Ask Me How I'm Really Doing: A Mom's Podcast

Why Toddler Meltdowns Are Part of Learning to Speak

Sun, 05 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400

You know that feeling when your toddler’s voice suddenly fills every corner of the house? One moment they’re saying “no,” and the next they’re telling you full stories about the park, the snack, and the dog they saw. It’s equal parts magic and meltdown. You might wonder if the chaos means something’s off, or if this is just what growing up sounds like.

If you’ve ever questioned whether your toddler’s words are enough, or too much, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing: A Mom’s Podcast, you’ll hear what’s typical between 24 and 36 months and how to support your toddler’s growing voice through connection, patience, and play.

🎧 What’s Inside the Episode

💬 (00:35) The “big and bold” world of two- to three-year-olds and why this stage feels like an emotional rollercoaster.

🧠 (02:00) What’s actually typical in language development between ages two and three, and why messy grammar is a good sign.

❤️ (03:50) How to model language and name emotions so your toddler learns words and emotional regulation.

📖 (05:40) The power of storytelling routines, and how simple “we went park, I slide, then home” moments shape connection.

🚩 (06:15) Red flags to look for by 36 months (and when to trust your gut about early intervention).

🌈 (08:30) The one overlooked milestone that tells you more about your toddler’s development than their vocabulary.

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt

Where in your toddler’s communication are you being invited to slow down and listen—really listen—to what their little heart is trying to say?

Your toddler’s words are a window into their world.

Celebrate every “no,” every story, every attempt to connect—because that’s where the real magic happens.

Come listen. I saved you a seat.

Hadiya ☕️ 💖

RESOURCES

Download the 24-36 months milestone guide → Get It Here
Talk Sprouts → talksprouts.com

FOLLOW ME AROUND

TikTok: @HadiyaCoppedge
YouTube: @HadiyaCoppedge
🌿 Join the Ritual Club for just $7/month → Save My Seat

Is Your Toddler Quiet, or Just Finding Their Own Words?

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Some days it feels like your toddler is learning a new word every five minutes, and other days it’s like the words you heard yesterday just vanish. One minute you’re smiling because they said “ball,” and the next you’re wondering why they’re only pointing and grunting. It can feel confusing, even a little scary. If you’ve ever questioned whether your toddler’s words, or lack of words, are normal, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing: A Mom’s Podcast, you’ll hear about speech and language milestones between 18 and 24 months, what’s typical, what’s worth keeping an eye on, and how to support your toddler without adding pressure.

✨ What’s Inside the Episode

🗣️ (00:45) The “word explosion” myth and why not all toddlers follow it
📈 (04:10) What’s typical between 18–24 months and what’s just your toddler’s unique pace
🧩 (10:12) Red flags to notice if your toddler’s communication seems delayed
📚 (16:40) Why you don’t need apps or flashcards, just simple connected moments
❤️ (22:18) A powerful reminder: language isn’t a race, it’s a relationship
🌟 (27:05) One simple clue that shows your toddler is on track even if words feel slow to come

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt

Where in your toddler’s communication are you overlooking the small but powerful signs that connection is happening?

Come listen. I saved you a seat.

Hadiya ☕️ 💖

RESOURCES

Download the 18-24 months milestone guide → Get It Here
Talk Sprouts → talksprouts.com

FOLLOW ME AROUND

TikTok: @HadiyaCoppedge
YouTube: @HadiyaCoppedge
🌿 Join the Ritual Club for just $7/month → Save My Seat

Should Your 12-Month-Old Be Talking More by Now?

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Picture this: you’re watching your baby wobble around the living room, maybe tossing food on the floor, maybe clutching a toy in one hand while pointing at something with the other. She’s not quite a baby anymore, but not yet a toddler either. And in that in-between stage, the questions creep in. Should she be saying more words by now? Why does everyone else’s baby seem ahead? If you’ve ever spiraled down the Google rabbit hole wondering if something is wrong, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing: A Mom’s Podcast, you’ll hear what’s typical between 12–18 months, why gestures matter as much as words, and what red flags to look out for.

✨ What’s Inside the Episode

✨ (00:00) The “uh-oh stage” explained and why you’re not alone in your worry
✨ (03:32) How 3–10 real words + gestures count as meaningful communication
✨ (06:00) Simple daily routines you can use to boost your baby’s speech
✨ (08:22) The difference between normal regressions and true red flags
✨ (10:45) Why consistency, not perfection, is what helps your baby move forward

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt

Where are you noticing small signs of communication - gestures, sounds, imitations - that you can choose to celebrate instead of compare?

Come listen. I saved you a seat. You don’t have to walk this stage alone, mama. You can hold both the worry and the wonder.

Hadiya ☕️ 💖

RESOURCES

Download the 12–18 months milestone guide → Get It Here
Talk Sprouts → talksprouts.com

FOLLOW ME AROUND

TikTok: @HadiyaCoppedge
YouTube: @HadiyaCoppedge
🌿 Join the Ritual Club for just $7/month → Save My Seat

Are Your Baby’s First Words Coming Too Slowly?

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0400

You know those moments when your baby squeals or waves and you’re left wondering… was that a word? Or just a sound? Maybe you’re rocking in the nursery, scrolling during nap time, or trying to fold laundry with one hand while your baby babbles in the background. If you’ve ever questioned what really counts as a “first word,” this one’s for you.

In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing: A Mom’s Podcast, you’ll hear about baby speech and language milestones between 7 and 12 months, what’s normal, and how you can support your baby’s first steps into communication without adding pressure to your already full plate.

✨ What’s Inside the Episode

🍼 (00:50) Why this stage between 7 and 12 months is called the “almost words” season
👋 (03:10) The magic of gestures like pointing and waving, and why they matter so much
🗣️ (06:45) What really counts as a word (hint: it’s not about perfect pronunciation)
📚 (10:20) Simple, everyday ways you can support speech without special programs or tools
🚩 (14:15) Gentle red flags to watch for, and how to know when to seek support
💡 (19:00) The big takeaway: gestures, babbles, and squeals are all real communication

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt

Where in your day can you pause long enough to celebrate the little ways your baby is already communicating with you?

You don’t have to chase milestones or compare your baby to anyone else’s. Every babble, wave, and point is your child reaching for connection with you. Come listen. I saved you a seat.

Hadiya ☕️ 💖

RESOURCES

Download the 7–12 months milestone guide → Get It Here
Talk Sprouts → talksprouts.com

FOLLOW ME AROUND

TikTok: @HadiyaCoppedge
YouTube: @HadiyaCoppedge
🌿 Join the Ritual Club for just $7/month → Save My Seat

When Baby Sounds Are More Than Just Noise

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Some of the sweetest sounds you hear in the early months are those little coos, squeals, and babbles that sneak in between naps, feedings, and diaper changes. But in the middle of it all, you might catch yourself wondering, is this really the start of words, or just baby noise? If you’ve ever leaned in closer, waiting for meaning in those tiny sounds, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing: A Mom’s Podcast, you’ll hear about the 4–6 month stage of baby communication, what’s typical, what to celebrate, and when to trust your mama gut if something feels off.

✨ What’s Inside the Episode

👶 00:30 | What baby sounds between 4–6 months really mean for speech
🗣️ 01:15 | How every “ba ba” or “goo” shapes your baby’s brain
💬 02:00 | Simple ways to echo sounds and support turn-taking
📚 02:45 | Everyday routines that naturally build language skills
🚩 04:00 | Red flags to notice without spiraling into fear
❤️ 05:15 | Why connection matters more than correction

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt

What sound, giggle, or expression does your baby make right now that lights you up, and how can you echo that joy back to them this week?

Come listen, mama. You don’t need fancy strategies to support your baby’s growth. Your face, your voice, and your presence are enough. I saved you a seat.

Hadiya ☕️💖

RESOURCES

Download the 4–6 months milestone guide → Get It Here
Talk Sprouts → talksprouts.com

FOLLOW ME AROUND

TikTok: @HadiyaCoppedge
YouTube: @HadiyaCoppedge
🌿 Join the Ritual Club for just $7/month → Save My Seat

Worried Your Baby Isn’t Talking Yet? Here’s What Matters

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0400

You know those middle-of-the-night feedings where the house is dark and quiet, and you find yourself wondering if you’re doing any of this right? Or those long afternoons when the nap just won’t happen, and you’re left scrolling your phone while rocking your baby, second-guessing if you’re supporting their growth the way you should? If you’ve ever felt that tug of worry about your baby’s communication milestones, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing: A Mom’s Podcast, you’ll hear about early speech and language milestones, what to look for in the first three months, and how much you’re already doing right just by being present.

✨ What’s Inside the Episode:

🍼 (00:42) Why language starts with connection, not words
👶 (01:24) The first “languages” your baby speaks through cries and coos
💕 (02:25) How simple things like eye contact and narrating diaper changes nurture communication
📖 (02:45) Why your voice, not flashcards, is your baby’s best teacher
🚩 (03:37) Gentle red flags to notice in the 0–3 month stage (without panic)
🌸 (07:53) Why early intervention is not a sign of failure but of love

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt

Where in your days are you already connecting with your baby without even realizing it? How can you notice and name those moments this week?

You don’t need every answer right now. You just need to keep showing up, noticing, and trusting that your voice matters. Come listen. I saved you a seat.

Hadiya ☕️ 💖

RESOURCES

Download the 0–3 months milestone guide → Get It Here
Talk Sprouts → talksprouts.com

FOLLOW ME AROUND

TikTok: @HadiyaCoppedge
YouTube: @HadiyaCoppedge
🌿 Join the Ritual Club for just $7/month → Save My Seat

Is Your Baby Talking Late or Right on Time?

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Somewhere between scrubbing dishes and rocking your baby at 2 a.m., the questions start to creep in. Is this normal? Should she be saying more? Why does it feel like everyone else’s baby is further ahead? And suddenly, milestones become another thing on your already heavy mental load. If you’ve ever found yourself comparing, worrying, or wondering if your baby is on track, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing: A Mom’s Podcast, you’ll hear the truth about how speech and language actually begin long before the first word.

✨ What’s Inside the Episode:

(00:21) The moment your baby arrives, so do the questions
(01:11) Why zooming out makes milestones feel less overwhelming
(00:26) Everyday moments—eye contact, coos, giggles—as the building blocks of speech
(02:27) Age-by-age milestones from 0–3 years without the pressure
(00:02) A truth you can whisper to yourself when you’re worried
(00:08) The red flag almost every pediatrician misses when it comes to language

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt

Where in your daily routine can you notice and celebrate the small ways your baby is already connecting with you?

Come listen. I saved you a seat.

Hadiya ☕️💖

RESOURCES

Download the 0–3 months milestone guide → Get It Here
Talk Sprouts → talksprouts.com

FOLLOW ME AROUND

TikTok: @HadiyaCoppedge
YouTube: @HadiyaCoppedge
🌿 Join the Ritual Club for just $7/month → Save My Seat

Do You Feel Guilty Spending on Yourself?

Sun, 14 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0400

You know that moment when you’re lying awake, scrolling through your bank app, trying to make the numbers work in your head? Or when you’re at the kitchen table with bills, daycare costs, and the never-ending list of “kid things” that always seem to pop up? And on top of all of it, there’s that whisper in the back of your mind asking, am I doing enough?If you’ve ever felt the weight of money and motherhood pressing down on you, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing: A Mom’s Podcast, you’ll hear the three big reasons money feels so heavy after motherhood and why none of them are your fault.

✨ What’s Inside the Episode:

(00:02) 💸 Why every dollar feels like it has to go through a committee before you spend it
(09:00) 📉 The “motherhood penalty” and how it quietly impacts your paycheck and opportunities
(14:20) 👶 The childcare math that doesn’t add up and why it’s not your failure
(18:45) 🧠 The invisible mental load of money that shows up in your body, not your bank account
(23:00) 🌱 How knowing the truth about money and motherhood helps you reclaim your power

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt

What is one way motherhood has changed the way you think about money, and what support would help you feel less alone in carrying that load?

Friend, you are not failing. The system was not built for you, but you can still claim your power. Come listen. I saved you a seat.

Hadiya ☕️ 💖

FOLLOW ME AROUND

TikTok: @HadiyaCoppedge
YouTube: @HadiyaCoppedge
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What Motherhood Takes From You (And What It Gives Back)

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0400

You know how you reheat your coffee three times before you finally finish it? Or how you look in the mirror some mornings and barely recognize the woman staring back at you? Motherhood has a way of reshaping everything. Your body, your sleep, your patience, even your closest relationships. And yet, in the middle of all the exhaustion, there are these small, sacred moments that make your heart swell. If you’ve ever felt like motherhood is both the most beautiful and the hardest thing you’ve ever done, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing: A Mom’s Podcast, you’ll hear about the ways becoming a mom changes everything: your identity, your relationships, your money, and the way you find joy, and why those changes, messy as they are, hold meaning and growth.

What’s Inside This Episode

💭 00:02 - Why motherhood shifts your identity and leaves you feeling like you’ve “lost yourself”

🤝 06:20 - How becoming a mom changes your friendships and partnerships, and why that’s normal

💔 12:45 - The “postpartum dip” in relationships and what it really means

💵 18:00 - The motherhood penalty: how money, work, and survival mode collide after baby

💖 25:30 - The hidden joys that remind you why it’s all worth it, even on the hardest days

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt

Think about the woman you were before you became a mom. What part of her do you miss? Now think about the woman you’re becoming. What quality or joy has motherhood brought out in you that you want to carry forward?

Being a mom changes everything, but that doesn’t mean you’ve disappeared. You’re growing into a version of yourself who can hold both the love and the hard days. Come listen. I saved you a seat.

Hadiya ☕️ 💖

FOLLOW ME AROUND

TikTok: @HadiyaCoppedge
YouTube: @HadiyaCoppedge

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Why Moms Don’t Need to Be Perfect to Be Enough

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Picture this: you’re standing in your kitchen at 2 AM, baby finally asleep in your arms, and you’re wondering how in the world you’re supposed to know what to do next. Nobody gave you a manual. Nobody told you the exact way to soothe your baby or when you’ll sleep again. If you’ve ever felt like you should “just know” how to do this mom thing but secretly don’t, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing: A Mom’s Podcast, you’ll hear five truths every first-time mom needs to hear, the ones that make you feel seen, grounded, and a little less alone in the mess of new motherhood.

What’s Inside This Episode

✨ 00:02 - The shock of being sent home with a baby and no manual

✨ 02:00 - Why asking for help is wisdom, not weakness

✨ 05:40 - Letting go of perfection and learning to trust yourself

✨ 10:15 - The real behind-the-scenes of Instagram “perfect” moms

✨ 15:30 - Why savoring the messy, sleepless moments will matter later

✨ 22:00 - The truth about baby gear and keeping it simple

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt

Where are you putting pressure on yourself to “know it all” in motherhood, and what would it look like to soften into asking for help or trusting yourself instead?

Motherhood doesn’t come with a manual, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. Come listen. I saved you a seat.

Hadiya ☕️ 💖

FOLLOW ME AROUND

TikTok: @HadiyaCoppedge
YouTube: @HadiyaCoppedge

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3 Truths Every Mom Needs About Reclaiming Passion

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Some mornings your patience runs out before the coffee even finishes brewing. You’re juggling school drop-offs, dishes in the sink, and the endless to-do list that no one else sees. You feel yourself snapping, hiding in the bathroom for just a few minutes of quiet, wondering where your joy went. If you’ve ever felt like your passion disappeared somewhere under the weight of motherhood, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing: A Mom’s Podcast, you’ll hear why your passion as a mom can’t wait, and how reclaiming it helps you move from just surviving motherhood to actually thriving.

✨ What’s Inside the Episode

(00:45) 💭 Why losing sight of your passions is so common in motherhood and why you’re not alone.
(02:12) 🌸 Truth #1: How even a few minutes spent on what you love refuels your energy as a mom.
(07:30) 🌈 Truth #2: The difference between harmonious passion and obsessive passion, and how you can find balance.
(12:45) 🧺 Truth #3: How the invisible mental load makes passion harder to pursue, and what support you need to make it possible.
(17:00) 🌟 A reminder that your passion isn’t selfish, it’s a gift that benefits your whole family.

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt

What is one small passion ritual you can reclaim this week, and who can support you in making sure it happens?

You don’t have to choose between motherhood and the pieces of you that make you come alive. Both can exist together, and you deserve to feel lit up by your own joy. Come listen, I saved you a seat.

Hadiya ☕️ 💖

FOLLOW ME AROUND

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YouTube: @HadiyaCoppedge
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Why Moms Put Themselves Last (and How to Flip It Just Once)

Sun, 31 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0400

You know that feeling when you skip brushing your teeth or delay your shower because your baby is crying and you put her first? That’s mom guilt. It sneaks into the tiniest moments, from dishes piling up to skipping your own needs just to keep the peace. You love your child deeply, but sometimes the guilt feels automatic, like a reflex you can’t turn off. If you’ve ever put yourself last and questioned what that says about you, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing, you’ll hear about mom guilt, emotional labor, and why caring for yourself is just as important as caring for your baby.

Timestamped Highlights

🍼 (00:05) The everyday ways guilt sneaks in when you put yourself last

👩🏽‍🍼 (01:24) Why mornings feel like the hardest test of motherhood

👵🏽 (02:40) How cultural messages from moms and grandmas keep guilt alive

💔 (03:37) When your baby’s tears get blamed on you instead of supported

💡 (06:21) A 3-step “guilt reset” you can try before reacting

💪🏾 (07:31) Why nurturing yourself first is the only way your baby truly thrives

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt

Where have you been putting yourself last? What would it look like to flip that script, even just once? Could you brush your teeth before the dishes, take a shower before the laundry, or pause for one deep breath before picking up your baby?

You are not selfish for needing a moment. You are not broken for feeling guilty. You are human, and you deserve care too. Come sit with me — I saved you a seat.

Hadiya ☕️ 💖

FOLLOW ME AROUND

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Are You Tired of Living in Yoga Pants Too?

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0400

You know that moment when you’re standing in front of a closet that’s overflowing, but you still feel like you have nothing to wear? Maybe you’ve been living in leggings for months, grabbing whatever is clean and praying no one notices the baby food stains. Somewhere along the way, you stopped feeling like yourself in your own clothes. If you’ve ever craved putting something on that makes you feel like you again, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing, you’ll hear about postpartum identity, motherhood style shifts, and how to reclaim your sense of self through the clothes you wear.

Timestamped Highlights

👖 (00:05) Why living in yoga pants for a year leaves you feeling unlike yourself

☕ (00:37) The baby-food-stained legging moment every mom knows too well

👗 (01:07) The shift from pre-baby jeans to flowy dresses and oversized clothes

💄 (02:15) How a crisp shirt, loose jeans, and a little makeup changed everything

🩲 (06:21) Why good underwear matters more than you think for your confidence

💡 (08:45) Creating outfit “formulas” so you always feel put together in minutes

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt

What’s one small way you can dress for yourself this week? Not for comfort, not for practicality, and not for anyone else... just for you.

You don’t need a whole new wardrobe to feel like yourself again. Sometimes all it takes is a little intention and one piece that makes you feel alive in your own skin. Come listen, mama. I saved you a seat.

Hadiya ☕️ 💖

FOLLOW ME AROUND

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When Breastfeeding Doesn’t Work the Way Moms Are Told It Should

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0400

I thought breastfeeding would be natural, instinctual, automatic. Instead, it felt like my body betrayed me. At 23, I had a breast reduction and I had no idea what that choice would mean when I held my baby years later. In the hospital, I watched her cry while my body couldn’t give her enough, and it broke me. If you’ve ever sat in the dark with tears rolling down your face wondering why your body won’t cooperate, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing: A Mom’s Podcast, I open up about postpartum feeding struggles, the impact of breast reduction surgery on breastfeeding, and the emotional labor of feeling like your body has failed you. We talk about shame, community, and what it really means to mother beyond performance.

Timestamped Highlights

💔 (00:07) How my breast reduction at 23 shaped my postpartum journey

🍼 (03:59) The night I realized my body wasn’t giving my daughter enough

😢 (05:29) Why shame cuts so deep when breastfeeding doesn’t work out

🤱🏽 (07:57) How moms in my community rallied to share breast milk

🌍 (09:45) Normalizing milk sharing and choosing what’s best for your family

💡 (11:05) Redefining motherhood beyond performance and ounces

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt

What does it mean to mother if it has nothing to do with performance? How would your story shift if you measured your motherhood by presence, love, and intention instead of by checklists or outcomes?

You are not broken. You are rebuilding. And that too is mothering. Come listen, I saved you a seat.

Hadiya ☕️ 💖

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Why Moms Never Really Sleep (Even When the Baby Does) Part 2

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 18:32:00 -0400

I’ll be honest, I didn’t even want to talk about this one. I’ve been co-sleeping with my daughter since she was three days old, so broken sleep has been my normal. But last night was one of the hardest nights yet. I’m jealous of moms whose babies sleep, resentful of every headline that says babies should be sleeping through the night, and exhausted from counting phantom cries at 3 a.m. If you’ve ever stumbled through motherhood on zombie mode, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing: A Mom’s Podcast, I share the truth about postpartum sleep deprivation, co-sleeping, and the emotional labor of babies who still wake through the night. We talk about phantom cries, motherhood exhaustion, and how to redefine rest when sleep feels impossible.

Timestamped Highlights

😮‍💨 (00:01) Naming the jealousy I feel toward moms whose babies sleep

🌙 (00:38) Twelve months of broken nights and the toll it takes

👶🏽 (02:06) The comedy and chaos of midnight wakeups with Estelle

📺 (04:30) Why I had to stop watching drama before bed just to cope

📱 (06:59) The battle between phone time and real rest

💭 (08:35) Rethinking baby independence and what rest really means

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt

What does rest look like for you in this season, even if it isn’t sleep? Is it car sitting, a late-night scroll, or five minutes of quiet before the house wakes up? Name it and let it count.

You are not broken for being tired. You are not alone for wishing it were different. This is a season, and you’re doing better than you think. Come listen, I saved you a seat.

Hadiya ☕️ 💖

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Why Moms Never Really Sleep (Even When the Baby Does) Part 1

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Last night I had the worst sleep I’ve had since becoming a mom. I’ve been co-sleeping with my daughter since she was three days old, so broken sleep has been my normal. I thought I was used to it, but this night was something else. From middle-of-the-night slaps to phantom cries, I hit my edge. If you’ve ever laid in bed at 3 a.m. wondering how you’ll make it through another sleepless night, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing: A Mom’s Podcast, I open up about the reality of baby night wakeups, co-sleeping, and the mental load of sleep deprivation. We talk about phantom cries, the pressure to sleep train, and what it means to accept this season of motherhood while still craving rest.

Timestamped Highlights

😴 (00:42) The night I was woken up more times than I could count

✋ (02:12) When my baby slapped me in the chest in her sleep

😂 (03:40) The comedy of her crawling on top of Chris looking for milk

🕰 (07:50) Why I turned my clock away to avoid sleep anxiety

📚 (06:01) What I learned about babies waking up to protect themselves from SIDS

📱 (09:32) Phantom cries and how my body is trained to wake up even when she doesn’t need me

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt

When was the last time you felt pushed to your edge by lack of rest? What would it look like to give yourself just one small pocket of recovery this week, even if it is not perfect sleep?

Motherhood asks so much of us, even in the middle of the night. You are not the only one exhausted and longing for rest. Come listen, I saved you a seat.

Hadiya ☕️ 💖

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Have You Ever Felt Jealous of Women Without Kids?

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 15:29:00 -0400

I’m going to say the quiet thing out loud. Sometimes I get jealous of women who aren’t moms. Not because I don’t love being a mom, but because I miss the ease they seem to move through their day with. The extra time to get dressed slowly, to look put together, to not have every minute accounted for. Becoming a mother is the deepest joy of my life, and it has also come with real losses. If you’ve ever felt that ache too, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing: A Mom’s Podcast, I talk about the hidden losses in motherhood, from time and identity to self-care and emotional space. We explore what it means to grieve those changes while still loving our babies, and how to carve out small moments of time for ourselves.

Timestamped Highlights

⏱ (00:29) The dinner that left me feeling rushed, drained, and unseen

👚 (02:45) Realizing I had no clothes that fit the woman I am now

💄 (04:50) The spiral of getting ready while comparing myself to women without kids

💔 (06:30) Naming jealousy as a longing for time and spaciousness

🪞 (07:21) Why starting with the outside can help you feel more like yourself inside

🕰 (10:14) The truth that this season will not last forever

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt

Where in your life are you craving time that is truly yours? Name it. Even if it feels selfish. Especially if it feels selfish. What would it look like to claim just a little bit of that back this week?

You’re allowed to name the loss while still loving the life you have. This is just a season, and you are not the only one who feels it. I saved you a seat.

Hadiya ☕️ 💖

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The Mental Load Moms Aren’t Talking About

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Lately, my brain has been running calculations from the moment I wake up. How many ounces of milk are left in the freezer? How many pants still fit her? How long until the next nap? I didn’t realize motherhood would turn me into a full-time mathematician, constantly weighing every decision like it’s the most important one. If you’ve ever felt buried under invisible mental math, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing: A Mom’s Podcast, I share what I call “mommyhood math” and how the constant calculations of nap schedules, growth milestones, and emotional load can drain us. We talk about giving ourselves grace, letting go of perfection, and remembering that our babies are doing just fine.

Timestamped Highlights

🍼 (00:07) The first time I realized I was doing “mommyhood math”

🩳 (00:56) Why my daughter’s pants became a spiral of self-criticism

📋 (03:15) How every question about her was really a question about me

🌿 (05:29) The things no one tells you before becoming a mom

📊 (07:44) Why you can’t spreadsheet your way to being a good mom

💡 (12:23) Letting go of the numbers and trusting your baby’s timeline

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt

Where are you measuring yourself too harshly right now? Say it out loud. Then ask yourself, is this something I actually need to track?

You are doing enough. Your baby is doing better than you think. And you are not alone in the questions you ask yourself every day. I’m saving you a seat.

Hadiya ☕️ 💖

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Why Mom Time Still Matters

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 13:32:00 -0400

I was so ready to spill the tea with my friend. Instead, I was wiping food off my shirt, keeping my daughter from tumbling over, and trying to have a halfway decent conversation between bites. I love being a mom, but that day I realized just how much I miss connecting without constant interruptions. So I planned something for my mom friends and for me a baby free pool day. No bottles, no nap schedules, no chasing little ones mid-sentence. Just sun, laughter, and remembering who we are outside of motherhood. If you’ve ever longed for a real conversation without tiny hands pulling at you, this one’s for you.

n this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing: A Mom’s Podcast, I talk about why every mom needs a moment away from the daily grind of motherhood, how I planned a baby-free pool day, and why connection matters as much as rest.

⏱ Timestamped Highlights

💬 (00:07) That moment I realized I missed uninterrupted conversations

🍼 (01:13) How motherhood turned every catch-up into baby duty

💌 (01:50) Shouting out my friend Nicole and the value of rare, meaningful time

🏖 (04:15) The lightbulb moment from a Parisian mom that changed everything

💦 (05:48) Why the pool day wasn’t about luxury, but about restoration

💡 (07:08) Asking yourself when you last felt like you

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt

When in your life do you need that time to just be for you. Not as a mom, partner, or planner? How can you create even one small pocket of that time this week?

Motherhood was never meant to be done alone. Plan the thing, book the time, and give yourself permission to feel like you again. Come listen. I saved you a seat.

Hadiya ☕️ 💖

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Follow on YouTube + TikTok: @hadiyacoppedge

Why Moms Skip the Big First Birthday Party (and Don’t Regret It)

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0400

I didn’t throw my daughter a first birthday party. Who even am I? What kind of mom skips the milestone moment? I second guessed myself when the invites from other one-year-old parties rolled in. I thought about the Pinterest boards, the perfect cake, and the decorations, and then I thought about how exhausted I still was from the baby shower. So I chose something different. If you’ve ever felt guilty for not doing what everyone expects, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing: A Mom’s Podcast, I talk about the pressure around birthday parties, mom guilt, and why we decided to trade the big celebration for something simpler and more meaningful. If you’re navigating postpartum life, emotional labor, and redefining traditions in motherhood, you’ll feel seen here.

Timestamped Highlights

🎈 (00:30) Why I decided not to plan a Pinterest-perfect first birthday

☕ (01:15) The baby shower that nearly broke us

💬 (03:57) The conversation with Chris that changed everything

🏞️ (04:45) Swapping party favors for a family trip to Clear Lake

💡 (06:26) Rethinking gifts and starting a college fund tradition

💖 (07:10) What celebration could look like with no rules or pressure

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt

If you could celebrate without rules, pressure, or expectations, what would you choose to keep? What would you let go of?

Sometimes love looks like simplifying. Sometimes presence matters more than presents. And sometimes, the best memories are the ones made far from the noise. You don’t have to choose between motherhood and your dreams. You can hold both.

Hadiya ☕️ 💖

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When Motherhood Makes You Want to Run Away

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 14:12:00 -0400

This morning started with a baby glued to my hip, a rumbling stomach, and a pan of butter burning on the stove. I hadn’t brushed my teeth, my hair had given up on me, and my clothes were whatever I grabbed off the floor. In the middle of it all, I opened my old work inbox just to escape for a second. And then the thought hit me, so loud I could hardly believe it. I wish I was at work. If you’ve ever wanted to run from the life you love, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing: A Mom’s Podcast, I share the moment I realized it wasn’t my old job I missed, but my own autonomy. If you’re navigating postpartum identity shifts, emotional labor, and the longing to feel like yourself again, this conversation is for you.

Timestamped Highlights

☕ (00:38) The morning chaos that pushed me to my breaking point

💭 (02:29) The unexpected thought that made me question everything

🌿 (03:33) Stepping outside and finding peace in the crisp morning air

🐾 (05:20) The joy of seeing my daughter sign “dog” for the first time

❤️ (06:10) Realizing I didn’t want my old job, I just wanted more presence

🪞 (07:00) Asking myself what I truly want from my days as a mom

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt

When are you longing for freedom that you’re not getting right now? Whisper it to yourself. Then ask...what would it take to give myself even a piece of it?

Some days we want to run. Other days, we find our way back to ourselves in the smallest, sweetest moments. You don’t have to choose between motherhood and your dreams. You can hold both.

Hadiya ☕️ 💖

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Subscribe on YouTube: @HadiyaCoppedge
Follow on TikTok: @HadiyaCoppedge
Join the Rediscover Me Ritual Series Waitlist: [Link]

Motherhood Burnout: Bra-less and Still on Duty

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0400

This morning, I almost lost it. I was standing in the kitchen, unshowered, still in yesterday’s clothes, trying to make breakfast with a crying toddler strapped to my body and I nearly dropped a burp cloth. That tiny moment cracked something open in me. I felt the grief, the rage, the pressure of everything I’ve been holding in. And I didn’t even cry... not because I didn’t need to, but because I was too tired to.

If you’ve ever been one spoon away from losing it, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing, I talk about the quiet breaking points in early motherhood, how even the smallest moments can trigger our deepest emotions, and what it means to walk away, not to avoid, but to survive. Keywords include emotional labor, postpartum rage, motherhood identity, and mental load.

🌟 Timestamped Highlights

🥄 (00:27) The almost spilled burp cloth that broke me inside

🍼 (01:00) A message to the mom hiding in the bathroom or nursing cold coffee

🌊 (02:45) Returning from vacation and being crushed by the undone things

🤕 (03:20) Separation anxiety, sensory overload, and one armed cooking

🧠 (04:50) The tension headache that wasn’t thirst. It was stress

🚪 (06:15) How walking outside became my way of walking away from rage

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt

What emotion are you trying to leave in one room while showing up in another? And what would happen if you just let a little of it come out of you? You don’t have to be perfect or present, and you don’t have to feel better to keep going.

You’re not alone in the mess or the meltdown. We don’t get clean breaks in motherhood, but we do get to name the hard.

Come listen. I saved you a seat.

