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Get your free download of “25 great questions – to get kids talking”

Feeling stuck in parenting? I get that. Many times, I have felt worn out and out of ideas. I always have the desire to connect with my kids and honestly I just get stuck and weary. Here are 25 ideas for you as a mom – to reconnect with your kids at any stage or age.

Happy National Daughters Day. I’ll take any exc

Happy National Daughters Day.

I’ll take any excuse to look back at pictures and smile.

I adore you both. I absolutely LOVE who you are individually and as sisters. I dreamed of having a daughter. And somehow I got two. Beyond grateful I get to be your mom. 💙💚

Kind of odd for a podcaster to say “silence the

Kind of odd for a podcaster to say “silence the noise.” But here’s the reminder we all need.

There is info and messages flying at you every day. Podcasts, emails, social media, DMs, texts - gosh it’s so much. Here’s a few tips and I am preaching to myself.

1. EDIT
Pay attention to how you feel at the end of the day with info overload. We have to manage that. There was a season I listened to zero podcasts and read zero parenting books. I was overwhelmed. Sometimes I hide or silence accounts. Sometimes I delete apps. It’s okay to edit. Even if it’s me :) Give yourself permission to do what’s best for your heart, mind and soul.

2. FOCUS
The best part about the digital age is that there’s a resource for everything. Try to focus on top areas you want to grow and focus. Pause the others. I’m learning about parenting teens and getting healthy so that’s my current focus personally.

3. DISCERN
After you listen or read- I try to discern if it’s for me. I pray that my podcast is a conversation starter and then you get to decide where you go next.

4. PRAY
Was message or resource condemning or convicting? Those are different. I like growth after learning / not that shaming feeling. Pray God allows you to let go of unnecessary info. Pray He helps you discern what HE is saying /specifically to you above all else. I pray that we consume His word above all else.

Friends I mean it- I’m already annoyed with my voice. I will never ever assume or expect even my closest people and family to even catch every message.

My true prayer is that each podcast episode speaks to who needs to hear that message and that God will use it to encourage parents’ hearts and find him.

@pardonthemesspodcast

❤️

Childhood cancer is impacting so many families and

Childhood cancer is impacting so many families and friends in my community. Can we do something together? Can we pray for some of these kiddos by name tonight?

Please pray for…

- RUBY
- AG
- NAKISO

Please share more names in comments.

What seeds are you watering at your house? I rem

What seeds are you watering at your house?

I remember when my parents moved into this house and the stone walls were empty. And over the last 16 years- the landscaping is truly beautiful. The gardenias that smell like my grandmother are beyond massive. The ivy that lines this wall feels like you’re living in a fairytale. The hydrangeas and ferns are bustling.

It didn’t just happen.

My parents had a plan . They planted seeds and nurtured each item. They pruned. They watered. They killed off weeds.

We know this principle of planting seeds is so true in parenting and it’s biblical.

Let me just illustrate some that I believe can take over like weeds in your home.

- Negativity. Be super careful how you talk about every kid, every situation, every teacher, every single situation. That blanket of negativity can start to root and become the norm. See the good. Point out the good. Stay positive.

- Worst case. I have had seasons when I assume the worst about everyone and I’ve watched my kids follow suit. That does nothing helpful. Yes - be real and be strong and don’t get bullied. I truly believe assuming the BEST in people ESPECIALLY KIDS is a seed worth planting.

- Drama. As they age- we gotta back up. Some of my biggest regrets as a parent have been moments I’ve been too involved. Often our intention to help and smooth and fix are from a good place but it fuels drama. I want to be a parent that de-escalates drama. Backing up plants seeds of grace and trust when we let the situation play out - even if it fails.

You got this. Let’s plan seeds of positivity, believing the best in others and less drama today . ❤️

Do you feel exhausted, unmotivated and depressed?

Do you feel exhausted, unmotivated and depressed?

I know these feelings. I didn’t know I could feel like myself again. It’s been years of pain, years of medications and I thought the old me would never return.

I have so much to share in this area. Yes there are headaches, but far less. My friend said, “your face is even different, you look alive again.”

There’s so much to tell you from healing prayers to women speaking over my life to fighting warfare to massive clean outs in my internal and physical space.

I just want to remind you - if you find yourself in years of feeling “off” or unwell… Do not lose hope. Hang in there. One foot in front of the other. Keep praying.

I understand how overwhelming it can be when things seem too hard to fix. God has met me in this. And there’s still more coming!

I feel 100 pounds lighter yet actually haven’t lost a physical pound. Another post- how we equate ultimate health with our appearance is so whacked out.

Thank you to so many for praying for me over the years. Glory to God. Humbled by it all.

Does anyone else have a mind that wanders? Yes I k

Does anyone else have a mind that wanders? Yes I know I have ADD but I can’t take the medicine because it makes my migraines worse. Just a glimpse of the thoughts that ran through my head today.

Can you relate ?

As I’m aging - I feel less compelled to act on each thought. I’m learning that God will bring that thought back to me if needed. And if it’s like “check to see last flu shot timing for kids” - I gotta write it down or put in my notes.

Enjoy a peak into my brain that doesn’t turn off. In no particular order.

1. I wonder what dessert I’ll get at dinner tonight and do I have to share.

2. I strangely love laundry.

3. I think I am obsessed with shopping for the girls. Why? because I get to pick out things I can’t fit into? Bc I’m living vicariously through them? Hmm.

4. @meshali is one of the most authentic humans I’ve ever met. I’d buy anything she’s selling.

5. I think the pressure to have a platform in the book writing world is cruel for first time authors. I get it. Publishing is a business but man it crushes some folks with the lie that their book idea or message isn’t good enough.

6. Why don’t I shave my legs every day! It’s just not that hard.

7. My friend @kocpbc said “if it can be done in less than 2 minutes” - just do it. She’s right !!! Gosh today went better just getting crap done right away. Hang the towel, put the brush back, call her back.

8. When I get sad about the little years gone… I hope I quickly transition to gratitude. I got to be a mom. I got to be their mom. And it’s not over.

9. I am so glad @laurenllouk was born.

10. Does the pedicure actually make my feet and heels worse? Is it a marketing and sales ploy to make me dependent on the nasty shaving of foot dead skin.

That’s all. Happy weekend.

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© 2023 Courtney DeFeo • Site by Erin Ulrich Creative

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