Advertise on podcast: Council of Moms

How do you leave the house with little kids without completely losing your mind? Lisa is joined by Ruth Aguirre, Whitney Call, and Emilie Campbell to talk about the chaos of getting everyone ready, from finding shoes and buckling car seats to dealing with accidents and public meltdowns. They discuss how to manage the anxiety that can come with leaving the house, what to do when kids act out in public, and how parents can make everyday errands feel a little less overwhelming. No one gave us a manual to raise our kids. Luckily, moms, we’re all in this together. Join the Council of Moms as we tackle the issues we all face as parents–everything from picky eating to anxiety to teaching our kids adulting skills. The Council of Moms covers it all with humor, honesty, compassion, and in-the-trenches experience because we know that the only perfect parent is the one that keeps trying. So come be a part of our council and know that you’re not alone in this. Besides, it’s cheaper than therapy.

What do you do when your child seems to act first and think later? Lisa is joined by Amy Hackworth, Erika Price, and Michelle Love-Day to talk about kids who struggle with forethought and seem genuinely surprised when their choices lead to consequences. They discuss ways parents can help children slow down, think ahead, and understand the connection between their actions and what happens next.

What are the conversations with our kids that we wish we could go back and have sooner? Lisa is joined by Julie Taylor, Tammy Hall, and Geraldine “G” Fitisemanu to talk about the heart-to-hearts, unexpected questions, and moments they didn’t realize were about something deeper until later. They share the conversations they wish they had approached differently, what they learned from those moments, and how listening a little closer can help us understand what our kids are really trying to tell us.

Mornings can feel like a battle before the day has even started. When kids ignore their alarms, resist routines, and need constant reminders to get out the door, how can parents create a morning routine that actually sticks? Lisa is joined by Lindsay Clark, Cree Taylor, and Juhi Raizada to talk about making mornings less stressful, letting go of expectations just a little, and finding a routine that works even when you’re not a morning person yourself.

Kids love a good story, but sometimes their version of a family event gets a little more dramatic, exaggerated, or embarrassing than the original. When an 8-year-old tells a funny family story in public and unintentionally mischaracterizes a parent or the family, how should you respond? Lisa is joined by Amy Hackworth, Erika Price, and Michelle Love-Day to talk about when to let a child’s storytelling run its course, when to step in, and how to teach kids the difference between a great story and a story that crosses a line.

One day they’re your biggest fan, and the next they can barely stand to be in the same room as you. This week, the Council of Moms tackles the emotional transition from raising a cuddly kid to parenting an independent teenager. Lisa Valentine Clark is joined by Tammy Hall, Geraldine “G” Fitisemanu, and Julie Suazo to talk about hurt feelings, backtalk, and shifting relationships.

Keeping kids safe is every parent’s priority but how do you prepare them for real dangers without making the world feel scary? This week, the Council of Moms explores how to have age-appropriate conversations about personal safety, emergencies, and trusting their instincts. Lisa Valentine Clark is joined by Ruth Aguirre, Whitney Call, and Emilie Campbell to share the lessons they’ve taught their own children.

Family dinner is supposed to be the highlight of the day but what if it just feels like another exhausting task? This week, the Council of Moms tackles the pressure to make mealtimes meaningful when schedules are busy, kids are eager to leave the table, and everyone’s running on empty. Stacey Morse, Milli Dadson, and Katie Craig join Lisa Valentine Clark to share practical ideas for creating moments of connection.

What do you do when your child always seems to be sick… until something fun comes along? This week, the Council of Moms dives into the tricky balance of validating your child’s feelings without reinforcing attention-seeking behavior. Lisa Valentine Clark is joined by Lindsay Clark, Cree Taylor, and Dr. Juhi Raizada for an honest conversation about mystery tummy aches and how to respond with empathy while still setting healthy boundaries.

Lisa Valentine Clark, Geraldine “G” Fitisemanu, Tammy Hall, and Julie Suazo tackle one of motherhood’s most endless realities: laundry. From Tide pods in glass jars and tiny laundry rooms to letting go of clothes your kids will never wear again, the Council of Moms share the systems, frustrations, and little victories that come with keeping up on the never-ending piles.

Teaching kids responsibility sounds good in theory until every chore turns into twenty follow-up questions. Lisa Valentine Clark, Ruth Aguirre, Whitney Call, and Emilie Campbell respond to a relatable parenting frustration: what do you do when your kids seem completely unable to problem solve on their own? From half-finished chores and ignored instructions to constantly answering questions kids could probably figure out themselves, the Council of Moms talk honestly about the exhausting balance between teaching responsibility and just doing it yourself.

Feeling distant from your spouse doesn’t mean something is broken, it often means you’re both exhausted. Lisa Valentine Clark, Ruth Aguirre, Amy Hackworth, and Erika Price respond to a tender question about marriage feeling more like a partnership than a relationship after the demands of parenting take over. They share honest insights on why disconnection happens, why scrolling alone won’t truly restore you, and how small, intentional moments of reconnection can slowly bring intimacy back even when you feel like you have nothing left to give.

Wanting to raise kind kids sounds simple until you’re in the middle of sibling fights, eye rolls, and moments that don’t exactly scream “kindness.” Lisa, Emilie Campbell, Julie Suazo, and Michelle Love-Day share what it actually looks like to teach kindness in real, everyday life—from modeling it in your own reactions to helping kids practice empathy, even when it’s inconvenient.

Trying to give your kids every opportunity can start to feel like a full-time job, and an expensive one at that. Lisa, Whitney Call, Tammy Hall, and G Fitisemanu talk through the pressure to keep up with packed schedules, how to tell the difference between what’s actually beneficial and what’s just “what everyone else is doing,” and how they decide what’s worth the time (and money).

It’s an awkward moment when you realize your kids might be well-meaning but still missing some of the “unspoken” rules everyone else expects them to know. When those expectations start coming from extended family, it can feel equal parts frustrating and overwhelming. Lisa, Ruth Aguirre, Amy Hackworth, and Erika Price talk through the etiquette really matters and how to guide kids without making them feel ashamed.