M Is for Mama Podcast
Abbie Halberstadt
On the M is for Mama Podcast, you’ll hear encouragement for all things motherhood, practical helps and systems to help you thrive in your home from day to day, funny, relatable kid-stories, examinations of what the Bible has to say about cultural issues, and so much more!
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 24, 2024 • 34min
Ep. 65: Habits for a Sacred Home (A Chat with Jennifer Pepito)
Jennifer Pepito shares wisdom on creating a sacred home with intentional investments in family. Topics include establishing traditions, the grace in imperfections, and the value of family connection. She emphasizes the significance of intentional parenting, finding what works for individual families, and relying on God's guidance.
Apr 18, 2024 • 52min
Ep. 64: Passing Down the Good (A Chat with Elisha and Katie Voetberg)
Ep. 63: Passing Down the Good (A Chat with Elisha and Katie Voetberg)In a world that champions airing every bit of trauma/bad strategies passed down from parents, it’s rare (and refreshing!) to encounter young families who are, instead, holding with the positive traditions of their origin families and being intentional to praise the good (while acknowledging the not-so-good). Elisha and Katie Voetberg (who own/run our sponsor company, Voetberg Music Academy!) are doing just that—choosing to recognize + pass down the positive practices they were taught without turning a blind eye to the common pitfalls we all face as parents. They discuss what they love about their upbringings as members of larger-than-culturally-normal families. They share strategies for being intentional + wise with stewarding time with children + spouses. And they speak with maturity beyond their years that they credit to having parents who trusted them enough to apologize + pivot when things weren’t working. I know you’ll be encouraged + energized by this conversation! Guest Info:Site: nowthatwereafamily.comSponsor Info:Site: https://www.voetbergmusicacademy.com/Code: misformamaBible References:Matthew 22:37Genesis 1:281 Samuel 16:7Matthew 28:16James 3:16Colossians 3:23Proverbs 31Titus 2Links:M Is for MamaPenny Reward SystemLeave a Review for the M is for Mama ShowPaint & ProsePre-Order Hard Is Not the Same Thing as BadM Is For Mama Chore GuideM Is For Mama Meal Plan Sign-UpFind Abbie at:InstagramYoutubeFacebook
Apr 10, 2024 • 39min
Ep. 63: Christians Parents + The Library (A Chat With Good Book Mom)
Ever walked into a public library with your children, only to hurry them past the displays in the kids’ section because they’re almost all focused on promoting one secular agenda or another?You’re not alone. Choosing good literature for our kids--especially in light of the blatant bias many librarians proudly display--can be a challenging task in our current cultural climate.In this episode, Korie Johnson from Good Book Mom tells us all about how we, as Christian parents, can build relationships with our local library and its leaders in order to make an impact both on the books they promote and on the individuals themselves. You’ll be encouraged by her straightforward approach to choosing quality children’s literature (it doesn’t all have to be explicitly Christian!) and also her practical suggestions for how to interact with your library community to enact change.Korie has lots of great resources on her website where she vets and reviews hundreds of books so we don’t have to!Guest Info:InstagramFacebookSite: https://goodbookmom.com/Sponsor Info:Site: https://www.voetbergmusicacademy.com/Code: misformamaBible References:1 Corinthians 10:31Ephesians 6:12Deuteronomy 6:6-8Ephesians 5:9Matthew 5:16Links:M Is for MamaPenny Reward SystemLeave a Review for the M is for Mama ShowPaint & ProsePre-Order Hard Is Not the Same Thing as BadM Is For Mama Chore GuideM Is For Mama Meal Plan Sign-UpFind Abbie at:InstagramYoutubeFacebook
Apr 3, 2024 • 1h 6min
Ep. 62: Is the Child Free Movement Biblical? (A Chat with Jennifer Flanders)
