- Totum Women focuses on four areas of wholeness in motherhood: mind, body, ambition, and relationship. These 4 areas are revolutionized when you become a mother and, if not addressed, can lead women to feel unsupported and like a shell of their former pre-kid self. They provide resources and support for women as they transition to the new season of being a mom so they can navigate the intersection of ambition and motherhood.
- There’s a mounting pressure from the places like the “Lean In” Movement and even Beyonce lyrics like “strong enough to have the babies and then get back to work” that tell us that we’re not good feminists if we don’t go right back to work after having babies. The general school of thought used to (incorrectly) be that we were bad moms if we wanted to also work. Now it’s shifted to the idea that you’re less of a woman if you didn’t want to lean in or if you wanted to simply enjoy your time with your babies.
- There’s so much written about women getting pushed out of the workforce during the pandemic, but it’s troublesome that we might equate work and productivity with self worth. Where we are going to assume that if we DON’T head right back to work or go in the same capacity, that we are no longer as “good” of a woman. Which then can easily be confused and turned into resentment towards our kids when we have to make an adjustment at work in order to take care of them. Are we really resentful that we have to take a break to take our kids to an appointment or are we simply listening to the “productivity = your worth” mindset? Or are you really irritated that there’s not enough support at work when we have to take that break? Or that you don’t have enough childcare support when you’re doing something at work that you really like and want to follow through on?
- Comparative suffering is when you look at what you’re going through and compare it to the “difficulty” level of what someone else is going through. Sometimes it’s hard to feel like you can be upset about what you’re going through when you know others have it a lot “harder,” but there’s no reason to be a player in the Suffering Olympics. Everyone has their own version of hard and it doesn’t make it more or less hard for you just because someone else is going through something difficult. You can walk through this as a thoughtful, conscious person–while still taking into account what others are dealing with and responding with compassion and empathy.
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About the Episode: In this eye-opening episode of the Modern Mommy Doc podcast, Dr. Whitney Casares sits down with child sleep experts Dr. Andrea Roth and Dr. Allison Shale—two clinical psychologists and co-authors of The Essential Guide to Children’s Sleep: A Tired Caregiver’s Workbook for Every Age and Stage (written with Dr. Shelby Harris) . Together, they break down the myths, shame, and unrealistic expectations that surround slee p training and offer compassionate, evidence-based advice that actually meets parents where they are. This episode is your permission slip to stop blaming yourself, throw out the cookie-cutter advice, and start working with your child’s unique temperament, challenges, and developmental stage—whether that means defiant toddlers, anxious middle-schoolers, or non-sleeping newborns. About Our Guests: Dr. Andrea Roth and Dr. Allison Shale are licensed clinical psychologists and moms who specialize in child and adolescent mental health. Together with co-author Dr. Shelby Harris, they created The Essential Guide to Children’s Sleep to give exhausted parents the tools to support their kids’ sleep with confidence, flexibility, and empathy. Their approach is grounded in science—and shaped by real-life parenting. Follow them on Instagram: @essentialkidssleep Key Takeaways: Why this sleep book is different It’s written by clinical psychologists, not influencers—and it combines science, flexibility, and real-world parenting experience. How your child’s daytime behavior impacts nighttime sleep From anxious kids to defiant or ADHD children, the team explains why your child’s personality and emotional regulation during the day matters more than you think at bedtime. The truth about sleep “milestones” You’ll learn why your two-week-old shouldn’t be sleeping through the night, why “wake windows” are often misused, and why transitioning to a toddler bed before age 3 might be setting everyone up to fail. The importance of timing and readiness Parents don’t have to sleep train when they’re already overwhelmed. These experts offer a refreshing take on how to assess if now is the right time—and how to set up for success. What works for toddlers (and what doesn’t) You’ll hear how techniques like the “break method” and “camping out” can be adapted based on your child’s age and developmental stage. How to support anxious or defiant older kids at bedtime The language we use matters. For anxious kids, it's all about reducing pressure and focusing on rest. For defiant or ADHD kids, clear expectations and behavior-based plans are key. The shame-free approach every tired caregiver needs Sleep doesn’t have to be a battleground—or a place for guilt. These authors bring compassion and practicality to every step of the process. 📩 Subscribe to The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast for more episodes on parenting with confidence and clarity. L eave a review using the hashtag #ModernMommyDoc.
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