You've probably heard the phrase, "If you don't ask, you don't get."

And yet, asking for what you want can feel surprisingly hard.

You hint. You wait. You hope someone notices. And when they don't, you end up feeling frustrated, unseen, or resentful.

When you don't ask, you don't just miss out on what you want. You limit how much support you allow yourself to have.

This comes up a lot around Mother's Day, when so many moms hope to feel seen and appreciated but end up feeling let down.

In this episode, I'm breaking down why so many moms struggle to ask for what they want — and what to do about it.

https://lessdramamoremama.com/404

Divorce is often talked about as a legal process or a decision between two adults.

This week's episode shifts the focus to your child's emotional health.

My guest, Erica Komisar, is a clinical social worker, psychoanalyst, and parenting expert who has spent decades helping families through divorce.

She says that divorce itself isn't what harms children most. It's the instability, conflict, and disruptions to attachment that surround it.

We talk about what supports kids through separation, why certain stages are more vulnerable, and how to focus less on what feels "fair" to the parents and more on what is right for the child.

If you're going through a divorce, or considering one, this conversation will help you think more clearly about what your child needs from you.

https://lessdramamoremama.com/403

What can Japanese parenting teach us about raising calm, capable kids?

This week, I'm talking with Lisa Katayama, author of The Japanese Way of Parenting: What It Taught Me About Raising Mostly Calm, Caring, Capable Kids.

Lisa was born and raised in Tokyo and now lives in Northern California. In our conversation, we talk about what stood out to her as she raised kids in the U.S. while drawing from the values she grew up with in Japan.

We discuss differences between American and Japanese parenting when it comes to independence, routines, choices, meals, cleanliness, self-care, and being on time. Lisa shares how Japanese culture often emphasizes structure, respect, and guiding kids in a way that helps family life feel calmer.

One of my favorite parts of this conversation is that it's not about finding one right way to parent. It's about noticing what resonates and taking what works for you and your family.

Lisa also shares practical ideas from her book, including the concept of douzo, a gentler way to offer and share, and why making parenting more playful can shift the tone at home.

https://lessdramamoremama.com/402

Have you ever been in a situation with your child where you can feel it escalating while it's happening?

They're getting more upset, you're talking more, explaining more, trying to get things back on track, and at the same time, you can tell it's not helping.

In this episode, I'm breaking down five common things moms do that feel right in the moment, but make things worse.

These are the patterns that escalate conflict, create power struggles, and leave you feeling frustrated, even when you're trying your best to handle things well.

I'll walk you through what's happening and what to do instead, so you can respond in ways that help things settle rather than making them bigger.

If you've ever walked away from a situation thinking, "Well, that didn't work," this episode will give you a different way to approach it.

https://lessdramamoremama.com/401

Four hundred episodes.

For this one, I did something I've never done before. I asked you to send in your parenting questions by voice message, and I answered them on the show.

This episode covers six real questions from moms in my community. We talk about things like a five-year-old's defiance and name-calling, feeling overwhelmed when everything feels urgent, high-conflict co-parenting exchanges, reacting to a teenager's phone calls, sibling rivalry, and disagreeing with a husband about consequences.

There's a good chance something in this episode will speak directly to what you're navigating.

https://lessdramamoremama.com/400

In today's episode, I'm sharing seven things loving moms do.

These are the same things I teach inside Damn Good Mama, and they're what help moms start showing up differently at home.

Of course, you love your kids deeply. But how do you show that love when your child is upset, pushing back, or not listening, and you can feel yourself getting pulled into a reaction you don't want?

I walk through each of the seven things with personal stories and real examples from clients, so you can see what this looks like in real life, not just in theory.

If you've ever struggled to show your love in those moments, this episode will help.

Your child is perfectly fine at home. Relaxed. Talkative. Maybe even sweet.

Then you show up at school, wave a little too enthusiastically, and suddenly you're getting an eye roll, a sharp "Mom, stop," or something worse, right in front of their friends.

When your child is rude to you in front of other people, it can leave you feeling embarrassed, hurt, and confused.

Learn why this happens (especially in the tween and teen years) and how to respond in a way that keeps you feeling calm, connected, and confident.

https://lessdramamoremama.com/398

Boys and girls move through the tween years very differently.

They handle friendships, express emotions, and start testing their independence each in their own ways. And if you don't know what to expect, it's easy to misread what's going on.

In this episode, the third in our tween series, I share what the research says about how tween boys and girls differ and what I saw firsthand as a therapist and school counselor. You'll hear about friendship patterns, emotional expression, academics, and what it looks like when your tween starts wanting more space.

Take what fits your child and leave what doesn't. When you understand what's underneath their behavior, you can respond in a way that supports what they need.

https://lessdramamoremama.com/397