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Brain full, tabs all open, and somehow still expected to remember the field trip form. If that sounds familiar, this episode is your deep exhale. Kate and Rebecca welcome back returning guest Kim Anderson, licensed therapist, certified life coach, and founder of Elevate Moms, for an honest conversation about the mental load. Kim breaks down what it actually is, why it has gotten so much heavier in the smartphone era, and why resentment is usually a sign that a need hasn’t been said out loud yet. From the bear in the room to the glass ball and rubber ball test, Kim gives moms practical, gospel-centered tools for telling themselves the truth. And if you’ve ever worried it’s too late to get it right, she has some of the best news you’ll hear all year: you only have to get it right 30% of the time. About Kim: Kim Anderson is a licensed professional counselor, certified life coach, speaker, author, and former Navy spouse who spent ten years in South Texas before landing in Franklin, Tennessee. She and her husband Dave have been married almost 28 years and have two young adult children. After launching her own kids, Kim founded Elevate Moms, a place of counseling, coaching, and community where moms can identify where they’re stuck, engage with their own story, and break generational cycles so their families can thrive. Find her at elevatemoms.com. In This Episode: Kim’s story, from Navy moves to the empty nest to building Elevate Moms What the mental load actually is, and why it has gotten so much heavier since smartphones All tabs open: the invisible job moms are working that nobody sees Why resentment means a need hasn’t been communicated, and how to ask for help so people can actually show up (“give me a quest”) Glass balls vs. rubber balls: changing your expectations in hard seasons and knowing what really matters The bear in the room: the stories moms tell themselves and why our brains would rather be certain than accurate Is it too late? The 30% rule and why repair is possible from cradle to grave Resources Mentioned: Elevate Moms: elevatemoms.com The Family Room at Elevate MomsThe Family Blueprint program at Elevate Moms Connect With Kim: elevatemoms.com | @elevatemomscollective on Instagram Connect With Us: gathermoms.com | @gathermoms | Join our Patreon at gathermoms.com Gather Moms: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Kate Henderson: Instagram | Facebook Rebecca Bradford: Instagram | Facebook

If you have ever moved to a new place, sat alone at a sports game, or wondered why making friends as a grown woman feels so impossibly hard — this episode was made for you. Kate and Rebecca sit down with Kara Veach, pastor, speaker, writer, and mom of three who recently uprooted her family from North Seattle to plant Discover Church in San Marcos, California. Kara knows firsthand what it feels like to start from zero — and she has been thinking deeply about why adult friendships are so hard and what to actually do about it. She is the author of Walking Upside Down and is currently writing her second book, Will You Be My Friend?, which explores how to cultivate meaningful friendships through every season of life. This conversation is honest, practical, and full of the kind of wisdom that makes you want to text someone you have been meaning to reach out to. About Kara: Kara Veach is a pastor, speaker, writer, and mom of three who is passionate about helping women build authentic friendships and vibrant communities. She and her husband Kyle have been in pastoral ministry since 2010 and planted Discover Church in San Marcos, California in the fall of 2025. She is the author of Walking Upside Down and is currently writing Will You Be My Friend? Find her at @karaveach on Instagram. In This Episode: Moving from North Seattle to San Marcos with three kids in the middle of middle school and elementary school  and how they involved the kids in the decision Why adult friendships are so much harder than childhood friendships  and what we lose when we leave the built-in proximity of school and sports Will You Be My Friend? Says no adult ever — the premise of Kara’s upcoming book and why we have completely lost the ability to just ask Robin Dunbar’s friendship circles — your five, your fifteen, your fifty — and what Jesus’s three and twelve actually teach us about friendship Friends come for a reason, a season, or forever and why not every friendship death is a failure What we get wrong about conflict in friendships — ghosting, drifting, and filling in the blanks with the worst possible story In the absence of communication, people always fill in the blanks with something bad When to let something go and when to actually have the conversation What we actually miss out on when we stay home in our sweatpants and skip community Resources Mentioned: Walking Upside Down by Kara Veach — available on Amazon at https://a.co/d/0g74dKtk Connect With Kara: @karaveach on Instagram Discover Church — discoverchurchsd.com | @discoverchurchsd Connect With Us: gathermoms.com | @gathermoms | Join our Patreon at gathermoms.comermoms | Join our Patreon at gathermoms.comm | @gathermoms | Join our Patreon at gathermoms.com Gather Moms: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Kate Henderson: Instagram | Facebook Rebecca Bradford: Instagram | Facebook

