No matter the age of your kiddo, bedtime can be an absolute nightmare if you don’t have a solid routine in place.  Ashley and Tiffany chat about what bedtime looks like in their homes, what tricks help ease littles to sleep, and a few ways to avoid endless bedtime battles! “Spill the Tea” Wins:  Ashley recently mentioned the Brains On podcast, an award-winning, family-friendly science podcast from American Public Media, but did you know that there are several other APM podcasts for your families to enjoy?! Tiffany’s kids also love Moment of Um and Smash, Boom, Best as well! “Cream and Sugar” Recommendations:  Check out the Urban Harvest Farmers Market, and while you’re there, make sure to grab some delicious sweetness from Bee2Bee Collective. They even host bee experiences, where you and your family can explore hives and experience beekeeping! The weather is warming up, and it’s perfect weather for spending time at the Miller Outdoor Theatre! Take in a show and enjoy creating memories! Houston Moms “House Blend” Posts: Tips for Camping with Kids by Kim Reed

Natural disasters. Violence. Home intruders. Missing Children.  The world can be terrifying, and it often feels like there is nothing we can do about it. Not true at all. The best way to combat the feelings of overwhelm and fear is to be prepared.  Ashley and Becca break down all the ways they work to remain ahead of the ever-present dangers of life. They know we certainly can’t prepare for everything, but we can all take a few steps to protect ourselves at home and out and about, as well as teaching our children to remain vigilant and ready for anything.  Along with a discussion about the safety measure the two moms take regularly, Becca shares so amazing resources to help you get the ball rolling: Eddie Eagle- Gun Safety for Kids Safety with Kids: A Practical Approach The Unexpected and Uninvited: A Mom’s Guide to Feeling Empowered “Cream and Sugar” Recommendations:  The Commons at Hermann Park is set to open on April 13! Houston Moms “House Blend” Posts: Houston Spring and Summer Fun: A Guide to an Astros Game by Kim Reed

Finding your mom-style can be tough. Where do we shop? What fits us these days? What makes us feel like our best, most beautiful selves?  Ashley and Chris dig into what motivates their style choices and the methods they use to expand their wardrobes. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, and this point is driven home as the two chat about how they shop to make themselves feel confident in their threads! Chris loves shopping at thrift stores to lessen the amount of textile waste. Be sure to check out her post and consider her steps to do the same! And if you need a reminder that women are really sticking together when it comes to comfortable clothes that make us feel incredible in our many shapes and sizes, check out the responses to Free People's Micro Shorts! “Cream and Sugar” Recommendations:  The Brains On Podcast for Kids has been such a fun and intellectual conversation starter for Ashley and her family. Explore those science questions you either didn’t know your children had or have been on their minds for some time. This is the perfect way to entertain those growing minds sans screens! Houston Moms “House Blend” Posts: Autism Awareness Month: Houston Events and Resources by Elizabeth Baker “See Ya Later, Caffinator”: Moms Clothes: The Ultimate Guide

This episode is brought to you by Next Level Urgent Care. April brings forth sunny weather, outdoor activities, and unfortunately for some, bouts of illness and injury. Next Level Urgent Care is your trusted local partner throughout Houston and the surrounding areas. From newborns to nanas, their staff is ready to provide top-quality care from 9am – 9pm, 7 days a week. The cost of EVERYTHING has gone up lately. All of us at Houston Moms are trying to find ways to keep our families happy and healthy on the cheap.  Your humble host, Ashley, and her lovely guest co-host Cindy Dafashy, MD of Archway Family  Medicine discuss their methods to making the most of their money! Here are a few Houston Moms post you need in your money-saving arsenal: Lower Your Next Medical Bill With This Cheat Sheet 35 Birthday Freebies and Discounts All Around Town Got Hungry Kids? We Have Kids Eat FREE Solutions! Cut the Cable: Streaming Services for Families with Kids And Cindy’s honorable mention post that she loved writing for Houston Moms and thinks all mamas need to read: How To Jump Start Early Language Learning “Spill the Tea” Win/ Fail: Ashley and her kiddos are enjoying the throwback feel of X-Men ‘97! This new series picks up where the animated series that ended in 1997 left off! And it’s awesome! Shout out to Texas Children’s Hospital who provides incredible, quality, inpatient and outpatient care for Houston children! “Cream and Sugar” Recommendations:  Ashley read the book, Pageboy by Elliott Page, and it was such a real and eye-opening read. If you’re seeking to understand the journey, emotions, and feelings of a transgender person, this is such a heartfelt and raw memoir.  Houston Moms “House Blend” Posts: Easter Crafts, Traditions and Recipes by Cindy E

