This isn't your typical New Year reflection. Join me for an unfiltered look at 2025, the year that shattered my expectations and rebuilt me from the ground up.

I'm sharing:

• The first four months of motherhood nobody talks about (spoiler: it wasn't Instagram-worthy)
• How becoming a mom exposed every toxic pattern I learned in childhood
• Why I finally changed my brand name after years of hesitation
• The moment I realized rest isn't lazy, it's essential
• Learning to speak up when I've spent a lifetime staying silent
• Navigating work, childcare collapse, and the impossible standards placed on mothers
• What I'm carrying into 2026 (hint: authenticity over perfection)

This episode is for you if: You're tired of curated motherhood content and want the real story You're healing from childhood trauma while trying to break generational cycles You struggle with perfectionism, people-pleasing, or asking for help You're questioning how society expects mothers to do it all

Topics Covered: New mom reality, C-section recovery, breastfeeding challenges, childhood trauma healing, setting boundaries, authentic content creation, work-life balance, Canadian maternity leave, nervous system regulation, letting go of perfectionism

Subscribe for weekly episodes where we talk about motherhood, mental health, social justice, and building a life that actually feels good, not just looks good.

Discover why doing nothing might be the most important thing you do today. In this honest episode of The Thoughtful Advocate, host Elizabeth Teo shares her powerful realization about rest, productivity, and motherhood after both her 11 month old son Ace and herself fell ill.

Learn how to recognize when your baby is sick (even without a fever), navigate the challenges of caring for a sick infant under one year old, and why our cultural expectations around productivity are fundamentally flawed. Elizabeth breaks down the signs parents should watch for, shares practical tips for managing childhood illness, and reveals why asking for help isn't weakness but wisdom.

This episode tackles important topics including:

• Early signs of illness in babies who can't communicate
• How to care for a sick infant under 12 months
• Breaking free from toxic productivity culture
• The importance of rest in healing and recovery
• Overcoming cultural stigma around asking for help
• Building a supportive partnership in parenthood
• Self care for exhausted mothers

Perfect for new parents, working mothers, and anyone struggling to give themselves permission to rest. If you're burnt out, overwhelmed, or constantly pushing through exhaustion, this episode will change how you think about productivity forever.

Parenting an 11 month old taught me that preparation saves you from midnight pharmacy runs. In this episode, I share the baby essentials that genuinely saved us when my son got his first real fever, including medications to stock ahead, thermometer tips, and safe sleep strategies. Learn what actually works for sick babies under 1 year old, how to handle fevers without panicking, and why having multiple diaper stations changes everything. I also talk about the reality of asking for help (when our nanny quit), splitting parenting shifts to prevent burnout, and why convenience isn't laziness with a newborn. Plus, real talk about breastfeeding struggles, postpartum support, and building your village before you desperately need it. Whether you're preparing for your first baby or deep in the trenches of early parenthood, these practical tips will help you feel more prepared and less alone. Perfect for expecting parents, new moms, and anyone navigating the first year with a baby.

Topics covered: baby fever management, Tylenol for infants, newborn essentials checklist, postpartum depression prevention, equal parenting, baby shower registry must-haves, breastfeeding tips, formula feeding, partner support, working mom survival

Discover how to save hundreds on baby clothes with Facebook Marketplace finds! In this episode, Elizabeth shares her incredible $10 baby bundle haul and reveals the best frugal parenting tips for dressing your little one without breaking the bank. Plus, get practical advice for traveling with an 11 month old, including what to pack (and what to skip), airport survival strategies, and making family vacations work on a budget. From formula and diaper travel hacks to pool day adventures in Florida, learn how to give your baby amazing experiences while staying financially smart. Perfect for expecting parents, new moms and dads, and anyone navigating parenthood in today's economy. Subscribe for more budget friendly parenting tips and real talk about raising babies without overspending!

Keywords: Facebook Marketplace baby clothes, budget parenting tips, flying with baby, frugal mom hacks, baby travel tips, save money on baby clothes, secondhand baby items, parenting on a budget, baby clothing haul, affordable parenting

Learn how to save thousands on baby clothes, toys, and gear using Facebook Marketplace, thrift stores, and baby swaps. Practical tips from a real parent who spent under $60 on 100+ outfits.

Expecting a baby or already drowning in baby expenses? The baby industry wants you to believe you need to spend tens of thousands of dollars on designer cribs, brand new strollers, and perfectly decorated nurseries. Here's the truth: babies don't care about brands, and neither should your wallet.

In this comprehensive guide, discover exactly how one parent saved thousands of dollars on baby essentials without compromising quality or safety. You'll learn the insider strategies for finding incredible deals on everything from clothes to toys to furniture.

