Mom Jeans and Minivans

How to Discipline Your Toddler and Empower Them

Morgen and Trisha are finding themselves in a state of toddlerhood exhaustion, as they call it. Charlie and Remi are nonstop, and although this episode is about discipline, they realize it's more about communication. 

As the girls grow and develop more, Morgen and Trisha are discovering that how they communicate with Charlie and Remi can make all the difference. It takes a healthy dose of patience and practice, but it yields results that make everyone happy... usually. Haha!

Trisha has found it helpful to physically removing Remi from a situation when she is having a tantrum or meltdown. She gets down to her level to look her in the eyes, discusses what has happened and what Remi is feeling. It has helped a lot in stopping the tantrum or meltdown from escalating. 

Morgen is excellent at allowing Charlie to express herself but is teaching Charlie how to navigate her negative feelings. Another thing Morgen is trying to avoid is using 'No' and 'don't' and rewording what she would like Charlie to do with a more precise and positive spin. For example, "Charlie, don't spit your water" to "Charlie, water is for drinking, please keep it in your mouth." Now don't get the wrong idea, 'no' and 'don't' has by no means been eliminated from their vocabulary. Reminder: we are dealing with toddlers here!

Morgen and Trisha agree that at the heart of it all, repetition and consistency are essential... hence the exhaustion. They also feel that giving the girls choices allows them to feel empowered and involved in the process. They can exercise their newfound independence and have a sense of pride once they have chosen and accomplished particular tasks. 

On a real note, this has been a lot of trial and error. Morgen and Trisha are not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, nor do they claim to know it all. This is just a way for them to share with one another what has worked, what hasn't worked, and what new approaches they are trying. 

So to all the mama's, papa's and caregivers of toddlers out there, you're doing great! Please do share your tricks, tips, and stories with us because we value your life experiences and learnings along the way! Thanks! momjeansandminivans@yahoo.com

Ciao!

 

Links:

 

5 Reasons to Stop Saying Good Job:

Five Reasons to Stop Saying "Good Job!" (**) - Alfie Kohn

Our Summer Break Rewind, New Years' Intention Check, and a Surprise Announcement

How did you spend your summer? Morgen and Trisha share their summer away from the mic and the creative things they did with Covid still lurking around. With the exception of many home activities, they spent a lot of time outdoors either on their bikes, hiking, or parks. Oh, and splashing around in their new blow-up pools, of course!
And since it's the halfway mark of the year and then some, Morgen and Trish check in on their New Years' intentions. How are they doing on them and has Covid played a role in whether they can work towards them? We'll give you a hint, Morgen not only has a surprise announcement (wink, wink) but she is killing it at her intentions... this mama needs an award for all she's done in the past 7-8 months. 
Thanks again for listening in and subscribing!  Please reach out anytime, as Morgen and Trisha love hearing from their listeners: momjeansandminivans@yahoo.com

Raising Kids in Blended Families

Morgen and Trisha welcome Lindsey, Morgen’s niece, and Melinda, Trisha’s step-son’s mom, to share their blended family stories. We’re talking ex-sister-in-laws as best friends and ex’s living across the street from one another. Yup, those kinds of blended families. Haha, the ones where people can’t understand how everyone gets along but also gets together for holidays and special occasions. 

As different and unique as their stories are, one thing they are all lucky enough to have had are amicable, uncontested divorces, and separations. That doesn’t take away from each of their struggles with getting remarried and the different people, emotions, feelings, and family dynamics that need to be dealt with and navigated throughout the process. Their situations are rare, and they speak about how grateful they are to fall on this end of the spectrum of divorce and separation, opposed to the ugliness that can come from it. 

Lindsey, Trisha, and  Melinda can all agree that communication is a major key to the amicable blending of families. However, the biggest factor is putting the child or children’s needs ahead of all else and always trying to see the bigger picture when times get rough.

Morgen comes in hot with the questions all outsiders wonder about, like how the mom’s did having to give up a portion of their time and holidays with their children, or how it felt to meet your ex’s significant other for the first time. You could always break the ice by accidentally friending your significant other’s ex on Facebook as Trisha did with Melinda. Whoops! 

Thanks for listening in and please share your stories with us, we love hearing from you. Until next time... ciao!

Weaning From Breastfeeding, the Stuff We Wish We Had Known

This episode is all about Morgen and Trisha's experiences with (and without) weaning Charlie & Remi from breastfeeding.

So many things factor in. IVF, trying to grow the family, age, lifestyle... whatever the reason they touch on most of them.

Morgen was blindsided when told by her doctor that she'd have to stop breastfeeding if she was going to start IVF. It was something she wasn't anticipating emotionally or physically. Still, her story is one of triumph and success, and this mama is sure to be relatable to so many other mamas out there.

