The Whinypaluza Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 154: Addressing The Shootings Jun 08, 2022

Show notes

Listen to this Whinypaluza Wednesday Live vlog episode with The Greene Family! An extension of the weekly blog, join Rebecca and her family on the live vlog, brought to you here in case you missed it last week!

This week: Addressing The Shootings

Anxious parents have anxious children, so be sure to manage your emotions and reaction to sensitive events. How do you make yourself feel safe, so your kids can feel safe?
Basic safety considerations: be aware of your surroundings at all times, have exit plans in mind, make sure you are able to hear and see what is happening around you.
It is ok to disconnect from the news and social media. Overwhelm is real. It is OK to TURN IT OFF, or just keep scrolling.
Gauge The Age: what subjects and information are appropriate for your child’s age and personality? Be careful to not overshare, which leads to them feeling overwhelmed or scared.
Getting comfortable with lockdown drills. They are frightening, but necessary.
Approach your kid with difficult topics by saying “you don’t have to talk about it, but I’m here if you want to.”
Don’t assume you know what your kids are talking about, and be sure to ask clarifying questions. Encourage THEM to ask questions when something makes them uncomfortable or confused.
Ask questions to your school about safety plans. Encourage your kid to ask your kids about the school’s safety plan. Never assume.
Make change! Speak up and DO something. Action feels better and does more than talk.
Even when you think your kids can’t hear you, they often can. Thin walls, nosey kids, they often can hear private conversations, so be sure to save the heavy stuff for when you know they are not home.
Arrange for someone outside of the home to be a safe person to talk to. Sometimes they will be more open with people who aren’t their parent.

Follow Rebecca Greene

Blog https://www.whinypaluza.com/

Book https://bit.ly/WhinypaluzaBook

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Instagram https://www.instagram.com/becgreene5/ @becgreene5

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@whinypaluzamom?lang=en @whinypaluzamom

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Episode 153 No Longer Burned Out On Busy Jun 03, 2022

Show notes

Andrea Cairella, LPCC, is a psychotherapist, consultant, speaker and international best-selling author of No Longer Burned Out on Busy. Andrea is founder and CEO of Andrea Cairella International and has served as an advisor to innovative entrepreneurs, CEO's, Fortune 500 leaders, corporate professionals, and mothers seeking a thriving life - work balance. She is the creator of the CARE Approach™ and The Feminine Freedom Method™, two methodologies which support women leaders in all dimensions of life.

Listen to this insightful Whinypaluza episode with Andrea Cairella reclaiming your authentic self as a woman and finding inner calm.

Here is what to expect on this week’s show:

An early encounter with her high school counselor inspired her to go into therapy.
The innate abilities and gifts that women have (nurturing, growing, etc) are often at odds with the established structure which tend to be masculine (check off the list, get it done, etc). This makes work-life balance difficult.
The natural rhythm of women (based on the lunar cycle and seasons) is more about creation, integration, and reflection.
Operating on a high level of intensity can be unproductive for many women.
The parasympathetic nervous system and how to navigate and integrate the energy of women and men.
Life cycles are important to honor. Birth and death are represented in life with changes and growth, it is imperative to move through these stages in order to be prepared and able to move to the next step.
The mind is faster than the body, so it is important to slow down and allow your body a chance to catch up.
Understanding your inner peace is the way to be clear on what you want and what you need.
Transcending the system and setting your own boundaries- taking back your power.
Going from full-throttle to slowing down is a process. It will take time and effort.
Think of harmonizing rather than balancing, when trying to do it all.
Can you recognize the difference between your energy and someone else’s that you are responding to and resonating?
When a woman honors her time and her boundaries, she reclaims her power.
Don’t dismiss your strength when you find yourself struggling.
Learning to honor your own energy is beneficial for your children to learn early on.
Start with the relationship you have with yourself, and it will improve the way you interact with the rest of the world.

Connect with Andrea:

https://andreacairella.com/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AndieCairella/

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreacairella/

Follow Rebecca Greene

Blog https://www.whinypaluza.com/

Book https://bit.ly/WhinypaluzaBook

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whinypaluzaparenting

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/becgreene5/ @becgreene5

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@whinypaluzamom?lang=en @whinypaluzamom

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Episode 152 You Are Not A Failure (I Promise You) Jun 01, 2022

Show notes

Listen to this Whinypaluza Wednesday Live vlog episode with The Greene Family! As an extension of the weekly blog, join Rebecca and her family on the live vlog, brought to you here in case you missed it last week!

This week: You Are Not A Failure (I Promise You)

A moment of reflection on the recent school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. We at Whinypaluza want to express our deepest sympathies to the families and community of Uvalde and Robb Elementary. We also want to express our wholehearted gratitude to educators all over the country who protect our kids every day. Thank you.

This episode:

Feeling overwhelmed and like a failure is a very common theme amongst parents.
Remember to cut yourself a break! We all forget things, do not beat yourself up.
The list of things we use to justify our feeling of failure is unrealistically long. STOP.
How do we shift our thinking from being hung up on what we didn’t accomplish, to what we have accomplished?
We can all take wisdom from the quote, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Do not compare yourself to others. You will always feel you fall short.
Start recognizing your inner voice and find a way to engage and rewind. Reset how you talk to yourself. Be proactive, not reactive.
Bring yourself from emotion to logic.
Cognitive distortion- it is easier to think bad things about ourselves. We have to actively work on saying and thinking positive things about ourselves.
How do we set ourselves up for success and feeling good about ourselves?
Write it down! Getting thoughts and lists out of your head and paper is very therapeutic.

Follow Rebecca Greene

Blog https://www.whinypaluza.com/

Book https://bit.ly/WhinypaluzaBook

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whinypaluzaparenting

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/becgreene5/ @becgreene5

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@whinypaluzamom?lang=en @whinypaluzamom

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Episode 151: Mindfulness and Meditation With an Expert & Mom of Seven May 27, 2022

Show notes

Josephine Atluri is an expert in meditation and mindfulness, helping thousands of people overcome adversity to find joy. A graduate of the University of Chicago, Atluri coupled her consulting background with her passion for total wellness to become certified as a meditation coach and teach corporate mindfulness. Plus, her experience creating her modern-day family of seven children via in vitro fertilization (IVF), international adoption and surrogacy inspires her work as a highly sought-after fertility and parenting mindfulness coach.

Atluri hosts a popular podcast, “Responding to Life: Talking Health, Fertility, & Parenthood,” where she interviews guests on their inspiring responses to life’s challenges. Her parenting mindfulness expertise and fertility advocacy work has been featured in the L.A. Times, Motherly, MindBodyGreen, The Bump, Prevention, Well+Good, and Woman’s Day. She is the author of Mindfulness Journal for Parents, and the forthcoming 5-Minute Mindfulness for Pregnancy: Simple Practices to Feel Calm, Present, and Connected to Your Baby (Spring 2022).

Listen to this insightful Whinypaluza episode with Josephine Atluri about how to be more mindful throughout your day, and more present in your life.

Here is what to expect on this week’s show:

What inspired Josephine to become a mindfulness and mediation expert.
Wanting to become the calm eye of the storm when surrounded by chaos.
What is mindfulness and how can you apply it to all aspects of your life?
Are you truly present in all the moments of your life?
How parents can be more mindful and present in their lives, helping us move through life.
The exercise of manipulated breathing sends a message to your body to calm down, creating a chain reaction of calming and awareness.
Mediation, even for 2-3 minutes can be done in many situations throughout the day.
How often a day should you practice mindfulness? Remember to start with small, attainable goals.
A great way to start meditation is to build it into your day.
The coping strategies of mindfulness are very powerful and useful tools for children.
Set an example to normalize mindfulness and meditation so your children will be willing to try the same strategies to calm themselves.
Learn a bit about Josephine’s 7 children (including 3 sets of twins) and how she manages to balance motherhood and life.
Anyone can meditate- even if you think your brain is too busy to calm.
Learning to let go of “have tos” and “musts” in order to make more room for meaningful things in your life.
Tips for raising twins! It is just like considering the differences between non-twin siblings. Respect their individuality.
How to stay connected throughout adoption and surrogacy. Be intentional.

