The Momma Interviews is a new blog series by Catherine O'Brien, LMFT highlighting the thoughts, experiences and wisdom of a unique real-world mom each week, to normalize and validate the struggles and triumphs that are a part of the universally human experience of motherhood for women everywhere. 

This week we are hearing from a momma who is learning how to juggle her business with the joys of family in a culture very different from where she grew up! 

I'd like to introduce you to Katie Cl…

Do you ever get upset or frustrated that you then say or do something that you totally didn't mean to do and you feel really bad?  

Hi, I'm Catherine O'Brien at HappyWithBaby.com and today I'm going to share a couple of quick tips for what you should do when you mess up. Because we all do.  

We all have those moments when we're overly tired, or we're in a hurry and maybe we say something that comes out the wrong way and upsets our partner or maybe even our own child.  

First of all, the n…

The Momma Interviews is a new blog series by Catherine O'Brien, LMFT highlighting the thoughts, experiences, and wisdom of a unique real-world mom each week, to normalize and validate the struggles and triumphs that are a part of the universally human experience of motherhood for women everywhere. 

Each week, I've been bringing to you real stories from real mommas that are truly "in the thick of it" with their babies or young children. This week I'm excited because, for the first time in this…

Are you struggling to find time for your partner now that you have a baby?

I'm Catherine O'Brien at HappyWithBaby.com and I know this reality all too well, both personally and professionally. Today, I just have one quick tip.  

It seems really simple and you might ask yourself, "Why haven't I thought of that before?" 

Watch Here

Basically, it is to schedule a date night or a date afternoon or a date morning coffee--whatever it is--and have it set at a regular time every week, when you ha…

The Momma Interviews is a new blog series by Catherine O'Brien, LMFT highlighting the thoughts, experiences and wisdom of a unique real-world mom each week, to normalize and validate the struggles and triumphs that are a part of the universally human experience of motherhood for women everywhere.  

How do you balance the mom, work, and relationship roles?

I don't.

Just …

So much has changed in the last seven years.

I used to work a lot. In fact, seven years ago, I was working three jobs that were all part-time, but the hours equaled to having two full-time jobs. I was eagerly awaiting the arrival for maternity leave to start because I couldn’t wait to take a break!

Did you hear that? Yeah, I thought being on maternity leave meant I would be on an extended vacation. The sad thing is I know I’m not alone in that. 

Anyway, I had planned to have a week off be…

The Momma Interviews is a new blog series by Catherine O'Brien, LMFT highlighting the thoughts, experiences and wisdom of a unique real-world mom each week, to normalize and validate the struggles and triumphs that are a part of the universally human experience of motherhood for women everywhere. 

This week's momma, Amanda, has so many good nuggets of wisdom to offer. I love her trick for managing overwhelm. And her favorite quote? So perfect.  

How do you balance the mom, work, and relation…

OMG, moving with kids is not easy.

I remember a time when I could be moved and unpacked in one weekend….Oh, the good old college days!  

It is definitely not the same with a husband and two kids. The end of 2015 was exhausting. We sold our home and moved into our new place. And, of course, the holidays are always a busy time. But, I can finally say we are all sleeping happily in our new rooms.

So, what’s the point of my little story?  

Well, of course, it goes back to some of the same thi…

The Momma Interviews is a new blog series by Catherine O'Brien, LMFT highlighting the thoughts, experiences and wisdom of a unique real-world mom each week, to normalize and validate the struggles and triumphs that are a part of the universally human experience of motherhood for women everywhere. 

This week's momma asked that I refer to her as Bee. Like her name, this interview is short and sweet, but undoubtedly charming. I love her ability to keep it simple--especially in her advice to ne…

The Momma Interviews is a new blog series by Catherine O'Brien, LMFT highlighting the thoughts, experiences and wisdom of a unique real-world mom each week, to normalize and validate the struggles and triumphs that are a part of the universally human experience of motherhood for women everywhere. 

