Midlife Moms Pod

This week Melanie and Allison dive into the world of "Doomsday" prepping and disaster readiness. They share personal experiences and practical tips on preparing emergency kits without breaking the bank. From discussing essential items like rice and pasta to exploring the use of tools like life straws and jet boils, they cover comprehensive prepping strategies. Listen as they talk about lessons learned from natural disasters, the importance of staying cool in hot climates, and managing power and water outages. They also provide light-hearted banter on stockpiling everyday items and offer advice on planning for pets. Join them for an informative and humorous take on staying prepared for any event. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome to Midlife Mom's Pod 00:37 Hurricane Stories and Alligator Encounters 02:13 The Importance of Emergency Kits 03:38 Starting Your Own Doomsday Prep 05:37 Building a Cost-Effective Emergency Kit 07:39 Essential Items for Your Prep Kit 13:07 Surviving Without Power 17:41 Personal Experiences with Doomsday Prepping 23:54 Dehydrating and Storing Food 25:49 Exploring Emergency Food Options 27:52 Packing Your Own Emergency Food Buckets 31:36 Essential Items for Emergency Kits 34:19 Practical Tips for Emergency Preparedness 41:27 Final Thoughts and Advice Send us a text message. Find Midlife Moms Pod on Apple Podcasts or wherever you find your podcasts. You can also find us Buzzsprout where we have a full listing of all our episodes, Instagram (@midlifemomspod), and Facebook. Listen, like, and subscribe! We hope you enjoy the show!

This week, Melanie and Allison dive into the common phrases we say to our children that might be more problematic than we realize. They share personal anecdotes and discuss the impact of these phrases on their kids. From exploring different parenting styles to reflecting on their own experiences, they offer insights and tips on how to communicate more effectively with our little ones. Tune in for an engaging and heartfelt conversation that every parent can relate to! Information provided in this episode is credited to parents.com, specifically "These Common Phrases Said to Kids Are Actually Problematic," published 8/27/2024. Written by Michelle Crouch and reviewed by Laura Anderson, PhD. Sources: When Parents' Praise Inflates, Children's Self-Esteem Deflates. Child Dev. 2017. The Truth About Child Abduction Statistics in 2024. Safeatlast. 2024. Timestamps: 00:00 Technical Difficulties and Introductions 01:45 Parenting Challenges: Repeating Ourselves 03:41 Types of Parenting Styles 06:11 Discussing Parenting Styles and Their Impact 09:23 Praising Kids: The Right Way 15:49 Handling Kids' Emotions and Injuries 19:38 Talking About Diet and Body Image 23:45 Teaching Kids About Money 26:18 A Lost Charger and a Lesson Learned 28:30 Teaching Kids About Stranger Danger 30:14 Encouraging Independence and Safety 35:57 The Dinner Dilemma: To Finish or Not to Finish 44:20 Fostering Creativity Through Artwork 47:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Send us a text message. Find Midlife Moms Pod on Apple Podcasts or wherever you find your podcasts. You can also find us Buzzsprout where we have a full listing of all our episodes, Instagram (@midlifemomspod), and Facebook. Listen, like, and subscribe! We hope you enjoy the show!

In this week's episode, Melanie and Allison celebrate Melanie's birthday which coincides with some doctor visits. As Melanie's birthday week kicks off, we emphasize the necessity of regularly scheduled medical visits and talk about our experiences with ultrasounds, mammograms, colonoscopies and more. Plus, we ponder the likelihood of our 7-year-olds driving to Target. To wrap things up, we chat about the incredible Sheriff Grady Judd and his no-nonsense approach in Polk County. Come join us for some laughs! Send us a text message. Find Midlife Moms Pod on Apple Podcasts or wherever you find your podcasts. You can also find us Buzzsprout where we have a full listing of all our episodes, Instagram (@midlifemomspod), and Facebook. Listen, like, and subscribe! We hope you enjoy the show!

This week Melanie and Allison discuss the impact of screen time on kids. We're talking all kinds of screen time - ipads, tablets, computers, TV - you name it! Allison shares her personal experiences with social media, including seeing some bizarre online content and social media trends that tend to be time-sucking and distracting. We share some strategies we use for managing our children's screen time, including limiting iPad use and promoting non-screen activities.  In the end, it's all about maintaining a balanced lifestyle amidst the competition we moms face with screen time. 00:42 Discussing Screen Time and Its Effects 02:19 Social Media Convo Begins 06:02 Managing Kids' Screen Time 10:03 Screen Time Rules and Recommendations 13:28 Bizarre Online Content 18:50 Finding Good Conte t 20:38 Going Through Social Media Detox 23:23 College Fashion Trends Send us a text message. Find Midlife Moms Pod on Apple Podcasts or wherever you find your podcasts. You can also find us Buzzsprout where we have a full listing of all our episodes, Instagram (@midlifemomspod), and Facebook. Listen, like, and subscribe! We hope you enjoy the show!

This week, Melanie and Allison catch up on life events and share their favorite things. They discuss their recent challenges in keeping up with 'The Bachelorette' episodes, switching gears to focus on their original podcast purpose: sharing tips and insights about life as midlife moms.  They delve into various favorite items, including Turkish towels, Differin gel, Alexa Pure water filtration system, footwear, skincare products from Clinique, hair accessories, and Young Living's Gentle Baby essential oil. Tune in for a mix of practical tips, product recommendations, and personal anecdotes from the hosts. Timestamps: 01:44 Favorite Things: Turkish Towels 05:17 Favorite Things: Differin Gel 09:10 Favorite Things: Alexa Pure Water Filtration System 12:00 Favorite Things: Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Overnight Mask 15:43 Favorite Things: Roxy Tennis Shoes 16:46 Favorite Things: Birkenstocks 20:56 Favorite Hair Accessories 25:54 Essential Oils for Relaxation 30:15 Cozy Slipper Socks Send us a text message. Find Midlife Moms Pod on Apple Podcasts or wherever you find your podcasts. You can also find us Buzzsprout where we have a full listing of all our episodes, Instagram (@midlifemomspod), and Facebook. Listen, like, and subscribe! We hope you enjoy the show!

This week Melanie and Allison continue their review of Season 21 of The Bachelorette. In this episode, Jenn and her men explore Seattle on Episodes 5 and 6.  If you have been watching this show for a while, like Melanie, or you're brand new to The Bachelorette, like Allison, or you don't have time to watch this crazy show, let us recap it for you! We talk about everything from Jenn's fashion to her dates and their locations and sometimes get a little judgy. Please note: spoilers are given since we discuss which men Jenn keeps and which ones are sent packing to go home. Send us a text message. Find Midlife Moms Pod on Apple Podcasts or wherever you find your podcasts. You can also find us Buzzsprout where we have a full listing of all our episodes, Instagram (@midlifemomspod), and Facebook. Listen, like, and subscribe! We hope you enjoy the show!

This week Melanie and Allison continue their review of Season 21 of The Bachelorette. In this episode, Jenn and her men explore New Zealand on Episodes 3 and 4.  If you have been watching this show for a while, like Melanie, or you're brand new to The Bachelorette, like Allison, or you don't have time to watch this crazy show, let us recap it for you! We talk about everything from Jenn's fashion to her dates and their locations and sometimes get a little judgy. Please note: spoilers are given since we discuss which men Jenn keeps and which ones are sent packing to go home. Send us a text message. Find Midlife Moms Pod on Apple Podcasts or wherever you find your podcasts. You can also find us Buzzsprout where we have a full listing of all our episodes, Instagram (@midlifemomspod), and Facebook. Listen, like, and subscribe! We hope you enjoy the show!

