This week on Mom Jeans and Minivans, Morgen and Trisha tackle one of the most important and often intimidating parts of parenting: having the big conversations with our kids. From talking about bodies and boundaries with 6-year-olds to navigating puberty, sex, and body image as they grow older, they share their approach to these topics with honesty, age-appropriate language, and a whole lot of grace. They also discuss how they talk to their kids about people who are “different from the norm,” whether that’s physical differences, gender identity, or cultural diversity, and why starting these conversations early creates empathy, confidence, and a healthy sense of self. Whether your child is still in diapers or already asking the tough questions, this episode is full of relatable stories, thoughtful strategies, and plenty of laughs along the way. Because let’s face it: parenting isn’t perfect, but we’re in this together!

In this episode, Trisha and Morgen open up about the journey of raising highly sensitive, empathic children—and the delicate balance of nurturing their emotions while helping them grow stronger and more resilient.Morgen and Trisha dive into the emotional rollercoaster of this pivotal developmental stage. They explore how gentle parenting evolves as they begin guiding their daughters toward coping skills, confidence, and thicker skin—while staying true to themselves.They share the challenges of managing big feelings, how journaling has become a helpful tool for expression when words fall short, and the ongoing work of staying consistent through it all. Tune in for an honest and compassionate conversation that every parent of a sensitive soul will relate to.

Join Morgen and Trisha in this episode as they share their deeply personal journeys through ectopic pregnancy, a terrifying and often isolating experience for so many women.  Morgen opens up about the added heartbreak and devasting loss of her last remaining embryo, adding another layer of complexity and grief to her story.  Both women share their individual stories, from the initial symptoms and diagnosis to the emotional fallout. Hear their struggles and raw, honest emotions from Morgen, who this has just happened to, and Trisha, 12 years after her experience. The recovery is long.  Join their conversation about loss, resilience, and the power of shared experience as they work toward healing and offer support and understanding for one another. If you've been affected by ectopic pregnancy or know someone who has, this episode is for you. Feel free to reach out to us anytime at momjeansandminivans@yahoo.com.

This week, we are excited to welcome a special guest, Kasia. She is a mother of two, a working professional in the health industry, a wife, a fantastic friend, and an avid baker. Originally from Poland, Kasia has been living in the United States for ten years. After the November election, she, along with Trisha and Morgen, experienced a wave of emotions. For all of us, the issue was never simply about Democrats versus Republicans; rather, it centered around compassion, acceptance, and openness to those who may be different from us.  In this episode, we openly discuss our feelings and the challenges we face in making a positive difference in the world for our children’s future. We explore how we can raise "dragon slayers" and examine the reality that good people can make poor choices when misinformed.  As always, we want to hear from all of you! Feel free to connect with us on Instagram or via email at momjeansandminivans@yahoo.com. This episode may be polarizing, and we welcome all opinions. It serves as a reminder that we are all people with feelings, and open conversations are best conducted with kindness and an open mind.

Morgen and Trisha celebrated the end of 2024 by recognizing their incredible journey as badass mamas (with Morgen leading the charge, but let's not forget that all parents are truly remarkable in their own right). Join us as Morgen shares her inspiring story of managing three children while her husband, Phil, was hospitalized for 10 days, all while balancing a full-time job. Her village has been a true lifeline through it all. Here is the link to Phil’s donor site!  https://www.nkr.org/PGG497/Card Wishing you and your families a joyful holiday season and a prosperous New Year! Here’s to a healthy and fulfilling 2025!

Morgen and Trisha are back and diving straight into a sizzling topic (pun intended)—perimenopause! Get ready for an eye-opening conversation that promises to spark insightful discussions and shed light on this important phase of life.At just 43, Trisha is navigating the rocky waters of perimenopause. She's battling her ovaries' not-so-subtle protests and experiencing ovulation cramps like never before. To top it off, she's grappling with debilitating menstrual migraines, a complete loss of libido, and a mood that rarely rises above the gray. Determined to reclaim her balance, Trisha has started exploring natural remedies to help ease her symptoms. She’s learned that Black cohosh can work wonders in balancing hormones, while Ashwagandha may offer some relief by boosting her mood, enhancing sleep, and promoting relaxation. Trisha is on a journey to find her way back to feeling like herself!Tune in to discover more, and we’d love to hear your stories too! Feel free to drop us an email at momjeansandminivans@yahoo.com. As Morgen puts it, happy hour has definitely taken on a whole new vibe these days—can you relate? 😂

It’s been a while, but Morgen and Trisha could not be happier about being back together to record! Life gets a little crazy, but finding their space here means so much to them, so thank you to everyone joining. Today is all about their parental learnings!  Screentime is topic #1: How much is too much? How do you monitor it? Have you noticed any changes in your child’s behavior?Don’t miss out on the rest: potty training, healthy eating, swimming comfort levels, and navigating kid emotions.  New to this episode, Morgen and Trisha added the one-liners—you know, those things that the kids say that make you mortified, chuckle, and sometimes at a loss for words. They give the top three things their kids have said in addition to their momfessions. Till next time, ciao!!!

