Don't Mom Alone Podcast

Managing your home in the midst of motherhood is a challenge, especially when cleaning, organizing and decluttering don’t come naturally.  My guest Dana K. White struggled for years to figure out why her home was so messy. She could get it clean, but it would take days and then in no time it was right back to where she’d started with piles of clutter, laundry and dishes.  “I had always thought before, my home is not who I am, but now it was my identity and it was even harder. And that was when I really thought. There's something wrong with me. Like, literally I am broken in some way. I cannot do this thing that other people seem to be able to do so easily.” God brought her to a place of breakthrough when she started an anonymous blog to get open and real about being a “slob.” Through that, she started to discover some simple truths about cleaning and organizing strategies that actually work for people who don’t love cleaning and organizing. We talk about tips for how to start cleaning when you feel overwhelmed, how to only make progress when decluttering and more. It’s a great listen for yourself and to learn how to help the less organized members of your family.  Here’s to making progress on our homes this summer! Stay tuned for the Summer of Mentorship starting June 21st. Great episodes to listen to while you clean and declutter.  Connect with Dana:  Website:  aslobcomesclean.com Facebook: facebook.com/ASlobComesClean  Instagram:  @aslobcomesclean  Links Mentioned:   BOOK: How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind BOOK: Decluttering at the Speed of Life Featured Sponsors:  Rothy’s --Keep it clean with washable shoes and bags from Rothy’s. Plus they just launched men’s shoes, so make sure to check them out for the men in your life. Go to Rothys.com/DMA today to check out your favorites Thrive Market -- Go to ThriveMarket.com/DMA Join to get $20 off your first order AND a free gift. 

Jess Connolly has not always seen her body as good. It’s a struggle all of us can relate to. Whether it’s a concern over weight and external beauty or a physical disability or medical issue, there’s always something about our bodies that cause “trouble.”  Jess shares about her struggle with an autoimmune disease and feeling body shame from an early age.  “I spent a few years treating that disease, as if my body was a huge problem that just needed to be solved or a project that needed to be completed. My healthier behaviors as a young mom weren't rooted in love, but in extreme frustration.” And she takes us into her journey of asking God to give her a kingdom body mindset to break free of body shame. We talk about shifting our perspective on what makes a body good and so much of it comes down to a key question Jess shares: “Do you treat your body as if it is loved or as if you want it to be lovable? Are you trying to make it good? Are you trying to treat it as if it is good? Because when I treat my body as if it was made good, and I want to steward that.” For more on this, grab a copy of Jess’ new book Breaking Free from Body Shame. Connect with Jess:  Website: https://jessconnolly.com  Facebook: facebook.com/jessaconnolly  Instagram: @jessaconnolly  Links Mentioned:   BOOK: Breaking Free from Body Shame Ep 132: Revelation Wellness :: Alisa Keeton  Featured Sponsors:  Function of Beauty — Go to FunctionofBeauty.com/DMA to take your quiz and save 20% on your first order.    Acorn TV — Try Acorn TV free for 30 days. Go to Acorn.tv use code: dma (all lowercase letters).     

You asked and I’m so happy to have Mary Flo Ridley and Megan Michelson back to coach us on how to talk with our kids about the topic of sex. I love their approach which is explained in their online course called Birds and Bees. It’s all about having multiple conversations over the years with your kids instead of having one big TALK when they are older.  “What we want parents to do with the topic of sex is to not be afraid and be silenced, but to be equipped and have tools and phrases to say an age appropriate ways … They're drip by drip, by drip conversations, because it takes a lot for them to absorb this information.” Mary Flo and Megan take us through reasons why we should have conversations with our youngest kids about reproduction, birth and specific scientific terms for private areas. We chat about how to bring these topics up and answer questions that might make you nervous at first. It’s all about giving your kids accurate and honest information on this important topic. “I know when parents first hear about this they think, ‘I didn't want to talk to my kids about sex one time, why in the world, but I want to do this multiple times?’ But it's just so much easier to do it in bite size, age-appropriate phrases and conversations and soundbites because that's how things are digested and absorbed.” Connect with Birds & Bees:  Website:  https://birds-bees.com  Facebook: facebook.com/birdsbeeshelpplease  Instagram: @birds__bees  Links Mentioned:   Birds & Bees Course New Birds & Bees Podcast Previous Podcasts with Birds & Bees: Ep 25: Birds and Bees? Oh, help me please :: Mary Flo Ridley  BONUS: When to Have “The Talk” :: Mary Flo Ridley Ep. 153 Birds and Bees (Continuing the Conversation) :: Mary Flo Ridley and Megan Michelson Ep 243: Preparing Now for Future Puberty and Masturbation Questions :: Megan Michelson and Mary Flo Ridley  Featured Sponsors:  StoryWorth —Give your dad the most meaningful gift this Father’s Day with StoryWorth. Get started right away with no shipping required by going to StoryWorth.com/DMA to get $10 off your first purchase.  HelloFresh —Go to HelloFresh.com/dma12 and use the code: dma12 to get 12 free meals, including free shipping. 

Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young is an author and speaker who is passionate about helping people discover God’s glory in unexpected places. But in the midst of the Pandemic with her family’s long-awaited travel plans delayed and then cancelled, Dorina found herself struggling to see glory in the continued quarantine life.  With a long winter break and nothing to look forward to, Dorina processed her disappointment with her husband Shawn and her three daughters. Shawn suggested bringing Hawaii home by having a luau and ordering in Hawaiin food and it sparked the idea of Global Glory Chasers, a cultural exploration program for families.  Dorina and I talk about doing deep dives into the food and culture of international communities and how helping our kids engage with other races and nationalities gives them a global perspective on the glory of God “Learning about cultures is actually an invitation for us to learn more about God's glory and how he has made each one of us into his image bearers.  We can't understand God, unless we're willing to listen to stories of people from different backgrounds. So we like to say we’re breaking barriers by breaking bread at home and by eating the foods of the different cultures.” Connect with Dorina:  Website: dorinagilmore.com  Facebook: facebook.com/DorinaLazoGilmore  Instagram: @dorinagilmore  Links Mentioned:   Global Glory Chasers Membership BOOK: Glory Chasers: Discovering God's Glory in Unexpected Places Ep 282 Many Hues, One Humanity :: Dr. Lucretia Berry

In a world that seems to bring more and more division every day, how do we connect with other people in a deep, human way? Kay Wyma takes us into her story of how seemingly small acts of kindness, thankfulness and mercy have made all the difference for her and her family.  “There are so many ways you can practice kindness that are outward acts of kindness. And then you'll start to realize kindness is picking up the laundry for somebody that I'm frustrated with, you know, that they could have done it themselves.There are kindness opportunities everywhere. Be kind to yourself for Pete's sake. At least one day a week. Actively do something kind for yourself.” Learn about what Kay calls a Soul 30 and her new book The Peace Project. I love that this isn’t another thing for your to do list, it is more about HOW you do the things on your list. And when we practice kindness, thankfulness and mercy we can’t help reflecting the goodness of God to a world that needs it more than ever.    Connect with Kay Wyma:  Website: kaywyma.com  Facebook: facebook.com/kaywillswyma   Instagram: @kaywyma    Links Mentioned:   BOOK: The Peace Project: A 30-Day Experiment Practicing Thankfulness, Kindness, and Mercy Featured Sponsors:  Nextdoor—Join your neighborhood on the FREE app. Use this link nextdoor.com/DMA to let them know you heard about it from me.  Betterhelp—Listeners of the DMA podcast get 10% off their first month of secure online professional counseling. Betterhelp.com/DMA.

Long-time friends Erin Moon and Courtney Cleveland join me to share their motherhood stories and how they’ve found their identity as moms separate from motherhood stereotypes.  “There are so many ways to be a good mom and what it looks like for you doesn’t look like it does for me. And I really had to let go of the idea that I had to be the same kind of mother as everyone else... It was so freeing and it seems so simple. I mean, that's not even how humanity works. So why would motherhood be that way?” We talk about mom superpowers, viewing dinner as optional food exposure and the ridiculousness of keeping track of socks for multiple kids. Listen and laugh along with us as we take light hearted views on the daily grind of motherhood. I’m sure you will relate.  Don’t Miss: Near the end Erin shares a great idea for creating your own “fake Mother’s Day” on a different day from the actual holiday that I’m totally going to try.  Happy Mother’s Day to you all! I pray you feel celebrated for all the unique gifts you bring into motherhood.  Connect with Erin:  Website: https://bio.site/fA7Uk5  Instagram: @erinhmoon  Connect with Courtney:  Website: https://www.allthebestdays.com   Instagram:  @courtclarkcleve Links Mentioned:  Silk Pajamas Bluetooth headband Fancy Sardines Summer Strategies :: Laura and Courtney [Ep 249]  Preparing Our Hearts for Easter :: Erin Moon [Ep 236]  Featured Sponsors:  Rothy’s — Check out all the amazing shoes, bags and masks available right now at Rothys.com/DMA Thrive Market — Join Thrive Market to get $20 off your first order and an exclusive FREE gift. Go to Thrivemarket.com/DMA

