The Sweetest (and Toughest) Job

Latest Episodes:

Parenting While Taking Care of Parents with Russell Meyerowitz of Parkinsons Wellness Fund Mar 12, 2020

Show notes

Russell Meyerowitz and his wife Amy started the Parkinsons Wellness Fund 18 years ago. Russell's father was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease 18 years ago and he and his family experienced firsthand the burden of medical expenses that often leave families with little ability to get the things that would help their loved one live the best quality of life possible when living with the disease. So the mission of the Parkinsons Wellness Fund is to assist individuals living with the disease to live an improved quality of life TODAY.
Russell shares his journey in navigating having a father with the disease, how he has learned to cope and how he talks with his young children about their grandfather battling the illness. It can be extremely challenging navigating parenting while also helping and supporting your own parent who is battling a disease or difficult illness.
To learn more about the PWF visit https://parkinsonswellnessfund.org/
Connect with PWF on @parkinsonswellnessfund
As always, we would love to connect with you to continue the conversation at www.sweetestandtoughestjob.com or on Instagram or Facebook @sweetestandtoughestjob
Thank you for listening!

Creativity After Becoming a Mom and a Breastfeeding Journey with Amanda Bennett Mar 05, 2020

Show notes

Amanda Bennett is the creator and host of the Gotcha Mama podcast. Amanda is sharing what led her to create a podcast and her journey through that discovery process. She also openly shares the challenges she had breastfeeding her daughter. As Mamas, there is so much pressure on how we feed our baby, that breastfeeding should be this amazing connecting and wonderful experience. The truth is, it isn't that way for everyone. Sometimes it can be extremely challenging. Whether you choose to breastfeed, bottle feed, formula feed or pump - you're doing a great job mama! I hope Amanda's experience and story will leave you feeling like you are not alone in whatever journey you are on.
Connect with Amanda on Facebook or Instagram @gotchamama and listen to her wonderful podcast on Apple Podcasts HERE or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
As always, we would love to connect with you at the STJ Podcast to continue these conversations on Facebook or Instagram @sweetestandtoughestjob
Check out the blog and additional resources at www.sweetestandtoughestjob.com

Pregnancy and Postpartum Nutrition with Alexandra Paetrow Feb 27, 2020

Show notes

Alexandra Paetow, MD RD CDN is a Registered Dietitian and (soon-to-be!) mother of two, who specializes in prenatal and postpartum nutrition. She is the founder of Thrive and Bloom Nutrition, a nutrition practice that empowers moms and moms-to-be to use real food to nourish their bodies and go from surviving to thriving. You can find her on instagram talking about all things postpartum nutrition @postpartumnutritionist or visit www.thriveandbloomnutrition.com to learn more.
On this episode Alexandra shares ideas and tips for nutrition from conception through postpartum. Ideas for what to eat if you are suffering from nausea during pregnancy and great foods to consider and focus on for overall health during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
As always we would love to connect with you on Facebook or Instagram @sweetestandtoughestjob.com
Visit www.sweetestandtoughestjob.com for episodes, blog and resources.
Thank you for listening!

Honesty in Postpartum and Motherhood Feb 20, 2020

Show notes

Brooke Raybould is The Southern-ish Mama. She's Mom to 3 boys balancing building a social media platform with raising her little ones. Brooke and I chat about life with three kids, the transition from two to three, balancing a "side hustle" with being a stay at home mom and she also openly shares her experience with Postpartum Depression after her second.
Brooke grew up in Southern California. She met her husband at a Starbucks while on a trip to Dallas to consider business schools. Brooke ended up attending Georgetown business school - part of the time pregnant with her first son - She received her MBA from Georgetown and she and her growing family moved to Nashville where they had their second child. Brooke and her family now live in Dallas where they recently welcomed their third boy! The Southernish Mama is a platform dedicated to the honesty of motherhood and explores navigating the ins and outs of daily life raising young children.
Follow Brooke on Instagram @thesouthernishmama and check out her website https://www.thesouthernishmama.com/
As always we would love to connect with you at the STJ podcast on Social Media - Facebook or Instagram @sweetestandtoughestjob.
Visit our new website www.sweetestandtoughestjob.com for other episodes and resources.
We would be grateful for any ratings or reviews you have a chance to leave, it helps others find the podcast. Thank you!

A Chat About Occupational Therapy for Children with Avital Shuster Feb 13, 2020

Show notes

As a parent, we look for our children to hit milestones as they grow and develop and sometimes it can be a tricky road to navigate. Avital Shuster, an Occupational Therapist shares what to look for and notice in your growing child and provides an overview of how Occupational Therapy can help if you're concerned about where your child might be developmentally. We also chat about how Occupational Therapy can help kids with sensory challenges and other developmental challenges that might be affecting how they are learning life skills.
Avital is Mom of three and a passionate Occupational Therapist. She is founder and director of Tumble and Dots Pediatric Occupational Therapy. She created the website OT Plan as a search engine for activities and ideas that parents could use to help their developing children at home. The OTPlan website is designed to help find activity ideas by matching the developmental skills you want to promote, with the materials you have, to a detailed activity that will help you strengthen developmental skills. She also created OT Plan's Skills in a Box - a monthly box full of activities to build your child's skills delivered right to your door.
Connect with Avital on IG @otplan and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/OTPlan/?ref=bookmarks
The STJ Podcast would love you to join our conversation on Facebook or Instagram @sweetestandtoughestjob and as always would be so grateful if you have a minute to write us a review. Thank you for listening!

