Intentional Motherhood | Interview with Susan Seay

Intentional Motherhood | Interview with Susan Seay

When we are intentional moms, it assists us in becoming less-stressed moms. 

When we bring our babies home from the hospital, our dream is to raise them in a happy and healthy home. But, from the time that we get pregnant or we announce plans to adopt, others begin giving us their opinions about what we should or shouldn’t do. If we’re not careful, other people’s input will confuse us and add a lot of stress to our already busy lives.

Today, I’m continuing my fun and freeing conversation with my friend, Susan Seay. She’s a speaker, author, and homeschool mom to seven – yes, seven kids! Susan is the author of Intentional Motherhood: Parenting on Purpose When Life Gets Busy. If you listened to part one of our interview, the podcast ended with Susan saying that she hit the wall after the birth of her seventh child.

“I became so burdened with my efforts to be a “good mom” and trying to do all the things a “good mom” should do. My list of “should’s” was so long I was ready to give up. In fact, I did give up. I announced it one night at dinner to my husband with a simple “I’m done!” – Susan Seay, speaker and author

During this episode, Susan shares about the crucial conversations that she had with her husband, Ron about their individual expectations of what it meant to be a good mom and a good dad. In Susan’s effort to be a great mom and Ron’s drive to be a great dad, the couple discovered that their unspoken expections actually drove a wedge in their relationship with each other.

As you listen to Susan talk about how they worked through this challenge to their marriage and family, you’ll love her sense of humor and insight. Ultimately, Ron and Susan discovered the key to reshaping their family and unifying them for the future.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

  • How core values can keep your family focused and help you make decisions with less conflict;
  • Why Susan always lets her kids let go of a hug first;
  • How Susan uses technology to stay connected with her kids;

LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW: How do you sort out all of the opinions and information out there about how you should raise your kids? 

 

LINKS FROM TODAY’S SHOW

Susan Seay  Website  |  Facebook   | Choosing Your Values Podcast

Through the “Mentor 4 Moms” Podcast and the relatable style found in her book The Intentional Parent: Parenting On Purpose When Life Gets Busy, you get a sense of Susan’s heart to provide encouragement to moms combined with helpful practical tools. As a wife and mom to 7, she truly understands the challenges of trying to be an Intentional Parent. Susan has been a mentor to women locally in Austin, Tx and Internationally for over a decade. 

 

Check out these other Better Together episodes:

 

 

Saying Good-bye to Things that Matter…

Saying Good-bye to Things that Matter…

Maybe no one has ever told you this before, but it’s good to grieve the dreams that never will be.

Almost 10 years ago, my Christian counselor taught me the importance of having ‘funerals’ for the dreams or expectations that were never going to be. I get real messed up when I hold onto certain expectations or hopes in life. As the Proverbs say, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.” That can be so true for me! So, in order for me to live in God’s plan for my life, I have to practice letting go of my plans. But, it’s hard to let unrealized hopes and dreams die. That’s why “funerals” are an important ritual in my life.

Once a year or so, I take an afternoon and head down to my favorite spot at a local park overlooking the river and have a funeral for my lost dreams. I bring a blanket to sit on, my bible and lots of tissues!

I spend time with God acknowledging those things that will never be. I really wanted those dreams to come true! But they didn’t. So this is my funeral prayer:

“I dreamed that (insert dream) but that dream isn’t going to come true. I really wanted it God! And it hurts, but I need to let that dream die. I need to mourn it and move it out of my heart so that You can fill the space with a new thing for me.”

When we don’t grieve our lost dreams or unfulfilled expectations, our hearts get cluttered and chaotic.

Surrender is the path to peace.

God has great plans for you, my friends!

You have permission to bravely let go – and wait confidently for God to plant His new dream in your heart!

TALK BACK TIME: Have you let go of a dream and God gave you a new one? If so, share your comments with us and encourage someone today! We’d love to hear from you!

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