Gospel Matrescence

What if some of the most important moments in your family are the ones that don’t feel fun at all in the moment? In this episode, we explore the powerful idea of “Type 2 Fun” — experiences that are difficult while they’re happening but become deeply meaningful and memorable afterward — and how these moments help build antifragile kids who grow stronger through challenge rather than weaker from discomfort. Why is leading our children in Type 2 Fun activities hard for us as moms, and what kind of character and connection are we missing out on when we avoid this?  In this episode, Andie explores the lost art of building resiliency and gratitude in ourselves and our children through Type 2 Fun.  

Hypocrite: a person whose behavior contradicts their stated beliefs, feelings, or expectations of others.  Do you ever feel like you are surrounded by little hypocrites?  Or maybe big hypocrites?  Do you ever find yourself acting like a hypocrite and need to correct yourself?  In this episode, Andie looks to Jesus' response to Simon (a major hypocrite!) in Luke 7.  What can we learn from His example, and how can we apply it in our own homes?  

Do you ever wonder if your needs as a mama actually matter?  Do you often feel as though you are responsible for other's legetimate needs, but no one is actually concerned about your own legitimate needs?  Then this episode is for you!  Mamas have many legitimate needs:  rest, good food, exercise, time with the Lord, connection with others, time in nature, etc. Seeking to get our needs met is so important, but there are two ways to do it.  One way leads to further frustration and disconnection, and the other leads to connection and fulfillment.  Take a listen to this podcast and do an honest evaluation on how you seek to get your needs met!  

In this episode, Andie summarizes the second half of "The Collapse of Parenting" by taking a deeper look into the formation of virtue and reason in a child's heart and mind.  In his book, Sax argues that for thousands of years, parents knew that virtue must be formed through habit in the heart of a child, long before the child has the capacity of reason.  However, in modernparenting methods, parents wait to see evidence of reason before they require or train towards virtue.   Join the discussion and think through how you are forming virtue (or lack thereof) in your children!  

This episode is a throwback from last year, where we looked into the history and origins of the Christmas celebrations and answer the question, does Christmas have pagan roots? Listen again to brush up on the history of Christmas and enjoy the free gift below!__________________________________________As Christmas approaches, as believers, it is important that we understand the meaning and origins behind some of the traditions we celebrate.  In this episode, Andie digs into some of the myths of the pagan origins of Christmas, the history of the practice of the Twelve Days of Christmas, and offers a free gift for your family!Here is the link to the article that explains how the early church fathers attempted to calculate the date of the birth of Christ -  https://www.touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=16-10-012-vLink to Free Gift Mentioned Here:  "The Twelve Days of Christmas Study.pdf" for your review.https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:e978a080-4cce-4bc0-8433-8d465f29d1b0

In this episode, Andie gives an overview of the first half of the book, The Collapse of Parenting by Leonard Sax. If you want to get a bird's-eye view of how parenting has changed in the last 40 years and how it has impacted our view of development, virtue formation, and mental health for children and adolescence, consider reading this book!  

