Are you tired of feeling like you’re always at your wit's end, especially when it comes to yelling at your kids? You’re not alone. Motherhood can be overwhelming, especially when your preteen seems to push every button and you just can’t seem to get through to them without losing your temper. This podcast is for moms who are juggling work, family, and everything in between, and are ready to stop yelling and start connecting with their kids in a more peaceful way. We’ll take you on a journey ...
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Learn how to add more Love, peace and harmony back into your life. Love Changes Everything podcast is based on a book published by Donna L. Marotto. Wounds and trauma from our past can affect our current relationships with other people and with God. Adding more of God (who is Love) into your life can heal poast wounds and help you live a more joyfyul and happy life. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, as well as a Lay Franciscan, Faith Formation Director, mom and wife.
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Welcome to the Healing Mothers' Club! This is the space where moms with trauma get to feel like they're not going crazy - they truly are having to navigate A LOT in this motherhood journey. From the pressure you have to break the cycle of trauma in the family you created, to becoming a trauma-informed parent, to learning to navigate your trauma triggers and learning how heal yourself so you can stay in the present moment without going into fight/flight/freeze/fawn, this space is for you. You ...
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Adulting Empowered | Heal Childhood Wounds, Identity In Christ, Purpose Filled Life, Forgiving, Immigrant Parents, Community
Susie Runkle - Forgiveness and Gratefulness Coach for Christian Adults
Hey Beautiful, Welcome to Adulting Empowered. Do childhood memories linger and keep you stuck in shame or feeling insecure? Are you fearful of not having enough when it comes to money, work, or relationships? Do you wish you could feel secure in your true Identity and Purpose, instead of external sources of value? Well, you’re not alone, and I’m so excited you found us! This podcast will help you see that your childhood trauma wasn’t your fault, and that YOU can stop the generational cycles ...
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The Hidden Cost of Yelling; And How to Stop It
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12:34Have you ever told yourself, “I’m not going to yell today,” but then lost your cool before breakfast even ended? You’re not broken. Your brain is just doing what it thinks is best. Your brain is built to keep you safe. It tries to avoid hard stuff, find comfort, and save energy. That’s great when you’re in real danger; but not so helpful when your …
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Feel Proud of How You Handle the Hardest Motherhood Moments
17:47
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17:47Ever wonder what happens in that tiny moment between your preteen slamming a door or rolling their eyes—and you reacting? That split second feels intense, like your heart is racing and your chest is tight. And believe it or not, what happens in that moment can change everything, how you feel, how your child responds, and what your relationship look…
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Avoid the #1 Thought That Keeps Moms Up at Night
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18:26Have you ever been lying in bed thinking, “Why do I always mess up?” or “Why can’t I be more patient?” That heavy feeling of guilt and shame doesn’t mean something is wrong with you. It means you’re trying really hard to be perfect while your brain is just doing what it’s built to do. Here’s the truth: Your brain is wired to notice the bad stuff mo…
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Avoid Becoming the Mom You Swore You’d Never Be!
