Good Boundaries and Goodbyes with Lysa Terkeurst
Come join this conversation about setting healthy boundaries, which seems especially timely as we head into the holiday season. Boundaries can be challenging – in marriage, in family, work, church, and all relationships. Lysa Terkeurst, best-selling author and founder of Proverbs 31 ministries, joins us to talk about a biblical understanding of boundaries. She offers helpful guidelines for recognizing when and where we need to set boundaries, and she shares a bit of her own difficult story that led her to this topic. She also brings the concept home with some relatable (and fun) illustrations.
Lysa and I talk about modeling boundaries for our kids and how we need to practice our own good boundaries as our kids grow into adulthood (gulp). I think you’ll find a lot of wisdom and practical encouragement in what Lysa shares. Find show notes and links to all that we talk about on my website:
www.monicaswanson.com/episode-183
Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast
Preparing for a Grace-Filled Holiday Season, with Lana Stenner
This week's guest ushers us into the holidays with wisdom, grace, and laughter.
Grab a cup of coffee and join Lana Stenner and I for a fun chat about raising goats and chickens, the joy of grown kids who still gather around the table, and perspectives that will lead us into the holidays embracing a slower, simpler rhythm. (How good does that sound!?)
Lana Stenner is a homesteading, goat-and-chicken raising, garden-growing mom who doesn’t take herself too seriously. Her new book, The Grace-Filled Homestead is irresistible, with the most beautiful photos, delicious recipes, helpful household tips, and wisdom from the farm. In today’s episode we talk about Lana’s journey to becoming a homesteader, family lessons she has learned, and wisdom for facing the holidays in the midst of busy family seasons. Lana also shares about her brain tumor diagnosis, and how that impacted her in the middle of writing a book. I hope this interview will be a breath of fresh air to you as you enter the holiday season!
www.monicaswanson.com/episode-182
Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast
Give Your Son an Emotionally Healthy Foundation
This is the 10th part of the 2022 monthly feature on the podcast, covering the “12 Things Your Son Needs Most from You” from my book, Boy Mom. Today I am sharing some snippets from Chapter 11 – A Lot Going On. In this chapter I focus on the things we can do as parents to prepare our sons for an emotionally healthy future.
I talk about the importance of an emotional vocabulary, how to communicate with our sons about their feelings, and the surprising value of family togetherness. I talk about how we might model emotional resilience, even when we are feeling stressed or anxious. I cover many ways we can equip our sons with coping skills for emotional health – from self-awareness to understanding an internal locus of control. We talk about navigating hard times (including depression, anxiety, and bullying) and the importance of teaching our boys to get help when they need it! There is a lot in this chapter, and as always, I am offering a free printable download: Dinnertime conversation starters for your family! Find more in show notes:
www.monicaswanson.com/episode-181
Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast
Live Your Truth and Other Lies we Need to Prepare our Kids for, with Alisa Childers
“Live your truth,” “Follow your heart”, “God wants you to be happy”…the list goes on of popular cultural messages that sound so good…but do not line up with Scripture. As harmless as these memes and messages may seem, they have great potential to lead our kids down a very dangerous path. These cultural messages are not only all over on social media and the world of entertainment, but many of them have found their way into Christian communities.
Alisa Childers, once known for her role in the popular Christian band, ZOEgirl, now spends her time writing and speaking on the topic of apologetics. In her recent book, Live Your Truth and Other Lies, Alisa uncovers the most common lies our kids are being raised with. Many of these lies are candy-coated with just enough truth that we often don’t recognize them. In today’s interview, Alisa tackles some of the most common lies our kids are being confronted with and offers us some helpful perspectives and talking points so that we might teach our kids the Truth.
I can’t think of a more important tool for our kids than the ability to compare cultural messages to God’s Word. Alisa is so helpful on this topic, no matter what age your children, I think you’ll get a lot out of this interview! Find show notes and links to Alisa’s books in show notes:
www.monicaswanson.com/episode-180
Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast
Big announcements + Parenting Q & A!
This is an episode I have been so excited to share! I begin with a few announcements, one of which is about a big decision I am asking for your help with (see link to a short survey in show notes!) With my new book, Raising Amazing, coming out in February, I will also be making some changes in the podcast. I can’t wait to share them with you!
