In this encore episode, I'm talking about something that shows up for so many of us as moms and co-parents: people-pleasing. I share my own experience as a recovering people-pleaser and explain how this pattern often develops as a way to feel safe, loved, or accepted — especially in childhood. While people-pleasing can come from good intentions, it can quietly undermine our confidence, drain our energy, and pull us away from who we really want to be as a parent.

I also explore how the pressure to be a "good mom" or a "good co-parent" often fuels people-pleasing and sets us up for unrealistic expectations and resentment. Instead of chasing external approval, I invite you to define what being a good mom and co-parent truly means to you — based on your values, integrity, and the example you want to model for your children.

This episode is about compassion, awareness, and reclaiming responsibility for what is actually yours: how you think, feel, and act. When we stop trying to manage other people's emotions and opinions, we create more calm, clarity, and confidence for ourselves — and for our kids.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• People-pleasing is learned, not who you are
• You are not responsible for other people's emotions
• Defining your own values builds confidence and resilience

If this resonates with you and you're ready for support to help you break free from people-pleasing, I'd love to help. Reach out and let's take the next step together. https://calendly.com/coachwithmikki/co-parent-breakthrough-call

Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with anyone who might need a fresh perspective on co-parenting!

For more information go to my website here: https://mikkigardner.com/podcast/

© 2021 - 2026 Mikki Gardner Coaching

In this encore episode, I'm talking about something that quietly shapes how we show up as moms every single day: choice. So often, I hear women say, "I had no choice," or "I had to," especially in co-parenting and high-conflict situations. But the truth is, we always have a choice — even when none of the options feel easy.

I break down how our brains work under stress, why we default to reaction mode, and how learning to pause gives us access to real agency. I walk you through the three choices that are always available to us: accept, change, or leave — and what each of those actually looks like in real life. I also share practical tools to help you step out of autopilot, respond instead of react, and start showing up intentionally as the mom you want to be.

This episode is about refusing to lie to ourselves, reclaiming responsibility for our lives, and building confidence through conscious choice.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why "I have no choice" keeps you stuck
• The three choices always available to you
• How to respond instead of react in co-parenting
• Simple tools to create space and clarity

If you're ready to step into your agency and parent with confidence, I'd love to support you. Reach out and let's talk. https://calendly.com/coachwithmikki/co-parent-breakthrough-call

Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with anyone who might need a fresh perspective on co-parenting!

For more information go to my website here: https://mikkigardner.com/podcast/

© 2021 - 2026 Mikki Gardner Coaching

The holidays after divorce can feel heavy, emotional, and overwhelming — and I know that personally. In this encore episode, I talk about how we can create more calm, stability, and intention during the holiday season, even when co-parenting feels challenging.

I share why waiting until conflict shows up is often too late, and how choosing growth, compassion, and preparation before the holidays arrive can completely change how we experience them. I open up about my own grief around holiday expectations, how I've learned to hold sadness and gratitude at the same time, and why being intentional about how we want to feel matters more than being right.

This conversation is about slowing down, getting specific, and deciding how we want to show up—for ourselves and for our children. When we take care of ourselves first, we have more patience, energy, and love to give.

Takeaways:

• How to reduce reactivity during co-parenting holidays
• Why preparation matters more than perfection
• Holding grief and gratitude at the same time
• Modeling emotional maturity for your children

If you're feeling overwhelmed or stuck in repeating patterns, I invite you to reach out for a clarity call. You don't have to navigate this alone. https://calendly.com/coachwithmikki/co-parent-breakthrough-call

Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with anyone who might need a fresh perspective on co-parenting!

For more information go to my website here: https://mikkigardner.com/podcast/

© 2021 - 2025 Mikki Gardner Coaching