The Sweetest (and Toughest) Job

Latest Episodes:

Connecting with Your Baby or Toddler to Foster Development with Michelle Mintz Oct 01, 2020

Show notes

Michelle Mintz, M.S., CCC-SLP is the Personal Baby Bloomer from Baby Blooming Moments, helping parents make everyday experiences brighter. In this episode we discuss simple ways parents can establish connections with their children starting when they are just babies. We discuss the challenge of balancing screen time for both adults and children and we chat about her children’s book All Done Binky that parents can read to their young child to help transition to getting rid of the pacifier.

Highlights from this episode include:

The importance of establishing eye connection with your baby and suggestions for when you can take opportunity to do so
Tools and suggestions for ways parents can establish and foster connections with their baby or toddler
Strategies to balance adult screen time when parenting
How to use the screen time your child has in an enriching way
Michelle’s book on getting rid of the pacifier and when you should think about taking it away

Michelle telecoaches those who raise babies and toddlers to apply her pro-active strategies during everyday routines to help enhance brain connections, encourage early language development and enrich attachments. Scientific research has proven that the first 5 years of life are so crucial for stimulating brain cells that haven't formed and are ready to be nurtured. While many factors influence brain development, HOW people interact with their babies and toddlers have the most significant impact. Her goal is to turn everyday experiences into brighter beginnings.

Baby Blooming Moments

All Done Binky: Book to help facilitate getting rid of the pacifier for children ages 6 months-3 years

YouTube

IG: Baby Blooming Moments

Facebook: Baby Blooming Moments

Discussing Challenging Behavior and Diagnosis with Amelia Bowler Sep 24, 2020

Show notes

As parents, we all have moments where our child displays erratic, emotional, out of control behavior. But when do you know if this behavior warrants a diagnosis from a psychological or medical professional? Amelia Bowler is a writer, artist and behaviour consultant. She's the owner of Creative Connected Parenting and on this episode we are discussing how to identify when you should get help for your child’s behavior. We also discuss what Opposition Defiant Disorder, an area she specializes in, and when a diagnosis for your child is appropriate and when it could potentially hurt.

Highlights from this episode include:

Identifying when you should get help for your child’s behavior
When a diagnosis on behavior is appropriate and when it can hurt
Explanation of Opposition Defiant Disorder
Steps parents can take in getting help when they are experiencing difficult behavior in their child
How we as parents can approach a difficult behavior situation

As a child, Amelia was diagnosed as “gifted” but struggled to stay organized and meet expectations at school. She resolved to become a classroom teacher, so she could help learners like herself. She never stopped asking questions about the “WHY” of behaviour, and looking for creative new ways to teach. After earning a Master’s Degree in Applied Disability Studies with a specialization in Applied Behaviour Analysis, Amelia also gained her credential as a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst. Her mission is to help families build empathy and cooperation.

Through her experience as a mother to two high-spirited boys and working as a behaviour consultant in a multi-disciplinary clinic, Amelia learned to infuse her clinical expertise with compassion, playfulness and perspective. She lives in Toronto, writing, painting and teaching, using art and creativity to bring families closer together.

www.ameliabowler.com

Book: The Parent’s Guide to Oppositional Defiant Disorder - Your Questions Answered
Connect with Amelia on Instagram @ameliabehaviour
As always, we would love to connect with you to continue the conversation on Instagram @sweetestandtoughestjob or on Facebook The Sweetest and Toughest Job
Visit our website www.sweetestandtoughestjob.com for additional episodes, resources, guest contact info and blog posts.
Thank you for listening!

Pelvic Health and Tools that Can Help with Amanda Olson Sep 17, 2020

Show notes

Pelvic dysfunction is a very common result after giving birth whether you deliver vaginally or via c-section but it is just not talked about enough! Dr. Amanda Olson is the President and Chief Clinical Officer of Intimate Rose where she develops pelvic health products and education and authored the book Restoring the Pelvic Floor For Women. She is passionate about empowering women and men with pelvic health issues including pelvic pain, incontinence, and pre and postpartum issues.

Amanda shares her shocking story of how she sustained an injury prior to having children which changed her mind about the PT she wanted to practice. She decided to become a pelvic health PT and in this episode we are talking all about what pelvic health is, what to look out for after giving brith and ways you can heal.

Highlights from the episode include:

Normalizing the conversation around pelvic health - what is it, who is affected, what you can do if you are suffering
Story of how Amanda decided to become a pelvic health PT - this will surprise you
Symptoms and physical changes that could be a result of pelvic dysfunction
Tools you can use to help you heal from pelvic dysfunction if you are suffering from pain or discomfort in you pelvic floor, pain with intercourse, pain in your tailbone and other ailments

Dr. Olson earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Pacific University in 2005, and a Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy from Regis University in 2008, graduating as a member of the Jesuit National Honor Society. She is holds a Certification of Achievement in pelvic floor physical therapy (CAPP-PF) through

the APTA, and the Pelvic Floor Practitioner Certification (PRPC) through the Herman and Wallace Pelvic Institute. She is also a certified Stott Pilates instructor and RRCA certified running coach, which she finds useful in curating treatment approaches.

Intimate Rose Website

Connect with Amanda on IG @intimaterose

Facebook @intimaterose

Twitter @intimaterose

To find a PT in your area:

American Academy of Physical Therapy Pelvic Health Therapist

Pelvic Guru

Intimate Rose Directory: email support@intimaterose.com
As always, we would love to connect with you to continue the conversation on Instagram @sweetestandtoughestjob or on Facebook The Sweetest and Toughest Job
Visit our website www.sweetestandtoughestjob.com for additional episodes, resources, guest contact info and blog posts.
Thank you for listening!

Where I'm at Personally - Kicking off Season 3 With Honest Mom Thoughts Sep 10, 2020

Show notes

Hi Friends! I am so thrilled to be back behind the mic kicking off Season 3 of The Sweetest and Toughest Job Podcast! I wanted to start with a solo episode, I debated doing this but wanted to lay it all out on the table. Like so many of you out there listening, the months since the pandemic changed the world and how we live have been filled with ups, downs, highs, lows, lots of emotions and lots of those sweet and tough moments this podcast aims to celebrate. My intention with this brief solo episode is to explain why the pause in the podcast has been a little longer than I intended, to express my feelings and sentiments on parenting and motherhood during a very challenging time. I wanted to share what our family is personally experiencing with our three children: our oldest in Kindergarten but remote learning from home, our middle who just started preschool in person (wearing masks while attending), and our youngest who has spent the second part of her first year in "quarantine" during this pandemic.
I hope that Moms and parents out there can feel a little less alone in whatever they are going through right now. Even if your experience parenting through this trying time is completely different from mine, this is all hard and finding support systems wherever you can is so helpful.
If you are a mama out there and are feeling all the feels, you aren’t alone. This is a hard time to be pregnant, to be postpartum and to parent. Many of us have lost a lot of support systems and friends and the infrastructure and schedules we used to keep. You’re not alone mama. Thank you so much for being here and listening to the podcast. It is near and so dear to my heart and I hope this season brings you tidbits of information, motivation, comfort, a few laughs and perhaps a few tears too which is all okay.
As always, we would love to connect with you to continue the conversation on Instagram @sweetestandtoughestjob or on Facebook The Sweetest and Toughest Job
Visit our website www.sweetestandtoughestjob.com for additional episodes, resources, guest contact info and blog posts.
Thank you for listening!

Empowering Your Gluten Free Child and Navigating Food Allergies with Jennifer Marcks Jul 02, 2020

Show notes

As the creator of Gluten-Free MARCKS The Spot, Jennifer helps Moms and families fall in love with their gluten-free life. Having Celiac Disease and a gluten-intolerance in her family, she knows exactly what families are going through when trying to navigate gluten-free living and how to empower children to make healthy choices when they have food allergies. On this episode, Jennifer and I chat about:

Her personal journey that led to her family living a gluten free lifestyle and her path to becoming a health coach
The basics of what gluten is, what celiac disease is and the common foods they are found in
Tips to help you navigate a transition to gluten free living or transition when your child has a food allergy
How to empower your children to make healthy choices when they are faced with allergies, an intolerance or celiac disease

