Mom Life: Uncomplicated - Parenting tips, organization, routines, self-care, mindset

🎧 WHAT'S INSIDE THIS EPISODE
Are you checking all the self-care boxes—bubble baths, yoga classes, face masks—but still feeling completely exhausted and empty? What if the problem isn't that you need MORE self-care, but that you're missing the deeper work of self-love? Today we're breaking down the crucial difference between self-care and self-love, and why one without the other keeps you trapped in the burnout cycle.

In This Episode:

• The critical difference between self-care (what you DO) and self-love (how you FEEL about yourself)

 • Why self-care without self-love actually makes burnout worse

• The three practical steps to build self-love: awareness, reconnection, and real-time compassion

• How to use winter as a cocoon period for self-discovery instead of another season to hustle

• What happens when you lose yourself in motherhood (and how to find yourself again before your kids leave home) 

💙 WHY THIS MATTERS TO YOU
If you're like most overwhelmed moms, you've been told that self-care is the answer to your exhaustion. Take a bath. Get your nails done. Have a coffee date. And you've tried—you really have. But here's what nobody tells you: all the bubble baths in the world won't fill the void if you don't actually believe you're worthy of that care.

This episode is for the mom who's lost herself completely in motherhood. The one who can't remember the last time she did something just because she wanted to—not because her kids needed it, not because work required it, not because the house was falling apart. You're checking the self-care boxes but still feeling depleted, guilty, and empty.

The truth? You're treating self-care like another to-do list item instead of addressing the root cause: you've fundamentally stopped believing you matter. This episode will show you how to practice self-love—the internal work that makes all those external self-care activities actually meaningful. It's about reclaiming who you are underneath all those roles you play, and building a relationship with yourself that sustains you long after the kids grow up.

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS
Self-care is external action; self-love is internal relationship. Think of self-care as washing your car and self-love as maintaining the engine. You can have the shiniest car on the block, but if the engine's broken, you're not going anywhere. Both matter, but without self-love, self-care becomes just another way to feel guilty and inadequate.

The brutal self-talk trap. Most overwhelmed moms say things to themselves they would never say to their children or best friends. For one week, catch yourself in negative self-talk and ask: "Would I say this to my daughter?" If the answer is no, you don't get to say it to yourself either. Your thoughts literally create your reality—start paying attention to what's happening in your mind.

Five minutes of reconnection changes everything. You don't need a complete identity overhaul or a week-long retreat. Start with just five minutes a day doing ONE thing that makes you feel like yourself—not mom, not employee, not partner. Just you. Maybe it's a song from high school, journaling one page, or sitting in your car before going inside. What matters is building the relationship with yourself, because when your kids eventually need you less, you need to know who you are.

Winter is your cocoon, not your starting line. Stop treating January like a time to hustle harder, set new goals, or transform yourself. Winter is nature's rest period. Instead of resolutions and productivity, use this season to be still and figure out who you're becoming. Treat yourself like someone who's been through something hard—because you have—not like a problem to be fixed.

Self-compassion in real time is the deep work. When you're yelling at your kids and the mom guilt hits, that's your moment. Instead of spiraling into "I'm a terrible mother," flip the script: "I'm having a hard moment. I'm overwhelmed. I'm doing the best I can with what I have right now." Say it out loud so your kids hear you modeling how to handle big emotions. This isn't making excuses—it's treating yourself with the same emotional regulation you're trying to teach your children.

🎁 RESOURCES MENTIONED
Free Coaching Call: Ready to dig into what's specifically keeping you stuck? Book a free 30-minute coaching call at nataliemccabe.com

Join the Community: Connect with other overwhelmed moms working through this journey in Natalie's free community at nataliemccabe.com/community

Related Episodes:

Episode on Childhood Sensory Experiences (referenced in this episode)

Post-Holiday Burnout Recovery

Mom Rage Regulation Techniques

📲 CONNECT WITH NATALIE
Instagram: @natalie_mccabe_official
Facebook: Natalie McCabe
Website: nataliemccabe.com

💬 WHAT RESONATED WITH YOU?
Drop a comment and let me know—which takeaway hit home for you? Are you practicing self-care without self-love? What's one tiny thing you're going to do this week to reconnect with yourself?