“Child free” is a phrase that populates comment sections on social media, Reddit threads, news articles, and more.It’s more than a little trendy to at least entertain the idea of forgoing having children altogether. But is it biblical?I sit down with my good friend, Jennifer Flanders from Flanders Family Home Life, chat about the biblical implications of a child-free lifestyle. We also chat all things birth control and what it looks like to live a surrendered life before the Lord—in every area, including, but not limited to, our fertility. Jennifer is one of my favorite humans on the planet, and I know you’ll appreciate her wisdom! Sponsor Info:Site: https://www.voetbergmusicacademy.com/Code: misformamaBible References:Ephesians 5:15Psalm 127Psalm 128Genesis 1:28Proverbs 3:5-61 Corinthians 7:2Matthew 6:19-21Proverbs 16:9Jeremiah 29:111 Corinthians 7Genesis 38Luke 23:29Links:M Is for MamaPenny Reward SystemLeave a Review for the M is for Mama ShowPaint & ProsePre-Order Hard Is Not the Same Thing as BadM Is For Mama Chore GuideM Is For Mama Meal Plan Sign-UpFind Abbie at:InstagramYoutubeFacebook
Mar 27, 2024 • 33min
Ep. 61: OVERSTIMULATED! (Part 2–Sometimes, It’s Our Fault)
In part one of this topic, we unpacked why “overstimulation” is such a commonly used term—especially in motherhood—these days. In this episode, we take a deeper look at some of the ways we might contributing to our own overwhelm. Because sometimes, all those “tabs” left open in our brain, driving us nuts, are the results of too many bad yeses and not enough good knows. Self-awareness and the ability to admit when we have gotten into bad habits or failed to heed wise advice are both crucial to reclaiming our mental peace in a way that honors God.Sponsor Info:Site: https://www.summit.org/Code: mama24Bible References:Ecclesiastes 1:9Ephesians 5:15-16Matthew 12:36Proverbs 20:24Isaiah 26:3-41 Peter 3:15Matthew 11:29-30Hebrews 4:9-10Links:M Is for MamaPenny Reward SystemLeave a Review for the M is for Mama ShowPaint & ProsePre-Order Hard Is Not the Same Thing as BadM Is For Mama Chore GuideM Is For Mama Meal Plan Sign-UpFind Abbie at:InstagramYoutubeFacebook
Mar 20, 2024 • 32min
Ep. 60: OVERSTIMULATED!! (An Honest Look at a Hot Button Word)
Have you ever credited your frustration or overwhelm in a particular situation to “overstimulation?” If so, join the club! “Overstimulation” seems to be the word for mothers on social media (and many in-person interactions too). And it’s easy to understand why with so many things grabbing for our attention on top of a need to love and care for our families well.The good news is there is hope in the midst of the overwhelm, and we don’t have to be slaves to the things that make our brains feel like they’re full of bees. In this episode we’ll talk about the reality of feeling overstimulated (it’s not all in your head!) but also tackle practical ways to combat it with both compassion and grit. Be encouraged that “overstimulated” is not where you have to stay, friends!Sponsor Info:Site: https://www.voetbergmusicacademy.com/Code: misformamaBible References:Romans 6:1Romans 8:372 Corinthians 12:71 Peter 5:8Links:M Is for MamaPenny Reward SystemLeave a Review for the M is for Mama ShowPaint & ProsePre-Order Hard Is Not the Same Thing as BadM Is For Mama Chore GuideM Is For Mama Meal Plan Sign-UpFind Abbie at:InstagramYoutubeFacebook
Mar 13, 2024 • 38min
Ep. 59: Rhythms and Margins and Vision—Oh My! (A Chat with Lyndsey Mimnagh)
This conversation will be such an encouragement to any mama (or woman!) with a dream in her heart but no idea how to steward it well for the glory of God.In this episode, Lyndsey Mimnagh from Treehouse Schoolhouse chats with me about everything from personality traits (how much do they matter?) to working backwards from your end goal to make it a reality (it works!) to DIY house-building (we’ve both been there) to homeschooling (same) and much more!I know you will be encouraged by her stories of the Lord’s faithfulness to prepare her for the “next right thing” and her honesty about the imperfect process along the way!Guest Info:Lyndsey MimnaghInstagram: @treehouse_schoolhouseSite and Shop: treehouseschoolhouse.com15% off any purchase in her shop with the code MISFORMAMA15(15% off their total order. One use per customer. Cannot be combined with other promos.)Expires on 9/13/24Sponsor Info:Site: https://www.voetbergmusicacademy.com/Code: misformamaBible References:Philippians 4:13Psalm 1:3 Esther 4:14Links:M Is for MamaPenny Reward SystemLeave a Review for the M is for Mama ShowPaint & ProsePre-Order Hard Is Not the Same Thing as BadM Is For Mama Chore GuideM Is For Mama Meal Plan Sign-UpFind Abbie at:InstagramYoutubeFacebook
