The MomForce Podcast Hosted by Chatbooks

Latest Episodes:

Strengthening Families through the Printed Photo Dr. Trisha Weeks Sep 24, 2019

Show notes

Motherhood and childhood go quickly. Looking at a photo and taking a moment to reminisce with loved ones is an antidote to the daily pushes and pulls of life. Not only is that magic... it's science! Vanessa is joined by developmental psychologist and University of Utah professor, Dr. Trisha Weeks, to discuss research that proves that printed photos strengthen families. Vanessa knew there was power in putting photographs in the hands of her children, but we wanted to test the science behind it!

One study (comprised of focus groups and over 15,000 survey respondents) illustrates how physical photographs build a sense of identity, increase self-esteem, and lower behavioral issues.

Documenting our family's story makes us feel like good moms… and it turns out we really are doing good for our children. It's science!

Check out the rest of our research at chatbooks.com/printed-photo-report

We are so happy you are here! Make a Chatbook and use code POD20. Happy Chatbooking!

Good Mornings for YOU! Sep 19, 2019

Show notes

"There are no hacks. These kids don't listen. This is your life now. God Speed…" Ok… it isn't that bad, but it sure does feel that way some days with kids are running around looking for the cleanest dirty shirt and scrambling for school lunches. And with little ones are waking up way too early and big kids that won't get out of bed! It's enough to turn the sweetest and most patient moms into a desperate to a crazy person. But it doesn't have to be that way. In today's episode of the MomForce Podcast, Vanessa and Leah dish their greatest hacks for having a better morning. Check out our Instagram page @themomforcepodcast for recipes, tips and more tricks. Then head on over to the MomForce facebook group for more great ideas on how to tame your mornings! We are so happy you are here! Make a Chatbook and use code POD20. Happy Chatbooking!

Make Up, Shaving and Teen Acne, Oh My! Sep 10, 2019

Show notes

Kids grow up. It's a fact of life. One day we're all gonna have teenagers and with that comes with certain rites of passage like make up, shaving, and pimples. Vanessa and her sister, Erika, survived their own teenage years as well as those of their children. They understand the unique challenges that come with that age group. On today's episode of The MomForce Podcast, they tackle everything from stinky boys to girls eager to dive into their own make-up routine.

We are so happy you are here! Make a Chatbook and use code POD20. Happy Chatbooking!

To Schedule or Not to Schedule Kids' Activities Sep 03, 2019

Show notes

On this episode of the MomForce Podcast, Vanessa and her sister, Shelly, talk about creating a schedule that will work for any family. Limiting the number and type of activity each season and remembering to schedule days off (or even family dinner!) will keep everyone - not just the kids - from burning out. Finding a way to sync the family calendar lets everyone know what's on the horizon.While some families live by the rule that you don't need to start activities right way, others see the benefit in exploring interests at a young age. Whatever approach you choose, it's important that no one feels stretched too thin!

We are so happy you are here! Make a Chatbook and use code POD20. Happy Chatbooking!

Celebrating the Strong Willed Child with Jenna Rammell of @jennaskitchen Aug 27, 2019

Show notes

Vanessa sits down with her dear friend, and very down-to-earth real mom, Jenna Rammell. Together they discuss back-to-school time, vulnerability, and maintaining your sanity as a parent. They dive deeper into learning your children's individual personalities and parenting each child accordingly (and the many challenges that come with doing so).

There is no one size fits all parenting. Today, we have so many tools at our disposal to help us see our children individually and to help them grow.

We are so happy you are here! Make a Chatbook and use code POD20. Happy Chatbooking!

Have 26,479 Pics in Your Camera Roll…Now What?! Aug 20, 2019

Show notes

Every now a special moment reminds us why our photos are so important (a preschooler shedding tears over treasured pictures of his class, for instance), but often times we don't realize how much they mean to us until we don't have them anymore. In this second part of our podcast dedicated to photos, Vanessa and Erika discuss organizing, sharing, safeguarding, and printing your photos… and why it's so important to do so.

