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.
Part 1 of 2: On this episode, we're talking about looking at the big picture of the holidays and asking the question what might we slide off the table? Does our calendar HAVE to look jam-packed? Do we NEED to do that cookie swap or gift exchange? How can we get more intentional at the holidays and find some of that "peace and goodwill" all the songs talk about?
In 2023, it's nothing to snap a photo and post it in a matter of seconds, and parents are at the top of the list for posting about our kids. We call it sharenting. In this episode we run down 15 things to consider before hitting "post" for pictures of our kiddos.
A cycle breaker is someone who recognizes harmful or dysfunctional traits in the culture of their family and decides to trade those in for something better. When we become parents, at some point something our child does will trigger something in us, especially if that child is a lot like us (our "little me"). What might that look like, what can we do about it, and why does it matter that we are aware of it?
Author of Mom Enough, Rachel Marie Martin joins us to talk about the exhausting but totally normal days of motherhood. She's a mom of 7, writer, blogger, and founder of Finding Joy, and she knows all about juggling, overwhelm, and the pull of perfectionism! Mom Enough by Rachel Marie Martin Eight Things Fearless Moms Do FindingJoy.net (Rachel's site)...
Speakers, authors, and teachers, Joey & Carla Link, join us for a run-down of their top 5 tips for parenting. These two have helped hundreds of families over the past few decades through their Parenting Made Practical ministry, and they're sharing some proven principles that work! Parenting Made Practical Taming the Lecture Bug Why Can't I Get My Kids to Behave?...
Nineteen years ago, Joey & Carla link, along with their 15-yr-old daughter, Amy, were driving home from an event three hours away. In an unavoidable accident, their van was hit, rolled multiple times, and Carla was thrown from the car. After years of surgeries, PT, and daily pain, she can no longer stand or walk alone. Their inspiring story is one of faith, perseverance, and trust--from the hospital stays to Joey's role as caregiver, to their newfound delight in grandchildren.
Returning guest, Meg Wallace, Texas mom of 7, opens up about the deal-breaker when it comes to marriage, and it may not be what you thought! Her personal experience with her parents' divorce and a dear friend facing the end of her marriage gave her some insight into what may be at the root of many rocky marriages. Meg's also got a foolproof potty training course that we wanted to give you access to & and has written a book on preventive parenting . Check these resources out!...
In this episode, we talk with Pat Thweatt, a seasoned grandmother (a.k.a. "MOP"), who has juggled both close-by and long distance grandparenting. On top of that, Pat cares for a grandson with autism and talks about things she's learned about grandparenting kids with special needs. Links we mention in this episode: Vanderbilt Kennedy Center 200 Family Conversation Cards The Jesus Storybook Bible...
The average person leans 80% negative in her perceptions, outlook, and conclusions. Join us for our conversation with Dr. Alex Loyd, author, speaker, psychologist & ND, where he outlines some practices for upping the positive -- in parenting in particular. https://www.dralexanderloyd.com/
In search of wisdom from actual grands & great-grands, this is the first in a series of interviews with some of the women who we've admired in these roles. Guest, Pat Whitaker, is a grandmother to 6, and her grandma name depends on who's speaking. Check out: https://legacycoalition.com/ for some helpful grandparent resources!
In search of wisdom from actual grands & great-grands, this is the first in a series of interviews with some of the women who we've admired in these roles. Guest, Nancy Webb, happens to be Renee's own mom, and she's a Nana of 9 and great grandmother to one (so far).
Grandparenting is just one more thing that's changed noticeably over the decades. In the start of this new series, we find out what's new with grandparents--who are they? how do grandparents differ between cultures? What are some of a grandparent's responsibilities and is it reasonable to expect them to enforce bedtimes or a no-sugar rule?
Our interview with Texas mom of seven, Meg Wallace, was full of grace, truth, and more than a few tears. Based on an article she penned a few years ago, Meg talks about what it means for our hearts to be hardened as mothers and what we can do to turn that around. One of our favorite episodes yet!
We hear a lot about the importance of mentors these days. All the cool kids seem to have one. What is a mentor & do you need one? How do you find one and what makes these relationships work? In this episode, we dive into all this and more. Scripture encourages older women to pass their wisdom down to those younger. We could all use a helping hand and some encouragement at times!
