As we kick off the new year, I wanted to share a little insight on how we can approach this time differently. We often hear the buzz about setting goals and achieving big things as soon as January hits, but let's consider a different perspective.

Embracing the Season

You know that feeling of being pushed into a whirlwind of resolutions every January? Lose weight, get fit, conquer the world—all before February! It's this intense rush to achieve. But have you ever thought that maybe, just maybe, the struggle to stick to these goals is because we're fighting against the natural rhythm of the seasons? In nature, winter is a time for hibernation and reflection, not a sprint to the finish line. Animals and plants slow down, so why are we trying to speed up?

Finding Balance in Winter

Sure, not all of us can hibernate like a bear, but there are ways to slow down and align with the season. Winter is perfect for taking a breather, reflecting on the past, and...

Navigating the Holiday Hustle: Tips for a Joyful Holiday Season

The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes a whirlwind of responsibilities and expectations. As we juggle the festivities with our daily lives, it’s essential to pause and think about how we truly want to experience this time. In this episode, I am joined by Nevart Willborn and together, we share how to navigate the season with joy and intention.

Balancing Act

The holidays bring an avalanche of tasks, from decorating to gift-giving, and everything in between. It's easy to feel overwhelmed, but remember, it’s all about balance. Start by identifying what's most important to you and your family. Prioritize those activities, and don’t be afraid to let go of the rest. Quality over quantity is key.

Communicate and Collaborate

In relationships, especially marriage, teamwork makes all the difference. Open communication with your partner can ease the holiday load. Discuss your...

Understanding Boundaries Versus Ultimatums: Strengthening Relationships Through Respect and Communication

Welcome back to another episode, in this episode I got to dive deep into the complexities of boundaries versus ultimatums in relationships with fellow marriage coach, Nevart Willborn. Together, we explored how these concepts can either strengthen or damage a marriage depending on the implementation.

What Are Boundaries and Ultimatums?

We first kicked off the discussion with the definitions and nuances of boundaries and ultimatums. A boundary is essentially a way to teach others how to treat us by expressing our needs and limits. A boundary is about helping others understand what we need and implementing a healthy response when those needs are not met.

On the other hand, an ultimatum often comes across as a final demand or a non-negotiable condition. Nevart highlights the key difference: "An ultimatum is rooted in control. It's a statement where...

In this episode, I have an honest conversation with fellow marriage coach, Nevart Willborn, about boundaries.

Understanding Boundaries in Relationships

Boundaries are fundamental to maintaining a healthy relationship. They’re not about controlling the other person but about setting limits for yourself to protect your emotional and mental well-being.

For me, a boundary is something that helps you actually strengthen and be in a relationship with someone. Boundaries are not about telling someone else what they should do but about informing them what you will do if a certain line is crossed.

Common Misconceptions About Boundaries

A common misconception is that boundaries are a form of control over others. This misunderstanding can lead to a dynamic where one person tries to change the other’s behavior instead of focusing on their own actions. When you set a boundary, it's about what you're going to do, not about making someone else do something.

Examples of...

The Changing Dynamics

If you reflect on your pre-kid era, you'll likely notice just how much your marriage has transformed. Pre-kids life was simpler. You could plan spontaneous trips, enjoy quiet dinners, and had flexibility that parenthood quickly consumes. But, when kids come into the picture, their needs and schedules take precedence. This fundamental shift can place significant strain on a marriage.

The Overwhelm of Raising Kids

The pressures and overwhelming responsibilities of parenthood often catch us off-guard. From ensuring we meet their basic needs to managing tantrums and navigating school schedules, every aspect of life requires meticulous planning. It's no longer about just the two of you but about balancing a child's needs with maintaining marital harmony.

Shifting Roles and Added Responsibilities

Becoming parents introduces 'Mom' and 'Dad' roles. This added layer of responsibility can alter how we perceive and interact with our partners....

Welcome back to another episode of the Marriage and Mother podcast! This is part two of the series "What I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Parent," designed to support aspiring and current parents with as much knowledge as possible to set them up for success.

The Realities of Self-Care

Last episode, we delved into the evolving dynamic of partnership and how to navigate those changes. Today, we'll be focusing on self-care. Self-care is vastly underrated.

At the very core of our life experiences — as women, partners, mothers, daughters, friends, business owners, or any of the myriad roles we play — self-care is pivotal. If we don't take care of ourselves, every facet of our lives can suffer. Imagine walking around with a baseline feeling of 15 on a scale from 0 to 100, where 100 is the best possible state of being. It's like living in a world where you're perpetually cranky, a lens that taints every experience negatively.

Reframing Self-Care

Just like the...

In this episode of the Marriage and Motherhood Podcast, I am joined by Mikki Gardner to discuss the complex world of co-parenting. Mikki is a certified life and conscious parenting coach, host of the Co-Parenting with Confidence Podcast, and author of The People Pleaser’s Guide to Co-Parenting Well. With her background in navigating life post-divorce and helping moms transition through the emotional and practical difficulties of co-parenting, Mikki shares invaluable insights on managing these complex relationships.

Understanding Co-Parenting and Its Challenges

Co-parenting is a subject that many listeners may not have direct experience in but, as Mikki explains, the principles often apply to all types of parenting, including married couples.

She defines co-parenting as parenting with anyone that you don’t agree with 100 percent of the time. So, across the board, this is everyone.

Mikki emphasizes the significance of being...

7 Key Lessons Learned from Our Cross-Country Move and Major Life Changes

After a recent cross-country move from California to Atlanta and a myriad of changes, I'm excited to share the lessons my husband and I have learned.

Whether you're grappling with big decisions or navigating the complexities of family life, these insights could make all the difference. Let's dive in!

1. Keep Each Other in the Loop

Communicating effectively is fundamental. During our move, my husband and I realized that failing to stay updated on each other’s schedules and plans led to a lot of miscommunication. Establishing a routine check-in, whether nightly or weekly, ensures that both partners are aligned and reduces unnecessary friction. One great tool we've found helpful is the Skylight calendar, which integrates with Google Calendar and keeps us organized and on the same page.

2. Discuss Your Goals

Aligning on goals helps you work together rather than at cross-purposes. Take the time to discuss...

It's common to experience burnout and snap at your family, but if you're doing it more often than not, then it's time to consider how to take better care of yourself.

Moms often dismiss the idea of self care because they don't have the time or the energy (or so they think), if this is you... This is a must listen.

In this week's episode of The Marriage & Motherhood Podcast, I interviewed Meghan O'Brien of The Reconnected Momma

Meghan O'Brien is a mom of three, podcast host, motivational speaker, mindset coach and founder of The Reconnected Momma. She is passionate about helping moms reconnect to their identity outside of motherhood and live an intentional life by stepping fully into who they were meant to be without sacrificing their family or their dreams. Meghan helps moms learn to put themselves first without guilt, develop a mindset that focuses on being confident in who they are and what they want, and create the life of their dreams in both motherhood and...

Boundaries - you know you need them, but what exactly are they and how do you set them?

Having healthy boundaries in place is necessary in every type of relationship, especially in your romantic one since it has the biggest impact on your satisfaction with life.

In this week's episode of The Marriage & Motherhood Podcast, I shared:

• What boundaries are
• How boundaries have been misused
• 3 types of boundaries every marriage needs

Listen here and remember to subscribe, leave a review, and share it if you loved this episode! 

For more resources on how to have a happy and successful marriage, head on over to www.michellepurta.com and subscribe!