Connect with Josephine

https://www.jatluri.com/

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSwu7XQNYOe2ARMzc9oBaDw/featured?view_as=subscriber

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

Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/josephineatlurimeditation/_created/

Follow Rebecca Greene

Blog https://www.whinypaluza.com/

Book https://bit.ly/WhinypaluzaBook

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whinypaluzaparenting

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/becgreene5/ @becgreene5

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@whinypaluzamom?lang=en @whinypaluzamom

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Episode 150: My Love Letter To Elementary School May 25, 2022

Show notes

This week: My Love Letter to Elementary School

After 10 years, Rebecca attends her LAST elementary school PTA meeting, which naturally initiated some reflection.
The Greene Family has been fortunate to have their kids in the same district and elementary school since day one.
Being a stay-at-home mom left a small void in her life, which she filled by volunteering for the PTA.
Volunteering for school is so important in feeling connected to the school and your kids’ lives outside of the home. It also adds value to your own life by making social connections.
The era of Covid has changed the landscape of school events, and newcomers have never experienced pre-Covid activities.
When volunteering, be sure to set your boundaries. Will you volunteer at one school or multiple schools? Will you be on the board of the PTA at one school, or multiple schools? Know your limits and stick to them.
Your child’s success heavily depends on the home to school link. The more you get to know your kid’s teachers and principal, the better your communication will be in order to get the most out of your kid’s education experience.
A bond is built with teachers who have each of your children as they progress through school.
Connecting with other mothers is a very valuable thing as a mother of children of any age.
After 10 years, Rebecca values the skills she has gained by being on the PTA.
How do we help our kids adjust to the transition from elementary to middle school? Focus on the gains rather than the losses, and let them know they will have support as they learn the ropes.

Follow Rebecca Greene

Blog https://www.whinypaluza.com/

Book https://bit.ly/WhinypaluzaBook

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whinypaluzaparenting

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/becgreene5/ @becgreene5

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@whinypaluzamom?lang=en @whinypaluzamom

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Episode 149: Helping Children Cope May 20, 2022

Show notes

Dr. Ambroes Pass-Turner is a Doctor of Counseling Psychology, owner of APT Counseling Services, licensed psychotherapist, professor, and author. Dr. Pass-Turner has worked in the mental health profession for over 20 years. She published the books Rex’s Journey: Helping children understand and cope with emotions and the forthcoming ADHD Warrior; Helping children conquer ADHD unwanted behaviors.

Listen to this insightful Whinypaluza episode with Dr. Ambroes Pass-Turner about the work she does with children, especially in the ADHD space and victims of sexual abuse.

Here is what to expect on this week’s show:

Dr. Pass-Turner’s lifelong mission to help others led her to the profession of counseling.
Her books are a tool to reach more children than she would be able to, and get them tools to help and offer support.
Offering the tools to help kids cope with their emotions is at the heart of what she does
Mind, body, and soul need to be in sync.
The importance of support structure at home and how it leads to better results at school.
Getting kids off technology and relating with people at home will build relationships.
Listening more to your kids is one of the most important things you can do to support your child.
In listening, you can help your kid express their emotions and get validation, in turn, you can help them problem solve.
How to approach improving “unwanted behaviors” with ADHD kids. Establishing a routine is the best start.
How to recognize when your child may be experiencing sexual abuse, and what to do.
Respecting that all children are different and their needs will vary.
The successful cases she has worked on leave a lasting impact.
The skills taught in her books can be utilized in the classroom.
Remembering to set an example at home for the behaviors you want your children to have.

Connect with Ambroes:

https://www.drambroespass-turner.com/

Follow Rebecca Greene

Blog https://www.whinypaluza.com/

Book https://bit.ly/WhinypaluzaBook

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whinypaluzaparenting

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/becgreene5/ @becgreene5

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@whinypaluzamom?lang=en @whinypaluzamom

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Episode 148: Mother’s Day May 18, 2022

Show notes

This week: Mother’s Day

If you tend to feel disappointed on Mother’s Day, try telling your family what you want. Have a discussion about what you can do together.
Navigating Mother’s Day meals- what do you want to eat? Where do you want to be?
What is the #1 thing you wish for Mother’s Day? Is it sleep? Being alone? Is it not cooking or cleaning? Is it a gift? Is it time spent with family? Hone in on just a couple of expectations. No one needs an all-day extravaganza.
Be clear about what you want, but open it up to compromise. Want to go for a walk? Have the kids decide where.
Is laying around all day realistic? No. It is ok to do a few menial tasks. Set yourself up to NOT be disappointed.
Mother’s Day is a great day to have the family pitch in for cleaning up!
If it within your budget, consider a cleaning service as a Mother’s Day gift!
No one wants to be disappointed on Mother’s Day. Don’t be afraid to tell your family what you want. You do so much for your family, they WANT to make you happy. What do you have to lose?
As in all things, in all relationships, communication is key! Have realistic, clear expectations and be sure to express them.
Moms will ALWAYS love handmade gifts from their kids.
Remember: Mother’s Day is about feeling loved and appreciated.

