Episode 509: Rewriting the Rules of Motherhood

What if balance is a lie and self-care does not look anything like Instagram told you it would?

 In this powerful and refreshingly honest episode of Whinypaluza, host Rebecca Greene sits down with writer, speaker, activist, and mom of eight Elisha Beach for a real conversation about motherhood, burnout, and why the idea of “having it all” is complete nonsense. Elisha shares the moments that broke her open, including a very public mommy meltdown, clinical burnout, and the pressure to put everyone else first. Together, Rebecca and Elisha unpack what self-care actually looks like in real life, how guilt sneaks in, why villages matter more than ever, and how moms can reclaim control without adding another impossible to-do list item. This is the episode every overwhelmed parent did not know they needed.
Six Key Takeaways
→ Balance is not real, and that is not your failure
Elisha explains why the idea of perfect balance sets moms up to feel like they are always falling short

→ Burnout does not mean weakness
 Clinical burnout is real and often comes from prioritizing everyone else for too long

→Self-care must fit your season of life
 What works for one mom may not work for another, and that is exactly the point

→ Guilt can exist without running the show
 You can feel guilt without letting it dictate how you treat yourself

→ Your village is bigger than you think
 Support can include people, systems, services, and small choices that reduce mental load

→ You are the expert in your own life.
 Trusting yourself is the most important form of self-care there is
Memorable Quote
“Balance does not exist. You just choose what you are going to focus on and let the rest fall off for a bit.”
About the Guest
Elisha Beach is an experienced speaker, writer, and professional mom of eight. She went viral in 2015 after sharing a raw photo of breastfeeding her daughter while on the toilet and has been unapologetically telling the truth about motherhood ever since. A former staff writer for Scary Mommy and founder of The Mom Forum, Elisha is a Certified Strategic Planner who helps moms create realistic self-care practices without guilt. She is the author of The Mom Selfcare Planner and the upcoming book Balance Is Bullsht The Truth About Motherhood and Self Care* releasing November 11, 2025.
 If this episode made you feel seen, heard, or even a little less alone, share it with another parent who needs permission to stop chasing perfection. Subscribe, leave a review, and remember what Rebecca reminds us every day. Laugh. Learn. Love.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices