Elevating Motherhood

Guest: Brianna Reiser, Vice President of Experience at ToothpillowOverview: In this episode, we explore the incredible impact of Toothpillow, a comprehensive airway health program for kids, with Brianna Reiser—an experienced dental professional whose personal journey led her to this work. We dive into the “why” behind Toothpillow, how it works, and my personal experience using it with my daughter.In This Episode:Meet Brianna Reiser14+ years in dentistryLost her mother to sleep apnea, which led to her passion for airway healthNow VP of Experience at Toothpillow, working to make airway care accessibleWhy Airway Dentistry MattersUnderdeveloped jaws: a growing epidemicRoot causes of crooked teeth (not just cosmetic!)Cultural factors: diet, breastfeeding challenges, and lack of support for oral developmentThe danger of “band-aid” approaches (like wisdom teeth removal without cause investigation)What Toothpillow Is & How It WorksA two-year, app-supported airway health programIncludes myofunctional exercises, nasal hygiene, and tongue tie assessmentsGuides kids through face muscle training and jaw developmentThree current competitors: Healthy Start Habit Corrector, MyoBrace, and Vivos GuidesToothpillow is a full program—not just a single deviceWhat Makes It DifferentEvery child is assigned a dentist and a virtual dental assistant through the appPersonalized coaching and ongoing support available to parentsNot every child is a fit (about 30% are not recommended to proceed)Compliance is supported through encouragement and trackingCommon Signs of Airway Struggles in Kids:Mouth breathingNight wakingBedwettingNightmares or terrorsADHD-like symptomsWhy Moms Love ItAffordable: No brick-and-mortar costs passed on to parentsEasy-to-use app experienceHolistic and rooted in connection—not just clinicalMy Personal Review:My daughter has been using Toothpillow for over 4 monthsNoticed improvements: better sleep, no more night terrors, fewer dark circlesFace shape is changing; jaw is visibly wider“When I wear my Toothpillow, my tongue just knows where to go.”Toothpillow for the Future:Plans to expand to adults and babiesKeeping long-term health and root causes at the center of careSPECIAL OFFER: Use code LORIBETH for $200 off + a free video assessment ($50 value)Referenced:Episode 175 – Intro to Airway DentistryToothpillow Website: ⁠Toothpillow.com⁠Elevating Motherhood: ⁠elevatingmotherhood.com⁠Instagram: @loribethauldridge

What if your child’s mouth breathing, restless sleep, or even focus issues weren’t behavioral—but biological?In this eye-opening episode, I sit down with a pediatric airway dentist to explore the critical (and often overlooked) role of airway health in childhood development. We talk about how things like tongue ties, narrow palates, and poor oral posture can impact sleep, behavior, and even long-term health—and why early intervention matters.If you’ve ever been told “they’ll grow out of it,” or felt dismissed when raising concerns about your child’s breathing or sleep, this conversation is for you.In this episode, we cover:* The difference between traditional and airway-focused dentistry* How mouth breathing can lead to misdiagnoses like ADHD or anxiety* Signs parents can look for at home* What treatment and support can look like* Why airway health is a foundational part of whole-child wellnessThis episode is full of insight, practical takeaways, and encouragement for parents who want to better understand what’s going on beneath the surface of their child’s symptoms. Dr. Hilary’s Bio: Dr. Hilary Fritsch is a leading airway and biological dentist, one of the very few in the country with deep expertise in proper jaw development and airway health. She is also Montana’s premier Toothpillow provider, offering cutting-edge, nonsurgical techniques to optimizeairway growth and function.Practicing dentistry since 2006, Dr. Fritsch has been featured on The Today Show (NBC), New York Magazine, Business Insider, Pop Sugar, Fatherly, and Romper. Her passion for wellness is deeply personal—shaped by her own struggles with childhood sleep apnea and a debilitating autoimmunedisease that once impaired her ability to see and even walk unassisted. These experiences fuel her commitment to helping patients and their families optimize their health through airway-focused dentistry.Dr. Fritsch is the founder of Western Sleep Solutions andSaddle Peak Dental, both rooted in the philosophy that oral health is intricately connected to whole-body health. She specializes in nonsurgical airway development and the treatment of sleep apnea, breathing disorders, andorthodontic issues that impact long-term wellness.Determined to bring the best possible care to her patients,Dr. Fritsch has trained under one of the most elite airway dentists in the world and continuously pursues advanced education in airway-aware orthodontics, occlusion, and oral microbiome health. She is an active member of theInternational Academy of Sleep and other leading organizations dedicated to uncovering the root causes of airway dysfunction.Dr. Fritsch is passionate about educating and empowering her patients—both young and old—to take ownership of their health, breathing, and longevity. Quick Note Before We Begin:If you get curious during this episode about the palateexpander device we mention, head to toothpillow.com and use the code LORIBETH to receive a free video consultation with a trained airway dentist—a $50 value—plus $200 off the cost of treatment.That’s toothpillow.com, code LORIBETHDr. Hilary’s Links: Website: Saddlepdeakdental.comInstagram: @hilaryfritschdmd Elevating Motherhood Links: Website: www.elevatingmotherhood.comInstagram: @loribethauldridge @elevatingmotherhood

The Kind of Decluttering That Actually Lastswith Julia UbbengaJulia Ubbenga is a minimalist. I’m not.But I read her new book Declutter Your Heart and Your Home from cover to cover—and I was both challenged and changed.In this episode, we talk about what it really means to live with less—less clutter, less noise, less pressure—and how that can create more space for peace, purpose, and presence. We dive into the emotional side of decluttering, why stuff isn’t the real problem, and how simplifying your outer world can lead to deep inner clarity.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the chaos in your home or your calendar... this conversation will speak to you.In this episode: ​Why emotional clutter keeps us stuck​How to start simplifying when minimalism feels extreme​The surprising link between physical space and spiritual freedom​What Julia let go of—and what she gained​And why this kind of decluttering actually lastsWhether you're a seasoned minimalist or just starting to rethink what “enough” looks like, this episode will encourage you to move toward a simpler, more intentional way of living.Julia's Links: Instagram: @richinwhatmattersWebsite: www.richinwhatmatters.com Lori Beth's Links: Instagram: @loribethauldridgeWebsite: www.elevatingmotherhood.comCheck out my favorite planner: www.sparrowhomeschool.comCODE: LORIBETH for 10% off

Mary Ruth Organics collaborated with the brand Liquid Death in a temporary collaboration for their nighttime formula. They released the "ad" on social media that included chainsawing clowns (murder) and dark imagery and messaging that really rocked the online space. The collaboration seemed to make zero sense for those of us who have been users of Mary Ruth's high quality vitamins and products for years. There was outrage--including from me. I left an unbecoming comment on MRO's IG post, I cancelled my subscription to their products, I shared it with friends and followers. And once I had done all of those things, I should have felt some sort of peace, right? Wasn't that the "right" thing to do? Wasn't this me aligning my actions and values? It sure didn't feel like it...I couldn't get rid of this nagging feeling that perhaps Mary Ruth Organics wasn't familiar with just how dark Liquid Death's advertising tactics can get (ever heard of their "soul contract?") So I decided to message the MRO's IG page and ask if they knew about it and get curious about how this collaboration came to be. You know who answered? Mary Ruth herself. THE Mary Ruth of Mary Ruth Organics. She messaged me back and asked if we could talk. I said yes. She called me, we chatted, and at the end of the conversations I can confidently say hearts and minds were changed--especially mine. This episode is about the unfolding and understanding that took place after that conversation. It also explains why--despite the online outrage over a collaboration (that has ended, by the way)--I'm going to continue to buy and use Mary Ruth Organics products. Disclaimer: at the the time of this recording, I am not an affiliate for or have any sort of business relationship with Mary Ruth Organics. This is simply my opinion & personal story about a "hot topic" among the mom community.

