When I was a young mom (yes, before social media took off) - I LOVED reading blogs. They made me feel seen, understood and more normal in my parenting journey. I have followed Jennifer Scott and her blog for almost 15 years. And every time she shares something, I read it and re-read it and try to absorb her wisdom. You are going to LOVE her heart for her kids, her vulnerability on where she’s still growing and her obvious relationship with Jesus that oozes out of her heart. You will feel like you grabbed coffee with a best friend and mentor.Be sure to make it to the end, we discuss her “adulting” list. It’s such a fantastic checklist of things we can be practically teaching our kids before they leave our nest.Be sure to listen back to Part 1 of our Empty Nester Wisdom series with Kristen Hatton and stay tuned for Part 3 with Sharon Mankin.Connect with Pardon The Mess:Christian ParentingPardon The Mess Courtney DeFeoResources from today’s show:Connect with Jennifer on InstagramJennifer’s Blog Jennifer’s Adulting List The Christian Parenting 2023–2024 prayer journal is now available! Marked by Prayer is a weekly journal that includes a short devotional around a topic, space for you to journal what you’re grateful for and what you’re praying over your children, and a sample guided prayer.Pardon The Mess  is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.orgOur Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

So many of us parents are fearful about the “teen years”, but are so hungry for advice. That’s exactly why I had Kristen on today to give us encouragement around this topic. We want to prepare and be intentional without taking control of our kids’ entire story. You will love her practical tips while feeling a major sense of peace that God has got it!Be sure to get to the end and enjoy my favorite part. Kristen opens up honestly with her struggle with perfection and how it impacted her daughter. She explains the power of transparency and embracing mistakes. She reminds us that we ALL need Jesus - not just our kids. The more we can show that to them - the more that faith and trust will take hold.Connect with Pardon The Mess:Christian ParentingPardon The Mess Courtney DeFeoResources from today’s show:Classical ConversationsConnect with Kristen on InstagramKristen’s website Kristen’s new book, Parenting AheadPardon the Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.orgOur Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Get ready for an episode today with the Executive Director of Christian Parenting, Steph Thurling. I got to know Steph pretty well throughout my entire journey of becoming the new host of Pardon The Mess, and I can totally see why she is in a leadership position at this organization. She’s not just highly capable - she has a massive heart for parents to help raise kids that know and love God. That seems overwhelming at times, and she gets it.   In this episode, we go stage by stage (toddler years to teens) and chat about practical ways to introduce Jesus and your faith to your kids. You will love her insight and her realistic approach. She also shares her heart for prayer and how that can practically work in your home.   Connect with Pardon The Mess: Christian Parenting Pardon The Mess  Courtney DeFeo   Resources from today’s show: Connect with Steph Thurling on Instagram   Steph’s ministry, Raising Prayerful Kids   Steph’s book, Raising Prayerful Kids   ABC Scripture Cards   Pardon The Mess  is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org Our Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

I have long admired and respected the work of author and speaker, Jennifer Dukes Lee. It was such a treat to meet Jennifer during this interview and ask her all about the idea of “journaling.” In this episode, we discuss the benefits of being honest with God, how to encourage your kids to journal, and how to look back and assess our lives in a way that brings healing and hope.   My favorite part of the episode is when she shares how difficult it can be to be vulnerable before God. She recognized the difficulty while encouraging us to work through that to experience God in a more special way.   Connect with Pardon The Mess: Christian Parenting Pardon The Mess    Connect with Courtney DeFeo   Resources from today’s show: Connect with Jennifer on Instagram   Jennifer’s website    Jennifer’s new book, Stuff I’d Only Tell God Pardon The Mess  is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org  Our Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week Jeannie Cunnion and I talk about how often we try to parent in our own strength. We discuss how our relationship with the Holy Spirit can change the game of parenting and why this idea feels super spiritual or super strange.    Jeannie encourages us to access this unbelievable power and learn how to recognize God’s voice in this way. We can feel like we have to earn this level of faith, but Jeannie reminds us how available the Holy Spirit is - and challenges us to lean in and be active in this relationship. From that place, we can know that we are parenting in God’s strength not our own.   We also have some fun comparing her boy world (mother of 5 boys) versus my girl world. She’s basically a frat mom.   Connect with Pardon The Mess: Christian Parenting Pardon The Mess    Connect with Courtney DeFeo   Resources from today’s show: Learn more about Jeannie Cunnion Her most recent study, Never Alone JEANNIE INSTAGRAM Classical Conversations Pardon The Mess  is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org  Our Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It’s not every day we get to hear from an NFL football player and his wife about raising 7 children - while trying to honor God, stay married AND do ministry together. Kirsten and Benjamin are the Directors of the NFL for Pro Athletes Outreach. In addition to this important work, they also spend time equipping and encouraging families through speaking and writing.   