Colossians 3 gives some really practical advise to us as parents.  In verses 12-21, we are charged to live as those alive in Christ, and we are warned not to 'provoke' our children.  In this episode, Andie digs into the concept of provoking our children and explores eight very specific ways we tend to discourage our children.  Listed below are the eight ways, spend some time self-evaluating to see if any of these describe you.  1. The Proud ParentThis parent sees their child’s behavior as a direct reflection of themselves. Their child’s successes or failures become a statement about their worth or competence as a parent. Pride can creep in subtly — through competition, comparison, or needing to “look good” in front of others. Result: The child feels pressure to perform rather than freedom to grow. Reflection: Do I find my value in how my child behaves rather than in who God says I am?2. The Despairing ParentThis parent lives under the weight of discouragement and defeat, often saying things like, “I’ve tried everything — nothing works.” They may stop shepherding their child’s heart because they’ve lost hope of change. Result: The child often feels emotionally abandoned or unseen. Reflection: Do I believe that God can work in my child’s heart, even when I can’t see it yet?3. The Controlling & Angry ParentThis parent rules through fear, force, or intensity. Control often masquerades as “strong leadership,” but it is rooted in anxiety and a desire to manage outcomes. Anger erupts when children disobey because disobedience feels like a threat to control. Result: The child learns to comply out of fear, not conviction, or rebels to regain autonomy. Reflection: Do I lead with gentleness and consistency, or do I react in anger when I lose control?4. The “Guess What the Rules Are Today” ParentThis parent is unpredictable — sometimes strict, sometimes lenient, sometimes disengaged. Their moods or stress levels dictate the household tone. Result: The child learns to walk on eggshells, never sure what version of their parent they’ll get. Reflection: Am I consistent in my expectations and follow-through, or do my emotions lead the way?5. The Exaggerating ParentThis parent often blows situations out of proportion — using dramatic language or sweeping generalizations like “You always” or “You never.” The goal may be to make a point, but it undermines credibility and trust. Result: The child tunes out or becomes defensive, feeling unfairly judged. Reflection: Do my words build up truthfully, or do I exaggerate to get a reaction?6. The “Must Be Perfect” ParentThis parent holds themselves and their children to impossible standards. They confuse excellence with perfectionism, and their home becomes performance-driven. Mistakes feel catastrophic rather than teachable. Result: The child struggles with shame, anxiety, or a fear of failure. Reflection: Am I showing my child that grace applies to both of us?7. The “Fear of What Others Think” ParentThis parent’s decisions are shaped by appearances — “What will people think?” rather than “What honors the Lord?” Their parenting becomes reactive to public opinion instead of responsive to biblical truth. Result: The child learns that image matters more than integrity. Reflection: Do I parent to impress others or to please God?8. The “Easily Manipulated” ParentThis parent gives in to whining, guilt, or emotional outbursts to keep the peace. They want harmony more than holiness, so boundaries blur. Result: The child learns to control through emotion rather than submission. Reflection: Do I stand firm with love, or do I give

Imagine those everyday moments when motherhood feels like juggling glass balls—getting kids out the door, managing emotions (theirs and yours), and trying to stay one step ahead of the day. What we often don’t realize is that behind every one of those moments are the executive function skills—the brain’s mental muscles that help us plan, focus, regulate, and follow through. In this episode, we’re talking about how moms can strengthen these 12 skills in their own lives first—because the more we grow in self-awareness, emotional regulation, flexibility, and focus, the more naturally our kids will learn to do the same. Here is the link Andie mentions to serve as a prayer & training guide as you seek to grow these skills for yourself and your children!  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FTRFTll6nAFrIOTzVkJBH7iMnzJLRmKLXl0oNHRk_o8/edit?usp=sharing

In Scattered Minds: The Origins and Healing of Attention Deficit Disorder, physician Gabor Maté offers a compassionate, in-depth exploration of ADHD—not as a genetic defect or fixed disorder, but as a developmental response to stress, disconnection, and unmet emotional needs in early childhood. Drawing on both neuroscience and personal experience (he himself has ADHD), Maté argues that the condition stems from disruptions in attachment and attunement between parent and child during crucial developmental periods.Andie digs into some of the concepts presented in this book!  

Today, Andie builds on the previous two episodes about the two types of bonding.  She defines accountability bonding and discusses reasons modern parents are afraid to engage in this type of bonding.  She discusses the benefits that children experience when a wise parent provides this type of steady leadership for children and the malfunctions that occur when they do not receive it.  

In this episode, Andie further explains the two types of bonding (oxytocin bonding and vasopressin bonding) and how they can be applied to our relationship with our children.  