Let’s really examine those “paper cuts,” the little digs that emotionally affected us during our childhoods. Whether it was something seemingly innocuous someone said that really stuck with us or an experience we were denied as kids, those paper cuts can add up and change how we move about the world. But the cool thing is… paper cuts can heal! Ashley chats about those “paper cuts” with clinician, Amanda Garza, LPC, from Ajana Therapy and Clinical Services , and Houston Moms Contributor, Tiffany Harris, about how we move forward, heal, and honor our inner child or teenager who collected those hurts.  “Spill the Tea” Win: Ashey got to visit San Francisco for a few days, sans kids! Such a charming city with diverse people, sites, and food!  “Cream and Sugar” Recommendations:  San Antonio is underrated! Ashley and her boys visited the Alamo City during Spring Break and it was worth the trip! LegoLand, Sea Life , and learning more about the Alamo were the perfect adventure! Houston Moms “House Blend” Posts: Easter Basket Ideas for Kids of All Ages by Elizabeth Baker

Dating in 2024 as a single mother in her 30s presents challenges Ashley and Bri never expected. Navigating all the apps to find your person proves to require a whole lot of patience, a whole lot of optimism, the ability not to take things personally and a sense of humor (to stop from crying). Let’s dive into the wild dating lives of two single moms just trying to find the ideal romantic situations for themselves! Ashley and Bri get very candid about their dating experiences, so this episode includes some adult language and sexual content.  “Spill the Tea” Win: Ashley recently finished the first book in a trilogy by Jayne Allen called Black Girls Must Die Exhausted. Such an incredible read about relationships, the identity struggles of being Black in the workplace, and finding light and happiness when all feels dark and heavy.  “Cream and Sugar” Recommendations:  Rakkan Ramen offers BOGO ramen on Saturdays and kids eat free at select locations! Go enjoy delicious bites at one of the many locations! Houston Moms “House Blend” Posts: Free Easter Egg Hunts in Southeast Houston and Galveston by Cindy Dafashy MD

“Do as I say, not as I do…” Those words hold some complex messaging for kids! But as parents, it’s hard to constantly incorporate the ground rules we set for our children into our own lives.  Join Tiffany and Ashley as they explore the complexities of being role models for their children while remembering that they, too, are human, and life requires some wiggle room.  “Cream and Sugar” Recommendations:  Need some relatable entertainment on TikTok? Look no further than @yoleendadong! Her Toks include skits about dating, makeup when you have sensitive skin, cooking, and more, with a hilarious tone! She’s the best!  Houston Moms “House Blend” Posts: Road Trippin’: Fun Texas Spring Break Destinations for Houston Families by Sean Watson

Women’s health and needs can be incredibly elusive. We are often feeling confused, uninformed and unsure of the help we need as women. Dr. Bethany Peterson joins The Cold Coffee Club to shed some light on Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and Postpartum Depression, stripping away the stigmas and confusion, reminding us that both are normal and REAL! Learn when to be concerned, when to get help and where you can turn! Dr. Bethany shared two great resources for finding help when dealing with either condition. There’s lots of useful information from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Los Angeles, along with incredible insights from the International Association for Premenstrual Disorders.  “Spill the Tea” Win: Ashley is reading up a storm lately, and she’s stumbled upon a gem! First, she read Marry Him: The Case for Settling for Mr. Good Enough. If you are single and dating men, this is the book for you! It encourages women to really think about their standards and values, and what it takes to find a man to meet those.  “Cream and Sugar” Recommendations:  Galveston is an incredibly historic destination near Houston but did you know about the Galveston Tree Sculptures? These incredible artistic displays are scattered around Galveston and give new life to destroyed trees that would have become an eyesore for the community.   Houston Moms “House Blend” Posts: It’s that time of year again! It’s time for the Houston Rodeo Cook-off! If you’re like Ashley and a bit of a novice when it comes to this Houston mainstay, check out Chris’ post, An Insider’s Guide to the Houston Rodeo Cook-Off!

