167. Whimsy & Joy: A Heartfelt Chat with Melissa Ferguson on Writing Romance & Adding Delight to Everyday Life
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
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166. Mothering with the Seasons with Lyndsey Mimnagh of Treehouse Schoolhouse
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
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165. Downsizing Christmas: Less Stuff, More Meaning
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
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Reviews help others find the show...and their confidence!
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164. Finding Rest in the Lifelong Ministry of Motherhood with Jenny Hedrick
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
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163. Sick Kid? 3 Tips to Help You Help Them
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
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