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

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We gave our 12-year-old his first phone… and honestly, this parenting decision felt way more emotional and complicated than I expected.
In today’s episode, I’m sharing the full story behind why we waited until now, the daily arguments and pressure leading up to it, and how hard it was watching our son feel left out while “everyone else” seemed to already have a phone.
We talk about:
 The constant phone debates happening in our house 
 Tween FOMO and social pressure 
 Why we delayed giving him a smartphone for as long as possible 
 Concerns about social media, screen time, sleep, and internet access 
 Research on how phones are affecting kids today 
 The reasons our son said he wanted a phone 
 Why we chose the Pinwheel Phone instead of a traditional iPhone 
 What the Pinwheel offers parents and kids 
 My son’s honest reaction to getting it 
 The boundaries and rules we set around phone use 
 What surprised me most after giving him a phone 
 The worries I still have as a mom raising kids in the digital age 
This episode is honest, relatable, and for every parent trying to figure out how to navigate technology without feeling like they’re getting it all wrong.
Because parenting kids with smartphones is something none of us were really prepared for.
If you’re in the middle of the “Should we give our kid a phone?” phase, this episode is for you.

📺 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: [email protected]

🚽 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 has a way of shifting everything including how we see ourselves. Whether you're in the thick of little-kid chaos, considering a return to work, or entering a brand-new season like the empty nest, it’s easy to feel like you’ve lost a piece of who you are.
In this episode, I’m joined by Christine Fruehwirth, mom, career consultant, life coach, and author of The Four Stages of Living. With over 20 years of experience supporting moms through major life transitions, Christine brings both practical tools and deep empathy to this conversation.
We talk about identity loss in motherhood, why going back to work can feel more emotional than expected, and how to create balance without chasing perfection. Christine also shares her SSET framework—Survive, Stabilize, Emerge, Thrive, and how it can help you move forward when you feel stuck.
This episode is honest, validating, and full of those “me too” moments every mom needs.
In this episode, we cover:
Why identity loss is so common in motherhood
The emotional reality of returning to work
Common fears moms face when re-entering the workforce
What balance actually looks like (hint: it’s not perfect)
Why self-care is essential, not selfish
Christine’s SSET framework and how to apply it
Small steps to take when you feel stuck in survival mode
Navigating identity shifts in the empty nest stage
Connect with Christine:
Book - "The Four Stages of Living: Your Guide to Surviving Life's Storms and Thriving in the Aftermath" - https://amzn.to/4uxS22X
FlexCareers Consulting - flexcareersconsulting.com

📺 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: [email protected]

🚽 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.

Feeding a baby can feel like one of the most emotional and overwhelming parts of early motherhood. Between social media, conflicting advice, and the pressure to “do it right,” many moms are left feeling exhausted, guilty, and unsure of themselves.
In today’s episode, I’m joined by Amber Ginn, board-certified lactation consultant, certified doula, and founder of The Latchlink. Amber became a mom at just 15 years old and now supports families across the country through her telehealth lactation practice. Her approach is practical, compassionate, and refreshingly judgment-free.
We talk about the pressure moms feel around breastfeeding and feeding choices, the barriers many families face when trying to access support, and how mothers can make decisions that work for their unique families without guilt or perfectionism.
This episode is full of reassurance, encouragement, and honest conversation for any mom who has ever questioned whether she’s doing enough.
In this episode, we discuss:
Amber’s journey into motherhood at 15
The emotional weight of feeding decisions
Why moms feel pressure to feed “perfectly”
Breastfeeding expectations vs. reality
Supporting teen and young mothers
Access and insurance barriers in lactation care
How to find feeding solutions that fit your real life
Letting go of guilt and trusting yourself as a mom
Connect with Amber:
Website - The Latchlink - https://get.thelatchlink.com/consult-ga
Instagram: @thelatchlink - https://www.instagram.com/thelatchlink

📺 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: [email protected]

🚽 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.

Have you ever looked at your child’s report card and thought, “I know they’re capable of more… so what’s going on?”
You’re not alone. So many parents are raising kind, hardworking kids who still struggle in school and it can feel confusing, frustrating, and even scary.
In this episode of Burnt Pancakes: Momversations, I’m joined by Dr. Linda Silbert, an educational expert with more than 40 years of experience helping students who struggle with anxiety, ADHD, and learning differences like dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia. She’s also the co-author of the bestselling book Why Good Kids Get Bad Grades: What Parents Need to Know and Do.
Together, we talk about what’s really behind poor grades, how to support kids without damaging their confidence, and the practical steps parents can take when school becomes a daily battle. This conversation is full of reassurance, real strategies, and hope for families who are navigating academic struggles.
Whether your child is falling behind, avoiding homework, lying about assignments, or simply feeling discouraged, this episode will help you better understand what they need—and how to show up for them in a way that builds trust and resilience.
In This Episode, We Talk About:
Why good kids sometimes get bad grades
What parents can do when their child is struggling in school
How to protect your child’s self-worth during academic challenges
The lasting impact of the pandemic on students
What to do if your child has dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia
Supporting children with ADHD and daily school routines
How to respond to a poor report card without shame or panic
Study skills strategies that actually work
How to make homework less stressful for everyone
Building trust when kids lie about homework or tests
Connect with Linda:
Website: https://www.stronglearning.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stronglearningcenter
YouTube: https://youtube.com/https://www.Youtube.com/@stronglearning
Her Book: Why Good Kids Get Bad Grades
Book: Berticus: How I Survived School! And Bullies! and Farley Finnigan!

📺 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: [email protected]

🚽 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.

If you’ve ever created a routine on Sunday night only to abandon it by Wednesday morning, this episode is for you. 🙋‍♀️
We’re talking all about routines and why they matter, why they’re so hard to keep, and how to finally create systems that support you instead of stress you out. Because let’s be honest, most moms aren’t lacking motivation… they’re lacking routines that actually work for real life.
I’m joined again by mom of three and life coach Tanya Valentine, and she’s breaking down the biggest reasons routines fail and what moms can do differently. 
We also talk about what life looks like when routines aren’t in place, why so many moms feel overwhelmed and behind, and how small, realistic changes can make a big difference in your daily life.
Tanya shares her practical approach to building routines that stick, including her DAD Method, designed to simplify your day and reduce the mental load that so many moms carry. And if you’re the mom who feels like you’ve tried every planner, checklist, and schedule out there—she has encouragement and actionable steps just for you.

Connect with Tanya:
IG and FB: @tanyavalentinecoaching.
Website: tanyavalentinecoaching.com

Sign Up for Tanya's upcoming workshop here: https://www.tanyavalentinecoaching.com/routines

📺 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: [email protected]

🚽 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.