I'm all for being prepared. I'm a planner and a think ahead-er.

And sometimes, that makes my life easier and better!

But sometimes, planning ahead- for things that could go wrong- actually makes life worse.

Today we're talking about common scenarios where trying to prepare ourselves for the worst case scenario is not helpful at all.

I'll give some real life examples, and provide what I think is a more useful strategy.

Today's episode is short and sweet.

I'm sharing how I chose to use the sabbath as a day of rest last week.

Because maybe you could use a rest too.

Matthew 11:28-30

Today we're talking about the difference between discipline and punishment.

One is intended to teach and train, the other is intended to control or to assert power.

This episode talks about what our real goal is as parents, and how to use consequences not as punishments, but as genuine opportunities to teach.

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Today is the continuation of the last week's episode.

We're talking about tips 4 and 5 from my ebook: Parenting Teengaers 101: a Guidebook for Parents.

4. Let Your Teaching Strategies Evolve

5. Be Their Biggest Fan

Today I'm sharing three parenting strategies I wish I had understood better when my oldest child entered the teen years.

1. Don't freak out
2. It's not about you
3. Allow big emotions

These "tips" come from years of experience, both parenting my own teens, and coaching parents of teens.

You can find these same tips in my short ebook, "Parenting Teenagers 101: a guidebook for parents."

Or if you're looking for a little longer read, check out "The Power of a Faithful Mother: parenting in the latter days with a faith-filled mindset."

Today's episode was inspired by President Camille N. Johnson's talk in this last general conference, titled "Spiritually Whole in Him."

We're talking about how to feel spiritually whole, even when family relationships are difficult or strained.

Quote from Elder Ballard here.

Quote from Elder Renlund here.

Quote from Elder Gong here.

I know this is not a new idea. I'm sure you pray often for your children. But if you're anything like me, you might be praying for the wrong things sometimes.

Today I'm sharing four "prayer strategies" that have made a big difference in my life:

1. Turn it over to the Lord
2. Ask "what would you like me to do?"
3. Seek and Expect Miracles ("Spiritual Momentum" by Russell M. Nelson, April 2022)
4. Call on Angels ("The Ministry of Angels" by Jeffrey R. Holland, October 2008)

My thoughts today are inspired by Elder Patrick Kearon's talk from general conference last year, "God's Intent is to Bring You Home."

I'm talking about how to apply his phrase "relentless pursuit" to our parenting in a way that doesn't feel like nagging or controlling.

I have seven kids with really different personalities.

It's funny how people can be raised in the same home and come out so different from each other.

Something my kids all have in common though, is confidence. They are all incredibly brave.

They aren't afraid to try new things, and I am in awe of the things they are learning and doing!

While I'm not claiming to have "made them" that way, I do think there are some things I have done in my home to nurture confidence.

In this episode I'm sharing those things.

Today's episode is a repost of epsiode 51- way back in the day.

"Parental Leadership" is a term and a concept that I think about often.

When I'm feeling frustrated with the way my kids are behaving, it's helpful for me to step back and analyze my own leadership in the situation.

Then I can focus my energy on improving my leadership skills to create the result I want.