Hadiya ☕️ 💖

Links Mentioned

🎥 Subscribe on YouTube: @HadiyaCoppedge

📱 Follow on TikTok: @hadiyacoppedge

Are You Burnt Out but Still Showing Up?

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0400

This week, I recorded a podcast episode, and it felt like me again. After six weeks offline, after travel, burnout, nap refusals, and spilled matcha, I sat down and created something. And it didn’t drain me. It brought me back to myself.

If you’ve ever celebrated something so small it almost didn’t feel worth naming, but you named it anyway, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing, I talk about the power of tiny wins in motherhood. These overlooked moments help us reconnect with self-worth, fight burnout, and find peace during postpartum chaos. Because even brushing your teeth solo or finishing a lukewarm coffee counts.

💫 Timestamped Highlights

☕ (00:01) The win that brought me back to life: recording after six offline weeks

🧺 (01:22) When putting laundry away felt like a triumph

👶🏽 (02:50) Why I chose peace over frustration during Estelle’s no-nap marathon

🧠 (04:10) A soft reminder: if you clicked play, you’re already doing enough

📝 (05:20) How I reflect at night to find joy in the smallest things

🌿 (07:30) Let’s name three small wins from today and how they felt in our body

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt

List three small wins from today. How did each one make you feel? Not how they looked to others, but how they actually felt inside your body. Peaceful, proud, steady, seen? Whisper them to yourself. Let them land.

You're not behind. You're just becoming. And that flicker of pride you feel? That’s your magic.

Come listen. I saved you a seat.

Hadiya ☕️ 💖

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Ritual Club: Save My Seat

DOWNLOADS

📥 Download the Teeny Wins Tracker

Do Moms Ever Really Spoil Their Kids?

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Last week I was curled up on the couch, Estelle asleep on my chest, her little head tucked right under my chin. And as the house quieted, those familiar voices crept in again..."she’s too attached, you’re spoiling her, she needs to learn to sleep alone." But something in my body softened as I held her close. I knew it then: I’m not doing it wrong, I’m doing what’s right for us.

If you’ve ever second guessed your instincts because of what someone else said about how you should parent, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing, I talk about postpartum identity, attachment parenting, and how embracing imperfection has helped me reconnect with myself and trust my gut as a mom. If you’re navigating the mental load and mom guilt that comes with doing things differently, you are not alone.

💫 Timestamped Highlights

🛋️ (00:01) Holding Estelle on my chest and letting the noise of other people’s opinions fade

📺 (02:45) The moment from The Handmaid’s Tale that still gives me chills

🧠 (04:48) Why our babies shouldn’t know how to be alone at 3 months

💡 (06:45) The night I learned my newborn just needed to be held

🏥 (08:59) A nurse’s knowing smile and how it gave me permission

🤍 (12:40) The reminder every mom needs: If it feels good, you’re doing it right

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt

Reflect on a recent imperfect moment in motherhood. What did it teach you? Not what you should’ve done differently, but what truth or tenderness surfaced underneath the chaos.

Every time you choose connection over perfection, you’re showing up and that’s enough.

Come listen. I saved you a seat.

Hadiya ☕️ 💖

FOLLOW ME AROUND

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DOWNLOADS

📥 Download the Tiny Wins Tracker

When the Village Doesn’t Come, What Do You Do?

Sun, 03 Aug 2025 19:32:00 -0400

I almost didn’t go. I was newly pregnant, still adjusting to my new city, and honestly, a little lonely. But something in me said yes to group prenatal care and that yes changed my entire motherhood journey. I found a circle, a friend, and the beginnings of a village I didn’t even know I needed.

If you’ve ever craved connection in a season that felt isolating, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing, I share how joining a group prenatal care program helped me find my village in motherhood and reminded me I didn’t have to do this alone. We talk about friendship shifts, asking for help, and learning to receive support as a mom.

🌟 Timestamped Highlights

🥶 (00:02) The day I almost skipped group care and why I’m so glad I didn’t

🫁 (03:10) When Nicole looked at me and said, “Want to be my partner?”

🚶🏾‍♀️ (07:30) How one small act of kindness became a turning point

🌈 (11:15) What motherhood taught me about receiving support without guilt

🙏 (14:45) The difference between being seen and having to ask

🤞 (18:10) Letting people help, even strangers, even when it's hard

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt

Who in your life truly sees you, even when you don’t ask for help? How can you let yourself receive more of that care? What would it feel like to stop bracing and start receiving.

You're not supposed to do this alone. Let yourself be held, even if it feels unfamiliar. Come listen. I saved you a seat.

Hadiya ☕️ 💖

Links Mentioned:

📅 Subscribe on YouTube: @HadiyaCoppedge

📅 Download the Embracing Imperfection Worksheet

What Happens When Work Isn’t an Option for Moms?

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0400

I used to think ambition meant spreadsheets, hustle, and crossing off goals. But this week, ambition looked like whispering a dream to myself while Estelle clung to me. I never planned to quit my job. I thought I was just taking a year to bond and breathe, but here I am...still home, still mothering, still building something from scratch. And in the middle of that mess, I found something I didn’t know I was searching for.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your pause was permanent, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing, I open up about the bittersweet decision to leave my dream job after maternity leave, the emotional labor of letting go, and what it means to rediscover your identity as a mom. We talk postpartum truth, ambition, identity, and the messy middle of becoming.

💫 Timestamped Highlights

📊 (00:01) Why my ambition used to look like spreadsheets and now sounds like a whisper

🍼 (02:17) The daycare visits, goodbye routines, and the truth no one prepares you for

🙅🏽‍♀️ (05:40) “It’s not the baby, it’s the mom.” Ands what I was told and why it’s not true

🏡 (07:47) The sacredness of being home base and what I’ll never say to another mom again

🌫️ (09:22) The blurry space between quitting and beginning, and how this podcast was born

🫁 (11:17) What breath you might need to take to remember who you are

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt

What personal goal have you postponed. Not because you stopped caring, but because motherhood made you forget you were allowed to care? Write it down, whisper it, or feel it in your body. That desire still counts, even if no one sees it yet.

You’re not behind. You’re just beginning to want again, and that is brave.

Come listen. I saved you a seat.

Hadiya ☕️ 💖

FOLLOW ME AROUND

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DOWNLOADS

📝 Download the Balancing Ambition Worksheet

Moms, You Don’t Have to Choose Between Baby and Dreams

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0400

I made this episode in the quiet glow of a humidifier, sitting on the edge of a spare bed in Virginia while Estelle slept beside me. It was day eight of solo parenting, and everything felt raw. No sisters. No backup. Just me, my baby, and a t-shirt I hadn’t changed in three days. But somehow, in that exhaustion, something lit up inside me and I followed it.

If you’ve ever felt like your dreams are collecting dust while you carry everything else, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing, I talk about the messy, beautiful tension between motherhood and ambition. We explore postpartum identity, emotional labor, and the tiny choices that keep us from disappearing.

💫 Timestamped Highlights

👚 (00:58) A crusty t-shirt, a humming sound machine, and the spark that started this episode

💔 (02:35) No sister village, no support just me and a baby who didn’t know my mom anymore

📓 (04:30) The moment I wrote, not for money or content, but just for me

🤹🏽‍♀️ (06:10) Why balance isn’t symmetrical and how I try not to drop the baby or the dream

🍳 (07:48) Choosing between making coffee or making meaning in five stolen minutes

🥹 (10:05) What I’ve quietly shelved and how I’m reclaiming it, one breath at a time

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt

What’s one ambition you’ve quietly shelved since becoming a mom? What small, gentle step can you take toward it this week—even if it’s imperfect, even if it’s just five minutes?

Links Mentioned:

📝 Download the Balancing Ambition Worksheet

🎥 YouTube + TikTok: @hadiyacoppedge

Can Moms Want More and Still Be Good Mothers?

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 13:32:00 -0400

I recorded this one from the edge of a spare bed at my mom’s house in Virginia, in a t shirt I hadn’t changed in three days, while Estelle napped beside me with her tiny hand curled around my shirt. It was day eight of solo parenting, and I was holding so much. Not just my daughter, but the ache of what I’d quietly put down since becoming a mom. I didn’t plan to write that day, but something sparked and I followed it.