Well, this episode will give you some insight into why we’ve been off the grid for a while (with pop-in appearances from all the kiddos). Morgen and Trisha catch up on life, love, health, and family as they keep it real with all the big feelings. Life has a funny way of reminding us how short it is, what is truly important, and what we’re made of. Transitions and challenges are inevitable in life, and it’s how we handle them that builds our character. Listen in to get an update on what has been happening in the lives of Morgen and Trisha, and give them an update on your own life at momjeansandminivans@yahoo.com.

Strap in for a heavy one. Trisha and Morgen dive into some significant life events they have recently experienced and are working through and processing. Trisha's twin sister, Jessica, moved her and the kids 10 hours away. Trisha and Jessica have been together for everything… their children's births, their marriages, Trisha's divorce, the birth of their children, all the way up to the passing of Jessica's husband two years ago. They have never been more than an hour apart. Morgen talks about the nostalgia of visiting with family she hasn't seen in over a decade, partaking in traditions and food recipes she had forgotten about, and even driving by her birth mother's house. There are phone calls, texts, FaceTime, and emails, but nothing can replace face-to-face interactions with the ones you love. Change is inevitable in life. It's how quickly you can adapt, make the most of your new situation, and embrace all that there is to learn along the way. 

Apparently, Trisha and Morgen need to record in the mornings because the energy level is palpable. And how appropriate as we introduce Morgen and Phil’s 3rd edition to the family, Harlow Rae! Trisha and Morgen catch up on life with the three and the dynamics in the home. They discuss the challenges of giving each child one-on-one attention while also managing big emotions and ensuring there is quiet downtime from the constant go. As the family grows and being working parents, it also means recruiting childcare to help out. You won’t want to miss Charlie and Auggie’s little voices at the end of this episode and the momfessions. Please don’t hesitate reach out and say hello at momjeansandminivins@yahoo.com

Get ready for some Morgen and Trisha squirrel moments because this episode got them. Every once in a while, Mom Jeans and Minivans likes to take a listener email and share their responses with the whole listening clan. Follow along as Morgen and Trisha tackle newborn bonding and entertainment, sensory bin ideas, their favorite children’s books, diaper-changing tricks, tv shows, and parental advice. It’s like eight mini-episodes rolled into one, a smorgasbord of topics. Enjoy! Reach out, and maybe you’ll make the next episode, momjeansandminivans@yahoo.com!

How do we teach gratitude to our children? Morgen and Trisha discuss how they have been handling the girls, who are four years old and with an influx of birthday parties to attend. Charlie has been struggling with gift-giving and being unable to keep or open the presents herself. Morgen can't help but wonder if there is more she should be doing to teach her about giving to others and ensure Charlie isn't becoming spoiled. Morgen is hoping Trisha is right and this is simply a phase. 🤞🏽 Trisha continues to teach Remi the importance of giving to children and people who are less fortunate. It is challenging to go into a store and not have Remi ask for toys, so Trisha made a rule that she will purchase a small item for Remi with every four toys she donates.  What do you do to help teach gratitude to your children? Please share because, as parents, we are constantly learning and growing! Also, you're not going to want to miss our end of the episode mom-fessions! They're the best part. 

We’re talking 3’s today. Morgen is expecting baby #3, and Trisha is one of 3, with an older sister and twin sister (who also has three children!) There are 3s all around! So what’s the big difference going from 2 to 3 kids? How do the dynamics change except for the obvious, being officially outnumbered? We can say that 3, whether having three or having two siblings and being 1 of 3, definitely adds an extra layer of adventure. A.k.a., it’s pretty awesome! Con: Be ready to upgrade your vehicle to one with a third row. Space gets tight quickly with the bulky car seats. Do you have three kids? Are you one of three? Are you thinking of having three? Write in and share! We can be reached at momjeansandminivans@yahoo.com.

It’s time for a pat on the back. Morgen and Trisha, more like Trisha, wanted to take the time to acknowledge what we think we do well as parents. Morgen is the ‘but mom,’ lol, no pun intended, who has a hard time admitting what she loves about herself as a parent because she feels she could do it all better. Unless we are the exception from the norm, pretty sure that’s a prerequisite to becoming a mom! Us moms (and dads) don’t take enough time to stop and acknowledge what we do well, regardless of whether it could use improvement. So here we are! Morgen even came around at the end and had two things she thinks she excels at in her mama role! Listen in for what we think they do well at when it comes to parenting (shout out to Phil in this episode as well) with some fun stories and examples. Please share what you love about yourself as a parent to momjeansandminivans@yahoo.com. It will feel so good! 

