Moms, we need each other. We need a place where we can be real, be encouraged, be inspired and find community with other moms; that’s what Gather is all about. Join us, other moms in the trenches with you, as we laugh together, transparently share our struggles and share encouraging truth. We want you to finish each episode feeling refreshed and with a big smile on your face. Join us!
EP 153: Simple Summer Schedules
Jun 10, 2024
Show notes
Mom, I’m booooored! Oh, the challenge of scheduling just enough fun things so you make good memories and keep everyone busy enough and not over-scheduling and wearing everyone out. Summer is a great time to slow down and let our kids get a little bored, for sure, but we all know that too much unplanned activity can lead to sibling fights, too much screen time and a summer that passes without purpose.
In this episode, we’re talking about how to make the best use of the time we have this summer. How we can practically set a schedule that works for us and our family, helps us create the memories we want to make and provides a framework for intentionality.
Scheduling Tips:
-get your family involved in the summer plans; brainstorm fun things you want to do together in the summer
-talk with your kids about summer rhythms, trips and expectations; the conversation on the front end is key
-give kids jobs and projects
-set goals
-let people help; if the grandparents want to take them for a couple of nights, let them!
Little kid tips:
-have a boredom buster jar
-have each kid do 5 things before screens
-get out early
-don’t feel like you have to do something every day
Big kid tips:
-be fun mom one day each week
-it’s fun to do stuff with friends but it’s also okay just to go as your family
-have one screen free day each week
TRUTH:
Ephesians 5: 15-16
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:15–16 in the King James Version says, “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
EP 152: Summer! You may be hot but your attitude can be chill
Jun 03, 2024
Show notes
Hey there, fabulous mamas!
We’re wrapping up spring and getting real about the summer parenting hustle. From battling the heatwaves to dodging screen-time overload, we’re sharing our personal wins and those adorable oops moments. Whether you’re the queen of planning or the spontaneous type, we’ve got something for every mama bear out there. And introverted parents, we see you – we’re chatting about the unique summer dance you do with your kiddos and all the feels that come with it.
Now, let’s talk about savoring those slow, precious moments. Summer’s the perfect season to let loose from those tight schedules and make memories that stick – like those heartwarming family board game nights, movie marathons with a touch of nostalgia, and of course, indulging in some ice cream bliss by the poolside. It’s all about quality time, ladies!
Just a reminder we are taking the summer off but will be back in the fall. It will be here before you know it!
XOXO, Your Gather Moms Pals
SPONSOR:
Mosquito Shield
Go to moshield.com or call 214-897-3077 to schedule your treatment. Tell them you heard about them on Gather Moms and you get $25 off your first treatment.
For Girls Like You Get the For Girls Like You Magazine today! A Christ-centered magazine for girls 8-12. Get 20% off by using Gather20 at checkout.
151: The Disappointment Struggle
May 27, 2024
Show notes
That feeling where the rug has just been pulled out from under you and your heart sinks as you feel the weight of DISAPPOINTMENT. You had expectations that were met with a reality that didn’t measure up. Sometimes these expectations are unspoken or unrealistic and so the disappointment is even greater. We’re all going to face disappointments. Kate and Rebecca share some of theirs, how to deal with them, and the blessing of seeing God show up with a better reality than we could have ever expected.
Join us HERE for GOOD DAY, GATHER!! When you join at the $10 level, you get a cute, iced-drink koozie. When you join at the $20 level, you get a koozie for you AND a friend!
150: I’m Struggling to Parent Well
May 20, 2024
Show notes
Parenting is such a huge topic! Each of us have specific struggles we are navigating with our kids, maybe even different struggles for each kid creating an overwhelming feeling. Today Rebecca shares 2 parenting principles that are important in every home.
Intentional Parenting
Raising passionate Jesus followers or even good citizens takes intentionality. Parents need to know what kind of adults they want to produce and then do their best to raise their children with that end in mind.
Proverbs 22:6 (NIV), Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
Remember that this verse is a principle, not a promise. God doesn’t give us control over the outcomes of our children. He asks us to trust him and parent well but we can do all the ‘right’ things and still have children that choose their own way.
1 Corinthians 3:6-8, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.“
Managing Emotions
The ability to accept disappointment and unpredictability and talk yourself down, that’s a very long developmental process that most children don’t have until they are older.
