Motherhood Made Simple

32 | Should I give birth at home? Why I choose homebirth

Considering a homebirth? Today, I’m sharing why I choose to give birth at home instead of in a hospital. I’ll walk you through 6 practical reasons that led to this decision.
We'll go over what it means to give birth at home with a homebirth midwife, the cost of homebirth, the mess, how to get your husband on board and why I feel confident this is a safe way to meet my baby. 
Whether you're curious about home birth, considering natural birth options, or just want a behind-the-scenes look at what this process is like, this episode will give you an honest, encouraging perspective from a Christian mom’s point of view.
 
LINKS
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth (my fave birth book)
https://amzn.to/4mB4A6h 
Birth Without Burden Course (free)
https://stan.store/madelinemarlatt 
Bridget Teyler (Videos on birth, pain management, pregnancy & more)
https://www.youtube.com/@BridgetTeyler 
Tub Heater
https://amzn.to/3FigmC1 
 
CHATPERS
00:00 Intro
01:00 What lead to this decision?
03:16 Is it dangerous?
07:09 Why I love giving birth at home
15:24 How much does a homebirth cost?
16:39 Is homebirth messy?
17:49 How can I convince my husband?

31 | How to transition from one to two or two to three kids

Having a second baby? Maybe your third? This episode is all about adding a child - navigating big emotions (both yours and your toddlers'), practical tips for toddlers getting a sibbling and my experience with adding a second child vs adding a third child. 
EMAIL ME hello@micaela.ca
CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
00:50 You've got this!
03:27 Navigating your own emotions
05:37 Helping your toddler transition
09:42 Prepare for postpartum
12:12 Baby #2 & Baby #3 differences and similarities
18:55 Final encouragement

30 | Thinking about blogging? Here's why you should start a mom blog today

Have you been putting off starting your Blog or another creative outlet? For years, I told myself I didn't have time to blog or that I didn't know how to start a blog. But really, I was afraid. I let insecurities hold me back from pursuing my God-given dreams.
If you desire to write or create content to encourage the world, there's a good chance this is a call God has placed on your life and you need to be obedient! 
 I'm sharing 5 reasons to start your blog today along with some encouragement for the process.
Let's connect! Email me at hello@micaela.ca
BOOK RECOMMENDATION
Create Anyway https://amzn.to/44Jsypz 
 
CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
01:04 Why are we talking about this?
04:22 Five reasons to start your blog
04:33 You can start imperfectly
06:31 There is room for you
07:16 Clarity comes with action
08:50 Your confidence will grow
09:32 It will be fun!
10:18 Final encouragement

29 | spiritual disciplines for busy moms of toddlers

Are you struggling to make time to read the bible or make time for God as a busy mom of toddlers? I'm sharing some spiritual disciplines working for me right now as a toddler mom along with some tips if you're looking to make a change.
 
LINKS
📖MY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODDLER MOMS📖
https://amzn.to/42UhhBQ  
💻EMAIL ME💻
hello@micaela.ca
 
CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
00:51 Podcast update
02:37 Reading the bible as a busy mom
03:42 What's working for me
16:51 Areas I want to grow in
19:43 Where should you start?

28 | Struggling to pray for your toddler? Pray THIS.

Calling all praying mamas! If you're trying to figure out how to pray for your children or what to pray at your toddler's bedtime, I'm here to share some of my favourite prayers for your baby and toddler. We cover prayers for your baby in the womb, prayers for new parents and what I pray now with toddlers. There is no wrong way to pray. I hope this episode will bless you and encourage you to bring your sweet children before God!
LINKS
📖MY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODDLER MOMS📖
https://amzn.to/42UhhBQ  
📝EPISODE TRANSCRIPT📝
micaela.ca/podcast/028
💻EMAIL ME💻
hello@micaela.ca
 
CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
01:05 Why I pray
02:23 How to pray
04:52 Pray over your child's relationship with Christ
08:43 Pray for wisdom
09:54 Pray for your child's identity in Christ
11:15 Pray for the people they encounter
12:46 Pray for yourself
13:12 Our bedtime prayer

27 | Reclaim your joy in motherhood with these positive mindsets for Christian moms

I really love motherhood. I used to be afraid to tell you that because I was worried it would end. I was worried adding a second child or a surprise pregnancy or three kids under three would put an end to my beautiful life and make me miss my child-free days. But I’m tired of hiding it. I LOVE being a mom, and enjoying motherhood is a gift I don’t want to keep to myself. Today I’m sharing 10 thoughts that help me enjoy my days as a mom in hopes to encourage you and help you rewire some of the negative mindsets you might be stuck in. I hope this episode blesses you!
 
LINKS
📖MY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODDLER MOMS📖
https://amzn.to/42UhhBQ  
📝EPISODE TRANSCRIPT📝
micaela.ca/podcast/027
💻EMAIL ME💻
hello@micaela.ca
Get Out of Your Head (Jennie Allen)
https://amzn.to/3REzFYF
Take Back Your Family (Jefferson Bethke)
https://amzn.to/44d2Rxk
Family Teams Podcast
https://familyteams.com/podcasts/ 
 
CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
00:48 My early days as a mom
03:05 I'm a new person and that's a good thing
06:03 I don't need to mother on my own strength
07:29 I want to treat every day like its my last
09:46 My kids are learning so much right now
11:10 These are the good old days
11:50 The best is yet to come
12:55 Family is the whole point
17:16 This problem has a solution
19:48 The rules are fake
21:54 Our family is a team
24:28 It's not my job to make my kids happy

26 | Natural Family Planning how to get started & tips

GET 20% OFF YOUR FIRST YEAR OF NATURAL CYCLES
https://www.naturalcycles.com/refer-a-friend?code=referralid20&name=TWljYWVsYQ%3D%3D&referral=99shhwn7kwr98owv
If you’ve been wondering how to prevent pregnancy naturally, look no further! I’m sharing why I love natural family planning, my brief experience with hormonal birth control and why we love the Natural Cycles birth control app as the simplest way to prevent pregnancy naturally. 
LINKS
Natural Cycles
https://www.naturalcycles.com/refer-a-friend?code=referralid20&name=TWljYWVsYQ%3D%3D&referral=99shhwn7kwr98owv
Taking Charge of Your Fertility Book
https://amzn.to/4lFM9wV 
My Favourite Pregnancy Tests
https://amzn.to/42Btf1l 
Ovulation Strips
https://amzn.to/4iueHqp 
Episode Transcript
micaela.ca/podcast/026 
 
CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
01:18 My experience with hormonal birth control
03:27 The simplest way to NFP
05:28 5 Reasons I love NFP
12:18 5 Simple steps to get started with natural family planning

25 | Feeling disconnected? Here's how to serve your husband while raising toddlers

Today we’re talking marriage with toddlers and 12 ways to serve your husband even with little kids at home. These are some of my best tips for a successful marriage after kids to keep you communicating with your husband and showing him love. We’ll cover ideas like greeting him at the door, a better way to ask about his day, praying for your husband, what to text while he’s at work and so much more.
 
LINKS
📖MY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODDLER MOMS📖
https://amzn.to/42UhhBQ  
📝EPISODE TRANSCRIPT📝
micaela.ca/podcast/025
💻EMAIL ME💻
hello@micaela.ca
 
CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
00:40 Why this matters
02:44 Make him a hot meal
04:48 Find out what matters when he first gets home
05:38 Offer him some time to himself
06:19 Pray for him
08:57 Write him a note
11:26 Be honest with him
12:29 A new way to ask "how was your day"
13:51 Greet him at the door
14:28 Surprise him with a snack
14:48 Speak well of him
16:45 Do one of his chores for him
18:18 Assume the best about him
21:23 Our new theme verse: Hebrews 10:24

24 | What I wish I knew before I got pregnant the first time

In a more fun and lighthearted episode, I'm sharing what I wish I knew about pregnancy before getting pregnant the first time. Hopefully this list will make you giggle or find something to relate to whether you are a first time mom, or pregnant with your fourth like me! We touch on pregnancy ultrasounds, medical care here in Ontario, big emotions in pregnancy and my #1 tip for enjoying birth. What surprised you about pregnancy? Share your thoughts in the comments, or send me an email hello@micaela.ca
 
LINKS
📖MY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODDLER MOMS📖
https://amzn.to/42UhhBQ  
📝EPISODE TRANSCRIPT📝
micaela/ca/podcast/024
💻EMAIL ME💻
hello@micaela.ca
 
CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
01:39 Midwifery Care in Ontario
02:39 Ultrasounds are not like the movies
04:03 I forgot I was pregnant
05:08 Unsolicited advice/comments
06:28 I liked being pregnant
07:54 How it changed my marriage
08:26 I felt sorry for my husband
08:46 It might take time to love your baby
10:05 You might cry about the life you're leaving behind
11:20 Waiting to give birth is super weird
13:14 You might not want it to end
13:52 My number one birth tip

23 | Hope when motherhood is hard

This episode is for the mama who’s feeling tired, overwhelmed, and  guilty for not loving every minute of raising toddlers. We’ll unpack my beef with the "motherhood is hard" narrative and go over a few small steps you can take to find joy when stay-at-home-mom-life feels overwhelming. Life may be anything but picture-perfect, but I hope you’ll leave this one feeling seen, encouraged, and reminded that hard doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong and you will find joy again!
 
LINKS
📖MY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODDLER MOMS📖
https://amzn.to/42UhhBQ  
GET OUT OF YOUR HEAD (book by Jennie Allen)
https://amzn.to/42y4y6b
📝EPISODE TRANSCRIPT📝
micaela.ca/podcast/023
💻EMAIL ME💻
hello@micaela.ca
 
CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
01:43 The "motherhood is hard" narritive
05:56 Hard doesn't mean you're doing it wrong!
09:36 Where are you finding fulfillment?
11:46 Notice something new
16:25 Lighten the load of your home
17:27 Take a social media break