This episode is my audio version of my contribution to the 2025 For the Love of Homeschooling Homesteading & Skillful Living Mega Bundle – available now through April 25, 2025 Get your mega bundle here: https://www.fortheloveofhomeschooling.com/?ref=loribethWhat makes me a passionate home cook?Lori Beth Auldridge is a homeschooling mom of 4 & passionate home cook. She learned from the best (Grandma Huck) while growing up in Appalachia & from private celebrity chefs when she worked as a personal assistant. She is the creator & host of the Elevating Motherhood Podcast. Follow her on IG: @loribethauldridgeWhat if cooking didn’t feel overwhelming? What if you could follow a recipe—or even create your own—without second-guessing yourself? I’m here to help.In this episode, you’ll find my 8 best tips for home cooks to help you build trust in your own cooking instincts. You’ll learn how to elevate flavors, experiment with spices, and make meals that actually taste good—not just edible. We’ll also cover how to study recipes, memorize key dishes, and practice your favorites so they feel effortless.Cooking doesn’t have to be complicated. Let’s make it simple—and enjoyable. I’m glad you’re here. Let’s get started!Tip 1: Cook from Semi-Scratch. Tip 2: Elevate Your Flavor Profiles.Tip 3: Pinch Your SaltTip 4: Bold Flavors, Better CookingTip 5: Study Recipes and Make Them Your OwnTip 6: Perfect a Favorite DishTip 7: Try New MealsTip 8: Memorize a Recipe(More details available in print form in the mega bundle)Lori Beth’s Famous Easy 3-sy Sausage GravyIf you can remember the number 3, you can memorize this recipe!1lb ground sage breakfast sausage3 tbs grass-fed butter1/3 cup white flour3 cups raw milksalt & pepper to tasteBrown the sausage in a pan on the stove. Once browned, add 3 tbs of butter. Let the butter melt, stir the sausage to coat. Add the flour. Stir again, coating the sausage. Allow the butter & flour to cook together for a few moments, forming a roux. Once a roux is achieved, add the milk. Stir continually on low to medium heat until thickened. You’ll know it’s ready when you scrape the pan and the gravy doesn’t come back together right away, but slowly moves back together because of its thickness. Add salt & pepper to taste (aiming to season heavily), tasting for flavor before serving. Serve over biscuits of your choosing.Note: I’ve added my personal preferences for a knock-your-socks-off gravy, but you are welcome to use your own (real) butter, whole milk, & preferred flavor of sausage.

