Moving Onward and Forward Andrea Howey Ep 134

Do you feel as if you are always measuring yourself as a mom? Do you feel like the pressure to keep up with moms around you is overwhelming? Do you feel snappy or resentful at your kids and husband? Today, author Sara Hagerty joins me to talk about her new book, The Gift Of Limitations. She is a wife and mom of seven with four adopted kids. Sara shares how we often find ourselves daydreaming about other seasons and how to recognize our limits and give ourselves grace without shame and complaining. When we name our limits we can actually grieve them and let God give us the story He is intricately weaving for our families. Society tells us we can be limitless, we can optimize everything, but Sara reminds us that the limits and plot twists in our life are all from a good Father who is at work in our stories.  Connect with Sara Hagerty:  Website:   Sara Hagerty Facebook: Sara Hagerty Instagram:  Sara Hagerty (@sarahagertywrites) Links Mentioned:   The Gift of Limitations: Finding Beauty in Your Boundaries: by Sara Hagerty Every Bitter Thing Is Sweet: Tasting the Goodness of God in All Things: by Sara Hagerty Unseen: The Gift of Being Hidden in a World That Loves to Be Noticed: by Sara Hagerty Related Episodes: When You Feel Unseen :: Sara Hagerty [Ep 175] Every Bitter Thing is Sweet :: Sara Hagerty [Ep 143] Help When You Feel Weak :: Lisa Whittle [Ep 170] Featured Sponsors:  BetterHelp: This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/DMA and get on your way to being your best self.” Total Gym: Remember: It only takes 10-20 minutes a day to reshape your body. Head to TotalGymDirect.com/DMA for an ADDITIONAL 20% off your order. Plus that includes a FREE AbCrunch attachment AND free shipping. This special offer won’t be available for much longer. Thrive Market: Save time and money and shop Thrive Market today. Go to ThriveMarket.com/DMA for 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift! Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

8 Apr 202449min

Right off the bat Cynthia and I get sidetracked by my grumpy mood. A mood I blamed on an instagram battle but probably more about my grief of having a senior who is actually going to college!  There’s some rehashing of the Bachelor, Heather’s advice for renting with Turo and discussion whether audiobooks count as reading. We also get sidetracked talking about all of the end-of-school year emotions including Cynthia's current struggle over her first grader’s learning and reading challenges. She claims her stage of life is somewhere between Kidzbop music and shapewear from Soma. Which makes us wonder how would you describe your current parenting stage?  Regardless of which end of the spectrum you are on (or maybe you are in both seasons) this episode will give you encouragement that God cares for our kids more than we ever will and He has a good story for their lives.  Connect with Cynthia Yanof:  Website:   https://cynthiayanof.com/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.yanof  Instagram:  @cynthiayanof  Podcast: MESSmerized  Links Mentioned:   Turo car rental marketplace Watch Mean Girls Chico's Soma Heather’s new Cupshe bathing suit Amazon.com: Audible Books The Women: by Kristin Hannah Confessions of a Shopaholic: by Sophie Kinsella Me before You by Jojo Moyes  Don't Mom Alone: by Heather MacFadyen Life Is Messy, God Is Good: by Cynthia Yanof Cynthia’s MESSmerized Patreon Heather’s Don't Mom Alone Patreon  Related Episodes: Emotional Maturity, Teamwork, and 25 years of Marriage :: Bruce and Heather [Ep 458] Build Lasting Faith in Your Kids :: Dr. Kara Powell [Ep 290] How to Stay Calm with School Stress :: Kirk Martin {Ep 88} Featured Sponsors:  Thrive Causemetics- get an exclusive 20% off your first order at thrivecausemetics.com/DMA Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

5 Apr 202444min

Earbud and Trigger warning We live on the other side of the Resurrection! If you find yourself in the middle of brokenness and ruin, we pray this episode reminds you that your heavenly Father God is in the redemption business.  Today Nadia Louise joins me to share her powerful testimony. Her story is woven with so many layers of trauma and pain from a narcissistic, abusive father to the death of her brother when she was just 17 years old. That event was the catalyst that allowed Nadia to hear the voice of the Lord. But her story was not over; she still walked through pain, suffering, more death, and heartbreak. As she learned to sit at the feet of Jesus and hear His voice she began to heal from depression, self-harm, and her past.  Listen in to Nadia’s powerful story and know that God still heals, still redeems, and still works today.  Connect with Nadia Louise:  YouTube: Nadia Louise (youtube.com) Instagram:  nadia louise (@itsnadialouise) Links Mentioned:   Dancing on the Grave–Naomi Cantwell and Christ for the Nations  Kiddell (@ohkiddell) Upperroom (uprmdallas.org) Related Episodes: Forgiving What You Can’t Forget :: Lysa TerKeurst [Ep 304] Faith in the Unexpected :: Christine Caine You Are Never Alone :: Max Lucado [Ep 298] Life Giving Faith in Every Circumstance :: Lisa Appelo [SofM wk 2] Featured Sponsors:  Trust & Will- Get 10% off plus free shipping of your estate plan documents trustandwill.com/DMA Vegamour- For a limited time get twenty percent off your first subscription order at VEGAMOUR.com/DMA Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

1 Apr 202454min

Bruce joins me today to discuss 25 years of marriage and answer listener questions like-  What did you learn in year 25 that you wish you knew in year 1? How do you make time for intimacy? How to handle times when your significant other is having a struggle with faith? And, What are you looking forward to when your kids are grown and flown?  I discuss how I’ve grown in emotional maturity while Bruce talks about how to get out of the ruts and routines of work and family life. We also tackle different personality types and how we handle those when parenting our boys. Teen parenting is hard y’all, there are no formulas but we have learned that teamwork is essential.  God had been so good and faithful through 25 years of marriage and parenting. Join us today as we share the vulnerable, hard, and good parts of the journey.  Connect with Bruce:  Website:  zello.com/about-us LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bruce-macfadyen/  Links Mentioned:   A Drama Triangle explanation A Definition of Locus of Control  Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow  Parenting with Hope: Raising Teens for Christ in a Secular Age: by Melissa B. Kruger  Shōgun: The Complete Novel: by James Clavell The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany: by William Shirer Related Episodes: Bruce Learns to Label His Feelings :: Bruce and Heather [Ep 316] Talking, Teens, and Twenty-four Years :: Bruce + Heather [Ep 399] Changing the Atmosphere of Your Home with Positive Parenting :: Ralphie Jacobs [Ep 456] Helping Socially Anxious Boys :: David Thomas [Ep 451] Featured Sponsors:  Better Help- DMA is sponsored by BetterHelp. BetterHelp.com/DMA today to get 10% off your first month. Greenlight- Greenlight is a debit card and money app made for families. Get your first month free at GREENLIGHT.com/DMA Total Gym- For an ADDITIONAL 20% off your order, head to TotalGymDirect.com/dma Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

25 Mar 202440min

Do you feel like you are on the hamster wheel of expectations this culture throws at your teen? Do you feel the pressure and pull of having them in every sport, activity, and tutor to excel? Is church becoming a point of struggle every Sunday?  Melissa Kruger joins me to talk about all things teen and how to raise them in this culture that is pointing to everything but Jesus.  Melissa is an author and Bible teacher who encourages women as they walk through life and motherhood. We talk about how to enjoy our teens instead of curating their lives and how to allow them space to fail. Melissa shares the three pillars that are the foundation of a home focused on Christ- God’s word, prayer, and the Church. We dive into each of these and how to practically walk them out in our homes and with our teens. Melissa ultimately reminds us that as recipients of God’s unfailing grace, we get to share that identity with our kids as we guide them through these challenging years.  Connect with Melissa Kruger  Website:  Melissa Kruger (melissabkruger.com) Facebook: Melissa B. Kruger Instagram:  Melissa Kruger (@melissabryankruger) Links Mentioned:   Pre-order “Parenting with Hope” Books – Melissa Kruger Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein   Wherever You Go, I Want You to Know by Melissa B Kruger The Gospel Coalition (TGC) Article on Melissa’s family prayer routine: Now’s the Time! Resources for Family Devotions  Related Episodes: “What is My Responsibility in My Child’s Salvation?” :: Vela Tomba [Ep 431] Freeing Your Adolescents to Step Into Adulthood – Ages and Stages – Teens :: Dr. Ken Wilgus [Ep 382] Doubt, Questions and Your Teen’s Growing Faith :: Mary Jo Sharp [Ep 375] Featured Sponsors:  Caraway- Non-toxic cookware made modern. Visit Carawayhome.com/DMA for 10% off your next purchase. Thrive Market- Get convenient, high-quality, affordable groceries delivered with Thrive Market! Go to ThriveMarket.com/DMA for 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift! Vegamour- Elevate your hair wellness routine this year with Vegamour. For a limited time get 20% off your first subscription order of Gro Hair Serum by going to VEGAMOUR.com/DMA Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

18 Mar 202450min

Is your home a place of peace or one of anger and frustration? Do you feel exhausted from the arguing and bickering between kids? Does the bedtime struggle make most evenings end in overwhelm?  Ralphie Jacobs is here to help us understand the science and tactics behind Positive Parenting. She started her career in early childhood education and soon realized through her own parenting struggles that there was a lack of resources for behavior change through Positive Parenting. She teaches parents how to change their own behaviors to change home environments and the practical steps to get there.  Shifting the atmosphere of our home can feel like turning the Titanic, but Ralphie gives us hope that we can walk a path of gratitude instead of a path of scarcity.  Connect with Ralphie Jacobs:  Website:  Simply On Purpose - Home Instagram:  Ralphie• Positive Parenting (@simplyonpurpose) Links Mentioned:   Calm in the Chaos Webinar (watch the replay)  50+ ideas for spending one-on-one time with your kid Related Episodes: Choosing Connection Over Critique :: Rachel Macy Stafford [Ep 280] How to Stop Yelling, Lecturing and Power Struggles :: Kirk Martin {Ep 62} The Window of Tolerance :: Charissa Fry [Ep 260]  Featured Sponsors:  Honeylove–Get 20% OFF @honeylove by going to honeylove.com/DMA  Thrive Causemetics–Right now, you can get an exclusive 20% off your first order at thrivecausemetics.com/DMA Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

11 Mar 202439min

Do you feel the pull between protecting your family and kids while having compassion on the orphan and the widow who are crossing our borders? Do you feel confused about immigration laws and sustainable immigration practices?  Today Bri Stensrud, author, human dignity advocate, and the Director at Women of Welcome shares her heart on immigration. She began her career as a pro-life advocate and after going to Mexico and seeing the reality of so many women and children, compassionate care quickly became her mission.  Bri tells us that we can advocate for secure, safe, and legal borders and also the dignity of those arriving here in America. Fear and confusion can often cause us not to engage in the conversation or the communities around us but the Lord has called us to be salt and light. Stick around for the end where she gives practical ideas on how to reach out to those who have fled from desperate situations to bring friendship and hope.  Connect with Bri Stensrud:  Website:  Bri Stensrud - Women of Welcome Facebook: Women of Welcome | Facebook Instagram:  Women of Welcome (@womenofwelcome) Links Mentioned:   Start with Welcome: The Journey toward a Confident and Compassionate Immigration Conversation: by Bri Stensrud World Relief  Compassion International Show Me the Way by Henri Nouwen (the lent study Heather is doing)  Private Refugee Settlement Program   Related Episodes: The Ministry of Presence in a Broken World :: Tess Clarke [Ep. 252] Compassion Changes Everything :: Jonathan Almonte [Ep 264] Many Hues, One Humanity :: Dr. Lucretia Berry [Ep 282] Featured Sponsors:  BetterHelp–This episode is sponsored by/brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/dma and get on your way to being your best self. Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

4 Mar 202455min

Today’s show starts with a small hiccup and then really gets going with our guest and listener Rachel Green (but not that one ;)).  We discussed what we had for breakfast and it was everything from a frittata, to coconut milk yogurt with all the toppings, to a Diet Dr. Pepper with saltines. Can you guess who ate what?  Rachel admits to being sidetracked by ruminating over her busy calendar, and how Cynthia’s book is helping her, “get comfortable with being uncomfortable so she can bring others in”. We share what the Lord is teaching us lately including Kingdom success vs. the world’s success and how to prioritize relationships over tasks. All while Cynthia starts a new segment called, “How are we even friends?”. Lastly, don’t forget to tag us on socials with your amazing dog names (Heather promises not to judge).  Connect with Cynthia Yanof:  Website:  https://cynthiayanof.com/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.yanof  Instagram:  @cynthiayanof  Podcast: Episodes – Cynthia Yanof Links Mentioned:    Life Is Messy, God Is Good: Sanity for the Chaos of Everyday Life: by Yanof, Cynthia Jordan's Skinny Syrups Sugar Free Coffee Syrup, Vanilla Life Is Beautiful (English Subtitled) Right Where You Belong: How to Identify and Fully Occupy Your God-Given Space: by Heather MacFadyen Women, Food and Hormones  Jesus cookies Lume deodorant (use DMA to get $5 off starter pack) Clothes Steamer  Related Episodes: “Plump it Up”:: Sidetracked by 10 years of Podcasting [Ep 437] Balancing Work and Family Life :: Tricia Goyer [Ep 7] Strengthening Our Friendships :: Susan Seay [Ep 289] Featured Sponsors:  Greenlight–So stop putting off the “Money Talk” and start putting your kids on the right path. Sign up for Greenlight today and get your first month free at GREENLIGHT.com/dma. Lume– As a special offer for listeners, new customers GET $5 OFF a Lume Starter Pack with code DMA at LumeDeodorant.com. That equates to over 40% off your Starter Pack. Trust and Will –Secure your assets and protect your loved ones with Trust and Will. Get 10% off plus free shipping of your estate plan documents by visiting trustandwill.com/DMA. Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

1 Mar 202446min