From deleting your blurry outtakes to making your camera roll more manageable, to taking advantage of shared albums and FREE photo storage, this episode shares simple hacks to ensure the moments you swore you'd never forget don't get lost. Our goal is to strengthen families, and we feel there's something powerful about putting photos in the hands of children (in fact, it's science!).

Don't forget to check out our episode show notes and then head on over to the MomForce Facebook group. There are over 8,000 women there, engaging in conversations about all aspect of life!

We are so happy you are here! Make a Chatbook and use code POD20. Happy Chatbooking!

Take a Picture, It Will Last Longer Aug 13, 2019

Show notes

Long gone are the days of being bound by 24 exposure rolls of film (36 if you splurged). We aren't lugging around giant SLRs as often anymore, and there simple alternatives if you just can't find the time to catch up on your scrapbooks. But despite technology improving so drastically (and making things SO much more convenient) we still aren't always capturing the moments we'll treasure when we look back at photos.

In the first part of this two episode podcast, Vanessa and her sister, Erika, chat about their tricks for taking the photos they're going to love forever. It's not always the perfectly posed kids in coordinating outfits that they look back on with the greatest sense of fondness. Sometimes it's the real life moments; the piles of tiny shoes left by the back door, the child's name written in crayon (even when it's across the furniture), the stubbornness of a pre-teen not thrilled about having their photo taken, or the change of background that would have otherwise gone unnoticed that sparks the happiest memories.

Photographing life's everyday events can make us more mindful of what's happening in that time, sparking a feeling of gratitude that may have otherwise escaped us. In the trenches of motherhood it's easy to overlook the magic of the moment. Looking back on a photo allows you to see the greatness. As a rule of thumb, if it makes you smile, snap a photo of it!

We are so happy you are here! Make a Chatbook and use code POD20. Happy Chatbooking!

Also, be sure to join our thriving and entertaining MomForce Facebook group! Let us be part of your village!

Kids Parties Without the Pressure Aug 06, 2019

Show notes

Parties are a fun chance to explore your creative, crafty side. But they can also bring the pressure to create a once-in-a-lifetime experience that doesn't always go as planned.

Vanessa and Leah sit down to talk about birthday parties. Maybe you're prepared to make throwing a Pinterest-worthy party a part time job. Or perhaps you don't possess the time, money, or mental capacity to host 20 kids at your house. Doing what works best for you will result in everyone being much happier! And the same holds true for your kids. While one child may plan their next party all year long, a movie and ice cream date may be the other child's speed. Do you!

We are so happy you are here! Make a Chatbook and use code POD20. Happy Chatbooking!

Keeping the Kids Clean(ish) - Shower, Rinse, Brush, Repeat Jul 30, 2019

Show notes

For a lot of us, summer is already wrapping up and the days of counting the pool as a bath are coming to an end. Getting kids to practice good hygiene can be a battle. Vanessa chats with her sister, Shelly, about what's worked, what hasn't, and the experiments that have gone awry. There are a LOT of confessionals in this episode. The truth comes out about personal hygiene shortcomings growing up (do germs really boost your immune system?) and the unusual methods we've resorted to clean our kids up in a pinch.

Share your tips and tricks in the MomForce Facebook group. We can use all the help we can get!

We are so happy you are here! Make a Chatbook and use code POD20. Happy Chatbooking!

Picky Eaters . . . Mom is NOT a Short Order Cook! Jul 23, 2019

Show notes

It never fails. You prepare a home-cooked meal and your "starving" child is suddenly too full to eat. Every parent has faced obstacles when it comes to feeding their families, but we can't be expected to be short-order cooks.

Vanessa and Kara tackle picky eaters. It's not all about eating, though. While it can be so satisfying for a mother to see her child eat all their dinner, we're not talking about the clean plate club here. We want to teach children to listen to their bodies, to be open to new foods, and ultimately, to take the pressure off mom!

Check out our MomForce Facebook group for more tips and tricks, and visit our Podcast webpage for show notes, including links to some fun printables and recipe cards!We are so happy you are here!

Make a Chatbook and use code POD20. Happy Chatbooking!

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