Everyone has some advice they swear by and think everyone should know. But sometimes, that advice is the absolute worst advice to receive.  Ashley is joined by Tiffany to discuss the best and worst advice they’ve ever received when it comes to life, marriage and motherhood. And just to keep it real, they admit to the absolute worst tips they’ve ever offered others, but also reminisce about the best words of wisdom they’ve shared! “Spill the Tea”: As the weather starts to warm up, you may be hosting springtime events soon… Antipasto Egg Rolls are the perfect addition to your spread! They’re easy and fun to make, and they taste insanely good! Ashley has decided that the birth control pill is not for her anymore. Instead, she is exploring VCF Vaginal Contraceptive Gel. It’s a great hormone-free option that can be paired with condoms! Knowledge is power, and knowing your birth control options is a must! “Cream & Sugar” Recommendations: Wrestling has been an absolute gift for her children. They’ve loved learning and becoming stronger wrestlers over the past month! Houston has tons of wrestling clubs all over the city! Just look!  Houston Moms “House Blend” Posts: Celebrate Black History in Houston by Cindy E

This episode of The Cold Coffee Club is brought to you by McHughTea, a lovely hidden gem in Bellaire! Enjoy a “High Tea” experience to celebrate birthdays, milestones and celebrations in the tearoom or to-go, complete with a friendly staff, organic teas, freshly baked scones, and the yummiest desserts! It’s the season of love! But how do others help you actually FEEL the love? Do you know what your love language is? How do the people who care for you best show how much you mean to them? Ashley explores love languages and what she and some of her mom friends are hoping to commemorate Valentine’s Day with! “Spill the Tea” Win: Amazon has loads of ready made valentines goodies that, in Ashley’s opinion, are superior to any you find at the grocery store! “Cream and Sugar” Recommendations:  The Bayou Music Center is such a beautiful and spacious venue for comedy shows, and, of course, live music! If you’ve never been, find a reason to!  Houston Moms “House Blend” Posts: If someone you love enjoys receiving gifts as their love language, Bethany Dufilho has created the perfect list of gift ideas for Valentine’s Day!

Going through the process of grieving, whether it involves the loss of a friend, a marriage, a goal or future you hoped for, a pet, or a spouse, can take a toll on anyone, especially a mom. Ashley explores how to survive the pain of a loss while continuing to raise thriving families. She is joined by Sam Brand who lost her husband in 2020, while raising her daughter, as she grieves and grows. Check out Sam’s podcast, From the Pitch to Purpose, where she chronicles much of her journey and manages to find the light in life, even when it’s difficult to do so! “Cream and Sugar” Recommendation: Ok, bear with Ashley on this one. She really enjoyed the movie, Saltburn, and if you’re willing to explore some unsettling scenes that drive an interestingly eerie story, you’ll enjoy it too!  Houston Moms “House Blend” Posts: Becca Vidrine graced Houston Moms with an exploration of going alcohol-free and what it has done for her in Lessons from an Alcohol Sabbatical!

Houston Moms is known for being an incredible resource for mamas of all stages and phases. But did you know you can reach out about your own, personal questions and get a personalized response? ASK HOUSTON MOMS is here for YOU! Need some advice from a fellow mom about how to talk to your kids about sex? Kids struggling with test anxiety and wondering how you can help? Is mom guilt seeping in? Ashley chats with contributor, Marisa Cockrell, about why she thought Houston Moms truly needed its own “Dear Abby”-style column, where moms can reach out for some advice and wisdom from a knowledgeable mom and how all moms can benefit from her insights! So, ask away! “Cream & Sugar” Recommendations: Got a little chef on your hands? Some local Kroger stores offer the incredible opportunity for your kiddos to explore their cooking skills with Kroger Chef Jr., instructor-led cooking experiences that include an apron, chef hat and kitchen tools!  Houston Moms “House Blend” Posts: Mardi Gras is right around the corner… and you know what that means! Check out, King Cake in Houston: Where Y’at?, by Elissa Gottheim, so you can find the perfect King Cake to celebrate!