Kate and Rebecca sit down with Elizabeth Andreyevskiy, a Ukrainian-born, Russian-speaking mom of four in Jacksonville, Florida, who went from struggling with mom rage in her own home to coaching Christian moms out of it full time. Elizabeth is the host of the Emotionally Healthy Legacy Podcast and the founder of a coaching program specifically designed to help moms break free from anger and cultivate calm, peaceful authority in their homes. This conversation is for every mom who has ever said something she regretted, felt shame she could not share, or wondered if there was something deeply wrong with her. There is not. But there is a better way — and Elizabeth walks us through it step by step. About Elizabeth: Elizabeth Andreyevskiy was born in Latvia to Ukrainian parents and has been in the United States for nearly 30 years. She and her husband met at a Russian Baptist church in Minnesota and now live in Jacksonville, Florida with their four kids. She is the host of the Emotionally Healthy Legacy Podcast and a part-time coach helping Christian moms break free from anger. Find her at emotionallyhealthylegacy.com. In This Episode: Elizabeth’s own story: what mom rage felt like the first time it happened and why she felt like a monster Three boys five and under with a husband who traveled for work and what waking up already on edge every day does to a mom The difference between anger and rage  and why it matters Green zone, yellow zone, red zone – how the brain actually works and why you feel like you cannot stop once you are in the red Why shame grows in the darkness and keeps moms stuck in the cycle Why Christian moms especially feel like they cannot tell anyone –  and why that makes the problem worse The journaling technique that rewires your brain for the hard moments before they happen How you know it is time to get professional help Anger as a symptom of burnout  and how to recognize it What saved Elizabeth: morning routine, mindset work, and stopping the shame spiral Connect With Elizabeth: Emotionally Healthy Legacy Podcast | emotionallyhealthylegacy.com Connect With Us: gathermoms.com | @gathermoms | Join our Patreon at gathermoms.comm | @gathermoms | Join our Patreon at gathermoms.com Gather Moms: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Kate Henderson: Instagram | Facebook Rebecca Bradford: Instagram | Facebook

This one is for every new mom in the thick of year one  and every seasoned mom who needs to remember how sweet and hard it all was. Kate and Rebecca sit down with Jackie Castro, a familiar face from their student ministry days who has grown up, chased her dreams across the country, landed in New Hampshire, and is now a first-time mama to almost-one-year-old James. Jackie is a semi-retired singer-songwriter, social media professional, and content creator sharing new motherhood and everyday life in New England. She came into this conversation braced for the hard parts of year one — and left us all with a reminder that the joy was bigger than she ever expected. About Jackie: Jackie Castro is James’s mom, a semi-retired singer-songwriter, and content creator sharing the magic in the everyday. She grew up in Rockwall, Texas, spent time in Austin and Nashville chasing music, and now lives in New Hampshire with her husband Zach and baby boy James. Find her at @thejackiecastro on Instagram. In This Episode: What actually surprised Jackie most about year one and it was not what she expected She was braced for the hard and was not prepared for this much joy even in the middle of the night feedings The changing table moment: how mom guilt hit for the first time and what she and her husband did about it Is this forever? The question every new mom asks at 4am and the answer that finally gives peace How becoming a mom completely changed the way Jackie sees God as a father  and how she started praying bigger Working in social media as a mom content creator – the healthy way to use it and when it becomes harmful Isolation in a new town – working from home, finding community, and the little things that help Earlier years of anxiety, depression, and chasing dreams that felt lonely and unfulfilling, and what rest actually feels like now Connect With Jackie: @thejackiecastro on Instagram Connect With Us: gathermoms.com | @gathermoms | Join our Patreon at gathermoms.comms | Join our Patreon at gathermoms.com Gather Moms: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Kate Henderson: Instagram | Facebook Rebecca Bradford: Instagram | Facebook

Kate sits down with her dear friend Marlene Dominguez, a first generation Dominican American, wife to Manny, mom of three curly-haired boys, and co-founder of Brave Church in Washington Heights, New York City – the neighborhood she grew up in, left for ten years to serve in Fort Worth, Texas, and was called back to plant a church in. Marlene’s story is layered, beautiful, raw, and full of the grace of a God who meets us exactly where we are. This conversation covers identity, motherhood wounds, endometriosis, postpartum anxiety, counseling, natural births, curls, cafecito y pan, and what it really means to say “this is their childhood, but it is also my motherhood”. About Marlene: Marlene Dominguez is a first generation Dominican American raised in Washington Heights, New York City. She and her husband Emmanuel co-lead Brave Church, a church plant in their home neighborhood. She is a mom of three boys, a speaker, and the creator behind the Instagram community @curlswithapromise where she has spent over ten years pointing women back to their identity in Christ through the lens of beauty, faith, and culture. In This Episode: Growing up in Washington Heights – Little Dominican Republic – and being called back to plant Brave Church Curls with a promise and the decade-long journey of embracing her natural hair and the identity story underneath it It is their childhood but it is also my motherhood, and why Marlene refuses to forget that No junior Holy Spirit, raising practical adults, not children whose entire world revolves around them Being diagnosed with endometriosis in her first month of marriage and what God spoke to her in that season Becoming a mom without a mom, the mother wound that motherhood brought to the surface Postpartum anxiety, EMDR therapy, and the therapist who told her what worked back then no longer serves her now The trust fund language she and Manny use in their marriage  and why it changed everything Brave is not the absence of fear  it is being a mom without a mom and doing it anyway Connect With Marlene: @curlswithapromise | Brave Church in Washington Heights Connect With Us: gathermoms.com | @gathermoms | Join our Patreon at gathermoms.com Gather Moms: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Kate Henderson: Instagram | Facebook Rebecca Bradford: Instagram | Facebook

If you have ever moved somewhere new and wondered why it still does not feel like home, felt guilty for working (or for not working), or said yes to one too many things and regretted it the next morning, this episode is for you. Kate and Rebecca sit down with Ashley Weece, mom of two boys ages four and two, who moved across the country with her husband to plant a church in Brunswick, Maine. Ashley has been a full time working mom, a mostly stay at home mom, and everything in between. She knows what it feels like to start over with no community, juggle kids and ministry, and wrestle with the guilt that comes with every choice. This is an honest, encouraging conversation for every mom trying to find her footing in a new place, balance work and family, and stop measuring herself against a version of motherhood that does not fit her season. About Ashley: Ashley Weece is a wife, mom of two boys, speaker, and church planter. She grew up in Kansas, spent nine years in Kentucky, and now lives in Brunswick, Maine, where she and her husband Justin planted Ironcoast Church. In This Episode: Moving somewhere new with no community, and the three year rule that helped Ashley stop feeling behind Why comparing how fast other people settle in makes it harder, and why roots take time to grow The “better mom” myth: why Christian moms feel pressure to parent one right way How Ashley went from “I’m definitely working” to surrendering the whole decision to God before her first baby was born Working unhealthy hours with her first and finding a healthier rhythm with her second The pressure of being a ministry mom and trading performance for presence Living in a five loaves and two fish season, when you do not have enough time, sleep, or food Limitations as a gift from God, and why wearing a bathing suit in 20 degree weather is a lot like ignoring your season The overcommitment