Mother U with Rachel Norman

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Why do good plans fall apart even when you care, try hard, and start with the best intentions?

In this episode, we unpack why follow-through keeps failing for so many capable mothers and why the problem isn’t discipline, motivation, or organization. 

It’s the internal pressure most moms carry without realizing it.

We talk about how invisible rules, constant self-monitoring, and the mental weight of ...

Moms often reach December feeling overwhelmed, rushed, and guilty. The truth is that most of the stress comes from doing things you never wanted to do in the first place. This episode walks you through a simple and honest look at the things you want for Christmas this year and the things you do not want to repeat.

You will hear how to be more present with your kids, how to limit screen time, how to set a spending plan you can stick ...

14 Day Bedtime Blueprint: https://learn.mother-u.com/14-day-bedtime-181729

If bedtime at your house feels like a circus of stalling, bargaining, and meltdowns, this episode will help you see why. It’s not about “easy kids” or “hard kids”—it’s about mindset.

In this episode, we’ll unpack the real difference between moms whose kids go to bed peacefully and those who struggle night after night—and how one simple shift in how you think a...

Most moms head into the holidays already carrying a full mental load and Christmas just adds fifty more tabs to your brain. You’re managing gifts, meals, school events, travel, and emotions while trying to make it all meaningful. It’s no wonder you’re exhausted before it even starts.

In this episode, we’re naming the invisible mental load of the holidays and talking about how to lighten it without dropping the joy or meaning of the ...

If every December feels like too much (too many gifts, too many plans, too many expectations) this episode will help you get ahead of it. December should be a peaceful time for your entire family. 

You’ll learn:

• Why deciding once eliminates guilt and decision fatigue
• How to set spending and schedule boundaries that stick
• What to pre-decide about gifts for your kids, events, and family expectations
• How to keep peace when others push ...

Whether your child can but won’t, can’t yet, or really can’t, the result is the same—they aren’t doing what’s expected. The solution isn’t to lower the bar or double down on consequences—it’s to raise both support and expectation together.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to use the High Support + High Expectation approach to:

• Respond wisely when kids “can but don’t”
• Give help without enabling or rescuing
• Keep standards high witho...

Do you ever feel exhausted from deciding the same things over and over again—bedtime, screens, snacks, chores? That constant re-deciding drains your energy, weakens boundaries, and leaves you frustrated by 3 p.m.

In this episode, we’ll unpack the power of pre-deciding—how making clear choices ahead of time helps you follow through with calm confidence.

You’ll learn:

• Why pre-deciding saves your energy and sanity
• What it means if you...

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You have routines, systems, and boundaries that work—until your husband steps in and does things differently. Maybe he’s more lenient, skips the routine, or just doesn’t follow through. You want to be a team, but instead it feels like you’re working against each other.

In this episode, we’ll talk about how to handle parenting differences with your husband (whether he’s well-meaning but inconsistent or completely checked...

When kids face friendship drama, moms often feel helpless—or tempted to fix it for them. But teaching kids to handle hard friendships on their own builds resilience and confidence they’ll carry for life.

In this episode, I share a simple 3-step system I used with my daughter when she was struggling with friends. By helping her name her strengths, recognize unhealthy behaviors, and anchor herself in truth, she had a breakthrough in s...

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Do you ever second-guess every choice you make as a mom—what you said, what you didn’t say, whether you’re ruining your kids? Overthinking makes motherhood heavier than it has to be. In this episode, we’ll get to the root of why moms overthink, how it’s tied to guilt and people-pleasing, and what to do instead so you can parent with confidence and peace.

You’ll learn:

• Why overthinking is so common...

Mother U: https://mother-u.com

Somewhere along the way, moms picked up the lie that a “good mom” never gets angry. But the truth is, every mom does. Anger by itself isn’t the problem, it’s what we do with it that matters. In this episode, we’ll break down where this false belief comes from, how it fuels guilt and shame, and why anger can actually be a signal pointing to what’s broken or what needs to change.

You’ll learn:

• Why beli...

Mentioned:

• Bye Bye Backtalk 
• 3 D's (Disrespect, Defiance, Drama)

Every mom has been there: you ask your child to do something right now… and they ignore you, argue, or drag their feet. It’s frustrating, exhausting, and can turn the simplest request into a battle.

In this episode, I’ll share practical strategies to help kids actually listen in the moment, not general listening or parenting strategies. 

You’ll learn:

• Why ...

Every mom knows the moment, you’re so tired, so worn down, that you do something you swore you wouldn’t. Maybe you put your child in preschool when you planned to keep them home. Maybe you hand over the tablet just to get a break. In that moment, it feels like survival. Afterward? The guilt hits hard.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why exhaustion pushes moms to go against their values
• The difference between survival mode and truly ...

Kids don’t need us to keep them happy all the time, they need us to help them handle their emotions. Learning how to regulate big feelings in childhood prevents major struggles later with relationships, school, and even self-confidence.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why emotional regulation is one of the most important life skills
• The long-term problems kids face when they don’t learn it
• How to create a safe space for kids to proc...

Starting new habits sounds simple… until real life gets in the way. Moms set goals, make plans, and promise themselves things will change—but so often those new habits just don’t stick. Why does this keep happening, and what can you do about it?

Learn my exact strategies for keeping the routines, systems, and new habits you start in Sticky Routines System (https://go.mother-u.com/how-to-keep-it) Mother-u👌 Sticky Routines System

In t...

When your child brings up a painful memory from the past—or shares something hurtful they’ve never told you before—it can catch you off guard. In this episode, we talk about how to respond in the moment, what to say (and not say), and how to help your child feel safe and supported while they process their emotions.

You’ll learn:

• How to respond when kids share past hurts or painful memories
• What to say to build trust and connection...

Motherhood is full of seasons, each with unique challenges, joys, and lessons. In this episode, we explore how to honor your current season of motherhood and embrace the changes it brings with intention and grace.

We’re chatting about:

• Recognizing the different seasons of motherhood and their demands
• How to adjust routines, expectations, and self-care for each phase
• Strategies to embrace change while staying connected to yourself a...

Feeling like you’re running on empty as a mom? In this episode, we dive into why so many moms struggle with burnout and how to refill your energy in practical, sustainable ways.

We’re chatting about:

• Simple self-care habits that actually work for busy moms
• How to recognize the signs of mom burnout before they get worse
• Daily mindset shifts to help you recharge without guilt

Tune in for encouragement and realistic strategies to ...

Is clutter quietly draining your energy and mental space? In this episode, we uncover how household mess impacts a mom’s stress levels, decision fatigue, and overall well-being—and share practical decluttering tips for moms to bring peace and order back to your home.

We’re chatting about:

• The hidden ways clutter steals your time and mental energy
• Why mess increases mom stress and decision fatigue
• Practical strategies for organizing...