Send us a text message. Find Midlife Moms Pod on Apple Podcasts or wherever you find your podcasts. You can also find us Buzzsprout where we have a full listing of all our episodes, Instagram (@midlifemomspod), and Facebook. Listen, like, and subscribe! We hope you enjoy the show!

This week Melanie and Allison begin their review of Season 21 of The Bachelorette. Can you believe that Allison has NEVER watched a season of this show? Melanie can't and, as such, has begged and pleaded for her co-host to get in on the game. Listen in as they give a recap of the show and their thoughts on each man that begs for Jen Tran's attention (and affection). Whether you're a seasoned Bachelorette watcher or new to the show, you'll laugh along with these midlife moms and their takes on dating and courting in 2024. We discuss Episode 1 and Jen's introduction to "the guys," choosing our top and bottom 3. The second half discusses Episode 2 and the first and second date cards. NOTE: There are spoilers as we discuss who she eliminates and who gets a rose. Be warned. Send us a text message. Find Midlife Moms Pod on Apple Podcasts or wherever you find your podcasts. You can also find us Buzzsprout where we have a full listing of all our episodes, Instagram (@midlifemomspod), and Facebook. Listen, like, and subscribe! We hope you enjoy the show!

This week Melanie and Allison discuss their recent summer vacations. References: Allison mentions playing virtual bingo with Witti Repartee (link here).  Send us a text message. Find Midlife Moms Pod on Apple Podcasts or wherever you find your podcasts. You can also find us Buzzsprout where we have a full listing of all our episodes, Instagram (@midlifemomspod), and Facebook. Listen, like, and subscribe! We hope you enjoy the show!

This week Melanie and Allison get back in the studio to get caught up on summer life. Allison begins by updating everyone on where she's been for the last month and what's it like to change careers in your late 40s and pass big scary tests (Note: she refers to taking and passing the SHRM-CP test and moving from banking to HR). We then begin to discuss our plans for the rest of the summer and things we can do to actually relax on vacation (i.e. read a book, work on a hobby) and begin drifting off topic. Our first stop: cemetery walks and Allison's volunteer efforts to help people find where their relatives are buried.  We then head into unusual jobs that pay big bucks. You won't believe what Allison found while searching the Reddit. Timestamps (approximate): 1:01 Changing Careers and Taking Big Scary Tests in your 40s 07:36 Historical Fiction and Cemetery Adventures 15:57 Ghost Stories and Paranormal Experiences 20:04 Unusual Jobs and Crematorium Insights 24:23 Cryotherapy and Crematorium Mysteries 24:50 Strange jobs that pay big bucks 42:55 Summer Homework and Future Plans Things we mention for reference: 1.) Historical Fiction books by Phillipa Gregory 2.) Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell 3.) Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta, GA 4.) Huguenot Cemetery in St. Augustine, FL 5.) Evergreen Cemetery in St. Augustine, FL 6.) TacoLu's is located in Jacksonville Beach, FL. It was previously known as the Homestead Restaurant. It was originally a boarding house built in 1932 and was run by Miss Alpha Paynter. She later turned it into the Homestead Restaurant and later sold it in 1962. She died later that same year. Nowadays she can be seen by the big limestone fireplace in the main dining room, sitting in a rocking chair or standing as if to check on her customers. She's also been seen on the second floor and the stairs, and even in the mirror in the women's bathroom. 7.) Ghost hunting in a Tesla. Check out our Instagram account for the actual ghost hunt we went on shortly after recording this episode. Send us a text message. Find Midlife Moms Pod on Apple Podcasts or wherever you find your podcasts. You can also find us Buzzsprout where we have a full listing of all our episodes, Instagram (@midlifemomspod), and Facebook. Listen, like, and subscribe! We hope you enjoy the show!

Not sure about title. Audio is unedited.  Send us a text message. Find Midlife Moms Pod on Apple Podcasts or wherever you find your podcasts. You can also find us Buzzsprout where we have a full listing of all our episodes, Instagram (@midlifemomspod), and Facebook. Listen, like, and subscribe! We hope you enjoy the show!

