EP 164: Sleep Struggles

This week on Mom Group Chat, we're joined by Andrea Faulkner Williams, co-founder and president of Tubby Todd! If you've been listening for a while, you already know how much we LOVE Tubby Todd, so getting to sit down with the woman behind one of our favorite brands was such a full-circle moment.Andrea shares the story of how she and her husband built Tubby Todd from the ground up, starting with one baby wash and a whole lot of word-of-mouth recommendations from other moms. We talk about the power of mom group chats (obviously!), what it's really like running a business with your spouse, and how she's navigated motherhood while raising four kids and growing a hugely successful brand.But this conversation goes so much deeper than business. Andrea gets incredibly candid about marriage, resentment during the early years of motherhood, the challenges that come with raising older kids, and why she believes it's so important to figure out your priorities and make time for yourself. We also get the scoop on some exciting Tubby Todd holiday collaborations, her favorite products, and a few mom hacks we're absolutely stealing.Whether you're a longtime Tubby Todd fan or just a mom trying to figure it all out, this is such a good conversation. We loved every minute of it!EXCLUSIVE MOM GROUP CHAT DISCOUNT!Our friends at Tubby Todd are giving MGC listeners 15% off their orders! Use code TTMOMGROUPCHAT at checkout.Valid for one use per customer. Expires February 28, 2027.Shop Tubby Todd: https://tubbytodd.comConnect with Tubby Todd:Instagram: @tubbytoddWebsite: https://tubbytodd.comConnect with Andrea:Instagram: @andreafaulknerwilliamsJoin the official Mom Group Chat Facebook group:Mom Group Chat | FacebookKeep up with the Moms and join the conversation on our socials:📸 Instagram: @momgroupchat.podcast🎵 TikTok: @momgroupchatQuestions/comments/need to vent?Email us at [email protected]

November Catch-Up: Halloween Chaos, Holiday Prep & Internet RantsNovember is here, and we're kicking things off with a little rant. Candace has officially had ENOUGH of the internet constantly finding new ways to tell moms they're doing something wrong. Can we just exist without being judged for every little decision we make?!Once we get that off our chests, we're catching up on all things life lately. From the chaos of Halloween prep (and the sheer amount of STUFF that comes with it) to Thanksgiving plans, Friendsgiving hosting, and the realization that the holiday season is already in full swing, there's plenty to unpack.It's a classic Mom Group Chat catch-up episode filled with holiday chaos, mom-life overwhelm, unsolicited opinions, and a little bit of everything in between. Grab your coffee (or something stronger) and come hang with us!Join the official Mom Group Chat Facebook group: Mom Group Chat | FacebookKeep up with the Moms and join the conversation on our socials:📸 Instagram: @momgroupchat.podcast🎵 TikTok: @momgroupchatQuestions, comments, or just need to vent? Email us at [email protected] you, mean it! 🤍

There’s something to be said for a mom’s intuition, and this week, we’re talking all about learning to trust it.Candace shares a recent update about Alice and the news that she may need occupational therapy (OT). From navigating the emotions that come with hearing your child might need extra support to figuring out the next steps, we’re talking about trusting yourself, asking questions, and remembering that getting your child the help they need is never a bad thing.We also dive into trusting your gut when your kids are sick. How do you know when something is really wrong versus when it's just another childhood virus that needs to run its course? And how do you balance listening to your instincts with not spiraling over every cough, fever, or symptom?Whether you're navigating developmental milestones, health concerns, or just the everyday decisions that come with motherhood, this episode is your reminder that you know your kids better than anyone. Sometimes trusting your mom gut means taking action, and sometimes it means knowing when to wait and see.Keep up with the Moms and join the conversation on our socials:📸 Instagram: @momgroupchat🎵 TikTok: @momgroupchatQuestions/comments/need to vent? Email us at [email protected]

Sleep Is for the Weak (Apparently)If you're a mom running on caffeine, interrupted sleep, and the hope that tonight will finally be the night, this episode is for you.This week, we're talking about one of the most exhausting parts of motherhood: SLEEP. Or, more accurately, the lack of it.Candace is officially in the trenches with kids who just won't sleep, and Whitney is taking a trip down memory lane to revisit some of her biggest sleep struggles over the years. Plus, she's giving us an update on Margot's transition to a big girl bed and how that's really going.We're getting into the bedtime battles, middle-of-the-night wakeups, sleep regressions, and the never-ending question of whether we'll ever get a full night's sleep again. We're also sharing some of our best tips, tricks, and lessons learned from navigating sleep struggles with little ones.Whether you're dealing with a baby who won't stay asleep, a toddler who won't stay in bed, or a preschooler who suddenly needs you 47 times a night, consider this your reminder that you're definitely not alone.Grab your coffee (because we know you need it), and come commiserate with us!Keep up with the Moms and join the conversation on our socials:📸 Instagram: @momgroupchat🎵 TikTok: @momgroupchatQuestions/comments/need to vent? Email us at [email protected]

