Pardon the Mess with Scarlet Hiltibidal - Christian Motherhood, Biblical Parenting, Raising Christian Kids

Latest Episodes:

Week 7: Resist Temptation Oct 26, 2026

Show notes

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. (James 1:13–15)

This week, let’s pray that:

• Our kids have a faith strong enough to flee from temptation.

• Our kids have a heart that turns to God when they fall.

• We, as parents, would also be quick to forgive and to model for our kids the joy of regular confession.

This episode continues our series through Christian Parenting's Faith in Action: Prayers from James for the Next Generation, a 38-week prayer journal to help you pray intentionally for your kids all school year long. Grab your own printed copy here, and join us every Monday through the end of May for guided prayer and reflection.

Pardon the Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

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I don’t know how to teach my kids to repent Oct 22, 2026

Show notes

What does it actually mean to teach our kids to repent?

In this episode, Scarlet Hiltibidal talks about why repentance is one of the most important things we can teach our children, and why it has to be about so much more than getting them to say “sorry.” We want our kids to stop hiding and defending sin, and rather to confess it honestly, and turn toward Jesus.

Scarlet shares from her own experience as a mom, along with Scripture’s vision for repentance, to help us think about how we can model it in our homes. She talks about the difference between an apology and genuine repentance, why our kids need to see us repent too, and how confession can lead to the joy, peace, freedom, and nearness to Jesus we were made for.

Special thanks to Caroline Saunders, who shared so much wisdom in today’s Messy Mom Moment. Caroline Saunders is a writer, Bible teacher, pastor's wife, and mother of three who believes in taking Jesus seriously and being un-serious about nearly everything else. Learn more about what the Bible says about clothing in Caroline's recent tradebook, But What Do I Wear?: The Biblical Story of Clothing, How It Helps Us Think About Getting Dressed, and Approximately Seventeen Stories I May Regret Telling. Find her writing, resources, and ridiculousness at WriterCaroline.com and on Instagram @writercaroline.

Scripture Focus:

2 Corinthians 7:8-11
Isaiah 6

Connect with Scarlet

If this episode encouraged you, would you take a minute to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another mom who's trying to faithfully point her kids to Jesus. You can connect with Scarlet on Instagram and find her books, Bible studies, and more encouragement at scarlethiltibidal.com

Scarlet’s Instagram

Scarlet’s Facebook

Connect with Pardon The Mess:

Christian Parenting Website

Christian Parenting Instagram

Prefer video? This episode is on YouTube!

Resources:

Caroline Saunders’ latest book: But What Do I Wear?: The Biblical Story of Clothing, How It Helps Us Think About Getting Dressed, and Approximately Seventeen Stories I May Regret Telling

Podcast episode Scarlet mentioned with “the Elizabeth story!”

Book: You’re the Worst Person in the World

Christmas Gift guide

Midnight Mom Devotional Bible

NiRV Question & Answer Bible for Kids

WinShape Camps Carpool Conversations Podcast

Get your copy of our latest prayer journal and join Scarlet each Monday to listen to guided prayer and reflection that follows the journal!

Faith in Action: Prayers from James for the Next Generation

Pardon The Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Our Sponsors:
* Check out IXL and use my code ixl.com/TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.com
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Week 6: Stay Focused on Jesus Oct 19, 2026

Show notes

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12)

This week, let’s pray that our kids:

• Keep their eyes focused on Jesus.

• Rely on him to help them persevere through all of life’s trials.

Pardon the Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Our Sponsors:
* Check out IXL and use my code ixl.com/TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.com
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Siblings, only children, and the family we build Oct 15, 2026

Show notes

What does it look like to love our kids well when they are all so different from each other? What does it look like to pursue community when you’re raising an only child?

In this episode, Scarlet Hiltibidal talks about siblings, only children, adoption, personality differences, and the ways God uses our families to teach us how to love.

In this episode we talked about how…

Genuine love comes from being loved by Jesus, not from effort alone.
Parents should model prayer and dependence on God.
Children are always growing and not fully mature, so we can’t expect them to have loving each other well down pat. We are all growing into Christ-likeness.
Love and patience in parenting are rooted in understanding God's love for us.
Practical parenting involves asking God for guidance and leading by example.

A special shoutout to Stori Nix, who joined in for the Messy Mom Moment to share what it’s like to raise an only child and what the Lord has taught her through it.

Scripture Focus

Romans 12:9–18

Connect with Scarlet

Scarlet’s Instagram

Scarlet’s Facebook

Connect with Pardon The Mess:

Christian Parenting Website

Christian Parenting Instagram

Prefer video? This episode is on YouTube!

Resources:

Christmas Gift guide

All Kinds of Weather by Abbey Wedgeworth

NiRV Question & Answer Bible for Kids

WinShape Camps Carpool Conversations Podcast

Get your copy of our latest prayer journal and join Scarlet each Monday to listen to guided prayer and reflection that follows the journal!

Faith in Action: Prayers from James for the Next Generation

Pardon The Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Our Sponsors:
* Check out IXL and use my code ixl.com/TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.com
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Week 5: Find Identity in Christ Oct 12, 2026

Show notes

Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business. (James 1:9–11)

This week, let’s pray that our kids:

• Know and embrace their identity in Christ.

• Live humbly because of their faith, not valuing possessions

over people.

Pardon the Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Our Sponsors:
* Check out IXL and use my code ixl.com/TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.com
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

How do I know when protection becomes overprotection? Oct 08, 2026

Show notes

As moms, we want to protect our kids from pain, disappointment, failure, and suffering. But where is the line between helping our kids and keeping them from learning, growing, and trusting God for themselves?

In this episode, Scarlet Hiltibidal talks about the tension between stepping in and letting our kids experience hard things.

Special thanks to our guest on today’s Messy Mom Moment, Christine Hoover (more about her and where you can find her books and Bible studies below!)

Scripture Focus:

Psalm 121
John 16:33

Learn more about Christine Hoover!

Christine Hoover serves as the women’s ministry associate at The Austin Stone’s Northwes tcongregation. She has written seven books, including Messy Beautiful Friendship, How to Thrive as a Pastor’s Wife, and You Are Not Forgotten, as well as two Bible studies on Matthew and 2 Corinthians. Christine is married to Kyle, a pastor at The Austin Stone, and they have three boys. You can find her at her website.

Connect with Scarlet

Scarlet’s Instagram

Scarlet’s Facebook

Connect with Pardon The Mess:

Christian Parenting Website

Christian Parenting Instagram

Prefer video? This episode is on YouTube!

Resources:

Scarlet’s Favorite Christine Hoover book: You are Not Forgotten

Don't Stress Talking Sex

NiRV Question & Answer Bible for Kids

Raising Spiritually Strong Kids

WinShape Camps Carpool Conversations Podcast

Christmas Gift guide

Faith in Action: Prayers from James for the Next Generation (Get your copy of our latest prayer journal and join Scarlet each Monday to listen to guided prayer and reflection that follows the journal.)

Pardon The Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Our Sponsors:
* Check out IXL and use my code ixl.com/TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.com
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Week 4: Believe Without Doubting Oct 05, 2026

Show notes

But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-

minded and unstable in all they do. (James 1:6–8)

This week, let’s pray that our kids:

• Can keep their minds singularly focused on the Lord and all the good things he does for us.

• Are confident that God will give them what they truly need when they ask in faith.

Pardon the Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Our Sponsors:
* Check out IXL and use my code ixl.com/TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.com
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

When you’re carrying motherhood without a partner Oct 01, 2026

Show notes

What do you do when motherhood feels like it’s all on you?

In this episode, Scarlet Hiltibidal offers Scripture-based encouragement for moms who feel alone in the work of raising their kids. Whether you’re a single mom, a military spouse whose husband is deployed, or simply walking through a season where you feel like you’re carrying more than you can handle, you don’t have to carry it by yourself.

Scarlet talks with Rossi Tidwell about her experience navigating motherhood while her husband is deployed, the unique challenges of parenting without your spouse beside you, and the ways God is meeting her in this season. Together, they talk about the importance of building a community, asking for help, praying honestly, and trusting that God is present and providing even when circumstances feel overwhelming.

Thank you, Rossi, for joining the show today! And listeners, please be praying for her family this year!

Scripture Focus:

The scripture focus for this episode was an encouragement to study God’s Word fully and in context, as well as an encouragement to turn to the psalms

Connect with Scarlet

Scarlet’s Instagram

Scarlet’s Facebook

Connect with Pardon The Mess:

Christian Parenting Website

Christian Parenting Instagram

Prefer video? This episode is on YouTube!

Resources:

All Kinds of Weather by Abbey Wedgeworth

Get your copy of our latest prayer journal and join Scarlet each Monday (beginning September 14th) to listen to guided prayer and reflection that follows the journal: Faith in Action: Prayers from James for the Next Generation

Pardon The Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Our Sponsors:
* Check out IXL and use my code ixl.com/TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.com
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Week 3: Ask God for Wisdom Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all

without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (James 1:5)

This week, let’s pray that our kids:

• Learn to seek God’s wisdom in every situation.

• Grow in trust, starting with the little things so that when big decisions come they’re ready to rely on him fully.

Pardon the Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Our Sponsors:
* Check out IXL and use my code ixl.com/TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.com
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

When being a mom and having a job feels overwhelming Sep 24, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Scarlet Hiltibidal talks honestly about the overwhelm that can come with being both a mom and a working woman. Instead of offering another list of ways to do it all, Scarlet points us to the grace of God, the goodness of our limits, and the freedom that comes from trusting Him with what we cannot control.

Together, we’ll consider how to recognize when we’re carrying more than God has asked us to carry, how to rest in His provision, and how to stop borrowing tomorrow’s worries. Because we don’t have to be everything for everyone, we can receive God’s grace for today and trust Him with the rest.

Special thanks to Christian Parenting’s own Steph Thurling (who hosts The Christian Parenting Podcast) for sharing her experience as a mom who works!

Scripture Focus: