The Good, the Bad, & the Crazy Side of Motherhood
Learning to laugh in the midst of the craziness of motherhood is vital. When I first became a mom I took everything so seriously. There was this internal pressure to get everything, from my homemaking to my parenting, perfect. Somewhere around my second year of parenting my perfection bubble was popped. I learned to let go of the small stuff — even the spilled organic milk — and just laugh at the craziness that often filled our day.
There is a certain amount of peace that comes with letting go. Elsa was onto something. Ha!
Today, I have the distinct pleasure of introducing you to Jessica Kastner. Jessica is the mom to three boys and the author of Hiding From the Kids in My Prayer Closet. If you don’t catch it from that title, Jessica is so much fun. I hide from my kids, too, sometimes. They always seem to find me though. Sometimes I just need a moment to breath or attempt to find quiet.
This interview today is sure to get you laughing along with us. Jessica and I had so much fun giggling over some of our favorite mommy moments. She offers so many great tips about finding the humor in parenting. You are going to truly enjoy this episode.
I can’t wait for you to listen in and gut-laugh along with us!
Highlights from This Show…
- Jessica is a “boy mom” — and also a publicist, author, and contributor to a few publications (so basically an underachiever — ha!)
- We chat about her book, Hiding from the Kids in my Prayer Closet and the general public’s reaction to it — this isn’t your everyday book on motherhood.
- We talk about the expectations of motherhood — the ones we put on ourselves either from our childhood or from outside influences.
- Jessica defines the “un-mom.” This is such a great and relatable definition of what some moms truly feel.
- Motherhood is one of those things that you just have to laugh at. Jessica and I share stories about all those different times in motherhood where you just have to laugh (mainly so you don’t cry) — and how it’s good to laugh in and at these moments.
- Jessica talks about how having kids has strengthened her faith. Many moms would probably agree that if there is one thing that can strengthen your faith and get you on your knees, it’s motherhood.
“Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.” (Psalms 46:10)
- Jessica encourages moms to get in the Word and walk out their faith in all stages of the busy lifestyle of motherhood — whether it’s just little kids or as you go into the “taxi driver stage” of mothering.
- Expectations: We just need to let them go! One of the chapters in her book talks about how as parents we sometimes think that taking toddlers on a plane is a good idea and that things will go great (such a funny chapter!) I share my own funny story about flying with my sweet Wade when he was really little. Let’s just say, kids are so humbling!
- One question that I thought would be really fun to ask Jessica about is if she has one really big parenting win. Jessica shares about the one time her middle child refused to go to school, and how on the first day of school (after she spent the night in prayer) he just got up and went.
- Jessica tells her story of her not-typical entrance into motherhood.
Jessica has such great advice about making sure you get your quiet time in — if you don’t make time for the Lord, you will be a crazy mama. (CLICK TO TWEET)
I loved Jessica’s advice about putting Bethel Kids on YouTube and declaring a family dance party! (CLICK TO TWEET)
Please Note…
- Be sure to grab your FREE copy of my book, Sanity Savers for Moms, by joining our Simply Joyful community. It’s a great way to keep in touch…and get subscriber only freebies like my book. Click HERE to get the book and join!
Connect with Jessica Kastner…
Jessica Kastner is an award-winning journalist and a contributor for Beliefnet.com, Huffington Post’s Christianity blog, and CBN.com. As Connecticut’s coordinator for Straight Ahead Ministries, she shares God’s message of hope by leading Bible studies in juvenile detention centers. When she’s not on the trampoline with her three boys in her hometown of Southington, Connecticut. She joins us on The Simply Joyful Podcast today to chat about her new book Hiding From the Kids in My Prayer Closet: Finding Grace and Laughter when Motherhood Gets Real.
You can check out Jessica’s books HERE on Amazon! Be sure to visit her site as well at www.jessicakastner.com.
(This podcast is by Kristi Clover. Discovered by Christian Podcast Central and our community — copyright is owned by the publisher, not Christian Podcast Central, and audio is streamed directly from their servers.)