Every thoughtful parent deeply desires to bond in a healthy way with their children and spouse.  We all know that building connected relationships is a vital part of a strong family.  Did you know that there are two distinct bonding systems that God created within each of us? These are oxytocin bonding and vasopressin bonding.  In this episode, Andie defines each of these systems and explains how they function in men and women.  She then takes this concept and applies it to bonding in marriage.  Take a listen!  

Do you have a confident practice of bringing God's Word to your children regularly?  Do you struggle to know the 'right way' to expose them to the life-giving truths found in Scripture?  In this episode, Andie interviews Lauran Fee from ChildrensFeast.com on the topic of family devotions and how to offer a feast from God's Word to the children under our care.  They share ideas for starting a practice of reading God's Word together as a family and provide warnings regarding the ditches we, as Christian parents, tend to fall into in this area.  Lauren has created a fabulous resource to help bring God's Word to our children.  These guides are designed to help parents, teachers, and church leaders teach the Bible to children using Charlotte Mason’s method for Bible lessons. For more information, please visit her website for more information at www.ChildrensFeast.com 

“Probably, he will reject nine-tenths of the ideas we offer… Our business is to supply him with due abundance and variety, and his to take what he needs.”-Charlotte Mason If you’re a mom like me, you’ve probably felt the sting of watching your child disregard your carefully chosen wisdom, your heart-felt encouragements, your earnest attempts to shape their character or tell them an interesting fact. But what if we looked at that through the lens Charlotte Mason offers us—not as failure, but as faithfulness?In this episode, Andie discussed the "Nine Tenths Rejection Rule" as an encouragement to help us reshape the way we lead our children.  Let this quote from Charlotte Mason lift a burden off your shoulders. You are not responsible for the harvest. You are simply called to be a faithful sower of ideas—trusting that God, in His time, will bring the growth.

Did you know that worship in the Bible was never meant to be passive but rather physical, communal, rhythmic, and healing?  In this episode, Andie looks at the scientific benefits of community and worship as it relates to the neuroscience of healing trauma and resetting the nervous system, especially in children.  What if the church, and our families, reclaimed worship as a mental health, healing practice?  What if we actually followed the scriptural mandates to clap, dance, shout, and raise hands, not just because we are joyful but because our nervous systems needed it?  What if we actually understood how to use worship as a method of fostering mental health?  

Are you ready for all the extra time summer brings?  Do you have a plan to scroll less and read more for yourself and your kids?  Did you know reading might be the missing tool in the development of your family culture and the formation of your character?  Reading does these five things for us and our children:Forms a moral imaginationTeaches empathy & awakens affectionProvides an antidote to ignorance & entitlementBuilds academic abilitiesProtects mental healthGet inspired to build the habit of reading into your family culture with the strategies Andie offers.  Here are the books she mentions in this episode: American Dirt by Jeanine CumminsLong Walk to Water by Linda Sue ParkThe Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michelle Richardson  This Tender Land by William Kent KrugerSo Far from the Bamboo Grove & My Brother, My Sister, and I by Yoko Kawashima Watkins

This episode is part four in a series wrestling with this concept and learning how our reactions to our children growing through these phases can speed up or slow down their path to adulthood!   Andie discusses the tools that are appropriate to use in each stage, as well as the "God's Tools vs. Man's Tools" chart found linked below.  These five stages are:Enmeshment - The child's identity, beliefs,  and emotional experiences are interconnected and enmeshed with their family of origin.  Socialization - As the child begins to look outside the family, social interactions and friends become important.Separation - The young teen begins the process of pulling away from the family to try to seek out their own worldview, convictions, and identity. Individuation - In an attempt to define themselves as an individual, the young adult differentiates from their family and forms their own concepts of self, friends, and God. Cooperation - After developing a healthy sense of self, God, and deep social connections outside the family, the young adult enters a peaceful and cooperative relational connection with their family of origin.God's Tools vs. Man's Tools - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZELkVEq6XdbO1458RVBSQ7Tci771Ud3GYMJRUQf-YrI/edit?usp=sharing

Building on the concepts presented in the last episode, we will take a deeper look at the last two phases (Individuation & Cooperation) of growth to adulthood.  We will look at both healthy responses and unhealthy responses of both parents and siblings when a child follows this natural progression to maturity.  