Today’s Sponsor: Homesteading & Skillful LivingMega Bundle 2025 Evgeniia’s Bio: Evgeniia Arasim is a homeschooling mama and holistic health coach dedicated to helping fellow homeschooling moms overcome burnout through movement, nourishing food, andmindset work. Originally from Russia, she grew up in a competitive school and sports environment but chose a different path for her own child—one filled with wild adventures, child-led learning, and a slow, intentional lifestyle.Now living in Toronto with her husband and son, Evgeniia embraces a multilingual homeschooling journey, incorporating English, Polish, and Russian into their daily learning, making education both enriching and fun.After becoming a mother, she shifted her focus from traditional fitness to holistic health,recognizing that true well-being goes beyond just movement. With a deep understanding of metabolism, movement, and sustainable wellness, she now empowers homeschooling moms to nourish their bodies, regain their energy, and thrive in both motherhood and homeschooling.In this episode, Evgeniia & I talk about: * Her Russian background* Her work with homeschool moms on their health journeys* What is cortisol is and why it matters* Cortisol is all the rage online right now* Cortisol is a hormone* Life-long learning mindset* Not aiming for perfection but for learning* High cortisol* Low cortisol* Cortisol testing* What we can do today to feel better* Cortisol is supposed to peak in the morning (between 6-8am)* Using our cortisol energy to live our life (not scroll social media)* Doing what helps you survive* Everyone stresses out about something different* Glycogen & the liver* Insulin resistance* Hemoglobin A1C averages* Do we need snacks? * Sugars going up and down* Making small changes* Cortisol and metabolism* Cortisol and weight management* Accepting your body shape/form * Acknowledging our natural body frame* It’s never going to be “just cortisol”* Blood sugar disregulation and imbalances* Craving certain things* Energy crashes* Muscles not growing despite working out* Symptoms of high cortisol* Symptoms of low cortisol* H pylori * Best tips for balancing cortisol* Managing weight for how our body needs to be* Breathing exercises* Prioritizes protein* Protein before coffee* Get outside and get morning sunlight* Cold plunging* Challenging yourself* Book Evgeniia mentions: Wim Hof: Iceman* Underestimating the importance of sleep* Evgeniia’s coaching offerings Evgeniia’s Links: Free Cortisol Guide: (April 2025 only) https://www.atnourishedmotherhood.com/page/650812Instagram: @at.nourished.motherhoodWebsite: www.atnourishedmotherhood.com  Elevating Motherhood Links: Instagram: @loribethauldridge @elevatingmotherhood Website: www.elevatingmotherhood.comLeave a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts! This helps other moms find this resource...thank you for listening! I appreciate you!

*Must Read* Book Alert! + *Must Listen* Episode!Patience, purpose, perfectionism, stagnation, doubts, worries, fear…there aren’t many stones we leave unturned in this episode of Elevating Motherhood! Britt Maher and Cassandra Speer co-authored a book called Ready As You Are: Discovering a Life of Aundance When You Feel Inadequate, Uncertain, & Disqualified...Britt is here today to share about the book and their incredible mission to encourage women (especially moms!)  Britt’s Bio: Brittany Maher (Britt) is the founder and president of Her True Worth, a large and growing online community designed to liberate an entire generation of faith-filled women with the freedom found in discovering their true worth in Christ. She and her husband Ryan invest most of their time in equipping and empowering God's people for digital evangelism across the globe. Brittany is planted in Michigan with her husband, Ryan, and their daughter, Ariana.Link to the book Britt’s Links:IG: @brittmaher @hertrueworth @cassandralspeer Elevating Motherhood Links: Website: www.elevatingmotherhood.comIG: @loribethauldridge @elevatingmotherhood

For the Love of Homeschooling Virtual Conference: Click here to join!Episode 169 Show NotesSpring is almost here—it's March 1st, and the air is starting to feel different! Before we fully dive into the new season, let’s take a moment to reflect on this winter (yes, we’re still in it) and all the growth and learning we've experienced this winter. I’ll lead you through the questions and give you a few of my answers, but also press pause and apply each question to your own life.   1.     What were your goals for winter? Did you meet any of them?2.     Celebrate what went well and all you did accomplish (including holidays)3.     Were your goals realistic? Were they too much or not challenging enough? 4.     Did you rest? Enough or too much? 5.     What is something you really enjoyed this winter? 6.     Did you create magical moments worth recreating? Any new traditions? 7.     Did you read? Any good book suggestions worth passing along to others? 8.     Were you cozy? Content?9.     How was your mood? Do you think the weather affected you?10.  Is there anything you would do different next year?   Elevating Motherhood Links: Website: www.elevatingmotherhood.comAmazon Book Lists: Click here for book listsInstagram: @loribethauldridge @elevatingmotherhood

