MomFriends

Ep.11 Transitioning to Two and Temper Tantrums with Francis Fripp

This week Mama Rach is joined by Canada's top female auctioneer Francis Fripp. Francis is an entrepreneurial mom of two (as of recently), who has some wonderful insight on how to make the transition from one child to two. Her and mama Rach help to de-stigmatize longer age gaps between children, and Francis invites us into her mindset on temper tantrums, how to remain calm and handle them with grace, and reminds us that our toddlers are not yet biologically capable of regulating their emotions, so it's important to give them a safe space to let them out. Thanks for tuning in MomFriends!
IG: rach.leonhardtTikTok: rach.leonhardt

The Contradictions of Motherhood (Poem)

Instead of an episode this week, I wanted to share a poem I wrote about motherhood. It's nerve-wracking for me to share things like this, but the whole project of MomFriends itself is facing my fears and stepping outside of my comfort zone, so I hope you enjoy it💕

Ep.10 Returning to S*x Post Baby (SOLO)

Let's talk about s*x baby, let's talk about you and me. Let's talk about all the things that have to do with returning to sex postpartum. Thinking about doing the deed for the first time after pushing a whole human out of your lady whole can feel extremely daunting and overwhelming. Maybe even a little bit scary. Is it going to hurt? Am I going to bleed? Will my partner hate my new body? There are so many factors women struggle with mentally when it comes to postpartum s*x; so this week Mama Rach wants you to remember two very important things: nobody but YOU can decide when you're ready; and however you feel about it and however long you need to take, is normal. It's okay. Give yourself grace and acknowledge how incredible of a job you are doing at balancing this new and overwhelming time. We love you MomFriends!

Ep.9 Miscarriages, Midwives & Mother-in-Laws with Stephanie Martin

**Audio Difficulties** We are so sorry MomFriends, we have had some serious struggles getting this week's audio to sound remotely listenable; but please do your best to look past that because this week's episode is a GOOD ONE. Mama Rach is joined by her mother-in-law, Steph, who opens up about her experiences with miscarriage (4 of them to be exact); reversing vasectomies, home births, how she feels looking back now, and sooo much more. You don't want to miss this!
IG: rach.leonhardt TikTok: rach.leonhardt

Ep.8 My Daughter Saved My Life with Ruth Pritchard

*TRIGGER WARNING*
This week on MomFriends, Mama Rach sits down with Ruth, who bravely shares her story about how her daughter, Charlotte, saved her life. When Ruth found out she was pregnant, she had no money, no food, was living in her car, was highly addicted to drugs, and had an on-again-off-again relationship with Charlotte’s father. After collapsing on her first shift at her new job, Ruth was at the hospital alone when the nurse relayed the results of why she passed out—she was pregnant. That was the last time any type of drug would ever enter her system again. Join Mama Rach as she explores Ruth’s journey to motherhood and the strength she has found within herself to be the best mother she can be.
Please give us grace as we navigate this conversation.
 
IG: rach.leonhardtTikTok: rach.leonhardt

Ep.7 It's Okay to Cry in Your Closet with Sammi Duval-Smith

We're baaaaccckkkk. This week on MomFriends, mama Rach is joined by her sister-in-law where they dive in deep. From a traumatic birth, to seeing a dark birthmark on her baby's face, to crying in her closet questioning everything, Sammi opens up about her journey into motherhood and all of the dark places that can come with it. Come with us on our journey of laughter and strong emotions, and remember that what you are going through is normal, even if it doesn't feel that way, and it's okay to reach out. ❤️
IG: rach.leonhardt
TikTok: rach.leonhardt

Ep.6 Circumcision: Do I or Don't I? (SOLO)

Attention boy mamas!! This week we are talking about our little one's... little one. The question a lot of moms want to know when their sons are born is: do I get him circumcised or not? And for a lot of people, the answer isn't obvious one way or another. Mama Rach dives into the evidence of religion, health risks and benefits, and overall personal preference as she navigates the reasons for, and against circumcision. So if you are on the fence, or simply curious about the topic, this episode is for you!
Resources:
https://www.jpedsurg.org/article/S0022-3468(18)30184-2/fulltext
https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/Pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=aa41834&lang=en-ca#:~:text=Health%20benefits%20of%20circumcision%20include,he%20wants%20a%20circumcised%20penis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3684945/#:~:text=In%20addition%20to%20HIV%2C%20male,developing%20genital%20ulceration%20by%2047%25.
https://med.stanford.edu/newborns/professional-education/circumcision/complications.html#:~:text=Because%20newborns%20are%20relatively%20immunocompromised,complications%20of%20infected%20circumcision%20sites.
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/circumcision.html#:~:text=Some%20families%20choose%20to%20circumcise,hours)%20of%20a%20baby%27s%20life.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_and_circumcision - I know I know, but it checks out okay

Ep.5 Setting Boundaries (SOLO)

Welcome back sweet peachy mamas! This week you get mama Rach's complete and undivided attention as she talks to you about your boundaries as a mother. For some reason being pregnant and being a mom seems to give people a free pass to say and do whatever they want to you. Don't ask us why, but it just is what it is; so it's important to understand that it's okay if you don't feel comfortable with something. It doesn't matter what it is, if you don't want to do it, don't. Simple right? We know it's not. Tune in as Rach tells some stories of situations she was uncomfortable in, and what she has learned about how to set boundaries and be confident in them.

Ep. 4 Exclusive Pumping with Nicole Mills

Hi mamas, welcome back! This week on MomFriends, Rach is joined by her friend Nicole to talk about something very relevant to her personal motherhood journey - exclusive pumping. Nicole and Rach dive into their experiences with EP, the trials and tribulations that came with it, and get into all the details they wish they would have known to help prepare them for what they were about to get into. EP can be wonderful, and it can also be extremely difficult. Join them for an in depth conversation about the ins and outs of joining the EP community.

Ep. 3 My Teen Pregnancy Journey with Alysha Harney

This week mama Rach is joined by her dear friend Alysha, who breaks down what it was like to experience pregnancy and giving birth at 15 years old. From finding out she was pregnant, to telling her parents, navigating peer judgement and social stigmas, to giving birth and growing up with her daughter; Alysha is here 8 years later giving us all the scoop on her wild ride. Her hope is not to endorse or recommend teen pregnancy, but to help reduce the stigma and empower women to know that if it does happen to you, you are strong enough to get through it.