Building on the concepts presented in the last episode, we will take a deeper look into the first three phases (Enmeshment, Socialization, & Separation) of growth to adulthood.  We will look at both healthy responses and unhealthy responses of both parents and siblings when a child follows this natural progression to maturity.  

Learning to adjust parenting strategies and expectations according to our children's stages of growth can be one of the most challenging aspects of parenting.  In this episode, Andie introduces the five stages of growth from infancy to adulthood. These five stages are:Enmeshment - The child's identity, beliefs,  and emotional experiences are interconnected and enmeshed with their family of origin.  Socialization - As the child begins to look outside the family, social interactions and friends become important.Separation - The young teen begins the process of pulling away from the family to try to seek out their own worldview, convictions, and identity. Individuation - In an attempt to define themselves as an individual, the young adult differentiates from their family and forms their own concepts of self, friends, and God. Cooperation - After developing a healthy sense of self, God, and deep social connections outside the family, the young adult enters a peaceful and cooperative relational connection with their family of origin.This episode is part one in a series wrestling with this concept and learning how our reactions to our children growing through these phases can speed up or slow down their path to adulthood!   

In this episode, Andie discusses the trending show on Netflix called Adolescence.  She gives an overview of the show and pulls out four distinct crises that we are facing today in relation to the welfare of our teenagers.  She leaves you with a challenge to evaluate your life in these four areas and ask the Holy Spirit what adjustments might be needed in your home to provide the strong leadership our teenagers need to thrive in today's culture.  

Does the job of motherhood often feel like more than you are capable of doing yourself?  That is because it is! An "allomother" refers to an individual, other than the biological mother, who performs maternal caregiving or provisioning for children. An allomother is a non-maternal caregiver who invests in children through nurturing, discipleship,  or provisioning. In this episode, we look into the history of 'collective caregiving networks' and how different that is from the radically individualistic society we have built today.  It is easy to idealize a community of 'allomothers' but what actually holds us back from building this type of community for ourselves and for our families?  Join us as we take a look at 5 reasons you may not have a community of allomothers to support you.  Be willing to take an honest look at your own parenting and see what you can do to build your own network of allomothers!  

Gospel Matrescence is hosting our first-ever in-person Spring Retreat on April 4-6, 2025!  The theme will be "Tending Your Own Garden".  As mothers, we are deeply concerned about the garden of our children's souls but we often neglect our own garden. Join us for three days at a home near the Denver area for a weekend of fellowship, worship, rest, encouragement, recreation, watercolor painting, and fun!  In this episode, I share the details of the retreat and instructions on how to register.  There are only 18 spots available so register soon!To sign up, visit - https://gospelmatrescence.mykajabi.com/offers/vUpnXivp/checkout

A diminishing tendency is an accidental or purposeful propensity to avoid deeply seeing the heart motivation or needs of another person due to your own ignorance, assumptions, or offenses.  In this episode, we define these and do some soul-searching to see if these are affecting our connection to those we love most.  This concept is laid out in the book, How to Know a Person by David Brooks. Listed below are the names and descriptions of each of these tendencies.  -Size Up - a quick judgment or generalization of another person based on a first instinct or gut reaction-Static Mindset - when you have known someone for a long time and you form a certain conception of that person, but you don’t update your model of who they are or how they may have changed.-Egotism - a self-centered obsession that keeps the focus on your own point of view and experiences-Anxiety - noise in your own head that is insecure and fearful, and prevents you from hearing another person’s perspective and heart-Naïve Realism - assuming that your view is the objective view and others should see reality as you do-The Lesser Minds Problem - the tendency  to think that you are more complicated, perceptive, and high-minded than others based on the fact that you judge others by the words they say, not realizing that not having access to the other person’s thoughts greatly limits your ability to see the full picture-Objectivism - the tendency to objectify and/or overly simplify another person’s perspective, without giving credit to their unique perspective, deeper feelings, experiences, desires, and intuition.-Essentialism - the practice of learning one thing about a person, then making a whole series  of further assumptions about them based on that one aspect of their identity