This week Melanie and Allison tackle the whirlwind of managing kids' extracurricular activities amidst the chaos of daily life. While one mom has her kid’s summer mapped out, the other one of us is not so sure how to make it through the next 7 weeks before school starts back up. Melanie also shares her thoughts about dance recitals and wonders who made up this crazy 12-hour-long recital schedule for kids of all ages. The joke’s on us though as we share how we BOTH were rear-ended within days of each other. Let the chaos ensue! Timestamps: (Approximate) 4:35 Quick pre-birthday party errand 6:00 Car Accidents 16:00 Allison Studying 16:30 Activities for Kids and Schedules 20:35 Chicago Trip 22:45 Fireplace Envy 23:17 Just what is Allison’s day job anyway? 24:57 Keeping Kids Busy 40:35 Mall Walking 43:40 Kids Activities You can also send us a text message. Find Midlife Moms Pod on Apple Podcasts or wherever you find your podcasts. You can also find us Buzzsprout where we have a full listing of all our episodes, Instagram (@midlifemomspod), and Facebook. Listen, like, and subscribe! We hope you enjoy the show!

This week Melanie and Allison interview two very special guests... our kids! Just how silly will the podcast get when Melanie and Allison begin asking their kids basic questions about their school, friends, ideal jobs and who they think they're named after. We also take them way back to the olden days of the 1980s and ask them to identify old-timey gadgets. How do you think they did? Timestamps (approximate): 00:53 Favorite Things 03:31 Future Aspirations 05:02 School Experiences 06:51 Favorite Movies 08:41 Fun and Games 14:19 Would You Rather 16:29 Pet Shark or Octopus? 17:42 Pizza or Ice Cream? 18:19 What Do Your Parents Do? 19:18 Named After a Hockey Player? 21:40 Meeting Your Best Friend 23:44 Rules at Home 25:31 80s Nostalgia: VHS and Encyclopedias You can also send us a text message. Find Midlife Moms Pod on Apple Podcasts or wherever you find your podcasts. You can also find us Buzzsprout where we have a full listing of all our episodes, Instagram (@midlifemomspod), and Facebook. Listen, like, and subscribe! We hope you enjoy the show!

This week Melanie and Allison dive into a detailed recap and final thoughts on the TV show 'Seeking Sister Wife.' The hosts discuss their new podcast equipment and share funny anecdotes about their families before transitioning to the main topic. They talk about different couples from the show, including Nick and his wives, their hot tub scene, and the dynamics in Garrick and Dannielle Merrifield's relationship. The conversation touches on other couples from the show, their backgrounds, and the potential new sister wives. We also discuss potentially covering some other reality shows like 'Below Deck,' 'Bachelorette," and 'Unexpected.'  Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome and New Microphones 01:34 Recap of Seeking Sister Wife 03:26 Nick, April, Jennifer and Danielle Davis (Jasmine, too!) 14:06 Justin and Becky Ryan 19:00 Garrick and Dannielle Merrifield 33:43 New Shows and Future Plans 38:00 Closing You can also send us a text message. Find Midlife Moms Pod on Apple Podcasts or wherever you find your podcasts. You can also find us Buzzsprout where we have a full listing of all our episodes, Instagram (@midlifemomspod), and Facebook. Listen, like, and subscribe! We hope you enjoy the show!

This week, Melanie and Allison will be tackling a hot topic: synthetic food dyes and allergies. Join us as we discuss the origins of these artificial colorants, their potential health risks - especially for children - and share personal stories and insights on navigating food choices. Whether you're concerned about hyperactivity, skin reactions, or just want to make healthier decisions for your family, this episode is packed with valuable information and practical tips. Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation! Synthetic food dyes, often derived from petroleum, are commonly used in the food industry to enhance the color and appeal of processed foods. Despite their widespread use, these artificial colorants have been associated with various health concerns, including allergic reactions. Common synthetic food dyes include Red 40, Yellow 5, and Blue 1. These dyes can cause adverse reactions in some individuals, ranging from mild symptoms like hives and itching to more severe responses like anaphylaxis, especially in those with existing sensitivities or allergies. Moreover, some studies suggest a link between synthetic dyes and behavioral issues in children, such as hyperactivity. NOTE: In this episode we discuss the California Assembly Bill 418 (AB 418) which specifically prohibits the sale of food containing red dye 3, potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oil, and propylparaben. As found on food-safety.com, studies have suggested the additives may be linked to serious health harms, such as cancer, reproductive issues, and childhood behavioral and developmental problems. More information about the bill can be found here. Other Resources: 1.) Melanie mentioned using the EWG app while grocery shopping. You can download the app on Apple's App Store or by clicking here. More information about the Environmental Working Group can be found here. 2.) Here is a listing of food dyes that Melanie mentioned: Red 40 Red 3 Yellow 5 Yellow 6 Green 3 Blue 1 Blue 2 More information about synthetic food dyes can be found on the Center for Science in the Public Interest's website or by clicking here. Alternative names for some synthetic dyes can be found here. 3.) The really hard word that Melanie and Allison were trying to pronounce is "Azodicarbonamide". 4.) Melanie mentioned following @thefoodbabe on Instagram. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:32 Synthetic Food Dyes and Health Issues 01:21 Personal Experiences with Food Sensitivities 02:13 The Impact of Food Dyes on Health 04:14 Navigating Food Choices and Alternatives 07:10 The Hidden Dangers in Everyday Foods 17:37 Challenges of Managing Food Allergies 23:08 Living with a Corn Allergy You can also send us a text message. Find Midlife Moms Pod on Apple Podcasts or wherever you find your podcasts. You can also find us Buzzsprout where we have a full listing of all our episodes, Instagram (@midlifemomspod), and Facebook. Listen, like, and subscribe! We hope you enjoy the show!

Melanie and Allison spend a Friday morning together discussing things that are chaotic in their lives. Topics range from end of school year activities, sprained ankles, lost and found dogs, and WW2 movies, to name just a few.  We evaluate what everyday items bring chaos into our lives and how we wouldn't trade any of it for all the popsicles and coffee in the world. You can also send us a text message. Find Midlife Moms Pod on Apple Podcasts or wherever you find your podcasts. You can also find us Buzzsprout where we have a full listing of all our episodes, Instagram (@midlifemomspod), and Facebook. Listen, like, and subscribe! We hope you enjoy the show!

In this episode of Midlife Moms Pod, Melanie and Allison travel back in time to 1993 and revisit our Proms. This episode starts with a few censor bleeps as Allison loses her mind followed by us laughing our way through what can only be described as take 3 of our attempt at recording this episode. Once we shake off our technical failures of the past, we share stories of our prom days of yore and compare them to the outlandish promposals and prom shenanigans of today. As per usual we veer off course for a bit and discuss how Melanie wants to go to prom dressed up as an inflatable dinosaur (not sure I got that right) and how we think our kids would handle going to prom. Allison stuns Melanie by telling her that kids today don't always get their driver's licenses as soon as they turn 16. We also share our marriage proposals and how they're not always those seen in a fairytale. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 3:37 Prom Season Nostalgia 9:09 The Evolution of Prom Attire 14:56 One word: Pantyhose 19:50 Shark Tracking Adventures 23:55 Back on topic…Promposals 26:42 Veering Off Course - Halloween Costume Plans 32:25 Vintage Prom Dresses and Hair 34:11 Upcoming Prom Events and crashing pre-Prom Dinners 37:25 Kids and Drivers Licenses 40:55 Romantic Proposals 46:07 Wrapping Up You can also send us a text message. Find Midlife Moms Pod on Apple Podcasts or wherever you find your podcasts. You can also find us Buzzsprout where we have a full listing of all our episodes, Instagram (@midlifemomspod), and Facebook. Listen, like, and subscribe! We hope you enjoy the show!

In this BONUS episode of "Midlife Moms Pod," Melanie and Allison share their experiences from a weekend in April where we discuss Melanie's visit to the Clay County Fair. Melanie discusses the fun and challenges of managing fair activities with her family, highlighting mom fails and the unexpected joys of finding fair food she can eat due to dietary restrictions. We also provide an update on the bug project and talk about how we can't stop overcommitting to end-of-the-school-year activities, and the value of enjoying these moments while our children are still young.  We end by discussing how our kids viewed the solar eclipse and celebrating Willow's 3rd birthday, rounding out a discussion that blends the joys and trials of midlife motherhood. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 00:23 - Adventures at the Clay County Fair 05:48 - Fair Rides and Safety Concerns: A Parent's Perspective 08:31 - Fair Food Frenzy: A Midlife Mom's Delight 16:33 - Concerts at the Fair and Local Celebrity Neighbors 19:38 - More Fair Fun - Games and Ticket Pricing Shenanigans 22:28 - An Update on the Bug Project and Overcommitting at the End of the School Year 29:19 - The Eclipse Experience and Celebrating Willow's Birthday 32:18 - Wrapping Up: The Fair, Overcommitment, and Midlife Moms Sign Off You can also send us a text message. Find Midlife Moms Pod on Apple Podcasts or wherever you find your podcasts. You can also find us Buzzsprout where we have a full listing of all our episodes, Instagram (@midlifemomspod), and Facebook. Listen, like, and subscribe! We hope you enjoy the show!

Join Melanie and Allison this week as we discuss one of our favorite shows, “Seeking Sister Wife”.  Specifically, we discuss Season 5, episodes 1-10 which is the current season as of this recording (May 2024). The podcast touches on themes of manipulation, the intersection of religion and personal desires, and the consequences of alternative lifestyles. Material may not be suitable for young audiences. We begin by discussing our unhealthy obsession with reality TV and how it’s not just a form of entertainment but it's also been our source of endless fascination for more than 20 years.  It's been a long time since the '90s introduced us to Reality TV with shows like "The Real World," and then later "Survivor," "The Hills," "Rock of Love," "Celebrity Rehab," "Big Brother," "The Bachelor," "Southern Charm," "Summer House," and "Jersey Shore." Season 5 of "Seeking Sister Wife" features 5 couples and their search to add an additional "wife" to their families. Some are new couples to the show, while the others are returning families who bring the drama! Couples discussed on Season 5 of "Seeking Sister Wife": Nick, April, Jennifer, and Danielle: Nick is a stay-at-home dad who's intellectual abilities charm his wives. Is adding a new wife going to make Danielle Davis' head spin or will she accept the dynamics within their multiple-wife scenario. Garrick and Dannielle Merrifield: They delve into Garrick's strong belief in polygamy as directed by God and Dannielle's complex feelings about it. The couple's journey includes courting Bert from Brazil and the complications that ensued when she didn't come to the US. Other Couples: We discuss other couples like Naeem and Nailah Salahuddin, exploring their conflicts with Naeem's mother, and speculate on motivations behind their polygamous pursuits. And, mention new couples like Shane and Ashley Sherwood and Becky and Justin Ryan. Come listen as we deep dive into the backgrounds of the couples, engage in a bit of gossip and speculation about the motives and backstories of the couples, including financial troubles, potential scams, and deep-seated psychological components. and provide extra context not always covered in the show itself.  NOTES: In the conclusion Allison mentions that she is leaving to go see her favorite podcasters perform live. Shout out to Reality Gays. You can find them on Instagram @RealityGaysPod. You can also send us a text message. Find Midlife Moms Pod on Apple Podcasts or wherever you find your podcasts. You can also find us on Instagram @midlifemomspod and at https://midlifemomspod.buzzsprout.com. Enjoy the show and, listen, like, and subscribe!