Don't Mom Alone Podcast

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

Links Mentioned:

Direct download: SofM2018ChrystalHurstwk2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:30am CDT

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.

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:

**Amazon Affiliate Link

Direct download: SofM2018Wk1SheilaWalsh.mp3
Category:healing -- posted at: 12:30am CDT

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.

Links Mentioned:

**Amazon affiliate link

Direct download: GCMKirkMartinEp210.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:30am CDT

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.

Links Mentioned:

**Amazon affiliate link

Direct download: GCMSaundraDaltonSmithEp209.mp3
Category:healing -- posted at: 12:30am CDT

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