The episode concludes the four-part series on the Rupture & Repair Cycle by looking at four case studies that will help you visualize how the Clearning Model (one aspect of the Rupture & Repair Cycle) looks in various situations. Listen along and see if you resonate with any of these four case studies.  As you follow along, invite the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to how you can use these resources to become a more whole-hearted communicator and bring the ability to reconcile to your home culture.   As you listen to this episode, keep in mind the diagram and the weekly check-in questions you can find here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1e2MSeQU6dxnchMF-K9YaHMCd-m5KXwaIQOJYSu-wNRQ/edit?usp=sharing

This week we continued discussing the Rupture and Repair Cycle with a focus on children and sibling relationships.  As you listen to this episode, keep in mind the diagram and the weekly check-in questions you can find here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1e2MSeQU6dxnchMF-K9YaHMCd-m5KXwaIQOJYSu-wNRQ/edit?usp=sharingHow can we take this concept and apply it to conflict within our family?  How can we coach our children to use it with their siblings?  How can we model this 'ministry of reconciliation' (2 Cor 5:11-21) in our homes so that we can increase our non-anxious presence?  Listen and find out!  

This week we continued discussing the Rupture and Repair Cycle with a focus on marriage.  As you listen to this episode, keep in mind the diagram and the weekly check-in questions you can find here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1e2MSeQU6dxnchMF-K9YaHMCd-m5KXwaIQOJYSu-wNRQ/edit?usp=sharingThroughout the episode, Andie shares how a deep understanding of the Rupture and Repair Cycle can be a great help to improving healthy communication in your marriage and gaining a non-anxious presence in your home.  However, there are times when a marriage is so broken and sin has become so normalized that a couple needs third-party help.  Toward the end of the episode, Andie shares some resources that may be helpful in determining the difference between a disappointing marriage and a truly destructive marriage.  The books she recommends are:Is it Abuse?  A Biblical Guide for Identifying Domestic Abuse and Helping Victims by Darby StrictlandA Biblical Counselor's Approach to Marital Abuse: Roadmap to Reunification by Julie Ganschow & Bill SchlacksThe Emotionally Destructive Marriage by Leslie Vernic

In any relationship, misunderstandings, hurt feelings, or disagreements happen which lead to a "rupture" in the connection.  The ability to recognize and respond to this rupture is the key to maintaining a non-anxious presence in our homes.  In this episode, Andie introduces us to the seven steps of this cycle and gives a high-level overview that she will build upon in this four-part series as we apply the rupture and repair cycle in our relationships with our children, spouses, extended family, and friends.  Here is the diagram that is referred to in this episode.  We encourage you to screenshot it and save it to your phone.  You can also print it and hang it in places in your home where you may need the reminder when a rupture occurs.  

As Christmas approaches, as believers, it is important that we understand the meaning and origins behind some of the traditions we celebrate.  In this episode, Andie digs into some of the myths of the pagan origins of Christmas, the history of the practice of the Twelve Days of Christmas, and offers a free gift for your family! Here is the link to the article that explains how the early church fathers attempted to calculate the date of the birth of Christ -  https://www.touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=16-10-012-vLink to Free Gift Here:  "The Twelve Days of Christmas Study.pdf" for your review.https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:e978a080-4cce-4bc0-8433-8d465f29d1b0

In this episode, Andie shares five ideas that you can apply to your family as you enter the Advent season.  These traditions will enrich and encourage you to lift your eyes to the gift of the incarnation and the hope of the second coming of Christ.  Summary of ideas shared: 1. Advent story read-aloud at meal times - Jotham's Journey by Arnold Ytreeide available at Amazon (and other books in the series) 2. Independent reading time by the Christmas tree3. Advent Christmas Book Countdown Basket4. Letters to Jesus Binder - Wrapped in a gift box and placed under the tree to write letters each Christmas Eve5. Advent Prophesy Boxes - Get a large Christmas gift box at Hobby Lobby and twelve smaller boxes that fit inside.  Print out the scriptures below and find a correlating object to represent the fulfilled prophesy to open each night on the days leading up to Christmas.  12 Prophecies About the Life of Jesus for Advent Prophesy Boxes 1. The Messiah would be preceded by a messengerOld Testament (Isaiah 40:3) says:A voice of one calling In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highwayfor our God.New Testament (Matthew 3:1-2) says:In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea, and saying, Repent, for the kingdom ofheaven is near.Prophecy Box Ideas: Camel’s hair, small leather belt, plastic locust representing John the Baptist or asmall trumpet or voice magnifier representing a messenger2. The Messiah would be born in BethlehemOld Testament (Micah 5:2) says:But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for meone who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.New Testament (Matthew 2:1) says:After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod...Prophecy Box Ideas: A small laminated map of where Bethlehem is.3. The Messiah would come from the tribe of JudahOld Testament (Genesis 49:10) says:This passage talks about a ruler coming from the Tribe of Judah, one whose rule will be all-powerful: The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the rulers staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom itbelongs and the obedience of the nations is his.New Testament (Luke 3:23-34 and Matthew 1:1-16):Here you'll find a list of Jesus' ancestors, going back to Judah, who was one of the 12 sons of Jacob. (Jacob's 12 sons were the fathers of the 12 Tribes of Israel).Prophecy Box Ideas: Something representing the Tribe of Judah – a list of the tribes or lineage of Jesus4. The Messiah would enter Jerusalem on a coltOld Testament (Zechariah 9:9) says:Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.New Testament (Luke 19:35-37) says:They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. As he went along, people spread theircloaks on the road. When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the wholecrowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seenProphecy Box Ideas: A small, plastic colt/horse5. The Messiah would be betrayed by a friendOld Testament (Psalms 41:9) says:Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.New Testament (Matthew 26:47-50) says:While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swordsand clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal withthem: The on

Do you ever feel like your dopamine system is broken?  Do activities and pleasures that used to bring you joy feel less satisfying?  It may be time for a dopamine reset.  A dopamine reset is designed to regain control over cheap forms of dopamine through compulsive behavior. By doing this, you can experience a deeper happiness and satisfaction.  The main goal is to learn to see healthy dopamine highs and avoid unhealthy stimuli that cause dopamine crashes.  Learning to pursue healthy dopamine highs through well-timed deprivation can increase your reward sensitivity and happiness.  Listen to learn how!*NOTE - The episodes in this series are designed to be shared with others so we have removed the lengthy introduction.  Feel free to send to your husband, a friend, or a struggling teen you may know! 

Most people would agree that pain is not pleasant.  We often do almost anything we can to avoid pain for ourselves and our children.  However, what if pushing the pain button actually allowed us to experience more pleasure in life?  Our dopamine system always seeks equilibrium, so the more we are willing to feel pain, the easier pleasure will come.  Listen to this episode to change your mindset on pain and find ways to learn to be willing to 'push the pain button' and teach your children to as well!  *NOTE - The episodes in this series are designed to be shared with others so we have removed the lengthy introduction.  Feel free to send to your husband, a friend, or a struggling teen you may know! 