If this episode helped you, share it with another overwhelmed mom who needs to hear this. And if you're loving the podcast, leaving a review means the world and helps other moms find us.

💰 WHAT'S INSIDE THIS EPISODE
What if the reason you can't get ahead financially has nothing to do with your income—and everything to do with a belief you absorbed before age 10? What if you're unconsciously sabotaging your own success because deep down, you feel guilty about becoming "one of those people"?

🎧 In This Episode:

Why money is deeply emotional (not logical) and how this affects every financial decision you make (01:30)

The real reason Julia avoided money for years—and how it created a controlling dynamic in her marriage (02:00)

Gino's powerful concept: "Money doesn't corrupt you, it reveals who you really are" (09:00)

How Julia self-sabotaged her own success because of tribal guilt and unworthiness (11:00)

The dangerous money myths we tell our kids without realizing it (05:30)

Why "we don't have enough right now" creates lifelong scarcity patterns (06:00)

How a simple comment about pajamas affected their daughter's relationship with money into adulthood (06:30)

The critical difference between earning "happy money" vs. "unhappy money" (03:00)

Why values-based financial decisions change everything (04:30)

How to actually talk about money with your spouse without starting World War III (18:00)

💭 WHY THIS MATTERS TO YOU
Here's what most people don't realize: money isn't about math. It's about emotion. It's about the beliefs you absorbed watching your parents stress over bills, hearing "we can't afford that right now" on repeat, or witnessing how wealthy people were discussed in your home.

Julia grew up in an Irish Catholic family where people worked incredibly hard but never had a savings plan. Money came in, money went out, and there was constant scarcity. When she met Gino (who grew up with an Italian family focused on saving and planning), she was so uncomfortable with money that she literally handed over all control to him—which created a toxic dynamic in their marriage where he became controlling with finances and she became controlling with the kids.

Here's the gut-punch truth they share: when Gino made an offhand frustrated comment about their daughter wanting pajamas at the store, that little girl internalized the belief that she was a burden. Now, as an adult, she struggles with feeling like she doesn't deserve things she wants to buy. One moment. One comment. Decades of impact.

This episode goes deep into the emotional underbelly of money—the self-sabotage patterns, the tribal guilt about "leaving people behind" when you succeed, the scarcity mindset that keeps you stuck even when you're making money, and the dangerous myths we pass to our children without even knowing it.

Gino shares his powerful distinction between "happy money" (money earned doing work that brings fulfillment, energy, and soul purpose) versus "unhappy money" (money earned in jobs that drain you). Julia reveals how she sabotaged herself for years because she unconsciously believed that making money would make her "evil" like the wealthy people her family criticized.

But here's the most important part: they give you the roadmap to break these patterns. It starts with understanding your money beliefs, having open conversations with your spouse about where those beliefs came from, and making values-based financial decisions as a family.

Whether you're constantly stressed about money, avoiding financial conversations with your partner, or worried about what money beliefs you're passing to your kids, this conversation will change how you see everything.

✨ KEY TAKEAWAYS

Money is a symptom, not the root cause. Most couples think they're fighting about spending or saving, but the real issue is the emotional patterns and beliefs underneath. Julia was uncomfortable with money from childhood, so she gave Gino all control—which made him controlling with finances and her controlling with the kids. The money problem was actually a beliefs problem.

Money doesn't corrupt you—it reveals who you are. As Gino's mentor taught him, money simply amplifies who you already are. If you're generous, you become more generous. If you're fearful, you become more fearful. This reframe is critical because many people sabotage their own success believing that wealth will corrupt them.

The words you use create lifelong patterns in your kids. When Julia's daughter heard Gino's frustrated comment about pajamas, she internalized: "I'm a burden. I don't deserve things." Now as an adult, she struggles with feeling unworthy when buying things she wants. Your offhand comments about money are creating your children's adult money stories.

"We don't have enough right now" creates permanent scarcity. Julia grew up hearing this phrase constantly—and "right now" never ended. It created a belief that there would never be enough, which she carried into her marriage and almost passed to her own children. Pay attention to the language you use around money.

