Our most trying moments as a parent can quickly spiral into discouragement, hopelessness, and sometimes even resentment toward God or your family—partly because our culture has conditioned us to believe that anything this hard can’t possibly be good for us. If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “Why me, Lord?” today’s podcast guest will resonate with you.  Abbie Halberstadt, (homeschooling) Mom to 10…with two sets of twins in the mix – understands toddler tantrums, mealtime melees, and the backseat blowups. Yet, she has lived out a message that is sure to encourage you.  Learning the difference between “just making it” and Christlike parenting has changed everything for Abbie, and she wants to help other moms find the good…even in the hard! In today’s conversation I ask Abbie more about her life – what led to book writing, and some of the highlights from her recent book, “Hard is Not the Same as Bad”. Find links to all that we talk about over in show notes! www.monicaswanson.com/abbie-halberstadt  Don’t miss MY NEXT BOOK LAUNCH TEAM signups (the group just opened as this releases, but we’ll welcome new team members until the end of the week!)  *find sign-up link in show notes as well.   General podcast page: www.monicaswanson.com/podcast Looking for new math homeschool curriculum? All of my boys have used DIVE/Shormann Math for Bible-based, short-but-thorough science and math lessons, through AP level! They believe it was the best preparation for their college studies in engineering and data analytics. Go to diveintomath to learn more!   The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual resources to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit www.christianparenting.org  Our Sponsors:* Check out Homethreads and use my code MONICA for a great deal: www.homethreads.com* Check out mylifeinabook.com and use code MONICA at checkout for 10% off. Create an unforgettable gift for your mom this Mother’s Day.* Get 15% off on your entire first order at happymammoth.com with code MONICA at checkout. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This one is especially for the boy moms out there! I know you'll love hearing from Durenda Wilson -- Mom to 8 (five boys!) author, podcaster, and someone I consider a virtual mentor -- as she shares from her new book, Raising Boys to Men.   Durenda has homeschooled all of her kids, and now with grown children (and a bunch of grandchildren) she has a lot of wisdom to share. In today’s interview, Durenda addresses our culture’s masculinity crisis with encouragement for moms to celebrate and appropriately direct their boys’ God-given masculinity. She shares an acronym that helps moms remember what their sons need most (“BURP” J ) and some really encouraging words about the importance of work, rough-housing, and how to nurture character and faith in our sons. Whether or not you have boys, I think you will enjoy this conversation!  Find show notes and links to everything we talk about on my website:  www.monicaswanson.com/durenda-wilson  General podcast page: www.monicaswanson.com/podcast  Looking for new math homeschool curriculum? All of my boys have used DIVE/Shormann Math for Bible-based, short-but-thorough science and math lessons, through AP level! They believe it was the best preparation for their college studies in engineering and data analytics. Go to diveintomath to learn more!   The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual resources to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit www.christianparenting.org   Our Sponsors:* Check out Homethreads and use my code MONICA for a great deal: www.homethreads.com* Check out mylifeinabook.com and use code MONICA at checkout for 10% off. Create an unforgettable gift for your mom this Mother’s Day.* Get 15% off on your entire first order at happymammoth.com with code MONICA at checkout. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Who do you want to set the first impressions on your kids on topics like: identity and self worth, sexuality and gender, politics, and other cultural hot topics? I vote YOU DO, Mom and Dad. I think most of us would say that we, the parents, are the best people to begin these conversations. Yet, it is easy to put these (sometimes awkward!) conversations off. But, when we do, our kids are likely learning about them from somebody else (or the internet!)In today’s episode I am encouraging you to “Set the first tracks”, to talk about things before they are things! This is the final episode in my year-long series going over topics from my book: Raising Amazing: Bringing up Kids Who Love God, Like Their Family, and Do the Dishes Without Being Asked! If you are new to the podcast, I encourage you to check the archives for all of the other episodes covering highlights and nuggets from each chapter of my book.  In show notes I am giving away a printable list of "20 Conversations to have with your kids before they launch" and I am also offering a GIVEAWAY of 3 copies of Raising Amazing. So head over to show notes to enter and get all of the links mentioned!  Today’s episode: www.monicaswanson.com/raising-amazing-14 General podcast page: www.monicaswanson.com/podcast Looking for a new homeschool MATH curriculum? Check out DIVE/Shormann math, which is what all of my boys used, which they say well-prepared them for their college studies in engineering and data analytics! Your kids will love these short, Bible-based, SAT-Prep math classes! Go to DIVEintomath.com and see all they have to offer! The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual resources to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit www.christianparenting.org   Our Sponsors:* Check out Homethreads and use my code MONICA for a great deal: www.homethreads.com* Check out mylifeinabook.com and use code MONICA at checkout for 10% off. Create an unforgettable gift for your mom this Mother’s Day.* Get 15% off on your entire first order at happymammoth.com with code MONICA at checkout. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Would you say that joy (a deep sense of well-being, regardless of circumstances) is something you live with daily? Brant Hansen joins us to tell us that this is not only possible, but promised to all who follow Jesus. In fact, through Christ, we can start to see the world in a more childlike, humble, and optimistic way.  Brant and I are talking about his book: Life is Hard, God is Good, Let’s Dance, and I absolutely LOVE this conversation. We talk about how we can “outsource our worries”, what it means when you get goosebumps (I love this!) and the fact that when we don’t freak out, it freaks people out (in a good way!) Brant has great stories and tear-inducing insights (you’ve been warned.) I hope you end this episode feeling more joy and less anxiety already!  Find show notes and links to everything we talk about on my website:  www.monicaswanson.com/brant-hansen-joy  General podcast page: www.monicaswanson.com/podcast  Looking for new math homeschool curriculum? All of my boys have used DIVE/Shormann Math for Bible-based, short-but-thorough science and math lessons, through AP level! They believe it was the best preparation for their college studies in engineering and data analytics. Go to diveintomath to learn more!   The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual resources to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit www.christianparenting.org   Our Sponsors:* Check out Homethreads and use my code MONICA for a great deal: www.homethreads.com* Check out mylifeinabook.com and use code MONICA at checkout for 10% off. Create an unforgettable gift for your mom this Mother’s Day.* Get 15% off on your entire first order at happymammoth.com with code MONICA at checkout. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Today’s guest, Cynthia Yanof is the friend we all need. She is honest, encouraging, and hilarious. She shoots straight and stays humble. I am so glad she poured all of these things into her new book: Life is Messy, God is Good: Sanity for the Chaos of Everyday Life. In today’s conversation Cynthia and I talk about parenting (she has college age down to first-grade children!) fostering and adoption (so much respect!) church life (Cynthia knows her stuff!) Mom-friends, and so much more. We talk about some of the lies in our culture and how we can speak truth to ourselves. Cynthia shares encouragement for focusing on what really matters in parenting, and also offers us her “4 Playground Rules” for life. (So good!)   Listen to this one for encouragement and a good, healthy laugh. Because, as Cynthia says, “When did it all become so serious?” Find show notes and links below:  www.monicaswanson.com/cynthia-yanof  General podcast page: www.monicaswanson.com/podcast  Looking for new science or math homeschool curriculum? All of my boys have used DIVE/Shormann Math for Bible-based, short-but-thorough science and math lessons, through AP level! Go to diveintomath to learn more!   The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual resources to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit www.christianparenting.org   Our Sponsors:* Check out Homethreads and use my code MONICA for a great deal: www.homethreads.com* Check out mylifeinabook.com and use code MONICA at checkout for 10% off. Create an unforgettable gift for your mom this Mother’s Day.* Get 15% off on your entire first order at happymammoth.com with code MONICA at checkout. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Best selling author, teacher and Pastor, John Mark Comer, is here to talk about his newest book: “Practicing the Way”, which explores the concept of being an apprentice of Jesus. John Mark explains that to practice the way of Jesus, we must: “Be with Jesus, become like him, and do as he did” (the subtitle to the book.💥) In this conversation we talk about the difference between being merely a “Christian” (which can mean all kinds of things today!) and an apprentice. John Mark points out that we are all being “formed” – all the time -- whether we know it or not -- and the importance of being intentional about what forms us. We also talk about the “Rule of Life” - purposeful rhythms and disciplines, which he says, leads to the best kind of freedom.  We cover a lot in this conversation, and John Mark even shares some of the ways that the Comers are helping their 3 teenagers learn to slow down, lock up their devices (literally,) and practice a Sabbath rest. I think you’ll be (a little challenged perhaps, as well as- ) encouraged! Find show notes and links at: www.monicaswanson.com/john-mark-comer  General podcast page: www.monicaswanson.com/podcast  Looking for new math homeschool curriculum? All my boys have used DIVE/Shormann Math for Bible-based, short-but-thorough science and math lessons, through AP level! Go to diveintomath.com to learn more!  The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual resources to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit www.christianparenting.org  Our Sponsors:* Check out Homethreads and use my code MONICA for a great deal: www.homethreads.com* Check out mylifeinabook.com and use code MONICA at checkout for 10% off. Create an unforgettable gift for your mom this Mother’s Day.* Get 15% off on your entire first order at happymammoth.com with code MONICA at checkout. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

If screentime is a challenge in your home (pretty sure that is most of us!) then this episode is for you! Today we’re talking about how we can be intentional about screens, sports, hobbies, and all the ways kids spend their days! - From Chapters 12 and 13 of my book: Raising Amazing: Bringing up Kids Who Love God, Like Their Family, and Do the Dishes Without Being Asked!  We start by zooming out on our kids’ days, and considering the time they spend at school, in sports, doing other activities. There is no doubt that in the busyness of family life we can find ourselves on autopilot, not tuned in to how our kids’ days are shaping their young lives.  Next we talk about the reality of screentime challenges. I share some helpful guidelines and encouragement for setting healthy boundaries, routines, and rhythms with technology. None of this is easy, but with some intentionality we can make small changes that make a big difference! Remember, raising amazing kids is not easy, but it’s worth it all in the end!Find free printables and show notes at:Today’s episode: www.monicaswanson.com/raising-amazing-12 General podcast page: www.monicaswanson.com/podcastThe Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual resources to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit www.christianparenting.org Our Sponsors:* Check out Homethreads and use my code MONICA for a great deal: www.homethreads.com* Check out mylifeinabook.com and use code MONICA at checkout for 10% off. Create an unforgettable gift for your mom this Mother’s Day.* Get 15% off on your entire first order at happymammoth.com with code MONICA at checkout. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Having a solid mentor in your life is a true gift; mentors offer us wisdom from their life experience and help us navigate all that we face. If you don’t have a mentor in your life, I encourage you to pray for, and seek one out. But I am also thankful that we live in a time when we can have “virtual mentors”, people we may not know in real life but who we can glean wisdom from all the same! Rhonda Stoppe is one such mentor, and today she is on the podcast offering a whole lot of wisdom and grace. In this episode, Rhonda and I are especially drawing from her book, “Moms Raising Sons to Be Men” which was released in its updated version last year. (However, we are not talking only about raising boys!) Rhonda addresses some of the changing cultural issues of our time and offers some healthy perspective to parents in the thick of it! Whether your kids are young or older, I think you’ll find a lot of encouragement in this interview. Be sure to find show notes and links over on my website:www.monicaswanson.com/Rhonda-stoppeGeneral podcast page: www.monicaswanson.com/podcastLooking for new science or math homeschool curriculum? All of my boys have used DIVE/Shormann Math for Bbile-based, short-but-thorough science and math lessons, through AP level! Go to diveintomath to learn more! The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual resources to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit www.christianparenting.org Our Sponsors:* Check out Homethreads and use my code MONICA for a great deal: www.homethreads.com* Check out mylifeinabook.com and use code MONICA at checkout for 10% off. Create an unforgettable gift for your mom this Mother’s Day.* Get 15% off on your entire first order at happymammoth.com with code MONICA at checkout. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Happy Valentine’s Day! My husband Dave is with me as we celebrate our 28th Valentine’s Day together. ☺ In this episode we are talking through a blog post that has been very popular for many years now on my website: “7 Attitudes that Will Sabotage Your Marriage, and 7 to Replace them with.” Dave and I are sharing from our own experience -- as we’ve been guilty of all 7 bad attitudes…but we’ve also experienced God’s grace in helping us learn to replace them. Dave shares a reminder from 1 Corinthians 13, and I say a prayer for all of the marriages (as well as our kids’ current/future marriages) at the end. I hope this offers a bit of encouragement (even if via some tough love!)Find show notes and links at: www.monicaswanson.com/valentines-2024General podcast page: www.monicaswanson.com/podcastLooking for new science or math homeschool curriculum? All of my boys have used DIVE/Shormann Math for Bible-based, short-but-thorough science and math lessons, through AP level! Go to diveintomath to learn more! The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual resources to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit www.christianparenting.org Our Sponsors:* Check out Homethreads and use my code MONICA for a great deal: www.homethreads.com* Check out mylifeinabook.com and use code MONICA at checkout for 10% off. Create an unforgettable gift for your mom this Mother’s Day.* Get 15% off on your entire first order at happymammoth.com with code MONICA at checkout. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Dating has never been simple (who remembers?!) but today it is more complicated than ever. The world offers all kinds of mixed messages to young adults and teenagers and our Christian culture isn’t giving a lot of alternatives. In such crazy times our kids need a voice of reason and a lot of Biblical wisdom to help them navigate. Pastor Jonathan “JP” Pokluda is the voice we all need and one that young people actually like to listen to. In today’s conversation JP and I are drawing from his book, “Outdated” which has become my own sons' favorite book on the topic of dating and relationships. JP offers wisdom, humor, and a ton of common sense on the topic of dating. He is tuned into our current culture yet remains biblically grounded. I think you’ll find this conversation inspiring and refreshing.This conversation will be helpful for all of us parents as we coach and encourage our kids through relationships and prepare them for a lasting marriage one day. Find show notes and links at:www.monicaswanson.com/jp-pokludaGeneral podcast page: www.monicaswanson.com/podcastLooking for new science or math homeschool curriculum? All of my boys have used DIVE/Shormann Math for Bbile-based, short-but-thorough science and math lessons, through AP level! Go to diveintomath to learn more! The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual resources to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit www.christianparenting.org Our Sponsors:* Check out Homethreads and use my code MONICA for a great deal: www.homethreads.com* Check out mylifeinabook.com and use code MONICA at checkout for 10% off. Create an unforgettable gift for your mom this Mother’s Day.* Get 15% off on your entire first order at happymammoth.com with code MONICA at checkout. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy