Map Your Mom Brain I Parenting Tips, Planning, Organizing, Systems, Routines, Mom Life, Connection
Mandy Truax
15 episodes
6 days ago
Your go-to podcast for busy moms to go from CHAOS 👉 CLARITY with PARENTING SYSTEMS to 🧠NAVIGATE DAILY CHAOS!
Are you a busy mom who feels like you’re driving in circles—busy, exhausted, and wondering if you’re even going in the right direction. One minute you’re navigating homework battles, meltdowns (even from teenagers), and mountains of laundry… and the next, you’re asking yourself, “Am I doing any of this right?” Do you feel like parenting your kids is getting more complicated with more unexpected twists and turns as they keep getting older?
Hi, I’m Mandy —mom of three, former teacher, and habits coach—and I get it. I used to feel like I was doing everything wrong as a mom, constantly reacting to chaos instead of feeling confident in my choices. Then I realized…when I felt calm and connected as a mom - and confident in how I navigated the complications, I had a method.
That’s why I created and knew I had to share my MAP Method—your compass for motherhood. It helps you move from overwhelmed and reactive to calm and confident by guiding you through the mindset (Mentor), systems (Maker), and rhythms that make family life work.
On Map Your Mom Brain, you’ll learn how to:
*Navigate real parenting struggles—from homework battles and sibling fights to friendship drama and technology overwhelm
*Get your kids to listen without lecturing or nagging
*Build family rhythms and planning systems that actually stick
*Teach your kids values and skills that last—without losing your own peace in the process
Motherhood can feel like a road trip without a map — but you don’t have to drive in circles anymore. Think of this podcast as your weekly pit stop...a place to refuel, reset, and find your direction again. So hop in, grab your compass, and let’s roadtrip together!
Send me an Email: hello@mapyourmombrain.com
More info: www.MapYourMomBrain.com
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Your go-to podcast for busy moms to go from CHAOS 👉 CLARITY with PARENTING SYSTEMS to 🧠NAVIGATE DAILY CHAOS!
Are you a busy mom who feels like you’re driving in circles—busy, exhausted, and wondering if you’re even going in the right direction. One minute you’re navigating homework battles, meltdowns (even from teenagers), and mountains of laundry… and the next, you’re asking yourself, “Am I doing any of this right?” Do you feel like parenting your kids is getting more complicated with more unexpected twists and turns as they keep getting older?
Hi, I’m Mandy —mom of three, former teacher, and habits coach—and I get it. I used to feel like I was doing everything wrong as a mom, constantly reacting to chaos instead of feeling confident in my choices. Then I realized…when I felt calm and connected as a mom - and confident in how I navigated the complications, I had a method.
That’s why I created and knew I had to share my MAP Method—your compass for motherhood. It helps you move from overwhelmed and reactive to calm and confident by guiding you through the mindset (Mentor), systems (Maker), and rhythms that make family life work.
On Map Your Mom Brain, you’ll learn how to:
*Navigate real parenting struggles—from homework battles and sibling fights to friendship drama and technology overwhelm
*Get your kids to listen without lecturing or nagging
*Build family rhythms and planning systems that actually stick
*Teach your kids values and skills that last—without losing your own peace in the process
Motherhood can feel like a road trip without a map — but you don’t have to drive in circles anymore. Think of this podcast as your weekly pit stop...a place to refuel, reset, and find your direction again. So hop in, grab your compass, and let’s roadtrip together!
Send me an Email: hello@mapyourmombrain.com
More info: www.MapYourMomBrain.com
If your house feels louder, messier, and more chaotic after Christmas instead of calmer, this episode is your reset.
Today we’re talking about how to organize new toys, clothes, and gifts with your kids — not for them — without losing your cool or doing it all yourself.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How to organize after Christmas without rushing, nagging, or taking over
Why involving kids actually reduces overwhelm instead of creating it
A calm, step-by-step MAP approach that teaches care, ownership, and responsibility
How to balance your Maker’s need for order with your Mentor’s role as a teacher
This isn’t about a perfectly organized house.
It’s about teaching skills, building ownership, and creating a calmer home as you head into the new year.
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I'd love to hear if this helps you or if you have a question!
Email me at hello@mapyourmombrain.com.
Holiday parties can bring out the biggest emotions — meltdowns from younger kids and total shutdowns from teens — right when everyone is watching.
In this episode, I’m sharing a 30-second, repeatable MAP tool you can use in the moment, plus simple ways to set expectations before the party so you’re not reacting in chaos.
You’ll learn:
What to say when kids melt down or teens shut down in front of others
How to prep kids and teens before gatherings to reduce power struggles
A calm, firm, and kind script you can use anywhere — without yelling or negotiating
How to let the Mentor lead instead of the stressed-out Maker
This works for toddlers through teens — at holiday parties, family dinners, or anytime emotions run high.
Email and let me know what tips and strategies are helping you!
hello@mapyourmombrain.com
If you’re doing all the things this holiday season, this episode is your permission slip to stop.Today I’m sharing 20 simple, real-life holiday tasks your kids can absolutely help with — tasks that build capability, confidence, responsibility, and independence… all while taking things off your plate.
You’ll hear how each task teaches a skill, why capable kids thrive in structure and contribution, and how using the MAP Method helps you shift out of overwhelm so you can guide instead of micromanage.
Inside this episode:• 20 developmentally rich holiday tasks kids can genuinely do• Add-on ideas to increase capability without increasing your workload• Scripts, prompts, and simple ways to give ownership• How the MAP Method makes holiday chaos calmer and more connected• Why capability is the real Christmas gift you give your child
If you’ve ever wished your kids helped more and argued less? This is your episode.
đź”— Listen now and make this the year your home feels more capable, not more chaotic.
Email me to ask questions or share your successes with me at hello@mapyourmombrain.com!
Holiday posts from other moms making you feel behind, overwhelmed, or “not enough”? You’re not alone—and this episode is your reset.
This week we’re breaking down the Holiday Comparison Trap and how you can use the MAP Method to shift from comparison → clarity → confidence… without shame, without spiraling, and without pretending you don’t care what you see online.
Inside today’s episode, you’ll learn:
Why comparison hits moms harder during the holidays
How comparison shows up in Maker mode (and how to redirect it)
The Move Back questions that help you separate real desire from social pressure
How to use comparison as fuel instead of proof you’re behind
How to use comparison as reflection, not a verdict
The script to use anytime a post triggers you
How to choose your next step and recognize if something actually is a priority
Why comparison is actually a compass pointing toward what matters most
If you’ve ever felt triggered by another mom’s “perfect” holiday tradition—or felt that wave of guilt or jealousy—this episode will help you move back, assess what really matters, and pick the path that builds your happiest home.I'd love to hear from you!
Email me at hello@mapyourmombrain.com
Are You Accidentally Teaching Your Kids Not to Listen?The Hidden Patterns Behind Empty Threats (Starting With the Elf-on-the-Shelf)🌿 Parenting Systems to Navigate Daily Chaos
You’ve probably said it or heard another parent say it:“The Elf is watching.”“He’s going to tell Santa.”“I’m counting to three…”“Do it now or else…”
But most parents don’t realize this:Empty threats don’t build better behavior — they build fear-based compliance, shame, and “surveillance morality” (behaving only when someone’s watching).
If those lines made you wince a little, you’re not alone. In this episode, we break down the hidden patterns that make kids stop listening — especially during the holidays when everyone is overstimulated, tired, and rushed.
You’ll learn:✔️ Why empty threats quietly erode your influence✔️ Why kids stop listening even when you’re “serious”✔️ The psychology behind surveillance-based behavior✔️ How to reset your role as a calm, capable leader✔️ What to do instead — using the MAP Method✔️ Tools you can use TODAY (even if you’ve used threats before)
This isn’t about judging your past responses — it’s about giving you a better system to lead your kids with consistency, communication, and connection.
When your word is steady, your kids feel safe.And when they feel safe… they listen.
Every mom leans one way during the holiday season — either stuck in overthinking and decision fatigue or moving so fast she barely enjoys any of it. But you don’t have to label yourself. You just need to recognize the tendency so you can shift out of it.