The daily grind of marriage, parenting, and life wears on us all, but when your relationship with your spouse is no longer a healthy one, how do you choose to walk away? My guest and long-time friend Lara Williams brings us into her story of working through marriage infidelity with her husband and her long, painful journey to divorce. “And it was a process, but I think I finally got to that place where I could accept that divorce was happening in my life, but that's just it. It's happening. It doesn't mean that's who I am. And it doesn't just because God hates it. It doesn't mean he hates me. He loves me and I went through a process of washing those lies with the truth of what God says and he's so gracious to transform our minds.” We talk about all the ways Lara and her husband worked to save their marriage, what it was like when saving it was no longer an option and how God met Lara in that place. Lara shares about parenting when you are walking through divorce, dating after divorce, and how the church can both help and hurt during this painful experience.  I’m so thankful for Lara’s heart and how bravely she shares her story. She has graciously given permission to publish her email address if you or someone you know would like to reach out on this topic.  Connect with Lara:  Website:  tooverflowing.com  Instagram:  @laragwilliams  Email: laragwilliams@gmail.com Amazon Author Page Links Mentioned:   BOOK: To Walk Or Stay [Ep 246] Rebuilding from an Abusive Marriage :: Jeni B [Ep 195] Sinners Married to Sinners–How God Refines Us :: Cheryl Scruggs & Jae Carpenter BOOK: How to Avoid Falling in Love with a Jerk  Lara’s New Project: Think True Things Lara’s Spoken Word—“That’s Not My Name”  Featured Sponsors: Nextdoor- Go to Nextdoor.com/DMA to sign up and see what your neighbors are talking about. Join your neighborhood today.  Skylight Frame- You can get $10 off your purchase of a Skylight Frame when you go to skylightframe.com and enter code DMA. 

There is often a disconnect from what we read in scripture and how we experience life. God say, “I have not given you a spirit of fear,” but we keenly feel fear and anxiety. We know that God has taken away our sins, but we still feel like it comes between us and hearing His voice.  One powerful way to work towards freedom in these areas is through a biblically-based program of inner healing prayer. My guest Jennifer Barnett of Freedom Prayer joins me to talk about inner healing prayer or freedom prayer, a powerful process that helps restore individuals to a more fruitful and fulfilling walk with God. “Inner healing prayer is its own sort of type of prayer. If you're not familiar with it, we would say it's some really intentional time devoted to allowing God to remove anything that would hinder someone from a full abiding relationship with him. That could look like sin, wounding, ungodly beliefs, or lies that we believe about ourselves, God or other people.” My experience with inner healing prayer has been so powerful and I believe it can be for you too. For more information on Freedom Prayer visit their website at https://freedomprayer.org.  Connect with Freedom Prayer:  Website:  freedomprayer.org  Facebook: facebook.com/freedomresources  Featured Sponsors:  FabFitFun — get $10 off your first box with the code DMA10 over at www.FabFitFun.com BetterHelp—DMA listeners get 10% off their first month of online secure professional counseling at Betterhelp.com/DMA

As moms we are often looking for parenting formulas and quick fixes to solve our latest parenting problems. When they are babies, following formulas for sleeping and eating makes sense, but as they get older and their needs change it gets a lot more complicated.  We often turn to friends and mentors for advice, but that doesn’t always work or what works for one of our kids doesn’t for another and it can make us feel lost.  Jeffrey Olrick, Ph.D. and his wife Amy Olrick join me to share a different way to interpret our kids needs using some practical tools and the science of connection. They offer an alternative question to “What do I do?”, asking instead: “How can I be with this child?”. They go through the six needs of every child and a helpful compass to help you find your way when it gets challenging. “I think some of it is a fear that we have parents. If we lose the trail for even a moment that our children will be put in imminent danger. And we want to set parents free from that and say, no, actually that's actually going to be pretty normal to lose the trail. But you are still together and you're going to find your way back to firm footing with these six needs.” This approach is teaching me a lot in my own parenting and I know it will help you on your parenting journey. To learn more from the Olricks, check out their podcast! Connect with the Olricks:  Website: growingconnected.com Facebook: facebook.com/growingconnected  Instagram: @growingconnected  Links Mentioned:   The Growing Connected Podcast BOOK: The 6 Needs of Every Child. Featured Sponsors:  Hello Bello— Go to hellobello.com/DMA to get 25% off your diaper bundle order and 15% off any add ons like vitamins or wipes! StoryWorth—Give your mom the most meaningful gift this Mother’s Day with StoryWorth. No shipping required. Go to StoryWorth.com/DMA and get $10 off your first purchase. 

On a recent Instagram survey I learned that 68% of y’all have experienced broken friendships. I knew we needed an episode to help. The last year has not been easy for any of us. So many things in our lives changed in response to the pandemic, political and racial tensions, and the loneliness of quarantine life. In the midst of everything, it has been hard to keep friendships healthy. Licensed professional counselor Shundria Riddick is here to walk us through some healthy ways to work toward reconciliation and how to know when to walk away from friendship that is hurtful. We talk about setting healthy boundaries, having clarifying conversations, and how to analyze the health of relationships. Connect with Shundria:  Website:  shundriariddick.com  Facebook: facebook.com/shundriariddick  Instagram: @shundriariddick  Links Mentioned:   Relax Relate Release Group Therapy with Shundria [Ep 159] Healing Friendship Wounds :: Lisa-Jo Baker [Ep 289] Strengthening Our Friendships :: Susan Seay  Featured Sponsors:  Rothys—Check out all the amazing shoes, bags and masks available right now at Rothys.com/DMA. Thrive Market—Join Thrive Market today to get 25% off your first order AND an exclusive FREE gift! The ONLY way to get this offer is by going to Thrive Market.com/DMA.