Our series "Lighten Up about Parenting," wraps up today, which is perfect because, drumroll please, Calm the H*ck Down is officially out in the world! So we're running out of podcast but I have a whole book waiting for you, all about parenting. As you probably know by now, I invited 10 beta testers from all over the country to share their honest thoughts about my book, Calm the H*ck Down. They were given an early copy and volunteered to treat their kids like lab rats to see if this thing actually works. Will Calm the H*ck Down actually calm you the heck down? Because I think after the year we've all had, we need it. So today I'm chatting for a few minutes with Amy, special needs mom of three and middle school teacher from Texas, about Calm the H*ck Down, processing her kids getting diagnosed with autism, and how she calms the heck down as a special needs mom. And then, stay tuned, because I'm interviewing myself and answering some frequently asked questions about the book.

Hey, you are invited to a Virtual Happy Hour with me and Coffee+Crumbs founder Ashlee Gadd on January 14. We are going to have so much fun, and there's swag! I'm personally mailing everyone who comes to the event a Calm the H*ck Down koozie and personalized bookplate to stick in your book and I hope so many of you register that I spend half of January at the post office.

• Join me for a Virtual Happy Hour on January 14!
• Pick up a copy of Calm the H*ck Down!

_____________________________________________

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

After a brief hiatus, we're back with the penultimate episode of our 10-part series, "Lighten Up about Parenting," and in each episode, we have not one but two awesome conversations for you. In addition to an awesome guest line-up for you throughout the series, I've also invited 10 beta testers from all over the country to share their honest thoughts about my upcoming book, Calm the H*ck Down. They were given an early copy of my book and volunteered to treat their kids like lab rats to see if this thing actually works. So today I'm chatting for a few minutes with Jeniffer from Mississippi about Calm the H*ck Down. And then, stay tuned, because my husband Alex is coming on to talk about how we handle technology in our house. Yes that's right. Everything you want to know about how we make choices about tech for our kids, social media, the interwebz, LoJacking them and tracking their every move, and even learning to trust them. So stay tuned for that, but first, here's my conversation with Jeniffer about Calm the H*ck Down!

Beyond being the sexiest, most amazing husband ever (Alex wrote his own intro, can you tell?), Alex has worked in design and marketing for more than two decades and founded his agency Loudmark in 2008. He specializes in branding, advertising, app and web development, and more, and divides his time between managing our families technology and serving his clients including Disney, Under Armour, Universal Studios, Kraft Foods, and most importantly, me. You can learn more at loudmark.com, but join us first as we break down how we do technology with our kids. Should we give them everything or smash the WiFi router altogether? Listen in and lighten up!

Calm the H*ck Down comes out December 8, and if you preorder it now, you'll immediately receive my ebook, Pandemic Parenting: How to Calm Down When the World's Messed Up, available exclusively to those who preorder.

• Fun TikTok video Alex put together to encourage our kids to swear less.
• Setting up Screen Time on iPhone
• Life 360 App for tracking your kid's location and driving safety
• Disney Circle Home Plus provides parental control at the router level

_____________________________________________

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

We are in our 10-part series, "Lighten Up about Parenting," and in each episode, we have not one but two awesome conversations for you. In addition to an awesome guest line-up for you throughout the series, I've also invited 10 beta testers from all over the country to share their honest thoughts about my upcoming book, Calm the H*ck Down. They were given an early copy of my book and volunteered to treat their kids like lab rats to see if this thing actually works. Will Calm the H*ck Down actually calm you the heck down? Inquiring minds want to know. So today I'm chatting for a few minutes with Kelsi, mother of twin boys and a girl, from Kansas City, MO, about Calm the H*ck Down. And then, stay tuned, because author and pastor Osheta Moore is joining me to talk about how she lightens up about parenting.

Osheta is an author, pastor, anti-racism encourager, and an everyday peacemaker. She's working on a new book for us called Dear White Peacemakers that I am so stoked about. We talk about her insider Starbucks hookup, raising biracial children, siblings fighting, and how her parenting changed as her theology changed. Then we chat about the difference between peace keeping and peace making, and how intergenerational relationships help her with parenting teenagers. Osheta is one of my very favorite people to talk to, so listen in and lighten up!

Calm the H*ck Down comes out December 8, and if you preorder it now, you'll immediately receive my ebook, Pandemic Parenting: How to Calm Down When the World's Messed Up, available exclusively to those who preorder.

• Check out Osheta's red beans and rice recipe
• Connect with her on Instagram
• Find Osheta on the web
• Check out Osheta's book, Shalom Sistas
• How to Hit the Woah tutorial

_____________________________________________

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

We are in our 10-part series, "Lighten Up about Parenting," and if you're just joining us, this series is cool because you're getting bonus interviews. In addition to an awesome guest line-up for you throughout the series, I've also invited 10 beta testers from all over the country to share their honest thoughts about my upcoming book, Calm the H*ck Down. They were given an early copy of my book and volunteered to treat their kids like lab rats to see if my book actually works. I want to make sure if you grab a copy of Calm the H*ck Down that it's going to help you, as well as hopefully make you laugh. So today I'm chatting for a few minutes with Jen from Colorado about Calm the H*ck Down. We talk about trying to play video games with our kids, letting our kids experience consequences, and the time I charged my daughter for a Mommy Uber driver. And then, stay tuned, because author, speaker, and business coach Alli Worthington is joining me to talk about how she lightens up about parenting.

Alli is the mother of five boys and has a new book coming out called Standing Strong: A Woman's Guide to Overcoming Adversity and Living with Confidence. We chat about how losing everything - her husband's job, their home, filing bankruptcy - led to her work-from-home life. She talks about getting rid of mom guilt, letting kids be who they are, and what helps her calm down about parenting. Whether you're standing strong, lying in the fetal position, or somewhere in between, listen in and lighten up!

Calm the H*ck Down comes out December 8, and if you preorder it now, you'll immediately receive my ebook, Pandemic Parenting: How to Calm Down When the World's Messed Up, available exclusively to those who preorder.

• Check out Alli's new book, Standing Strong
• Connect with her on Instagram
• Find her on the web
• Called Creatives

_____________________________________________

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

We are in our 10-part series, "Lighten Up about Parenting," and if you're just joining us, this series is cool because you're getting bonus interviews. In addition to an awesome guest line-up for you throughout the series, I've also invited 10 beta testers from all over the country to share their honest thoughts about my upcoming book, Calm the H*ck Down. They were given an early copy of my book and volunteered to treat their kids like lab rats to see if my book actually works. I want to make sure if you grab a copy of Calm the H*ck Down that it's going to help you, as well as hopefully make you laugh. So today I'm chatting for a few minutes with Jen from Colorado about Calm the H*ck Down. We talk about trying to play video games with our kids, letting our kids experience consequences, and the time I charged my daughter for a Mommy Uber driver. And then, stay tuned, because author, speaker, and business coach Alli Worthington is joining me to talk about how she lightens up about parenting.

Alli is the mother of five boys and has a new book coming out called Standing Strong: A Woman's Guide to Overcoming Adversity and Living with Confidence. We chat about how losing everything - her husband's job, their home, filing bankruptcy - led to her work-from-home life. She talks about getting rid of mom guilt, letting kids be who they are, and what helps her calm down about parenting. Whether you're standing strong, lying in the fetal position, or somewhere in between, listen in and lighten up!

Calm the H*ck Down comes out December 8, and if you preorder it now, you'll immediately receive my ebook, Pandemic Parenting: How to Calm Down When the World's Messed Up, available exclusively to those who preorder.

• Check out Alli's new book, Standing Strong
• Connect with her on Instagram
• Find her on the web
• Called Creatives

_____________________________________________

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Today's podcast is sponsored by a bag of frozen riced cauliflower that I found in my freezer, because in a freak podcasting accident, I gave myself a gigundous fat lip. Seriously, so painful. I'm just trying not to talk with a lisp right now. Alex saw me holding the frozen cauliflower bag on my face and I muttered, "I hate podcasting," and he observed, "It's certainly more dangerous than I thought." And this is a day in the life of someone as clumsy as I am. While trying to strap on my fancy headphones, I clocked myself in the lip.

We are halfway through our series, "Lighten Up about Parenting," and if you're just joining us, this series is cool because you're getting bonus interviews, two for the price of one...which is still free...I'm not really sure about the math on that. In addition to an awesome guest line-up for you throughout this 10-part series, I've also invited 10 beta testers from all over the country to share their honest thoughts about my upcoming book, Calm the H*ck Down. They were given an early copy of my book and volunteered to use their kids as guinea pigs to see if my book actually works. I want to make sure if you grab a copy of Calm the H*ck Down that it's going to help you, as well as hopefully make you laugh. So today I'm chatting for a few minutes with Sarah from Michigan, mother of two boys, one on the autism spectrum, about Calm the H*ck Down. We talk about the book and also what it was like getting an autism diagnosis, and she offers advice for parents in the middle of getting an autism diagnosis. And then, stay tuned, because writer and army wife Lorren Lemmons is joining me to talk about how she lightens up about parenting.

Lorren is a writer, a military spouse, and a former pediatric nurse. She talks about packing and moving with kids, and what it looks like preparing your kids to move. She has three kids and her four-year-old lived in four states before the age of four, so she knows a lot about this. We also talk about expectations she had going into parenting and how she calms the heck down. Lorren's got some really fun ideas, so listen in, and lighten up!

Calm the H*ck Down comes out December 8, and if you preorder it now, you'll immediately receive my ebook, Pandemic Parenting: How to Calm Down When the World's Messed Up, available exclusively to those who preorder.

• Check out Lorren's website
• Connect with her on Instagram
• The Magic of Motherhood
• It's Not Fair
• Women Are Scary

_____________________________________________

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

We are in our series, "Lighten Up about Parenting," and if you're just joining us, let me tell you why I'm so excited. Not only do I have an awesome guest line-up for you throughout this 10-part series, but I'm putting myself in the hot seat and inviting 10 beta testers to share their honest thoughts about my upcoming book, Calm the H*ck Down. These beta testers hail from all over the country and they were given an assignment: read an early copy of my book, then come on the show and tell me what they thought. So today I'm chatting for a few minutes with Erin Mohring from Nebraska about Calm the H*ck Down, and then stay tuned, because my friend Sarah Hauser, mother of twins, writer, and our resident recipe guru at Coffee+Crumbs, is joining me to talk about how she lightens up about parenting.

Sarah Hauser is a food blogger who, in addition to creating delicious recipes, writes about the theology of food. She has three kids, including twins, and describes herself as a writer, speaker, and omnivore. If you're struggling with depression, this conversation is for you, and honestly maybe all of us are struggling more than usual right now because of this unusual time. Sarah shares candidly about depression and starting medication for it. I love her approach to cooking because she sees it as a creative outlet, and her recipes are accessible for regular people like me. We talk about what it was like finding out she was pregnant with twins, nursing twins, the parts of motherhood that are boring, and road-tripping with kids. Get comfy, listen in, and lighten up

Calm the H*ck Down comes out December 8, and if you preorder it now, you'll immediately receive my ebook, Pandemic Parenting: How to Calm Down When the World's Messed Up, available exclusively to those who preorder.

• Check out Sarah's essay on Coffee+Crumbs, "You Don't Have to Do It All"
• Find Sarah online
• Connect with her on Instagram
• Million Praying Moms

_____________________________________________

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

We are in our series, "Lighten Up about Parenting," and if you're just joining us, let me tell you why I'm so excited. Not only do I have an awesome guest line-up for you throughout this 10-part series, but I'm putting myself in the hot seat and inviting 10 beta testers to share their honest thoughts about my upcoming book, Calm the H*ck Down. These beta testers hail from all over the country and they were given an assignment: read an early copy of my book, then come on the show and tell me what they thought. So today I'm chatting for a few minutes with Sallie, IVF mom and former schoolteacher from South Carolina, about Calm the H*ck Down, and then stay tuned, because author Jamie Sumner is joining me to talk about how she lightens up about parenting.

Jamie is the author of Eat, Sleep, Save the World, a book for special needs parents filled with encouragement about what we're already doing right. Jamie was so much fun to talk to. She has a son with cerebral palsy who's in a wheelchair and communicates with a speaking device AND she's the mom of twins. We chat about that weird place called IEP meetings, or individualized education plan for the uninitiated, the real fears in parenting, both big and small, and what helps her calm down. I had a great time with Jamie and I can't wait for you to meet her too, so listen in and lighten up!

Calm the H*ck Down comes out December 8, and if you preorder it now, you'll immediately receive my ebook, Pandemic Parenting: How to Calm Down When the World's Messed Up, available exclusively to those who preorder.

• Check out Jamie's book, Eat, Sleep, Save the World
• Find Jamie online
• Connect with her on Instagram
• Armchair Expert podcast

_____________________________________________

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

We are in our series, "Lighten Up about Parenting," and if you're just joining us, let me tell you why I'm so excited. Not only do I have an awesome guest line-up for you throughout this 10-part series, but I'm putting myself in the hot seat and inviting 10 beta testers to share their honest thoughts about my upcoming book, Calm the H*ck Down. These beta testers hail from all over the country and they were given an assignment: read an early copy of my book, then come on the show and tell me what they thought. They volunteered to go first and kick the tires on this thing, you know, make sure the book works before you buy it. This is the most nervous I've ever been on my own show, because I had no idea what they'd say before they came on. So today I'm chatting for a few minutes with Staci from Tennessee about Calm the H*ck Down, and then stay tuned, because author Bronwyn Lea is joining me to talk about how she lightens up about parenting.

Bronwyn is the author of Beyond Awkward Side Hugs and also a super wise mom. I loved hearing what she's learning about parenting, what her kids need from her, and how she calms the heck down. Whether you're driving to work, jogging, folding laundry, or hiding in the bathtub, hopefully with chocolate, listen in, and lighten up!

Calm the H*ck Down comes out December 8, and if you preorder it now, you'll immediately receive my ebook, Pandemic Parenting: How to Calm Down When the World's Messed Up, available exclusively to those who preorder.

• Check out Bronwyn's book, Beyond Awkward Side Hugs
• Find Bronwyn online
• Connect with her on Facebook

_____________________________________________

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

We are in our series, "Lighten Up about Parenting," and if you missed last week, let me tell you why I'm so excited. Not only do I have an awesome guest line-up for you throughout this 10-part series, but I'm putting myself in the hot seat and inviting 10 beta testers to share their honest thoughts about my upcoming book, Calm the H*ck Down. These beta testers hail from all over the country and they were given an assignment: read an early copy of my book, then come on the show and tell me what they thought. They volunteered to go first and kick the tires on this thing, you know, make sure the book works before you buy it. This is the most nervous I've ever been on my own show, because I had no idea what they'd say before they came on. So today I'm chatting for a few minutes with Gianina from Florida about Calm the H*ck Down, and then stay tuned, because author and podcaster Kara-Kae James is joining me to talk about how she lightens up about parenting.

Kara-Kae is the founder of ThriveMoms, a ministry dedicated to encouraging and inspiring moms to more than just survive motherhood. She’s the author of Mom Up: Thriving with Grace in the Chaos of Motherhood and a new book Together: A Journal for Mom and Me, and she co-hosts the podcast Asking for a Friend. Pop in some earbuds, pull up a chair, listen in, and lighten up!

Calm the H*ck Down comes out December 8, and if you preorder it now, you'll immediately receive my ebook, Pandemic Parenting: How to Calm Down When the World's Messed Up, available exclusively to those who preorder.

• Mom Up: Thriving with Grace in the Chaos of Motherhood
• Together: A Journal for Mom and Me
• Find Kara-Kae on Instagram
• Kara-Kae's podcast, Asking for a Friend
• Introverted Mom by Jamie C. Martin
• Raising White Kids
• Little Women

Today I'm kicking off a new series, "Lighten Up about Parenting," and let me tell you why I'm so excited. Not only do I have an awesome guest line-up for you throughout this 10-part series, but I'm putting myself in the hot seat and inviting 10 beta testers to share their honest thoughts about my upcoming book, Calm the H*ck Down. These beta testers hail from all over the country and they were given an assignment: read an early copy of my book, then come on the show and tell me what they thought. They volunteered to go first and kick the tires on this thing, you know, make sure the book works before you buy it. This is the most nervous I've ever been on my own show, because I had no idea what they'd say before they came on. So first up, today I'm chatting for a few minutes with Kelly from Minnesota about Calm the H*ck Down, and then stay tuned, because radio host and stand-up comedian Jennifer Fulwiler is joining me to talk about her new book, Your Blue Flame.

She's funny! She's smart! I had a blast talking with her about parenting, following her dreams, and her new book Your Blue Flame. We talk about expectations she had going into parenting, the one thing she does every night to calm down, and how her kids are making her laugh. She decided to become a stand-up comedian and worked hard and made it happen, and she has fantastic advice for us as we pursue what makes us come alive. We chat about how can we identify our own blue flame, how do we find time to pursue our blue flame, and then she gives us a peek behind the curtain about how she developed her comedy routine and booking her first comedy tour by herself. Talking with Jennifer is fascinating and inspiring, as well as hilarious, so listen in and lighten up

Calm the H*ck Down comes out December 8, and if you preorder it now, you'll immediately receive my ebook, Pandemic Parenting: How to Calm Down When the World's Messed Up, available exclusively to those who preorder.

• Check out Jen's book, Your Blue Flame
• Jen's new podcast
• Catch up with Jen on Instagram