Not So Different After All

Co-parenting episode 3—final episode in this series.

Wrapping up our co-parenting series was good for our hearts.  It was important for us to talk about, and a subject that some of you–our listeners–requested.

This co-parenting perspective we came from goes something like this…if you are parenting your child with another person, spouse, significant other, divorced, the list goes on…well then you, my dear, are co-parenting.

Take time to listen to these next few points (three to be exact)…like “so your children think you get along”… and if you need to go back and listen to the first two episodes in this series, please do!  We could all use the advice and gentle reminders.

We found this good insight from an article by Very Well Family.  Check out the link for the article we discussed in all three episodes of our co-parenting series.

https://www.verywellfamily.com/signs-of-a-healthy-coparenting-relationship-2997282

Ya’ll!  We are baaaaaaack!  And man alive have we missed each other and you too!

This episode comes to you hot off the hips of your girls (we kind of just shot from the hip and loved how it turned out)!  We just wanted to get caught up on life and catch you, our tribe, up as well.

What we thought was only going to be the summer off just kind of turned into a small sabbatical. But, hey, that’s life, and life happens, and we like to give out as much grace and love as possible–so we accept it from ourselves too.

What’s new?  Chelsea had her baby!  Charity, that’s me, finished her degree in October and had a major milestone happen with her baby boy Tobias!  Shayna is settling into her new state with a new job!

We’d love to hear what is new in your life too!

We talk about life, and faith, and fasting, and trying to stay healthy and happy as a family while going through life’s transitions.

We hope you enjoy!  We are beside ourselves excited about coming back and doing life with you, our tribe!  And I’ll let you in on a little secret… we have already recorded another episode and will be ready to share it with you soon!

We are truly enjoying this co-parenting series. This is our first series, and a topic that isn’t always easy to discuss. However, it is something we feel is important for the health of yourself and your family.

This second episode is just as great as the first. And the first episode of this series is a must!

If you are a co-parent at all, and I’m talking about any parent that is trying to raise their kid(s) the best way they can, along with someone else, this is for you! Whether you live apart from your co-parent, or with them, take a listen, we suggest they listen too. We think you’ll get some good nuggets from this series..

Here is a link to a great resource we are using for this series.

https://www.verywellfamily.com/signs-of-a-healthy-coparenting-relationship-2997282

Co-parenting is tough. We don’t just mean the typical stereotype of divorced/separated parents in two different homes. We are coming at this from a holistic, two parents trying to love, train, protect (and all the other good stuff we try to do for our children as parents). Healthily coexisting in our children’s lives, however that may be for you, is a priority. We did some research. We know we don’t know it all. Our favorite resource on this subject is linked below.

This is our first series and we are stoked about it. Come learn how to effectively co-parent with us. Join us for the journey. Take notes. Give advice. Share with your friends. Oh, and subscribe, comment, and leave a review please! We are so glad you’re here with us!

https://www.verywellfamily.com/signs-of-a-healthy-coparenting-relationship-2997282

Ya’ll!  Come on!  You know you are in this with us.  It’s that younger you, the version who thinks they know better.  Thinks they can control all things at all times.  That there doesn’t need to be any compromise, because, well, I mean, the way you do things is absolutely the best way.  “The Things You Said You’d Never Do With Your Kids.” You will never feed your kids this. Your child will have an exact schedule they go by and it will not be broken, there will be no deviating.

Every child is different, and every circumstance or chapter of life you are in is different with each child. There might be some things you truly never will do, but let’s be realistic here.  There are definitely times you find yourself eating the words you said way back then.  The “before children” version of you.  The less wise version of you, less weak, less proud, less exhausted, and less best version of you.  Because the best version seeks what works for you and your family now. 

So, give yourself and your family lots of grace and love.  And remember to give all those other parents out there all the grace and love they need too, because we are all treading the same water.  We may be in different boats, but it’s the same waves we are trying to survive.

Time away with your girls…Is there anything like it? The opportunity to disconnect from all the labels you currently wear (mom, wife, employee, student, friend, daughter, etc) and just being a woman. The talks, eating, pampering sesh, eating, laughing til you cry, and we can’t forget the shopping. We did it all. We ended the day with our thoughts. We invite you to join us as we reflect on the last few weeks and the seasons of life we find ourselves in. We all seem to be in the middle of some exciting times. But the excitement brings a bit of chaos. A lot of chaos actually. This getaway came right on time as we needed to connect with each other and share our hearts. We needed to rethink some of our goals and make some announcements. Shout outs to our husbands. They support us in all we do and do life alongside us. We hope you enjoy. Please subscribe, comment, and write a review if you can. Share this podcast with friends that would benefit from it. Follow us on social media and let us know what you think. Welcome to our tribe. S.C.C

Ok, ya’ll! Oh how this episode excited us all! One thing our tribe has in common is a love for books! And, today, we have brought you into the fringe of this world of ours. Don’t fret though! We will be bringing you in deeper in subsequent episodes. Below you will find Amazon links to the books we mention. And in the episode you will find precious little nuggets to enjoy about the books.

Funny: Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004MWSUXG/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hellonotsodif-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B004MWSUXG&linkId=95386f85a693337875f1e452800bc989

Suspense: The Circle Series by Ted Dekker

https://www.amazon.com/Circle-4-Dekker-Ted-Hardcover/dp/B00YTK04GC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?keywords=The+Circle+Ted+Dekker&qid=1552166233&s=gateway&sr=8-13&linkCode=ll1&tag=hellonotsodif-20&linkId=7bc470f82405b27024cdb5c4d3c5b8f2&language=en_US

Skin by Ted Dekker

Y.A.: Harry Potter by JK Rowling

https://www.amazon.com/Harry-Potter-Paperback-Box-Books/dp/0545162076/ref=as_li_ss_tl?keywords=Harry+Potter+book&qid=1552166029&s=gateway&sr=8-3&linkCode=ll1&tag=hellonotsodif-20&linkId=3b9ccf0dba5053c4587209b462a2482b&language=en_US

Y.A.: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001T5D6LK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hellonotsodif-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B001T5D6LK&linkId=21ecfe00c10272968ea8c50a30ea5712

Y.A.: If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Y.A.: The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

Easy read: Girl Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis

Easy read: Girl Stop Apologizing by Rachel Hollis

Easy Read: Chicken Soup For The Soul by Canfield, Hansen, & Newmark

Romance: Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

Inspirational: All In by Mark Batterson

Inspirational: The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson

Inspirational: Chase The Lion by Mark Batterson

Inspirational: Fervent by Priscilla Shirer

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=as_li_ss_tl?k=fervent+book+priscilla+shirer&crid=342BMLWHTUWCG&sprefix=Fervent+,aps,185&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_7_8&linkCode=ll2&tag=hellonotsodif-20&linkId=c5de01caa30221ac3ee0d4d2f0d2df11&language=en_US

Inspirational: Undaunted by Christine Caine

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=as_li_ss_tl?k=Christine+Caine+Undaunted&ref=nb_sb_noss_2&linkCode=ll2&tag=hellonotsodif-20&linkId=6f713e969c8d96330756ff88b90f4827&language=en_US

Self-help: Fight Like A Girl by Lisa Bevere

Self-help: Nuture by Lisa Bevere

Self-help: Lioness Arising by Lisa Bevere

Self-discipline: No Excuses by Brian Tracy

https://www.amazon.com/No-Excuses-Self-Discipline-Brian-Tracy/dp/1593156324/ref=as_li_ss_tl?keywords=no+excuses+brian+tracy&qid=1552165473&s=gateway&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=hellonotsodif-20&linkId=a84b2d815b3e52fa15e5e44508d519df&language=en_US

Self-Discipline: Boundaries by Henry Cloud

Financial Discipline: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

Financial Discipline: The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey

Parenting (and beyond): Crash the Chatterbox by Steven Furtick

Parenting (and beyond): Unqualified by Steven Furtick

Parenting: (un)Natural Mom by Hettie Brittz

Parenting: The Unspeakable Loss by Nisha Zenoff

Parenting: What to Expect When You’re Expecting by Murkoff and Mazel **also follow on books as the baby gets older

Parenting (and beyond): Of Mess and Moxie by Jen Hatmaker

Parenting (and beyond): For The Love by Jen Hatmaker

Parenting: No Drama Discipline by Dr. Siegel & Dr. Bryson

Parenting: Parenting Scripts by Speake & Lia

Parenting: Hands Free Momma by Rachel Macy Stafford

Relations

To all our listeners that reached out and asked to hear us talk about cleaning, thank you! We have heard your cry and here is our answer! Non-professional goodness is what I call it!

We are all going to fail at something…just gonna leave this here.

So first and foremost. Keep this close to your heart. Tattoo it on your forehead if needed…or your arm…whatever. Reality must always be taken into consideration when we want to truly be healthy in all areas of life. And we could all use a bit more grace for ourselves and everyone around us.

All this in mind, here’s our go at cleaning: ask for help–hire people ya’ll (we bet you can keep it in your budget); declutter and simplify (does ALL THAT stuff really bring you Joy–tap into your inner Marie Kondo); pick your battle (how important is cleaning to you–and your family–don’t forget them) then pick your position (what can each of you do–that you don’t despise–yes children need chores–no it doesn’t have to be perfect) then prioritize and schedule (for God’s sake schedule people–pen it)

This and so much more ya’ll! If you feel you are in a deep pit of mess…P.S. Messy and dirty are truly two different things. Then this is the episode for you! Please listen, comment with tips, tricks, question. Subscribe ya’ll!

So I’m assuming most of you know that we are all about tribes. We are a tribe. And we continually invite ya’ll to be a part of our tribe. And if you don’t know this about us yet, you must be new! So welcome! We are so very glad you are here! We are beyond excited to have you as part of our tribe.

We think it’s so important that you do not do life alone. We feel it’s pertinent to a healthy lifestyle to have a tribe. People who genuinely care about you.

Find those peeps and don’t let them go. They don’t compare your lives and they don’t judge. You mourn with each other and celebrate with each other. You can be real with each other; when life flat out sucks or you feel you’re on top of the world.

Look for a variety you can add to your tribe. People at the same stage are great, but people at different stages are too! Know who you are and what you need. And remember it’s a give and take relationship.

And this isn’t just for mommas. Women at all ages and stages of life need tribes. And this isn’t just for women. Men at all ages and stages of life need tribes. And if you haven’t joined ours yet, please please pretty please join today.

Ommahgah (ah-mah-gah) ya’ll! This episode though! It may just be my favorite episode we’ve recorded thus far. You MUST listen to it. Seriously. Just listen.

Also to note: although we may be three women discussing real and sometimes raw life experience, men can enjoy these conversations too!

Anywhootie, dating, ya’ll! It’s not just for Valentine’s Day. And, by golly, it must not just be done on Valentine’s Day. Dating is a very real key to keeping the spark alive in your relationship.

I want to take this opportunity to give a SHOUT OUT to our superbly amazing followers for your feedback! We asked you what you wanted to hear us specifically discuss and you answered! Thank you! We hit on the topics of dating when: exhausted, schedules differ, military life infringes on your relationship, special needs children enter into the equation, when your view points or ideas or emotions seem to clash rather than harmonize.

We also made note to mention that there isn’t any specific code to dating. Some of you mentioned things you did together when you had the small window of time to do it. And I’m here to say…no shout from the rooftops…CONGRATULATIONS you’re dating your spouse and you didn’t even recognize it! Take that time to really enjoy each other. To learn more about each others changing needs. Communicate ya’ll. And communicate well.

Choose to nurture your relationship with each other. Make a goal, set a plan, write it down, send yourself reminders. Start small. Ask for help. Have your tribe ready to take your kids or remind you when you need to step up your game.