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13:04Have you ever told yourself, “I’m not going to yell at my kids today,” and then lost your cool before breakfast? You’re not the only one—and nothing is wrong with you. In this episode, we talk about why it’s so hard to stay calm sometimes. It has to do with how your brain is built. Your brain is always trying to protect you. It wants to avoid pain,…
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If Your Teen’s Behavior Feels Like A Personal Attack - Listen To This
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18:10That sting you feel when your preteen rolls their eyes or slams the door—it’s not just in your head. Your brain sees that moment as a real threat. Not because you’re overreacting, but because it’s wired to protect the connection between you and your child. A long time ago, if a child pulled away or got separated from a parent, it was dangerous. And…
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From 200 Applications to Breakthrough: What Motherhood Can Learn from Persistence
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11:56In this special 51st episode, you’ll hear a story that might make you see things in a whole new way—especially if you’ve ever felt stuck, even though you’ve been trying hard to be calmer with your kids. You’ll follow the journey of someone who chased a big dream and almost gave up right before it came true. After months of trying, and hearing “no” …
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Feel Like You’re Always Snapping? Here’s How to Take Back Control
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18:05Have you ever felt so mad or frustrated as a mom that you didn’t know what to do? In this episode of Motherhood from the Brain, I share real stories and simple tips to help you handle those big emotions without losing your cool. We’ll talk about how your brain reacts to tough moments, and how understanding this can help you feel less frustrated and…
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Picture this: You’re sitting in a quiet room with your child, watching as their shoulders tense, their gaze drifts, or their frustration builds. The weight of these moments presses down on you, making you feel powerless, uncertain, maybe even alone. But what if, instead of resisting them, you leaned in? What if these very moments—though painful and…
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Tired of Snapping at Your Kids Before Your Period? Try This Instead
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7:58Your preteen rolls their eyes when you remind them about homework. Your teen argues for just ten more minutes of screen time—again. Dishes pile up in the sink because no one bothered to clean up after themselves. And just like that, you feel it—the heat rising in your chest, the urge to yell bubbling up. PMS makes everything feel louder, harder, mo…
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The Secret to Feeling Less Overwhelmed (Even When Organizing and Meal Prepping Aren’t Working)
15:51
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15:51You ever catch yourself yelling at your kid, even after swearing you wouldn’t? I’ve been there. No matter how many times you promise yourself, something just snaps. And honestly you're not alone. All the usual advice, like meal planning and strict schedules, doesn’t really help when what’s actually setting you off is something deeper. I talk about …
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For so long, I thought my job as a mom was to steer the ship—to make sure my kids stayed on the right path. But what if motherhood isn’t about controlling the course, but learning to ride the current? In this episode, we’re talking about the tug-of-war between guiding our kids and letting go. What if their choices aren’t a reflection of our parenti…
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Navigating the emotional maze of motherhood can often feel like uncharted territory, especially when your once affectionate preteen daughter begins to pull away. Join me, Esther Mbabazi, as I unravel the complexities behind this natural phase in our latest episode of Motherhood and the Brain. Drawing from personal experiences and insights from my c…
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When Your Child Wants To Live With The Other Parent.
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11:51What if the gap between you and your preteen isn't a failure? What if it's a step toward a stronger bond? Join me. This episode looks at the pain and doubt moms feel as their daughters pull away. By reframing this transition, we can see it as normal growth. It's not a reflection of our worth as mothers. This heartfelt talk offers brain-based strate…
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As a mom, you want to be the calm, thoughtful guide your child needs—but when tensions rise, it’s easy to fall into reactive patterns. You’re not alone in feeling this way, and the good news is that change is possible. In this episode, we’ll help you move from overwhelm to confidence by offering practical tools and reflections that empower you to s…
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Do You Feel Guilty When You Are Angry At Your Preteen?
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11:15Have you ever had one of those moments—you know, the ones where anger flares up, and before you know it, guilt comes crashing in right behind it? Yeah, me too. It’s such a hard spot to be in, and if you’ve felt it, I want you to know you’re not alone. That’s exactly what we’re diving into in this episode. I’m peeling back the layers of those raw em…
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Why Do I Yell At My Preteen When I Don’t Want To?
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24:37Motherhood is a journey filled with love, growth, and—let’s be honest—moments of frustration that leave us questioning ourselves. If you’ve ever found yourself yelling at your preteen, then regretting it moments later, you’re not alone. But here’s the truth: it doesn’t have to be this way. Join me, as we unlock the real reason behind those reactive…
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Why Aren’t My Parents More Involved With My Kids?