Mar 6, 2024 • 46min
Ep. 58: Raising Boys to Men (A Chat with Durenda Wilson)
“Masculinity” might be one of the most hot-button words in our current culture. And one of the most misunderstood. Thankfully, my friend, Durenda Wilson, mama to eight, including five young men, is sharing her wisdom and experience with to help us understand the truth about raising boys. With humor, compassion, and practical action steps, she explains how important it is to parent our sons with intentionality and care for the unique ways that God has made them. Check out her new book, Raising Boys to Men, and don’t forget to take advantage of exclusive pre-order offers today!Guest Info:The Durenda Wilson Podcasthttps://www.durendawilson.com/Bible References:Deuteronomy 6:6-8Links:M Is for MamaPenny Reward SystemLeave a Review for the M is for Mama ShowPaint & ProsePre-Order Hard Is Not the Same Thing as BadM Is For Mama Chore GuideM Is For Mama Meal Plan Sign-UpSummit Ministries Sign-Up DiscountFind Abbie at:InstagramYoutubeFacebook
Feb 28, 2024 • 37min
Ep. 57: Freedom In Christ (Making Decisions for Our Families Without Fear of Man)
Have you ever found yourself nervous to announce a pregnancy, discuss parenting philosophies with a friend, or discuss school choices when your mother-in-law?Why? Because you’re afraid of what they’ll say! If so, you are far from alone. It’s so hard not to let other people’s opinions on the choices we make for our families affect our confidence in them.And yet, when it comes to issues that aren’t specifically addressed by Scripture, we have so much freedom in Christ to pray, seek wise counsel, confer with our spouses, and “do the next right thing” as unto the Lord—even if it’s not a conclusion our neighbor/cousin/mom/sister/friend would have reached. Be encouraged that the Lord gives wisdom and peace to His people as they diligently seek Him. Bible References:John 15:13Colossians 3:171 Peter 2:23Romans 12:5Galatians 5:1Links:M Is for MamaPenny Reward SystemLeave a Review for the M is for Mama ShowPaint & ProsePre-Order Hard Is Not the Same Thing as BadM Is For Mama Chore GuideM Is For Mama Meal Plan Sign-UpPost About Announcing Pregnancy Without ShameFind Abbie at:InstagramYoutubeFacebook
Feb 21, 2024 • 52min
Ep. 56: The Gift of a Special Needs Child (A Chat with My Bestie, Lindsay)
I regularly get asked if any of my children have a diagnosis with which we must grapple. While the answer is no, I do have firsthand knowledge of both the struggles and the joys of having a child with special needs through my friendship with Lindsay Long, my closest friend, business partner, and the illustrator of both M Is for Mama and Hard Is Not the Same Thing as Bad, and her daughter, Evie. In this episode, we talk about the grief that comes along with realizing that your child may never achieve some of the same milestones as other children with fewer limitations.We discuss the biblical principle of true contentment and the “joy set before us” in the privilege of pouring ourselves out for our children, regardless of disability.And we declare God’s goodness in hardship, even while acknowledging that we don’t always like the circumstances in which He has placed us. I have no doubt that Lindsay’s insights and experiences will be a blessing and an encouragement to all who listen—but especially to those who walk the sometimes lonely road of special needs parenting. Proverbs 27:17Psalm 139John 12:24-26Matthew 5:39Romans 12:15-17Philippians 4:11-12John 3:30Philippians 4:131 Corinthians 3:11Isaiah 25:8Romans 8:28Links:M Is for MamaPenny Reward SystemLeave a Review for the M is for Mama ShowPaint & ProsePre-Order Hard Is Not the Same Thing as BadM Is For Mama Chore GuideM Is For Mama Meal Plan Sign-UpFind Abbie at:InstagramYoutubeFacebook