Wait until you find out the punch line of this riddle. Hint hint, Mom Jeans And Minivans is growing!! Did you catch on or need more time like Trisha did in this episode? 🤣Not to give too much away, Morgen talks about pregnancy, medical scares, complications, morning sickness, and the joy of surprising your little's with news that they will be a big sister or brother… again. Ok, we gave it away! MORGEN'S HAVING A BABY!!🤭Charlie is very excited about "Pirates Booty Girl," and her true nurturing side really emerged. Good thing because mom-brain is in full effect, so some sympathy and understanding is needed. You'll have to listen in to Morgen's momfession(s) for a good laugh, at her expense, of course. Sorry mama's, gotta laugh right?! 

You will not want to miss this episode, especially if you have older, athletic kids. We have a very special guest, Andre Collins. Not only is he Morgen’s brother-in-law, but he is a father of 3, played for 10 seasons in the NFL, and has been working for 18 years in the NFL Players Union, helping NFL athletes find purpose after a life of football. Dre shares what the journey has been like for his son, Chet, a senior in high school, as they navigate getting him noticed and recruited for basketball in college. They transferred from their home in Arlington, VA, to be in Dre’s hometown for Chet’s senior year, where his chances of getting noticed are better. There is no questioning the sacrifices that are made for our children. Dre and his wife, Erika’s experience with their children and athletics is pretty incredible. Get ready to be inspired and learn a bunch along the way too. Momjeansandminivans@yahoo.com is where we can be found for questions or sharing of any kind. Thanks for checking in, ENJOY!

To us adults, our responsibilities are chores, but to children, particularly our 4-year-olds, they’re fun tasks that empower them and make them feel like they are helpful and independent! In this episode, Morgen and Trisha discuss the responsibilities and chores they encourage the girls to take on. Morgen has Charlie starting to load the dishwasher, putting shoes away when she walks in from outside and dressing herself in the mornings.  Trisha dives into behavioral challenges or shifts she has encountered with Remi since she turned 4, such as “negative” talk, “violent” talk, and her intense interest in genitalia. Join us and share your stories with us at momjeansandminivans@yahoo.com.

In this episode, we have our special guest, Kat, a single mom of 3-year-old (or as Charlie would call it, 3 3/4) twins, Aubrey and Evelyn! Let’s just say Kat’s journey to single-mom-hood has been far from easy. Kat dives into the nitty gritty of how that came to be while also expressing that ‘momming’ is her favorite job, the girls are angels, and her ex is, by far, the most challenging part of all of it. Are we safe in assuming there are sadly too many women who have contended with this same struggle?  Kat has had her heart broken twice since the girls were born, so she has taken the past year to work on herself. She is giving her heart space to heal and learn who she is. In focusing on being her most authentic self, she is hoping it betters herself and also attracts the right person.  She’s taking a break from dating apps as they have not yielded the best results and hoping she can find someone the good ol’ fashion way. She has been fortunate enough to have a fantastic family and friends support system and a great community around her. She also apparently has dating options, so it looks like that self-care is paying off. Do you hvae a single mom dating story for us? You can share at momjeansandminivans@yahoo.com, and thanks for being the best listeners!  

Got a spouse that robbed the cradle? Haha, kidding, we’re so rude. Seriously though, you’re probably not going to want to miss this one with our special guest, Emily, as we talk about, can you guess? Yup, all things when dealing with an older spouse. There are pros and cons to every relationship, but in this episode, we discuss how an 8-15 year age gap can affect them. We cover social life and how that shifts, families and what that means for having children, how our friends and families took the news, and overall health and staying active is not only essential but can be one of the biggest concerns.We dished on our older spouses; now let’s hear about yours. Side note, we think we need to start a group for us younger spouses! Keeping it real as usual. Thanks for listening in, and reach out anytime at momjeansandminivans@yahoo.com!

Morgen and Trisha kick off the start of the third season, dishing about the QT they took for themselves over the break. This was a much-needed mental break for them both, a chance to slow down and focus on themselves without feeling like they had to be “on” at all times. Birthdays are the perfect reason to escape everyday life, and Morgen and Trisha took full advantage this year. Trisha flew to the west coast to a luxurious, remote, all-inclusive resort with her sisters and best friend, while Morgen stayed on the east coast with her friend in the Catskill mountains, enjoying a private chartered boat ride and wineries. Trisha’s ‘girl code rule’ on trips is a must for self-care getaways! Listen in for the details and start planning because if you’re anything like Morgen and Trisha, you will not regret it.