Influential Motherhood

Hillary Wilkinson is a mom and former teacher who realized we have a problem with screen time. She joined forces with moms in her community to educate families on the importance of healthy screen habits. Together they created the nonprofit organization Healthy Screen Habits, and are on a mission to educate and empower families to get control over screen time and use our devices in a healthy way.

In this episode, Hillary is sharing tips and resources to manage our devices in the home, in the car, and at school. We're talking about the benefits of screen time and the scary dangers that happen when we have too much of a good thing. Hillary is sharing resources (links below!) and you won't believe how early we should be talking to our kids about what they might see online.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Tristan Harris TED Talks
• Wait Until 8th Campaign
• Better Screen Time
• Gabb Wireless phone
• Protect Young Minds

Don't forget to follow Melissa on Instagram at @influentialmotherhood! For more inspiring stories and episodes with moms making a difference, visit www.influentialmotherhood.com.

Alyssa Daniel, M.D. is a mom of two, wife, and a dermatologist in Charlotte, NC. She's sharing her story of deciding to go to medical school, why she's passionate about helping women with skin and hair issues, and what it was like to have a baby while she was Chief Resident. She's also sharing her goals, her favorite mom hack, and how mentors made a difference for her as a working mom in the medical field.

Plus, she's breaking down "skincare over 30" for busy moms and giving us what we need to know about wrinkles (from creams to Botox!), sun prevention, whether vitamins can help our skin, and a good reminder for us about drinking plenty of water.

Keep learning from Alyssa by following her on Instagram at @remedy.skin.hair.wellness and at www.remedyskinandhair.com.

Don't forget to follow Melissa on Instagram at @influetialmotherhood! For more inspiring stories and episodes with moms making a difference, visit www.influentialmotherhood.com.

Photographer Laura Foote is married to high school sweetheart and lives in Tampa FL with her husband, an actor, and cute daughter Mac. She's sharing her story of working at Disney World, working in the non-profit and higher ed worlds, and then unexpectedly becoming an entrepreneur and full-time photographer.

Laura was working in nonprofits when she started using a point-and-shoot camera to take pictures. Eventually, she had clients and bought an SLR camera. As she moved around the country for jobs and education, business kept ballooning as she moved. She thought it was fun to do as a side gig, and didn't realize how it was ballooning.

"I just never really had my head around being an entrepreneur. I liked that I had walls, and an office, and a title and a nametag and letters behind my name."

In this episode, Laura also shares her knowledge of the StrengthsFinder personality inventory. The StrengthsFinder inventory looks at 34 talents, which we all carry, and breaks them into your top 5 and top 10. Each of the 34 talents fits into a category: influencing, executing, strategic thinking, and relationship building. To take the assessment, you can purchase a book, which comes with an access code, or you can just buy the inventory online. Laura shared that she is a certified facilitator and provides StrengthsFinder education to businesses and grops (visit Laurafoote.com/education)

As a full-time photographer, Laura has learned a lot about making the "magic" happen for the people in front of the camera. Here is some of our Q&A about taking great family photos:

When is the best time of day for photos?

Golden hour is the best time of day; it is the 1.5 before sunset. However, morning can also be a great time and is sometimes better for families because the children are fresh.

Would a photographer prefer to change locations or let the family change outfits?

Often, it may be easier to change locations rather than change outfits for everyone in the family - most photographers fully support changing locations.

Give us a "what not to wear during family photos" rundown.

No logos, loud patterns, color, and anything with words. No tennis shoes, even on the kids. Think about the colors in your home and that you like generally, and those are the colors you should have in your photo. Pick a color palette so you don't have to be matchy-matchy; everyone can wear colors from within the palette.

How can we make it easier on the kids so it is less stressful for everyone?

Hire a photographer that is really going to make it fun for the kids. Create a family experience out of it. Get ice cream afterwards or even spend the night at a hotel! Snacks and water are hugely helpful. Gummy bears and fruit snacks are great because they are things they can chew individually and quickly.

What other tips do you have for moms?

Give yourself grace. Get a village. even if it is paid!

Where can we find Laura?

Find Laura's photography business online at www.laurafoote.com, and follow Laura on Instagram at @laurafoote.

She came back from maternity leave and was asked to become the Chief Operating Officer for the Tory Burch Foundation.

How's that for a boost of confidence as a new mom?!

Gabrielle Raymond McGee has worked in professional sports and the fashion industry, and this week we're chatting about what she's learned from those industries, how motherhood is a lot like starting a business, and how women need to disrupt the playing field for future generations. She's wise beyond her years and is absolutely brilliant. I'm honored to know Gabrielle and you're going to love hearing her down-to-earth and inspiring approach to work and parenting.

The #ToryBurchFellows program is currently accepting applications, and you can learn more about that HERE.

Follow Gabrielle online at @GabrielleRaymondMcGee on Instagram and @GabrielleRMcGee on Twitter.

Check out the Influential Motherhood podcast in your favorite podcast app!

When she had 3 little kids and was at the end of her rope, Miranda Anderson (@livefreemiranda) and her husband decided to try essentialism for a year - buying only what they needed. This meant not buying non-consumable items for an entire year.

In this episode she's telling us all about how she navigated Target trips, birthdays, holidays, and educating her kids about money during her family's year of "practical minimalism."

Miranda also shares what her family learned during the process, and what values were instilled or reinforced during that year.

You can find Miranda on Instagram at @livefreemiranda, or at her blog - or listen to her podcast at Live Free Creative. Be sure to check out her book, “More than Enough: How One Family Cultivated A More Abundant Life Through A Year Of Practical Minimalism” to learn more!

Listen to more Influential Motherhood episodes in your favorite podcast app or visit www.influentialmotherhood.com.