Mother Effort

It's April, we survived the cold, but how exactly did we survive?  Ilana talks to Beth about some fun indoor activities to beat the boredom when the weather is bad.  Ilana take a running record of her day to see what she actually does all day and Beth talks about her mini  return to work and her childcare plans for the upcoming school year.

Incorporating a pet into the family can be both exciting and challenging!  Jaime joins us on this week’s podcast to talk about how to set your family up for success! Follow Jaime on instagram @bizzyizzyandtheted and follow the wonderful rescue that Jaime volunteers for on instagram as well @apathwaytohope

It’s time to talk baby proofing because Beth’s son is semi-mobile and addicted to touching surge protectors!   Ilana shares her favorite products and a few fails along the way she has learned from.   *product links coming soon...

If it's time to go back to work, or whatever reason you might want to start your childcare search, a lot of questions will come up.  Should I socialize my kid in daycare? Can I afford a nanny?  Did I get on the waitlist for daycare early enough...like when my baby was in the womb?  The girls invite their friend Erika on to the podcast to discuss the trials and tribulations of the childcare search. 

We’re back!! A lot of “shit” has happened to Ilana since last year…literally.  Kelly Gollat joins the Mother Effort girls to talk about Baby Led Weaning, the process of allowing babies to feed themselves.  We’re talking about how to help your baby through this process and sharing resources to help take the fear out of it. Follow Kelly @kellygollat to see her Emma Eats stories and @sewadorablemd to check out her amazing business! Resources: Avancy Silicone Suction Plates and Bowls  Feeding Littles Instagram: @feedinglittles (check out their BLW course!) Naptime Kitchen Instagram: @naptimekitchen

In their final episode for 2018, Ilana and Beth go to Dewey Beach Delaware for a girls vacation, but Beth juggles girl time with pumping and teaching online courses!  Ilana marvels at the wonders of pumping and learns a nursing mom is never really truly “hands free”.  Ilana hosts a white elephant party with her friends (FKA “mom friends”) and has everyone write down their New Year's goal and she gets some great results that we can all relate to!

Exercising while pregnant? Sure. Exercising after childbirth? Well, not as easy at it sounds. Beth’s friend Lauren comes on to talk about running  and exercise during pregnancy, post-natal recovery and exercising with babies. The girls also discuss what is essential to make working out easier physically and logistically. Links to products we talked about on the show: (Although these are affiliate links, we do love the products for real)  Double Bob Moving Comfort Sports Bra Nathan Running Water Bottle

Beth and Ilana discuss vacationing without the kids and mom guilt. Beth calls out c-section shaming and hopefully relieves some mom’s mom guilt.  Moral of the story, stay at home moms, working moms, whatever mom you are, you are awesome! (Dad's you are okay too!)

Max starts solids which means that Beth has a solid two weeks of "Mom Learns", formally known as Mom Fails!  Ilana and Beth talk about starting solids, their favorite feeding products and how Beth stupidly thought eating veggies would curtail Max's constant nursing.  The girls talk about what they are thankful for and how they are both nuts for deciding to host Thanksgiving with babies!   Links to the Products we Legit Love! (Full disclosure: although they are affiliate links we are not sponsored!) Aden and Anais Burpy Bibs Inglesina Fast Table Chair (great if you are short on space or want a portable option when out and about!) Baby Bjorn Soft Bib Avanchy Suction Cup Plate and Spoon  Avanchy Spoons

Sleep, the real currency of motherhood.  Ilana isn’t getting any at night and Beth isn’t getting any during the day.  Ilana discusses what she believes to be the tried and true sleep training methods she has recently used on her second and challenges Beth to try one before the next episode!  (disclaimer: Beth's mic is broken and Max decides to play with her temporary mic, sorry about the less than stellar sound!)

Beth asks Ilana what halloween is like as a mom as she is excited to now be able to finally legitimately trick or treat again. Ilana will be the trick or treat house that will be talked about for years and Beth and her husband drop the ball on halloween costumes…which is SO not like them! The girls talk about human costumes, dog costumes, and what to do with all of that candy that doesn’t fit into your diet plan. links:   Halloween Buyback Program   You've Been Booed   Teal Pumpkin Project 

Ilana tackles the very important, not often talked about, personal topic of postpartum depression.  Through Ilana's story the girls talk about signs, the stigma of the word depression, the baby blues and what to do if you think you have postpartum.  Links: TalkSpace  

Max nap’s…but technical difficulties plague the girls.  Beth talks about her new youtube obsession Shane Dawson and wonders if she is being affected by SAHM brain.  Ilana talks about the problematic scene in Peter Rabbit and her new allergies.  Ilana also freaks out about impending end of the world in 2030.  Is the current state of our world causing people to think twice about having kids? 

Ilana has a conversation with her mom about the 80s and realizes that parenting is a lot different now! What crazy things did our parents think were normal back in the day?  Max continues his nap strike and joins on the podcast as a guest host with a lot to say!

Max is still on a  nap boycott and Beth is starting to lose it.  Ilana and Beth talk about forgiveness and how to avoid buying counterfeit items on Amazon. links:  https://www.huckleberrysleep.com/  

Ilana's son blocks his grandmother's phone calls and Beth's son decides at 3 months he no longer needs to nap during the day.  The girls discuss moving, dieting and mom guilt and how all three are truly a mother effort! P.S. we can ALL make chicken fingers ourselves, but maybe we don't want to!

LUCKY NUMBER 13!!  Beth talks about the journey of breast feeding and how she hates when her husband uses that term.  The girls discuss shark cannibalism and how Ilana might be related to Joaquin Phoenix.   Outro Credit(Don't hate us!): Baby Shark: Pinkfong! 

What do Kourtney Kardashian, bachelorette contests and Ilana have in common?  Vocal fry!  Ilana finds out that we have some very unique fans and determines how this can be beneficial for her and Beth breaks a new rule about 2 hours after setting it! Ilana meets a very angry caterpillar, dodges buying "hooker" shoes and Beth discusses the beginning of her new journey in life.  

After having a few episodes without an “end of podcast” question Ilana challenges Beth to spend an entire podcast asking her questions! Ilana’s kids have some major milestones and the girls briefly discuss who should be allowed in the delivery room.

Beth: …enjoy your vacation Ilana: Traveling with kids Beth: Okay, I guess “enjoy” and “vacation” are relative terms then! Motherhood: when vacations become a full time job!  Ilana discusses her two most recent vacations, which were anything but relaxing and Beth ends the stressful venture of finding a new apartment!