Tribal guilt keeps you stuck. When Julia started experiencing financial success with Gino, she felt guilty "leaving her tribe behind." She worried people would think she was saying "I'm successful now and you're not," even though nobody was actually saying that. Self-sabotage often comes from feeling disloyal to where you came from.

Values-based financial decisions eliminate guilt and stress. Once you're clear on your family values (health, education, experiences, etc.), financial decisions become simple. Gino and Julia value health, so organic food isn't a frivolous expense—it's aligned with their values. When decisions align with values, there's no guilt or second-guessing.

Seek first to understand, then to be understood. (Stephen Covey) Before having money conversations with your spouse, seek to understand their money story first. Listen to where they came from, what they heard growing up, and what fears they carry. Then share yours. This creates empathy instead of defensiveness.

👫 ABOUT GINO & JULIA BARBARO
Gino and Julia Barbaro are certified life and marriage coaches, money coaches, and hosts of The Julia and Gino Show. As homeschooling parents of six children (ages 8-26), they deeply understand the daily challenges of balancing marriage, parenting, and financial stress.

Julia empowers couples to strengthen their communication and create deeper connections so moms feel supported and valued. Gino is a successful real estate investor (1900+ units) and bestselling author of Happy Money, Happy Family, Happy Legacy. He helps families achieve financial freedom while reducing stress and building peaceful homes.

Together through Barbaro 360, they provide practical, faith-based strategies for uncovering money beliefs, healing financial trauma, and making values-based decisions that bring peace to your family.

Connect with Gino & Julia: 🎙️ Podcast: The Julia and Gino Show 🌐 Website: Barbaro360.com (take their free money quiz!) 📱 Instagram: [Natalie to provide handles] 💥 Facebook: [Natalie to provide handles] 📌 Pinterest: [Natalie to provide handles]

🎯 READY TO TRANSFORM YOUR MOM LIFE?
🎯 Get Your Free Coaching Call Struggling with money stress, self-sabotage, or limiting beliefs that keep you stuck? Let's talk. I'll help you identify what's really going on beneath the surface. [Book your free 30-minute coaching call here - nataliemccabe.com]

💜 Join Our Free Community
Connect with other moms navigating money stress, marriage challenges, and parenting overwhelm. No judgment, just support from women who get it. [Join the Mom Life Uncomplicated Community - nataliemccabe.com]

📖 Read Natalie's Book: "Sink or Swim Parenting" Learn how to break generational patterns, reduce your mental load, and create the peaceful family life you deserve. [Get your copy -nataliemccabe.com/sinkorswim ]

💬 LET'S CONNECT
Did this episode make you realize something about your own money story? Screenshot your biggest aha moment, tag me @nataliemccabe.coach and Gino & Julia, and share what clicked!

⭐ If this episode helped you understand your relationship with money differently, please leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts—it helps other overwhelmed moms find the financial healing they need!

💰 WHAT'S INSIDE THIS EPISODE
Ever wonder why you and your partner can't seem to get on the same page about money—even when you're both "trying"? What if the real issue isn't actually about the $9 block of cheese or the expensive muffins, but about the money stories you both absorbed as children?

🎧 In This Episode:

Why your childhood money beliefs are sabotaging your marriage right now—and how to identify them (04:00)

The real reason couples struggle with money (hint: it's not about budgets or math) (05:00)

How Julia and Gino went from struggling financially to coaching families after 27 years of marriage (06:00)

Why "doing it for the kids" might actually be hurting your family (09:00)

The #1 challenge every couple faces (and it's not what you think) (11:30)

How to argue in front of your kids the RIGHT way—and why hiding disagreements creates emotionally dysregulated adults (20:00)

The difference between fighting and healthy disagreements (21:00)

Why self-compassion is your secret weapon as an overwhelmed parent (23:00)

💭 WHY THIS MATTERS TO YOU
Let's be honest—money is the thing nobody wants to talk about, but it's also the thing destroying relationships and creating massive stress in your home. You came from one household with specific beliefs about money. Your partner came from a completely different household with totally different beliefs. And now you're both operating from invisible scripts you didn't even know existed.

Maybe you're the person who panics when your partner buys the expensive cheese. Or maybe you're the one who doesn't understand why your partner freaks out over "small" purchases. Either way, you're both triggered by money in ways that have nothing to do with your actual bank account—and everything to do with what you learned about money before age 10.

Julia and Gino Barbaro—married 27 years, homeschooling parents of SIX kids, successful real estate investors, and certified life and marriage coaches—get it. They struggled with money fights, communication breakdowns, and completely different approaches to parenting for years before figuring out what was really going on beneath the surface.

This isn't about financial planning or budgets (you can breathe now). This is about financial THERAPY. This is about understanding why you feel what you feel, where those feelings came from, and how to actually communicate about money without World War III breaking out in your kitchen.

But here's what makes this conversation even more valuable: Julia and Gino don't just talk about money. They talk about how your inability to communicate about money bleeds into EVERY area of your relationship—parenting, boundaries, emotional regulation, modeling behavior for your kids, and whether you're creating a home that feels peaceful or chaotic.

If you've ever felt like you're doing everything "for the kids" but still feel unfulfilled, if you avoid bringing things up because you don't want to deal with your partner's reaction, or if you secretly worry your kids are absorbing your stress patterns, this episode is for you.

✨ KEY TAKEAWAYS

Your money beliefs came from your childhood—not from logic. The way your mom or dad talked about, handled, or stressed about money became YOUR invisible script. You're not making financial decisions based on math; you're making them based on emotions you absorbed decades ago. Until you identify these beliefs, you'll keep repeating the same money patterns.

Communication isn't just about talking—it's about knowing what you actually feel first. Most couples struggle because they know something feels "off," but they can't articulate what or why. Before you can communicate effectively with your partner, you need to get clear on what YOU believe, feel, and need. Awareness comes before communication.

"Doing it for the kids" might be a cop-out. Many parents (especially dads) say they're working long hours and building businesses "for the family," but if you stopped and asked your kids what they actually want, it's probably just YOU—present, available, and not smelling like garlic at 11pm. Check your "why" against your actual family's needs, not against the beliefs you inherited.

Arguing in front of your kids is GOOD—if you do it right. Hiding every disagreement teaches kids to avoid conflict entirely, which creates adults who can't handle differing opinions (sound familiar in our current culture?). Healthy arguments teach conflict resolution, emotional regulation, and repair. Fighting (with name-calling, blaming, and yelling) is different—and damaging. Know the difference.

You're modeling EVERYTHING, all the time. Your kids are watching how you handle stress, how you react when the plumber is late, how you talk about money, and how you treat your spouse. They're absorbing your emotional regulation (or dysregulation) and will replicate it in their own adult lives. The most powerful parenting tool isn't what you SAY—it's what you DO.

Self-compassion is non-negotiable. You're going to mess up. A lot. You'll overreact, make emotional decisions, and communicate poorly. That's being human. What matters is that you recognize it, repair it with your kids and partner, and forgive yourself. Holding onto guilt and shame just creates more dysregulation.

👫 ABOUT GINO & JULIA BARBARO
Gino and Julia Barbaro are certified life and marriage coaches, money coaches, and hosts of The Julia and Gino Show. As homeschooling parents of six children, they deeply understand the daily challenges of balancing marriage, parenting, and personal growth without losing yourself in the chaos.

Julia empowers couples to strengthen their communication, overcome obstacles, and create deeper connections so moms feel supported and valued in their relationships. Gino is a successful real estate investor (1900+ units) and bestselling author of Happy Money, Happy Family, Happy Legacy. He helps families achieve financial freedom while reducing stress and building peaceful, purposeful homes.

Together through Barbaro 360, they provide practical, faith-based strategies for working successfully with your spouse, managing the mental load of motherhood, setting guilt-free boundaries, and creating family life that feels manageable.

