Do you have a daughter or son headed off to college or maybe a high school senior? This episode is for you! I gathered three college sophomores and asked them all the questions. What are your dorm tips? Study tips? Rush tips? Now, these are three girls. So, I imagine we need to do another episode with some guys - because their perspective would be different. However, so much of what they shared is universal and helpful to all.
Camryn, Caroline and Lucy offered such amazing encouragement for college kids on how to keep their faith a priority. I loved how they gave very practical tips from finding a mentor, finding a church, getting coffee with new friends and making a choice to spend time with God.
My favorite part is when they share about what they appreciate about their moms. Its so fun to hear from the mouths of grown kids what mattered in their lives. I pray that it will encourage you to keep loving God and loving your kids well.
(00:00) Introduction and Dorm Essentials
(05:40) Study Tips for College Success
(11:28) Navigating Rush: Tips and Insights
(17:02) Maintaining Faith in College
(22:49) Appreciating Parents and Their Influence
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Resources Mentioned
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We made it to the end of the Empty Nester Wisdom series! If you missed any of these episodes, I encourage you to go back and be sure you have a notebook. Each guest brought such wisdom and godly encouragement for all seasons of parenting, but especially the empty nest season.
Im so grateful for these women and the timing of this series. God knew I needed these chats just before I send Ella off to college.
Todays guest is a dear friend and a trusted pastor of mine - Heidi Miller. She has been in ministry over 20 years and is currently serving as the Next Steps Pastor at my church, Compass Church. In this weeks episode, she shares about her journey with anxiety and what God has taught her through it all.
Whether your child is headed to pre-K or college or their first job, it is so easy to lay awake at night and just marinate in the worry. Heidi gives us such practical ways we can power through anxiety with God by our side. He has met her in anxiety through worship, prayer and community.
My favorite part is when she circles back to remind us all - that the thing she worried about most with Carlee was the very thing God used to transform her life. Praying you find deep encouragement and practical support today with this episode.
Enjoy
Courtney
(00:00) Navigating Empty Nesting and Friendship
(02:42) Understanding Anxiety in Parenting
(05:31) The Journey of Acknowledging Anxiety
(08:31) Finding God's Voice Amidst Anxiety
(11:27) Practical Steps to Combat Anxiety
(14:14) The Power of Community and Prayer
(15:31) Navigating Parenting Challenges
(19:08) The Importance of Prayer and Community
(21:54) Surrendering to God at Night
(24:49) Building Faith Through Everyday Moments
(28:40) Creating a Welcoming Home for Others
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Resources from todays show:
Connect with Heidi
Sisterhood/Mentor Event at Compass
Christy Nockels - King Who Never Sleeps
Worship Playlist by Heidi and Courtney
Pardon The Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org
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Wendy Blight is a passionate woman of God that has written numerous Bible studies and books to equip us as believers. She is on staff at Proverbs 31 and has encouraged and equipped countless moms through her career. This episode will feel like a warm embrace that only God can give.
Wendy has a unique gift of bringing grace, authentic support and deep encouragement wherever she goes. We need that as moms because we can be so hard on ourselves. This episode will leave you feeling really seen and really encouraged - no matter how its going at your house.
I loved how we ended with Gods word and how to make time for it. She offers grace yet again by recognizing the various seasons of motherhoods. If you have littles, getting a shower can feel daunting. So listen in as she shares some tips on staying close to God in every season of motherhood.
Enjoy!
Courtney
(00:00) Introduction and Family Background
(02:58) Wendy's Journey with Proverbs 31 Ministries
(05:51) Navigating the Empty Nest Phase
(08:32) The Importance of Communication and Apologies
(11:33) Maintaining Relationships with Adult Children
(14:16) Understanding Different Beliefs in Parenting
(17:13) Lessons from Motherhood and Prayer
(20:03) Reading the Bible in Different Seasons
(22:47) Addressing Anxiety and Mental Health
(25:42) Encouragement for Moms Facing Challenges
(28:26) Closing Thoughts and Prayer
Connect with Pardon The Mess:
A GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESSES PRAYER JOURNAL
Resources from todays show:
Connect with Wendy Blight
Rest for your soul by Wendy Blight
Pardon The Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org
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Happy Summer folks!
This is the first episode in this series that I did not cry. Youre welcome. I wanted to get super practical with this one and asked Chrystal Hurst Evans to bring her best empty nest tips for us. She shares about ways we can start training and teaching our kids to live without us. From budgeting to cooking - she explains that much of this training happens well before their senior year. Its a mindset shift earlier that helps make us all ready for those launching years.
As a writer, speaker and gatherer, Chrystal has a massive passion for women and how to get us up and moving towards goals. She is that you can do it friend that will light a fire under your overwhelmed body.
My favorite is when she shares about how to be a student of yourself. She reminds us that we each have massive skills and gifts from God and we often need our circle of friends to point those out. As moms, we often lose confidence in our skills and it can cause fear as the kids leave the home. What will I do now? Do I have what it takes to change directions or careers now that my time is more flexible? Praying this episode greatly encourages you and provides practical ways to equip you and your family for a new season.
In this episode, we chat about:
- Drawing boundaries with adult kids
- Teaching financial responsibility
- Learning yourself again - gifts, passions and skills
- Prioritizing prayer as you have less control
Enjoy!
Courtney
(00:00) Introduction and Personal Background
(03:03) Navigating the Challenges of Parenting
(05:45) Building a Business with Family
(08:50) Preparing for Empty Nesting
(11:42) The Importance of Early Independence
(14:29) Rediscovering Personal Passions
(17:24) Recognizing Transferable Skills
(19:37) The Journey of Self-Discovery
(22:51) Embracing Change in Marriage
(30:17) Faith and the Empty Nest Experience
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Resources from todays show:
Connect with Chrystal
Join the Sister Circle
100 Days to Discovering the Gift of You - Chrystals latest book
Pardon The Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org
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We have another great episode in the Empty Nester Wisdom series with Empty Nest Coach and host of the Midlife Momma Podcast, Pamela Henkelman. It was so fun to watch her soar in this conversation and its clear she has a passion in this phase of motherhood.
Pamela shares that this is a very sweet time of life that we can enjoy. We dont need to dread this transition. Its a season where we can rediscover our purpose and our joy. I know she will get you excited to look ahead to this new phase with excitement not dread.
My favorite part is when she talks about her intentional thinking around relationships. She doesnt just prioritize the relationship with her kids, she aims at loving their spouses well. Even if youre 10 years out from being an in-law, tuck away this wisdom from a seasoned mom that is running her empty nest race well.
In this episode, we chat about:
- Allowing children to grow independently
- Connecting with their spouses
- Choosing your words wisely with adult children
- Letting go of expectations with holidays
Enjoy!
Courtney
Chapters
(00:00) Introduction and Personal Connections
(02:57) Transitioning to Empty Nest Coaching
(05:55) Navigating Relationships with Adult Children
(08:57) Setting Boundaries with Adult Children
(11:58) The Role of Spouses and In-Laws
(15:00) Rediscovering Identity in Midlife
(18:01) Embracing New Opportunities
(20:49) Creating a Welcoming Home Environment
(24:03) Success Stories and Client Transformations
(26:46) Conclusion and Resources
Connect with Pardon The Mess:
2025-2026 Prayer Journal: A Great Cloud of Witnesses
Resources from todays show:
Connect with Pamela Henkelman
Free! 10 things NOT to say to your adult child
Sheepgate - addiction recovery in Iowa
Pardon The Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org
Our Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.com
* Check out Mr. Pen and use my code MESS10 for a great deal: https://mrpen.com
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