Pardon the Mess

Many families today are navigating life with neurodivergent children, from ADHD to dyslexia to autism, and it can feel overwhelming to know how to best support them.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Kelly Cagle, host of Parenting IQ, who has a passion for helping moms create refreshing rhythms at home. She shares personal stories, research-backed insight, and practical ways parents can better support kids with ADHD.

One of my favorite parts of this conversation was her encouragement for parents to truly understand their kids, to see the unique and beautiful way their brains process the world. It can be tempting to try to force neurodivergent kids into more typical patterns of behavior, but when we learn how their brains work, we can lead with empathy and help set them up to thrive.

I learned so much from this conversation, and I think it will really encourage parents walking this road.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Hosts

01:12 Personal and Professional Background of Dr. Kelly Cagle

03:05 Understanding ADHD: Definitions and Personal Experiences

05:30 Challenges in Traditional Education for ADHD Children

10:59 The Impact of Society and Genetics on ADHD

15:52 Navigating Parenting with ADHD: Systems and Support

19:06 Understanding Neurodiversity in Parenting

21:42 Homeschooling vs. Traditional Education

25:04 Navigating Diagnoses and Labels

30:43 Practical Strategies for Parents

32:00 The Journey of Writing a Book

Connect with Pardon The Mess:

Christian Parenting

Pardon The Mess 

Courtney DeFeo

ORDER YOUR 2026-2027 PRAYER JOURNAL NOW

Resources from todays show:

Connect with Kelly

Parenting IQ Podcast

7 Personal Systems to Lower Stress

ADHD is awesome by Penn Holderness

Sign up for Morning Minute

Open a LearningRX center

The Hunt for the Kraken

Lives of Faith and Grace series

Pardon The Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:2031)

One of the most talked about miracles of Jesus is his feeding five thousand people from five loaves of bread and two fish. Imagine being there, listening to Jesus powerfully preach with thousands of other people. It was lunchtime and everyone was hungry and cranky (hangry, if you will); the people needed to eat! But all there was to eat was a small basket of five loaves of bread and two fish from a little boy. That boy willingly offered up his small lunch to Jesus. He didnt have enough, but what he had he gave to Jesus, trusting that he would use it for good.

We dont know what resources our kids will have when they grow up. No matter what they have, God calls them to be generous with it. God is in the business of multiplying.

Whatever we have to offer God, he will multiply it. Whether thats our financial resources, serving others, encouraging others, or spreading the gospel, he will take what we have capacity to give, and he will make it even more. This work requires trust and sacrifice from us; we have to give it away for God to use it. But it is not dependent on our efforts. Its not our efforts or resources that will change lives and bring people to Jesus; it is God working through our efforts and resources.

Lets pray that our kids are generous with their resources and giftings so that God can work through them to expand his kingdom.

Jesus, thank you for taking care of us. I pray that __________ will view their resources and gifts as a blessing from you and hold them loosely, knowing that if they offer them up to you, you will multiply them and bring more people to you. May they always remember that there are no small parts in Gods kingdom. Amen.

If you love this episode and dont have your copy of A Great Cloud of Witnesses yet, its not too late to get yours! Go ChristianParenting.org to get your copy and follow along. And dont forget to tune in to Pardon the Mess every Monday for more prayer episodes. 

Order A Great Cloud of Witnesses today

Pardon the Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Did you know we release a My Virtual Mentor episode once a month? Each one is designed to help you grow and then process what youre learning with a mentor or trusted friend whos a season ahead of you.

This months conversation is one every family needs, but many couples struggle to live out. Im joined by Ashley Willis, speaker, author, and co-host of The Naked Marriage Podcast, to talk about prioritizing your marriage while raising kids.

We all say our marriage comes first, but actually living that way takes intentionality. Ashley shares honest encouragement and practical wisdom for couples who feel stretched thinand especially for those who may be losing hope. Dont miss her practical advice at the end.

