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No pressure, Torn Tribe—this isn’t the kind of book club where you pretend you read the book. 😅 In this episode, Mimi and Athena share how a family “book club” can be a simple, organic way to build curiosity, connection, and conversation—without adding another assignment to your plate. Torn Thought: What’s something your family is curious about right now—and how can you make space for it during your week? What we cover: Reading without the guilt: Audiobooks, Kindle, graphic novels, newspapers… it all counts. Make it a ritual, not a chore: carving out a calm, screen-free “reading corner” moment (even if it’s just 10 minutes). Use what you already have: lean into school reading lists and curriculum so you’re not adding extra work. Let interests lead the way: sports stats, history, music, biographies, and “why did they say that?” pop-culture references become the doorway to learning. Graphic novels = real literacy: visual storytelling builds detail, inference, and stronger comprehension. Books as a parenting shortcut: use stories to open hard conversations (without the awkward lecture). Family sharing styles: some read together, some read separately, and some read different things—then come together to talk. Torn Takeaway:A Family Book Club doesn’t have to be formal. It’s simply creating shared space for stories—and letting those stories spark questions, values, and connection. 💌 Share your family's latest curiosity or make recommendations at [email protected]📲 Follow @TornMLB on Instagram, Facebook, and X💜 Choose Grace, Torn Tribe 💜

Happy New Year, Torn Tribe—and welcome to 2026 🎉 In this episode, Athena and Mims slow things down to do what we rarely make time for: reflect. Torn Thought: Take stock in the year that ended; do not leave it all behind Together, they walk through a family-friendly “taking stock” conversation—looking back on the year that ended so we don’t rush into the new one on autopilot. From traditions that filled their cups to moments that drained their energy, they model how reflection can bring clarity, connection, and alignment for the whole family. HEART Check What filled us up? What drained us? What do we want more of? What gets in the way? You’ll hear: What truly filled their cups in 2025 (growth, rest, routines, and deeper conversations) What drained their energy—and how grief, overcommitment, and blurred boundaries show up at home How to ask kid-friendly reflection questions that invite honesty without blame What they want more of in the year ahead (joy, fun reading, intentional words, and rest) What tends to get in the way—and how to name it without guilt A simple reminder: we don’t reflect to fix everything, we reflect to grow together This episode is an invitation to pause, take stock, and step into the new year with intention—not pressure. ✨ Reflection prompts and family-friendly questions linked HERE to help you continue the conversation at home. As always, send us your Torn Thoughts or reflections—we’d love to hear how you’re starting the year. Here’s to a grounded, joyful, aligned 2026. 💌 Share your family mantra or what you’re speaking into 2026 at [email protected]📲 Follow @TornMLB on Instagram, Facebook, and X💜 Choose Grace, Torn Tribe 💜

As the year comes to a close, Athena and Mims reflect on the words we speak—intentionally and unintentionally—over our homes. In this episode, they explore how family mantras, morning routines, shared symbols, and spoken affirmations shape the tone, culture, and identity of a family. They discuss: How words set the emotional climate of your home Morning and evening practices that speak life (even for non-morning people 😅) Creating visual reminders of values through your space Using faith, gratitude, and intentional language to build resilience Crafting a family mantra that carries you into the next season This conversation invites families to pause, reflect, and choose words that anchor, encourage, and unify—especially as we look ahead to a new year. 💌 Share your family mantra or what you’re speaking into 2026 at [email protected]📲 Follow @TornMLB on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠X.⁠⁠💜 Choose Grace, Torn Tribe 💜

In the final episode of The Feedback Mirror series, Athena and Mims reflect on what happens after feedback becomes a healthy, two-way practice in your home. From open communication to safer emotional spaces, they unpack the real results parents should expect when feedback is rooted in connection—not criticism. In This Episode, You’ll Hear About: 🚪 Open doors for communication How healthy feedback keeps conversations flowing instead of shutting kids down—and why asking “What did you hear?” matters. 🛟 Creating a safe place for challenges Why frequent, low-stakes feedback builds emotional safety and prevents blow-ups during high-stress moments (hello, sock meltdowns). 🔁 Positive vs. negative feedback loops Using the “open door” gut check to know if your approach is working—or needs recalibration. 🤝 Welcoming feedback in return How receiving your child’s perspective deepens trust and helps you course-correct as a parent. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Feedback as a family practice Inviting siblings and trusted adults into the loop to give a fuller picture and prepare kids for real-world relationships. 🌱 Growth over perfection Shifting from “fixing mistakes” to cultivating lifelong learners—parents included. The Big Takeaway:Feedback isn’t about failure. It’s about growth, connection, and helping our kids feel seen, heard, and supported as they become who they’re meant to be. 💌 Share your feedback wins, challenges, or Torn Thoughts with us at [email protected] or DM @TornMLB on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠X⁠⁠. 💜 Choose Grace, Torn Tribe. 💜

Before we sit our kids down for a “we need to talk” moment, there’s a lot to sort through in our own heads and hearts. In this episode, Athena and Mims get real about why timing, tone, and intent matter just as much as the actual words we say. Drawing from work performance cycles, adoption and bonus-parenting journeys, and sideline moments as sports moms, they unpack how to plan feedback that builds your child up instead of breaking them down. In This Episode, We Talk About: 🕰️ Picking the right time and place Why “in the heat of the moment” is usually the worst time to give feedback at home. 🎯 Being specific, not vague or harsh Naming the what and why (“what happened” + “why it matters”) so kids understand, not just feel attacked. 💪 Focusing on effort, not perfection Balancing praise and growth areas so kids don’t walk away thinking they are always wrong or “never enough.” ❓ Inviting reflection instead of lecturing Asking questions like, “What do you think went well?” and “What would you change next time?” instead of running a one-way critique. 🎚️ Checking your tone and triggers Noticing when your own fears, history, or pet peeves are driving the conversation—and how to neutralize your tone. 🧠 Considering age and emotional development Why feedback for an eight-year-old, a teen, and a bonus child in a blended family cannot look the same. 🌱 Ending with encouragement Making sure your child leaves feeling seen, loved, and capable of growth—not defined by their mistakes. DM @TornMLB on IG/FB/X or email [email protected] 💜 Choose Grace, Torn Tribe! 💜

This week, Athena & Mims kick off a new mini-series, The Feedback Mirror—how to give, receive, and use feedback at home without turning it into criticism or performance reviews. They unpack why feedback matters (growth over perfection), share real-life wins and flops from rushed mornings, and offer simple ways to invite your kids’ voices—think quick car-ride reflections and the “paper-plate quadrant” activity. You’ll hear how to anchor feedback to family values, ask better questions, and model grace when you miss the mark. Takeaways Feedback ≠ criticism: tie it to values, not comparison. Keep it frequent, light, and two-way—kids’ reactions are feedback, too. Try fast tools: “glows & grows,” daily debriefs, paper-plate check-ins. Tell us your strategy or snag the plate prompt:  DM @TornMLB on IG/FB/X or email [email protected] 💜 Choose Grace, Torn Tribe! 💜

“I’m boooored!” Sound familiar? Athena and Mims unpack why boredom isn’t a problem to solve—it’s a skill to practice. From resisting the quick-fix screen handoff to nudging kids toward self-directed play, they dive into how unfilled moments spark creativity, problem-solving, time management, and real conversation (yes, even about why they’re “bored”). Expect candid mom-moments, basement-play nostalgia, and practical ways to leave white space in family life—without turning you into the cruise director of your house. What you’ll hear: Why “I’m bored” doesn’t have to become your emergency 🚨The difference between boredom, low motivation, and “I want attention”Simple structures that invite imagination (forts, mash-up play, make-your-own rules 🎲)How boredom builds time-management and reflection musclesQuick checks to avoid turning reading/learning into “punishment” Try it this week: Ask: “What would you like to do with this time—something quick or a longer project?”Offer ingredients, not instructions: a bin of “maker” supplies, an open playlist, a backyard ball.Protect a daily 10–15 minute “nothing window” for everyone—no scroll, just still. Join the conversation: Got a boredom win (or flop)? Share it with us: 📧 [email protected] or DM @TornMLB on IG/FB/X. Let’s learn, laugh, and leave a little room for nothing—on purpose. 💜 Choose Grace, Torn Tribe! 💜 Articles referenced: Child Mind Institute. “Why Boredom Is Good for Kids.” Child Mind Institute. https://childmind.org/article/why-boredom-is-good-for-kids/. University of Virginia School of Education and Human Development. “Boredom Can Be Great for Kids.” UVA Education. https://education.virginia.edu/news/boredom-can-be-great-kids. Cleveland Clinic. “Why It’s OK for Kids to Be Bored.” Health Essentials. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-its-okay-for-kids-to-be-bored/.

In this episode, Athena and Mims dig into what screen time really does to kids’ language, learning, and emotional health—and how content + context matter as much as minutes. From co-viewing and pausing for real interaction to tone-checks, time-outs, and faith-framed routines, they share what’s worked, what flopped, and how they’re setting guardrails for digital natives (while checking their own habits, too). Yes, we talk Blue’s Clues pauses, background TV, fast-paced gaming, and why “watching people play” isn’t the same as doing. Plus: how to turn “meltdowns” into mindful check-ins and reflection. In this episode: Why today’s kids are true digital natives (and why that changes our job)Language & connection: co-viewing, background TV, and the power of pausing to respondMotivation & mood: fast-cut videos, gaming loops, and “analysis paralysis” vs. practiceFamily values in practice: boundaries, calendars, consequences that connect, and modeling our own screen use Try this week: Pick one show or game your child loves. Sit together, pause twice to ask: “What just happened?” and “What would you do next?” Then end with 10 minutes of doing (draw a scene, act it out, practice a move, build something inspired by it). Sources:Muppalla, Sudheer Kumar, Sravya Vuppalapati, Apeksha Reddy Pulliahgaru, and Himabindu Sreenivasulu. 2023. “Effects of Excessive Screen Time on Child Development: An Updated Review and Strategies for Management.” Cureus 15 (6): e40608. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.40608 Join the convo: Got a screen-time dilemma, a co-viewing win, or a tip that helped? Connect with us: 📧 ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ 📱 Instagram / Facebook / X: @tornmlb 💜 Choose Grace, Torn Tribe! 💜

In this kickoff to our “Behind the Screens” series, Athena and Mims unpack the messy middle of modern screen life—starting with the why. Do families need time limits, or is the bigger issue content and context? From Athena’s humbling phone-use self-audit to Mims’ reflections on social media’s psychological pull, they begin to explore boredom as a brain booster, the dopamine loop of games, and how inconsistent rules turn into constant negotiations at home. They also ask what habits we’re actually teaching when we outsource self-control to timers and pop-ups. In this episode: Screen time vs. content: what matters mostFinding your why before making rulesModeling healthy habits (even when it’s hard) Join the convo: What’s your why for screen time? How do you set limits (for you or your kids), and how do your kids participate in that plan? Connect with us: 📧 ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ 📱 Instagram / Facebook / X: @tornmlb 💜 Choose Grace, Torn Tribe! 💜

Theme: Navigating the balance between structure and empathy. Positive Discipline That Works: Creative consequences that teach, not punish From Meltdowns to Mindfulness: Helping kids regulate emotions during tantrums or defiance Back-to-school season is here and the routines are rolling in. This week, Athena and Mims get real about the difference between discipline (habits we build) and boundaries (the yeses and nos that protect our peace)—and how to teach both without constant power struggles. From tone checks and time-outs to family calendars, faith-framed routines, and consequences that actually connect, they share what’s worked, what’s flopped, and how they course-correct after tough moments (hello, “mom, are you okay?” tears). You’ll hear candid stories about missed deadlines, picture-day chaos, and raising kids who can reflect, self-regulate, and apologize—just like we do. Got a discipline dilemma or a boundary win, Torn Tribe? Send your Torn Thoughts to 📧 [email protected] or DM @TornMLB. Let’s learn, laugh, and reset together. Connect with us: 📱 Instagram / Facebook / X: @tornmlb 💜 Choose Grace, Torn Tribe! 💜

Athena and Mims dive into sibling dynamics: rivalry vs. healthy competition, birth-order tendencies (oldest/middle/youngest/only), and practical ways to nurture lasting sibling bonds. With candid stories (board-game meltdowns, back-to-school budgeting, “alpha dog” energy in all-boy homes, and mixed-age families), they show how our own sibling roles follow us into adulthood—and into how we parent. Highlights & Key Ideas Rivalry → Connection: Reframe “winning” as skill-building, teamwork, and celebrating each other’s milestones. Birth Order Matters (…and so does spacing & gender): Oldest often “paves the way,” middles crave visibility/uniqueness, youngest leans on charm & access; big age gaps and mixed genders change the script. Model the Cheer Squad: Teach kids to root for one another (not just race one another). Different doesn’t mean behind: Younger sibs often appear faster simply because of exposure—don’t compare, stay curious. Know your lane as a parent: Your own sibling role shows up in your default parenting settings (planner, peacemaker, driver, free-spirit). Use it—don’t be limited by it. Segments:1) Sibling Rivalry Survival Guide: Turning Competition into ConnectionPractical swaps: cooperative board games sometimes; rotate “wins;” name strengths out loud; normalize losing without shaming. 2) Birth Order Blues & BonusesHow “oldest energy,” “middle flair,” “youngest sparkle,” and “only-child depth” show up—plus how spacing and gender stacks amplify or soften those traits. 3) Raising Team PlayersRituals that bond: shared chores with joint goals, sibling shout-outs at dinner, “coach for a day,” and quarterly check-ins where kids set family goals for each other. 🎯 Torn Tribe: Sibling Superpower Quiz: Ask yourself (and your kids!): Which are you—Peacemaker ☮️, Leader 👑, Wild Card 🃏, Rock 🪨, or Caretaker 🫶? Share your results with us and tell us how it shows up at home. Listener Shout-Outs: 💌 Stephanie — for calling our convo candid and relatable. 💌 Whitney — for naming the honesty & vulnerability that moved you.  Keep ’em coming, TornTribe!Connect with us: 📧 ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ 📱 Instagram / Facebook / X: @tornmlb 💜 Choose Grace, Torn Tribe! 💜

Episode 163: Growth in the Chaos — How Our Parenting Has Inspired Our Personal Evolution 🎙 Torn Thought: “Parenting stretches us in ways we didn’t expect—growth isn’t optional, but what we do with it is.” 🌱 Theme Parenting may feel chaotic, lonely, and overwhelming, but it’s also a catalyst for profound personal growth. In this episode, Athena and Mims explore how the chaos of raising kids has shaped their own identities, talents, and resilience. ✨ Episode Highlights 📊 Research Spotlight: 66% of parents surveyed said parenting left them feeling lonely and isolated—yet it became an unexpected path to personal growth. 🎭 Unlikely Passions: From teaching Shakespeare in homeschool co-ops to rediscovering theater, writing, and coaching sports, parenting opened surprising doors. 🏀 Modeling Growth: Showing kids how to try new things (and sometimes fail) sparked hidden strengths in both parents and children. 🕊 Faith & Reflection: How asking hard questions and digging deeper together can create stronger spiritual and emotional roots. 💡 Growth in Weakness: Parenting reveals blind spots—like patience, anger, or guilt—and gives us opportunities to heal and evolve. 🔑 Takeaway Parenting isn’t just raising children—it’s raising ourselves. Chaos can be the classroom for our greatest growth, if we’re willing to lean in. 🫶 Stay Connected We want to hear from YOU, Torn Tribe: What has parenting taught you about yourself? How has the chaos shaped your growth? 📚 Resources Mentioned Creative Coaching: A Beginner’s Guide to Coaching Youth Basketball - Learn more about how parenting inspired Athena to write and coach—this guide is a perfect resource for any aspiring youth coach. Why Parents Are Lonely and How They Can Connect Read the insightful article from the Greater Good Science Center that inspired this episode. 📧 ⁠[email protected]⁠ 📱 Follow @tornMLB on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠X⁠⁠.

🎙️ Episode 162: Back to Our Roots – Parenting Without the Mask After a long summer pause, Athena and Mims return to the mic to revisit why they started Torn in the first place—creating a safe, judgment-free space to talk about the messy, beautiful truth of parenting. From unfiltered confessions to the surprising loneliness that can come with motherhood, they explore: Unfiltered Motherhood — Why your honest feelings about parenting might make people uncomfortable (and why that’s okay). The Pendulum Swing — From euphoric highs to deep lows, and how those shifts impact relationships, routines, and self-image. The Loneliness Factor — How parenting can feel isolating, even when you’re never “alone.” Judgment in Disguise — Why criticism often comes dressed as “advice” and how to protect your peace. Reflections & Resets — Building regular check-in rhythms (quarterly, seasonally, or around life milestones) to measure growth and stay intentional. 💡 Torn Thought: Parenting is a journey—your kids aren’t the only ones growing. 📣 Call to Action: Send us your real parenting confessions via email or DM. We want to hear the unfiltered moments no one talks about, so we can laugh, reflect, and extend grace together. Connect with us: 📧 ⁠[email protected]⁠ 📱 Instagram / Facebook / X: @tornmlb 💜 Choose Grace, Torn Tribe! 💜

Summer Pause Update 🌞 Hey Torn Tribe! We wanted to share a quick note:We experienced some unexpected illness and complications that kept us from recording and releasing our planned June 18th episode. Thanks for your patience and understanding! We will be taking a summer pause as we have made tradition over the last two years for the month of July 2025 to rest, recharge, and soak in all the summer moments with our families. We’ll be back with fresh episodes just in time for Back-to-School season, starting August 14th! In the meantime, we’d love to hear from you:✨ Send us your Torn Thoughts, Mends, or topic ideas for upcoming episodes to 📧 [email protected] Enjoy the summer vibes, Torn Tribe!With love and gratitude,Athena & Mims 💜 Choose Grace, Torn Tribe 💜

🎧 Episode 161: Halfway There: Parenting Resets for the Rest of the Year 🎙️This episode is your mid-year check-in with Athena and Mims as they reflect on wins, changes, and challenges from January through June. From recital nerves to lunch menu debates, to supporting adult children and navigating career milestones, they ask: What’s working? What needs recalibrating? 🌀 Torn Thought: “Am I missing something?” ✨ Main Themes: Parenting Reset: How small shifts—like lunch planning or more communication—make a big difference. Seasonal Wins: From job changes and recital triumphs to high school graduations and adult children stepping into careers. Letting Go of Control: Navigating unexpected transitions with resilience and grace. Mid-Year Reflection: Choosing grace over guilt and celebrating family rhythms. 💜 Choose Grace, Torn Tribe 💜 💌 Connect with us: 📧 [email protected] 📱 Follow @tornMLB on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠X⁠. ⭐ Rate & review to help others find the show! #TornTribe #MomLifeBalance #AmIMissingSomething #MidYearCheckIn #MendingMoments #ChooseGrace