This week’s momma is Ashley Robillard. She has three kids with her high school sweetheart and is a Licensed Acupuncturist at Firefly Acupuncture in Plymouth MN. She gives a refreshingly honest self-…

Featured on PsychCentral.com

PsychCentral recently published "5 Self-Care Tips for New Moms", featuring an interview with Catherine O'Brien, LMFT. In it, she gives her best advice on simple, yet crucial ways that any new mom can add in some much-needed "me time" into her day. 

Why prioritize self-care when you have a new little human that needs so much more than you do? Because, as O'Brien states in the article, "If you are tired and stressed out, honor yourself and take some time to ‘fill…

The Momma Interviews is a new blog series by Catherine O'Brien, LMFT highlighting the thoughts, experiences and wisdom of a unique real-world mom each week, to normalize and validate the struggles and triumphs that are a part of the universally human experience of motherhood for women everywhere. 

This week's Momma Interview is with Jessica Flannigan, Editor of Livethefancylife.com and ohboystyle.com. She's a busy work-from-home mom of two boys with some great advice on staying present and weig…

The Momma Interviews is a new blog series by Catherine O'Brien, LMFT highlighting the thoughts, experiences and wisdom of a unique real-world mom each week, to normalize and validate the struggles and triumphs that are a part of the universally human experience of motherhood for women everywhere. 

Kicking off our inaugural post in this series, we have Niki, a 35 year old momma of one in Minneapolis, MN. Check out our interview below....

How do you balance the mom, work, and relationship role…

Recently, I’ve had the honor to be interviewed and featured in a two-part article series published on Psych Central. The articles focus on ways for new parents to maintain connection with their partners during the intense transition period that happens when you bring home a new baby. 

Part One, 4 Pointers for New Parents for Maintaining a Healthy Marriage, focuses on the importance of developing a Postpartum Plan for expectant parents, ways to delegate tasks and ask for help in the day-to-d…

My daughter loves her older brother.

She really adores him and I love to watch their sweet interactions together. Whatever he does she wants to do. This includes doing silly things, eating foods, making their beds, showing off some recent talent. This also includes wanting to play with all his toys--something he’s not always a fan of.  

I sometimes find myself telling him, “Just let her play with it!” as I hear him start to yell at her to stop.

“Don't yell at her!” I scream from the other …

Doesn’t it seem like every time you log on to the internet, whether it be Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, whatever…there is always something someone is telling you what you need to do with your children. There’s a technique for handling any situation. A research study supporting this or that philosophy. 

And a recent one that I’ve encountered many times--and I’m sure you have too--is teaching resiliency to our kids.

“Shoot,” you think! “I’m just trying to raise  happy, healthy, and well-adj…

There is so much we do to prepare for our sweet baby's delivery. But what have you done to prepare for after baby comes home? Watch the video as I share our poor planning for our first child. FYI, it doesn't have to be that way. (Don't have time to watch a video...read the transcript below!)

Watch Here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62PgO4RnChY&w=640&h=480

It's been six years since that fateful day; the day that I think really changed so much for me and the way I look at things and the …

Do you ever feel like there's something wrong with you because you have this beautiful baby and everyday doesn't feel like it's the best day? Let me just tell you: that is so normal. Hear my thoughts on it in this week's video. 

Watch Here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5SEII9MGzE&w=640&h=480

I know, people always say, "Oh, enjoy every moment." 

But quite frankly, how in the world do you enjoy every moment? 

And I know so much mom guilt comes up because it's hard and our feelings are a…

I’m not perfect….but, I am enough.

It seems like a day doesn’t pass--shoot, who am I kidding--an hour doesn’t pass that I don’t think about all the things I HAVE to do. I am such a busy person. I have two kids, a husband, my own business, all of which need nurturing and demand my undivided attention. I have parents and in-laws and friends to stay connected with and support with my love and friendship. I have to-do lists and goals and…and…and…. Right? We all do. I’m not unique in all I have …

I hear this all too often. A struggling mother will say that she feels misunderstood or that she's failing. A partner, family member, or friend says the wrong thing with the best intentions or is unsure of what to say at all. Do you want to know how to support a struggling mom?

