In this episode, we talk about the parts of motherhood no one really prepares you for when the calendar turns. The quiet identity shifts. The grief for who you used to be. The pressure to "have it all figured out" when you're still learning yourself in this new season.

This is an honest, reflective conversation for the mom who loves her child deeply but still feels unsure, slower, or different than she expected. If you're entering the new year without big resolutions, with more questions than answers, or just overwhelmed with where to start and how to move forward, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we talk about:

1. How becoming a mom reshapes your identity in ways no one warms you about
2. The grief and guilt that canc ome with missing your pre-mom self
3. Why the New Year feels different after motherhood
4. Letting go of timelines, pressure, and "bounce back" culture
5. Redefining growth, success, and goals in this season
6. Entering the year gently, without forcing a reset

Reflective prompts:

1. What parts of myself am I still getting to know?
2. What expectations can I release this year?
3. What would it look like to move forward more gently?

Important reminders:

1. You are not behind
2. You are not broken
3. You are becoming

Let's keep the conversation going:

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From the emotional toll of seeing your child unwell to the logistics of rearranging schedules, we share out personal stories, the chaos behind the scenes, and the small strategies that keep us going. You'll hear about:

• The guilt and pressure parents feel when life can't pause
• How to manage work responsibilities when kids need you most
• Ways to prioritize your own health while caregiving
• Reminders that it's okay to ask for help (and say no!)

Whether you're in the thick of it right now or just want to feel seen and supported, this episode is a reminder that you're not alone.

Tune in for an honest, unfiltered (and emotional) conversation about motherhood in the messiest seasons.

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Whether you’re a new parent wondering why your relationship feels different, or a seasoned parent trying to rekindle that spark, this conversation is for you. We share our own raw experiences, the challenges we didn’t see coming, and the small things that help us stay connected as partners while raising little ones.

What we talk about:

• The emotional adn physical shift in relationships after kids
• Navigating intimacy and expectations post-baby
• The importance of open, honest communication
• Practical ways to keep the spark alive while juggling parenthood
• Why grace and patience matter more than ever

We’re breaking the silence on a topic many couples struggle with but don’t always talk about. By the end, you’ll feel seen, less alone, and hopefully inspired with a few ideas to nurture your partnership while growing as parents.

Let's keep the conversation going:

DM us on Instagram @thiswasntinthemanualpod and share your motherhood reality check moments.

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In this episode, Juliana and Nathaly share their personal experiences as mothers of boys and explore important questions:

• How do we teach boys to express their emotions?
• What role fathers, mothers, and caregivers play in shaping healthy masculinity?
• How do we balance resilience with compassion?
• What cultural and generational shifts are shaping the way we parent sons today?

Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or simply curious about how we can nurture the next generation of men, this episode will leave you with insights, stories and envouragment to raise boys with confidence, empathy, and strength.

Let's keep the conversation going:

DM us on Instagram @thiswasntinthemanualpod and share your motherhood reality check moments.

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We’re talking about mom guilt—that quiet (and sometimes loud) voice in your head that says you’re not doing enough, not being enough, or not getting it “right.”

In this conversation, we unpack:

• The most common triggers of mom guilt (and why it shows up in so many forms)
• The invisible rules of "good motherhood" and where they come from
• The difference between guilt and shame, and why knowing the difference matters
• Our own way, personal stories of feeling guilty as moms
• Practical tools to release the guilt and replace it with self-compassion

Whether you're a working mom, stay-at-home mom, single mom, or somewhere in between, you'll walk away feeling less alone and more empowered to give yourself the grace you deserve.

You are enough. And you're not meant to carry this weight forever.

Let's keep the conversation going:

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Juliana shares her fears, doubts, and unexpected surprises she's encountered as she begins dating again. From the insecurities that come with balancing motherhood and the desire to connect with someone new, to the small steps that have helped her trust herself, and love, once more.

In this episode we talk about:

• The breakup and her emotional healing process
• How to talk to your child about new people
• Why self-love is essential before dating again
• Real advice for single moms who want to date again without guilt

This episode is an honest, judgment-free conversation about what it really means to "get back out there" as a mom. If you've ever wondered how to start again, this one's for you!

Let's keep the conversation going:

DM us on Instagram @thiswasntinthemanualpod and share your motherhood reality check moments.

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En este episodio hablamos sobre:

• Que significa realmente la "programacion infantil" y como se forma
• Historias personales de cuando nuestra programacion infantil sale a luz en la maternidad
• La diferencia entre reaccionar y responder a nuestros hijos
• Por que ciertos momentos con nuestros hijos despiertan emociones intensas en nosotras
• Como el reparenting a nosotras mismas impacta nuestra manera de criar
• Darnos gracia (a nosotras y a nuestros padres) durante el proceso de sanacion

Sigamos la conversación:

Mándanos un DM en Instagram a @thiswasntinthemanualpod y cuéntanos tus momentos de realidad en la maternidad.