We see this so much in kids today. They don’t know how to handle big emotions. They feel so deeply and it can come out in inappropriate ways – name calling, foul language, violence, gossip, meanness, bullying, etc. We can be kind and firm with our kids, teaching them that emotions are natural, but the expression of them has boundaries.
You can start young with these techniques:
Echo – Repeat their feelings back. I see that you’re sad because you want that toy and I said no. I see you are mad at mommy because she won’t let you run off from the basket.
Validate – That would make me mad too. I like being able to go wherever I want.
Offer a choice – You can either hold my hand as we finish our shopping or we’ll leave and go to the car because you can’t obey. It’s your choice.
Clear consequences – You want to hold my hand? Great! I want you to know that if you change your mind and run off again, I will pick you up and walk out of here.
Join us HERE for GOOD DAY, GATHER!! When you join at the $10 level, you get a cute, iced-drink koozie. When you join at the $20 level, you get a koozie for you AND a friend!
SPONSOR:
Mosquito Shield
Go to moshield.com or call 214-897-3077 to schedule your treatment. Tell them you heard about them on Gather Moms and you get $25 off your first treatment.
149: I’m Struggling with Comparison
May 13, 2024
Show notes
Comparison – is it always bad? I actually do a lot of comparing like grocery deals, gas prices and clothing fits and trends. The basic idea of comparison is examining similarities or differences between two or more things. It becomes detrimental when we let social comparison – myself vs others – indicate degrees of superiority or inferiority.
“Comparison is the thief of joy.”
President Theodore Roosevelt
Social comparison is a happiness quest. We get a hit of dopamine when we decide our house is the best, clothes are the best or new spray tan is the best. It is short-lived and shallow. Joy runs deep and exists in the face of trial and hardship. It lasts beyond the moment of happiness and holds us steady when life doesn’t go our way.
Comparison is a chase. Joy is a choice.
Comparison separates. Joy connects.
How can you overcome the comparison trap and choose joy?
Limit social media.
Pray before social gatherings.
Manage your inner critic.
Practice gratitude.
Join us HERE for GOOD DAY, GATHER!! When you join at the $10 level, you get a cute, iced-drink koozie. When you join at the $20 level, you get a koozie for you AND a friend!
SPONSOR:
Mosquito Shield
Go to moshield.com or call 214-897-3077 to schedule your treatment. Tell them you heard about them on Gather Moms and you get $25 off your first treatment.
148: I’m Struggling with Being Intentional
May 06, 2024
Show notes
Let’s get real – perfect mom schedules are a myth. But hey, that’s okay because we’re about to spill the tea on how tiny, intentional choices can create a family culture that’s all about faith and being together. And with summer around the corner, we know things can get a bit wacky with the kids’ schedules all over the place. So, we’re here to share our personal tips on keeping our homes nurturing and full of spiritual growth. Think setting goals with our little ones, managing screen time, and squeezing in those moments of praise and worship.
We’re also going to tackle the craziness of “May-cember” and make sure we’re all set for a summer that’s about thriving, not just surviving. And get this, we’re inviting you to our Patreon community, where we’re all about cheering each other on. There are some fabulous tools waiting for you, like a goal tracker PDF and a special koozie to keep you inspired.
So, grab your coffee (or tea, we don’t judge), and let’s dive into this beautiful mess of motherhood together. We’re shaping a summer filled with intention and joy, and we can’t wait for you to join us.
Hugs and high-fives!
Join us HERE for GOOD DAY, GATHER!! When you join at the $10 level, you get a cute, iced-drink koozie. When you join at the $20 level, you get a koozie for you AND a friend!
SPONSOR:
Mosquito Shield
Go to moshield.com or call 214-897-3077 to schedule your treatment. Tell them you heard about them on Gather Moms and you get $25 off your first treatment.
EP 147: The Self-Care Struggle
Apr 29, 2024
Show notes
We’ve all heard the analogy of how important it is to put your own oxygen mask on before you help someone else but, for moms, that feels so counterintuitive. When the people around us need us, we show up and give and serve and help which is a good and beautiful thing but can also lead to burn out and break down. Conversations around self-care have come a long way and women are doing a better job of prioritizing their health, which we APPLAUD. However, so many of the things we are looking to for self-care end fall short of giving us the real restoration we are longing for. So, while we need to take care of our bodies, we also need to make sure we are caring for our souls. Soul-care, more than self-care, promises to meet our deepest needs better than any mani/pedi. When we look to Jesus and quiet our souls before him, we find he restores us in abundance.
Join us HERE for GOOD DAY, GATHER!! When you join at the $10 level, you get a cute, iced-drink koozie. When you join at the $20 level, you get a koozie for you AND a friend!
We’ll kick off our month of Good Day Gather challenges on Monday, 5/6. Each week, we will focus on small habits that can help make our days better. On Patreon, we’ll post a podcast recording with a Monday Motivation and you will get the Good Day, Gather Calendar with a checklist to keep you on track.
SPONSOR:
Mosquito Shield
Go to moshield.com or call 214-897-3077 to schedule your treatment. Tell them you heard about them on Gather Moms and you get $25 off your first treatment.
EP 146: I’m Struggling with Burn Out
Apr 22, 2024
Show notes
We’ve all heard the analogy of how important it is to put your own oxygen mask on before you help someone else but, for moms, that feels so counterintuitive. When the people around us need us, we show up and give and serve and help which is a good and beautiful thing but can also lead to burn out and break down. Conversations around self-care have come a long way and women are doing a better job of prioritizing their health, which we APPLAUD. However, so many of the things we are looking to for self-care end fall short of giving us the real restoration we are longing for. So, while we need to take care of our bodies, we also need to make sure we are caring for our souls. Soul-care, more than self-care, promises to meet our deepest needs better than any mani/pedi. When we look to Jesus and quiet our souls before him, we find he restores us in abundance.
Join us HERE for GOOD DAY, GATHER!! When you join at the $10 level, you get a cute, iced-drink koozie. When you join at the $20 level, you get a koozie for you AND a friend!
We’ll kick off our month of Good Day Gather challenges on Monday, 5/6. Each week, we will focus on small habits that can help make our days better. On Patreon, we’ll post a podcast recording with a Monday Motivation and you will get the Good Day, Gather Calendar with a checklist to keep you on track.
Don’t miss our last meeting of our ONLINE GATHER GROUP on Thurs, 5/2 at 7 PM CST. Go to Gather Moms Patreon to join.
EP 145: I’m Struggling with Mom Guilt
Apr 15, 2024
Show notes
Have you shaved your legs yet? Spring is springing which means the shorts are coming out and we are finally tackling our unshaven legs. We don’t feel guilty about that one bit but there are plenty of other things we struggle feeling guilt about as moms.
When we can’t make it to the field trip, have served chicken nuggets for the 5th night in a row, and have lost our temper with our kids, the mom guilt sets in. We want to be good moms; that’s why we struggle. What we have to remember is that we will never be perfect moms and that’s actually a good thing. Our imperfections create beautiful opportunities for us to share the gospel with our children and preach it back to our own hearts.
Let’s stop striving after perfection (an unattainable and damaging goal) and rejoice in our imperfections. Remember, it’s in our weakness that Jesus is strong! We want to be moms who display the goodness of Jesus more than our own.
Our next ONLINE GATHER GROUP meeting is coming up on April 18th at 7 pm. The group is hosted on our Gather Moms Patreon. Join us HERE. Get Mom Struggles on Amazon
Sponsored By: Mosquito Shield
Go to their website or call them at 214-897-3077 to schedule. Tell them you heard about them from Gather Moms and get $25 off your first treatment.
EP 144: I’m Struggling with Discontentment
Apr 08, 2024
Show notes
Ladies, it’s that time of year when the flowers are blooming and our motherhood adventures take on a whole new level of crazy, right?
We’re all feeling the heat as the days get longer and our to-do lists get even more outrageous. From dealing with daylight savings (we all know that’s basically Satan’s way of stealing our precious sleep) to those sneaky allergies that just won’t quit, we’re in it together, mamas.
But you know what? It’s not just about the hustle. We’re diving deep into those tricky issues, like how we’re shaping our kids’ self-esteem and dealing with our own body image. We’re the first to admit that we’ve got to be super careful with the words we choose, especially when squeezing into those swimsuits.
So, what’s the secret sauce to finding that peace amidst the pandemonium of parenting? We’re leaning hard into our faith, asking God to show us where we’ve gotten our priorities all twisted and to help us realign our hearts with what truly matters. Heavenly treasures aren’t found on a shelf at Target.
Our next ONLINE GATHER GROUP meeting is coming up on April 18th at 7 pm. The group is hosted on our Gather Moms Patreon. Join us HERE. Get Mom Struggles on Amazon
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