You and I want to be good moms sooooo badly.
And yet, the desire to be good and perfect frequently sabotages our goal.
We know we should show ourselves, and our kids, grace. Yet, we struggle to understand what grace truly looks like.
Today’s guest, Jeannie Cunnion, understands the struggle. Sharing what she’s learned about the danger of shame, the lie of perfectionism, and the joy of grace.
Jeannie knows grace and describes the day-to-day reality better than anyone I’ve heard. In this episode I specifically ask how to be kind to myself and how to discipline my boys with grace.
My prayer is you and I gain a little more freedom, ready to walk in the Truth of all God has done for us.
This episode originally aired in January of 2015. Since we talked Jeannie has had a 4th son and written a new book, releasing on August 29th. “Mom Set Free” coincides perfectly with the message Jeannie shares in this episode. To pre-order a copy and watch the trailer click the book image below:
What we talk about:
- The perfectionism which led to Jeannie writing her book, “Parenting the Wholehearted Child”
- The problem of letting our identities get wrapped up in what kind of mom we are.
- How we should believe God’s grace is bigger than our mistakes and how our weaknesses reveal His power.
- Showing our kids that when we fail, God never will.
- How to show grace in day-to-day reality.
- Difference between balancing grace & discipline and weaving grace into instruction.
- What, Why, How & Now Discipline–
- What just happened
- Why did it happen
- How could you have done that differently
- Now–consequence or mercy moment
- How much obedience do we expect & how quickly do we expect it–the R & R principal.
- Importance of maintaining relationship through discipline & instruction.
Podcast Club Discussion Questions:
- Jeannie shares about when she truly accepted God’s grace through Jesus and how it changed her parenting. Do you feel a struggle between accepting grace for yourself and your kids?
- As moms, we’re going to fail sometimes. What are some ways you can point you kids back to Jesus who will never let them down?
- Any time there is anger, fear or shame in our discipline, we aren’t moving our kids toward repentance and openness. What are some ways we can discipline out of kindness?
- Jeannie talks about how friendship with Jesus precedes the fruit we want to see in our children. How can you make sharing more of Jesus’ love a priority in your parenting this week?
- Take a moment to pray and let go of the burden of perfection, shame, guilt or any other negative emotions that may have bubbled up in you while listening to this podcast.
Connect with Jeannie:
Site :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Pinterest :: Instagram
Links:
- Jeannie’s interview with Kat Lee–Inspired to Action Podcast
- “The Greatest Gift”–Ann Voskamp**
- Brennan Manning–radically loved & accepted child of God
- Unbroken–trailer
- Hebrews 12:2 –“looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.” (the verse doesn’t say, ‘keep your eyes on Jesus and you perfect your faith’).
- Hebrews 12:6–“Lord disciplines those He loves. . .”
- Romans 8:1 — “There is therefore now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.”
- Scott Turansky
- Paul David Tripp quote: “Parenting is a gracious rescue.”
- “Parenting the Wholehearted Child” by Jeannie Cunnion **
I’m really loving this series. Every one of these moms is telling my story in some way. The perfectionism, the anger, the burnout, the coming to terms with my idols, and realizing Christ’s all-sufficiency. Thank you for the reminder that He is working by His Spirit in my children’s lives.
Yay for loving the series! God is good to provide inspiration and encouragement just when we need it! blessings!
I am also loving this series! It’s wonderful and just what I need to hear as a mom. This episode really spoke to me since you and she both get what it’s like raising multiple boys. I have no friends who have more than one boy and I always feel like their behavior, especially when they are together or with other boys, is wild and crazy and I live in the animal house. I wasn’t raised knowing how to deal with this level of insanity. And it’s so true that I was trying for YEARS to control their behavior and be a good parent and wasn’t enjoying my role as mom. It’s refreshing to know I’m not alone and be reminded of the truth of the Gospel at the time time.
Oh I’m so glad to know you were encouraged. How powerfully it is to know you aren’t the only one! animal house is a great descriptor. And often a literal zoo (just added a Pac-Man frog to our family today!). The controlling behavior is the hardest for me. I struggle knowing when to stop training and show love. Thanks for listening!!!
Would it be possible to get the sponsors and discount codes in the show notes? I tried signing up for jelly telly and of course couldn’t remember the code! Thanks a bunch!
I think this podcast was meant for me! Recognized how I am struggling with perfectionism and control of my young children’s behaviors…& how my identity has subtly become wrapped up in either their performance/behavior &/or my performance as a mom. Laughed and cried in this and multiple times said out loud “this is so good.” We are in a season (or just dog days of summer) behavior issues and my husband and I so desire to discipline, teach and love well-but often end up taking things too seriously. This episode has been convicting and motivating. Praying for God to lift those burdens of perfectinism and help us to not shame/guilt or take these years too seriously. Thank you! I’m a Dallas local and LOVE getting to hear you talk at MOPs and how you encourage us with these podcasts. So refreshing. Grateful God is using you.