You will enjoy hearing these UGA Bulldogs (both former college athletes) chat a little about football, and we get to hear Kirsten affirm Benjamin ahead of this Father’s Day weekend.   My favorite part of the episode is when they discuss the non-negotiables in their family. It gives a framework for intentional parenting and how to get ahead of it all with a plan. It also encourages us to be on the same page with our spouses as we encounter the tough moments of parenting.   Enjoy! Courtney DeFeo   Connect with Pardon The Mess: Christian Parenting Pardon The Mess    Connect with Courtney DeFeo   Resources from today’s show: Connect with The Watsons Pro Athletes Outreach (POA) Benjamin’s New Book - New Fight For Life Kirsten’s Book - Sis Take a Breath   Helping Moms Raise Confident Daughters Pardon The Mess  is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org  Our Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week, we get to hear from one of my all-time favorite moms and leaders - Elisabeth Hasselbeck. She has worn many hats over the years - from Survivor contestant to co-host of The View to shoe designer to carpool mom and NFL wife and now author and speaker.   In this episode, we get into specifics around how to trust God. And how to teach our kids to trust God in prayer even when he feels silent or absent. This idea can be really tough because we often don’t get the answer we hope for in the big and small moments of life, and yet we want our kids to remain faithful in that disappointment.   We also discuss the idea of “contenting” - an idea God is stirring in Elisabeth for us to learn how to be stretched and be content in the midst of life’s struggles. As moms, it’s so easy to compare left and right and lose sight that God is at work even in the stretching and growing phases of motherhood.   Enjoy! Courtney DeFeo   Connect with Pardon The Mess: Christian Parenting Pardon The Mess  Courtney DeFeo   Resources from today’s show: Connect with Elisabeth Her latest book - Flashlight Night More on “Contenting” Classical Conversations   Pardon the Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org Our Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week, Sissy Goff and David Thomas with Daystar Counseling are here! Each of them have been counseling kids for over 30 years. I cannot think of two individuals that have impacted my parenting in a more practical and profound way.    In this episode, we talk about a few of the challenges with raising our kids in a scary and sometimes dark time. From anxiety to school shootings - we’ve never felt more anxious or ill-equipped to raise children.   David shares some encouragement and tips on raising an emotionally strong boy. Sissy shares about her upcoming book to help anxious parents raise kids in the midst of our own self work. She notes that women and girls lead the statistics in anxiety.    There are also some tender moments where they both reflect back on the most horrendous time in their own Nashville community. You will be encouraged to hear more stories of God working in and around Covenant School. I know so many are grateful for the work Daystar did to step up, comfort and care for so many families (locally and nationwide). Quotes: "It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” - Frederick Douglas   “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me: ‘Look for the helpers.’ You will always find people who are helping.” - Fred Rogers   Enjoy! Courtney DeFeo   Connect with Pardon The Mess: Christian Parenting Pardon The Mess    Connect with Courtney DeFeo   Resources from today’s show: The Worry Free Parent- Pre- Order! Raising Emotionally Strong Boys by David Thomas Strong and Smart: A Boy's Guide to Building Healthy Emotions by David Thomas @raisingboysandgirls  @sissygoff    Pardon the Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.orgOur Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week is a big week for Pardon the Mess! If you missed last week’s show, go back and hear the announcement about our new host, Courtney DeFeo. In this episode, Courtney and Cynthia talk about how this decision unfolded and the challenges of obeying God even when it’s messy and unclear. Our show today is a super-fun conversation with Cynthia and Courtney giving a deep dive into these exciting changes. Join in as Courtney interviews Cynthia about her favorite Pardon the Mess moments. You can also hear the who, when, where, what, and why behind Cynthia’s move to a new podcast. We are beyond excited about what’s to come! This summer is going to be packed with more great interviews about parenting in the midst of our messy lives. We will continue to laugh together and possibly cry together as we pursue our relationship with God during all of life’s challenges.Our Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We did it!   We’ve made it to last week of our 2022-2023 prayer journal and praying our kids through the school year. 🙌🏼   I can’t think of a better way to wrap things up than to pray for our kids to walk with God. Today we’re talking very practically about ways to do that, and how the Psalms give a roadmap for weathering the ups and downs of our everyday faith.   On a personal note, I want to thank each of you for joining me each Monday this year (and the last several years) to pray. It’s been an amazing journey and hearing the ways the Lord is moving in your families has forever marked me.   I also want to let you know that after May, I will no longer be hosting Pardon the Mess. My dear friend, Courtney DeFeo, will be the new host and you’re going to LOVE her. I can promise you that 100%.   In the last two episodes, we’re sharing more details about Courtney, what’s to come on Pardon the Mess so definitely tune in.   I’m so grateful for each of you. Great days to come!   In this with you,   Cynthia Yanof  Our Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy