Mother Effort

What do you get when you cross a mom with two kids, a dog, a spouse and impending meal time?  Hopefully something edible!  When your a mom time to cook a meal is all but non-existent so the girls discuss some hacks to keep your pantry fully stocked in order to make a meal in a pinch.  They also discuss how to save time using the Instant Pot, an airfryer, make ahead meals and one pot meals when little ones are hungry and also trying to open a hot oven!

After a hiatus due to the day to day chaos of living with littles the mother effort girls are back! It has been a whirlwind of a month, Beth and Ilana discuss how "back to school season" has been going and how Beth is handling being back at work full time.  Doctor's trips for all!  Beth also makes an exciting announcement that shocks Ilana! 

Ilana reaches out to her facebook mom group to figure out how to deal with the anxiety of sending her child to kindergarten for the first time! Beth shares her fears about going back to school and being   a mom and how to juggle these two careers with only enough time to do one full time. The girls wrap up the episode by sharing the best moments of their summer.  Happy Fall Everyone!

What is it like when your family of three becomes a family of four?  How do you even make the decision to bring another baby into the mix?  Beth and Ilana sit down to discuss growing your family with Ilana's friend Kari, a newly minted mom of two!

Summer has been a ton of fun, but it is time for Beth to face reality.  What is it like to go back to work full time after staying at home with your baby?  Ilana and Beth discuss a few things that will make the transition easier to handle for both baby and mom!  This episode also has the first ever Mother Effort Giveaway! Listen to find out how you can be the winner of Beth's favorite baby products from Lil' Sidekick!  Instagram: lil.sidekick 

A lot goes on in the brain of a mom each day.  Beth and Ilana discuss the topic of "mental load" and why it seems Mother's carry the majority of it, making us very tired.  We explore ways in which to share and lighten the mental load.  

Who wants to go to the beach? The beach is not the same type of fun that it was before kids, but Ilana is here to save the day and make your beach trip a breeze!  After a short hiatus Ilana and Beth return to give you some beach hacks for Independence Day and the rest of the summer!   

Ilana is able to handle her first kindergarten event pretty well until Ezra can't.   Beth searches for a wine sponsor to send her wine in bulk due to her taxing, yet exciting week with Max. Beth and Ilana discuss what goes into planning birthday parties and the mom hacks that make it easier to plan and how to make it fun for the adults that are "obligated" to come.

Max gets his first teeth while robo-husband is away on business.  Ilana comes to the realization that we are now at the age that our bodies are beginning to break down so she decides to make some changes in her life that include P90x and starting her own graphic design company...you know all while also being a full time mom.  Beth struggles to find a balance between teaching online and nursing Max. 

We need a drink…oh, for the kids, but yeah we need a drink too! Ilana and Beth talk about the perils of parenting when it comes to public restrooms.  The girls also talk sippy cups!  Find out what are the top 5 sippy cups on Ilana's list and why?  (Links Coming Soon!) #5 Munchkin Clip Lock Sippy Cup #4 CamelBak Eddy Kids 12oz Water Bottle #3 The First Years Take and Toss Spill Proof Sippy Cups #2 The Munchkin Miracle 360          The Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer (for the littler ones!) #1 Munchkin  The click lock bite proof sippy cup Bonus cup:  the new  tiny   EZPZ cup for those BLW kids!   

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!)