Featured Post! 13,000 + Mamas Took The Quiz!

Let's Dish Series No. 1: Take Mama's Sex Quiz

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I'm Joanne Ilaqua.

a.k.a MamaSoup

I’ve spent about 20 years serving women as a nurse, doula and Lamaze educator. I also have 4 kids so I know first-hand how lonely and isolating it can be to be a mama. That’s why I created Mamasoup.

Most days you can find me working away in my home office (without a bra on), bopping out to Hip Hop (which I’m WAY to old to listen to, btw- but I just can’t quit it!) and searching my teenagers’ rooms for all the plates and bowls.

Featured Posts...

labour and delivery

Take Mama's Sex Quiz

As part of a new series, “Let’s Dish,” we’ll be sharing interactive quizzes related to a number of mom topics that will give you a bit of ‘virtual girl talk’ by revealing answers of other moms once you've completed the quiz yourself.

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labour and delivery

5 Commonly Missed Signs of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Don't miss out on this incredible information on pelvic floor health from Jessica Dalliday of Pilates on Demand (POD), along with FREE video access, a printable to help fix the dysfunction and a fabulous deal to get you started on POD!

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labour and delivery

5 Things First Time Moms Wished They'd Known Before Giving Birth

If you’re pregnant with your first baby, this information is for you, Mama! This post is full of information and helpful (& FREE!) printables to help prepare you for the incredible birth of your baby!

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breastfeeding newborns

How to Succeed at Breastfeeding in the First 48 Hours

Breastfeeding is something every mom should have the best chance at - and the foundation of a great breastfeeding journey stars in the first 48 hours of baby's life. This post has incredibly detailed instructional printables that will help you succeed at breastfeeding!

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All of Mama's Posts:

Advice from an Empty Nester

Are you dreading the empty nest? I've got some advice for you from an empty nester, to make the transition a little easier for you and your kids.

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Getting Over Mom Guilt

Mom guilt happens to all of us. Whether it creeps up after yelling at our kids, not falling instantly in love with a newborn or being a working mom, you're not alone. Read on for more on what causes mom guilt and how to get over it.

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Hey Mama: The Best Weight Loss Plan is Losing your Negative Thoughts

Imagine closing a social media app feeling better about yourself than you did before you got there, rather than worse? You deserve to feel good in your skin, Mama.

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Parenting at Christmas: Setting Boundaries and Managing Expectations

Mom of four and founder of the MamaSoup platform talks about ways to set boundaries and expectations for kids around Christmas and tips to make the holidays less stressful and more memorable.

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8 Things I've Learned from Being a Mom in Quarantine


Now that we've hit the six month mark, I felt like a little reflection would be cool. Kinda like looking in the rearview mirror. Except since this mother-effing virus isn't going anywhere anytime soon, it's kinda like looking at what's ahead for us as well.
 

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5 Ways to Build Long Lasting, Never-Waivering, Confidence in Yourself

When was the last time you felt confident in yourself? I’m talking ass-kicking, not gonna stop confident? You wouldn’t be alone if you can’t really remember. It’s a lot of work for some women to feel confidence after lending out their bodies for babies and giving up the majority of their time (and sleep) for kids.

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If You've Ever Lost Track of your Toddler You're Not a BAD Mom, You're Just a Normal Mom

It seems as though moms are expected to be super-human and do this almost impossible job of raising kids perfectly and when we’re not, we’re penalized. It’s no wonder so many women aren’t seeking help for depression and anxiety after they have babies: if we admit that we’re not handling motherhood well at this moment, we’re terrified that our children will be taken away.

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Stop Judging Moms for 'Distracted Parenting' When We're Raising Kids in the Digital F**king Age

Once again the media is calling out parents for another thing we're doing wrong out here. As if the pressure to raise human beings in a scary world where men like Trump are running the free-world isn't enough, now we can't check our phones while we do it?

