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Alyssa Campbell joins More than Milestones to dive into one of the most overlooked yet critical stages of child development: ages 5 to 12. With a master’s degree in early childhood education, research experience in emotional development, and as the founder of Seed and Sew and a two-time bestselling author, Alyssa helps parents understand why big emotions in big kids are not something to fix, but information to listen to. We explore how emotional and social development shows up differently in school-aged kids compared to toddlers, why connection is the foundation for everything, and how parents can stay close even as peer influence grows. This conversation offers practical insight for navigating big feelings, conflict, honesty, and tough topics with confidence and compassion. Key Topics Covered Why ages 5 to 12 are a critical and often overlooked stage of emotional developmentHow big emotions show up differently in school-aged kids versus toddlersWhy big emotions are not a phase, but important informationThe nine senses and how they influence emotional regulation in kidsHow to identify what triggers your individual child and what they truly needStaying connected as kids start prioritizing peer relationshipsHow to repair after missteps in connection with your childTalking to kids about puberty, sex, drugs, and peer pressure earlier than expectedWhy lying can be developmentally appropriate at this age and how to respondNavigating conflict between kids and knowing when to step in versus step back Follow Alyssa on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/seed.and.sew/ Alyssa’s Website: https://www.seedandsew.org/about Free Questionnaire: https://regulationroadmap.softr.app/ Get Your Copy of Alyssa’s Book Tiny Humans, Big Emotions: https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amzn/Tiny-Humans-Big-Emotions-book Get Your Copy of Alyssa’s Book Big Kids, Bigger Feelings: https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amzn/big-kids-bigger-feelings-book Links & Resources 💻 Website & Blog:  https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/ 🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:  https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/ 📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097  Go deeper with KC on Substack More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else. https://substack.com/@morethanmilestones

If you’ve ever felt like your partner turned into a roommate after kids, this conversation is for you. I'm joined by the one and only Vanessa and Xander Marin. Vanessa is a licensed psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience in sex therapy, and Xander left his career at Google to focus on helping couples talk openly about sex. In this episode, we dive into the “roommate phase,” the bristle reaction, and what it really looks like to reconnect sexually after kids. Vanessa and Xander normalize the fact that every couple struggles with intimacy, from mismatched sex drives to communication breakdowns and share practical, realistic tools to help partners feel less alone and more connected.  Key Topics Covered Why intimacy shifts for every couple The “roommate phase” and how couples drift Preparing for how parenthood impacts your sex life Mom mode → me mode → we mode, and why transition time matters after birth Mental desire vs. physical arousal, including responsive desire How to communicate needs and invite reconnection without rejection Why sex shouldn’t feel like a chore—and how to rebuild real connection Follow Vanessa + Xander on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanessaandxander/ Visit Vanessa + Xander’s Website: vmtherapy.com Their Book; Sex Talks: https://sextalksbook.com/ Links & Resources 💻 Website & Blog:  https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/ 📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:  https://www.instagram.com/milesto nes.and.motherhood/ 🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:  https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/ 🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining 📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097 🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:  https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm 🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries? Contact us at [email protected]  Go deeper with KC on Substack More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else. https://substack.com/@morethanmilestones Love what you’re hearing? Follow, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow mom or caregiver who needs a little less pressure and a little more support. 🤍

