This Was Supposed to be Easy Podcast

S2: Episode 57: Parenting with Joy (Even When It’s Hard)

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In this episode, Cheryl and Amy welcome guest Casey Sterle for a conversation that feels both deeply personal and incredibly relatable - parenting, but through the lens of joy.

Casey begins by sharing her story as both a longtime educator and a mother of four, offering a perspective shaped by decades of working with children and raising them across many stages of life. From early childhood through middle school and beyond, she reflects on what it means to parent in real time - often feeling like you’ve figured something out, only to realize each child brings a completely new experience.

What stands out most in this conversation is Casey’s honest and refreshing perspective: parenting has been more joyful than she was led to believe. While she acknowledges the very real challenges - responsibility, exhaustion, and the weight of raising humans - she shares how laughter has become a central thread in her family life.

Together, they also touch on bigger ideas - how we look for the good in our lives, how joy can coexist with hardship, and how what we carry from our past (even generationally) shapes what we pass forward.

This episode is both a permission slip and a gentle reminder: even in the messiness of parenting, there is so much to laugh about - and that laughter matters.

Key Topics & Takeaways

  • Parenting can be more joyful than we expect, even alongside its challenges.
  • Laughter plays a powerful role in helping families navigate hard moments and build connection.
  • Each child and each stage of parenting brings something new, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach.
  • If we actively look for joy, we’re more likely to find it in everyday moments.
  • Joy and hardship can coexist - parenting is both deeply challenging and deeply meaningful.
  • Creating space for humor and lightness can support resilience for both parents and children.
  • What we carry from past generations includes not only hardship, but also resilience, laughter, and joy.

    • Memorable Lines

    • “I didn’t know how much I would laugh.”
    • “You might have figured it out for one… but it’s going to be different for the next.”
    • “If you look for joy, you’ll find it.”
    • “The world is a hard place… but we’ve got to keep finding the joy.”
    • “We laugh all the time - even when we maybe shouldn’t.”

      •  

      Challenge for the Week

      This week, try becoming someone who intentionally notices joy in your everyday life - especially in the middle of routines, chaos, or stress.

      • Pay attention to one moment each day that makes you laugh (or almost laugh)
      • Write it down, share it, or simply pause and let it land
      • If you’re parenting (or working with children), notice what happens when you lean into the humor instead of rushing past it

        • And a gentle question to carry with you:

        What if joy isn’t something I have to wait for… but something I can practice noticing?

        Note: This episode reflects personal experiences and the opinions of the talent, it’s not therapy or legal advice. For personal situations, consult a qualified professional.

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          This Was Supposed to be Easy PodcastBy supposedtobeeasy