Summary: You see “her” speaking in a sweet singing voice to her children. Or “her” perfectly decorated, should-be-in-a-magazine, home. Or “her” children in matching holiday attire, hands to themselves and smiling beautifully.<br> And frustration turns to anger when you compare your reality to “her” fantasy.<br> But there’s hope.<br> It comes from today’s podcast guest, <a href="http://susanseay.com/">Susan Seay</a>.<br> <br> Susan’s goal is to help families live intentionally. As a homeschooling (web-savvy) mom to 7 children (1 boy, 6 girls), she’s had lots of experience working towards that goal.<br> Thankfully Susan is real. She shares her own struggles and hard places. She offers encouragement and tangible help.<br> About five years ago Susan began helping authors and speakers create online courses/webinars to connect with audience (<a href="http://www.apowerfulmoment.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.apowerfulmoment.com</a>). Now she is hosting her own webinars for moms, called <a href="http://susanseay.com/moms-night-out-online/">“Mom’s Night Out Online”.</a><br> Since this episode first aired in December of 2014, Susan has written “The Intentional Parent” book and created <a href="http://susanseay.com/shop/">“Intentional Parent Card Sets”</a> with fabulous, conversation starting questions to ask your kids.<br> <br> What we talk about:<br> <br> * How Susan started hosting webinars (and why she’s a great friend)<br> * The time of day Susan was most aware of her anger & the personal rule she implemented.<br> * How our frustrations are often rooted in expectations &/or comparison<br> * Importance of pinpointing the trigger of frustration and the response<br> * How to reframe your parenting approach. . .picking your top 3 core values.<br> * The need to choose core values that honor who you are & not pick what you “think” you should be<br> * An illustration God showed Susan for His perspective on how her friendships were changing.<br> * What one thing Susan wants moms to know.<br> * What one mothering mistake Susan made & how she changed.<br> * The breaking point she reached and the discovery she and her husband made—the idols they had made out of the things God had called them.<br> <br> GCM Podcast Club Discussion Questions:<br> <br> Being a mother is the ultimate refiner’s fire. What are some ways motherhood is refining you to be the person God made you to be? <br> Do you feel a struggle between emotional responses to your children and intentional responses? Identify some areas where you would like to be more intentional with your parenting.<br> Susan shares about choosing 3 core values for your family and parenting with those as your focus. What would be on your list of top 3 values? Include your family in the process of choosing values!<br> In life, friends will come in and out of our lives as they follow the path God has for them. Do you have a friend who has moved out of close contact with you? Take time to pray for her. Ask God for an encouragement to send her. We all need it!<br> In what ways do you identify with Susan in feeling the burden to make sure your kids “turn out ok”? Take a moment to surrender your kids to God and let him speak over you what your role as a mom really is. <br> <br> Links Mentioned:<br> <br> * <a href="http://susanseay.com/moms-night-out-online/">Mom’s Night Out Online with Susan</a><br> * <a href="http://www.strengthsfinder.com/home.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">StrengthsFinder</a><br> <br> Connect with Susan:<br> <a href="http://susanseay.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Site</a> :: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SusanLSeay" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Facebook</a> :: <a href="https://twitter."></a>