Conversation with Birth Doula Miriam Edwards Feb 06, 2020

Show notes

I admittedly did not know much about a birth doula until after I had my first baby. I didn't have a doula with my first or second but decided to hire one for the birth of my third child. Miriam was so wonderful! She joins me on this episode to explain what a doula does and to provide helpful information and tips on what to ask if you are considering hiring a doula.
Looking for a doula in your area?
www.doulamatch.net
Connect with Miriam on IG @miriamedwards_doula
As always we would love to connect with you on Facebook or Instagram @sweetestandtoughestjob
If you have a chance to leave a rating or review, we would so appreciate it!
Thank you for listening!

A Note to My Fellow Mamas Dec 12, 2019

Show notes

On this final episode for Season 1 of The Sweetest and Toughest Job Podcast I wanted to write a letter of sorts to my fellow Mamas and also recap a bit all we've covered in Season 1! I am so appreciative you are a part of this journey and hope you will continue to listen in - stay tuned for Season 2 coming in a few short weeks. The easiest way to keep informed is to subscribe so you don't miss what's coming!
This is also a great time to go back and catch up on episodes you might not have had a chance to listen to. There is a ton of information on everything ranging from Postpartum care, sleep tips for infants and toddlers, how to navigate your relationship after kids, transitioning from one to two children and so much more!
As always we would love to connect with you on Facebook or Instagram @sweetestandtoughestjob
We rely on word of mouth so if you like what you hear - please share with a friend!
Thank you so much for listening!

Understanding Infant and Toddler Communication with Misty Ryman LMFT Dec 05, 2019

Show notes

In this episode, Misty Ryman a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist is lending her knowledge and expertise in explaining infant and toddler communication. Specifically, we are talking about infant cues, what they look like, why infants communicate the way they do and how you as the caregiver can foster and promote positive communication which goes hand in hand with brain development. We also discuss toddler brain development and communication skills, understanding a child's needs as they develop and the importance of play in your child's life.
This is such a helpful and informative conversation that I hope you will find useful! Misty has worked with children ages 0-7 for 12 years and currently works for ChildNet Youth and Family Services in Long Beach, CA.
As always, we would love to connect with you on Instagram or Facebook @sweetestandtoughestjob
Thank you so much for listening!

Getting Better Sleep on Vacation: Travel Sleep Tips for Kids with Melanie Campbell Nov 21, 2019

Show notes

Travel with kids in tow can be super stressful, right?! Layer on the anxiety of any kind of sleep schedule or consistency getting interrupted can make traveling to your destination even tougher. On this episode, I'm chatting with Melanie Campbell, owner of Sweet Home Sleep Solutions all about how to tackle sleep when traveling with little ones. A few of the topics we cover:

Tips for adjusting to a time change
Strategies when kids are suddenly sharing a room while on vacation or when you are sharing a room with your child on vacation
Best times to schedule your plane travel or car travel
Products and mom hacks that can help with sleep while on vacation

Melanie Campbell is a certified sleep consultant and owner of Sweet Home Sleep Solutions. She works with children from newborn to eight years old and is passionate about helping parents who want bedtime to be peaceful, have their child sleep well and take their much-needed naps. You can connect with Melanie on Instagram @sweethomesleepsolutions and visit her website to contact her and read up on some awesome sleep tips! www.sweethomesleepsolutions.com

Click links below for of the products we discussed on todays show:
Slumber Pod
Marpac Portable Sound Machine
HoMedics Portable Sound Machine
As always, we would love to connect with you on Instagram or Facebook @sweetestandtoughestjob
We are grateful if you have a minute to leave a rating or review! Thank you for listening!

Making the Decision to be a Stay At Home Mom Nov 14, 2019

Show notes

Many parents are faced with the difficult decision of whether they should stay at home with their children or return to work. For some, the decision is made for them because of financial reasons, logistics, dynamics, a variety of other reasons. But for some others it is a decision that needs to be thought over and can be a very difficult one to make!
On this week's episode, I'm chatting with Jackie Jecmen who, after having her daughter, decided to leave her job and take leave to be at home with her. It was a tough decision and she shares her personal journey and feelings around making that decision and how she found a passionate "side hustle" that she is enjoying! We discuss the mom guilt associated with being a working mom and the guilt associated with being a stay at home mom, the judgement that comes at both angles, the social pressures and finding balance in your life.
Connect with Jackie on her Instagram @jaxcjec
Interested in her side hustle? You can learn more about Beautycounter here: http://beautycounter.com/jackiejecmen
As always we would love to connect with you at The STJ Podcast on social @sweetestandtoughestjob
Please consider leaving a rating or review - it helps people find us!

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