¡Escúchalo ahora y no te olvides de suscribirte, calificar el podcast y dejar una reseña!

Juliana comparte con nosotras los miedos, dudas, y también las sorpresas que ha vivido al comenzar a salir de nuevo. Desde las inseguridades que surgen al balancear la maternidad con el deseo de conectar con alguien, hasta los pequeños pasos que le han ayudado a confiar nuevamente en sí misma y en el amor.

Hablamos de:

• La ruptura y el duelo emocional
• Cómo hablar con tu hijx sobre nuevas personas
• La importancia del amor propio antes de salir con alguien más
• Las citas modernas: apps, expectativas y filtros emocionales
• Consejos reales para mamás solteras que quieren salir de nuevo sin culpa

Este episodio es una conversación honesta, sin juicios, sobre lo que realmente significa “volver al ruedo” como mamá. Si alguna vez te has preguntado cómo empezar de nuevo, este episodio es para ti.

Sigamos la conversación:

Mándanos un DM por Instagram a @thiswasntinthemanualpod y cuéntanos tus momentos de “realidad” en la maternidad.

¡Escucha el episodio ahora y no olvides suscribirte, calificarnos y dejar una reseña!

Desde comentarios no solicitados hasta consejos bien intencionados, este episodio es una carta abierta a nuestras madres —y a nosotras mismas— mientras navegamos el reto de romper patrones sin perder nuestras raíces.

Temas que tocamos:

• El choque generacional entre nuestra forma de maternar y la de nuestras mamas
• Comentarios clasicos como "lo estas malcriando"
• La dificultad de poner limites con respeto
• Reconciliar el amor profundo con el deseo de hacerlo diferente
• Como sanar heridas mientras construimos nuestro propio camino como madres

Sigamos la conversación:

Mándanos un DM por Instagram a @thiswasntinthemanualpod y cuéntanos tus momentos de “realidad” en la maternidad.

¡Escucha el episodio ahora y no olvides suscribirte, calificarnos y dejar un review!

In this episode we discuss:

• What modern fatherhood looks like and how it's changing across generations
• Why many dads want to show up differently, but aren't always sure how
• The emotional & societal pressures men face when stepping into this new role
• Ways we (mothers/partners) can offer/show support without necessarily micromanaging or judging
• How to encourage teamwork, co-parenting, and mutual respect in parenting dynamics

Whether you’re parenting with a partner, co-parenting, or just curious about how family roles are shifting, this episode offers fresh insights and compassionate guidance.

Let's keep the conversation going:

DM us on Instagram @thiswasntinthemanualpod and share your motherhood reality check moments.

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We explore how your past experiences shape your automatic interpretations and why it's so easy to fall into the “Why me?” spiral. But even when it feels impossible to shift your mindset, there’s power in pausing and asking, “What is this here to teach me?”

In this episodes we discuss:

• Ways that shifting your mindset can help you
• How Circumstances are often out of our control, but our mindset is not.
• How shifting your mindset doesn’t mean ignoring reality—it means choosing how you make meaning from it.
• How your mindset can be your greatest support as a mother—not another thing to perfect, but something to nurture.

Let's keep the conversation going:

DM us on Instagram @thiswasntinthemanualpod and share your motherhood reality check moments.

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We share personal stories about moments when intuition stepped in, particularly in situations involving doctors, teachers, and systems that don’t always get it right. We also talk about the tension between self-doubt and that gut feeling, and how societal conditioning can make us second-guess ourselves.

Topics discussed:

• What is intuition and how does it show up in Motherhood?
• Why it's so hard to trust ourselves sometimes
• Real-life examples of when listening to our gut mattered
• How to strengthen your connection with your intuition
• Ways to reframe doubt as a signal, not a stop sign
• Practices to help you tune in (instead of tuning out)

Your intuition isn’t something you have to earn—it’s already there. The more you listen to it, the louder and clearer it becomes. Especially as a mom, when you're the one who knows your child best, your inner knowing can be the strongest guide you have.

Let's keep the conversation going:

DM us on Instagram @thiswasntinthemanualpod and share your motherhood reality check moments.

