Explore every episode of the podcast Mama Merit Badge

Ah, family vacations—the dream of rest, relaxation… and the reality of spilled snacks, missed naps, and wondering why you even packed books. In this episode, Krista and Samantha unpack what it actually looks like to travel with kids (spoiler: it’s not a spa day).

We talk about the chaos, the charm, and the real magic of multi-generational trips, roadside meltdowns, and learning to let go of the itinerary. Plus, we explore the role of support systems (bless you, grandparents), the power of affirmations, and the surprisingly strong link between imposter syndrome and that first flight with a toddler.

If you’ve ever asked “Was that worth it?” after a family trip—this one’s for you.

Takeaways & Merit Badges Earned:

🧳 Traveling with kids = lower your expectations and pack snacks like you're going into battle.

💬 Morning affirmations: not just for Pinterest moms. They work.

👵 Traveling with grandparents? Built-in babysitters and emotional support.

🎢 Vacations are not relaxing, but they are memory-making.

🪫 You need flexibility. And backup batteries. And possibly a margarita.

🧠 Imposter syndrome shows up in suitcases and strategy calls alike.

✈️ Planning helps—just don’t get too attached to the plan.

📸 The best moments are rarely the ones you staged for Instagram.

In this episode, we’re talking about what happens when life feels like a three-ring circus—and you’re the ringleader, the janitor, and the clown.

Krista and Samantha dive into the messy reality of parenting through daycare drop-offs, school activity overload, unexpected home repairs, and the mental gymnastics of trying to do it all. We unpack our own parenting styles (spoiler: one of us is a snack drawer mom, the other is not) and reflect on how our childhoods shaped the way we show up for our kids—and ourselves.

This episode is a warm hug for anyone who’s ever cried in the preschool parking lot, stress-scrolled through Pinterest for “easy classroom snacks,” or felt the creeping guilt of not being able to do it all. We see you. We are you.

Takeaways & Merit Badges Earned:

🛠️ Home chaos doesn’t wait for a convenient time—flexibility is survival.

🧘‍♀️ Managing anxiety requires intentional space and support.

🤹 You can’t juggle everything—sometimes you need to drop a ball (or six).

🧃 We are an ingredients house, not a snack cupboard.

📚 Our childhoods sneak into our parenting more than we think.

🎒 Daycare transitions = relief and guilt, sometimes in the same breath.

🧾 You are not morally obligated to sign up for every school event.

🧑‍🏫 Talking to teachers helps. So does talking to yourself with a little more kindness.

🧽 A house manager sounds dreamy—but let’s be honest, we’re the house managers.

In our very first episode, we (Krista + Samantha) pull back the curtain on what this whole thing is really about: the beautiful mess of motherhood, ambition, and trying to remember what day it is. We’re talking grocery store disasters, the magic of lowered expectations, and why Friday afternoons hit different when you're in the thick of it.

This episode is part intro, part real-talk—because we’re not here to pretend we’ve got it all figured out. We’re here to say: if you're juggling nap schedules, business calls, existential crises, and snack requests, you’re not alone.

Takeaways & Merit Badges Earned:

🏅 Surviving the grocery store with children deserves a real-life badge.

🧃 Fridays are the unofficial beverage break of motherhood.

💼 Maternity leave as an entrepreneur? Complicated.

🔄 Career pivots in motherhood are more common (and courageous) than we give credit for.

💬 Honest conversations about parenting make everything less lonely.

🤝 Community matters. So does a sense of humour.

🫠 You are allowed to lower the bar—and still be proud.