Next I dive into as many questions from podcast listeners as I can. I cover everything from helping a tween/teen to take responsibility for things to working moms and time management, to a teenager struggling with his faith. I think there is something in this one for everyone. I hope you enjoy!
www.monicaswanson.com/episode-179
Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast
Take short survey HERE and be entered to win a giveaway!
Take Back Your Joy, with Nicole Jacobsmeyer
Life can be incredibly challenging, and pain and suffering are a part of the human experience. (I wish they were not.) We will all face difficult times, and when you are a parent, the way you respond to difficulties has an impact on the generations that follow you. Today’s guest, Nicole Jacobsmeyer has faced her fair share of difficulties. From being a medical residency spouse (that’s hard, I know from experience!) to miscarriage, to cancer – all in a short time frame with three little boys in her care.
Though Nicole has battled depression and hopelessness, her faith and her kids have inspired her to choose purpose and joy in the midst of hard seasons. In her brand new book: Take Back Your Joy, Nicole shares the hard and vulnerable parts of her story, while encouraging readers to face their own battles with supernatural faith. Whatever season you are in, I think you’ll feel like you’ve found an honest friend in Nicole! Find out more and get links over in show notes…
www.monicaswanson.com/episode-178
Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast
Raising (Physically) Healthy Boys, with Monica
This is the ninth part of the 2022 monthly feature on the podcast, covering the “12 Things Your Son Needs Most from You” from my book, Boy Mom. Today I am sharing some snippets from Chapter 10 – Body Wise. This chapter covers some of the ways we can help our boys to grow up to be active, healthy, and motivated to take care of themselves for a lifetime.
When our kids are young they depend on us for all of their health choices, and that is no small responsibility. As they grow up, we can still teach and coach and guide them in their decisions. I share some of the ways Dave and I have done this with our boys and things I’ve learned from friends who have navigated: overweight kids, picky eaters, and all the rest! I hope this offers you some food for thought (haha, catch that?) and maybe springboards you into some good conversations with your family about health…now and in their future!
Be sure to check show notes for all of the links I mention, and a free download with some “boy-approved” (healthy-ish) foods we try to keep on hand for our boys!
www.monicaswanson.com/episode-177
Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast
Navigating Video Games with Your Kids
This week I am bringing back an episode from the past on a topic that is on a lot of parents' minds. I get asked about kids and video games, a lot, and have never felt qualified to give a comprehensive answer. We are not much of a video game family, but I am not fully anti-video game, either. So, I have always wanted to bring someone on who has an educated, balanced approach. Boy did this conversation exceed my expectations!!
Liz Busby, a researcher and writer for the Protect Young Minds website (now called, "Defend Young Minds",) a dedicated mom to four, and an enthusiastic gamer herself, 😯 joins us today to talk all about kids and video games! Liz shares the pros and cons of allowing our kids to use video games, precautions to take, resources to turn to, and so much more (including her top recommendations for games families can play together and how they might work in our favor(!)
While I have not changed my overall stance on video games for my own family (less is more - focus on outdoor activities, physical and academic challenges, etc. and use video games "occasionally") there is no doubt -- THIS was a surprising, fascinating, and really fun conversation. I also just might be trying some new games with my family soon!
More good news: Liz is sharing all of her notes with Boy Mom listeners over in show notes. See link below!
www.monicaswanson.com/episode-176
Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast
Growing up to Love God and His Word, with Josiah Swanson
I hear from a lot of parents who want to raise their kids to know and love God’s Word but are afraid of pushing too hard, or worried their kids might rebel against church and faith. My oldest son, Josiah (23) joins us today to share his faith journey, from his earliest years, through some years of doubt and questioning, and on to where he is today: A young man who loves God and cherishes the Word of God.
Josiah answers questions sent in by listeners, including how he suggests responding to a teenager who doesn’t want to go to church, as well as a couple questions about choosing colleges. Find links to things Josiah and I mention over in show notes, and follow Josiah on his European travels on his Instagram feed!
www.monicaswanson.com/episode-175
Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast