You have questions? We have answers. We're two Southern moms on the backside of raising kids and we have some things to say. We have lived life, made mistakes, and learned some lessons. Join us for answers to the questions you just want to ask your mom.
Christian perspective on motherhood & raising kids. Interviews with experts and other moms in the trenches of parenting.
Instead of asking "what's wrong with you?" it may be more helpful to ask "what happened to you?" We take our childhoods with us, and carrying trauma and stress from adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can actually affect our health way down the road into adulthood. What's an ACE test and what might the score mean? What can we do to help soften the blows? This episode affects us all in some way.
What kind of baby products are best? What's the best way to do tummy time? Does it make a difference how you position your child in a car seat, high chair, or exersaucer? Dr. Courtney Parsons (PT) and Gladys Harms (OT) have worked with children in various types of therapy for years. They join us on this episode to explain the types of issues they see, and how parents can help their children reach those all-important milestones. We learned a ton and we know you will, too!
Our kids aren't the only ones who grow & change, but as grown-ups the milestones and transitions slow. We tend to measure or see our own growth by decade. For many of us, we get a growth spurt somewhere around 30's/40's (commonly known as midlife). In this episode, we look at The Gift of Imperfection, by Brene Brown, and walk through our own experiences of growth through transition and learning how to talk to ourselves with more respect. (If you can't say something nice, don't say anything a...
On this episode, we talk to a veteran mom & special ed teacher who's navigated just about every corner of raising children on a spectrum. She has four of her own and has had to research and wrestle with the system herself. She walks us through what new parents should look for, how to best use the resources available, and knowing what your child needs, whether he/she falls under the definition of gifted or exhibits behaviors on the autism spectrum. This one's full of helpful information and g...
We're solidly into summer here in the South. How many times have you heard the phrase "Mom, I'm bored"? Turns out, boredom is a CHILD'S problem, not an ADULT's. On this episode, we give you plenty of great ideas for summer stuff to do for kids of all ages and ways to put blocks of time in your day so you're not overwhelmed by All.The.Snacks.And.Towels.
1 in 7 babies born in the US spends time in the NICU for various issues. On this episode, we spoke with our friend, Becky Bilodeau, who's all too familiar with hospitals, NICUs, and procedures—and not because she happens to be a pediatric surgery nurse. Her second son, Jacob, was born with 3 chambers of his heart, rather than 4. Becky takes us through what their journey has been like and what parents in similar situations might need. To learn more about CHD or to help fund research for this comm...
In this episode, we hear from listeners on the good, bad, and ugly of in-laws. What works when navigating that relationship? What doesn't? How do we set reasonable boundaries and also respect family members? And, we look at the other side of the coin now that we both HAVE in-laws and ARE in-laws ourselves. What are our lessons learned about what to do and what not to do.
With the trend toward marrying and having children later, more of us are feeling the squeeze of being sandwiched between raising our own children and caring for aging parents. Unique stresses--financial, emotional, and physical--are a common concern for folks (and let's face it, mainly women) in this situation. If you're not there yet, you likely will be. In this episode, we talk about finding ways to balance and some practical things to address sooner rather than later.
For decades, pediatricians and psychologists have been seeing climbing rates of anxiety in children and adults, to the point where parenting is sometimes now referred to as a crisis. Many parents say they just want their kids to be happy, but what if what we're doing is having the opposite effect? What's the cause and is there a solution? We unpack the data and look at what this looks like in an average household and what we might do to change course.
As home schooling options broaden and more families opt for alternatives to public schools, we look at 10 legit reasons you should consider before buying that curriculum. Special guest Holli Turner joins Renee for the lowdown while Bonnie (with zero homeschool experience) asks some probing questions about the number of bonnets homeschoolers actually own.
Joined by special guest Lavy Little, we dive into what it looks like when you're raising children through one parent's illness and death. Lavy shares honestly about her husband Conrad's medical issues and how the family navigated that with faith and determination. When Conrad died in 2017, her three sons faced their late teens and young adulthood without their father. The way they openly and honestly shared their grief with one another has helped them all move forward together.
Shame is universal. Where does it come from and is it possible to raise kids in a way that helps them overcome this feeling? Is it just a matter of fostering self-esteem or is there more to it? In this episode, we explore the difference between shame & guilt and give several tips to help ourselves and our children value taking the risk of connection.
Want a simple & FREE way to lower stress, anxiety, and radically engage you & your child's imagination and creativity? Go outside. In this episode, we talk with Jamie Langley, a child & family therapist with over 30 years of experience. Our conversation about the importance of play and nature and how it works in kids' lives was both enlightening & encouraging. This is something easy all of us can do more.
