForcers and a mother who has experienced heartbreaking loss. Five years after the death of her daughter, she reflects on the lessons she’s learned, the healing she’s experienced, and provides insight on how others were able to help her through her darkest moments.

From discussing death with children, to showing friends and neighbors support, and the importance of being selfish as you heal, this episode covers some of the often overlooked aspects of grief. Everyone’s rock bottom is different, and many people may never discover theirs. But all grief is valid and should be treated delicately.

We are so happy you are here! Make a Chatbook and use code POD20. Happy Chatbooking! 

It's recommended that 4th graders get 10-12 hours of sleep per night. But kid's activities are often built around adult schedules! A nighttime routine is imperative for happy, healthy kids...but it's hard! 

Kara and Vanessa discuss their evening routines to help their big and little kids get the sleep they so desperately need. They agree: you have to set a time to officially wind down for the evening. When you can, have a family dinner at a consistent hour and use that time to reflect on the highs and lows of the day. Allow children to wind down by reading or listening to an audiobook. But sometimes you might just have to give everyone a "sleep gummy". HEY...whatever works!

We are so happy you are here! Make a Chatbook and use code POD20. Happy Chatbooking! 

As we head into Mother’s Day this year I want to share some wise words from some of the women who have joined me over the years on The MomForce Podcast. Through 5 seasons we've talked about everything from infertility, to adjusting to life with a newborn, to how to get your teenagers to talk to you. I hope you can take this super-cut episode as my little Mother’s Day gift to you!  

Time codes: 

2:00 Sharon McMahon

5:40 Myriam Sandler

8:03 Jennifer Borget

11:25 Ralphie Jacobs 

15:22 Myriam Sandler

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Screentime. Devices. Social Media. Oh my! Our MomForce Facebook group is full of questions about raising children in a digital age. How old should your kid be before you allow them to play on an iPad? When is it appropriate to have a smartphone? What about a social media account?

Teaching online safety is just as important as teaching fire safety these days. Anna MacFarlane of “Kids are the Worst”, joins Vanessa, to share her expertise on all things social media and parenting.

It’s not IF your kids are going to see something bad online, but WHEN they’re going to see it. When kids come across something they’re not comfortable with, they need to feel like they can come to you about it. You can limit kids' exposure, but the best defense is good communication. Listen to Anna outline what has worked for her and her family. 

We are so happy you are here! Make a Chatbook and use code POD20. Happy Chatbooking! 

Motherhood and childhood go quickly. Looking at a photo and taking a moment to reminisce with loved ones is an antidote to the daily pushes and pulls of life. Not only is that magic... it's science! Vanessa is joined by developmental psychologist and University of Utah professor, Dr. Trisha Weeks, to discuss research that proves that printed photos strengthen families. Vanessa knew there was power in putting photographs in the hands of her children, but we wanted to test the science behind it! 

One study (comprised of focus groups and over 15,000 survey respondents) illustrates how physical photographs build a sense of identity, increase self-esteem, and lower behavioral issues.

Documenting our family’s story makes us feel like good moms… and it turns out we really are doing good for our children. It’s science! 

Check out the rest of our research at chatbooks.com/printed-photo-report

We are so happy you are here! Make a Chatbook and use code POD20. Happy Chatbooking! 

“There are no hacks. These kids don’t listen. This is your life now. God Speed…”   Ok… it isn’t that bad, but it sure does feel that way some days with kids are running around looking for the cleanest dirty shirt and scrambling for school lunches. And with little ones are waking up way too early and big kids that won't get out of bed! It's enough to turn the sweetest and most patient moms into a desperate to a crazy person. But it doesn’t have to be that way.   In today’s episode of the MomForce Podcast, Vanessa and Leah dish their greatest hacks for having a better morning.   Check out our Instagram page @themomforcepodcast for recipes, tips and more tricks. Then head on over to the MomForce facebook group for more great ideas on how to tame your mornings!    We are so happy you are here! Make a Chatbook and use code POD20. Happy Chatbooking!