Jennifer's mission is to help families ditch the overwhelm so you can have coffee with friends, lunch with the girls and take that beach vacation without wondering how you will manage dietary restrictions. When Jennifer is not whipping up a new gluten-free treat, you can find her sneaking off to read a good book, going for a walk or snuggling up with her family for games or possibly binge-watching Netflix.
Visit Jennifer at her website Gluten-Free MARCKS The Spot
Connect with her on Facebook at Gluten Free MARCKS The Spot\
Join her Facebook Group for Moms HERE
Connect on Instagram @MarcksJennifer
Follow on Pintrest at Gluten Free Marcks the Spot
Grab her cheat Sheet How to Save Money Being Gluten-Free
As always, we would love to connect with you to continue the conversation on Instagram @sweetestandtoughestjob or on Facebook The Sweetest and Toughest Job
Visit our website www.sweetestandtoughestjob.com for additional episodes, resources, guest contact info and blog posts.
Thank you for listening!

Introducing and Transitioning Baby to Solids with Priscila Cleary Jun 25, 2020

Show notes

At some point during baby's first year of life, it will come time to introduce solids to your little one. Where do you start? This can be an overwhelming and intimidating thing to navigate! Priscila Cleary, founder and lead facilitator at Baby to Table Nutrition is chatting with me today about baby led weaning and introducing and transitioning your little one to solids.
Priscila is a Registered Dietitian whose focus is on child and family nutrition. She completed her dietetics training both here in the US, and in Brazil where she is originally from. She also earned a Masters' degree in Nutrition from Florida State University. She creates digital resources and online programs for parents and caregivers, to cut through all of the nutrition noise and decrease the overwhelming stress of feeding little ones. She is passionate about helping parents raise happy little eaters through joyful and confident feeding.
At home her life is also all about feeding babies and toddlers. She and her husband have two small children - a 6 months old and a 2 year old. She loves dancing (especially Zumba!), traveling, cooking, and watching good movies. She usually spends her days sharing life with her little ones, and keeping her two big furry babies from eating the food left behind.
Connect with Priscila at her website Baby to Table Nutrition.
On Facebook at Baby to Table Nutrition
On Instagram @babytotablenutrition
2
Access her Free Quick Start Guide to Solids
As always, we would love to continue the conversation with you on our social media on Facebook The Sweetest and Toughest Job or on Instagram @sweetestandthoughestjob
Visit The Sweetest and Toughest Job website for additional episodes, guest contact, resources and our blog.
Thank you for listening!

Insight from a Mompreneur on Living an Unhurried Life with Jen Brazeal Jun 18, 2020

Show notes

Jen Brazeal was an elementary school teacher when she decided her passion was in photography and she was ready to make the leap into doing that full time. She left her career and and started her own photography business which she quickly grew into a very successful endeavor. After having her third baby she decided to switch gears again to teach others what she had learned in starting and growing her own business.
On this episode, Jen and I are talking about making that leap and how she now balances working her business and growing it with being a Mom to three young children.
Highlights from the episode include:

Redefining the word "balance" as a Mom; relying on things you consider gainers rather than drainers
Living the "Unhurried Life" - the name of her podcast and mantra
How she transitioned to a mostly screen free family with three young children
Re-thinking how you do laundry - it could help you be unhurried!
Embracing your passions and taking a leap in your life

Jen likes long walks (with her double bob) grommet cuisine (with her crockpot) and beautiful things (phone pics of her kids)! In her past life she was an elementary teacher turned photographer, after her 3rd babe came into the world she switched gears again, funny how that keeps happening in life, to podcaster and online educator! Sharing with mama's how to slow down, get all the laundry done and live as the best version of herself!
Connect with Jen by visiting her website https://jbrazeal.com/
and on Instagram @jenbrazeal
Grab the Unhurried Life Starter Kit from Jen!
As always, we would love to continue the conversation with you on our Instagram @sweetestandtoughestjob or Facebook The Sweetest and Toughest Job
Visit https://www.sweetestandtoughestjob.com/ for additional episodes, blog posts, guest contact info and resources.
Thank you for listening!