Have you ever considered the concept of dopamine stewardship?  Our pleasure system is a tremendous gift from our creator, but it can also be significantly abused, much like any gift.  Good stewardship of our dopamine system means accepting both sides of the system - both pain and pleasure.  As you look around society today, there are countless ways that people attempt to hijack the system with supernatural stimuli by pushing the pleasure button through social media, gaming, porn, binge-watching shows, etc.  This episode explores the ways we can resist the temptation to misuse our dopamine system and truly steward this gift of pleasure well.  *NOTE - The episodes in this series are designed to be shared with others so we have removed the lengthy introduction.  Feel free to send to your husband, a friend, or a struggling teen you may know! 

How much do you know about the effects dopamine has on your everyday life?  Did you know you were built on purpose with a very sophisticated system that regulates both pain and pleasure?  Do you struggle with anxiety or depression that might be related to a misuse of your dopamine system?  This is the first episode of a four-part series that will help you learn how to hack your reward system and increase the pleasure and joy you experience daily.  *NOTE - The episodes in this series are designed to be shared with others so we have removed the lengthy introduction.  Feel free to send to your husband, a friend, or a struggling teen you may know! 

Being a mother is a tremendous responsibility.  Sometimes, we view our role as that of an artist designing a blank canvas.  Other times, we see ourselves as gardeners, toiling in the hot sun, hoping for fruit. Today, we will walk through both of these metaphors and look at their implications.  Which style of mothering do you tend towards?    

Have you ever heard the term 'the devouring mother'?  Did you know that this is a tendency that all mothers will face?  And even if you don't struggle with this, doting tendencies are sure to be tempting.  In this episode, we look at the dangers of both of these archetypes and discuss how to avoid these pitfalls!  

Do you wish your children were more peaceful?  Do you wish they were growing in maturity faster? If so, you need to look closer at how much agency you allow your children to have and how much accountability you consistently give them.  In this episode, we look at the drastic change that has taken place in childhood in the last few decades regarding the massive decrease in agency most children experience. We dig into the value of independence for anxious children and even get some wisdom from Charlotte mason on the topic!    

In this episode, Andie reviews a book called Leisure: The Basis of Culture by Joseph Piper.  The concepts in that book reflect four areas of life that require balance for a peaceful lifestyle. Too often, we over- or under-emphasize a particular quadrant and feel the strain that brings. As mothers, it is vital that we learn to look at these four quadrants and ask some questions about the habits and lifestyle we are building and demonstrating to our children. Below is a quick summary of the quadrants Andie explains in this episode:Work (For financial gain, extrinsically motivated, job/ trade,  profit earning, servile arts, specific skills that apply to vocation, chores) Amusement/Entertainment (Activities that relax us or make us laugh, somewhat  frivolous to give the mind a break, a-muse meaning not to think, movies, fiction books, entertainment)  Leisure/Scholé (Intrinsically motivated, avocational activity, liberal arts,  learning for the sake of learning, seeking truth, goodness, and beauty, never concerned with profit, politics, or productivity)Rest/Sabbath (Rejuvenating the physical body, contemplative prayer or worship, aesthetic rest – exposing yourself to beauty,  recreational rest, meditation, reading)

Hobby - an activity done regularly in one's leisure time for pleasure. Is it even possible for busy mamas to have a hobby?  Isn't it a little selfish to pursue a hobby when your children and family have so many needs?  Why might a hobby be an essential part of healthy motherhood?  Join Andie today as she digs into this concept by reviewing an article called "Why Mama Needs a Hobby."  When you are done listening to this episode, be sure to read the article here.

This is the third episode in the series on Family of Origin work.  You will hear four case study stories that help you gain a deeper understanding of the value of the Family of Origin worksheet, which can be downloaded here - https://gospelmatrescence.com/free-resources/Remember that our coaching groups are a great place to do your Family of Origin work alongside others who want to grow in their motherhood journey as well.  Visit our website to learn more!  