trap and the fear that if you say no, you will never be asked again How Ashley decides what to say yes to, and why she caps speaking at three events a year Letting your kids be loved by other people, and why childcare can grow their capacity to love and be loved Mom friends with different parenting styles and why we need each other Simple prayer rhythms with little kids: the drive to daycare and bedtime Boy mom advice: find a mentor mom with boys, build a daily rhythm, and get them moving every day Connect With Ashley: @ashleyweece Ironcoast Church: https://ironcoast.church/ Connect With Us: gathermoms.com | @gathermoms | Join our Patreon at gathermoms.com Gather Moms: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Kate Henderson: Instagram | Facebook Rebecca Bradford: Instagram | Facebook

Kate and Rebecca sit down with Amy Ford — founder and president of Embrace Grace, mom of four, brand new grandmother (Honey!), author, speaker, and one of the most passionate voices for women with unplanned pregnancies in the country. Amy’s story began with her own unplanned pregnancy in her teens — one of the hardest and loneliest times of her life. That season of brokenness became the fuel for everything God would build through her. Trigger Warning: This episode contains honest discussion of unplanned pregnancy, abortion, pregnancy loss, and the emotional and spiritual weight of those experiences. We share these stories with grace, hope, and the love of Jesus — but please care for yourself as you listen. About Amy: Amy Ford is the co-founder and president of Embrace Grace, a non-profit organization formed for the purpose of inspiring the church and providing the tools necessary to be an emotional, practical, and spiritual support for women with unplanned pregnancies. She is an active speaker and published author based in Arlington, Texas. Embrace Grace now has over 1,200 support groups in churches across all 50 states. In This Episode: Amy’s personal story of getting pregnant at 19, scheduling an abortion, and what happened in that room that changed everything The pastor who refused to marry them because they had sinned and the stunning moment of forgiveness 16 years later in front of an entire congregation Why the abortion rate inside the church is the same as outside it and what that means for us as the church What the abortion pill is really like — what women are not being told and why it is more traumatizing than most people realize What pushback Amy still gets from pastors — and how she responds Why Roe v. Wade being overturned has not solved the problem How Embrace Grace works — plug and play curriculum, 12 weeks, front row seats to miracles Just because a baby wasn’t planned by the mom doesn’t mean it wasn’t planned by God What saved Amy — community and the one or two friends who stayed Get Involved: Check out Amy Ford’s Resources at https://www.amyford.com/ Connect With Us: gathermoms.com | @gathermoms | Join our Patreon at gathermoms.commoms | Join our Patreon at gathermoms.com Gather Moms: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Kate Henderson: Instagram | Facebook Rebecca Bradford: Instagram | Facebook

This episode is unlike any other this season. Instead of hearing from a seasoned mom, Kate and Rebecca sit down with someone who just lived the teenage years, and has the book to prove it. Caroline Shankle is a 22-year-old author, Texas A&M graduate student, and daughter of bestselling author and Big Boo podcast host Melanie Shankle. She survived mean girls, soccer injuries, heartbreak, and the anxious pressure of being a teenager in the social media age, then wrote a 100-day devotional to help the next girl do the same. The Lion and the Bear is a young woman’s compassionate guidebook for defeating life’s giants by trusting God one step at a time, written from the trenches, not a distant pedestal. This episode is a gift to every mom raising a daughter, and every daughter who just needs to know she is not alone. In This Episode: The breakup and Zoom call that became the origin story of Caroline’s book The lion and the bear: how David and Goliath became her framework for hard seasons What being a teenager in the social media age really feels like Holding two truths: God is good, and you can still be beat down and tired The mistake moms make trying to fix it too fast, and what teens need instead Stay out of the boat: why getting in it with your daughter wears you down Reading the room: why advice lands better three days later than in the moment What not to say when your daughter is hurting, and what actually helps Growing up with a mom on a public platform, without the pressure to be perfect The anxious generation and why this generation is wired differently What saved Caroline: God never wasted any of it Caroline’s Website: https://carolineshankle.com/the-lion-and-the-bear/ Connect With Caroline: carolineshankle.com | @carolineshankle on Instagram Connect With Us: gathermoms.com | @gathermoms | Join our Patreon at gathermoms.com Gather Moms: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Kate Henderson: Instagram | Facebook Rebecca Bradford: Instagram | Facebook