Check out this video to hear my take on it. (Audio transcript is below.)

Watch Here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzBW7kXGonM&w=640&h=480

I've been getting a lot of the same question over and over again, this week…

Life transitions seems to be happening everywhere.  

I have friends who kids are off to college, someone I know is getting ready for retirement, some are welcoming new job positions, new babies, a new sibling added to the the mix. And then, there is the new school year. So many kids have already started. My son started back 2 weeks ago, but this week is is first full week--he's in 1st grade. 1ST GRADE!!!!!! How in the world is that even possible? I don’t know.  

And, though there are times…

We’re moving.

Well, hopefully, we’re moving. We’re putting our house on the market.

I told my husband last night that I’m scared of not knowing exactly what is to come. I’m sad that this part of our life is ending, but also excited to see what this new phase brings us.

I’m not sure what’s going to happen. What our next house is going to look like, if it will be set up the way I want, or whether we will have to adjust any expectations we are trying not to have. While my overwhelming feelin…

Is new motherhood not looking or feeling the way you thought it would? 

If you find yourself asking questions like: How in the world do other moms get things done? Why is this so hard for me? Am I doing it all wrong? I love my baby, but why do I feel so alone? 

It’s no secret that having a baby changes everything—and not just our physical bodies! 

Having a baby can change our relationship to ourselves, our partners, our friends, our work, our sense of time and priorities. 

The solution t…

Happy Father’s Day!

Yes, I’m talking to you.

I just wanted you to know that we do notice all the things you do. We might not always say thank you or acknowledge your support. Your encouragement. Your fun and crazy ways. But we do appreciate you.  

We know that you make this parenting job easier.  

We know that our children adore you. We know that your ways are different, but that’s perfectly alright because no 2 people are alike and our children will encounter all sort of differences in …

Maternal Mental Health Awareness month (May) is over now, but I have another wonderful guest blogpost from my amazing intern, Elizabeth DeFazio. Not only is she a mom, partner, and Marriage and Family Therapist Intern, but she also has a unique background of being a RN, so her perspective is invaluable. 

Guest Blog By: Elizabeth DeFazio, RN, MFT Intern

As Maternal Mental Health Awareness month ends we are reminded of the toll pregnancy and childbirth can take on a woman and her family. Som…

Guest blog by Anna Osborn, licensed psychotherapist and relationship specialist

With May being Maternal Mental Wellness month, I decided to share a big secret with all of you. One that folks aren’t talking about enough. One that we need to share with each other. One that we need to have open dialogue about. One that needs to be shouted from the rooftop so that others aren’t hiding in shame and fear.

Having kids is hard on your relationship!  What? 

I know you’re thinking, well of course I…

May is Maternal Mental Health awareness month. At HappyWithBaby.com we know it isn't always easy being a parent. But with support, encouragement, and education things can be easier. We are so exciting to be collaborating with some excellent clinicians, sharing some amazing articles, that offer just those things.

Guest Blog by: Shana Averbach, LMFT

"I love the idea of knowledge as power. When I was pregnant with my now 7-month-old son, I thrived on learning the functions of my symptoms. Nau…

Week 2 of our momma interviews. This week I want to share two of them. What I love about these moms is that they had opposite exercise. The point I want to note is that they are both amazing mommas.  

We all have different experiences and I think it is important to embrace our differences.  

It's what makes us unique!

Watch Here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phKs8JLET9U&w=854&h=480] [youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTux-ua1TVs&w=854&h=480

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Guest blog by: Mercedes Samudio, LCSW

When I think of maternal mental health, I think of more than just mental illness and postpartum depression. I think of the stereotypical super mom who is trying to do it all and ends up neglecting herself. I think of the pressures places on mothers in our world and how impossible those expectations are for mothers to reach. And I think, how can we support the notion that mothers are humans who have strengths and weaknesses and can’t do everything?