Connect with Gino & Julia: 🎙️ Podcast: The Julia and Gino Show 🌐 Website: Barbaro360.com 📱 Instagram: [Natalie to provide handles] 💥 Facebook: [Natalie to provide handles] 📌 Pinterest: [Natalie to provide handles]

🎯 READY TO TRANSFORM YOUR MOM LIFE?
🎯 Get Your Free Coaching Call Feeling overwhelmed by money stress, communication breakdowns, or just general chaos at home? Let's talk. I'll help you identify your biggest stress triggers and create a simple action plan. [Book your free 30-minute coaching call here - nataliemccabe.com]

💜 Join Our Free Community
Connect with other moms navigating money stress, marriage challenges, and parenting overwhelm. Share struggles, celebrate wins, and find support from women who actually get it. [Join the Mom Life Uncomplicated Community - nataliemccabe.com]

📖 Read Natalie's Book: "Sink or Swim Parenting" Learn how to reduce your mental load, set guilt-free boundaries, and create a peaceful home—even when life feels chaotic. [Get your copy - nataliemccabe.com/sinkorswim]

💬 LET'S CONNECT
Did this episode make you think differently about money and your relationship? Screenshot your favorite moment, tag me @nataliemccabe.coach, Gino and Julia, and share what hit home!

⭐ If you loved this episode, please leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts—it helps other overwhelmed moms find practical solutions for marriage, money, and parenting!

💰 WHAT'S INSIDE THIS EPISODE
Are you staring at those credit card bills wondering how you'll make it work? That knot in your stomach isn't just about money—it's stealing your ability to be present with your kids. Let's talk about getting your financial peace back without the shame or overwhelm.

🎧 In This Episode:
[00:00] The real cost of financial stress on your parenting (it's not what you think) • [04:00] Why your nervous system is the missing piece in financial recovery

[06:00] The simple 3-step plan to get back on track (no complicated spreadsheets)[08:00] How to set boundaries around money worry—especially with your kids present

[12:00] The Canadian Tire Christmas miracle story that changed everything • [14:00] Your post-holiday financial recovery game plan

💔 WHY THIS MATTERS TO YOU
Third week of January—and those credit card statements are rolling in. You know that feeling? The one where your chest gets tight, not stressed-tight but can't-take-a-full-breath tight? Where the panic is literally taking up space in your rib cage?

Here's what nobody talks about enough: financial stress isn't just about the numbers in your bank account. It's about what that stress does to your nervous system, your patience with your kids, your energy levels, and your ability to show up as the mom you want to be.

When you're lying awake at 2 AM mentally calculating bills, running through worst-case scenarios, you wake up exhausted and irritable. Your kids don't know why mommy is so cranky, but they feel it. They absolutely feel it.

As a former single mother who spent years choosing between buying Christmas gifts and paying the electric bill on time, I get it. I've been the mom with $47 left until payday with five days to go. I've snapped at my daughter over breakfast because financial panic was stealing all my emotional bandwidth.

But here's the truth: your kids don't need expensive things. They don't need perfect holiday decorations or the latest toys. What they absolutely need is a regulated parent—someone who can breathe, smile, and be present with them.

This episode is about reclaiming that peace. Not next month. Not when the bills are paid off. Today.

✨ KEY TAKEAWAYS
Financial stress lives in your body, not just your budget When you're in financial stress, your body is in fight-or-flight mode. Your cortisol levels are elevated, and you're operating from your reptilian brain instead of your thinking brain. This shows up as snapping at your kids, being too exhausted for bedtime stories, and being physically present but emotionally checked out.

The simple 3-question plan Skip the complicated budget spreadsheets. You need three answers: (1) What are your absolute necessities this month? (rent, utilities, food, medicine) (2) What's the minimum payment on each debt? (3) What's ONE expense you can pause right now? That's it. Start there.

Create designated "money time" Give yourself 20 minutes in the evening after kids are in bed to look at your finances, make your plan, write it down. Outside that time, practice emotional regulation. When financial anxiety tries to creep in during playtime, take deep breaths and redirect: "Nope, not now. I have a plan and I'll work on it during my designated time."

The perspective shift that changes everything Start practicing gratitude when paying bills. Instead of stress and resentment, try: "I'm grateful I'm able to pay something on these credit cards this month." What you focus on grows—if you're stressed and upset paying bills, you'll feel more stress. Change the energy, change the outcome.

Your kids will remember presence, not presents They won't remember if you paid off the credit card in three months or six. They won't remember eating basic meals for a while. What they will remember is if you were present, if you played with them, if you smiled, if you were calm. That's invaluable—no amount of money can replace that.

🎯 EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & TIMESTAMPS
[00:00] The Third Week of January Reality Check That stomach-tightening feeling when the credit card bills arrive. The anxiety about holiday spending spiraling faster than planned. Sound familiar?

[01:00] My Single Mom Story: $47 Until Payday Sitting at my kitchen table with unopened bills, two young kids, and five days until payday. The moment my financial stress made me snap at my daughter—and the decision that changed everything.

[04:00] What Financial Stress Does to Your Nervous System Understanding fight-or-flight mode, elevated cortisol, and why you're operating from your reptilian brain. This is why you're snapping at your kids over small things and feeling emotionally checked out.

[06:00] The 3-Question Financial Plan No complicated spreadsheets. Just three simple questions: necessities, minimum payments, and one thing to pause. Actionable steps you can take today.

[08:00] Setting Boundaries Around Money Worry The "brain book" strategy for getting financial anxiety out of your head. Creating designated money time so it doesn't steal every moment of your life—especially time with your kids.

[09:00] Permission to Do This Differently You don't have to fix this all at once. It's a marathon, not a sprint. Real talk about how it took almost a whole year to pay off Christmas some years—and that was okay.

[12:00] The Canadian Tire Christmas Miracle The story of perspective shift: going shopping for the kids feeling scared and depressed, changing my energy to "I got this," and discovering $310 in points for a $320 bill. The power of mindset and energy.

[14:00] Your Post-Holiday Financial Recovery Recap The complete game plan: understanding how stress affects your body, creating your simple plan, setting boundaries, changing perspective, and remembering it's a marathon.

👥 PERFECT FOR MOMS WHO:
✓ Are staring at credit card bills feeling that stomach-tightening panic

✓ Find themselves snapping at their kids more since holiday spending stress began ✓ Lie awake at night running through worst-case financial scenarios

✓ Do mental gymnastics at every store: "Can this wait until next payday?"

✓ Feel like financial stress is stealing their ability to be present

✓ Need permission to recover financially without shame or overwhelm

✓ Want practical strategies that don't require complicated budget spreadsheets

✓ Are ready to prioritize emotional regulation over perfect financial recovery

Connect with Natalie:

Instagram: @natalie_mccabe_official

Facebook: Natalie McCabe

Website: nataliemccabe.com

 

📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED:

The Brain Book Strategy - Episode reference for getting worries out of your head (check early episodes for full explanation)

Free 30-Minute Coaching Calls - Head to nataliemccabe.com and click "Book a Call"

Mom Life Uncomplicated Community - Join other expert parent coaches and moms at nataliemccabe.com (Community tab)

 

🎙️ ABOUT THE PODCAST:
Mom Life Uncomplicated (formerly Parenting: How Not to Suck) is your judgment-free zone for overwhelmed mothers ready to reduce their mental load, establish guilt-free boundaries, and find achievable self-care strategies. Hosted by PCI Certified Parent Coach Natalie McCabe, this podcast delivers practical, no-BS parenting strategies with a warm, "friend-over-coffee" approach. No toxic positivity here—just real talk about real struggles and real solutions.

New episodes drop twice weekly. Subscribe so you never miss an episode!

🙏 LOVED THIS EPISODE?
Share it with another mom who's stressed about post-holiday finances Leave a review on Apple Podcasts—it helps other overwhelmed moms find us Join the community at nataliemccabe.com for ongoing support

Remember, mama: You don't have to do this alone. 💕

🌨️ WHAT'S INSIDE THIS EPISODE
Feeling more exhausted than usual? Craving carbs like it's your job? Canceling plans because leaving the house feels overwhelming? Listen, you're not lazy, you're not failing, and you're definitely not alone. Winter hits differently when you're a mom—and the science proves it. In this episode, we're diving into why the winter blues are absolutely real for overwhelmed mothers, how to tell if what you're experiencing goes beyond just wanting to hibernate, and what you can actually do about it that doesn't involve adding 17 more things to your already full plate.