Ruth Whippman, author and journalist,  joins us today to unpack America’s obsession with happiness, the loneliness baked into modern motherhood, and what it looks like to raise boys in today’s complicated cultural landscape. Drawing from her books BOY MOM and America the Anxious, Ruth shares why the way we pursue happiness often backfires, how isolation impacts parents, and the contradictory messages boys receive about masculinity, emotion, and identity. This conversation is honest, nuanced, and deeply relevant for anyone raising sons or simply trying to parent with more clarity and compassion. Topics we cover: America’s happiness obsession and why it often leads to more anxiety.Loneliness in motherhood and why we were never meant to parent alone.Contemporary boyhood and the conflicting messages boys receive about masculinity.Anxiety, gender roles, and the psychological impact of labeling boys as “toxic”.How early messaging shapes boys’ emotional development.Roughhousing, nurturing, and the unique role of fathers.Nature vs. nurture when raising emotionally intelligent boys.Screen time, sports overload, and the importance of unstructured play. Follow Ruth on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruthwhippman/ Subscribe to Ruth’s Substack: https://substack.com/@ruthwhippman Visit Ruth’s Website: https://www.ruthwhippman.com/ Get Your Copy of BOY MOM: Reimagining Boyhood in the Age of Impossible Masculinity: https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amzn/boy-mom-reimagining-boyhood Get Your Copy of America the Anxious - Why Our Search for Happiness Is Driving Us Crazy and How to Find It for Real: https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amzn/america-the-anxious-book Links & Resources 💻 Website & Blog:  https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/ 📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:  https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/ 🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:  https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/ 🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining 📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097 🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:  https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm 🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries? Contact us at [email protected]

Motherhood doesn’t usually need another to-do list, it needs support that actually shows up in real life. Today I’m joined by Sharon Pope, founder of Shelpful, an AI-powered task manager created to help moms reduce mental load and make everyday life feel more manageable. Sharon, a mom of two, built Shelpful out of her own experience returning to work after maternity leave and realizing she was excelling everywhere except in caring for herself. What she wanted was simple reminders for the small things like drinking water or taking a pause so she created the tool she wished she’d had. We talk about why overwhelm is so common in motherhood and how tiny habits can create momentum, reduce decision fatigue, and make follow-through feel easier. Sharon also shares why celebrating small wins matters and how involving your kids in your routines can help model healthy habits while making them part of the process. You’ll hear real-life examples of how automation has simplified Sharon’s life, from never missing important emails to remembering preschool sign-ins. She also shares an underutilized app that’s already on your phone and surprisingly powerful, even if you don’t consider yourself tech-savvy. Plus, hear her hot take on “eat the frog” and the habit approach her ADHD brain actually prefers. Sharon’s Workshop: https://stan.store/shelpful/p/replay-automate-your-life Follow Shelpful on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shelpful/ Find Shelpful in the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/shelpful-ai-for-adhd-tasks/id6741499362 Links & Resources 💻 Website & Blog:  https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/ 📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:  https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/ 🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:  https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/ 🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining 📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097 🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:  https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm 🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries? Contact us at [email protected]  Go deeper with KC on Substack More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else. https://substack.com/@morethanmilestones Love what you’re hearing? Follow, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow mom or caregiver who needs a little less pressure and a little more support. 🤍

Winter sniffles don’t have to send you spiraling especially when you know what’s normal, what’s not, and when to call for help. In this episode, I’m joined by my dear friend Dr. Anjuli Gans, board-certified pediatrician at CHOP and the voice behind @resilientrascals, to walk us through navigating winter illnesses with newborns and young kids with more confidence and less fear. We cover how to prepare if you’re expecting a winter baby, RSV protection, the best way to take your child’s temperature, and clear signs it’s time to loop in your pediatrician. Dr. Anjuli breaks down common illnesses like stomach bugs, RSV, and croup, including what to have on hand at home, how and when to rehydrate, and which symptoms actually matter most. She also debunks common croup myths and explains the difference between typical, recurrent, and atypical croup. This conversation is packed with practical reassurance you’ll want to bookmark for sick season. Follow Dr. Anjuli on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resilientrascals/ Visit Dr. Anjuli’s Website: https://www.resilientrascals.com/ Dr. Anjuli’s Guides: https://www.resilientrascals.com/guides Links & Resources 💻 Website & Blog:  https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/ 📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:  https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/ 🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:  https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/ 🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining 📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097 🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:  https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm 🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries? Contact us at [email protected]  Go deeper with KC on Substack More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else. https://substack.com/@morethanmilestones Love what you’re hearing? Follow, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow mom or caregiver who needs a little less pressure and a little more support. 🤍 This episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change Network.