What You'll Learn:

• How to get 100+ baby outfits for under $60 using Facebook Marketplace
• The secret search terms that unlock the best deals (hint: "baby lot")
• Why thrifting in wealthy neighborhoods changes everything
• Which baby items you should buy new vs. used for safety
• How to avoid the 4 biggest mistakes new parents make
• Free baby swap groups that can save you hundreds monthly
• Strategic baby registry tips that saved one family $800 on diapers alone
• Library hacks for free books and entertainment

Whether you're a first-time parent or expecting your second (or third!), these practical, tested strategies will help you redirect thousands of dollars from unnecessary baby gear toward things that truly matter like college funds, family vacations, and emergency savings.

Stop falling for "must-have" lists and sponsored content. Learn which items are genuinely essential, what you can safely buy secondhand, and how to build a supportive community of parents who swap, share, and help each other save.

Raw, honest talk about returning to work as a new mom. When your nanny quits with 2 days notice, your 10 month old has separation anxiety, and you feel like you're failing at everything.

In this deeply vulnerable episode, I share one of the hardest weekends of my life as a new mom. Just 12 days after returning to work, our nanny quit with only 2 days notice, leaving me feeling like I'm failing both as a mother and an employee.

If you're a working parent struggling with:

• Finding reliable childcare in Canada (or anywhere)
• Baby separation anxiety at 10-11 months
• The impossible balance of working from home with a baby
• Guilt about not being the "perfect mom"
• Mental health strain from trying to do it all
• Daycare waitlists and limited options

...this episode is for you.

I talk about the reality of separation anxiety, why babies cry when you go back to work, the mental load of being a working parent, and how society's expectations are completely unrealistic. Plus, I share the supportive messages from listeners that reminded me I'm not alone in this struggle.

Topics covered:

• 10 month baby separation anxiety and object permanence
• Working from home vs daycare decisions
• Canadian daycare waitlists (2028!)
• The systemic struggles all working moms face
• Statistics on working parent mental health
• How to survive when childcare falls through
• Building your village of support

You're not alone. You're not failing. You're doing an incredibly hard thing, and this episode is proof that millions of us are right there with you.

Returning to work after maternity leave is one of the hardest transitions parents face. In this raw and honest episode, I share my emotional first week back at work after 10 months with my baby, and why it was so much harder than I expected.

If you're a parent dreading going back to work, currently struggling with the transition, or trying to decide between daycare vs. nanny care, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we cover:

• The emotional reality of returning to work after having a baby
• How to handle separation anxiety in babies and toddlers
• Managing work calls while your baby cries in the other room
• Daycare vs. in home nanny: pros, cons, and cost considerations
• Why I feel like I'm failing at both work and motherhood (and why that's normal)
• Coping strategies for working parents dealing with mom guilt
• The myth of work life balance for new parents
• How to ask for help during this overwhelming transition
• Why quality time matters more than quantity time with your kids

Keywords for parents searching: Working mom struggles, maternity leave ending, first week back at work after baby, daycare vs nanny, separation anxiety in babies, mom guilt going back to work, work from home with baby, postpartum return to work, parental leave transition, childcare options, affordable daycare wait lists, working parent mental health, asking for help as a new parent

You'll learn: ✓ Practical tips for easing the transition back to work ✓ How to cope with hearing your baby cry while working ✓ When separation anxiety is normal vs. concerning ✓ Cost comparison: daycare vs. nanny care ✓ How to give yourself grace during this difficult season ✓ Why struggling doesn't mean you're failing

This episode is perfect for: new moms returning to work, working parents with infants and toddlers, parents considering childcare options, anyone feeling torn between career and parenting, families dealing with separation anxiety

Remember: going back to work doesn't mean you love your child any less. You're providing for their future, and you're doing better than you think.

Connect with me: Instagram: @TheThoughtfulAdvocate Email: thoughtfuladvocate@gmail.com

Share your own back to work story in the comments. You're not alone in this.

Discover the dramatic shift in fatherhood from Boomer dads spending just 2.6 hours weekly with kids to modern fathers tripling their involvement. This episode explores how Millennial and Gen Z dads are revolutionizing parenting by attending pediatric appointments, handling night feedings, sharing mental load, and becoming true co-parents. Learn how increased father involvement reduces maternal depression, improves child development, and transforms family mental health. We examine cultural expectations across generations, the impact of the women's movement, workplace challenges, and why this parenting evolution matters for mothers' wellbeing. From changing diapers to managing schedules, today's engaged fathers are breaking outdated "provider only" stereotypes and creating healthier, more balanced families. Perfect for expectant parents, new dads, mothers seeking partnership, and anyone interested in modern family dynamics and parenting trends. Includes research from Pew Research Center, studies on postpartum depression, and real life insights on co-parenting success.