🎧 In This Episode: • The real science behind winter blues and how your brain chemistry shifts in winter [03:00]
• Why winter doesn't just affect your mood—it affects your capacity as a mom [05:30]
• Natalie's vulnerable story about navigating grief and isolation during a Cape Breton winter [01:30]
• 3 practical strategies to support yourself without overwhelming your schedule [07:30]
• When winter blues become something more serious and it's time to get help [09:00]

❄️ WHY THIS MATTERS TO YOU
You're not imagining it—winter really does make everything harder. When the days get shorter, your body produces less serotonin (the happy chemical) and more melatonin (the sleep hormone). So essentially, your brain is screaming "hibernate!" while you're trying to parent three kids, manage a household, and maybe work a job.

Here's what makes it even trickier for moms: you're already running on empty most of the time. Your baseline is probably already depleted from the mental load, constant demands, and interrupted sleep. So when winter hits and your brain chemistry shifts, it's not just a little dip in mood—it can feel catastrophic.

Maybe you've noticed you're sleeping more but still exhausted. You're craving carbs constantly (hello, pasta and cookies—potato chips are my downfall). You're withdrawing from friends, canceling playdates, avoiding other moms at pickup because every social interaction feels like climbing Mount Everest.

And winter doesn't just affect your mood—it affects your capacity. Getting kids bundled up to go outside feels like a military operation. Everyone's getting cabin fever. There are more colds, more runny noses, more sleepless nights. Higher utility bills stressing your budget. Driving in bad weather. Worrying about school closures. As a former single mother, I remember shoveling the driveway alone at 6am before getting the kids ready for school.

None of this means you're weak or broken. It means your body is responding to a real environmental change. And as a mom who's already carrying so much, you feel it more intensely.

✨ KEY TAKEAWAYS
The Science is Real: Winter blues aren't in your head—they're rooted in actual changes to your brain chemistry. Less sunlight = less serotonin (mood regulator) + more melatonin (sleep hormone). Your body is literally trying to hibernate while you're trying to function as a parent.

You're Not Failing, You're Depleted: When you're already running on fumes as a mom, winter doesn't just make things a little harder—it can make everything feel impossible. Lower your expectations right now. Surviving winter with grace and self-compassion might mean more screen time, more takeout, and more saying no.

Three Non-Negotiable Supports: (1) Get outside during daylight hours, even just 10 minutes on your porch. Your brain needs natural light, even on cloudy days. (2) Talk to your doctor about vitamin D—many of us are deficient, especially in northern climates. (3) Stay connected to people. I know you want to hibernate, but isolation makes everything worse.

Permission to Ask for Help: If what you're experiencing is severe—thoughts of self-harm, can't get out of bed for days, unable to care for yourself or your kids—you need to talk to your healthcare provider. Seasonal Affective Disorder is a real medical condition and it's treatable. Light therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and sometimes medication can make a massive difference.

Spring is Coming: This is temporary. The days are already getting longer (we passed winter solstice in December). In the meantime, you don't have to white-knuckle your way through alone.

🔗 RESOURCES & LINKS
Connect with Natalie:

Instagram: @natalie_mccabe_official

Facebook: Natalie McCabe

Website: nataliemccabe.com

Ready for Support?

FREE 30-Minute Coaching Call: Book at nataliemccabe.com - Let's identify your biggest stress triggers and create a simple action plan together

Join the Community: Connect with expert parent coaches and moms who get it at nataliemccabe.com/community

Get the Book: "Sink or Swim Parenting" - Available now on Amazon

💭 YOUR NEXT STEP
You deserve to feel like yourself again, even when it's dark at 4:30pm. Here's what I want you to do today:

Step outside for just 5 minutes. Get some light on your face.

Text one person and tell them you're struggling. Connection matters.

Remind yourself that feeling this way doesn't mean you're doing motherhood wrong—it means you're human, you're aware, and you're taking steps to care for yourself.

You got this, mama. We're gonna make it through this winter together.