One …

 Starting a weekly series for the rest of May. These are just quick interviews with different mommas (a different 1 or 2, each week).  

What I love about them, is that they are all amazing moms with different answers.  

Not one is better than the other.     

They are perfect examples of how different and unique we all are, but wonderful just the same.

Watch Here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsnbL4vyRqQ&w=560&h=315

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To all the mothers, moms, mommies, mamas, mommas, grandmothers etc. Happy Mother’s Day!

To the mom that has lost your child too soon, Happy Mother’s Day!

To the mom that has adopted her child(ren), Happy Mother’s Day!

To the foster mom, Happy Mother’s Day!

To the aunt that is also a mom, Happy Mother’s Day!

To the grandmother that is also a mom, Happy Mother’s Day!

To the mom who is missing her own mom, Happy Mother's Day!

To the mom that is still yearning to bring a baby home, Happy…

May is Maternal Mental Health awareness month. At HappyWithBaby.com we know it isn't always easy being a parent. But with support, encouragement, and education things can be easier. We are so exciting to be collaborating with some excellent clinicians, sharing some amazing articles, that offer just those things.

Guest Blog by Bridget Bertrand, Psychotherapist, LMFT 83020

Emotions: the invisible and yet powerful experiences we all have. What is an emotion? Merriam-Webster calls it an “...af…

I distinctly remember being told (more times than I can count) that everything would change when I had a baby.

WHOA…they weren’t kidding!!!

I’ve gotten a lot of gifts from being a mom. And one of them is that I finally figured out what I wanted to be when I grow up. 

Don’t get me wrong I was already a therapist, and had wanted to be a therapist since as long as I could remember. 

But when I became a mother, I finally figured out what direction my practice would go. I finally figured out …

Being a parent takes us to a whole new level of busy, because now we are actually responsible for someone else’s life. 

I talk with parents all the time about how to best manage their schedules. In Part 1 of this 3 part series (3 parts as I post this, it could be more by the time I’m done with this), I discuss picking your priorities that will positively impact your family.

Take a listen:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c62XhOX6-4k&w=640&h=480

(Transcript of video)

Hi, This is Catherine…

So things have been ca-RAY-zyyYY busy in my neck of the woods lately. Not all work stuff. It has also been what I call “birthday season” in our house.

Somehow I managed to have kids with birthdays 2 weeks apart, plus both my parent-in-laws, brother-in-law, and my own mother all have birthdays. It’s hard to keep up.

But it really had me thinking. (Actually, I think about this every year at this time and many times in between.) About all the things I’ve learned…and am learning since I had my…

Valentine’s Day is a chocolate candy, and florist’s dream day, but it’s really about the heart and the thought. It is making sure your loved one’s know you care and love them. If it takes a holiday to get you to stop, that is fine. However, it is MORE important to make sure that you take the time to tell your partner, your children, your parents, whoever it is, how you feel about them all year long!

Believe me I know how hard it is to make special time to do the “Valentines Day” things. So …

In this edition of Happy with Baby's “3 Tips in 3 Minutes,” we're talking about three ways to increase your intimacy.

Watch Here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYyyWZ9gW5I&w=640&h=480

As parents of young children, it can be particularly challenging to find time to make that intimate connection with your partner. We would love to hear from you about what you and your partner do to make sure that your relationship stays strong. Please share in the comments below!

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In this edition of Happy with Baby's “3 Tips in 3 Minutes,” we're talking about three ways to increase communication.

Watch Here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiNHhx9gkqY&w=640&h=480

We’d love to hear from you about your communication with your partner. Please share your great connection tips below.

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In this edition of Happy with Baby's “3 Tips in 3 Minutes,” we're talking about three ways to cope with your in-laws.