This is the episode that will change how you think about every show your kids watch, every song they hear, and every conversation happening on the school bus. Kate and Rebecca welcome back return guest Amy Davison, Vice President of Mama Bear Apologetics — one of the most trusted resources for Christian moms who want to raise kids that think critically, love biblically, and stand firm in the faith. Amy is an Air Force veteran, mom of four (18, 16, 14, and 2), and a woman who has been in the trenches of this cultural conversation long enough to know exactly what tools moms actually need. This is not a fear-based conversation. It is a faithfulness-based one. And it is packed with some of the most practical, biblical wisdom for navigating media and culture that we have ever had on the show. About Amy: Amy Davison is Vice President of Mama Bear Apologetics, a ministry dedicated to equipping Christian moms to raise the next generation to think critically and stand firm in the faith. She is an Air Force veteran, a writer, and a mom of four. Find all of Mama Bear’s resources at mamabearapologetics.com. In This Episode: Why bubble wrap Christianity does not work — if Satan got into the garden he can get into your living room Your living room is either a training ground or it is not — and the armor of God is not a spiritual safe space The shift that has happened in children’s media over the last 15 years — what was a punchline on Friends is now in CoComelon Media is not neutral — it is the most proficient form of propaganda ever created and our kids are consuming it daily Every worldview answers the same six questions — and the ones being fed to your kids have very specific answers The history of the sexual revolution and why it matters for what your kids are watching today The ROAR method — Recognize the message, Offer objective discernment, Argue for a healthier approach, Reinforce with prayer and discussion Words matter and definitions are being hijacked — buzzwords every mom needs to know how to unpack with her kids The no-flinch rule — fix your face, mama, because if you freak out they will stop coming to you The difference between fear and wisdom in parenting — fear panics, wisdom prepares Teen brain development — the prefrontal cortex, the amygdala, and why boys especially need more time What homeschool kids, private school kids, and public school kids all have in common — they are having the same conversations, just in different places I am not responsible for my children’s choices — I am responsible for the message of the gospel It is never too late — you are responsible for the time you have been given right now Resources Mentioned: Mama Bear Apologetics — mamabearapologetics.com  Mama Bear Apologetics Guide to Sexuality The ROAR Method and buzzwords blog series — all at mamabearapologetics.com  Connect With Us: gathermoms.com | @gathermoms | Join our Patreon at gathermoms.com Gather Moms: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Kate Henderson: Instagram | Facebook Rebecca Bradford: Instagram | Facebook

This episode is goinIf you have ever wished you could sit down with a wise, seasoned grandma who has seen it all and lived to tell about it with joy — this episode is for you. Kate and Rebecca sit down with Millye Hale, a mom of three grown children, grandmother of three under two, mentor mom of 33 years, founder of her own parenting ministry, and the woman who once turned a dental hygienist career into a full time calling to come alongside moms and families. Millye is the kind of woman who quotes scripture the way most people breathe — naturally, constantly, and at exactly the right moment. This conversation is full of timeless, biblical wisdom on parenting that will make you want to pull out a notebook. In This Episode: What it actually means to be an intentional mom — and the image of a plant with dirt under your fingernails that will change how you see your season Why discipline is really discipleship — and why moms keep waiting for the spanking conversation The difference between behavior modification and going after your child’s heart Why it is not the severity of a consequence that changes behavior in a child — it is the certainty Never give them a taste of victory — and what happened when Millye held the line on a Noah’s Ark vest We are not raising kids — we are rearing spiritually mature adults and the difference matters The teaching and training rails — where parents should be spending most of their energy The Special Spot — one of the most creative and practical parenting hacks you will ever hear Creativity as an underrated superpower in parenting — good parents are marketers for good choices What grandparenting actually looks like done right — filling in the gap and being a cheerleader Perfectionism as Millye’s own fig leaf — and how the Lord dismantled it Keep your eyes on your own paper — the phrase her mentees call her just to hear her say What saved Millye in her own motherhood journey Resources Mentioned: Millye Hale’s Groundwork Study — https://millyehale.com The Groundwork Study videos — free at https://millyehale.com The Groundwork Study book — available on Amazon  The Collapse of Parenting: Leonard Sax Connect With Millye: https://millyehale.com | @millyehale on Instagram Connect With Us: gathermoms.com | @gathermoms | Join our Patreon at gathermoms.com Gather Moms: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Kate Henderson: Instagram | Facebook Rebecca Bradford: Instagram | Facebook

This episode is going to challenge you in the best way. Kate and Rebecca sit down with Abbie Halberstadt — bestselling author, fitness instructor, homeschooling mama to ten kids including two sets of identical twins, and a Bible-believing Christian who desires to know God and make Him known. Abbie lives by a motto that has become a movement: hard is not the same thing as bad. And in this conversation she brings that message straight into the everyday wilderness of motherhood. From birth stories to biblical truth, from complaining to community, this episode is packed with the kind of honest, scripture-grounded wisdom that moms in every season need to hear. About Abbie: Abbie Halberstadt is a writer, fitness instructor, and homeschooling mother of ten children, including two sets of identical twins. She lives by the motto that “hard is not the same thing as bad” and loves encouraging women to dig deep in the everyday trials of motherhood for the treasures of joy and growth that are there in abundance. She, her husband Shaun, and their children live in the Piney Woods of East Texas. In This Episode: What it actually looks like to be open to however many kids the Lord has for you — and how Abbie ended up with ten Birth stories from a mom who has done it eight times including two sets of twins The trend on social media that prompted Abbie to write her first book M Is for Mama — a rebellion against mediocre motherhood Why hard is not the same thing as bad — and the scripture that backs it up The real difference between venting and complaining — and how to know which one you are doing Go to the throne before the phone — a phrase that will stick with you Why your children’s outcome is not your resume — and what the Bible actually promises about parenting What to do when you have a prodigal child and feel like God failed you Why your family is your first community — and how to stop stepping over it looking for something else The one thing that saved Abbie in motherhood — and why it might not be what you expect Abbie’s Books: M Is for Mama — A Rebellion Against Mediocre Motherhood Hard Is Not the Same Thing as Bad You Bet Your Stretch Marks Find Abbie at misformama.net and @abbiehallberstadt on Instagram Connect With Us: gathermoms.com | @gathermoms | Join our Patreon at gathermoms.com Gather Moms: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Kate Henderson: Instagram | Facebook Rebecca Bradford: Instagram | Facebook

A brand new season of Gather Moms is here and Kate and Rebecca are kicking things off with an honest conversation about the wilderness of motherhood and the things that have actually kept them going. Using Survivor as the perfect metaphor for mom life, because both involve keeping everyone fed, making sure they sleep, and managing someone who is probably going to throw something they introduce a question they will be asking every guest this season: What is in your helicopter drop? Beyond the spark vs. iced latte debates, they get real about what has actually saved them in motherhood. Counseling. A spouse who sees things differently. Walking. Bible study. Laughter. And a community of moms who show up when things get hard. In This Episode: The helicopter drop question and what it reveals about what moms actually need The real things that have saved them — counseling, community, laughter, Bible study, and more A preview of the incredible guests coming this season Hebrews 12 and why it frames everything about this season Join our Patreon for the September School Prayers series at gathermoms.com Connect With Us: gathermoms.com | @gathermoms |resources, curriculum, and community at GatherMoms.com Gather Moms: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Kate Henderson: Instagram | Facebook Rebecca Bradford: Instagram | Facebook