If youre just getting started - dont miss the previous episodes:

• My Virtual Mentor: Why Mentorship Matters
• My Virtual Mentor: Intimacy with God
• My Virtual Mentor: Personalities and Temperaments
• My Virtual Mentor: Stewardship & Generosity 
• My Virtual Mentor: Time Management & Creating Margin
• My Virtual Mentor: Identity in Christ (Part 1 and Part 2)

00:00 Introduction 

05:56 Practical Tips for Prioritizing Marriage

08:52 The Role of Counseling in Marriage

11:57 Building a Supportive Community

15:41 Navigating Hard Seasons in Marriage

20:52 The Role of Intimacy in Marriage

24:45 Encouragement for Struggling Moms

27:27 Witnessing God's Miracles in Marriage

31:21 Closing Thoughts and Prayer

MY VIRTUAL MENTOR GUIDE (MARRIAGE)

Scripture to memorize:

Colossians 3:13-14

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Scriptures for prayer and study:

Romans 12:3, I Peter 3:8-9, Philippians 2:1-5, Proverbs 5:15-19

Books for further study:

• Do Marriage Better with  Ashley Willis
• Us In Mind Ted Lowe
• Marriage Paul David Tripp
• You and Me Forever Francis and Lisa Chan

Discussion questions:

What is the most rewarding part of being married?

What is the most challenging part of being married?

What are your prayers for your marriage?

What is God nudging you to focus on - how you can improve your role in marriage?

Connect with Pardon The Mess:

• Christian Parenting
• Pardon The Mess 
• Courtney DeFeo
• Prefer video? This episode is on YouTube!

ORDER YOUR 2026-2027 PRAYER JOURNAL NOW

Resources from todays show:

• Connect with Ashley
• XO Marriage
• Naked Marriage Podcast 
• Married Into the Family - book by Ashley Willis
• Do Marriage Better - Ashley and Daves latest book
• Resources from Titus 2 Mentoring
• Sign up for Morning Minute
• Christian Parenting
• Open a LearningRX center
• The Hunt for the Kraken

Pardon The Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. (1 John 3:1)

In Mark 3:17 we learn that Jesus gave his disciple John and his brother James the nickname sons of thunder. There was probably a good reason for that nickname, likely their enthusiastic and passionate faith. But interestingly, John later refers to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved (John 13:23). So why the change? It seems a little odd and not quite the humility that Christ calls us to.

John had a close relationship with Jesus. Through all his experiences with Jesus, all the miracles he witnessed and lessons he was taught, John truly knew he was loved by Jesus. John spent so much time with Jesus that he was changed from a thunderous man of faith to one who was immersed in perfect love.

Gods love leaves a permanent mark. Even when life is hard, we can be confident that Gods love is real, constant, and personal. His love isnt just something we read about in the Bible or hear about at church; its something that we can experience every single day. We want our kids to walk so closely with God that they are changed from the inside outsoft yet emboldened, gentle yet confident. And we want our kids to stand firm in their faith, knowing that God truly, perfectly loves them.

Lets pray that our kids know how much God loves them and are transformed because of that love.

Jesus, thank you for loving us perfectly. Help __________ know that you love them and are there for them. Give them a heart to follow you and remind them that they can rely on your love. As they grow in faith, may they spend so much time with you that they change and become like you. Amen.

If you love this episode and dont have your copy of A Great Cloud of Witnesses yet, its not too late to get yours! Go ChristianParenting.org to get your copy and follow along. And dont forget to tune in to Pardon the Mess every Monday for more prayer episodes. 

Order A Great Cloud of Witnesses today

Pardon the Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Its easy to lose yourself in motherhood. In this episode, Ashlee Gadd shares how moms can rediscover their creativity and passionseven in the chaos of raising kids.

We talk about embracing the truth that were all creative, making space for joy in every season, and why hospitality doesnt have to be perfect to matter.

Ashlees new book, Youre in Good Company, explores friendship, motherhood, and showing up for one another. I hope this conversation encourages you to carve out a little margin for what brings you life.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

04:00 The Nature of Creativity in Motherhood

08:12 The Importance of Modeling Creativity

11:34 Finding Connection with Growing Children

18:11 The Impact of Intentional Gifts

21:01 Navigating Creative Identity as a Mother

27:21 Embracing New Seasons of Motherhood

29:19 The Importance of Self-Care in Creativity

Connect with Pardon The Mess:

Christian Parenting

Pardon The Mess 

Courtney DeFeo

ORDER YOUR 2026-2027 PRAYER JOURNAL NOW

Resources from todays show:

Connect with Ashlee

Coffee and Crumbs

Youre In Good Company (pre-order her new book)

Create Anyway (recent book on motherhood and creativity)

Sign up for Morning Minute

Christian Parenting

Open a LearningRX center

Prefer video? This episode is on YouTube!

Pardon The Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org