Navigating Our Kids' Friendships: Making Friends, Managing Friend Groups & Knowing When to Step InAs our kids get older and enter their school-age years, we're realizing there's a whole new side of parenting nobody really prepares you for: navigating their friendships.This week on Mom Group Chat, we're talking about helping our kids make friends, maintain friendships, navigate conflict, and figure out where we fit into their growing social lives. Especially as our kids start new schools, make new friends, and maintain relationships with friends from different parts of their lives, things can get surprisingly complicated.What happens when old friends and new friends come together? How do we handle hurt feelings, exclusion, or the inevitable friendship drama? When should we step in, and when do we need to let our kids figure things out for themselves?We're also getting into how our own friendships influence the way we parent. From making time for our girlfriends to navigating conflict and showing up for the people we love, our kids are watching how we do friendship, too. And sometimes, our own childhood experiences and friendship baggage can influence how we react to theirs.It's a conversation about raising kind, confident kids who know how to be good friends, while reminding ourselves that we can't manage every relationship or protect them from every hurt feeling.Because apparently, in addition to everything else that comes with motherhood, we're now social coordinators, friendship coaches, and occasional playground referees.Grab your coffee (or wine) and join us for another Mom Group Chat!Keep up with the Moms and join the conversation on our socials:📸 Instagram: @‌momgroupchat🎵 TikTok: @‌momgroupchatQuestions/comments/need to vent? Email us at [email protected]

We’re finally BACK! After a few weeks away from the microphones, Candace and Whitney have a lot of life to catch up on.Whitney is recapping her trip to Nantucket, while Candace shares all about her trip to Los Angeles for Create & Cultivate, including traveling without the kids, getting away from normal mom life for a few days, and coming home ready to get back into a routine.Back at home, Whitney is officially planning Greydon’s 5th birthday (which truly feels impossible), and Candace is entering what she’s calling her “lock in” era.With 90 days until her 36th birthday, Candace decided she’s ready to stop feeling like she’s constantly playing catch-up and start being more intentional about how she’s spending her time. She’s locking in on her health and fitness, business and finances, marriage and friendships, motherhood, home projects, routines, self-care, and actually making time for the things that make her feel like herself.It’s not about becoming a completely different person in 90 days or following some impossible wellness routine. It’s about getting her life in order, building better habits, creating more balance as a working mom, and going into 36 feeling stronger, happier, more organized, and more present.We’re talking travel, motherhood, birthday party planning, productivity, wellness, work-life balance, getting back into routines, and the never-ending attempt to somehow keep all the different parts of life moving at the same time.Basically, it’s the ultimate Mom Group Chat catch-up episode. We missed you guys. 🤍Want to follow along with Candace’s 90-day lock in? She’s sharing more of the behind-the-scenes, life updates, motherhood, business, and everything in between over on Substack.Read The MOMent on SubstackKeep up with the Moms and join the conversation on our socials:📸 Instagram: @‌momgroupchat🎵 TikTok: @‌momgroupchatQuestions/comments/need to vent? Email us at [email protected]

Candace almost didn’t make it to this recording because she got completely sucked into a 9/11 documentary. So naturally, we start by talking about why so many of us millennials are still fascinated by 9/11 and can lose hours watching documentaries about it.Then we get into something that might feel a little too familiar if you’re married with kids: keeping score. The “I did bedtime last night, so you should do it tonight” conversations. The mental tally of who got a break, who’s been up with the kids, and who’s done more around the house.We talk about how easy it is to fall into that tit-for-tat mentality when you’re both exhausted. And let’s be real, tit does not always equal tat, if you know what we mean. 😂Come hang out with us this week. Love you, mean it. 🤍Keep up with the Moms and join the conversation on our socials:📸 Instagram: @‌momgroupchat🎵 TikTok: @‌momgroupchatQuestions/comments/need to vent? Email us at [email protected]

This week, we’re handing over the mics to… ChatGPT. 😆We asked ChatGPT to interview us based on everything it knows about Mom Group Chat, our friendship, motherhood, and the MANY things we’ve shared over the years, and honestly? The questions got a little deeper than we expected.We’re talking about the things we swore we’d never do as moms, what we think the other person worries about too much, how motherhood has changed us, what we’ve learned from each other, and what we hope our kids remember about us someday.Plus, a little rapid fire, a few podcast confessions, and some questions that had us thinking way harder than we planned to.Basically, ChatGPT knows us a little too well. 😂Keep up with the Moms and join the conversation on our socials:📸 Instagram: @‌momgroupchat🎵 TikTok: @‌momgroupchatQuestions/comments/need to vent? Email us at [email protected]

Motherly Advice is back! 💌 This week, we’re answering your questions and giving our very unqualified but deeply well-intentioned advice.We’re talking everything from preparing for the postpartum scaries, to keeping the spice alive in your marriage, to what the hell you’re supposed to do when your kid is having a full-blown tantrum in the middle of the grocery store.Basically, motherhood, marriage, and all the chaos in between. Grab a coffee (or a glass of wine) and come hang with us. 🤍Have a question you want us to answer on the next Motherly Advice episode? Submit it anonymously here: SUBMIT TO MOTHERLY ADVICE HEREKeep up with the Moms and join the conversation on our socials:📸 Instagram: @‌momgroupchat🎵 TikTok: @‌momgroupchatQuestions/comments/need to vent? Email us at [email protected]

September is here, the kids are back in school, and obviously we have a LOT to catch up on.This week, we’re sitting down for a classic bestie catch-up and chatting about everything that’s been happening lately. Whitney recaps Margot’s birthday and birthday party, Candace gives the full back-to-school update, including a little hand, foot & mouth scare 😅, and shares her latest personality trait: learning how to play mahjong.Plus, Whitney is getting ready for her upcoming trip to Nantucket and is VERY excited about it.No major agenda this week, just two best friends catching up on life, motherhood, travel, birthday chaos, and all the random things in between. Grab a coffee (or a glass of wine) and come hang with the girlies. 🤍Keep up with the Moms and join the conversation on our socials:📸 Instagram: @‌momgroupchat🎵 TikTok: @‌momgroupchatQuestions/comments/need to vent? Email us at [email protected]