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13:03Have you ever found yourself thinking, “I just don’t get it—why aren’t my parents more involved with my kids? It’s so disappointing.” If you’ve ever felt that way, you’re not alone. But what if there’s a way to take that disappointment and turn it into something more peaceful? What if, instead of focusing on what’s missing, you could start seeing t…
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Have you ever felt like your preteen's mood swings are somehow your fault? Like every outburst or meltdown is this giant spotlight on your motherhood journey? If you’re nodding right now, you’re not alone. So many moms carry around this invisible weight of guilt and self-doubt, thinking, If my kid is struggling, I must be messing up somewhere. Soun…
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Unlock the secrets to fostering a healthier and more balanced relationship with your preteen daughter. Join me, as we tackle the emotional challenges mothers face, especially those feelings of personal responsibility over their child's emotions and behavior. Together, we'll uncover the cultural and personal beliefs that often bind mothers to equate…
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Feeling Overwhelmed Before Family Holiday Gatherings
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29:39You know how family gatherings can sometimes hit a nerve, especially when you're raising a preteen girl? It’s like, out of nowhere, the little comments start flying—about how you’re parenting, what your kids are doing, or even how you’re handling life. No wonder it stirs up all kinds of feelings, I get it. In this episode, I dive deep into why fami…
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Ever felt like one innocuous comment could unravel your entire sense of self-worth as a mother? Join me, in a heartfelt journey through the emotional maze faced by moms of preteen girls. We discuss the profound impact of societal expectations and how a single remark can trigger an avalanche of self-doubt and insecurity. By understanding that it's o…
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From Frustration To Patience - A simple Tool
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22:27Ever found yourself yelling at your kids and wishing you could handle things with more patience? I’d like to introduce a powerful way to stop yelling at your kids and create more peaceful family moments. This simple approach helps you replace frustration with calm parenting techniques that make you feel more in control and less guilty after those t…
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How Some Childhood Experiences Quietly Affect Your Role As A Mom
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40:07What if your childhood experiences were quietly shaping your beliefs about self-worth and impacting your journey through motherhood? Join me, as we unravel the emotional intricacies many mothers of preteen girls face, especially those feelings rooted in past experiences of abandonment. Let's reflect on our own childhoods and see how these old belie…
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How To Stop My Mom From Commenting On How I raise My Preteen?
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19:32Criticism from family can hurt, especially when it’s about how you parent. But what if you could turn those hurtful comments into a chance to grow and be kinder to yourself? In this episode, I talk about the emotional struggles moms face when family members are critical. I show you how to separate the truth from what you think is true and reflect o…
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When You & Your Spouse Parent Differently
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21:08Have you ever felt frustrated by how your partner parents? I have. Join me, as I dive into the emotional rollercoaster that happens when parents disagree, especially when it comes to decisions about preteens. I’ll share my own stories and honest thoughts, like when I argued with my partner about letting our kids have sugary drinks. This episode wil…
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Feeling overwhelmed by the emotional rollercoaster of motherhood, especially with preteen girls? Join me, Esther Mbabazi, on "Motherhood and the Brain" as we uncover the evolutionary roots of our anxieties and worries. Learn how these emotions are hardwired into our roles as protectors and nurturers, and gain practical insights into managing them t…
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Feel like yelling is the only way to get your preteen to listen?
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15:05What if yelling at your preteen is actually causing more harm than good? Discover a powerful secret that can transform your relationship with your child in the 30th episode of Motherhood from the Brain, hosted by Esther Mbabazi. Learn how managing your own reactions, rather than raising your voice, can create a peaceful and understanding home envir…
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I Don't Need Anger Management, I just Need Jesus
10:29
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10:29Send us a text We all struggle with anger at times. but how do we know when it gets dangerous and destructive. Learn simple strategies on how to manage anger and how to heal from a Christian Perspective.By Donna Marotto
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08 | Never Say Never: How Parenthood Can Spark Healing and Unveil Your Purpose
10:56
10:56
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10:56These days, I hear so many people say they don’t want kids, and I used to be one of them, but boy am I grateful God had other plans for me. I had no idea how joyful and rewarding having children would be. So today, I’ll share how having kids has influenced my personal growth, healing, and sense of purpose. Join the free FB community Adulting Empowe…
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Ep 24 - Motherhood after Narcissistic Abuse
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22:36Welcome back to another episode of the Healing Mothers’ Club! In today's episode, we kick off a special mini series where we deep dive into what it's like to do motherhood as a narcissistic abuse survivor. As always this episode is meant for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not meant to replace a mental health assessment or psycho…
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Olympic Wisdom for Moms Facing Daily Emotional Hurdles
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13:41Can you imagine training for years, only to be disqualified at the moment of truth? This gut-wrenching scenario faced by Olympic athletes mirrors the emotional challenges we tackle daily as moms of preteen girls. Drawing inspiration from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, I, Esther Mbabazi, explore how the heartbreak and resilience of these athletes off…
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Ep 23 - Back-to-School Overstimulation and How to Manage
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10:15In this episode of The Healing Mothers' Club, Danik Bernier delves into how moms can best prepare for the (unfortunately inevitable) generalized sense of overstimulation that happens when kids go back to school. She gives you tips and tricks on how you can navigate this tough situation so you feel like your family isn't the odd one out and you have…
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Ep 22 - Trying to Keep Our Sanity with Our Overstimulated Kids After School
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10:15In this episode of The Healing Mothers' Club, Danik Bernier preps us to manage the overstimulation our kids come back from school with. It's almost that time of year where they come back home and it looks like yelling, trash everywhere, and probably you in the bathroom crying trying to manage our overwhelm. Danik encourages us to focus on co-regula…
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Have you ever wondered why you find yourself yelling at your kids despite your best intentions? Discover the surprising connection between your thoughts and actions in our latest episode of "Motherhood and the Brain." Join us as we uncover how your mental reactions to your children's behavior might be fueling those outbursts of frustration. By exam…
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Ep 21 - Becoming an Attuned Mom Despite Emotional Neglect in Childhood
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12:22In this episode of The Healing Mothers' Club, Danik Bernier delves into how moms who experienced emotional neglect in childhood can still become attuned and responsive to their children's needs. She explores the reasons behind the challenges these moms face and offers practical tips for developing emotional attunement. Through self-awareness and em…
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Ep 20 - Overcoming the Overwhelm of Summer Without a Village
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8:32Welcome back to another episode of the Healing Mothers’ Club! In today's episode, we explore the often overwhelming experience of summer, especially for those without the support of an extended family. Danik shares insights on dealing with the feelings of isolation and deception that many moms face when summer doesn't meet their idealized expectati…
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Uncovering Stress Triggers with Journaling
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39:34Ever wonder why you lose your temper with your preteen, despite your best intentions? In this episode of "Motherhood from the Brain," host Esther promises to guide you through life changing techniques that will help you manage those emotional flare-ups. By introducing the powerful practice of journaling, Esther reveals how documenting your daily in…
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07 | Managing Anger Through Boundaries: Healing And Overcoming Intense Emotions
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11:56One of the most important things I learned in marriage was how to manage my anger. Growing up, I watched my parents fight, and every fight would devolve into the same pattern of disrespect and dishonor, and I picked up their dysfunctional ways of fighting, so I had to unlearn those habits, before adopting new ones to fight more productively. So tod…
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Ep 19 - Experiencing Anger as a Mom with Childhood Trauma
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15:01Hello and welcome to the Healing Mothers’ Club podcast! I’m your host, Danik Bernier, and today I’m addressing a topic that's been highly requested by listeners and Instagram followers: experiencing anger as a mom with childhood trauma. Listen as I explain why anger is a taboo subject, why moms who are childhood trauma survivors might have a really…
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Can we break free from the suffocating grip of societal expectations and transform the shame of motherhood into a source of strength? In this episode of "Motherhood from the Brain," we explore the unspoken struggles moms face, particularly the emotion of shame. Society's portrayal of motherhood as an effortless, instinctive role is not just unreali…
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06 | Growth, Hope, And Blessings: Navigating Hard Seasons In Marriage
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14:11Marriage is the perfect platform to help you grow as an individual, as you become 1 with your spouse and also with God, to fulfill the great commission. With God at the center, the hard things in marriage help you grow and mature, instead of getting bitter or resentful. Today, we have my other half with us to finish out the 3 part series on love an…
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Why Am I Yelling? Understanding the Root Causes and Breaking the Cycle
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28:07What if your instinct to yell isn't just about the moment but rooted in ancient survival tactics? Join us as we uncover the complex reasons behind why many moms resort to yelling during stressful moments. From evolutionary behaviors to the impact of our own childhood experiences, we'll explore how these factors shape our reactions today. Discover t…
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Ep 18 - From Chaos to Calm: Beatrice’s Journey to Self-Regulation
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13:45Welcome to The Healing Mothers’ Club! I'm Danik Bernier, mom of two, trauma therapist certified in EMDR, and parenting coach for childhood trauma survivors. In this episode, we explore the transformative power of self-regulation through the story of Beatrice, a fictional mom who mirrors the real struggles and victories of many of my clients. Learn …
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Welcome back to the Healing Mothers' Club. Today we are sharing a very emotional episode, where Danik reads a letter to her past self, as the young mom of a 2 year old in the depths of nervous system dysregulation. The Self-Regulation for Moms masterclass closes on Monday, July 8th at 12:00 AM. Don't miss your chance to take the first step towards …
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Ep 16 - Navigating Toddler Tantrums: What’s Normal and How to Cope
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8:17Welcome back to the Healing Mothers’ Club with Danik Bernier! In today's episode, we dive into a topic every mom grapples with: Are my child's tantrums normal? And what should I do if they seem to last longer than expected? As we continue day 5 of our 7-day mini-series on self-regulation for moms, we'll explore: Understanding typical vs. concerning…
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Ep 15 - The Type of Childhood Trauma That Most Often Leads Moms to Lose It With Their Kids
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12:16Today on "Healing Mothers' Club", your host Danik Bernier talks about the type of trauma that most often leads moms to not be able to be completely attuned with their kids and to not be able to provide the co-regulation their kids need when they have big feelings. The goal of this episode is not to say that there is a type of trauma that is worse t…
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Ep 14 - Most Parenting Courses Fail Moms with Trauma
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8:36Hello and welcome to the Healing Mothers’ Club podcast! I’m your host, Danik Bernier, and today I’m explaining why most parenting courses out there fail moms with trauma. Unfortunately, most moms can perceive that it is THEM failing at implementing what they are learning in the parenting course they bought, but it's not them. It's the prescriptive …
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Ep 13 - I Needed Self-Regulation Techniques (Even as a Therapist)
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17:36Hello and welcome to the Healing Mothers’ Club podcast! I’m your host, Danik Bernier, and today we're kick starting a mini series to celebrate the launch of my new online masterclass, Self-Regulation for Moms. Click here to get to the course! Today I explain why I would have needed self-regulation techniques as a mom myself (even though I'm a train…
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3 Steps To ReduceYelling At Your Preteen When Frustrated.
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24:11Yelling at your preteen daughter can feel like a vicious cycle, leaving you both feeling frustrated and disconnected. What if you could break free from this cycle and foster a more peaceful family environment? Esther offers an insightful perspective on understanding why you want to stop yelling, whether it's to avoid the misery it causes, end gener…
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05 | Dating God's Way And Premarital Counselling for Success In Marriage
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10:42The idea of marriage is both beautiful and a little crazy when you think about 2 becoming 1. How do you take 2 people with 2 different personalities, hurts and hang-ups, strengths and weaknesses, families and cultures, in our case, and try to blend them into 1? Why and how do we do it? Well life is hard ya’ll, so to be able to do it with someone yo…
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