If you’ve ever felt like your dreams are gathering dust while you pour yourself into everyone else, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing, I share the quiet moment that reminded me I’m allowed to want more. We talk motherhood, ambition, identity, and how to make space for your dreams during nap time.

💫 In This Episode:

🍼 (01:22) The scene that sparked this episode in Virginia, a sick baby, and no village

👕 (02:45) Wearing the same shirt for three days and still showing up to create

💔 (03:50) When sister time turned into solo survival mode

📝 (04:58) Why I wrote this episode just for me and what poured out

⚖️ (06:34) Real talk on what balance really looks like in motherhood

📺 (08:15) How Netflix, housework, and nap time taught me to choose with intention

🍽️ (09:40) What we give up to be good moms and how to gently take some of it back

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt:

What’s one ambition you’ve quietly shelved since becoming a mom? What gentle, real life step can you take toward it this week even if it’s small, even if it’s messy?

You don’t have to take a leap today. Just one moment of truth is enough. You matter, even in the messy middle.

Hadiya ☕️ 💖

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DOWNLOADS

Download the Balancing Ambition Worksheet: https://bit.ly/3GVT4CH

What Really Happens When Moms Quit “Perfect Parenting”?

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

I am recording this right after dinner, right before bath time, squeezing it in while my partner distracts our daughter for just fifteen minutes. This feels full circle because tonight I am talking about how we redefine success for our children by first rewriting it for ourselves. When I started this podcast, I knew I wanted my daughter to grow up seeing her mama dream out loud, try new things, and fail forward if I needed to. If you have ever wondered how to show your child that trying matters more than perfect, this one is for you.

In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing, I talk about redefining success in motherhood, giving our children permission to try, and how our own dreams shape the way they dream too.

✨ In This Episode

👶🏾 (00:00) Sneaking away for fifteen minutes and why this recording moment means so much

💭 (01:09) Starting this podcast as a living example for my daughter

🌱 (02:22) How all my past “failed” businesses were really lessons forward

💪🏾 (04:48) Giving ourselves permission to dream honestly, even in small steps

✨ (07:42) How redefining success for myself helps me rewrite the story for my kids

📖 (09:24) A favorite book that reminds me we get to rewrite our rules

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt

What does real, honest success look like for you today? Not what others expect or what you have always been told, but what feels true and meaningful for you right now. Write it down or whisper it to yourself. Let it guide how you show your children what trying looks like.

Your dreams, your motherhood, your version of success, they are yours to define. One small step at a time, you are rewriting your story. Come listen, I saved you a seat.

Hadiya ☕️ 💖

FOLLOW ME AROUND

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Follow on TikTok: @HadiyaCoppedge
Ritual Club: Save My Seat

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Should Moms Teach Kids to Pay for College Themselves?

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

I can still feel that gut drop when I sat in front of a campus computer and saw my classes were dropped because my tuition was unpaid. I was fresh off move-in day, full of dreams, and my dad looked at me and quietly said, “We might have to go home.” My heart said no way. In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing, I am sharing how that stubborn hope carried me through unpaid bills, financial aid lines, tears, and becoming a first-generation college graduate. If you have ever felt like your dream might slip through your fingers, this one is for you.

In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing, I share my story of paying for college without money, how I stayed determined as a first-generation student, and how that same grit shapes my motherhood and money mindset today.

✨ In This Episode:

🎓 (00:01) The shock of having my classes dropped on day one and deciding I was not going home

🙏🏽 (01:09) How my aunt, uncle, and dad shaped my college dreams and how I hustled for every dollar

🏫 (02:50) Finding the right office, meeting an angel behind a desk, and the scholarships that saved me

💪🏾 (00:01) Taking the GRE on my own terms and proving my worth outside test scores

🌱 (04:37) Choosing what success means for me now and passing that truth to my daughter

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt

What does true success mean to you, right now, in this season of life? If no one else defined it, what would feel deeply true for you and how would that shape what you want for your kids?

You get to choose your success, mama. Not your past. Not your tests. Not the voices who say you cannot. If you need a reminder, come back here. I saved you a seat.

Hadiya ☕️ 💖

FOLLOW ME AROUND

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Follow on TikTok: @HadiyaCoppedge
Ritual Club: Save My Seat

DOWNLOADS

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Why Naming Your Baby Feels Harder Than Anyone Tells You

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

I still laugh about how hard it felt to name a tiny person I’d never met. I remember sitting at my computer, nine months pregnant, blankly scrolling baby name websites while sipping my morning latte and wondering, who are you in there? In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing, I’m telling you the truth about how Estelle got her name, why I didn’t find out her gender, and what this name means to my mama heart now. If you’ve ever stared at a baby name list and felt totally clueless, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing, I share my baby naming story, how culture and intuition guided me, and why naming our babies is so deeply tied to our motherhood identity.

✨ Inside the Episode

🍼 (00:00) The pressure of naming a baby you’ve never met

🎶 (01:27) How Whitney Houston songs and dance shaped my girl mom intuition

🎉 (04:43) The surprise of labor, birth, and hearing “It’s a girl!” for the first time

🌟 (07:08) Why “Estelle” means star and how her name still feels perfect today

💌 (09:29) My invitation for you to share your baby’s name and story with me

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt

What is the story behind your child’s name? How does saying it out loud make you feel about your motherhood journey and the dreams you hold for them?

Mama, naming a baby is no small thing. It’s a gift, a prayer, and a tiny whisper of who they might become. I’d love to hear your naming story too send me a DM or a voice memo. I’m saving you a seat, always.

Hadiya ☕️ 💖

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What Your Postpartum Body Is Really Teaching You

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

😬 I almost didn’t hit record today. My daughter and partner had just come back from a run, and I was hiding in the other room trying to grab a moment (and a cookie). I’m recording this in the same outfit I’ve worn for four episodes because that’s what batching looks like right now. I’m learning to honor this season as it is, not as I wish it would be.

If you’ve ever felt like you were supposed to “bounce back” to who you were before baby this one’s for you.

In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing, I talk about the myth of the postpartum snapback, the emotional labor of motherhood, and how I’m learning to reclaim my identity, one small truth at a time.

In This Episode

👚 (01:10) What I almost did instead of recording and why I still showed up

💭 (02:55) What “snapback culture” taught me about how we mute ourselves as moms

💸 (05:20) Why privilege, income, and pressure shape every mom’s postpartum differently

💬 (07:49) How I’m living on 29% of my income and redefining my return to work

🧘🏿‍♀️ (10:14) My gentle version of self-care (and what yours might look like too)

📝 (12:38) A love letter to every mom who’s still becoming

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt

What have you been told you “should” be doing by now as a mom? What feels true for you instead and how can you honor that truth this week, gently and without apology?

You don’t have to pretend. You don’t have to snap back. You can rest, become, and belong exactly as you are.

I’ll be here, one nap at a time.

Hadiya ☕️💖

FOLLOW ME AROUND

Subscribe on YouTube: @HadiyaCoppedge
Follow on TikTok: @HadiyaCoppedge
Ritual Club: Save My Seat

You’re Allowed to Rest and Be a Good Mom

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

☕️ Hey friend, I recorded this after finally catching a quiet moment—one I almost filled with noise and doing. My daughter was with my partner, and I felt that familiar pull to “use the time wisely,” to run and be productive. But instead, I paused. I cleaned. I breathed. I gave myself space to feel.

This episode was born from that moment. The kind where you realize you’ve been carrying too much and finally decide to set it down. 😮‍💨

If you’ve ever felt like saying, “I just can’t today,” this one’s for you.

In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing, I open up about the pressure I feel to constantly perform and say yes as a mom, and how I’m learning to reclaim rest in motherhood, create healthier boundaries, and practice how to say no as a mom—without guilt.

In This Episode

💤 (00:30) The whisper that says I should do it all—and why I stopped listening

🌫️ (03:13) The Instagram illusion vs. real-life motherhood

🎤 (05:40) What went wrong with my postpartum plan and how it changed me

🤰🏽 (08:00) A story about a mom I met and the invisible weight many of us carry

❌ (10:16) How I chose to say no—to a party, to pressure, to pushing through

🪞 (11:59) The affirmations I’m holding onto and the letter I wrote to myself (and to you)

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt

In what areas of your life do you feel pressure to do more than feels healthy or manageable? What would it feel like to say “no” without guilt—and give yourself permission to choose joy, rest, or stillness instead?

Come listen. I saved you a seat.

You don’t have to prove your worth by doing.

You already are.

Until our next heart-to-heart,

Hadiya ☕️ 💖

Connect With Me

Subscribe on YouTube: @HadiyaCoppedge
Follow me on TikTok: @hadiyacoppedge
Join the waitlist for Nap Time Profit Plan: https://hadiyacoppedge.kit.com/naptimeprofitplan⁠

What If You Could Actually Love Your Body After Baby?

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

🥹 This episode was recorded during one of those sacred nap time windows and to be honest, it might be one of my most personal ones yet. I talk about the mirror moments that made me pause, the postpartum fog I didn’t expect, and the slow, quiet ways, as a mom navigating early postpartum identity loss, I’m reclaiming my beauty and worth. From forgetting to brush my teeth to finally getting my nails done again, this one’s for the mama trying to find herself again.

🎙️ In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing, I explore what postpartum beauty really looks like from the inside out. We talk about self worth, rest in motherhood, and how to say no as a mom. This episode is for any mama who’s looked in the mirror and barely recognized herself. 🥀

In the episode:

💄 (01:03) Why I re-recorded this episode and what it taught me

🪞 (03:20) The moment I looked in the mirror and didn’t know who I was

💔 (04:15) Postpartum depression and feeling sadness while living my dream

🧼 (05:38) Brushing my teeth again felt like reclaiming a piece of me

💅🏽 (07:59) The power of a manicure and sandals that made me feel like myself

🧘🏿‍♀️ (10:10) My skincare routine became my secret ritual of self-love

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt

If you’ve been wondering how to feel like yourself again after baby, this journaling moment is for you.What does your beauty look like in postpartum? Write about a moment where you felt disconnected from who you are, and reflect on the small steps that can gently guide you back to self-acceptance and your true reflection.

However you're feeling today, know you're not alone. You don’t have to go back to who you were before you get to discover someone new. And she’s beautiful.

Come listen. I saved you a seat.

Hadiya ☕️💖

FOLLOW ME AROUND

Subscribe on YouTube: @HadiyaCoppedge
Follow on TikTok: @HadiyaCoppedge
Ritual Club: Save My Seat

DOWNLOADS

The Lie About Maternity Leave and Here’s What I Learned

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

🏝️ Someone once told me that maternity leave was like a vacation. I was six months pregnant, sitting at work, and I remember thinking—vacation? Girl, no. I’m not heading to a beach. I’m about to give birth. This episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing is me pulling back the curtain on what maternity leave really feels like: the emotions, the mess, the identity shifts, the exhaustion, the unexpected beauty, and the total unraveling. If you’ve ever wondered why no one talks about how hard maternity leave is, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing, I talk about the truth behind maternity leave, postpartum exhaustion, emotional labor, and how new moms lose themselves while trying to hold everything together.

✨ Highlights from the Episode:

😳 (00:01) When someone called my maternity leave a vacation and how I really felt

💸 (00:36) Why I had to work through pregnancy just to afford time off

💤 (01:27) Maternity leave isn’t restful it’s emotional labor, identity loss, and survival

👶🏾 (03:44) Missing my partner, missing myself, and realizing how much babies take

💔 (06:03) The loneliness, mom guilt, and quiet grief of early motherhood

💡 (07:51) What I wish someone had told me and how I’m learning to reclaim myself

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt

What’s something you’ve learned during maternity leave that no one prepared you for? What would it feel like to name it out loud and give yourself grace for surviving it?

Thank you for being here, mama. If no one’s told you the truth about this season, I will: it’s okay to say it’s hard. It’s okay to say it’s not what you expected. You’re not alone. I’m saving a seat for you.

Hadiya ☕️ 💖

🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode:

👉🏽 Join the Naptime Profit Plan Waitlist: A course for moms who want to shift their money mindset and reclaim their time

📺 Subscribe on YouTube: @hadiyacoppedge

🎥 Follow on TikTok: @hadiyacoppedge

Do You Feel Lonely in Motherhood Too?

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

I recorded this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing after nursing and tidying up, after one of those quiet moments when the house finally felt still. And even in the stillness, I found myself aching for something I hadn’t named out loud, a real mom friend. Not the kind who talks only about bottles or bedtimes, but the kind who looks at you and really sees you. If you’ve ever felt the loneliness of early motherhood and wondered where your people are, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing, I talk about the hidden loneliness in new motherhood, the myth of doing it all alone, and why finding real mom friendships is part of our emotional survival.

Many new moms search for “how to make mom friends” or “why motherhood feels lonely,” and in this episode, I’m unpacking both.

✨ Highlights In This Episode:

👀 (00:01) The longing for a mom friend who really sees me, not just the “mom” version of me

🧼 (01:23) Why the supermom myth is damaging and how I’m finally calling BS on it

🧠 (03:47) Why the emotional labor of motherhood means every “yes” comes with a “no”

💔 (06:11) The grief of being away from my daughter and the emotional cost of “self-time”

🏘 (08:35) My invitation to build a real village one sweatpants and all friendship at a time

💡 (12:30) How this podcast is part of my mission to not just speak to you, but walk with you

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt

Who is one woman you wish could see the real you right now? What would it feel like to let her in, just a little more?

You don’t have to do it alone, mama. Not the dreaming, not the diapering, not the rediscovering who you are in the middle of it all. I'm saving you a seat. Let's find our people and raise our babies and our dreams together.

Hadiya ☕️ 💖

FOLLOW ME AROUND

Subscribe on YouTube: @HadiyaCoppedge
Follow on TikTok: @HadiyaCoppedge
Ritual Club: Save My Seat

LINKS

Sign up for the Nap Time Profit Plan, a course for moms ready to shift their money mindset and create financial freedom during nap time

Could Choosing Yourself Actually Save Your Relationship?

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Episode 9: Choosing Me Meant Changing Everything, Even My Relationship

🫣 Hey friend, I’m recording this episode right after Episode 8. Dinner’s done, baby’s doing her bath time & bedtime routine, and I’m back in front of the mic but this one’s heavier. I got into a big argument with my partner right before recording. And it hurt, because it was about the podcast. About the dream I’m building. About money. About being believed. I realized that choosing myself, choosing this path, meant changing everything including my relationship.

🫠 If you’ve ever felt the tension between your dream and the people you love, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing, I talk about postpartum mindset shifts, motherhood identity, and creating financial freedom as a mom especially when your dream challenges your relationship.

✨ Highlights from this Episode:

🍼 (02:00) The podcast fight that opened up something deeper

🔥 (04:20) Why I’m choosing to create income on my own terms

💔 (04:38) Choosing myself meant changing my relationship

💸 (07:02) I’ve been financially savvy and that matters

🛠 (09:11) Passion is what carries me through the hard parts

💡 (11:35) This dream isn’t just mine it’s for every mom who needs a new way

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt:

What’s one belief you’ve outgrown but someone close to you still holds onto? What would it look like to protect your new dream, even when they can’t see it yet?

You don’t have to choose between motherhood and the dream on your heart. You can hold both. You’re allowed to change. You’re allowed to rise.

Hadiya ☕️ 💖

FOLLOW ME AROUND

Subscribe on YouTube: @HadiyaCoppedge
Follow on TikTok: @HadiyaCoppedge
Ritual Club: Save My Seat

Links Mentioned:

🔗 Join the Nap Time Profit Plan for moms who want time, money, and purpose

motherhood identity, financial freedom, postpartum mindset shift

Do You Feel Like You’ve Lost Yourself Since Baby?

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Some days are beautiful. Other days are brutal. This postpartum day was one of the hardest... I recorded this episode at the end of one of the hardest days I’ve had in a while. I couldn’t remember what my original outline was because the truth of my day completely took over. My only goal was to show up to record something honest while juggling life as a full-time mom to a nine-month-old who wants to be on me every second. If you’ve ever ended a day feeling completely depleted and still questioning if you did enough, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing, I talk about the unspoken weight of motherhood, the nap time breakdowns, the mental load, and what it really takes to reclaim ourselves in the middle of the mess. This is for the moms who are army crawling through their day, baby on back, still showing up.

✨ Highlights from this Episode:

🍼 (02:00) I tossed my whole outline to just be real about today

🫠 (04:25) The kind of baby that needs to be on me 24/7

😵‍💫 (06:50) When the kitchen, the laundry, and motherhood collide

🚶🏾‍♀️ (12:54) The walk that brings me back to myself until the stroller caught a flat

🤯 (14:30) That "one more thing" moment that breaks you

💌 (16:25) Why this podcast exists because we need space to tell the truth

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt:

What does “brutal honesty” look like in your motherhood story right now? Write down one thing you’ve been afraid to say out loud, then give yourself permission to say it even if just on the page.

Whatever kind of day you're having, I see you. I created this podcast so we don’t have to pretend. You can be a devoted mom and want more for yourself. You’re not alone, and your truth belongs here.

Hadiya ☕️ 💖

FOLLOW ME AROUND

Subscribe on YouTube: @HadiyaCoppedge
Follow on TikTok: @HadiyaCoppedge
Ritual Club: Save My Seat

Links Mentioned:

Get on the Nap Time Profit Plan waitlist for moms ready to reclaim time & money

Can Birth Break You and Make You at the Same Time?

Tue, 20 May 2025 01:51:00 -0400

I’m recording this one while the baby naps and the house is finally still. I’ve been sitting with the story of how I became a mom and how nothing went like I imagined, how I broke down in ways I didn’t expect, and how I’m slowly piecing myself back together. This isn’t the birth story I dreamed of, but it’s mine. It’s real. If you’ve ever felt undone by motherhood or mourned the version of life you thought you’d have, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Ask Me How I’m Really Doing, I talk about birth, postpartum grief, and how I’m learning to hold both heartbreak and gratitude as a new mom.

💻 Ready to start building something of your own during nap time?Join the waitlist for the Nap Time Profit Plan and get early access to the step-by-step plan I used to turn 7 quiet hours a week into a purpose-driven business.👉 https://hadiyacoppedge.kit.com/naptimeprofitplan⁠

🌱 Dream Seed Journal Prompt : "Reflect on a moment when motherhood asked more of you than you thought possible. Write compassionately about how this moment shaped your inner strength, resilience, or grace. How can honoring this experience bring gentle healing and deeper self-acceptance today?"

What part of your story are you still grieving? How can you offer that part of you more grace and softness today?🌱✨

FOLLOW ME AROUND

Subscribe on YouTube: @HadiyaCoppedge
Follow on TikTok: @HadiyaCoppedge
Ritual Club: Save My Seat

You don’t have to have it all figured out. You’re allowed to rewrite the story as you live it.

Come listen. I saved you a seat.

LINKS MENTIONED

🎧 Loved this episode? Don’t just dream it build it. Join the Nap Time Profit Plan waitlist today👉https://hadiyacoppedge.kit.com/naptimeprofitplan⁠

Softly & bravely,

Hadiya ☕️ 💖

Can Moms Carry the Family and Still Build Money Freedom?

Sat, 17 May 2025 06:16:00 -0400

Hey love,

I didn’t always know how to name it

The kind of weight that doesn’t show, but lives in your body, your breath, your bank account.

The quiet pressure.

The job of being okay for everyone but myself.

This episode is about that.

I’m taking you back to my early days navigating college with grit and not much money, stepping into motherhood with eyes wide open, and slowly realizing that I’ve always been the safety net.

Maybe you have too.

We talk about what it means to carry so much across generations emotionally, financially, and spiritually and how that sacred responsibility quietly led me to create the Nap Time Profit Plan.

If you’ve ever been the glue holding it all together…

If you’ve ever wondered how to build freedom while carrying so much

I made this for you.

⸻

In this episode:

💫 The quiet strength I inherited from my family

💰 How I chased financial freedom with nothing but drive and a dorm fridge

🤍 The emotional labor of motherhood and why it’s invisible but so heavy

🔥 The moment I decided something had to change

🌿 A new affirmation: “I am the safety net, but I am also the seed.”

⸻

Dream Seed Journal Prompt

Think back to a moment when you quietly held it all together

Even if no one saw it.

How has that strength shaped the dreams you carry for your family?

What’s one small, nourishing step you can take today to honor that power?

⸻

Let’s stay close:

Subscribe on YouTube (@HadiyaCoppedge) for cozy behind-the-scenes. Still working on it 😅
Join my Voice Memos email for reflections that feel like a note from a friend. Link coming soon!
DM me on TikTok @HadiyaCoppedgeI love hearing your stories
Sign up for the Nap Time Profit Plan waitlist. It’s launching in June!

You don’t have to choose between motherhood and your dreams.

You can hold both. You already are.

⸻

🎧 Loved this episode? Don’t just dream it—build it.

Join the Nap Time Profit Plan waitlist today:

👉 hadiyacoppedge.kit.com/naptimeprofitplan

Softly & bravely,

Hadiya ☕️💖

What If You Stopped Waiting for Perfect, Mama?

Wed, 14 May 2025 05:12:00 -0400

Hey mama,

I almost didn’t hit record on this one.

I told myself I’d wait until the background was cleaner, the lighting was better, or at least until I had a shirt without a stain. But something inside me said no. This dream can’t wait for perfect.

This episode is for the version of you who shows up even when everything feels undone.

It’s a love letter to the messy middle. The stretch of motherhood where my identity feels blurry, but my desire for more is so clear.

I’m sharing the story of the nap that changed everything for me. The moment I stopped trying to go back to who I was and started quietly building the life I wanted now.

If you’ve ever missed yourself…

If you’ve ever whispered, “there’s got to be more than this…”

This one’s for you.

⸻

In this episode:

🤓 (00:30) Letting go of perfect and showing up anyway

❤️‍🩹 (03:13) The day I decided not to go back to work

🧘🏿‍♀️ (06:28) Reconnecting with the version of me I thought I lost

😌 (08:21) A simple visualization that helped me remember who I want to become

🛏️ (10:23) The quiet power of tiny routines (like making my bed)

🐣 (12:08) Why I call this my nap time revolution

⸻

FOLLOW ME AROUND

Subscribe on YouTube: @HadiyaCoppedge
Follow on TikTok: @HadiyaCoppedge
Ritual Club: Save My Seat

Ready to start building something of your own during nap time?

Join the waitlist for the Nap Time Profit Plan and get early access to the step by step method I used to turn 7 quiet hours a week into a purpose driven business

Until our next heart-to-heart,

Hadiya ☕️💖

Have You Lost Yourself in the Chaos of Motherhood?

Sat, 10 May 2025 00:22:00 -0400

☕️ Hey friend, welcome to the very first episode of Ask Me How I'm Really Doing: A Mom's Podcast!

Today, I'm opening up about something deeply personal: those foggy early months of motherhood where every day felt exactly the same, my own version of "Groundhog Day." I'm sharing how I struggled with isolation, baby blues, and that desperate search to find myself again amid the beautiful chaos of new motherhood. 🌸

Walk with me (literally, I'm recording this on a walk with my little one and our dogs!) as I share the raw, unfiltered story of how a simple coffee shop visit sparked my journey back to myself. If you've ever felt lost in the "new mommy bootcamp" wondering where you went, this one's for you. Grab your coffee, settle in your favorite spot, and let's rebloom together.

In this episode

🌧️ (01:56) The reality of postpartum isolation and why "staying in" for 40 days affected me

☕️ (03:37) How cabin fever led to a transformative coffee shop moment that changed everything

🌿 (06:02) Three gentle ways to reclaim yourself: modified routines, small home wins, and asking for what you need

💫 (12:57) Why "finding yourself" is a slow, gentle bloom, not an overnight transformation

Dream Seed Journal Prompt ✨

"What simple routine or space (like my coffee shop) brought you peace before motherhood? How might you reintroduce a version of this into your life this week, even with baby in tow?

Until our next heart-to-heart,

Hadiya ☕️💖