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We explore how boundaries aren’t walls—they’re bridges to healthier relationships, more energy, and a stronger sense of self. Whether it's saying no to your mom’s unsolicited advice, carving out time for yourself, or establishing clear lines with your partner, friends, or workplace, this episode is all about giving you the tools (and permission!) to do so.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How to set boundaries with your mom
• Why boundaries are essential for protecting your energy and sanity as a mother
• How setting boundaries teaches your children self-respect and emotional intelligence
• The importance of respecting yourself
• Navigating boundaries with your partner, friends and how to advocate for yourself at work
• Simple, practical ways to start setting boundaries today - even if it feels awkward

Setting boundaries isn't selfish – it's self-respect. When you honor your own needs, you're not only modeling emotional strength for your kids, you're creating space for more authentic relationships across every part of your life.

Let's keep the conversation going:

DM us on Instagram @thiswasntinthemanualpod and share your motherhood reality check moments.

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From juggling careers, relationships, parenting, self-care, social lives, and mental health - modern motherhood comes with a silent expetation to do it all, and to do it perfectly. But at what cost?

We get real about:

• The societal myths if the "supermom" and how they show up in daily life
• The guilt and burnout that can come with trying to meet unrealistic standards
• The power of redefining what "doing it all" means for each of us

If you've ever asked yourself, "how is everyone else managing this?" - this episode is for you. You're not alone, and you're doing better than you think.

Let's keep the conversation going:

DM us on Instagram @thiswasntinthemanualpod and share your motherhood reality check moments.

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In this episode we discuss:

• How the pressure to "do it all" begins the moment we're pregnant - and how we're fed a long list of "shoulds" we may not even want
• The cultural conditioning that glorifies martyrdom in motherhood
• The hidden costs of repression - how denying your own needs can lead to chronic anger, burnout and even illness or autoimmune disease
• Why self-sacrifice isn't sustainable, or noble - it's a cycle that depletes everyone
• How to start rewriting the story: honoring your needs doesn't mean you love your child any less

This isn’t about perfection. It’s about permission—to rest, to ask for help, to take up space, and to mother from a place of wholeness.

Whether you're deep in the baby trenches or juggling school drop-offs and career demands, this episode is a loving call to stop setting yourself on fire to keep everyone else warm.

Let's keep the conversation going:

DM us on Instagram @thiswasntinthemanualpod and share your motherhood reality check moments.

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In this episode we talk about:

• What "childhood conditioning" really means and how it forms
• Personal stories of when our childhood programming surfaces in motherhood
• The difference between reacting and responding to our children
• Why certain moments with our kids trigger big emotions in us
• How reparenting ourselves impacts the way we parent
• Giving ourselves (and our parents) grace through the healing journey

Let's keep the conversation going:

DM us on Instagram @thiswasntinthemanualpod and share your motherhood reality check moments.

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We explore how shedding your old identity, though painful, is also a profound invitation to grow — into a stronger, wiser, more aligned version of yourself.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Grieving the old you and why that’s not something to fear, but to honor
• How identity shifts in motherhood can open doors to new opportunities and self-discovery
• The bittersweet process of losing old friendships and filtering out what no longer serves your evolving self
• Grieving the passing baby phase — how fast time moves and what it stirs in us
• How motherhood can reshape your relationship with your partner, and what that transition can feel like

This episode is for the mama who looks in the mirror and sees someone different — and isn’t quite sure how to feel about it. It's for the woman sitting in the in-between — missing who she was, but not yet fully grounded in who she's becoming.

Let’s grieve together, grow together, and celebrate the beauty of becoming.

Let's keep the conversation going:

DM us on Instagram @thiswasntinthemanualpod and share your motherhood reality check moments

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But it’s also where the transformation happens. Growth, healing, shedding old skin. It’s uncomfortable because you’re becoming. And no butterfly skips the cocoon.

So if you’re in the thick of it—wondering if you’ll ever feel like yourself again—remember: You’re not stuck. You’re transforming.

This isn’t the end. It’s the beginning of your wings.

Grab a cup of coffee, glass of wine or any beverage of your choice and join us for some truth, laughter, and solidarity.

Lets keep the conversation going:

DM us on Instagram @thiswasntinthemanualpod and share your motherhood reality check moments

Listen now and don't forget to subscribe, rate and leave a review!

Whether you’re expecting your first baby, in the thick of toddler chaos, or just looking for a little validation, this is the raw and relatable conversation you didn’t know you needed.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Our pre-baby visions of motherhood
• Not being "kid" people and then becoming mothers
• Guilt and what no one tells you
• How motherhood reshapes your identity
• Learning to let go of unrealistic expectations and embrace the messy beauty of real-life parenting

Grab a cup of coffee, glass of wine or any beverage of your choice and join us for some truth, laughter, and solidarity.

Let's keep the conversation going:

DM us on Instagram @thiswasntinthemanualpod and share your motherhood reality check moments

Listen now and don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review!