On the Life’s a Mom podcast, I’m joined by speech-language pathologist Alex Telvi for an informative and reassuring conversation about how children develop speech and language skills, what is typical at different ages, and how parents can feel more confident supporting their child’s communication. As both a mother of two and a dedicated advocate for early childhood development, Alex brings a thoughtful blend of professional expertise and personal insight. She also shares perspective from her hands-on work with families — including having been my son’s speech therapist — and her passion for helping children find their voice and thrive.

Her email: telvitalk@gmailcom

Her website: www.telvitalk.com

This week on Life’s a Mom, I’m diving into a topic that so many moms deal with but rarely talk about openly: screens, routines, tantrums, and the emotional load behind all of it.

I start the episode by reading a powerful Dear Nicole letter from a mom who’s been arguing with her husband about screen time — she doesn’t allow any, but every time she leaves the house, he puts the kids in front of the TV. Her frustration, her resentment, and her feeling of being “stuck” are something I know a lot of moms will relate to.

After sharing my response, I go deep into the heart of today’s episode, exploring:

• Why screen time feels so emotionally charged for moms
• How broken routines can derail an entire day
• The hidden connection between screens, overstimulation, and tantrums
• Why moms often feel like the only ones holding the boundaries
• How the lack of teamwork or consistency creates resentment in marriages
• What partners often don’t realize about the mental load we carry
• How to navigate these differences without losing yourself
  

This is an honest, comforting, and validating episode for every mom who has ever felt alone, unheard, or overwhelmed by the daily battles that seem “small” to everyone else — but shape everything for us.

If you’ve ever fought over screen time, struggled with routines, or felt like you’re carrying the emotional weight of motherhood on your own… this episode is for you.

This week on Life’s a Mom, I’m getting honest about Thanksgiving — the gratitude, the chaos, the overwhelm, and the way motherhood makes everything feel more intense in every direction.

I start this episode by reading a “Dear Nicole” letter from a mom in my Mom Dates & Play Dates community that touched me deeply. Her words reminded me why I started this group in the first place and why the connection between moms matters so much. After responding, I dive right into the heart of today’s episode.

In this Thanksgiving episode, I talk about:

• What I’m genuinely grateful for this year
• How motherhood has completely changed my meaning of gratitude
• Why gratitude can feel hard when I’m tired, overwhelmed, or overstimulated
• How my community has become my true village
• a message I want to share with any mom who feels lonely or unseen during the holidays

This episode is real, warm, emotional, and grounding. It’s for every mom who is thankful and tired, joyful and overwhelmed, blessed and human.