Mother's Day has become an annual battlefield. Is it meant to celebrate young moms in the trenches? Should grandmothers take precedence? This holiday meant to honor moms has turned into a minefield where moms are pitted against other moms... when maybe the entire problem isn't about moms at all. SHOW NOTES: "Reddit Agrees—Mother's Day Is for the Mom in the Trenches" "Mother's Day Is Not Really About Me—Because, Grandmas" "Who is Mother’s Day really for? Moms and grandmothers sound off" "Does Mother’s Day Really Have to Be Grandmother’s Day, Too?" "Dear Husbands: Mother's Day is Not About Your Mom"

Sarah and Allison from the Lebanon County Foster Care Alliance join the podcast to talk about foster care - what it's like fostering, who can be a foster parent, what their organization is doing to help foster families, and how you can help. SHOW NOTES: Lebanon County Foster Parent Alliance Lebanon County Children and Youth Services Information on Fostering in Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Foster Care Statistics

Laura Faust of Mama's Village joins Fireflies and Whoopie Pie to talk about creating a new community for moms in South Central PA, the Mamapalooza event, mom guilt, and talking about why moms are able to make friends, but dads just aren't. SHOW NOTES: Mama's Village Facebook group Mamapalooza Mama's Village Facebook page Mama's Village Instagram page

April is International Caesarean Awareness Month, and Cassy and Emily -- both c-section mamas -- discuss their c-sections, the crazy things they experienced in recovery, and what they want other c-section mamas to know. SHOW NOTES: International Caesarean Awareness Month Mayo Clinic C-Section Information The Bump: 11 Things No One Tells You About C-Sections

Catherine, Princess of Wales has announced that she has cancer, and the public has been accused of harassing her over the past few weeks. But who is really to blame here? SHOW NOTES: CBS News Analysis Associated Press Photo Editing Breakdown Kate Middleton Cancer Announcement

March 21st -- 3/21 -- is World Down Syndrome Day. For this week's episode, Cassy talks about learning her son has Down syndrome, misconceptions and assumptions about Down syndrome, and the new "Assume That I Can" ad from Coor Down. SHOW NOTES: "Assume That I Can" Coor Down National Down Syndrome Society 3.21 for Life Gigi's Playhouse Lancaster

It can be hard to find time to work out as a mom, and to feel good about your newly-changed body. Kaitlyn Day of Fit4Mom Reading talks about the importance of community for moms in the fitness sphere, and why family-friendly support makes such a difference! SHOW NOTES: Fit4Mom Reading website Fit4Mom Reading Facebook page Fit4Mom Reading Instagram page

Leann, founder of the Neurodiverse Network, joins us talk about life raising neurodivergent children, as well as what led her to found the non-profit and how it helps local families. SHOW NOTES: Neurodiverse Network website Neurodiverse Network Facebook page Neurodiverse Network Instagram Neurodiverse Network TikTok Additional Resources: The Autism Society of Greater Harrisburg International Dyslexia Association Disability Pride PA PA Tourette Syndrome Alliance (PATSA) ACRES Project Spectrum Friends

Keller Williams Agent Mariah Sielaff joins us this week to talk about how she balances work and family, as well as her tips on navigating this crazy real estate market.

This week, Krista Renenger from Helping Harvest Food Bank joins the podcast to discuss food insecurity and hunger in South Central PA, and how they're working to help.  SHOW NOTES: Helping Harvest website Helping Harvest Facebook page Feeding America: Hunger Facts Food Research and Action Center: Information on Hunger

On this week's episode, local mom Amy joins to talk about child sexual abuse -- what to know, how to prevent it, and the Mama Bear Effect. SHOW NOTES: The Mama Bear Effect MOSAC - Mothers of Sexually Abused Children RAINN - Child Sexual Abuse CDC Fast Facts: Child Sexual Abuse

Alisha Fitzwater, program director for Gigi's Playhouse Lancaster, joins the show to talk about the programs they offer, how to get involved, and how this community helps people with Down syndrome and their families.  SHOW NOTES: GiGi’s Playhouse in Lancaster, PA opened on January 11, 2020, thanks to a great community of families, friends, educators, therapists and community members who worked together to make the dream a reality. We believe that by opening GiGi's Playhouse, we now have an even greater opportunity to impact more families in Lancaster and the surrounding counties. GiGi's Playhouse is the only worldwide network of Down syndrome achievement centers; changing lives through free, results-driven programs for individuals of all ages, their families & communities. In helping individuals with Down syndrome achieve their best of all, we also advance our larger vision of global acceptance for people of all abilities. GiGi's was established 20 years ago and has 60+ locations. Gigi's Links: Facebook page Website Instagram

How often are we, as moms, told to make sure we don't gain any weight, ever... but ESPECIALLY not during the holidays? On this week's episode, Cassy wants you to throw all of that out the window, and embrace a healthier mindset instead. https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/food-dining/2023/11/20/staying-healthy-holiday-tips/71570950007/ https://www.today.com/health/9-tips-avoid-weight-gain-during-holiday-season-today-t200137 https://www.popsci.com/how-to-not-gain-holiday-weight-diet/ https://blog.swedish.org/swedish-blog/5-ways-to-maintain-a-healthy-mindset-about-holiday-food

This holiday season, it is time to embrace a spirit of gratitude and radical generosity -- without strings, without standards, and without expectations. https://endhomelessness.org/homelessness-in-america/homelessness-statistics/state-of-homelessness-report/pennsylvania/ https://247wallst.com/state/how-pennsylvanias-homelessness-problem-compares-to-the-nation/ https://partners.wsj.com/salvation-army/building-a-better-future/facing-a-new-year-on-the-poverty-line/#:~:text=The%20holiday%20season%20is%20one,day%2Dto%2Dday%20amenities. https://www.saffrontrust.org/blog/seasonalpoverty

Go behind the scenes with one of Central PA's most cherished holiday traditions: the Christmas Spirit Light Show! This locally-owned family business has been keeping spirits merry and bright for six years, and can't wait to welcome families again.

On this week's episode, contributor Emily Kenniston joins the podcast to discuss Thanksgiving -- and how to celebrate without falling into the constant stress that surrounds the holidays.

Mandy Leigey, a hairstylist of nearly 20 years, joins Cassy to spill the tea on what they HATE to see in the chair, hairstyle and color ideas for moms, what life as a stylist is like, and more!

This week on Fireflies and Whoopie Pie, we are joined by Miranda Eorio, a local family legacy photographer and educator! Miranda and Cassy chat about how to manage a photo session with little kids, multi-generational family shots, finding the right photographer for your family, great spots for pictures, and much more!

This week is International Stress Awareness Week, and stress is something moms know a lot about. Cassy and Erica talk about how stress can affect you, why moms feel so stressed out all the time, and ways to help feel a little more calm.

Welcome to the "Fireflies and Whoopie Pie" podcast, a podcast BY South Central PA Moms, FOR South Central PA Moms. Whether you're listening along during dropoff in the morning, while you're making dinner, or just in those few minutes you take to yourself before bed, we'll be here to keep you up-to-date and informed on all the things local moms need to know.