Mommyhood Unscripted

Perimenopause and menopause are two words that are thrown around a lot on social media or in conversation between women. But there's still a LOT that is NOT talked about regarding these topics — not to mention there are still many unknowns too! A few months back, Nicole asked you to send her YOUR questions; and after sifting through hundreds upon hundreds of responses, she found that the majority shared the same concerns and confusion. So, she went to Dr. JoAnn Manson of Harvard Medical School who specializes in perimenopause and menopause. Hopefully this short but sweet listen will help set the record straight for all of you ladies out there! 

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SHOW NOTES:

Host: Nicole Nalepa | @NicoleNalepaTV

Guest: Dr. JoAnn Manson

After a 10-year career and an MBA from Stamford, Neha Ruch became--what society calls--a "stay-at-home mom". But it was a title she was not buying into. Neha didn't believe that she'd become a shut-in or that her career would be over. Instead, she reframed the situation and called this period "the power pause" -- a label so many women across the country are catching onto and getting behind. Neha chats with Nicole about her new book, "The Power Pause" and also gives some helpful advice to any women out there who may be struggling with the idea of a career pause for family life -- or who are curious about downshifting their hours without the fear of being judged. 

The Sandwich Generation and Forecasting Long-Term Care Needs

How often do you put your needs on the backburner? It’s easy to do, since so many people depend on you. But what if we told you it’s actually imperative that you put yourself first? Well, get ready…because this is a conversation every mom needs to hear! It’s all about healthy habits you can instill in your life and put into action so you can THRIVE! Nationally certified health and wellness coach and registered nurse, Kristen Reed of “Nursing Your Way to Wellness” is back on “Mommyhood Unscripted” with 5 simple tips to get you ahead of the formidable “mom burnout” we’ve experienced at one time or another. 

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SHOW NOTES:

Host: Nicole Nalepa | @NicoleNalepaTV

Guest: Kristen Reed, RN, BSN, BA, HN-BC

https://www.nursingyourwaytowellness.com/

Instagram: @nursingyourwaytowellness

**If there's a specific topic you'd like to hear about, or you'd like to be featured on "Mommyhood Unscripted ", contact Nicole Nalepa at: Nicole.Nalepa@wfsb.com or on social media: @NicoleNalepaTV

Alcohol. It's one of the most addictive drugs in America, and it's also the most socially acceptable one. How many times have you seen products or memes on social media promoting drinking "...because motherhood is hard"..."Mommy needs wine"....or "I wine because my kids whine". Everyone's relationship with alcohol is different -- but for those who really struggle with it, it can be a matter of life or death. 

Celeste Yvonne is the author of the book, "It's Not About The Wine: The Loaded Truth Behind Mommy Wine Culture" -- which explores why mothers are drinking more than ever, and how to break free; and this all comes from experience. Celeste's children were 1 and 3 years-old when she quit drinking. She described herself as a "gray area drinker" -- some days she could moderate her alcohol intake, but on a random day she didn't have the ability to turn the drinking off. 

This eye-opening conversation is one for the books, whether you're looking to evaluate your relationship to alcohol and motherhood or not. Celeste not only talks candidly about her sobriety and mental health, but she offers up some great advice on how moms everywhere can lighten their mental load in safe and effective way.

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SHOW NOTES:


Host: Nicole Nalepa | @NicoleNalepaTV

Guest: Celeste Yvonne 

Instagram: @theultimatemomchallenge

Website: https://www.celesteyvonne.com/

**If there's a specific topic you'd like to hear about, or you'd like to be featured on "Mommyhood Unscripted ", contact Nicole Nalepa at: Nicole.Nalepa@wfsb.com or on social media: @NicoleNalepaTV

Video games were created as a form of entertainment. But for many parents, the concerns over their children's safety--when playing multi-player games online (and too much screen time) seems to be top of mind. So how can we ensure that our kids are picking the right games? And is there a way we can monitor things? Nicole chats with Aubrey Quinn, the Senior Vice President of the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). She has all the answers to our questions — including everything we need to know about parental controls on these gaming devices — so you can make more of an informed decision for your family. Consider this your personal guide to video game safety!

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SHOW NOTES:


Host: Nicole Nalepa | @NicoleNalepaTV

Guest: Aubrey Quinn

Website: www.ESRB.org

Mommyhood Unscripted is starting off a new season and a new year with some motivating words and stories from Peloton coach and fellow mama, Selena Samuela. 

In this episode, Nicole and Selena KEEP IT REAL talking about the highs and lows of motherhood, their postpartum bodies, and the struggle moms experience when it comes to actually getting our bodies moving! If it's one thing moms feel they don't have enough of, it's time. But Selena has some inspiring tips to help us all maximize the minutes for the sake of your health!

Happy listening...and remember mama, you're doing great!

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SHOW NOTES:


Host: Nicole Nalepa | @NicoleNalepaTV

Guest: Selena Samuela

Instagram: @selenasamuela

Consider this your crash course on how to approach the holiday chaos with your children -- both young and old. What can you do to set your family up for success? What things will you be doing that may result in a difficult day of parenting? This season is a time of joy, a time of being cranky and overtired, but it's a time of being together. National parenting expert, Danielle Lindner joins Nicole back on the show for some great tips including: some fun ideas that won't break the bank -- or send you into a panic because you've overpacked your schedule! Also, Danielle shares some great tools on how to prepare your kids for their routine once the holiday break is over! 