Maintaining friendships with other women can take a lot of work. We’re all insanely busy, trying to raise happy, healthy families, prioritizing other relationships, managing our professional lives, taking care of ourselves, etc. It can be tough to be a great girlfriend to your gal pals with so much on your play! Ashley gets in a little “girl chat” with her guest co-host, Bri Griff, and they discuss how they work to keep those friendships sacred and special, support their female friends and how they are able to get their needs met from their tribe! “Spill the Tea” Win: Ashley and her family are loving the video game, It Takes Two, as a fun way to encourage teamwork and good communication! “Cream & Sugar” Recommendations: SeaQuest Interactive Aquarium is about 4 hours from Houston… and it is so worth the drive! Ashley scored a deal on tickets and could not pass up on a chance to play with stingrays, cool fish, tortoises and other exotic animals!  Houston Moms “House Blend” Posts: Five 2024 Release Books I’m Excited to Read This Year by Becca Slocum

Happy New Year! In 2024, instead of making New Year’s Resolutions, The Cold Coffee Club is choosing words to set the tone for the year ahead. Ashley is joined by Chris and Tiffany to discuss the words they have chosen to focus on. Be sure to read Tiffany’s latest post all about her word of the year, The Power to Believe: It Starts with You! What’s your word of the year??? Oh, and here are the clips of Family Guy, where Stewie pesters Brian about the novel he said he was going to write! THIS is accountability, and it is so insanely hilarious but perfect! “Cream & Sugar” Recommendations: Feeling a bit of a retro, chill vibe while you eat incredibly delicious food? Check out ‘93 Til near the Museum District! The energy there is incredible and this hidden gem of a hot spot is perfect for grabbin’ some grub and grooving to vinyl records!  Houston Moms “House Blend” Posts: Four Mental Health Resolutions for 2024 by Kim Reed

Happy Holidays from Ashley and the rest of The Cold Coffee Club! It’s time to reflect on our favorite traditions, tips for managing gift buying and finding the best ways to make lasting memories! Ashley and Chris discuss their holiday faves with their families and encourage you to try out a few! “Cream & Sugar” Recommendations: Treat your sweet tooth to insanely delicious goodies at Kilwins in La Centerra. This new location has partnered with Houston Moms for a sweet giveaway!  Go make a sticky, slimy mess that you don’t have to clean up yourself at Sloomoo Institute! Create your own unique slime creation, stick gobs of goo on the way, have a whole sensory adventure!   Houston Moms “House Blend” Posts: It’s OK to Be Sad: Embracing the Blue Christmas by Mary B Lower your Next Medical Bill with this Cheat Sheet by Cindy Dafashy

This episode of The Cold Coffee Club is brought to you by ⁠⁠Next Level Urgent Care⁠⁠. As we enter into the long-awaited fall season, sports injuries, flu bouts, sinusitis, and respiratory illnesses are circling the Houston community. Next Level Urgent Care has you covered for these instances and more! With⁠⁠ convenient locations⁠⁠ throughout the Houston community and surrounding areas, they are open 7-days a week from 9am – 9pm to serve you. Self-Care is NOT selfish! Take good care of yourselves, mamas! Whether it’s working out, getting a massage or simply getting up early to enjoy your morning coffee while it’s still hot, do what you need to do to maintain your sanity, your sense of self and your mental wellbeing! Eleanor Bodwin from Embrace the Mom Bod joins The Cold Coffee Club to remind us of the importance of self-care, how it affects our abilities to parent with love and care, and how our enneagrams can come into place when we pursue self-care! And Eleanor reminds us not to forget to mark our calendars: July 31st is National Mom Bod Day! Celebrating our bodies as moms is a great form of self-care! “Cream & Sugar” Recommendations: Feel like you’ve watched and re-watched all the Executive Producer: Dick Wolf shows out there? Check out on more that may have flown under the radar. New York Undercover is streaming on Peacock and Amazon Prime Video. It follows two undercover detectives as they navigate crime in urban New York. The 90’s Hip Hop and R&B played throughout the show is incredibly nostalgic for many and takes you back to that time! Worth the watch! Houston Moms “House Blend” Posts: The holidays can be a tough time for single parents, especially when their kids are spending memorable holidays moments with the other parent. Brianna Griff wrote a post about coping with split holidays in “Single Parent? Here’s How to Survive Holidays Without Your Kids.”