In today’s episode, we walk through a simple Weekly Review that helps you Move Back, assess what’s actually on your plate, and make your next Maker Move with clarity. Whether you freeze, spiral, or speed through the holidays, this 10–15 minute reset helps you calm the chaos, lighten your load, and get back to a home that feels connected and intentional.
You’ll Learn:• Why moms fall into holiday overwhelm or holiday overdrive• How to pause without losing momentum• The quick Weekly Review I wish every mom used• MAP Method questions that help you slow down and see clearly• How to find your next small step — not the perfect plan• Simple ways to enlist help and involve your kids so you’re not carrying everything
A calmer week starts with a clarified mind. Let’s walk into it together.
This week, we’re tackling one of the biggest holiday stressors for moms: weeks that feel out of control. In just 10 minutes, you can do a simple reset with your family that sets the tone for the week, builds teamwork, and gets your kids involved in the plan.
We’ll walk through a four-step routine you can do while you eat.
This little weekly reset walks you straight through the MAP Method: Move Back, Assess the ROAD, and Pick Your Path as a family. Fewer surprises, smoother evenings, and kids who know what’s coming—future you will be so grateful.
Holiday Behavior Tips: How to Help Your Kids Stay Calm and Capable on Big Days
Big family days can bring big emotions — from you and your kids. In this quick Thanksgiving Day reset, you’ll learn how to use the MAP Method to keep everyone calmer, more capable, and more connected, even when the day feels loud or unpredictable.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How to Move Back and set the atmosphere you actually want
Why holiday expectations often clash with kid capacity
The simple ROAD check-in that steadies you before things escalate
How to choose the right “path” — Control, Consistency, or Communication — moment by moment
Small adjustments that reduce meltdowns and help your kids handle big days with more confidence
Take five minutes before the day begins and show up as the steady, intentional Mentor your family needs.Listen to Episode 5 for deeper holiday-week strategies:https://mapyourmombrain.podbean.com/e/ep-5-5-tips-to-prep-for-a-busy-holiday-week-get-your-kids-helping/
Get It Done: 5 Quick Tips to Prep Your House for Guests—With Your Kids
The holiday rush is here, and if your house needs attention, the kids need direction, and you need a plan—this episode is your shortcut.
In just a few minutes, I’ll walk you through five simple, all-ages tips to help you prep your home for guests with your kids alongside you.
From visual communication to time limits, fun motivators, and hands-ons activities, these strategies help your whole household work together without the stress, nagging, or meltdowns.
Perfect for the busy week of Thanksgiving when you need real help fast.
Feeling the holiday chaos already? This episode gives you 5 simple, actionable tips to help you prepare for a busy holiday week and get your kids to help — without snapping, overthinking, or doing everything yourself.
Inside you’ll learn how to use the MAP Method to stay calm, organized, and connected while leading your family through the stress of the season.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How to set up a simple Holiday Notebook to organize your week
Why “walking it backwards” prevents last-minute overwhelm
How to set clear expectations for your kids (cleaning, prepping, behavior, screens)
How to prepare emotionally for family dynamics and kid meltdowns
How to use your Maker + Mentor commitments to create a calm, cooperative home
Perfect for busy moms who want clarity, capability, and a smoother holiday week.
The heart of a happy home comes down to two simple words: commitment and connection. In this episode, you’ll learn how these two anchors shape your role as the Mentor and the Maker so you can guide your family with more confidence and less emotional reactivity.
If you’re craving a simpler, steadier way to guide your family, this episode shows you where to start.
Email me — I’d love to hear how you started to MAP Your Mom Brain: hello@mapyourmombrain.com
Feeling overwhelmed because life is busy? In this episode, I break down why busy isn’t the problem—and why overwhelm shows up even on days when everything technically “gets done.”
You’ll learn the first step of the MAP Method: Move Back—the mindset shift that helps you step out of emotional reactivity and back into your role as the Mentor or Maker your kids actually need. This shift alone helps you ditch the spiral of nagging, lecturing, or snapping so you can navigate chaos with more clarity and confidence.
