As mothers, we are quite familiar with feelings of guilt and inadequacy, which can deeply impact our emotional well-being and relationships. This episode unpacks the nuances of mom guilt versus mom shame, providing clear definitions and exploring how these emotions manifest in everyday parenting.

Together we get to discover the historical contexts and societal pressures that amplify these feelings, along with personal anecdotes and external comments that trigger guilt and shame among us, mothers. We'll explore the direct effects on our self-esteem, mental health, and the dynamics within marital relationships and parenting styles.

Then, we learn unique and practical strategies to combat these pervasive feelings to reframe our personal parenting stories. Finally, we talk about the crucial role partners can play in supporting mothers through this journey, offering specific exercises like active listening and shared journaling.

This episode is a must-listen for any parent feeling overwhelmed by guilt or seeking to build a more supportive and understanding relationship with their partner. Tune in to find actionable advice and compassionate insights to help you navigate the complexities of motherhood with confidence.

*Resources mentioned in the episode

[FREE] Matrescence Mini Video Series: markellakaplani.com/videoseries

[FREE] Journaling Prompt Questions PDF: markellakaplani.com/momguilt

Find the full transcript HERE.

Liking this?

Please SHARE with a friend (or more!) and leave me a REVIEW on Apple Podcasts; I appreciate it more than I can express in words!

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LET'S TAKE OUR RELATIONSHIP TO THE NEXT LEVEL 😉

- Find me on Instagram: @markella.kaplani - Join our community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/parenthoodandrelationship/ - Visit my website for resources, quizzes, articles, and more: markellakaplani.com/ - E-mail me: info@markellakaplani.com

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Markella Kaplani, M.A. Clinical-Counseling Psychologist Parenthood & Relationship Coach Matrescence Coach, Facilitator, & Activist www.markellakaplani.com

Becoming a father is a process, and this has a name: patrescence. Men, just like women, go through a massive transformation in their identity as they step into fatherhood.

Because this is not acknowledged and due to the fact that we dismiss the array of emotions that men have, there is a lot that is kept under the surface, which, however, negatively impacts the experience that fathers have.

This, in turn, creates tension and misunderstandings within the couple, as many things begin to be based on assumptions rather than genuine, healthy communication.

In this episode we talk about how fathers are primed to act in parenthood so that dads can gain a better understanding of themselves and their partners can understand where they are coming from, thus opening up the door to more effective communication and a deeper connection, leading to more a more fulfilled personal and family life.

Find the full episode transcript HERE (Episode 4).

Liking this?

Please SHARE with a friend (or more!) and

leave me a REVIEW on Apple Podcasts;

I appreciate it more than I can express in words!

---

LET'S TAKE OUR RELATIONSHIP TO THE NEXT LEVEL 😉

- Find me on Instagram: @markella.kaplani

www.markellakaplani.com- Join our community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/parenthoodandrelationship/

- Visit my website for resources, quizzes, articles, and more: www.markellakaplani.com

- E-mail me: info@markellakaplani.com

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Markella Kaplani, M.A.

Clinical-Counseling Psychologist

Parenthood & Relationship Coach

Matrescence Coach, Facilitator, & Activist

www.markellakaplani.com

In this episode, we reflect on how our changing identity and internal struggle with our inner child influence our parenting and potentially lead to us acting in ways we are not proud of despite our best intentions.

Together, we explore the journey of 'reparenting your inner child,’ discussing strategies that help us resolve the deeper roots of our difficulty to show up as the parents we envision, extending compassion and forgiveness toward ourselves so that we can intuitively apply gentle parenting.

We learn what it really takes to exemplify emotional regulation and self-soothing to our children and why our efforts may sometimes not bear fruit.

By engaging in inner child healing exercises, like inner child journaling, we begin to manage our emotions and offer our kids the patience and gentle guidance they need.

So, come listen to real-life stories and insights that might hit close to home, like how unresolved issues from our childhood can show up in our parenting.

Think about it—those moments you're not so proud of? They're not just random. They're signals, calling out for a bit of self-love, self-compassion, and self-forgiveness.

By understanding and nurturing our inner parent, we learn to extend compassion to ourselves, making it easier to reflect that warmth and understanding back to our kids.

If you’ve ever wondered where to begin to parent yourself, this episode offers incentive and a good starting place.

By the end, you’ll see how connecting with and healing your inner child doesn't just change how you react in challenging parenting moments—it transforms your relationship with your children in the most beautiful ways.

Find the full episode transcript HERE (Episode 3).

Liking this?

Please SHARE with a friend (or more!) and

leave me a REVIEW on Apple Podcasts;

I appreciate it more than I can express in words!

---

LET'S TAKE OUR RELATIONSHIP TO THE NEXT LEVEL 😉

- Find me on Instagram: @markella.kaplani

www.markellakaplani.com- Join our community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/parenthoodandrelationship/

- Visit my website for resources, quizzes, articles, and more: www.markellakaplani.com

- E-mail me: info@markellakaplani.com

---

Markella Kaplani, M.A.

Clinical-Counseling Psychologist

Parenthood & Relationship Coach

Matrescence Coach, Facilitator, & Activist

www.markellakaplani.com

Do you ever wonder how relationships change after having kids?

How does parenthood affect marriage?

In today’s episode, we discuss how to save your marriage from parenthood; at the very least we take the first step, which is to validate the disruption that comes with having children.

As much of a blessing and a joy as it is to have children, marriage after baby is also admittedly strained.

Parenting challenges and relationship issues are not irrelevant to one another; they go hand-in-hand.

But this is not an episode dedicated to figuring out who is the problem in the relationship or about relationship problems after having a baby or children; it’s the opposite.

Together, we explore the affect that becoming parents has on us as a couple, we normalize the dip in marital satisfaction, and we reframe the bleak statistics so that we can destroy dominant myths that contribute to relationships failing.

Through consideration, compassion, and reflection, we can come out of this even stronger than before.

Liking this?

Please SHARE with a friend (or more!) and

leave me a REVIEW on Apple Podcasts;

I appreciate it more than I can express in words!

Read the episode Transcript HERE.

---

LET'S TAKE OUR RELATIONSHIP TO THE NEXT LEVEL 😉

- Find me on Instagram: @markella.kaplani

- Join our community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/parenthoodandrelationship/

- Take the Couple’s Quiz: Is Parenthood Making or Breaking Your Relationship? markellakaplani.com/couplesquiz

- E-mail me: info@markellakaplani.com

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Markella Kaplani, M.A.

Clinical-Counseling Psychologist

Parenthood & Relationship Coach

Matrescence Coach, Facilitator, & Activist

www.markellakaplani.com

Welcome to the first episode of "The Parenthood & Relationship Podcast," where we discuss the profound transformation of parenthood and how this affects us as individuals and as a couple.

The topic of this episode centers on the concept of "Matrescence," a profound transition that resembles adolescence, where we, as mothers, undergo a significant identity shift.

We unpack the emotional and psychological change that accompanies our entry into parenthood, shedding light on the often unspoken challenges of parenthood such as struggling with the transition to motherhood and the identity crisis it often brings.

More specifically, we get into the topic of the "Canscade of Motherhood," which describes the extent to which motherhood affects all areas of life, with the ultimate aim of normalizing feelings of shame, loss, or mom guilt that come up alongside the joy, love, and gratitude we feel for our children.

By recognizing and embracing this cascade of changes, we can strengthen our relationships and foster a nurturing environment for both ourselves and our children.

Whether you're a mom who feels conflicted between utter joy and grief for your old self, or a partner eager to support and understand her, this episode provides essential insights into the joys and challenges of parenting.

Join me as we explore how to navigate these waters together, fostering a deeper connection with ourselves and our loved ones in the journey of parenthood.

See the episode transcript here

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LET'S TAKE OUR RELATIONSHIP TO THE NEXT LEVEL 😉

- Find me on Instagram: @markella.kaplani

- Join our community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/parenthoodandrelationship/

- Watch the FREE Mini Video Series on Matrescence: markellakaplani.com/videoseries

- E-mail me: info@markellakaplani.com

---

Markella Kaplani, M.A.

Clinical-Counseling Psychologist

Parenthood & Relationship Coach

Matrescence Coach, Facilitator, & Activist

www.markellakaplani.com

Looking for a haven for understanding the complex dynamics of becoming a parent and evolving relationships? You’ve arrived!

The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast delves into the psychology of parenthood, the nuanced stages of matrescence and patrescence, and the intricate balance between personal identity and parenting roles.

This is not your average parenting advice platform. Adding to the plentiful resources that arm us with parenting strategies we, indeed, benefit from, this podcast has been designed with a stronger focus on the emotional and psychological shifts experienced during the transition to parenthood, like grappling with the loss of identity, navigating parenting challenges, and seeking to strengthen their relationship with ourselves, our partner, and our children amidst the whirlwind of parenting.

As a clinical-counseling psychologist, a parenthood and relationship coach, a matrescence activist, and a parent, my goal is to integrate the many facets of the family dynamic that I’ve been privileged to experience to present holistic, straightforward, and compassionate insights we can all use to become more confident, reassured, and present in our parenting and our relationship with ourselves and our partners.

Each weekly episode aims to foster self-awareness, personal growth, and a deeper understanding of the evolving relationships within the family unit.

You can look forward to topics ranging from overcoming parental guilt to exploring how parenthood affects marriage, as we address the internal struggles, the relationship dynamics post-childbirth, and the path to harmonizing the new family structure.

With a focus on practical, research-based parenting strategies and the importance of self-reflection and reparenting, my hope is that you take our discussions and synthesize them with your own expertise and intuition to establish your unique direction on becoming the parent you aspire to be.

If any of this resonates, join our supportive circle where deep introspection and mutual support pave the way to personal and relational fulfillment.

I can’t wait to explore, grow, and thrive together in this exciting journey of parenthood!

Welcome!

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Read the Episode Transcript by clicking HERE :)