“It is easy to love the people far away. It is not always easy to love those close to us. Bring love into your home, for this is where our love for each other must start.”
~ St. Teresa of Calcutta

Why am I so emotionally tied up in my kids' accomplishments?
Is my child's behavior a verdict on my parenting?
How can I be invested in my child without trying to control them?

In Episode 64 of This Whole Life, Kenna welcomes guest Rachel Balducci for an insightful discussion on parenting, identity, and faith. They delve into the emotional journey parents undergo as they detach from their children's achievements and embrace their true identity and worth. Rachel shares personal stories, emphasizing the importance of humor and grace in parenting. The conversation highlights the need to maintain healthy boundaries, allowing children to forge their own paths while anchoring self-worth in the Lord, not external validation. Rachel also reflects on fostering authentic community and the transformative power of prayer, offering listeners encouragement in building genuine relationships and seeking holiness in everyday life. The episode is a thought-provoking exploration of how faith and mental health intertwine in parenting, with Kenna and Rachel offering wisdom and guidance for navigating challenges with love and understanding.

Rachel Balducci is a cohost of The Gist, a talk show for women on CatholicTV, and teaches journalism at Augusta University. She is the author of No Such Thing As Ordinary, Overcommitted: Cut Chaos and Find Balance, Make My Life Simple: Bringing Peace to Heart and Home and How Do You Tuck in a Superhero and Other Delightful Mysteries of Raising Boys. Rachel and her husband, Paul, live in Georgia and have five sons and one daughter.

Episode 64 Show Notes

Rachel Balducci's books

Chapters:
0:00: Introduction and Highs & Hards
10:32: Humility & candor in parenting
17:24: Finding community & letting go of control
33:42: Freedom from others' opinions of my children as extensions of me
46:30: Receiving our value from the Lord, not from our children
54:55: Challenge By Choice

Reflection Questions:

1. What is one specific thing that stuck with you from this conversation?
2. What are the most wonderful things about marriage & parenting? What are the most challenging things about parenting?
3. In what ways can parents balance the tension between helping their children pursue excellence and reminding them of their worth regardless of their accomplishments?
4. What kinds of community an

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Interested in more faith-filled mental health resources? Check out the Martin Center for Integration

Music: "You're Not Alone" by Marie Miller. Used with permission.