Don't Mom Alone Podcast

Summer of Mentorship Week Two Chrystal Hurst

Chrystal is a real life friend. And one wise woman. Since this episode went live three years ago, she's become. . .a grandmother to two adorable kiddos! But I'll give you a tip. . .before you call her Granny. . . Chrystal prefers the title "MMC" (aka, "Mother of the Mother of the Child" ;). In twelve years of parenting I've learned a thing or two. I've gained confidence in my ability to handle high fevers, distinguish between a backhoe digger and a tractor, and (somewhat regularly) plan weekly meals. But most days I feel just as clueless as my first day home from the hospital.  When I sat on the closet floor cried buckets while cradling a screaming newborn. And had no idea how to stop either of our tears. These days it's sibling arguments I fear may rival world wars. Or strong wills that no military force could conquer. Or the noise, chaos and never-ending mess that leave me feeling like a pair of dirty socks in the spin cycle. But I have one strategy that always helps. . . Asking moms who've gone before me for perspective. Showing me what matters and what doesn't. Helping me navigate these days with faith and grace. On today's podcast I've invited Chrystal Evans Hurst, mom to five to fill our mom hearts with nuggets of truth and wisdom.   What we talked about: * The realization Chrystal had when she turned 40 * What Chrystal wants to make sure every mom knows * The parenting advice Corrie Ten Boom gave Chuck Swindoll * How to handle the shame or blame from those around us * How to grow in confidence as a mother * How to help and give grace to new moms * How knowing the commonalities between ages 2, 12, 20 helps you parent better * How to be the compassionate counselor to your children * How to calmly set boundaries and appropriately direct emotions * What God can accomplish and inspire you through prayer * The impact of how your face communicates acceptance * Three final tips Chrystal wants moms to know Connect with Chrystal: Site :: Instagram :: Twitter :: Facebook Links Mentioned: * Chrystal on Ep 172 "Rescuing the Girl Inside You"  * Chrystal's Chronicles Podcast * "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." James 1:5 * Toni Morrison on Oprah (video below. . .if reading via email click here)   What are your top 3 mom strengths? How to listen to the podcast: 1.Listen on the blog. Click through to GodCenteredMom.com and click the play button at the beginning of this post. 2. Listen on your smartphone, iPad or iPod Touch – There are a lot of great podcasting apps. Apple has a free one (that I mentioned) in the app store,

Summer of Mentorship Wk 1 Sheila Walsh

Just like last year we'll be republishing older episodes for the next six weeks. I'll be enjoying a much needed Sabbath and y'all will get a chance to hear episodes you may not have heard yet (or reminded of ones you loved in the past)! Here's a preview of what's coming: Our first featured mentor is the fabulous Sheila Walsh!! "God had no grandchildren. He only had sons and daughters. Faith is something you have to choose for yourself." Those words started Sheila Walsh on a journey to know God and His love for her. From the tragic death of her father to professional success as 700 club co-host to discover freedom and peace in a psychiatric ward, Sheila shares a bit of her beautiful broken story. "Suffering can be a gift from God. Because it really draws you closer to His heart. And a greater understanding that it's never about me getting it right its about Christ who came to make everything right." This may be a "top ten favorite" interview for me. I've been a fan of Sheila and her work for years. But her wisdom and God's grace in this episode ministered to me in a way and time that I needed most. Resonating with my soul that "through the broken places Christ's love is closest to us." We also talk about fun ways to share the good news of God's Word with your kids. How to keep the conversation open and allow our kids to ask hard, unanswerable questions. To give them the freedom to speak truth and know it doesn't change God's love for them. Upcoming Live Streaming Event:  "It's Okay Not to be Okay" with Sheila Walsh We've all experienced that moment where we wish we could start all over again. Failed marriages, lost friends, addictions, lost jobs. This is not the life we imagined. Yesterday can sometimes leave us stuck, sad, shamed, scared, and searching. In this brand-new livestream event, best-selling author and trusted Bible teacher Sheila Walsh encourages viewers to face the pain head on and then start again, from right where they are. She shares that when she discovered "I'm not good enough and I'm good with that," everything started to change. This four-session video event is streaming live on September 14-15, 2018, with unlimited replay access until November 30. With a Streaming License, you will also receive a free discussion guide to with practical questions and supplemental Scripture study, perfect to use in your personal devotions, with a group of friends, or as a women's event at your church! Connect with Sheila:   What we chat about: * Sheila's incredible testimony * How brokenness is where God brings His love to us * The story behind "Gigi, God's Little Princess" series * Fun ideas of how the Walsh family did "devotion time" * Allowing our kids to be free to speak truth and ask hard questions * Her latest book in "The Bible is My Best Friend" series to help lead your child to Jesus Links Mentioned: * Will, God's Mighty Warrior** * Gigi, God's Little Princess** * Passion Conferences * The Bible is My Best Friend Bible Storybook** * The Bible is My Best Friend Family Devotional**

The Legacy of a Calm Father Kirk Martin Ep 210

We’ve talked a lot about calm parenting techniques on GCM in the past. It’s something many of us moms have seen work. But this episode is one you may want to listen to and invite your hubby to as well! Founder of Celebrate Calm, Kirk Martin, shares the powerful story of how he went from an angry, tough dad to a calm, coaching dad and why a dad’s role in parenting is so important. I believe this to be true most of the time. If you do not change and if you do not forge that connection with your son, most of those boys will grow up and become angry young men… And I would tell the men too if you have a daughter and if she doesn't know that you like her. And that you accept her as she is even if she is difficult. I guarantee when she gets to her teenage years she's going to seek a man's affection in some teenage boy. What we chat about: Getting dads onboard with Calm Parenting techniques. Working with strong-willed children and how anger and tough punishments don’t work. Fear of failure as a parent is a strong motivator for us in discipline. Kids need to know that we can control ourselves as parents even when they are out control. Discipline means to teach, not to punish. It’s important to build trust with our kids so they know we have their best interests at heart. The idea of first-time obedience and whether it’s Biblical. Strong-willed children may never listen the first time and may do things their own way (but still obey). How our struggle to obey God often mirrors our kids’ struggle to obey. Leading our kids to contrition instead of demanding an apology. Coaching and role playing with our kids to teach them how to respond better in emotional situations. Think of calm techniques as a different tactic for problem solving.  It’s ok to give in from time to time to keep from going crazy (not the same as being “soft”). Try doing the opposite of what you are doing now and see what the response is. Connect with Kirk & Celebrate Calm:   Links Mentioned: * Men’s CD or download: “I Want To Be A Good Dad & Husband!” (2 CDs, 2 hours)   * * How to Stop Yelling, Lecturing & Power Struggles   Episode 62 * Calmly Parenting the Strong Willed Child  Episode 69 * Summer (& Sibling) Survival Guide  Episode 77 * How to Stay Calm with School Stress Episode 88 * Q & A with Kirk Martin Episode 104 * 10 Ways to Stop Meltdowns & Arguments Episode 139 **Amazon affiliate link Featured Sponsors: Write the Word for Kids Cultivate What Matters just debuted their brand new Write the Word for Kids Bible journal! Inspired by their popular Write the Word Bible journals — now uniquely for kids! This journal was created to help kids ages 5-12 dive ...

As moms, we know we need rest. We usually equate rest with sleep or with a vacation, but this week’s guest shares a broader picture of our need for rest in multiple areas of our lives. Saundra Dalton-Smith is a medical doctor, wife and mother to two boys. She had everything she’d dreamed of and worked hard to achieve, but wasn’t enjoying it. I kept pushing and pushing myself till I got to the point where I literally burned out. I wasn't happy with my job. I couldn't see how my marriage would survive. I didn't want my kids anymore. I was just at the end of myself. I didn't want the life I created. After reaching this breaking point, she went on a journey of restoration and healing where she learned to connect with God and with his plan for rest. Now she shares her research and methods with her patients and with all of us. If you’ve ever felt tired and at the end of yourself, this episode is for you. We already have permission to rest, but the mommy guilt that sometimes comes tells us we don’t. That is really a lie. I look at it as the John 10:10. 'The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy.' And he's doing it to a lot of us through our inability to rest, our inability to trust God that when we lay things down that he is able to uphold them. What we chat about: When Saundra reached her breaking point from stress and lack of true rest We have physical limits to what we can do as moms How Saundra researched rest and looked at scripture for clarity on how God rested The seven types of rest: physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, social, sensory and creative. The difference between a vacation and resting Paying attention to a place that feels painful in your body in the moment vs ignoring it Finding emotional rest through connection with friends, even through video chat if getting together is impossible The importance of authentic, open friendships with women who can relate to your life situation Ideas on how to stay engaged with your husband and reignite your marriage Putting limits on social media time so that your mind has down time Tips for getting mental rest and release ideas that make your mind race Sensory rest-- what it is and ways to get it It is not selfish to prioritize resting. It keeps you from having a toxic reaction to those around you. Connect with Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith:         Links Mentioned: * Marco Polo App--way to socially connect * Sacred Rest by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith** * Adventures in Odyssey Club--hundreds of episodes * Rest Quiz Online **Amazon affiliate link Featured Sponsors: Write the Word for Kids Cultivate What Matters just debuted their brand new Write the Word for Kids Bible journal! Inspired by their popular Write the Word Bible journals — now uniquely for kids! This journal was created to help kids ages 5-12 dive into scripture with carefully-chosen verses to write and draw out, Bible Bingo, coloring pages, and sections to write what’s on their heart. The Write the Word for Kids Bible journal is all about planting the seeds of God’s word deep in the heart of your child, and is the perfect activity for them to enjoy alongside you in your...

Which Type of Rest Do You Need Saundra Dalton-Smith Ep 209

In a world where devices, video games and screen-based entertainment dominate our time and space, we can choose to make our family culture different. It isn’t easy and it isn’t always fun, but there are huge benefits for us and our kids when we take time away from devices. This week’s guest Andy Crouch is the author of “The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place”. He shares about our calling to be image bearers of God and how his family has seen a lot of growth by putting limitations on time with technology and building in Sabbath rest from devices. Have moments as a family where you talk about what have been your best moments. What's been the flourishing moments in our family? It's very unlikely people will say, 'Oh that time we made it to level 16 in whatever video game.' Kids and parents will remember moments that had this kind of real authority and real vulnerability. As we head into summer, I hope this episode encourages you to embrace the power of your kids being bored so they can tap into their God-given creativity, abilities and interests. Just hang in there through the first third of the time! Listen to see what I mean. What we chat about: Image bearing as it relates to authority and vulnerability Video games and screened-based entertainment simulate authority and vulnerability Andy’s family’s Sabbath for screens and devices- one hour each day, one day each week and one week each year How to work toward unity on device- and technology-free time with your spouse Start small and do what’s stretching when it comes to taking time without devices Talk as a family about the best times you’ve experienced together and plan to have more of those moments The first third of the time is really hard, but in the second two-thirds you’ll see creativity and really good things for your family Changing your physical space to make the main thing we do together different Work and rest vs. Toil and leisure Not looking at your phone first thing in the morning till you’ve been outside Having a rhythm of disengagement with technology that reconnects us with real rest and with who we really are in God's image. Connect with Andy:   Links Mentioned: "The Tech Wise Family: Putting Technology in its Proper Place" by Andy Crouch ** * "Strong and Weak" by Andy Crouch** **Amazon affiliate link Featured Sponsors: PrepDish Prep Dish meal plans were created by chef & dietician Allison Schaaf to help save you time and put home-cooked meals on the table. No meal time stress. No more answering the dreaded question, “What’s for Dinner?!”. Developed by chef & dietician Allison Schaaf, Prep Dish is a healthy, whole food based meal plan subscription service. Allison does all the planning for you- including easy-to-follow shopping lists and prep-ahead instructions so you know what to prepare and when. Imagine...all of your meals prepped and ready to go for the entire week. We like to call this meal time bliss! Get 2 weeks of meal plans FREE! Go to Prepdish.com/gcm and use coupon code: GCM FabFitFun Seasonal Subscription Boxes  Who else has tried FABFITFUN? If you don't already know about it, it’s a seasonal box, with full-size beauty, fitness and lifestyle products.

Time and Space for Flourishing in a Tech World Andy Crouch Ep 208

Our children are growing up in a digital age with unparalleled access to technology. With these wonderful advances, comes a heavy responsibility we cannot ignore as parents. The access to pornography and sexual images and videos is everywhere and the age of children viewing them is going down.   But there is hope. My guest Ashley Januszewski is all about empowering parents to protect their children by talking candidly with them about God's plan for their bodies and sex from an early age. We talk about everything from sexting and pornography to device control and screen time limits. She shares great resources for how to start these conversations with your children at any age. It's our job as parents, though this is the reality. Not to throw our hands in the air. It is our responsibility just like it is to buckle our children when we get in the car. So it's our responsibility to virtually buckle up our children…. It's everywhere. So it starts and ends with training the heart and equipping our kids. What to do when (not if) they are faced with this avalanche of filth. What do we do? We’ve got to talk about it. What we chat about: The story behind Ashley's pursuit of information on parenting children in the digital age Eleven is the average age for exposure to pornography in America. Fear and anxiety can be signs that a young child has been exposed to something sexually inappropriate. The coming of age experience today in 2018 looks radically different than what we experienced as kids. There aren't the natural barriers that used to exist to pornography. Now it is anonymous, accessible and affordable to anyone. Our responsibility as parents to minimize exposure to pornographic material 40 percent of teenagers today in America say that sending sexual or naked photos or videos is part of everyday life for them. Make a plan for when and how you will introduce digital technology to your children A family mantra or mission statement can help you stay centered on the truth of God in a world that is dominated by opinions How screen time is affecting kids' brains and hours spent on screens by tweens and teens Teaching young children about the dignity and value bodies which can lead to wider conversations Humanizing explicit images and an example of how to talk to your kids when you encounter them Avoiding shame or blame when it comes to sexual images to keep the lines of communication open Solutions for an Internet safer home- control the location of devices, control at the router and control on the devices Sexting and child pornography laws and the importance of reporting Links Mentioned: * Mary Flo Ridley "When to have the Talk" Grace-Based Discipline :: Karis Kimmel Murray [Ep 150]  Theology of the Body for Kids:  * Pornography Jimmy and Josh Myers Ep 162 Good Pictures Bad Pictures: Porn-Proofing Today's Young Kids ** Good Pictures Bad Pictures Jr.: A Simple Plan to Protect Young Minds ** https://www.pcmag.com/roundup/342731/the-best-parental-control-apps-for-your-phone https://protectyoungeyes.com/

Parenting in the Digital Age Ashley Januszewski Ep 207

*Earbud warning...may want to listen without innocent ears hearing as well. ;) This episode is about having great SEX with your husband. Whether that gets you excited or brings up fear in you, please stay and listen to my chat with Nancy Houston. She is a licensed professional counselor and sex therapist who shares candidly about how to overcome barriers to intimacy in marriage. We talk about how to work through sexual pasts, sex after having kids, the impact of porn and sexual addiction on marriage. And how getting healing from your past experiences can draw you closer to your husband. There's a big learning curve to all of this. And you know too many times we treat sex as something that should be automatic and if we love each other this should just work. And that's just not true. I mean statistically 60 percent of couples are having some sort of sexual problem right this minute.  What we chat about: Why the Christian community needs to open up more about sex and healthy intimacy How sex drive changes for women after they’ve had kids The importance of foreplay for women especially God gave us sex as a way to bond us together with our husband Statistically, 60 percent of couples are having some sort of sexual problems at any given minute A woman’s largest sex organ is her brain The need for healing when you’ve experienced sexual abuse How Nancy processed and found healing from the sexual trauma she experienced Porn vs sexual addiction and the need for therapy God made us for intimacy Letting go of the negative aspects you may have built up around the idea of sex Raising our kids to have a healthy view of sexuality 1 Corinthians 7:3-5 and how it references sex in marriage Having your hormones checked, exercise and eating healthy can help your body be prepared for sex Having healthy conversations about sex with your husband (not during sex!) Sex isn’t meant to be a performance, it’s meant to be a way for you and your husband to connect Invite God into the sexual part of your marriage Connect with Nancy:   Links Mentioned: The Power of Sex in Marriage :: Francie Winslow, Ep 61  The Ripple Effect of Healthy Sexual Connection :: Francie Winslow, Ep 138  * Love & Sex A Christian Guide to Healthy Intimacy ** https://www.affairrecovery.com/ Intended for Pleasure: Sex Technique and Sexual Fulfillment in Christian Marriage ** * Birds & Bees with Mary Flo Ridley, "When to Have the Talk"  Birds & Bees--Continuing the Conversation, Ep 153  Nancy's recommended books: * Celebration of Sex, by Doug Rosenau** * Sex Facts for the Family, by Clifford and Joyce Penner** *

Overcoming Barriers to Sexual Intimacy Nancy Houston Ep 206

There is a lot of pressure placed on moms to nurture and care for our families. Add the responsibilities of a full-time job on top of that and it easy to see why being a mom is called the hardest job in the world. My friends Causha Jolly and Stacey McCabe share about life as working moms and the difficult balance they maintain everyday. I love how they share their hearts about being obedient to God’s assignment for them to work outside the home even in the difficult season of mothering little ones. As a community of God-centered moms, we’re called to cheer on our sisters. It’s my hope that this episode will encourage you to bless and support other moms as they obey God. Remember who you are in Christ, remember that you are called, remember that you are a daughter of the most high and never doubt that.  (STAY TUNED. . .later this week I'll release a blog post with more practical ideas on work/life balance from Causha) What we chat about: Causha and Stacy’s motherhood stories and why they chose to work outside the home Why it’s harder for moms to travel and not worry about your kids vs. husbands traveling How to respond when we fear we aren’t enough and struggle under the weight of expectations placed on moms The difficulty of finding care for your kids while you work The false internal judgement of good mom to bad mom scale Feeling a divine assignment from God to be in a certain job How it’s necessary to say, “No” to a lot when you have limited family time The need to show grace for yourself so that you can have grace with your kids Moms can’t be there every moment of every day, but Jesus will always be there Teaching our kids to turn to Jesus to meet every one of their needs Dealing with moments of insecurity as a working mom When we judge a mom for her choices then we miss out on the blessing of supporting her in her obedience Links Mentioned: Kat Armstrong --Motherhood, Career and Identity [episode 171]  Courtney Smallbone--The Day Fear Died  Pine Cove Family Camp * Freakonomics by Steven Levitt** * Whisper by Mark Batterson** * Experiencing God by Blackaby** * Discerning the Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer** **Amazon Affiliate Links Featured Sponsors: PrepDish Prep Dish meal plans were created by chef and dietician Allison Schaaf to help save you time and put home-cooked meals on the table. No meal time stress. No more answering the dreaded question, “What’s for Dinner?!”. Developed by chef and dietician Allison Schaaf, Prep Dish is a healthy, whole food based meal plan subscription service. Allison does all the planning for you- including easy-to-follow shopping lists and prep-ahead instructions so you know what to prepare and when. Imagine...all of your meals prepped and ready to go for the entire week. We like to call this meal time bliss! Get 2 weeks of meal plans FREE! Go to Prepdish.com/gcm and use coupon code: GCM FabFitFun Seasonal Subscription Boxes  Who else has tried FABFITFUN? If you don't already know about it,