In this episode:
Why busy ≠overwhelmed
The real cause of mom-overwhelm (hint: it’s internal, not your schedule)
How Move Back instantly gives you direction when emotions spike
What it means to parent as a Mentor vs a Maker
The foundation for trusting yourself again as a mom
If you’ve ever crashed on the couch at the end of the day and wondered, “Why did today feel so good when it was just as busy as yesterday?”—this episode explains exactly why.
Email me your takeaways: hello@mapyourmombrain.com
If every request turns into a debate lately, you’re not imagining it — kids really are arguing more than ever.In this episode, I break down why modern parenting feels like constant negotiation and how moms can reclaim calm, confident leadership without swinging into control or conflict.
You’ll learn the surprising cultural shifts that fuel argumentative behavior, the communication patterns parents fall into without realizing it, and the simple MAP Method rhythm that brings cooperation back into your home.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:• Why kids push back more than they used to• How parents unintentionally communicate like peers instead of leaders• The leadership confidence moms have lost — and how to get it back• How to use the MAP Method (Move Back, Assess the ROAD, Pick Your Path) to handle pushback• Ways to set boundaries that are calm, clear, consistent, and connected
Have a question or want to share your experience?Email Me: hello@mapyourmombrain.com
Welcome to Map Your Mom Brain! In this first episode, I share my love for helping moms create calm, confident homes using the MAP Method — a simple thinking system for navigating daily chaos. Learn what inspired the podcast, what the MAP Method is, and why confident motherhood doesn’t require perfection.
Email: hello@mapyourmombrain.com
Motherhood can feel like a never-ending road trip without a map. One minute you’re juggling homework battles, overflowing laundry, and emotional meltdowns (even from teenagers)… and the next you’re wondering, Am I even doing this right?
I’m Mandy — mom of three, former teacher and habits coach — and I created the MAP Method to help moms stop reacting to chaos and start leading with clarity, confidence, and connection.
Map Your Mom Brain is your weekly pit stop: short, practical episodes to help you parent with more intention and less overwhelm. You’ll learn simple systems, calm communication strategies, and real-world solutions for everything from sibling conflict and schoolwork to routines, technology, and raising capable kids.
If you’re ready to trust yourself again, build a smoother home life, and connect deeply with your kids at every age, you’re in the right place.
Welcome to Map Your Mom Brain — let’s go on this road trip together.
Email: hello@mapyourmombrain.com
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Map Your Mom Brain I Parenting Tips, Planning, Organizing, Systems, Routines, Mom Life, Connection
Your go-to podcast for busy moms to go from CHAOS 👉 CLARITY with PARENTING SYSTEMS to 🧠NAVIGATE DAILY CHAOS!
Are you a busy mom who feels like you’re driving in circles—busy, exhausted, and wondering if you’re even going in the right direction. One minute you’re navigating homework battles, meltdowns (even from teenagers), and mountains of laundry… and the next, you’re asking yourself, “Am I doing any of this right?” Do you feel like parenting your kids is getting more complicated with more unexpected twists and turns as they keep getting older?
Hi, I’m Mandy —mom of three, former teacher, and habits coach—and I get it. I used to feel like I was doing everything wrong as a mom, constantly reacting to chaos instead of feeling confident in my choices. Then I realized…when I felt calm and connected as a mom - and confident in how I navigated the complications, I had a method.
That’s why I created and knew I had to share my MAP Method—your compass for motherhood. It helps you move from overwhelmed and reactive to calm and confident by guiding you through the mindset (Mentor), systems (Maker), and rhythms that make family life work.
On Map Your Mom Brain, you’ll learn how to:
*Navigate real parenting struggles—from homework battles and sibling fights to friendship drama and technology overwhelm
*Get your kids to listen without lecturing or nagging
*Build family rhythms and planning systems that actually stick
*Teach your kids values and skills that last—without losing your own peace in the process
Motherhood can feel like a road trip without a map — but you don’t have to drive in circles anymore. Think of this podcast as your weekly pit stop...a place to refuel, reset, and find your direction again. So hop in, grab your compass, and let’s roadtrip together!
Send me an Email: hello@mapyourmombrain.com
More info: www.MapYourMomBrain.com
