This week on From 9 to Mom, we’re diving into the beautiful, chaotic, emotionally loaded glitter tornado that is Mother’s Day. 🌷

From the pressure of making the day “perfect” to the reality of May-sember schedules, sports, school events, and trying to enjoy one uninterrupted hot coffee, we’re talking about what moms actually want for Mother’s Day.

We get honest about expectations vs. reality, gift giving fails and wins, mom guilt, and why sometimes the best gift isn’t flowers or jewelry... it’s being acknowledged without having to delegate your own celebration. 😅 We also share the moments and memories that matter most, how motherhood shifts friendships and family dynamics, and why celebrating together can make the chaos feel a little sweeter.

If you’ve ever said “I don’t need anything” while secretly hoping someone planned literally anything... this episode is for you.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Balancing Work and Motherhood
00:19 Celebrating Mother's Day: Reflections and Realities
00:44 Balancing Motherhood and Work: The Ongoing Struggle
00:46 The Chaos of May-Sember
03:42 Expectations vs. Reality on Mother's Day
06:29 Gift Giving and Personal Preferences
09:27 Mom Guilt and Balancing Family Dynamics
12:17 Creating Meaningful Memories
15:08 Celebrating Motherhood Together
18:02 The Importance of Acknowledgment
21:01 Final Thoughts on Mother's Day

Spoiler: you're probably not actually taking one.

Catie and Danielle are getting real about what happened to the lunch break. Remember when it meant leaving the office, grabbing food, maybe sneaking a 5-minute nap in your car? Yeah... those days are gone. Now it's "let me quickly sign the kids up for soccer, reschedule that dentist appointment, and throw in a load of laundry" — and somehow that counts as a break.

This week they dig into how working from home completely rewired the lunch hour, why commuting actually had some unexpected perks for productivity, and how support systems (or the lack of one) make or break your ability to catch your breath mid-day.

Because here's the truth: if you're a working mom, you're not just on your lunch break — you're on everyone's lunch break.

This one's your permission slip to actually eat something and sit down for 12 consecutive minutes. You've earned it.

This Week's Chapters:

• 00:00 The Lunch Break Dilemma
• 06:41 Productivity vs. Personal Time
• 13:37 Balancing Work and Family Responsibilities
• 19:34 Navigating the Modern Work Environment

Outsourcing isn’t lazy… it’s survival with a strategy 😅

In this episode, we’re getting real about what it actually looks like to “do it all” and why more moms are deciding… yeah, no thanks. From the evolution of online grocery shopping (because dragging kids through a store deserves hazard pay) to hiring help and reclaiming your time, we’re breaking down the mental load of motherhood and what happens when you finally start letting some of it go.

We talk about the guilt, the judgment, and the very real math behind outsourcing. Because somehow spending money to save your sanity requires a full-blown internal TED Talk. We also get into balancing packed family schedules, meal prep chaos, and how AI is quietly becoming the assistant we didn’t know we needed.

This episode is your permission slip to stop doing everything the hard way. You don’t have to earn your exhaustion.

And if you’ve ever justified a purchase by calculating your hourly rate in your head… welcome, you’re among friends 🤝

Chapters:
00:00 The Shift to Online Grocery Shopping
02:53 Outsourcing for Time Management
05:29 The Value of Hiring Help
08:17 Balancing Family Activities and Responsibilities
11:05 Navigating Food Choices and Meal Prep
14:10 The Role of AI in Parenting
17:00 Normalizing Outsourcing in Motherhood
20:00 Mom Math: Justifying Expenses
22:58 Conclusion and Future Plans

What happens when your kid suddenly decides… he’s a vegetarian? 😅

In this episode of From 9 to Mom, we’re talking all things picky eaters, kids nutrition, and the daily chaos of family mealtime. From navigating sudden food preferences to dealing with food allergies and school lunches, we’re sharing our real-life experiences trying to keep our kids fed without turning dinner into a full-blown battle.

We get into picky eating behaviors, how kids always want what you’re eating (until they don’t), and the struggle of balancing healthy meals with what they’ll actually touch. Plus, we’re sharing practical tips for busy moms on meal prep, finding healthy alternatives, and managing ever-changing food phases.

If you’re dealing with picky eaters, trying to build healthy eating habits, or just looking for realistic parenting tips around food… this episode will make you feel seen.

🎧 Topics we cover: picky eaters, kids nutrition, family meals, food allergies, school lunches, healthy eating habits for kids

Post-bedtime, slightly delirious, and joined by a special guest (hi Ryan 👋), this episode of From 9 to Mom is all about the things we really wish someone had told us before kids.

From the sensory overload of unsolicited advice during pregnancy to the survival mode of newborn life, we’re diving into the moments that caught us off guard, the mistakes we definitely made, and the lessons we only learned the hard way. We’re talking sleep deprivation fights that “don’t count,” splitting responsibilities, second kid confidence vs. first kid panic, and why literally no one cares if your baby cries in public.

We also get into how our relationship has evolved through it all, the pressure we put on ourselves (hi, potty training 🙃), and the things we’d absolutely do differently if we could go back. Spoiler: you’re never as unprepared as you feel… but also, you kind of are, and that’s normal.

It’s honest, a little chaotic, and exactly what happens when you hit record after bedtime and just start talking.

If you’ve ever thought, “wait… are we doing this right?”—this one’s for you.

In this episode of From 9 to Mom, we’re diving into the world of sports moms—aka the unpaid Uber drivers, sideline snack coordinators, and professional schedule jugglers of childhood. From practices smack in the middle of your workday to somehow managing multiple kids with completely different interests, we’re talking through what it actually looks like to keep it all together (or at least pretend to).

We get into the real-life logistics of extracurricular overload, how we decide what’s worth the time (and money), and the systems that have quite literally saved us—yes, we’re looking at you, carpool group chats. You’ll hear our honest takes on balancing work commitments with kids’ sports, navigating when your kid loves something vs. when it’s just…not their thing, and how team sports shape confidence, discipline, and friendships in ways that go far beyond the field.

We’re also sharing practical tips for keeping costs down (hello, secondhand gear), managing summer camps, and making sure your entire life doesn’t revolve around a folding chair on the sidelines… unless you want it to.

Whether you're deep in your sports mom era or just entering the group chat, this episode will make you feel seen—and maybe a little more organized.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Personal Birthday Stories
01:18 Kids' Activities During Work Hours
02:34 Managing Kids' Sports and Extracurriculars
06:06 Strategies for Coordinating Activities and Carpooling
09:39 Dealing with Kids' Preferences and Success in Sports
13:32 Balancing Multiple Kids and Activities
17:32 The Importance of Team Sports and Discipline
21:14 Supporting Kids' Interests and Building Confidence
25:09 Managing Expenses and Gear for Kids' Activities
28:55 The Role of Community and Friendships in Activities
32:51 Talking to Kids About Their Likes and Dislikes
35:32 Conclusion and Final Tips for Working Parents

In this episode, Catie and Danielle dive into the world of millennial mom hobbies—aka the things we swear we’ll make time for and then somehow end up doing in our car, at 6am, or while hiding from our kids in the pantry. From pickleball leagues that feel like a social club disguised as cardio, to marathon training that started as “just a few walks,” to the unexpected rise of weighted vests (because apparently we needed life to be heavier??), we’re breaking down what moms are actually doing for themselves right now.

But beyond the trends, this episode gets real about why hobbies matter. We’re talking mental health, identity outside of motherhood, and the very real challenge of carving out time when your schedule already feels like a game of Tetris on expert mode. Plus, we share how to realistically start—without overcommitting, burning out, or buying $300 worth of supplies for a hobby you’ll abandon in 6 days (we’ve all been there).

If you’ve been feeling like you’ve lost your “thing” or you’re ready to find something that’s just yours again—this episode is your sign.

Because you’re not just a mom… you’re a mom with hobbies now 💁‍♀️

This episode is brought to you by Locals Social Club. Use code FNTM at checkout for 20% off!

Missy from Slumber & Bloom is back on From 9 to Mom and this time we’re tackling one of the biggest parenting debates out there: sleep training. If you heard her first episode with us about potty training, you already know she brings practical advice without the judgment… and we were excited to have her back.

In this episode, Missy breaks down what sleep training actually is (and what it isn’t), the science behind how kids learn to sleep independently, and why good sleep is so important for both kids and parents. We talk about when to start sleep training, how long it typically takes, and the different methods families can use depending on their child’s temperament and their own comfort level.

We also get into the real-life challenges parents face. Think sleep regressions, daycare naps, pacifiers, white noise, transitioning to big kid beds, and those moments when you’re questioning every parenting decision at 2 AM. Missy shares how to build a sleep plan that actually works for your child, plus strategies to stay consistent while still parenting with love and boundaries.

If bedtime at your house feels like a nightly marathon, this episode will leave you with practical tools, reassurance, and a reminder that better sleep really is possible.

You can learn more about Missy and her work at Slumber & Bloom here:
https://slumberandbloom.com/

Chapters

01:11 What is Sleep Training? Definition and Misconceptions 03:25 The Science Behind Sleep Training and Conditioning 06:26 Starting Sleep Training: When and How to Begin 10:04 Duration and Long-term Effects of Sleep Training 14:14 Handling Sleep Regressions and Transitioning Ages 16:35 Tools and Support for Sleep Training (Pacifiers, White Noise)

19:31 Managing Sleep in Daycare and External Environments 23:20 Addressing Common Concerns: Crying, Attachment, and Emotional Well-being

30:32 Transitioning Toddlers to Big Kid Beds and Managing Sleep Challenges

34:25 Behavioral Strategies and Rewards for Sleep and Routine Compliance

41:00 Parenting with Love, Boundaries, and Consistency 44:16 Long-term Sleep Support and Maintaining Healthy Habits

This episode is brought to you by Locals Social Club. Use code FNTM for 20% off your order. https://www.localssocialclub.com/