Burnt Pancakes: Momversations | Conversations for Imperfect Moms, Chats About Mom Life & Interviews with Real Mamas

This is a throwback from August 2024
Join me this week on Burnt Pancakes as I return from a rejuvenating summer hiatus to share the emotional rollercoaster as my youngest, my baby, starts school. Hear my candid thoughts on the developmental differences and the internal debates I faced about early academics, and why, despite my reservations, we ultimately decided this was the best move for our family.

With all my kids now in school, I find myself entering an exhilarating new phase of motherhood. From the anxiety of that first drop-off to the unexpected freedom of having more time to focus on myself, I reflect on this transformative period. . Plus, I'll be sharing some heartwarming encouragement for moms with younger kids and inviting you to join me for virtual coffee dates to build a supportive community. Get ready for a sneak peek at some incredible interviews lined up for future episodes, and let's navigate this new chapter together!

📺 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOpw5ui4uxJHx0tLFVtpnfSkpObfc4d-K

You can find Katie at:
website: burntpancakes.com
YouTube: @burnt.pancakes
Instagram: @burntpancakeswithkatie
Email: katie@burntpancakes.com

🚽 Did you know Katie is also a Certified Potty Trainer? 🚽

☎️ Schedule a 1:1 chat today: Schedule Here
💻 Digital Potty Training Course HERE
📖  Potty Training E-Book HERE
🆓  FREE potty training resources HERE
Instagram: @itspottytime
Tiktok: @itspottytime_

Some episodes include affiliate links at no cost to you.

Summer is supposed to be magical, right?
Lazy mornings. Family adventures. Beach days. Pool days. Popsicles. Making memories with our kids.
So why do so many of us find ourselves counting down the days until school starts?
In this episode of Burnt Pancakes: Momversations, I'm getting real about the less glamorous side of being a summer mom. I had visions of creating this amazing, carefree summer with my boys, but the reality has been a little different. I'm tired. I'm overstimulated. I'm spending a fortune on snacks. My house is constantly messy, and I feel like I'm saying the same things over and over again.
"Close the door!"
"Flush the toilet!"
"No, you can't have a snack. We just had breakfast!"
"Get off the video game!"
"Go outside and play!"
"Stop bothering your brother!"
And then there's the complicated part of wanting my kids to have the freedom to just go outside and be kids, while also worrying about neighbors, accidents, arguments and whether they're bothering anyone.
I'll share a story about my boys riding bikes in the neighborhood, a situation where a neighborhood kid got hurt while playing with my kids, and the guilt and anxiety that followed—even though it was an accident.
I'm also talking about the pressure to keep kids academically engaged over the summer, my attempt at summer schoolwork that quickly became a battle, the never-ending snacks and grocery bills, screen-time struggles, preteen attitudes, sibling fighting, and the guilt I feel when I admit that sometimes...
I just want school to start.
Because maybe we can love our kids, cherish these years and appreciate summer while also admitting that we're exhausted.
In this episode, we talk about:
 The summer we imagine vs. the summer we actually experience 
 The endless snacks and grocery bills 
 The constant noise and overstimulation 
 The never-ending summer mess 
 Parenting preteens during summer break 
 The things moms say on repeat all summer 
 The constant battle over screens and video games 
 Wanting our kids to go outside and play—but worrying about neighbors and accidents 
 The guilt that comes when another child gets hurt while playing with our kids 
 Why giving older kids freedom can still come with a huge mental load 
 The pressure to make summer educational 
 Why I gave up on summer schoolwork 
 Feeling guilty for wishing school would start 
 Why loving summer and being exhausted by summer can both be true 
 Letting go of the pressure to create the "perfect" summer

📺 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOpw5ui4uxJHx0tLFVtpnfSkpObfc4d-K

You can find Katie at:
website: burntpancakes.com
YouTube: @burnt.pancakes
Instagram: @burntpancakeswithkatie
Email: katie@burntpancakes.com

🚽 Did you know Katie is also a Certified Potty Trainer? 🚽

☎️ Schedule a 1:1 chat today: Schedule Here
💻 Digital Potty Training Course HERE
📖  Potty Training E-Book HERE
🆓  FREE potty training resources HERE
Instagram: @itspottytime
Tiktok: @itspottytime_

Some episodes include affiliate links at no cost to you.

Your sweet little kid is suddenly spending all their time in their bedroom, doesn't want to participate in family activities, and somehow speaks a language you don't understand.
Welcome to raising a preteen! 😂
In this episode we're talking about the weird, funny, sometimes emotional transition from having a little kid to raising a preteen. It's a stage where our kids are becoming more independent, craving privacy, and sometimes acting like hanging out with their parents is the absolute worst thing they could possibly imagine.
And then there's the language...
Because what exactly does "bruh," "buns," "cheeks," "chud," and "twin" mean?!
And if your preteen tells you "W Mom," congratulations! You've officially earned a win. 🙌
We'll also talk about the phrase every preteen mom knows all too well:
"In a sec."
Need them to get dressed?
 "In a sec."
Take out the trash?
 "In a sec."
Get in the car?
 "In a sec."
And somehow, "in a sec" can mean anything from 30 seconds to approximately three business days. 😂
In this episode, we talk about:
 Why your preteen suddenly doesn't want to hang out with you anymore 
 The emotional side of watching your little kid become more independent 
 Why they would rather be in their bedroom than participate in family activities 
 How to stay connected when your child doesn't seem interested in connecting 
 Why preteens seem to develop their own language overnight 
 Decoding bruh, buns, cheeks, chud, and twin
 What "W Mom" means—and why getting one feels like a parenting trophy 
 Why "in a sec" is apparently not an actual measurement of time 
 How preteens can seem so grown up one minute and still so little the next 
 Finding new ways to connect with your child as they grow 
 Why this stage can be bittersweet but also really fun 
The preteen years can be confusing. We're learning how to give our kids more independence while still reminding them that we're here when they need us.
And yes, we're also trying to figure out what the heck they're talking about.
Because apparently we're raising kids and learning a new language at the same time.
If you're in the preteen stage too, you're definitely not alone!

📺 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOpw5ui4uxJHx0tLFVtpnfSkpObfc4d-K

You can find Katie at:
website: burntpancakes.com
YouTube: @burnt.pancakes
Instagram: @burntpancakeswithkatie
Email: katie@burntpancakes.com

🚽 Did you know Katie is also a Certified Potty Trainer? 🚽

☎️ Schedule a 1:1 chat today: Schedule Here
💻 Digital Potty Training Course HERE
📖  Potty Training E-Book HERE
🆓  FREE potty training resources HERE
Instagram: @itspottytime
Tiktok: @itspottytime_

Some episodes include affiliate links at no cost to you.

Many parents dread "the talk," but what if we've been thinking about it all wrong?
In this episode, I sit down with Amy Streavel and Faviola Mercado from Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties to discuss how parents can confidently navigate conversations about puberty, body changes, relationships, and sexual health with their children.
Together they share why these conversations should start earlier than most parents think, how to create an open and judgment-free environment, and how to help kids separate facts from the misinformation they encounter online.
Whether you're raising young children, tweens, or teens, this episode offers practical tips to help build trust and keep communication open throughout every stage of development.
In this episode, we discuss:
 Why "the talk" should be an ongoing conversation instead of one big discussion 
 When parents should begin talking about puberty 
 Five important puberty topics every child should understand 
 How to reduce awkwardness and answer difficult questions 
 Helping teens build confidence and healthy communication skills 
 Navigating misinformation on social media 
 How to become your child's trusted source for accurate information 
 Tips for parents who don't feel prepared for these conversations 
Connect with Amy and Faviola
Substack: @pposbc
Twitter/X: @PPOSBC 
Instagram: @plannedparenthoodosbc 
Facebook: @plannedparenthoodosbc
TikTok: @pposbc_

📺 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOpw5ui4uxJHx0tLFVtpnfSkpObfc4d-K

You can find Katie at:
website: burntpancakes.com
YouTube: @burnt.pancakes
Instagram: @burntpancakeswithkatie
Email: katie@burntpancakes.com

🚽 Did you know Katie is also a Certified Potty Trainer? 🚽

☎️ Schedule a 1:1 chat today: Schedule Here
💻 Digital Potty Training Course HERE
📖  Potty Training E-Book HERE
🆓  FREE potty training resources HERE
Instagram: @itspottytime
Tiktok: @itspottytime_

Some episodes include affiliate links at no cost to you.

Motherhood Is a Series of Goodbyes... and Hellos: Navigating Every Transition of Raising Kids
No one tells you that motherhood isn't just one journey, it's a lifetime of transitions.
Just when you finally feel like you've figured out one stage, your child grows, changes, and suddenly you're learning how to be a mom all over again.
In this episode, I reflect on the many seasons of motherhood, from bringing home your first baby to chasing toddlers, surviving the elementary school years, and navigating life with preteens who don't need you in quite the same way anymore.
This episode is a reminder that every stage brings both joy and grief. While we celebrate our children's growing independence, we're also quietly saying goodbye to the little versions of them we've loved so deeply.
If you've ever looked at your child and wondered, "When did you get so big?" this conversation is for you.
In this episode, I discuss:
 Why motherhood is really a series of transitions, not one long season 
 The identity shift that happens when you become a new mom 
 The chaos, humor, and lessons of the toddler years 
 Why the first day of school changes moms just as much as kids 
 The invisible milestones we don't realize are "lasts" until they're gone 
 What it's like parenting preteens and learning to let go a little at a time 
 How moms continue to grow and evolve alongside their children 
 Why it's okay if you don't love every stage of motherhood 
Whether you're rocking a newborn, potty training a toddler, packing school lunches, or watching your preteen become more independent, this episode will remind you that you're not alone and that every season has its own kind of beauty.

📺 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOpw5ui4uxJHx0tLFVtpnfSkpObfc4d-K

You can find Katie at:
website: burntpancakes.com
YouTube: @burnt.pancakes
Instagram: @burntpancakeswithkatie
Email: katie@burntpancakes.com

🚽 Did you know Katie is also a Certified Potty Trainer? 🚽

☎️ Schedule a 1:1 chat today: Schedule Here
💻 Digital Potty Training Course HERE
📖  Potty Training E-Book HERE
🆓  FREE potty training resources HERE
Instagram: @itspottytime
Tiktok: @itspottytime_

Some episodes include affiliate links at no cost to you.