We do a lot of talking as moms, and it drives us nuts when our kids tune us out. In this episode, we run down 10 things your kids need to hear that they'll never get tired of. *Plus, a bonus one we threw in for free (you're welcome).
Mom friends can be our lifelines when we're drowning, the ones who really "get" the whole motherhood gig. They can talk us off the cliff, make us laugh, and set us straight. Where do mom friends come from and is it ok if our friend groups change? This episode explores the joys of friendship while raising kids.
We surveyed new moms about what they wish they'd known about post-pregnancy. We talk about all the haywire things your rockstar body may be doing, how your spouse may react to the newborn differently, and a ton of other issues common to motherhood.
In this episode we talk to two experienced girl moms who've each raised 3 daughters. We talk friendships, image issues, technology, and the importance of dads, and we were just getting started! There was so much to say we need a part 2! Join us as we chat with Lori Shea (a speech therapist) and Amy Sain (a children's minister) about raising daughters.
It's a road full of highs and lows. 1 in 8 couples have difficulty conceiving a child. In this episode, our friend, Katie Frazier, leads us through her honest and personal experience with this issue. What can you say to a friend who's hoping with all her heart for that positive pregnancy test? What are some options for couples struggling with infertility? Join us and Katie as we talk through the process.
The bittersweet junior/senior years of high school can be some of the busiest! Here's our take on how to navigate the road to college, which, admittedly, may not be for everyone. We've been to big state universities and smaller private ones. Join us for a chat about costs, loans, scholarships, high school classes, standardized tests, and college tours & what we hope is about to be the best time of your student's life.
What makes a teenager act the way they do? How does your role as a parent change? We de-mystify the teenage brain and offer practical tips for how to help your teen navigate his/her way to young adulthood. There are some key transitions to make as mom/dad during this stage: don't miss them!
We address a handful of questions sent in by listeners. How do I build trust with my children? How do I handle repeated disobedience? How do I find time for myself when my spouse is gone a lot? How do I love my family without losing myself? How about living on a budget with small children. A potpourri of topics all in one episode.
There's a whole list of things moms tend to be great at: second-guessing, guilt, regret, negative self-talk. Nobody has time or space for all that noise! In their list of 10 things moms need to hear, Renee and Bonnie offer encouragement and empowerment for moms in all stages of parenting. This might be one you need to listen to EVERY week! (or share with your spouse as a not-so-subtle hint). ;)
A good husband/wife relationship is the foundation for a child to feel that all is right with the world. Good or bad, your marriage is teaching your children what relationship looks like. Do you want them to expect affection and kind words from their future spouse? Bonus: modeling good stuff for your kids in this area benefits YOU as well! We give a quick rundown of 10 things to work on. Pick one or two to focus on this week!
A few months into her second pregnancy, Jenna got the news that the daughter she was carrying had Trisomy-13, a diagnosis that was "incompatible with life." While she continued working and being a mom to her young son, Jenna and her husband Dalton faced a new future, one that would not include their daughter, Evelynn. This is her story of what those months before and after looked like, how her faith sustained her, and what life looks like now. Pregnancy loss can be a silent grief, but Jenna's st...
On this episode, Bonnie & Renee welcome special guests Sarah Perry and Trish Waldron, two moms on either end of raising trios of boys. We talk about what it's like to be the only female in a houseful of men, particular parenting challenges, and some of the sweetness and humor that only sons can bring to a home.
The plan was to grab a few favorites from our bookshelves. Renee heard "books for kids," but Bonnie thought "books for parents." So you get a bargain sampling of both! There are approximately 2,567 more titles we could have mentioned, but we've included some of our top picks here.
If you're a parent, the day will eventually come when you'll have to decide where and how your child will attend school. Public? Private? Homeschool? Co-op? How do you weigh the options? Instead of throwing your hands up and asking Alexa, join us for a discussion of what to consider. Between the two of us, we've tried just about everything out there!
In the diverse landscape of America, how should parents address the subject of race with their kids? Is it better to wait for questions or have proactive conversations? In this episode, we have a frank discussion with special guests Ashley Golden and Abby Rosser where we explore how their experiences parenting black children differ from our own and ask what we can all do better.
Do the long stretches in your day with toddlers leave you at a loss? Are you often out of balance with over-scheduling or forgetting about dinner until 5 pm rolls around? Having a flexible rhythm to your days--and life--keeps everyone sane, makes kids feel secure, and leaves plenty of time for fun.
Is traveling with children worth the extra baggage and expense? Renee & Bonnie discuss the ups and downs of family travel. Exploring with your kids offers lots of benefits, no matter what your kids' ages.
