Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I need help with my child’s behaviour” — especially when your kids’ attitudes seem to flip your stress switch instantly? You’re not alone. In this episode of Conquer Mom Stress, host Jill Gockel dives into why your kids’ behavior can trigger so much mom stress and how your expectations might actually be shaping what you see. 

Through heartfelt storytelling and brain-based insight, Jill explains how moms unintentionally fall into a cycle of trying to control kids, do all the things, and still feel like they’re failing as a mom. You’ll learn why your brain focuses on what you expect, how your thoughts create your emotions and behaviors, and how to shift from frustration to faith-filled confidence.

Why your child’s behavior feels so personal: How confirmation bias makes you spot the behavior you don’t want to see.

How stress shows up in your body: The link between your thoughts, your hormones, and your reactions to your kids.

The power of expectations: Why what you expect often becomes what you experience in motherhood.

Uncover your subconscious thoughts and expectations.

Speak the expectation you want.

Utilize the power of prayer to realign your focus and find peace.

Three strategies to change child behavior naturally:

Why prayer and gratitude reduce mom guilt: How focusing on the good helps you show up as a calm, connected mom.

As Jill shares, “You don’t get what you want — you get what you expect.”

When you change what you expect, you change how you show up — and that’s how you begin to change child behavior without the stress or guilt.

It’s not about being perfect or doing all the things.

It’s about learning how to be a good mom by seeing your kids through a lens of love, not fear.

You’ll walk away from this episode with faith-based tools and practical mindset shifts that help you feel like a good mom again — calm, patient, and confident in your ability to guide your kids with grace.

Your brain looks for evidence to prove your thoughts true. Expect kindness, and you’ll start to see it.

Gratitude and prayer shift your focus from stress to peace.

Changing your expectations changes your child’s behavior — and your own.

Feeling like you’re failing as a mom doesn’t mean you are. It means you care deeply. 

Let your expectations reflect the goodness you want to see in your children, your spouse, and yourself.

Today, think about one behavior you’d like to see changed in your child.

Create a simple daily prayer around it.

Say it, believe it, and watch how your expectations — and your child’s behavior — begin to shift. 

Motherhood isn’t meant to drain you — it’s meant to grow you.

You can conquer mom stress by changing what you focus on.

When you choose faith over frustration, you’ll discover that peace was available all along.

👉 If this episode encouraged you, share it with another mom who might need it. She will be forever grateful for your thoughtfulness.  

🎁 Have a specific mom stressor you want Jill to cover? Submit your question here → jillgockel.com/ask 

💌 Let’s connect on Facebook → @JillGockel

🌐 Visit the blog + more resources → jillgockel.com/blog 

👉 Loved this episode? Don’t keep it to yourself!

⭐ Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts: Conquer Mom Stress 

📲 Follow the show on Instagram: @JillGockel

🌐 Visit our website: jillgockel.com