06. Balancing family, motherhood and 

aspirations, while avoiding burn out

Listen to Balancing family, motherhood and aspirations, while avoiding burn out wherever you get your podcasts

In this episode I’m joined by Allison Lee! As an Asian American mental health therapist and coach, she brings a unique perspective to the challenges faced by second-generation adults. 

We discussed the challenges of meeting expectations of our parents, our children, and ourselves. There is significant pressure that comes from being “sandwiched” between caring for aging parents or grandparents, and young children. Throw in family obligations and cultural expectations, and there’s a real recipe for burnout. 

So what do we do?!

Allison shared her Repay Cycle with me, a tool all mamas can benefit from when it comes to balancing family obligations while raising children. She emphasized the importance of knowing our values and boundaries, and encouraged everyone (us too!) to trust in yourself and seek support when you need it. 

At the end of the episode, Allison revealed the three things she does to manage her family, motherhood, and her career. I’m truly inspired by her drive and plan to do these things in my life too! 

Allison Ly is an Asian American Mental Health Therapist and the Founder of Unshaken Gens™, her coaching program. Her mission in both businesses is to empower 2nd gens and all adult children with immigrant parents to care for their loved ones without sacrificing their own needs and dreams, and to live more of the life they desire most. 

Allison helps her clients, who grew up prioritizing others, find ways to communicate their needs, and take care of themselves while STILL supporting their families and loved ones in a meaningful way. She specializes in helping her clients manage anxious thoughts, burnout, dissatisfaction in relationships, low self-esteem, and stress. 

Allison is a licensed clinical social worker and has several other certifications, including Individual and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She lives in California with her husband and two-year-old daughter. She is a proud millennial mama and successful entrepreneur.

A friendly reminder: Everything you hear in this episode is meant to inform and should not be considered as therapy. If you need professional support, please contact Allison directly.

In this episode, we cover: 

  • The difficulties of prioritizing family needs versus personal and professional growth.

  • Practical strategies for balancing cultural and familial obligations, while staying true to ourselves. 

  • What is the sandwich generation and the unique challenges we face?

  • How to apply The Repay Cycle tool in our lives to prevent burnout, and sustain complex relationships in a way that works for us too. 

  • The three things all mamas can do to help manage your time, energy, and relationships more effectively.

Connect with Allison:

Connect with Christine:

More about Momming as a Millennial podcast: 

Welcome to Momming as a Millennial, the podcast where we dive into the challenges and triumphs of being a millennial mom in today’s dynamic world. Join your host, Christine Giarrizzo, on this candid journey as we navigate the complexities of motherhood, from tackling outdated stereotypes, to embracing our individual parenting styles.

In each episode, we explore the intersection of tradition and modern parenting. We’ll look at unsolicited advice and internet noise, as well as gender roles and expectations handed down by our parents and grandparents, in order to find what resonates with our true, authentic selves.

Tune in for honest conversations, genuine stories, expert insights, and a supportive community that understands the unique circumstance of navigating parenthood as a millennial. Together we’ll rewrite the narrative, challenge societal norms, and celebrate the diverse voices that make up our generation.

Let’s redefine what it means to be a mama in the millennial era.

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