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The One Thing a Mom Can Do to Make Raising a Teenager Easier

Did you know there’s a group for moms of teenagers on the Mamasoup app? Join the conversation now and start finding the support that we all need doing this most difficult stage of parenting- the stage where we have to let go and trust that we’ve done our job well.

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I Don't Always Love Being a Mom (And You Don't Have to Either!)

The faster we accept that motherhood doesn’t have to feel like one big dance through the daisy-field, the better. Let’s all acknowledge that even if you’re a mom who did fertility treatments, even if you navigated the adoption process for years, even if you didn’t think you’d ever become pregnant- you don’t have to feel a constant flow of positivity about motherhood.

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Suffering Through School Holidays

Christmas vacation is about to start over here, Mamas! This is a special time of the year to stand in solidarity with other moms. We are all going to do our best over the next couple of weeks to hold it all together.

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Sex, Drugs and Alcohol: The 3 Things I've Learned About Talking to My Teens About the Hard Stuff

Raising well-adjusted kids means keeping an open line of communication and unfortunately that’s our job as parents. Those times when you really don’t want to talk because it’s uncomfortable or just plain hard? Those are the times when it matters the most.

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The 10 Things I Realized While Raising a Child Addicted to Drugs

When you’re pregnant, you kinda have a vision of what kind of parent you think you'll be. I remember thinking that I would be a very cool, open mom who wouldn’t let too much get to me. I’d be the mom that other mom’s kids could talk to. I have to say, that for the most part I’ve been pretty damn relaxed in this mom-gig.

But NOTHING could have ever prepared me to raise a son addicted to drugs.

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What I've Learned From Being a Teen Mom and Why I Wish People Would Stop Passing Judgement.

You see not all teenage moms are strippers, drug addicts or unaware that they happen to be carrying an extra 30 pounds of baby. And contrary to popular belief, we’re not all girls with “Daddy issues” or a need to be loved.

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Spoiler Alert: You Don't Have to be a Perfect Mom to be PERFECT For Your Kids

Perfect moms don't exist so stop beating yourself up. You don't need letterboards and the perfect nursery decor to prove yourself to anyone. As long as you let love guide you, you'll be everything your kids ever need.

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Are You Tired of Your Inner Mean Girl?

If you’re struggling to move ahead in any part of your life, you’re not alone! Your inner mean girl is a bully and she can paralyze you from having everything you’ve ever wanted. Over the years, I’ve learned some tricks to quiet that voice of doubt and truly take control of my life.

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Shut Down Your Thoughts, Change the World With Your Gifts

There is nothing that you can’t accomplish if you set your mind straight to it. The big problem is drowning out all of your thoughts and fears. I can talk myself out of anything. Just last night I talked myself out of washing and moisturizing my face before bed.

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Valentine's Day is the Day to Love Yourself.

Over the last 26 years of being a mom on Valentine’s Day, I’ve been single, dating and married. I totally understand why some women get really wrapped up in the importance of the day. Who doesn’t want to feel loved and appreciated? Especially a mom.

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You're Not Failing at Motherhood if Your Kid Doesn't Have a "Chore List"

I know it’s good for kids to have responsibilities from a young age. I’ve read the parenting books and they all cover just this topic, and I know it makes them more responsible later in life. I realize that 2-year olds can clean up a few toys, that 4 year olds can help with dishes and that 6 year olds can help pack lunches. I know they’re capable of doing all of these things, but do you know where I get stuck? It’s the fact that it all takes monitoring from me.

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The Time to Love Your Post-Baby Body is NOW!

Are you grieving the loss of your former body since having children? You're not alone. It's time to stop beating yourself up and start appreciating your post-baby body, Mama!

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New Year Same You Because, Mama, You're Already Amazing

I propose that we stop trying to improve ourselves in the new year and start celebrating how awesome we are!

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Travelling With Kids is Worth the Effort.

Travelling with kids is one of the hardest things a parent can do! Lots of parents choose to stay home in the safety of their own environment. But getting away is good for families!

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