For the Love of Homeschooling Virtual Conference Link - click here. This episode is pure encouragement & hope! Mamas…tune into this episode and be inspired by Sally’s generous spirit and find out about her newest book Well Lived.  Sally’s Bio: Sally Clarkson is a bestselling author, renowned speaker, and beloved mentor who has dedicated her life to inspiring countless women to live for Christ. Her podcast, At Home With Sally, has over 28 million downloads. She has been married to her husband Clay for more than forty years and they have raised four adult children. Today, Sally lives between the mountains of Colorado and the rolling fields of England. In this episode, Sally & I talk about…·      Her latest book Well Lived·      Surrounding ourselves with beauty in dark times·      Rhythms·      Taking time away from work and then come back, it gives you clarity & focus·      Finding delight even in the hard times·      Not being a victim·      Whatever you practice, you become·      Guarding our children·      Choices inside our hearts·      Keep going forward·      Mount up over the darknessSally’s Links: Website: www.sallyclarkson.comIG: @sally.clarkson Elevating Motherhood Links: Website: www.elevatingmotherhood.comIG: @loribethauldridge @elevatingmotherhood

Sponsor Highlight: The 2025 For the Love of Homeschooling Virtual Conference--Join Now!A romance author on a "serious" podcast for moms? ABSOLUTELY. Melissa's message is just what we need right now...more light, more hope, more joy, more whimsy. You are going to enjoy this chat SO MUCH!Melissa’s Bio: Melissa Ferguson is the bestselling author of titles including Meet Me in the Margins, How to Plot a Payback, On the Way to Christmas, and The Perfect Rom-Com.She lives in Tennessee with her husband and children in their growing farmhouse lifestyle and writes heartwarming romantic comedies that have been featured in such places as The Hollywood Reporter, Travel + Leisure, Woman’s World, and BuzzFeed. Join along her journey with over 900,000 other followers at @ourfriendlyfarmhouse. In this interview, Melissa & I talk about: * Melissa’s new book: The Perfect Rom Com* How I went from reading The Invisible War (about spiritual warfare) to reading a rom com* Love and laughter…why is it considered less than other things we need* Cheerfulness and whimsy in motherhood & everyday life* The bleak motherhood messaging in American culture right now* An invitation into lightness* Humility in motherhood* Living hopeful and loving* Finding the balance between strong messaging & lightness* Encouragement for moms* Strength in lightness* Being bold in our life (and everyday!) decisions* And SO MUCH MORE!More info over at: www.elevatingmotherhood.comMelissa’s Links: Website: www.melissafurguson.comInstagram: @ourfriendlyfarmhouseFind Melissa's Books Here 

You Can Create a Flexible Schedule That Supports Connection in Every Season  Today's conversation is for all moms (not just homeschoolers!) It's packed full of ideas for creating rhythms, traditions, and memories no matter season (or the weather!) It's a conversation about connection & intentional mothering that you're going to love. Lyndsey’s Bio: Lyndsey Mimnagh is a homeschool mom of four and the founder of Treehouse Schoolhouse. Before motherhood, Lyndsey had a career in children's ministry and special needs education. Her home education centers around living books and ideas, hands-on learning, nature exploration, and biblical discipleship. She shares experiences and home education inspiration through her Instagram and blog, as well as creates curriculum and resources for families around the world. Her most popular curriculum titles are An Expectant Easter, A Connected Christmas, and Treehouse Nature Study.   CODE: ELEVATINGMOTHERHOOD15 for 15% off Treehouse Schoolhouse www.treehouseschoolhouse.com Lyndsey’s Links:  Instagram: @treehouse_schoolhouseFacebook: /treehouse.schoolhouseYouTube: /TreehouseSchoolhousePinterest: /TSMotherhoodHomeschool   Elevating Motherhood Links: Instagram: @loribethauldridge @elevatingmotherhood Website: www.elevatingmotherhood.com

We’ve known and seen how consumerism, materialism, and sugar have taken over Christmas. We see it, know it, and understand it…and we’re still influenced and affected by it, even when we “know better.” I know many parents who are wanting to step out of the holiday spending swirl and get their kids less stuff this stuff this year. But many (myself included at times) are conflicted because we don’t want to let our kids down by giving them less than previous years. And yet the need for change and simplification can’t be ignored. So how do we make peace with downsizing Christmas this year? We’ve got to get to a place where we feel confident and calm about our decision to simplify Christmas and get/give less stuff.  Listen to the full episode for tips, suggestions, and idea for how to confidently downsize Christmas gracefully with grace. Merry Christmas! I appreciate you! www.elevatingmotherhood.com IG: @loribethauldridge Love this episode? Give it a 5 star review! Reviews help others find the show...and their confidence!

