The Top Knot Squad

Latest Episodes:

The Enneagram + Relationships Oct 30, 2018

Show notes

On today’s episode, the squad will be discussing the enneagram with local enneagram expert Abi Robins! Abi is a yoga teacher, yoga therapist, enneagram coach, and fellow podcaster over at Conscious Construction! Abi helps people incorporate both practices (yoga + enneagram) into healing and growth. We asked Abi to join us today to give us and our listeners an intro to enneagram and more importantly how it can be helpful in our parenting and relationships. As you can imagine, 3 mamas running one show may need a little help navigating the dynamics of not only friendship but also the ins and outs of a working relationship. Today we hope to explore a bit around each of our TKS types and get feedback on how to share space outside of our own worldviews.

Resources:

Where to find Abi:

Abi’s website: https://www.abirobinsyoga.com/
Abi’s podcast: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/abi-robins/conscious-construction
Abi’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/consciousenneagram/

Overview of types: https://www.enneagramworldwide.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Enneagram_101.pdf

Test to take: http://exploreyourtype.com/details

Perinatal Loss Oct 09, 2018

Show notes

*Trigger warning* On today’s episode the squad will be discussing perinatal loss which we know is a sensitive and difficult subject. Please take the space you need and step away from the episode if needed

We know 1 in 4 pregnancies end in loss, and like many of the topics we tackle, our hope is that by talking more openly about the experience, we can feel less alone on the journey. We would also like to recognize that October is Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month. The loss of a child stays with a parent forever, but it can be challenging for others to truly understand the emotional and physical impact. Events across the country take place each October in order to educate and help people better empathize and support parents through their grief journey.

Resources:

Hand to Hold: https://handtohold.org/

Austin Center for Grief and Loss: https://www.austingrief.org/support-groups

Ronald McDonald Healing Hearts HOPE support group: https://rmhc-ctx.org/what-we-do/healing-hearts-program/

Austin Doula Care: Loss Doulas & Healing Group: https://austindoulacare.com/the-healing-group/

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (remembrance photography): https://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/

Still Birthday (bereavement doula training): https://stillbirthday.com/

The Maternal Mortality Crisis Sep 18, 2018

Show notes

*trigger warning: we know this is a heavy topic so please take the space you need for self-care*

On today’s episode, the squad will be discussing the maternal mortality crisis in the U.S. The United States has the worst maternal mortality rate of all developed nations and sadly this trend is not an emerging issue. For the past THREE DECADES, the CDC has documented a rise in the national pregnancy-related mortality ratio. We also know that Black mothers are 3 to 4 times more likely to die in childbirth than white women and even more shocking, that 50% of all maternal deaths are considered preventable. Join us as we break down some of the reasons mothers are dying, how our nation is responding, and what we can all do to make birth and postpartum safer for women and babies.

We didn’t want to tackle this topic alone so we have brought in our very first TKS guest to help us explore this important issue! Courtney Butts is a Licensed Master Social Worker and certified doula in Dallas TX. Courtney is the Programs Director at an area Domestic Violence agency where she is responsible for the development, planning, and coordination of violence prevention services. Courtney has coupled her passion for working with survivors of domestic violence with her love of pregnant women and is on a mission to lower the maternal mortality rate of Black mothers.

Resources:

Where to find Courtney:

Website: https://www.soulfullyrootedbirth.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulfullyrootedbirth/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/SoulfullyRootedBirth/

Trauma-informed care training for birth and postpartum professionals: https://www.facebook.com/events/244790129492801/

March for Moms Take Action Page: http://www.marchformoms.org/takeaction/

Kira Johnson’s Story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05uBCBfrY4g&feature=youtu.be

Black Mamas ATX: www.blackmamasatx.com

Barbara Vernéus🇭🇹 (Dope Moms Need Dope Moms Tee): https://www.instagram.com/tinyandbrave/

Abide Women’s Health (Dallas resource Courtney shared): https://www.abidewomenshealth.org/

The Sleep Episode Aug 23, 2018

Show notes

Sleep seems to be one of those topics that is a common denominator for parents (we ALL lose sleep in parenthood!) yet it is also a source of disconnection since so many opinions and “shoulds” exist that ultimately make us question if we are doing it “right”. Listen as the Top Knot Squad breaks down all things sleep-related, from theories surrounding sleep and its link to mental health, to our own experiences with or without sleep plus a few tips, tricks, and resources that might be helpful!

Resources:

Realistic Sleep Expectations

Postpartum Sleep Hygiene

Insight Timer App

Conscious Baby

Mommy Facebook Groups and Social Media Aug 06, 2018

Show notes

Facebook Mommy Groups can be some of the most brutal arenas for everything and anything a mom needs to know about. From breastfeeding to relationship advice -- everyone has an opinion and somehow, we're all doing it wrong. Listen as the Top Knot Squad breaks down the pros and cons of mommy facebook groups and social media.

Sex After Baby and Beyond / Body Image Jul 20, 2018

Show notes

Postpartum intimacy can be the last thing on either parent's mind after baby. So how do you connect or just weather the season until it passes? The Top Knot Squad discusses sex after baby, their own experiences with it, and the importance of body image.

If you or someone you know would like more information on pelvic floor therapy, check out Sullivan Physical Therapy.

Parenting in a World of Violence Jul 02, 2018

Show notes

***Trigger warning***

This week, TKS covers the heavy topic of gun violence and how to talk to our kids when a tragedy occurs. This topic can be difficult, so please be kind to yourself and take the space you need.

There have been 23 mass shootings in 2018 alone. That averages to out to more than one a week. The news, schools, friends, neighbors – everyone is talking about it. How do we address violence so prolific when parenting toddlers, school age children and beyond? Join us while we break it down and weigh in on options to address heavy topics with our littles.

Important Links:

Austin Child Guidance Center

https://www.austinchildguidance.org/

Communities in Schools

https://www.communitiesinschools.org/

The Feeding Episode: Babies, Kids and Food Jun 19, 2018

Show notes

Food is a part of our daily lives, and very much necessary for our survival. With that being said, why is it so darn hard to get our littles to eat the right stuff?! We’ll talk about what we all did and Naya will chat a little about breastfeeding and bottle feeding.

Sponsored by: www.rootedbaby.com Important Links:

Formula Preparation

https://www.cdc.gov/cronobacter/prevention.html

Paced Bottle Feeding

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoBVtE6S1dk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGPm5SpLxXY

https://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/feeding-tools/bottle-feeding/

Parenting in a World of Gender Boxes Jun 04, 2018

Show notes

In their latest episode, the Top Knot Squad discusses sexuality and gender within their families and the challenges faced as they prepare their children for public school and the expectation of falling into gender roles.

Visit TheTopKnotSquad.com to listen to every episode of the podcast.

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Mom Dating and Self Care May 21, 2018

Show notes

In episode 3, Alexis, Naya, and Adriana discuss the challenge of meeting other mom friends, ways to meet other moms, and managing self-care. From the awkwardness of mom business cards to managing to pee when you need to, listen in and join The Top Knot Squad as they passionately maneuver through parenthood.

Visit TheTopKnotSquad.com to listen to every episode of the podcast.

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