I crave mentors and wisdom! I feel like I can spot wise women in any room. Lisa Clark is one of those mentors and I’m delighted to share her with you today. You will absolutely love hearing her “best and worst parenting advice” as she thinks back over her 35 years of parenting. 

As a grandmother now, she is at a place in life where she can look back and assess what was true and what wasn’t. Some advice is helpful and some is not. Some advice is biblical and some is not. Lisa shares so many incredible pieces of encouragement with us today - from how to discipline, the role of dads, when and how to have sex talks and much more. Lisa prioritizes her faith in a beautiful way but also has a very solid grasp on the realities we are facing as moms. I always feel lighter and more encouraged after time with her. 

My favorite part is at the end when she shares why we should be deliberate in teaching the gospel. She gives very specific ways we can do this and reminds us why it matters. I am praying that you feel so deeply seen in this episode and that the work you are doing as a mom matters. 

In this episode we discuss:

• Some best and worst parenting advice
• Why adult children are amazing
• How to trust our gut as mothers
• How to help our kids learn boundaries
• How to be our child’s advocate first

Enjoy!

Courtney 

(00:00) Navigating Grandparenting Dynamics

(02:12) The Myth of 18 Years

(04:31) Evolving Relationships with Adult Children

(06:50) The Balance of Discipline and Gentle Parenting

(10:51) Challenging Conventional Parenting Advice

(14:58) Trusting Your Instincts as a Parent

(18:24) Navigating Kindness and Boundaries

(20:29) The Importance of Sleep Schedules

(22:25) Open Conversations About Sex

(25:52) The Balance of Parenting Styles

(30:33) Empowering Dads in Parenting

(33:38) Intentional Gospel Teaching

Connect with Pardon The Mess:

Christian Parenting

Pardon The Mess 

Courtney DeFeo

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Christian Parenting Christmas Gift Guide

Resources from today’s show:

Wild Interest podcast

Connect with Lisa Clark

Raising Sinners book by Lisa Clark

Raising Sinners podcast by Lisa Clark

Age of Opportunity by Paul David Tripp

Crossover at OU

Dr. David and Amanda Erickson episode - Discipline, Consequences

Birds & Bees (Mary Flo Ridley)

Dangers of Growing Up in a Christian Home

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