Follow Rebecca Greene

Blog https://www.whinypaluza.com/

Book https://bit.ly/WhinypaluzaBook

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whinypaluzaparenting

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/becgreene5/ @becgreene5

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@whinypaluzamom?lang=en @whinypaluzamom

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Episode 147: Mother's Day Special with my Daughter Ella May 13, 2022

Show notes

Listen to this very special Mother’s Day Whinypaluza episode as Rebecca turns the tables yet again. This week her daughter Ella takes the host seat while she asks her mom what it is like to be a mother, and offers her own observations on motherhood.

You are sure to love Ella’s insightful take on this topic!
Some things they discuss:
What Rebecca likes best about being a mother.
The challenges of motherhood are both mental and physical.
What Rebecca does to cope with the challenges of motherhood.
What self-care looks like for different moms.
Parenting 3 very different children. Observing what your kids and responding accordingly.
Achieving balance- how do you manage it? Prioritizing is key.
Is there anything about motherhood that Rebecca would go back and change?
Rebecca’s worst parenting moment and what she learned from it.
Conversely, what was Rebeca’s proudest parenting moment and what she has learned from it?

We hope you have enjoyed these very special conversations with Rebecca’s daughters!

Follow Rebecca Greene

Blog https://www.whinypaluza.com/

Book https://bit.ly/WhinypaluzaBook

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whinypaluzaparenting

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/becgreene5/ @becgreene5

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@whinypaluzamom?lang=en @whinypaluzamom

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Episode 146: Lessons In Motherhood This Year May 11, 2022

Show notes

This week: Lessons In Motherhood This Year

Shift the focus on yourself and how you react. This is what you actually have control over.
You will continue to make mistakes. Being a good mom means always working on being better, not being perfect. Think of it as leveling up.
Take a step back. Learn to recognize when to let your kids handle their own problems and responsibilities. Stepping in when it isn’t good enough for you undermines their ability to learn how to manage themselves.
Your kids will always need you. As they become more and more independent, they still need you to love them and to be there.
Don’t underestimate your kids, and what they are capable of. Give them the room to grow into themselves.
You can’t be everywhere, all the time. As much as you want to be at every even for every kid, you need to choose and you need to allow others to be there.
You can’t volunteer for everything. Volunteers ARE needed, but don’t sacrifice your time when it is needed elsewhere in your personal life.
Everything doesn’t have to be perfect all the time. Again, give your children the agency to take control of learning how to do things.
It is ok for your kids to be upset. It is normal and you need to let your kids feel the full spectrum of feelings. Learning to cope with uncomfortable emotions is important.
Listen more and say less. Embrace “less is more” when it comes to communication. Sometimes being brief and concise is better.
Focus more on the good in your kids, than the bad. Look for the good behavior and be their cheerleader. You will always see what you look for. If you look for bad, that is all you will notice.
Your child’s life is theirs to live, not yours. Allow some agency for your kids to choose their activities, interests, friends, career, etc.
The importance of one-on-one time with each of your kids. Learn to balance the time you give to each of your children. Give your time, even if it is only 15 minutes a day.
It is ok to force family fun. Oftentimes you will always get a “no” if you ask, so sometimes they need a nudge. Once they are out, they usually have a good time.
Every stage of motherhood is exciting. Instead of mourning the passage of time, embrace the great privilege you have to witness every milestone.

Follow Rebecca Greene

Blog https://www.whinypaluza.com/

Book https://bit.ly/WhinypaluzaBook

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whinypaluzaparenting

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/becgreene5/ @becgreene5

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@whinypaluzamom?lang=en @whinypaluzamom

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Episode 145: Mother's Day Special with My Daughter Lillie May 06, 2022

Show notes

Today on a very special Mother’s Day edition of Whinypaluza, Rebecca turns the tables and has her daughter Lillie take the host seat while she asks her mom what it is like to be a mother.