Last week, we introduced the concept of Family of Origin work as a tool to help us evaluate our childhood experiences and significant relationships.  This week, we will go through each part of the worksheet to help understand how this tool can help us grow past hangups and harmful habits we find ourselves stuck in.  Visit https://gospelmatrescence.com/free-resources/ to download your free copy of this worksheet to look over as you listen!  

Do you have a clear vision of what type of person you deeply desire to be, but the road to get there seems impossible?  Do you want to show up for your family with a peaceful, non-anxious presence but instead keep reverting to unhealthy reactions?  Then this episode is for you. Often, breaking unhealthy belief systems and habits requires us to look back at our family of origin to see where internal programming from our childhood affects us today.  Visit the Free Printables page of www.GospelMatrescence.com to download the worksheet referenced in this episode.  

In this episode, we take a close look at Luke 1 & 2 as it describes Mary's entrance to motherhood.  Andie pulls out six ways Mary demonstrated a non-anxious presence in her motherhood journey.  Listen along and see if her example inspires you to seek to grow in overcoming anxiety in your own motherhood journey!  

What is the difference between control and influence when it comes to healthy leadership in the home?  How does being a non-anxious presence increase our influence over both our husbands and children?  What can we do if we tend towards control and have lost some of our influence?  Take a listen and find out!  

Continuing with our focus on becoming a non-anxious presence in our home, today we look at six ways mamas tend to expect others to manage their own anxiety.  Displacing and projecting our anxious responses onto those we love can cause great harm to a relationship.  There are ways we can identify these destructive tendencies and repair the harm we have caused.  Let's work on becoming a non-anxious presence in our homes together!  

Here at Gospel Matrescence, we often use the term 'a non-anxious presence,' but what does that really mean?  What does a non-anxious mama look like and how does that impact the family atmosphere?  

Do you ever feel like you are stuck in the same sinful responses that you give to your children or husband?  Can you imagine a clear picture of who you want to be but often feel powerless to get there?  Listen as Andie shares how the 12 spiritual disciplines form a path to spiritual growth and victory in our lives as mamas and wives.  In this episode, she shares specific lessons from the book of Nehemiah that show us how we can use the discipline of feasting and celebration to pull us out of a sin cycle and reorient our hearts towards God's goodness.  She leaves you will a challenge to plan a celebratory feast for your husband or children to break the sinful response cycle and lift your hearts towards the kindness of God that leads to repentance!  

Perhaps one of the greatest challenges of raising children is working together with your spouse in a partnership in each decision you face regarding your children.  However, gaining unity can be difficult when fathers and mothers seem so incredibly different in their approach to parenting.  God intended for a mother's feminine tendencies to bless the family and for the father's masculine characteristics to bless the family as well but what happens when those tendencies are taken too far?  We see the beauty of our differences become profane and tension arises in our homes.  In this episode, we discuss how to both recognize and respond to this phenomenon.  Here is the link to the Connected Parenting Podcast episode mentioned"Episode 119: The Father Effect -  https://www.connectedparenting.com/podcast

Have you ever considered that not being the 'perfect mother' may be in your children's best interest?  Could it be that your striving to meet your child's every need is actually hurting both them and you?  In this episode, we take a look at the work of the British pediatrician and psychoanalyst who coined the phrase 'the good enough mother'.  Take a listen to learn more about this fascinating concept.  Resources mentioned in this episode are: https://www.seleni.org/advice-support/2018/3/14/the-gift-of-the-good-enough-motherJordan Peterson Podcast - https://youtu.be/EzDucLhmI50?si=1tRmWoYtj2Up_4vN

Growing in our emotional intelligence and understanding of our emotional ecosystem requires that we learn to observe our thoughts.  Each of us has thought patterns that hold us back.  Today, Andie shares three common thought patterns that often hold mamas back from growth and transformation.  These three phrases/thoughts are:"I have to...""You made me feel...""It will always be this way..."Listen to see if you are being affected by any of these thought patterns.  Learn how even small changes to your thoughts have the power to produce wildly different emotions in us!