Juggling family commitments, personal goals and care and working jobs is a ton to maintain. Ashley, Chris Sizemore and Tiffany Harris discuss the joys and challenges of being workin’ moms. It’s certainly not an easy balance, but the women discuss how they make it work for them and their families! We also briefly discuss mental health when it comes to managing a solid work/life balance. While we need to make sure we are in tune with our own mental health and being supported, it’s also vital that our children are getting the support they need. Check out Chris’ post about normalizing mental health care for children. “Cream & Sugar” Recommendations: Got dino enthusiast kids? Ashley is pumped to take her kids to Jurassic Quest this weekend at NRG Park! Grab tickets now… time is running out for this fun experience!  Houston Moms “House Blend” Posts: The Ultimate Guide to the Holidays in Houston is a must- have for the holiday season! This all-in-one guide includes places to find Santa for the perfect photo-ops, check out beautiful Christmas lights or events that will fill your calendar (AND SO MUCH MORE)! Bookmark worthy, for sure!

If you’re looking for a boost of confidence and a way to celebrate yourself, a boudoir experience may be perfect for you. Join Ashley and Kasey Smith of Infinite Boudoir Studio as they squash any negative perceptions of boudoir, the importance of feeling INCREDIBLE in your own skin and seeking any and every opportunity to document our ever-changing bodies! And here’s the big kicker… Anyone who mentions they heard about Infinite Boudoir Photography from this episode of The Cold Coffee Club gets to enjoy an extended Black Friday deal of $99 to book (normally $450) and $500 off any package!  “Cream & Sugar” Recommendations: Ashley made her grandmother’s “World Famous” Banana Pudding for Thanksgiving this year, and it was an absolute hit! While Granny’s recipe is a top-secret family recipe, this recipe is pretty darn close. Highly recommend you prep a batch of Banana Pudding for Christmas, New Years or whenever! Super easy to make and super delicious! Houston Moms “House Blend” Posts: Need a little advice from a Houston Mom? Don’t miss out on some helpful insights from contributor, Marisa Cockrell, in our “Ask Houston Moms” posts each month. This month, Marisa, founder of Here Comes the Sun Counseling, tackles first crushes, the feeling of drowning in responsibilities and test anxiety. Make sure to submit your questions if you have something on your mind and would like a little help!

This episode of The Cold Coffee Club is brought to you by ⁠Next Level Urgent Care⁠. As we enter into the long-awaited fall season, sports injuries, flu bouts, sinusitis, and respiratory illnesses are circling the Houston community. Next Level Urgent Care has you covered for these instances and more! With⁠ convenient locations⁠ throughout the Houston community and surrounding areas, they are open 7-days a week from 9am – 9pm to serve you. Ashley and Monica get to chat about how to raise grateful, thankful, blessed children! It’s really easy to let our kids fall into the self-centered and spoiled trends that are constantly bombarding them as they grow. We have to battle all of those outside influences! So, learn more about how these moms are diligent about creating opportunities for their children to remember how blessed they are and practice gratitude! And don’t forget, moms, you may need a reminder to take inventory of your blessings as well. A gratitude journal is a great place to start! “Cream & Sugar” Recommendations: Want to know more about local plants and wildlife? Head to the Spring Creek Nature Center! This beautifully scenic gem gives you the chance to observe a few animals that are native to Texas, learn about foraging in Houston, and explore incredible trails nearby!  Houston Moms “House Blend” Posts: Birthdays have one mission: Treat Yo’Self!!! A guest blogger contributed the perfect breakdown of how you can do just that on the cheap with her post, 35 Birthday Freebies and Discounts All Around Town!

Join the Club! Ashley is sharing all about Fall Fun in Houston! Thank goodness for Brandi Smith, Digital Anchor at KHOU, for her finger on the pulse of all things Fall, H-Town style! You definitely don’t want to miss this episode if you’re interested in making this Fall one to remember! And be sure to follow Brandi on Instagram and check out her Hidden Gems segments that air every Thursday at 6pm! Told ya… she knows all the things! “Cream & Sugar” Recommendations: Ring in the holiday season at the annual Frostival event at Discovery Green! Ice skating, food trucks, performances and photo ops galore! Make sure to mark your calendar for November 10th at 6-10pm!   Houston Moms “House Blend” Posts: Plan to have lots of energy on Turkey day? Want to burn off some steam or work up an appetite before the feast? Head over to Houston Moms’ Houston Area Turkey Trots Guide to plan a quick run and lots of fun on Thanksgiving!