Watch Here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TdibIyYdLQ&w=640&h=480

We would love to hear from you about what you do when you have particularly challenging family members, please share your great tips in the comments below.

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As I put away the last Thanksgiving decorations and start to hang the Christmas lights, my heart is very heavy. As I usually find the holidays a “wonderful time of year”, this year it is especially hard for many of my relatives and dear friends. 

It’s that thing called grief. In the last 2 weeks, I’ve had 4 deaths in “my inner circle.” Some were expected due to age, and some very unexpected. But I know it doesn’t matter if it was expected or not -- grief is grief. 

It. Is. Hard. 

Even if…

In this edition of Happy with Baby's “3 Tips in 3 Minutes,” we're talking about three ways to create family traditions.

Watch Here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BODLnZ6Xhyw&w=640&h=480

Please share in the comments below what you are doing to create new family traditions.

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As promised, here’s Happy with Baby's “3 Tips in 3 Minutes,” where we're talking about three ways to support Dad when baby comes home.

Watch Here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rjl7ymrdHQE&w=640&h=480

Please share in the comments below what you found most helpful as a new Dad, or how you support the new Dads in your life.

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In this edition of Happy with Baby's “3 Tips in 3 Minutes,” we're talking about three ways to support Mom when baby comes home.

Watch Here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZOyfkLe9H4&w=420&h=315

Please share in the comments below. What things did you find most helpful when you came home with your baby? What are some things you do now to support friends or family with their new babies? And don’t worry Dad’s…I know you need support too, so the next video is going to be just for you!

S…

In this first edition of Happy with Baby's “3 Tips in 3 Minutes,” we're talking about three date night ideas.

Watch Here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIVUtc0V9u4&w=420&h=315

Please share in the comments below your favorite date night ideas.

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Oh my goodness!

It’s been a long time since I’ve experienced the “back-to-school” hustle and bustle. If you’re on my email list then know that my oldest child just started kindergarten. It’s only been four weeks, so we’re still getting used to the routine of making school lunches, getting to bed on time, drop-off/pick-up, and doing the dreadful homework! Yikes, I don’t remember doing homework in kindergarten 

Last Friday, after what seemed to be an unusually long week, my husband (who’s…

In this first edition of Happy with Baby's “3 Tips in 3 Minutes,” we're talking about three ways to say “I Love You.”

Watch Here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7CpeTYzLzQ&w=420&h=315

Please share in the comments below how you let your partner know you love them.

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What is it about becoming a parent that all of sudden we think we shouldn’t get to do things for ourselves? This can be especially true for moms...right? 

So many times we compare ourselves to other people, to other mothers…enter in Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, etc. This creates feelings of inadequacy. This can be because we feel bad for not being at home with our children, or we feel bad for not “working.” I think we can often get so caught up in how to do things right, that we get to…

My plan for this shortened week has me doing a lot of things in a short amount of time. One of those things is editing this blog post.

As anyone with small children knows (I suppose anyone with children of any age knows), the “best­ laid plans of mice and men oft go astray”.

First, my son woke up 3 times throughout the night with what seemed to be growing pains in his legs, and so I ended up rubbing his legs and soothing him back to sleep ­3 times. Then of course my daughter woke up for he…

With the New Year comes lots of resolution making and breaking. Often people forget these resolutions by the time February arrives. So what can you do to make them last? Since the point of this blog is family and being happy with baby I want to focus on resolutions that emphasize creating a healthy and happier family.

1) To take care of yourself. Remember, it is very hard to take care of your family if you are being neglected. Maybe one of your resolutions could be to go to bed earlier. Whe…

You’re constantly on the go…going to appointments, going to work, getting groceries, taking your child to day care. The list goes on and on. What we often forget in our never-ending to-do list is that one of the best ways to manage the stress in our daily lives is to take time out for self-care.

Part of the difficulty with finding this balance as a parent is the enormous amount of tasks that we have to do. It can become very overwhelming.

First off, you need to be able to identify what you…