Burnout, frustration, exhaustion…as moms, these feelings rear their ugly heads more often than we’d like. We’re human. We only have so much capacity. We get touched out, noised out, and just need a break. Whether these emotions creep up daily or just occasionally isn’t as important as how we handle them when they do arise. Jenny Hedrick, host of The Super Simple Homeschool Podcast, is here today to share her tips and thoughts on how to find rest in the lifelong ministry that is motherhood. While Jenny’s podcast is about homeschool, my podcast is about motherhood in general. This conversation is for all moms, not just homeschoolers. So if you’re looking for strategies, ideas, and biblically sound solutions to finding rest as a mom, this episode is for you.  Jenny’s Bio: Jenny Hedrick   is a homeschool mom who works as a mental health therapist and relationship intelligence coach. She is a licensed clinical social worker and certified Core Strengths facilitator. Jenny also has a Certificate in Christian Apologetics from Biola University. Jenny lives in Northern Colorado with her husband and their 3 kids, 2 dogs, 2 cats, 3 axolotls, chickens and honeybees. Jenny is a professional speaker and trainer with experience in virtual webinars, retreats and full-day trainings. She started the Super Simple Homeschool podcast and website in 2024 to help inspire moms to homeschool simply and purposefully. In this episode Jenny & I talk about:  ·      Jenny’s podcast: The Super Simple Homeschool Podcast  ·      How she has homeschooled for 8 years ·      She’s a mental health therapist ·      Dealing with mental health in practical and biblical ways ·      How loud the internet is right now ·      The spiritual side of healing and trauma is often ignored ·      How mental health practices can be humanistic in our culture, especially motherhood ·      The self focus of motherhood  ·      The definition of “self care”  ·      The sacrificial nature of motherhood ·      Can Jesus relate to mothers? Jenny shows us the connection ·      How did Jesus take care of himself? He spent time alone in prayer ·      Jesus had a three year ministry that changed the course of history ·      Moms have a life long ministry ·      Jesus is sufficient for our needs ·      How we view rest ·      Take every thought captive ·      Busyness & hurry in motherhood ·      The story of Mary & Martha ·      Distractions of the enemy ·      Praying for discernment as mothers ·      Productivity as an idol ·      You don’t have to keep working so hard to earn your place with Jesus ·      Receive instead of do & produce ·      Eryn Lynum’s new book coming this Spring ·      The habit of sabbath ·      The pressure to fill our down times with productivity ·      Learning to just sit ·      Allowing everyone in the family space to rest ·      Life is about togetherness and community ·      How sabbath spilled over into her relationships ·      Is there resentment in my heart as a mom?  ·      Learning how to be self-reflective as a mom ·      When psychology reflects scripture ·      Where to find a good Christian therapist

Winter is upon us...and so are so many common childhood sicknesses. In this episode, I'll help you: 1. Teach your child how to swallow pills (starting at age 3!) 2. Teach them how to barf (without drama) 3. Share my top 3 basics I always have on hand before sickness strikes (spoiler alert: they are NAC, activated charcoal, & hot tea) Listen, like, subscribe, & leave a 5 star review if this episode is helpful to you! www.elevatingmotherhood.com

Ever heard of PDA? Pathological Demand Avoidance? It's a nervous system disability that falls on the autism spectrum. It's often confused with ODD. In this episode, Casey and I talk about: * What PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) is * PDA awareness & caregiver strategies * Traumatic birth and PDA * Symptoms & Sign of PDA * How a diagnosis of PDA happens * The fact that PDA isn’t new, our awareness is deepening * The anxiety driven need for control * Trauma healing and nervous system regulation * And SO MUCH MORE! Casey’s Bio: Casey Ehrlich, Ph.D. is a social scientist, parent coach and educator, and the CEO and founder of At Peace Parents, LLC. Casey brings 15 years of work experience and expertise in social science methodology to help parents and therapists understand how to connect with and accommodate PDA Autistic children. She is currently working on empirical research with the University of Michigan Medical School on Pathological Demand Avoidance in children and teens. She helps parents radically accept the constraints of raising a child with a nervous system disability so they can find peace on their parenting journey. More Podcasts: www.elevatingmotherhood.com Homeschool Support: www.elevatinghomeschool.com

Be Honest: How was your Mother's Day? In this episode, I talk about: * The importance of reflecting on what went well (and what didn’t) during this year’s Mother’s Day * How my Mother’s Day this year ACTUALLY went * Setting up everyone for success on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day * Checking in with my husband before Father’s Day about what he wants and needs that weekend (and in his everyday life) * Making Mother’s Day and Father’s Day a whole weekend celebration instead of just a day * Taking time on Saturday to be by yourself before Mother’s Day * Giving him time alone on Saturday before celebrating together on Father’s Day * Meeting needs before celebrating and using frustrations as growing points instead of just frustration points   Join me at this year’s FOCUS Retreat! To find out more and register, go to: www.thefocusretreat.com

Mother’s Day brings with it a roller coaster of emotions…and there are some complex reasons for that. Heaven forbid we feel disappointed on Mother’s Day because we feel like we can’t express that and feel guilty for even feeling that way or explode from trying to keep those “negative” emotions inside for too long. Add in things like loss, longing, grief, infertility, work, the craziness of the calendar in May…and it’s no wonder many moms get overwhelmed and underwhelmed at the same time on Mother’s Day. Chris took the kids out for the morning and I wanted to process this Mother’s Day with you while I have a minute to reflect. This is a heavy one for me since it’s my first one without either of my grandmas. Mother’s Day expectations are on our minds as the big day approaches…most of us are in charge of balancing the family calendar and most celebration details and this holiday is one that supposedly is for us, not by us and, and, well, that’s hard. I have a few thoughts, ideas, and stories to share with you in this episode. Here are a few highlights: * Grace upon grace upon grace *Your emotions are valid *10/10 recommend time alone the day BEFORE Mother’s Day *Feeling disappointed on Mother’s Day is more common than you think *Clear communication about what I want on actual Mother’s Day as a way to avoid disappointment or hurt feelings will go a long way! More episodes and info available at: www.elevatingmotherhood.com

A rare appearance from my husband Chris who courageously shows up today in a raw, candid conversation with me about marriage, expectations, and who needs to do more. It’s really hard to talk about marriage in a public forum because it can be easily be misinterpreted as “advice” …and we want to reassure you that today’s episode is not intended to be marriage advice, it’s not about anyone in particular, it’s us seeing a common thread all around us (even online and in shows!) and pulling that thread to see where it leads us. Our hope is that this episode is a conversation starter for you and your spouse—a perspective that leads to deeper growth and conversation. We hope it’s an example of how two people in a marriage can view things differently and not have those differences be a hinderance or cause hurt to the other. These are incomplete thoughts—observations rather than conclusions. Will you see yourself in this episode? Will you see your marriage in this episode? Will your husband? We don’t know. Marriages have similarities and differences across the board. We’ll be curious to hear your thoughts at the end. Thanks for listening and for your gentleness and respect as we pull at this new thread in a public and unscripted way. In this episode Chris and I talk about: · Martyrdom · Husbands not doing enough · Financial trials in our current culture · Our current economy · Tensions in marriage · Man dogging culture · Allowing time for transitions · Looking for creative ways to bring in more money · Answering the call to do more · Having patience with transitions · Ideals · Starting over · How it’s hard to find the motivation to do more for less · Skewed expectations of what we are bringing to the table · Are women growing & changing at a faster rate than men? · Dads not being on board with homeschool and why · Jealousy in our roles · Living a scheduled life when your family doesn’t · Moms researching parenting · Fair expectations · Happiness and rest for both spouses · Respecting each other’s perspectives · Man hating culture is trickling into marriage culture · Actions speak louder than words · Men feel emotions like stress and jealousy too · What do you believe about your husband? · What do you believe about your marriage? · What is the undercurrent in your marriage? Christian Business Women! This is for you: www.thefocusretreat.com

This is a high energy conversation. For some reason it’s highly political at the moment to talk about boys, men, gender, and masculinity. And here we are as moms, right smack dab the middle of the over-politicized nonsense, trying to have meaningful marriages with our husbands and raise our sons well in a world that bashes boys and men. We need to talk about the tension—both the undercurrent in our culture and the outright hatred toward men. We need to stand up for our sons and raise them up at the same time. In this interview you’ll hear me tell the story about how when I found out I was pregnant at 40, I knew I was going to have a son. I knew I was going to be called to speak out about the war on men happening in our current culture. My guest today is Durenda Wilson…she is a friend of mine but also a brilliant writer and podcaster. I look to her a lot for homeschool and parenting advice. She speaks out on this subject with so much grace and encouragement. Her perspective really takes the charge off our current cultural messaging and puts tools and encouragement back in the hands and hearts of moms so we can show up well in our marriages and in our motherhood. You’ll leave this conversation feeling equipped as a boy mom and have a better understanding of what true masculinity is. Durenda Bio: Durenda Wilson has been married to Darryl for 34 years. He wanted two children and she wanted ten. They compromised at eight. Durenda has over 30 years of homeschool experience. She also has 11 grandchildren (7 are boys) who are also being homeschooled. During her years of experience in home education, she has seen first hand how kids learn naturally and effectively when they are given time and space along with encouragement to trust their own learning processes. She wants to take this hard-earned wisdom and mentor moms—she believes an encouraged mom is always a better mom. Durenda began The Durenda Wilson Podcast for this purpose back in July 2017 which grew quickly and gained recognition with both families and leaders in the homeschool community. Durenda has over 500 episodes to choose from and boasts over 3 million downloads! FULL SHOW NOTES AT: WWW.ELEVATINGMOTHERHOOD.COM Durenda's Links: Buy Her Book: https://a.co/d/3lEu5J4 Website: www.durendawilson.com Instagram: @durendaleewilson   Today’s Sponsor: The Focus Retreat www.thefocusretreat.com

Well, it's been another week of the internet going crazy. But so many friends and followers sent me two of the same posts this week and I felt called to share my thoughts on them because to me they are incredibly related: 1. Hannah of Ballerina Farms is competing in the Mrs. World Pageant and the internet has decided she is dangerous and setting a bad example (oooooookay…) 2. The teacher calling for parents to take phones away from kids and stop letting phones raise their children because 4th graders are bullying, body shaming, and twerking on the playground.   What Do I Think the REAL Issues Are? We have some thinking to do as parents. We can do better as moms (& no, that's not shaming) The need for more self-awareness Parenting our own children The real danger: peer-oriented culture Mom shaming Toxic postpartum messaging Bullying (by grown-ups and kids) Who are the bullies? Cattiness & Meanness The over-sexualization of everything Ease and convenience over depth and meaning Healthy boundaries with internet use Parents need to ask themselves Allowing sensationalism to trump the real lessons As moms, we need to strive to do better by our kids The call to strive   “Am I smiling and laughing at strangers entertaining me on my phone more than I’m looking at my kids and smiling and laughing because they are bringing me joy in my every day?” -Lori Beth Auldridge   No ad spots today because I wanted to get right to the message. But check out all our sponsors at www.elevatingmotherhood.com