This episode is a little different. After sharing my 2025 reflections on Substack and intentionally celebrating the small wins I usually overlook, I felt a shift in how I wanted to approach the year ahead. That reflection led me to move away from a traditional vision board and toward something that feels more grounded and sustainable: a becoming board. In this episode, I walk you through how I set my intentions for 2026 and why focusing on who I’m becoming feels more aligned than focusing on what I want to achieve. We explore the idea of honoring natural seasons instead of forcing progress on an arbitrary calendar. I even share a surprising historical lesson about when the new year used to begin and why January 1st became the default. That discovery led me to rethink how I want to use the first few months of the year, which is why I’m focusing on what I’m calling “ministones” from January through March as a way to prepare for the bigger milestones I want to reach later in 2026. In this episode, I guide you through the exact exercise I used so you can try it for yourself. I reflect on 2025, explain why I’m treating 2026 as a season rather than a checklist, and share the core intentions I’m carrying with me into this year. I also talk about the power of visual reminders, a quote that created a major mindset shift for me, and an evidence-based reel from a behavior change expert that helped everything click. I’ve never felt this energized stepping into a new year, and my hope is that this episode helps you find a more intentional way forward too. Follow Karin on Instagram: @karinnordinphd: https://www.instagram.com/karinnordinphd/ Links & Resources 💻 Website & Blog:  https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/ 📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:  https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/ 🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:  https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/ 🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining 📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097 🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:  https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm 🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries? Contact us at [email protected]  Go deeper with KC on Substack More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else. https://substack.com/@morethanmilestones Love what you’re hearing? Follow, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow mom or caregiver who needs a little less pressure and a little more support. 🤍

Brittany Brady is a school social worker with over a decade of experience and the founder of Bright Starts Co. Through her work in schools, Brittany noticed that many children were entering classrooms academically ready, but struggling emotionally, socially, and behaviorally. That insight led her to focus on what truly supports school readiness: strong routines, emotional regulation, independence, and confidence built at home. In this episode, Brittany helps us understand why kids experience frequent meltdowns and what’s really happening beneath the surface. She explains the power of pausing as a parent instead of reacting, how parenting scripts can support regulation, and what restraint collapse is, including what it looks like after a long school day. Brittany also shares simple, low-effort strategies families can use to minimize restraint collapse and help children feel safer and more secure through consistent routines. We wrap up the conversation by exploring how to help children feel seen and heard, along with practical questions parents can ask after school that go beyond the usual one-word responses. This episode is full of realistic, high-impact ideas you can implement without adding more to your already full plate. Follow Brittany on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brightstartsco?igsh=eDF0dWR3ZnFzaHd1 Visit Brittany’s Website: https://www.brightstartsco.com/store Links & Resources 💻 Website & Blog:  https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/ 📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:  https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/ 🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:  https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/ 🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining 📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097 🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:  https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm 🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries? Contact us at [email protected]  Go deeper with KC on Substack More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else. https://substack.com/@morethanmilestones Love what you’re hearing? Follow, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow mom or caregiver who needs a little less pressure and a little more support. 🤍 This episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change Network.

In this episode of More than Milestones, I sit down with Becki Westover, a certified orthotist with Bloom Kids who has over 20 years of experience working with infants and families. Becki explains what a certified orthotist does and why helmet therapy can feel confusing or controversial for parents. We talk through common concerns about infant helmets, including weight, size, comfort, and whether helmets interfere with development. Becki clears up misconceptions by explaining how helmets are designed, what they’re made of, and how they support natural head growth rather than forcing change. The conversation also covers the most common types of head flattening, why cases seem to be on the rise, the impact of the Back to Sleep campaign on tummy time, and the connection between torticollis, IVF pregnancies, and head shape differences. Becki shares when helmet therapy is most effective, why some families are referred to neurosurgery first, and how parents can approach these referrals with more confidence and less fear. Follow Becki on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beckiatbloom/ Visit Becki’s Website: www.bloomkidsorthotics.com Links & Resources 💻 Website & Blog:  https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/ 📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:  https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/ 🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:  https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/ 🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining 📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097 🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:  https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm 🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries? Contact us at [email protected] Go deeper with KC on Substack More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else. https://substack.com/@morethanmilestones Love what you’re hearing? Follow, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow mom or caregiver who needs a little less pressure and a little more support. 🤍 This episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change Network.

Today I’m joined by Rachael Shepard-Ohta, founder of Hey Sleepy Baby, for an honest look at what’s normal when it comes to baby sleep. Rachael started Hey Sleepy Baby in 2020 when she was newly postpartum with her second baby, and now as a mom of three, she has become a trusted voice for parents who want an alternative to sleep training. We talk about why sleep training doesn’t need to be an all-or-nothing decision. After several personal failed sleep training attempts at four months old with her own child, she  accepted that she’d just respond to him when he needed her. A few months later, he slept through the night on his own. No program, no pressure—just development and biology doing what they’re supposed to do. Rachael explains why babies are meant to wake throughout the night and how none of us truly sleep in uninterrupted stretches. She also shares how the lack of maternity leave in the U.S. pushes so many parents toward sleep training sooner than they might naturally choose.  We dig into the myth of self-soothing and how temperament plays a  role in whether a baby can fall back asleep independently. We also get into the fears around attachment and why the more important question is how different approaches impact a child’s stress response rather than whether sleep training is inherently right or wrong. Rachael’s Podcast Episode with Tracy Cassels on Sleep Training: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-83-what-does-research-say-about-sleep-training/id1704569686?i=1000702040625 Rachael’s Free Guide on Better Sleep without Sleep Training: https://heysleepybaby.com/freebie-no-sleep-training Follow Rachael on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heysleepybaby/ Rachael’s Website: https://heysleepybaby.com/ Links & Resources 💻 Website & Blog:  https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/ 📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:  https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/ 🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:  https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/ 🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining 📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097 🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:  https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm 🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries? Contact us at [email protected]  Go deeper with KC on Substack More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else.

Trigger warning: I share traumatic details of my birth story. If you’re heading into your own birth, you may want to skip parts of this episode. I’ve been nervous to record this because these stories still feel so close. After my conversation with Illiyin Morrison in Episode 15, I finally felt permission to stop minimizing what I went through and to share the births that shaped me and my postpartum experiences. I start with Aud’s story. I had gestational hypertension with all three pregnancies, so I was induced at 37 weeks. Labor was long and slow, and once my water broke, the Pitocin hit hard. When it came time to push, everything changed. Audrey became stuck & had shoulder dystocia. My OB hit the emergency button the moment she was born, and the room filled instantly. I then began to hemorrhage, and everything went blurry fast. I woke up hours later without my baby and with no idea where she was. The NICU was closed, so I couldn’t see her. Those hours were some of the darkest of my life, and I’m certain that moment was the beginning of my postpartum anxiety.  When Audrey turned one, we got pregnant with Liv. Because of the shoulder dystocia, a C-section was always on the table, but my OB encouraged me to try for another vaginal birth. Liv’s birth became the healing experience I desperately needed. It helped rebuild trust in my body after so much fear and trauma. Toward the end of the episode, I share a story I’ve never talked about publicly — one that brings up big emotions. Each of my births was different, challenging, and beautiful in its own way.  Links & Resources LMNT: Get a free 8-count Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavors with any purchase at http://drinklmnt.com/MILESTONE. Find your favorite LMNT flavor, or share with a friend.  💻 Website & Blog:  https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/ 📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:  https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/ 🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:  https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/ 🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining 📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097 🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:  https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm 🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries? Contact us at [email protected]  Go deeper with KC on Substack More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else. https://substack.com/@morethanmilestones Love what you’re hearing? Follow, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow mom or caregiver who needs a little less pressure and a little more support. 🤍

Perinatal trauma expert and midwife Illiyin Morrison joins me to talk about what birth trauma really is and how we can begin to make sense of our own stories. After her own difficult birth, Illiyin created a framework that helps mothers understand what happened during their birth experience, why they responded the way they did, and how to move forward with clarity and compassion. Her work now includes remote birth debriefs, her book The Birth Debrief, and a podcast by the same name. We explore how trauma is an internal response to an external moment and why so many women don’t process what happened until long after the newborn stage. Illiyin shares how informed consent, communication, and understanding your options can shift the entire birth experience. She also explains how postpartum depression and anxiety can show up not only as disconnection, but as hypervigilance. We discuss the tender decision of whether to try for another baby after a traumatic birth and the importance of giving yourself time to heal between pregnancies. And for the mothers who know something feels off but feel too overwhelmed to address it, Illiyin offers a comforting first step: simply acknowledging aloud that something is going on is meaningful. Every mother deserves support, understanding, and space to process both the hard moments and the good ones too. Links & Resources Follow Illiyin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/illiyinmorrison/ Get your copy of Illiyin’s Book; The Birth Debrief: https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amzn/the-birth-debrief Listen to The Birth Debrief Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-birth-debrief-the-podcast/id1705643396 Illiyin’s Services: https://mixingupmotherhood.com/ 💻 Website & Blog:  https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/ 📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:  https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/ 🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:  https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/ 🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining 📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097 🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:  https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm  Go deeper with KC on Substack More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else. https://substack.com/@morethanmilestones

Why do we hammer with a hammer, rake with a rake, but sweep with a broom? This viral TikTok question sparked today’s conversation—a replay of my interview on Miss Beth’s podcast, The Play on Words Podcast. If you’ve ever wondered why English feels impossible to decode, this episode will give you clarity you can use with your child right away.  Miss Beth breaks down why English spelling is so inconsistent, using her favorite example: the word “healthy.” Since the root word is “heal,” the spelling stays the same—even though the pronunciation shifts.  We explore why the word “Pacific” contains three different sounds for the letter C, whether we’ve all been mispronouncing “longevity,” and why we drink a drink but definitely don’t “food a food.” Miss Beth also confirms that struggling with reading out loud in school doesn’t mean anything about your reading ability. We’re already planning a part two, so start sending in the words that confuse you most. Whether it’s the spelling, the meaning, or the pronunciation, we’ll break it down and help make English make sense—one word at a time. Links & Resources Beth’s website: https://www.bigcityreaders.com/ Follow Beth on Instagram @bigcityreaders: https://www.instagram.com/bigcityreaders/ Beth’s FREE Workshop for Kinder - 2nd Grade Parents: https://my.demio.com/ref/NdBsEKF5wWoY4Tbs LMNT: Get a free 8-count Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavors with any purchase at http://drinklmnt.com/MILESTONE. Find your favorite LMNT flavor, or share with a friend.  💻 Website & Blog:  https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/ 📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:  https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/ 🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:  https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/ 🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining 📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097 🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:  https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm 🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries? Contact us at [email protected]  Go deeper with KC on Substack More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else. https://substack.com/@morethanmilestones Love what you’re hearing? Follow, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow mom or caregiver who needs a little less pressure and a little more support. 🤍

If the thought of “kindergarten readiness” has you spiraling, this episode is going to be a breath of fresh air. Today I’m joined by Beth Gaskill, better known as Miss Beth of @bigcityreaders, a former teacher turned literacy specialist who’s changing the way parents think about reading. Beth breaks down why we’re putting way too much pressure on ourselves when it comes to kids starting school—and what’s really going on inside kindergarten classrooms across the U.S. From the lack of regulation to teachers paying out of pocket for literacy training, she’s not afraid to call it like it is. We also get into some of the most common questions parents have about reading: whether we’re pushing kids to read too soon, if sight words are really necessary, and what the “science of reading” actually means. Beth shares what to look for in your child’s reading curriculum and why third grade is such a crucial turning point for reading development. She leaves us with one powerful piece of advice for raising readers: let your kids see you reading.  Beth’s website: https://www.bigcityreaders.com/ Follow Beth on Instagram @bigcityreaders: https://www.instagram.com/bigcityreaders/ Beth’s FREE Workshop for Kinder - 2nd Grade Parents: https://my.demio.com/ref/NdBsEKF5wWoY4Tbs Links A list of KC's favorite children's books: https://urlgeni.us/amzn/childrens-books Book that KC’s Mom wrote, Grandpa’s Garden: https://urlgeni.us/amzn/yUsgo LMNT: Get a free 8-count Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavors with any purchase at http://drinklmnt.com/MILESTONE. Find your favorite LMNT flavor, or share with a friend.  💻 Website & Blog:  https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/ 📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:  https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/ 🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:  https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/ 🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining 📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097 🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:  https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm 🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries? Contact us at [email protected]  Go deeper with KC on Substack More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere els

Today, I’m joined by my closest social media friend, Amy Kiefer. Amy is the co-founder of Expecting and Empowered, a pregnancy and postpartum workout app she runs with her sister, Krystle. She also co-hosts the HERself Podcast, and her online journey began through @ameskiefer, where our friendship started. She’s now sharing her dream home journey at @athomewithameskiefer, and we dive into all the things — motherhood, social media, and growing through every stage. This episode isn’t an interview — it’s a real chat between two friends. We share how our friendship began online and how it’s grown. Amy opens up about supporting me through my hardest postpartum chapter, and we talk about the bitter sweetness of leaving the little kid years behind while finding joy in watching our kids grow. We also get real about social media & the influencer world. Amy shares how she’s learned to handle criticism, reframe negativity, and protect her energy. Her perspective on mean comments will shift the way you think about showing up publicly. Amy shares why genuine friendships matter more than follower counts. She also shares what most people get wrong about influencers — and yes, it involves money. Whether you’re in the baby years, growing alongside your kids, or navigating friendships and social media, this one will leave you feeling seen, understood, and a little lighter. Follow Amy on her personal page: https://www.instagram.com/ameskiefer/ Expecting and Empowered: https://www.expectingandempowered.com/ Listen to the HERself Podcast: https://www.herselfpodcast.com/ Links LMNT: Get a free 8-count Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavors with any purchase at http://drinklmnt.com/MILESTONE. Find your favorite LMNT flavor, or share with a friend.  💻 Website & Blog:  https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/ 📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:  https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/ 🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:  https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/ 🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining 📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097 🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:  https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm 🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries? Contact us at [email protected] Go deeper with KC on Substack More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else. https://substack.com/@morethanmilestones

Today we’re joined by Dr. Morgan Cutlip — relationship expert, psychologist, and author of How to Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself and A Better Share. We’re talking about the invisible weight of motherhood: the mental load. Dr. Morgan breaks down what the mental load really means and why one of the hardest parts is explaining it. She shares how to get on the same page with your partner without turning it into a fight, and how to visualize the load so it’s easier to communicate. We discuss why this burden often falls on women and how to build natural check-ins with your partner as life changes — because the load shifts every day. Dr. Morgan also shares what women want most: partners who anticipate needs and show appreciation, and how to invite that change without resentment. We wrap up with a conversation about mom guilt, the slow erosion that can happen in relationships, and how to stay connected through the chaos. Dr. Morgan reminds us that it’s okay to take the moment you need — because knowing and asking for what you need is one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself and your family. Follow Dr. Morgan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmorgancutlip/ Dr. Morgan’s Website: https://drmorgancutlip.com/ A Better Share: https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amzn/a-better-share How to Love Your Kids without Losing Yourself: https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amzn/love-your-kids-without-losing-yourself The Brief: A No BS Guide to the Mental Load for Men: https://drmorgancutlip.com/the-brief Links 💻 Website & Blog:  https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/ 📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:  https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/ 🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:  https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/ 🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining 📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097 🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:  https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm 🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries? Contact us at [email protected]  Go deeper with KC on Substack More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else. https://substack.com/@morethanmilestones