A follow-up to the previous episode (season 6, episode 7), we explore what it means to have an abundant life. Can you have an abundant life even when your heart is broken? In the midst of grief or betrayal? Abundance comes from abiding, no matter what's going on around or inside you. How does that work exactly?
What is an abundant life? Is it even possible when most days we might feel grateful just to make it to bedtime? Who or what steals our promise of abundance and how can we take it back?
Special guest, Kira Whitaker, explains health & wellness and why self-care isn't necessarily as indulgent or "pampery" as it sounds. She's a certified Health & Wellness coach and yoga therapist (owner of Arden Yoga & Wellness). Join us for this enlightening and inspiring conversation!
Whether you love or hate cooking at home, a lot of our time is spent thinking about, preparing, serving, and cleaning up after meals. In this final episode in our HOME series, we talk about some of the ways providing the 18K+ meals for our families is a spiritual exercise at heart. Plus--we have a few tips for planning ahead & how to share the feast with others.
It's rare for a relationship to suddenly rocket off the rails. More likely, we deviate off course a degree at a time. Fortunately, there are some do-able and practical efforts we can make to "course correct" on a regular basis to maintain the direction we want to grow in!
We lay out our top 10 "rules for life," otherwise known as stuff that's worked for us over the years. Join us for this line up of part-wisdom/part-opinion!
Special guests, Marisa Bailey and Katelyn Sproles, join us for a conversation from two points of view: a parent raising kids in a different culture and a kid who was raised that way. Both lived in Tanzania, East Africa, for many years and have felt the effects of crossing back and forth between cultures and navigating the differences. Third Culture Kids (TCKs) definitely have a different worldview than the rest of us!
What goes into choosing a home? Are there some features in particular families should look for? We walk down memory lane a bit in this episode with Rachel Farrell as we talk about what made our houses "home." (Pre-recorded and pre-aired on the RACHEL FARRELL SHOW.)
While this isn't "the birds & the bees" talk, on this episode we talk about body parts and frequently asked questions by parents of toddlers and young kids. Is it just our American culture with its Puritan roots that makes us uneasy with brazen nakedness or is it something else? How do we educate our kids without shaming them and still give them a sense that their body--ALL of it--is fearfully and wonderfully made?
There's something in all of us that aches for home. When our homes are threatened--by natural disaster or other catastrophe, it can be disorienting and shake our sense of safety. On this episode, our guest is Tiffany Wax Mangus, who lost her new home suddenly through a fire ignited by a gas leak. She, her husband, and sons were safe, but most everything they'd worked for was gone in a matter of hours. She walks us through an emotional time, when her family discovered where their faith lay and th...
For many parents, their kids' transition into tween or teen can feel abrupt and personal. Most of the things teenagers cope with and act out about are universal, and we can do ourselves (and them) a favor by recognizing when and how to react. Psychologist Lisa Damour's book, The Emotional Lives of Teenagers, is a helpful resource when navigating the white water of kids ages 12-20.
We may be on top of it when it comes to intellectual, physical, and emotional training of our kids, but many of us feel inadequate or forget to address the spiritual side of our kids. How do we talk to our children about God, salvation, and things they might witness in church? This JAM episode gives you ideas, age by age, on what kids can comprehend and when and how to introduce concepts and practices to help children grow spiritually.
Part 5 in our Home Series, this episode focuses on our homes being a temporary reflection of our eternal home. What features does a Christian home have and how can we set our sights on things beyond the laundry and dishes? What does it mean to be Christ-centered?
A fantastic & informative interview with father of 4 and self-described tech nerd, Doug Smith, author of the book Unintentional: How Screens Secretly Shape Your Desires and How You Can Break Free. A companion episode to our "Should My Kid Watch That?" conversation, we dig into what (or who) is behind the screens, apps, & games we use and look at some practices that might help us take back the reins.
Tech & kids. As more research comes out, more of us are catching onto the effects screens may have on our kids. Especially our youngest ones. We asked our listeners: what have you noticed in your kids after they watch certain TV programs or have screen time? And you responded! This episode has some great resources for parents curious about this issue!
Our concept of home starts with relationships. Even very young children know home is where their favorite people live. It's also where we learn (or don't) to love our Creator. In this episode, we look at how home can teach us to love God and one another better and we run down some practical ways to practice the art of "welcoming."