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SHOW NOTES:


Host: Nicole Nalepa | @NicoleNalepaTV

Guest: Danielle Lindner

Instagram: @danielle.lindner

Website: https://daniellelindner.com/

The holidays are a time of joy, yet they can also be a time of stress -- especially if you have a picky eater on your hands. The holidays are also notorious for throwing routines off -- which is something our kids thrive on. So if you're already fretting over how the special holiday meal at grandma's is going to go, or how you're going to deal with the relatives saying something about your child or doing something with your child involving food, then this episode is for you! 

With over 2 MILLION followers on her Instagram account, "Kids Eat in Color", Jennifer Anderson has been helping families feed their children from their first bite of solid food, through picky eating and nutritional needs. This pediatric dietician founded her public health company out of the frustration over her own child's picky eating habits; and it has now grown to an authoritative resource with a full team of experts who are committed to providing the support and guidance that parents need to help their kids eat better and thrive at mealtime! 

Nicole and Jennifer go over unrealistic expectations we setup for our children around the table, the 5 strategies to help picky eaters when visiting family, and the negative effects "diet talk" can have on our children. So if you're looking for some permission to let your picky eater be picky during the holidays -- so you can focus on other things -- you're about to get that. (You're welcome!)

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SHOW NOTES:


Host: Nicole Nalepa | @NicoleNalepaTV

Guest: Jennifer Anderson, MSPH, RDN

Instagram: @kids.eat.in.color

Website: https://kidseatincolor.com/

The holiday season is full of fun activities and family time, but it can also be super overwhelming -- especially if you're a parent with ADHD. Not only are you shouldering the weight of the holidays for your children--but you're trying to keep track of and plan out the decorating, the lists, the shopping, the cooking, the gatherings; and then there's the overstimulation brought on my the chaos of this time of year and the sugar! Our brains are consumed with every little detail, yet the thought of executing anything can feel daunting. So how can we better position ourselves to embrace the holiday chaos head-on, without feeling like we've been setup to fail?

Dr. Anna Burns returns to the show to talk to Nicole about specific strategies and tools to get us through. She's an Executive Functioning Coach for Women with ADHD who is committed to helping fellow ADHD women--like herself--create a life that actually supports the ADHD brain. By understanding and tackling the root cause of the struggles neurodivergent parents face, Dr. Burns believes you'll be able to show up in life with more energy, less overwhelm, and more self-compassion. This episode is a gift that will keep on giving...

#1 New York Times bestselling author and illustrator, Jan Brett has brought to life lovable characters and imaginary backdrops for children for more than 40 years. With over 40 books--and over 44 million books print--her work continues to add to so many childhoods around the world. Jan also just came out with a new book: "Alice in a Winter Wonderland", which is a striking rendition of the classic story of "Alice in Wonderland". 

Nicole had a chance to catch up with the author and illustrator before her special bus tour, in which she'll be visiting 23 cities across the country in just 17 days! This conversation holds a little insight into Jan's thought process when she plans out her next book, what it's like taking a classic story and putting her own unique spin on it, the magic of reading, and what inspires Jan Brett to continue to produce more work for future generations! Happy listening...and happy reading! 

This episode features a real, raw conversation between two moms regarding careers and the struggles and sacrifices women make to become a mom. Dorothy Cascerceri Simone knows about this all too well as she learned to navigate some highs and lows -- both professionally and personally. She worked for the magazines: People, In-Touch Weekly, and Life & Style and appeared on various national T.V. segments, among a slew of other things; but Dorothy ended up trading her red-carpet events for staying-at-home with her son. Then the road to having her daughter was unfortunately paved with hardship: rounds of IVF, pregnancy loss, PTSD, and anxiety. Dorothy not only came out stronger on the other side, but she is living proof that our journey through life is unique; and in the end, you will ALWAYS know what is best for YOU!

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SHOW NOTES:


Host: Nicole Nalepa | @NicoleNalepaTV

Guest: Dorothy Cascerceri Simone

Instagram: @DorothyonTV

Website: https://dorothyontv.com/

Do you remember the chores your parents assigned to you, once upon a time? Is this something you plan to implement in your household, or are you struggling with where to start? In this episode, we're exploring how we--as parents and caregivers--can connect our children to tasks at home that will be meaningful and rewarding to them (in other words, how to make sure they'll get done)! 

Nicole consults with parenting expert, Lori Sugarman-Li about this topic. She explains why dishing out chores are beneficial for our children's development and their future. Lori is the author of the children's book, "Our Home: The Love Work and Heart of Family". She has dedicated her work to fostering meaningful conversations families and encouraging them to contemplate -- not only how they care for one another -- but how they care for their shared space. Wait until you hear some of the ideas Lori offers up that you can incorporate at your home with your kiddos. Talk about an empowering conversation for all! 

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SHOW NOTES:


Host: Nicole Nalepa | @NicoleNalepaTV

Guest: Lori Sugarman-Li

Instagram: @ourhomeourpride

Website: https://ourhomeourpride.com/