The Gift of Surrogacy with Claibourne Jordan Jun 11, 2020

Show notes

The journey to motherhood is sometimes not an easy, straight path. There can be road blocks, bumps along the way, heartbreak and disappointment. On today's episode I'm talking with Claibourne Jordan, Mom to three, wife and Matilda Jane Trunk Keeper who was a surrogate for her cousin, gifting her and her husband the joy of becoming parents.
Claibourne had always said she wanted to have four children, but her third sealed the deal that her and her husband felt their family was complete However, she ended up having a fourth because in her words, she was lucky enough to be a surrogate for her cousin. Claibourne and her family live outside of Atlanta in Madison, Georgia on the family farm. They have a variety of animals and hobbies that keep them busy at home. She has been a Matilda Jane Trunk Keeper for almost 5 years. Matilda Jane offers clothes for girls and women and operates through online sales and in home trunk shows. She works with a team of 30 amazing ladies to help them run their own boutique businesses too.
Highlights from this episode include:

Her journey to become a surrogate for her cousin
What it was like for her family of five to experience surrogacy
Her beautiful birth story
What the overall experience was like for her and her family

Connect with Claibourne on Instagram @matildajanewithclaibourne and on Facebook at Claibourne Jordan, Matilda Jane
As always, we would love to continue the conversation with you on Instagram @sweetestandtoughestjob or on Facebook at The Sweetest and Toughest Job
Visit www.sweetestandtoughestjob.com for additional episodes, blog, guest contact and resources.

Fourth Trimester Infant Sleep and Becoming a Sleep Consultant with Jayne Havens Jun 04, 2020

Show notes

Jayne Havens, founder of Snooze Fest, is a certified sleep consultant specializing in infant and toddler sleep. Jayne supports parents through the sleep training process and together they get their children sleeping through the night. In addition to supporting families one on one, Jayne also created the Center for Pediatric Sleep Management. Through CPSM, Jayne provides a comprehensive certification program for those looking to become certified to work as sleep consultants. There is nothing better than helping families to teach their children healthy sleep habits!
On this episode Jayne and I specifically focus on Infant sleep during the often challenging Fourth Trimester when sleep can be elusive! Highlights from this episode include:

At what point you can consider sleep coaching for your infant
Napping expectations and tips
Swaddling suggestions and tips
Transitioning your baby out of the swaddle
Timing for transitioning baby out of your room and into their own room
What to consider if you are interested in becoming a sleep coach

To connect with Jayne, visit her website The Snooze Fest
Interested in her course on becoming a Certified Sleep Consultant visit The Center for Pediatric Sleep Management.
Connect with her on Instagram and Facebook:
IG: @snoozefestbyjaynehavens
Facebook: Snooze Fest By Jayne Havens
As always, we would love to connect with you to continue the conversation on social media on Facebook at The Sweetest and Toughest Job. or on Instagram @sweetestandtoughestjob.
Visit www.sweetestandtoughestjob.com for additional episodes, resources, blog and guest contact information.

Love the Way You Parent with Rose Clark May 28, 2020

Show notes

It is no secret that parenting is hard! Sometimes as parents, we react in certain ways that later we feel guilty about. Maybe yelling too much, losing patience easily, frustrated with the way our kids behave and act. So how do we as parents make changes so that we can get to a place where we love the way we parent?
Rose Clark is a parenting coach for women who don’t want to parent the way their parents did. After a difficult childhood, she knew she wanted to do things differently. Now, as a coach, Rose equips mamas with solid strategies to get them to a place where they LOVE the way they PARENT! One of here specialities is teaching women to decode the messages of their heart and use them as a powerful force for holding boundaries and getting needs met. Rose lives with her best-friend-husband, Steve, and their 2 daughters in Nova Scotia, Canada.
In this episode we discuss:

The Language of Listening® approach and the three steps to implement it in your parenting
Recognizing and noticing the things you don't like in the way you parent
Accepting the way we parent and why we act and react the ways we do
Reparenting - changing the way we parent so it's different than how you were parented
Learning to accept your emotions so you can approach difficult parenting situations more positively and with less anger

Connect with Rose on Instagram @love.the.way.you.parent. On Facebook Love the Way You Parent
Read the SAY WHAT YOU SEE® Handbook free online.

To learn more about Adverse Childhood Experiences click HERE
Love the Way You Parent Website
As always, we would love to continue the conversation with you on our social media on Instagram @sweetestandtoughestjob. and Facebook The Sweetest and Toughest Job
Visit our website www.sweetestandtoughestjob.com for additional episodes, blog, resources and guest information.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Sweetest (and Toughest) Job

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected