After months of searching, we finally found our ideal nanny through NannyServices.ca! You can use my referral link here: https://nannyservices.ca/refs/814547 In this episode, I share our complete nanny search experience, including why we decided to pay for a service and how it paid off immediately. Our new nanny lives just 10 minutes away and connected instantly with Ace, even handling diaper changes (a huge milestone!).

I'm also diving into exciting 2026 plans as we prepare for baby number two. From planning a bear-themed baby shower to navigating my third trimester challenges, I'm opening up about the realities of preparing for our second C-section and what recovery might look like this time around.

Plus, updates on Ace's incredible development as he masters walking, learns to share toys, and becomes more social every day. I'm sharing our family goals for the year, including zoo trips, vacations with extended family, and creating new memories together.

Topics covered: nanny search tips, third trimester struggles, toddler milestones, preparing for baby number two, 2026 family goals, upcoming entertainment releases (Bridgerton, Single Inferno, Avatar), and finding balance during the "baby trenches."

Subscribe for more honest parenting updates, family life insights, and everything in between!

This isn't your typical New Year reflection. Join me for an unfiltered look at 2025, the year that shattered my expectations and rebuilt me from the ground up.

I'm sharing:

• The first four months of motherhood nobody talks about (spoiler: it wasn't Instagram-worthy)
• How becoming a mom exposed every toxic pattern I learned in childhood
• Why I finally changed my brand name after years of hesitation
• The moment I realized rest isn't lazy, it's essential
• Learning to speak up when I've spent a lifetime staying silent
• Navigating work, childcare collapse, and the impossible standards placed on mothers
• What I'm carrying into 2026 (hint: authenticity over perfection)

This episode is for you if: You're tired of curated motherhood content and want the real story You're healing from childhood trauma while trying to break generational cycles You struggle with perfectionism, people-pleasing, or asking for help You're questioning how society expects mothers to do it all

Topics Covered: New mom reality, C-section recovery, breastfeeding challenges, childhood trauma healing, setting boundaries, authentic content creation, work-life balance, Canadian maternity leave, nervous system regulation, letting go of perfectionism

Subscribe for weekly episodes where we talk about motherhood, mental health, social justice, and building a life that actually feels good, not just looks good.

Discover why doing nothing might be the most important thing you do today. In this honest episode of The Thoughtful Advocate, host Elizabeth Teo shares her powerful realization about rest, productivity, and motherhood after both her 11 month old son Ace and herself fell ill.

Learn how to recognize when your baby is sick (even without a fever), navigate the challenges of caring for a sick infant under one year old, and why our cultural expectations around productivity are fundamentally flawed. Elizabeth breaks down the signs parents should watch for, shares practical tips for managing childhood illness, and reveals why asking for help isn't weakness but wisdom.

This episode tackles important topics including:

• Early signs of illness in babies who can't communicate
• How to care for a sick infant under 12 months
• Breaking free from toxic productivity culture
• The importance of rest in healing and recovery
• Overcoming cultural stigma around asking for help
• Building a supportive partnership in parenthood
• Self care for exhausted mothers

Perfect for new parents, working mothers, and anyone struggling to give themselves permission to rest. If you're burnt out, overwhelmed, or constantly pushing through exhaustion, this episode will change how you think about productivity forever.

Parenting an 11 month old taught me that preparation saves you from midnight pharmacy runs. In this episode, I share the baby essentials that genuinely saved us when my son got his first real fever, including medications to stock ahead, thermometer tips, and safe sleep strategies. Learn what actually works for sick babies under 1 year old, how to handle fevers without panicking, and why having multiple diaper stations changes everything. I also talk about the reality of asking for help (when our nanny quit), splitting parenting shifts to prevent burnout, and why convenience isn't laziness with a newborn. Plus, real talk about breastfeeding struggles, postpartum support, and building your village before you desperately need it. Whether you're preparing for your first baby or deep in the trenches of early parenthood, these practical tips will help you feel more prepared and less alone. Perfect for expecting parents, new moms, and anyone navigating the first year with a baby.

Topics covered: baby fever management, Tylenol for infants, newborn essentials checklist, postpartum depression prevention, equal parenting, baby shower registry must-haves, breastfeeding tips, formula feeding, partner support, working mom survival

Discover how to save hundreds on baby clothes with Facebook Marketplace finds! In this episode, Elizabeth shares her incredible $10 baby bundle haul and reveals the best frugal parenting tips for dressing your little one without breaking the bank. Plus, get practical advice for traveling with an 11 month old, including what to pack (and what to skip), airport survival strategies, and making family vacations work on a budget. From formula and diaper travel hacks to pool day adventures in Florida, learn how to give your baby amazing experiences while staying financially smart. Perfect for expecting parents, new moms and dads, and anyone navigating parenthood in today's economy. Subscribe for more budget friendly parenting tips and real talk about raising babies without overspending!

Keywords: Facebook Marketplace baby clothes, budget parenting tips, flying with baby, frugal mom hacks, baby travel tips, save money on baby clothes, secondhand baby items, parenting on a budget, baby clothing haul, affordable parenting

Learn how to save thousands on baby clothes, toys, and gear using Facebook Marketplace, thrift stores, and baby swaps. Practical tips from a real parent who spent under $60 on 100+ outfits.

Expecting a baby or already drowning in baby expenses? The baby industry wants you to believe you need to spend tens of thousands of dollars on designer cribs, brand new strollers, and perfectly decorated nurseries. Here's the truth: babies don't care about brands, and neither should your wallet.

In this comprehensive guide, discover exactly how one parent saved thousands of dollars on baby essentials without compromising quality or safety. You'll learn the insider strategies for finding incredible deals on everything from clothes to toys to furniture.

What You'll Learn:

• How to get 100+ baby outfits for under $60 using Facebook Marketplace
• The secret search terms that unlock the best deals (hint: "baby lot")
• Why thrifting in wealthy neighborhoods changes everything
• Which baby items you should buy new vs. used for safety
• How to avoid the 4 biggest mistakes new parents make
• Free baby swap groups that can save you hundreds monthly
• Strategic baby registry tips that saved one family $800 on diapers alone
• Library hacks for free books and entertainment

Whether you're a first-time parent or expecting your second (or third!), these practical, tested strategies will help you redirect thousands of dollars from unnecessary baby gear toward things that truly matter like college funds, family vacations, and emergency savings.

Stop falling for "must-have" lists and sponsored content. Learn which items are genuinely essential, what you can safely buy secondhand, and how to build a supportive community of parents who swap, share, and help each other save.

Raw, honest talk about returning to work as a new mom. When your nanny quits with 2 days notice, your 10 month old has separation anxiety, and you feel like you're failing at everything.

In this deeply vulnerable episode, I share one of the hardest weekends of my life as a new mom. Just 12 days after returning to work, our nanny quit with only 2 days notice, leaving me feeling like I'm failing both as a mother and an employee.

If you're a working parent struggling with:

• Finding reliable childcare in Canada (or anywhere)
• Baby separation anxiety at 10-11 months
• The impossible balance of working from home with a baby
• Guilt about not being the "perfect mom"
• Mental health strain from trying to do it all
• Daycare waitlists and limited options

...this episode is for you.

I talk about the reality of separation anxiety, why babies cry when you go back to work, the mental load of being a working parent, and how society's expectations are completely unrealistic. Plus, I share the supportive messages from listeners that reminded me I'm not alone in this struggle.

Topics covered:

• 10 month baby separation anxiety and object permanence
• Working from home vs daycare decisions
• Canadian daycare waitlists (2028!)
• The systemic struggles all working moms face
• Statistics on working parent mental health
• How to survive when childcare falls through
• Building your village of support

You're not alone. You're not failing. You're doing an incredibly hard thing, and this episode is proof that millions of us are right there with you.