Mothers of Boys Survival Guide

From high school practices to college recruiting, the demands on our boys (and us moms!) ramp up fast.  In our latest episode of the Mothers of Boys Survival Guide, Coach Matt Hogan shares what every parent needs to know about:
✔️ The real time commitment in high school sports
✔️ When recruiting actually starts (hint: later than you think)
✔️ Highlight reels, prospect camps & how not to waste money
✔️ Balancing academics and athletics for the long game

Matt’s a former college and high school coach, sports dad of two, and the leader of the Annapolis Hawks Club Lacrosse Program.

 💬 Drop a comment if your son is navigating high school sports—we’d love to hear your experience!

Beyond Chicken Nuggets

If you’ve ever bribed your kid with dessert, begged them to “just take one bite,” or watched them live exclusively on goldfish crackers… this one’s for you. 🙋‍♀️

In this week’s Mothers of Boys Survival Guide podcast, we’re joined by Jacqueline Stern, registered dietitian and founder of Annapolis Nutrition, who helps parents take the stress out of mealtimes.

We talk about:
👉 Why picky eating happens (and when it’s more than just a phase)
👉 How to stop food battles before they start
👉 Packing stress-free snacks for school, camp, and playdates
👉 The simple mantra every parent needs: one bite at a time

Mealtime doesn’t have to be a battlefield. Tune in and discover how to raise confident, healthy eaters without losing your sanity. 

🎧 Listen Now

Do you have a son who avoids reading like it’s a chore? You’re not alone—and this episode is packed with support and solutions.

We’re joined by literacy expert and fellow boy mom Dr. Jessica Hovland, who shares real talk and practical tips for helping boys become more confident readers. From bedtime routines and graphic novels to Minecraft books and reading to the dog 🐶—you’ll walk away with strategies you can use today.

Whether your son is just starting to read or facing challenges in middle or high school, this episode is for you. 💙

🎙 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform
📘 Grab the book: Mothers of Boys Survival Guide
🌐 Join the community: MothersOfBoys.life

Bracing for Takeoff: When Your Son Leaves the Nest

Is your son gearing up to leave for college—or already out the door with a box of ramen and a half-packed first aid kit? 

In this episode of the Mothers of Boys Survival Guide, we talk with mom Rebecca Vandall about the emotional ups, downs, and unexpected wins of launching a son into adulthood. 

We cover:
✅ How to stay connected without hovering
✅ What to pack (and what sparks dorm friendships!)
✅ Navigating homesickness, independence, and sibling shifts
✅ Real-life strategies like “Proof of Life Money” and care package parties
✅ Reclaiming time for yourself and rediscovering your identity post-launch

Whether your son is weeks from move-in day or you're just beginning to imagine it, this conversation is full of relatable stories, expert insights, and laugh-out-loud moments.

🎙 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform
📘 Grab the book: Mothers of Boys Survival Guide
🌐 Join the community: MothersOfBoys.life

Battle-Tested: 10 Parenting Tips Every Boy Mom Wants to Know

What do you get when you raise 7 kids (4 boys) and survive to tell the tale? A whole lot of wisdom — and even more heart. 💙

This week on the Mothers of Boys Survival Guide, Suzy and Cheryl sit down with Mary Pat Gaeng, a mom of 7 and grandmother of 6, to share the 10 boy mom truths she’s learned the hard way.

• Learn why physical affection matters more than you think
• Find out how to stop power struggles in their tracks
• Discover the power of simple meals and shared responsibility
• Hear why raising a good human matters more than raising a “typical boy”

Whether you're in the toddler trenches or navigating teen years, this episode is packed with relatable stories, practical tips, and encouragement that will meet you right where you are.

🎙 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform
📘 Grab the book: Mothers of Boys Survival Guide
🌐 Join the community: MothersOfBoys.life

Purposeful Play: Raising Boys Who Learn by Doing

Is your son always on the move, building, pretending, or turning life into a game? You’re not alone—and it’s not just play, it’s purposeful learning!

In this inspiring episode of the Mothers of Boys Survival Guide, veteran kindergarten teacher and boy mom Kathy Baer joins Suzy Shaw and Cheryl Bohn to break down how purposeful play builds brain development, supports emotional growth, and teaches vital life skills like communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking.

💡 Discover how simple activities—like playing with a cardboard box—can spark imagination, boost confidence, and even improve learning outcomes.
👦 Hear powerful stories from Kathy’s 36 years in the classroom (including one that might bring you to tears).
🏠 Get creative ideas for summer play that doesn’t require fancy toys or nonstop supervision.

🎙 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform
📘 Grab the book: Mothers of Boys Survival Guide
🌐 Join the community: MothersOfBoys.life

Raising Boys with Brains in Mind: A Guide to Their Development

What’s really going on inside your son’s head? In this episode, international speaker and bestselling author Mike Kuczala joins Suzy Shaw and Cheryl Bohn to explore how boys’ brains develop—from birth through adolescence—and why movement is essential to their growth and learning.

From kinesthetic learning to puberty and screen time, Mike explains how physical activity, emotional support, and environment shape boys’ ability to focus, thrive, and mature. Whether you're raising a toddler or navigating the teenage “man cub” years, this conversation will help you better understand, support, and connect with your son at every stage.

🎧 Listen for expert insights, practical parenting tips, and science-backed strategies you can use at home.

🎙 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform
📘 Grab the book: Mothers of Boys Survival Guide
🌐 Join the community: MothersOfBoys.life

🎙️ Postpartum Depression: What New Moms Really Go Through

In this eye-opening episode of the Mothers of Boys Survival Guide podcast, psychologist and mom of five Dr. Kimberly Scipione joins us to break the silence around postpartum depression.

We talk about:
✔️ The difference between baby blues and clinical PPD
✔️ Why social media fuels unrealistic expectations
✔️ When to seek help—and how partners can support
✔️ Effective therapies and how long recovery really takes

Whether you're a new mom, a partner, or someone who cares about maternal mental health, this episode is for you.

🔔 Subscribe and listen now to support honest, empowering conversations for mothers everywhere.

🎙 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform
📘 Grab the book: Mothers of Boys Survival Guide
🌐 Join the community: MothersOfBoys.life