What Makes My Kid Cry Today

At a summer birthday party, I accidentally called my pastor by his first name in front of his wife. In this episode of What Makes My Kid Cry Today, I share the cringe, the laugh, and the reminder that grace always outweighs awkward.

Toddlerhood is messy, loud, and full of laughter — but it’s also a powerful season for building trust. From pillow forts and tea parties to meltdowns in aisle five of Target, every moment is an opportunity to connect with your child.

In this episode of What Makes My Kid Cry Today, Lizzie shares simple, faith-filled ways to bond with your toddler through everyday play, steady routines, and even the stormy tantrums. You’ll be encouraged to see that it doesn’t take perfect parenting or Pinterest-worthy activities to grow trust — just presence, patience, and a willingness to be silly.

✨ Because even when toddlers shout “NO,” what they really mean is: “Are you still with me?”

“What do you do when life stinks—literally? On Friday morning, my dog had his very first run-in with a skunk, and the smell was unforgettable. In today’s episode, I’m sharing the chaos of that morning, the lesson God tucked inside it, and the reminder that even when the stink lingers, His presence does too.

Take a deep breath, friend—the smell won’t last forever, but God’s goodness always will.”

There’s something holy about a baby’s first laugh. It’s not just a sound — it’s joy breaking through the long nights and endless diapers, reminding us that parenthood is more than survival. In this episode, I share the wonder of newborn giggles, why they matter, and how even the smallest laugh can echo God’s promise of joy.

✨ “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” — Matthew 18:3

Join me as we talk about the beauty of baby giggles, how to encourage them, and how God uses even laughter to refresh weary parents.

In this deeply personal episode, Lizzie shares the story of two miscarriages she experienced in her 40s — one a chemical pregnancy, and the other a baby who stopped growing at 6 weeks but wasn’t discovered until her 8-week ultrasound.

Even as a mom to five healthy boys, Lizzie reflects on how these losses shaped her, reminding us that gratitude for living children doesn’t erase the grief of the babies we never get to hold. With honesty and compassion, she opens a conversation about the silence around miscarriage, the weight of words, and the slow process of healing.

This episode is for anyone who has walked through pregnancy loss, or for those who want to better understand how to support someone who has.

💌 Thank you for your patience with this late post — I had some technical difficulties, but I knew this story was too important not to share.

If you’d like to share your own story, you can reach Lizzie at [email protected].

This special late-evening release kicks off the Loving the Bump mini-series! 🍼 In Episode 1, we explore meaningful ways to bond with your baby during pregnancy — from speaking blessings over them to savoring the small moments. Whether it’s your first pregnancy or your fifth, this is encouragement for your heart and hope for your journey. 💛

To truly love someone is to forgive them.

But what happens when the person you need to forgive is your own parent?
When I was 21, my mom and stepdad kicked me out of the house. They accused me of things I wasn’t doing—drinking, drugs, sex—and sent me to a women’s shelter for battered women and children. I wasn’t either.

That choice cost me everything, including my place in the military, the one thing I loved most.

Now, years later, my mom still hasn’t met two of her grandsons. My six-year-old—who’s never even met her—once said:
“She’s not my grandma.”

In this short, deeply personal episode, I talk about the long, complicated process of forgiving someone you love, even when the hurt runs deep and the apology never comes.

💌 Email me: [email protected]
📲 Instagram: @whatmakesmykidcrytoday

This podcast is based on personal experience and is not intended as professional or mental health advice.

We often think celebration has to be loud, big, or tied to a major milestone — but what if God is inviting us to celebrate the small, the sacred, and the in-between?

In today’s devotional, we reflect on what it means to practice joy in real time — even when things aren’t perfect, even while we’re still waiting. Because celebration isn’t just about parties and answered prayers… sometimes, it’s a quiet posture of trust.

“Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” — Nehemiah 8:10

Let this episode be your reminder: joy is not an afterthought — it’s a gift. One you can receive, hold, and share, no matter what season you’re in.

🗓️ Full episodes every Monday at 6 AM
✨ Mini devotionals every Thursday at 5 PM
🎙️ From In the Closet Studio with Lizzie

We’ve all heard it: “Sleep when the baby sleeps.” But what if your baby doesn’t sleep? Or your brain won’t turn off? Or the laundry screams louder than your exhaustion?
In this first Mom Mythbusters episode, I’m calling out the well-meaning advice that sounds good on Pinterest but rarely holds up in real life. You’ll hear stories from my early motherhood fog, my sleep-deprived breakdowns, and how I eventually found rest — not just in a nap, but in the grace of God.
💛 If you’ve ever felt like you’re failing at “resting well,” this one’s for you.
📖 Matthew 11:28 — “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
🎧 Listen on: Spreaker • Spotify • iHeart • Amazon • Apple Podcasts ✨ New episodes every Monday at 6 AM | Mini Devotionals every Thursday at 5 PM

P.S. This podcast is now ad-supported. Every listen helps me keep recording from the closet — between folding laundry and wiping tears. Thanks for being here. You’re part of this too.

What do you do when the world is asleep, but your mind isn’t?
This episode was made for the quiet hours — for the restless, the overthinkers, the ones who feel everything a little louder in the dark. At 3 AM, the distractions fade, but the questions don’t. And in that stillness, God often speaks in a whisper.
Let this devotional walk with you through the silence, the longing, and the questions you might not have words for yet. You’re not alone in the night. And you’re not the only one awake.
“After the fire came a gentle whisper.” — 1 Kings 19:12
🕯️ A word for the night watchers. 🗓️ New episodes every Monday & Thursday 🎙️ From In the Closet Studio with Lizzie