Trisha's story is quite different. She hasn't fully weaned Remi, knowing that Remi is her one and only. She's not ready to say goodbye to breastfeeding altogether. Right now, her focus is reducing the number of nursing sessions she has with Remi, and having a consistent nursing schedule will be the key to her eventual weaning success, or at least she hopes!

Morgen and Trisha discuss the different challenges they encounter weaning a 13-month-old compared to a 22-month-old, and let's just say "NO" is spoken and understood a lot more at one age than another. Morgen's got the weaning tips and tricks that worked for Charlie, and dare we say that self-weaning is a total possibility?!

Listen in to hear their stories, and please share yours with us. Thanks, and if you're facing the weaning stage, we wish you, your heart, your littles, and your breasts the best of luck!

 

Links:

 

Kiinde system:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CXTWJAA/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B00CXTWJAA&pd_rd_w=rw98x&pf_rd_p=a64be657-55f3-4b6a-91aa-17a31a8febb4&pd_rd_wg=rTjKO&pf_rd_r=2M9738FBF7A25PHBT90Y&pd_rd_r=e1d03cc1-487c-4c2b-8bb5-b459efdee0e5&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyV0VGUzVLR09NVFhNJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMDE2MzkwMlVCMjBRNkcwTDQ1RiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNDU3ODA5S0lGSzUwVTVEOEZZJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfZGV0YWlsX3RoZW1hdGljJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

How Do We Raise Kids That Accept Diversity, All Races, Cultures, and Have Empathy for Others?

Mom Jeans and Minivans are so happy to be back from summer break, but unfortunately, they have to kick it off with a heavy topic. With the recent death of George Floyd and the protests around racial inequality, Morgen and Trisha thought this was too important not to discuss.

It wasn’t easy, but both of them needed to get uncomfortable and think about this issue on a deeper and more personal level. Knowing that they want Charlie and Remi to grow up understanding what racism and white privilege means in our country meant they needed to educate themselves first.

Racism starts young in children, as early as 2-3 years old, so Morgen and Trisha delve into ways they can start teaching the girls about diversity, race, culture, kindness, and empathy. 

Check out their links below, and if you’re struggling with this topic, hopefully, this episode offers some insight into how your fellow mamas are tackling it in their homes.

 

LINKS: 

 

Raising race-conscious children:

http://www.raceconscious.org

 

31 Books on racism for kids:

https://diversebooks.org/resources-for-race-equity-and-inclusion/

 

CNN and Sesame Street Town Hall on Racism:

https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/06/app-news-section/cnn-sesame-street-race-town-hall-app-june-6-2020-app/index.html

 

 

Antiracist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi:

https://www.amazon.com/AntiRacist-Baby-Ibram-X-Kendi/dp/0593110412

 

Systemic racism:

https://ed.ted.com/best_of_web/j7Tzdz8r#review

 

Eat2explore.com:

https://eat2explore.com

A Post COVID Era: The Things We Want to Keep From Our Time in Lockdown and Those Things We Can't Wait to Get Back To

Have you thought about how COVID will affect you, and what might change once it's all over?

 

Morgen and Trisha have been thinking about it a lot lately as states start to move through the reopening phases. They both feel pretty split down the middle on the things they have enjoyed and want to remain after the pandemic ends, and the things they miss and can't wait to get back to in the "new normal".

Hands down, trying to maintain a healthy work to home life balance is on the top of both their lists for things that can stay. Who's for a four day work week, or an optional work from home day once a week? 🙋🏻‍♀️🙋🏾‍♀️Yes, please! In general, being more mindful is something they'd also like to continue. Whether it's how much money they're spending, or continuing to be creative with leftovers to avoid food wastage. 

 

Hmmm, what won't they miss?! Smelling their breath under those masks for starters. Haha... Anyone else? 

Something both Morgen and Trisha can't wait to get back to is getting out to restaurants and exploring new towns and areas, whether local or far away will be a nice change from the past three months. 

 

All in all, it's definitely food for thought (ha, pun intended). Morgen and Trisha have found in simply discussing what they want in the "new normal", they are a little more cognizant of the things they'd like to work towards as the pandemic lifts. 

 

We will be back after the Summer break in August. Make sure you subscribe to our show, so you don't miss the first episode when we return. Stay safe and healthy, and happy summer, everyone! 

 

Links:

Beef stroganoff recipe

https://www.dinneratthezoo.com/slow-cooker-beef-stroganoff/

 

Bounce Boots:

https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/bouncy-boots-easier-knees-31661007

 

The After Effects of COVID Lockdown for the Kiddos and Us, and What We Can Do

Morgen and Trisha made a break from quarantine and decided a visit was in order. After quarantining themselves for 14 days, they made it happen, and it felt so good! It was great for the girls to have a playdate, but if they are keeping it 100, it was the adults who may have needed it even more.

Charlie and Remi are in a prime developmental stage, and the lack of interaction with anyone outside their immediate families throughout COVID was becoming a concern. The visit proved that social interaction with children their own age was beyond necessary. It also left Morgen and Trisha wondering how we all can find ways to remain connected even when forced to stay apart?

Can you say meltdown central? The meltdowns and tantrums surrounding sharing wasn't something Morgen and Trisha were anticipating on their visit. The beginning was rough (yes please to Margaritas) and kind of comical too. Little by little, the girls improved and started sharing and being considerate of one another. These moments may have been brief, but it was still exciting to see.

Listen in as the ladies dish on ways to help your littles adjust to the lack of socialization as we all remain in COVID lockdown. Hopefully, some of their ideas help you get through COVID with your sanity intact.

Lil' Mama-sode: The Stigma of Being a Stay at Home Mom

In this Lil' Mama-sode, Morgen and Trisha delve into the "stay-at-home-mom" stigma. Are you, or have you been, a stay at home mom that has felt overlooked, or that your role is not valued as much because you're not a "working" mom?

Perhaps it is the emphasis on the 'working' mentality in the U.S. and the labels associated with the work that you do, that people don't always know how to respond to the job of "stay-at-home-mom". Well, Morgen and Trisha are here to tell you that being a "stay-at-home-mom" is not only one of the most important jobs someone could have, it is also one of the most challenging yet most satisfying roles.

To be clear, "stay-at-home-moms" are so much more than just moms! So sure, ask about the kiddos, but ask how the moms are too! You might be surprised to learn they have so much more going on in their lives than you realized.

So whether you're multitasking as a "working' mom" or a "stay-at-home-mom", keep on momming and being awesome!

A Labor of Love: Three Very Different Labor and Delivery Stories and Everything Else People Don't Talk About

Morgen and Trisha's labor and delivery stories are finally being shared, and self-proclaimed Queen Mother, Tara, joins them. 

 

All three ladies had entirely different experiences. Morgen had a 39 week scheduled C-section due to previous medical conditions. Tara blissfully had hoped for a natural birth. She ended up with anything but that, while Trisha channeled her inner warrior and managed a natural delivery at 42 weeks, enduring 40 hours of labor. Let's just say this episode isn't for the faint of heart as Morgen, Trisha, and Tara don't hold back. 

 

The ladies dish on it all. From the births themselves, to what they packed in their diaper bags, birth plans, and how they went about choosing where they would deliver. These ladies get it, having a baby, especially for the first time is a lot. There are so many moving pieces, not to mention the things most people forget to tell you about giving birth. Hopefully, Morgen, Trisha, and Tara sharing their stories and what they learned or wished they had known, helps all future mamas be as prepared as they can be.

 

Women are warriors, and having a baby enforces that women can do anything! Keep on rockin' on all you amazing mama's out there. We would love to hear your labor and delivery stories. You can share them with us at momjeansandminivans@yahoo.com. Congrats to you!

 

Links:

 

Ina May Gaskin

https://www.amazon.com/Ina-Mays-Guide-Childbirth-Gaskin/dp/0553381156/ref=nodl_

Ahhh! Why Won't My Kid Sleep? Sleep Regression and How We Got Through it.

Are you like Morgen and Trisha, and thought the days of sleep training were behind you? Ahhh, you are not alone. WE FEEL YOUR PAIN!

Charlie had turned 12 months, and Remi turned 18 months, and suddenly their sleep patterns started to change. Yup, it can pretty much happen at either or both ages, or none if you're super lucky.

Morgen and Trisha navigate these tricky times. They have learned a lot about sleep regression. Don't think it was an easy road getting there, though. It not only involved re-sleep training the girls, but Morgen and Trisha found themselves having to re-train themselves as well. This is an age where children can understand and comprehend so much more, which makes the training and teaching new and challenging.

See some new teeth sprouting? Yup, molars are starting to come in around this time, and teething can be a significant culprit in the sleep regression department. Are you feeling like you've got a koala bear clinging on to you lately? Mmm hmm, separation anxiety peaks at this age as children start to feel bigger emotions, like the fear of being away from their parents or caregivers. It is all normal at this age. Couple it with the rapid growth and brain development, and everything becomes new again for the babes, and us!

Morgen and Trisha remind themselves, and one another, that patience and flexibility are essential in these pivotal situations. So if you find yourself having 'A mom of a day' (Morgen's new coined term), know that you're not alone, and this will soon all be a distant memory.

Hang in there and happy Zzzz'ing!