In today’s episode I am joined with Monica Swanson.

Monica and her family live in Hawaii, where she has raised and homeschooled her four boys, three now in college and one twelve year old who loves to golf. Monica also has her own podcast, aptly named the Monica Swanson podcast, and recently published her book “Amazing Kids: Bringing Up Kids Who Love God, Like Their Family and Do the Dishes Without Being Asked”.                    

In today’s conversation, Monica and I look at the ways to raise amazing kids and what that means. As a parent, we may ask ourselves “are we doing this thing right?” as guilt and shame boil beneath the surface. Monica comments on the healthy balance we need to have, learning to hear from the Holy Spirit to know when we need to put in more work or to know when we are doing just fine. There’s a tendency to lean upon rules and the “do not”s of life, but Monica shares a fun and exciting perspective, leaning on a natural process, one with fewer formulas, and parenting towards instead of against. 

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Monica through Facebook, Instagram, and her website. 

You can also order her new book! Or her other amazing book about raising boys. 

 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

*When we want our kids to be "amazing" what are we expecting or hoping for? Amazing means a pleasant surprise and full of wonder. Our kids should be full of pleasant surprises and wonder! They should also be rich in character and love God, that is amazing. We should care less about their future career choices or doing well in sports, and more about being this kind of "amazing".
This takes less stress off us and them!

*If we want to be proud sending these kids into the world, then we must be intentional and focused in our parenting. Do we need to involve them in every after school club and activity, or spend more dinners at home as a family at the table? 

*It is much easier to depend on rules and parenting against the world, all of the "do not" do's. But it is far more rewarding though harder to lean on a natural process, trusting God with our hearts, and parent towards what we can do. (example: getting outside and doing activities instead of just saying no to screentime) 

 

REMEMBER:

*There is a healthy pressure which comes from the Holy Spirit, a healthy conviction. Differing the healthy conviction from an unhealthy insecurity takes discernment, a discernment which comes from knowing what God says. We can only know what God says when we spend time with Him both in prayer and in the Word. 

*Our kids will know if our hearts are not in it. They can see the differences between our words and our actions or if they align. 

*Be present in this season of parenthood. The time will go by so fast and you will miss the beautiful moments if you're too busy wishing for the next season. The moments you will look back on and miss are not the Instagram moments. 

SCRIPTURE: 

Galations 6:9

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Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today.