We’re back, moms — and we came in hot. Kate and Rebecca are officially back from their summer break and kicking off the new school year with the reset every mom needs before September hits. First they are sharing their best summer stories — a canceled flight in Cabo, a family road trip prank involving a very unfortunate cat, a miniature Barbie birthday gift that has to be seen to be believed, and a hospital visit that came dangerously close to fulfilling one mom’s very specific bucket list dream. Then things get real. Because as we send our kids back into classrooms, sports teams, and friend groups this fall — the prayers we pray for them matter more than we think. Kate and Rebecca pull from an unlikely source — the book of Revelation — to challenge moms to stop praying only for the comfortable things and start praying for the things that actually shape who our kids are becoming. In This Episode: Kate’s flight cancellation saga in Cabo — and why you need a Spanish speaker in your travel group The Bradford family’s San Antonio vacation and the prank that almost went too far The most creative birthday gift Kate has ever received and why miniature things are Rebecca’s love language The elevator baby that almost made one mom’s bucket list dream come true Why the book of Revelation is actually the perfect back to school guide Culture is not neutral — it has a goal for your kids and we have to know what we’re up against Everybody’s becoming someone — the choices our kids make now create who they are Why we need to stop praying comfortable prayers and start praying character prayers Worship is war — what we stare at becomes bigger, so let’s stare at Jesus The September 30 Days of Prayer challenge on Gather Moms Patreon Resources Mentioned: The Daily Grace Co. Revelation Bible Study  Gather Moms September School Prayers — join at gathermoms.com/Patreon starting September 1st Connect With Us: gathermoms.com | @gathermoms |resources, curriculum, and community at GatherMoms.com Gather Moms: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Kate Henderson: Instagram | Facebook Rebecca Bradford: Instagram | Facebook

What kind of summer mom are you? In this episode, Kate and Rebecca kick off with a little nostalgia, a lively game of “pick your side,” and then dive into the summer mom types that every woman will recognize — in herself and in her friends. Whether you’re the Pool Mom, the Survival Mode Mom, or somewhere in between, this episode is your permission slip to stop trying to be someone you’re not and lean into the mom God actually made you to be. In This Episode Kate and Rebecca play Pick Your Side (watermelon or sweet corn? pool or beach? sunscreen or… let em burn?) before breaking down seven summer mom types — the gifts each one brings, the watch-outs to keep in mind, and the grace that covers all of it. Plus, they share an exciting new prayer initiative launching June 1 that every mom can participate in no matter what her summer looks like. The 7 Moms of Summer The Pool Mom Always packed, always ready. Her kids are tan by June and she has strong opinions about swim lessons. Her gift is consistency and comfort — she creates a home base her kids return to all summer long. Her watch out: intentionality still matters even when the location never changes. The Enrichment Mom Reading logs meet tie dye in her house. The summer bridge workbooks are already ordered. Her gift is that her kids never stop growing — summer is just a more colorful version of the school year. Her watch out: not everything has to be a lesson. Sometimes a popsicle is just a popsicle. The Experience Mom She is collecting memories and the camera roll proves it. Road trips, national parks, family reunions — she starts planning next summer before this one is over. Her gift is raising kids with wonder and a wide world. Her watch out: not every moment has to be a highlight reel. The drive there counts too. The Home Base Mom Her house is the neighborhood hub. Fully stocked snack drawer, sprinkler in the backyard, door always open. Her gift is belonging — that open door is a ministry. Her watch out: she can start to feel like the whole summer runs through her and forget to fill her own cup. The Structured Mom Camp is scheduled, meals are planned, the rhythm is on the fridge. She engineered her summer to not have chaos — and she is not apologizing for it. Her gift is that her kids feel safe and regulated. Her watch out: when the plan falls apart, grace and flexibility matter more than the schedule. The Go-With-The-Flow Mom The plan happens at 9am. Sometimes 10. Some days are spontaneous magic, some days are a little feral, and she is okay with both. Her gift is raising adaptable, present kids. Her watch out: a little rhythm goes a long way — even just one loose anchor for the day. The Survival Mode Mom She is doing her best and that is enough. There is screen time and drive-through lunches and days she just needs everyone to be okay. Her gift is love — full stop. Her watch out: if survival mode is every day all summer, it might be worth asking what she actually needs. The Heart of the Episode Whatever mom you are — be THAT mom. God created you with your specific personality, your disposition, your gifts, and your limits to be your kids’ mom. Not someone else’s mom. Not the mom you follow on Instagram. Theirs. That is not an accident. That is a calling. Summer in the Psalms — Starting June 1 No matter what kind of summer mom you are, you can be a praying mom this summer. Summer’s slower mornings and longer evenings give us more margin than the school year — and we want to help you use it. Join us for Summer in the Psalms, a prayer initiative launching June 1. (Details shared in episode — stay tuned for how to participate!)t the Moms of Summer — the pool mom, the home mom, the zoo mom, the teacher mom. Which one are you? Come back and find out! Resources, curriculum, and community at GatherMoms.com Gather Moms: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Kate Henderson: Instagram | Facebook Rebecca Bradford: Instagram | Facebook

Summer is almost here — and if we’re honest, it’s a little bit of everything. Slower mornings and pool days on one hand, no schedule and sweaty chaos on the other. In this episode, Kate and Rebecca kick off the Gather Moms Summer Series by talking about what actually makes or breaks a mom’s summer — and how to set yourself up for a season you’ll actually enjoy. In This Episode We’re breaking down 5 ways moms accidentally ruin their own summer (relatable, we promise) — and flipping each one into a practical mindset shift that leads to a cooler, calmer, more present summer for you and your family. 5 Ways to Have a Miserable Summer (Don’t Do These) Plan every second — Over-scheduling leads to burnout and missed moments. The pressure to create “the best summer ever” can cause moms to plan the magic right out of it. Scroll through everyone else’s summer — Social media becomes a highlight reel of perfect vacations and picture-perfect kids. Comparison is the thief of July. Let every day be a total free-for-all — Zero routine leads to overwhelm for moms and kids. No structure = everyone spiraling by 10am. Never say no to a single invitation — Summer fills up fast with BBQs, playdates, camps, and family gatherings. People-pleasing your way through the season is a fast track to exhaustion. Do it all yourself — The invisible mental load of summer — the planning, the entertaining, the refereeing — without help or margin leads straight to mom burnout. 5 Ways to Keep Your Cool This Summer Plan the anchors, not every hour — Pick 2-3 anchor moments each week and let the rest breathe. The best memories usually happen in the margins. Curate your feed or put the phone down — Someone else’s beach vacation isn’t a grade on your summer. Your kids will remember your presence, not your Pinterest board. Keep a loose rhythm, not a rigid schedule — Same wake time, quiet time, and basic flow gives both kids and moms the predictability they need. Structure isn’t the enemy of fun — it’s what makes fun sustainable. Learn your “yes” limit and protect it — A rested mom is a present mom. Give yourself permission to protect a few slow days this summer. Delegate, involve, and let go of the standard — Get your kids involved in the planning, lunches, and cleanup. Ask for help. Summer was never meant to be a solo performance. A Note for Your Soul The slower pace of summer is actually an invitation. It’s a chance to spend more time with God — in prayer, in the Word, in stillness. Don’t miss it. Be sure to check out our Summer in the Psalms series for a simple, beautiful way to stay rooted this season. Next Week on Gather MomsWe’re talking about the Moms of Summer — the pool mom, the home mom, the zoo mom, the teacher mom. Which one are you? Come back and find out!resources, curriculum, and community at GatherMoms.com Gather Moms: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Kate Henderson: Instagram | Facebook Rebecca Bradford: Instagram | Facebook