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So…what does Sabbath actually look like for a busy family? In Part 2, Erin takes us inside her family’s Friday Sabbath—from how they begin and what they do together to how they’ve made it something their kids genuinely look forward to. We talk about the challenges, the blessings, and the ways Sabbath has changed their family.

In a world that never seems to slow down, what if God actually designed us to stop? In this episode, we talk about why Sabbath matters, why our families need it, and what it looks like to intentionally create space to rest, reconnect, and be present with God and one another.

College is exciting… and scary. And sometimes it’s both at the exact same time. In the final episode of our college series, we’re turning the conversation toward the students. Mary Grace is getting ready to leave for college, and this conversation is real, honest, and current. We’re talking about the things students may be feeling but don’t always say out loud—the excitement, the nerves, the sadness, the pressure to have everything figured out, and the fear of stepping into something completely new. We talk about finding the right friends, finding a church, asking for help, calling home, giving yourself grace, and what it really looks like for your faith to become your own. Because college isn’t just about earning a degree. It’s about becoming the person God created you to be. If you’re a student getting ready to leave home, we hope this conversation reminds you that you don’t have to have it all figured out. You just need to take the next step, surround yourself with people who point you toward Jesus, and remember that God goes before you, walks beside you, and never leaves you. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9 This episode closes out our three-part conversation on sending your child to college—from helping parents prepare, to learning how to let go, to finally equipping the student to step into this new season with confidence and faith. Say yes to new friendships. Say yes to growth. Say yes to responsibility. Say yes to Jesus.

Dropping your child off at college is one of the most emotional milestones of parenting. You’ve spent years preparing them for this moment—but how do you prepare your own heart?   In Part 2 of this series, Patricia and Mary Grace have an honest conversation about what happens after move-in day. From surviving the drive home and navigating less frequent phone calls to knowing when to step in, when to let them struggle, and how to support them without controlling them, this episode is filled with practical wisdom and encouragement for every parent.   If you’re preparing to send your child to college—or you’re already navigating this new season—this conversation will remind you that while your role as a parent changes, your influence doesn’t. Learn how to release your child with confidence, trust God with their future, and embrace this next chapter with faith instead of fear.

The summer before college is full of excitement, anticipation… and if we’re honest, a lot of emotions for parents. How do you prepare your child for one of the biggest transitions of their life while also preparing your own heart to let them go?   In Part 1 of this two-part series, Patricia shares personal stories from sending each of her three children to college and offers practical encouragement for parents navigating this season. From understanding why your teenager may seem distant before they leave to teaching essential life skills, preparing their faith, and learning to release them with confidence, this episode will help you make the most of the final summer at home.   Whether you’re sending your first child or your last, our prayer is that you’ll feel equipped to prepare them well, love them deeply, and trust God with the next chapter of their story.

What if the greatest gift you could give your child doesn’t cost a thing? In this episode of Our Perspective, Patricia and Mary Grace talk about the power of intentional time. From personal stories to practical ideas, they share how slowing down, creating meaningful traditions, and being fully present can strengthen your relationship with your kids. Whether your children are toddlers, teenagers, or adults, this episode will encourage you to make time for what matters most—because the moments you invest today become the memories your children carry for a lifetime. Connect with Our Perspective 💛 Instagram @ourperspective.podcast 💛 Follow Patricia @patricia_6710 💛 Follow MG @ _marygrace_d

What does it really look like to raise kids who love Jesus? In this episode of Our Perspective, we wrap up our special series with Chrissy and Amy by having an honest conversation about what it means to disciple our children in everyday life. We talk about creating a home where faith is lived out, not just talked about on Sundays. From modeling repentance and apologizing when we get it wrong to finding simple ways to point our kids back to Jesus throughout the day, this episode is filled with practical encouragement for every parent. We also share some of the rhythms that have shaped our families, including praying together, asking intentional questions, memorizing Scripture, and creating meaningful traditions that help keep Christ at the center of our homes. You'll be reminded that your parenting doesn't have to be perfect to make an eternal impact. If you're in the middle of the beautiful, messy journey of raising kids, we hope this conversation encourages you to stay faithful, trust God with the results, and remember that the little moments matter more than you know. Keep planting seeds, keep showing up, and let God do what only He can do. Connect with Our Perspective 💛 Instagram @ourperspective.podcast 💛 Follow Patricia @patricia_6710 💛 Follow MG @ _marygrace_d

This week, we’re diving into the beautiful chaos of raising boys with my fellow boy moms Pat, Amy, and Chrissy. From nonstop wrestling matches and endless grocery bills to tender moments and deep conversations, we’re talking honestly about the joys, challenges, and surprises that come with raising sons. We share hilarious “boy mom” stories, the emotional side of parenting boys, the reality of sports life, and the kind of men we hope our sons become. This episode is funny, heartfelt, relatable, and full of encouragement for every mom in the thick of motherhood. If you’ve ever found mysterious holes in your walls, wondered why boys are always hungry, or melted when your son unexpectedly opened up to you emotionally- this one’s for you. Connect with Our Perspective 💛 Instagram @ourperspective.podcast 💛 Follow Patricia @patricia_6710 💛 Follow MG @ _marygrace_d

What happens when women choose honesty over perfection? In this episode, Pat, Amy, and Chrissy share the story behind their “confession group” — a friendship rooted in vulnerability, accountability, prayer, and showing up for one another through every season of motherhood. Inspired by an IF conference and Jennie Allen’s message about finding your people, this conversation explores why authentic friendships are so hard to build as adults and why they matter now more than ever. The three friends also reflect on their annual family vacation tradition, the importance of safe spaces for women, and how biblical community has shaped them into better moms, wives, and friends. If you’ve ever felt lonely, overwhelmed, or unsure how to move beyond surface-level friendships, this episode is a reminder that you were never meant to do life alone. Connect with Our Perspective 💛 Instagram @ourperspective.podcast 💛 Follow Patricia @patricia_6710 💛 Follow MG @ _marygrace_d

What if your biggest mistake didn’t disqualify you from God's purpose but became part of your testimony? In this episode of Our Perspective, Pat and Mary Grace sit down with Pastor Jeanna White for an honest conversation about family, faith, parenting, and God's incredible redemption. Jeanna White shares her powerful story of becoming pregnant in high school, the unconditional love her parents showed her, and how God used every part of her journey to lead her into decades of family ministry. Together, they talk about creating a safe place for your kids, why community matters more than ever, raising the next generation to know Jesus, navigating technology and social media as parents, and what it looks like to fight for the hearts of your children at every stage of life. Whether you're parenting little ones, teenagers, adult children—or you're simply looking for encouragement in your own faith journey—this conversation is a reminder that God's grace is bigger than your past, His plans are never wasted, and it's never too late to keep pointing your family toward Him. If this episode encouraged you, be sure to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs the reminder that God isn't finished with their story. Connect with Our Perspective 
 💛 Instagram @ourperspective.podcast 
 💛 Follow Patricia @patricia_6710 
 💛 Follow MG @_marygrace_d

In Episode 31 of Our Perspective, Kevin and Jenn Miller join us for an honest conversation about pornography, shame, secrecy, and the freedom that comes through bringing struggles into the light. Kevin shares parts of his own story and the impact hidden sin had on his relationship with God and others. Together, we discuss how parents can create homes where honesty is welcomed, difficult conversations are safe, and grace leads the way. In this episode, we talk about: • Creating a safe environment for hard conversations • How shame and secrecy keep people stuck • What to do when a child comes forward honestly • Balancing truth, accountability, and grace • Signs a child may be struggling in secret • Praying intentionally for your children • When and how to begin conversations about pornography and healthy sexuality • Pointing kids toward Jesus instead of behavior modification • Hope for parents who feel behind or overwhelmed Our prayer is that this conversation equips and encourages parents to raise bold followers of Jesus through real, honest, and grace-filled relationships. Subscribe, share, and join the conversation as we continue helping families navigate life from Our Perspective.

This week on Our Perspective, Hal and Chrissy join us for a real and honest conversation about raising a family through infertility, foster care, adoption, and unexpected transitions — all while keeping Jesus at the center of their home.   We talk about the grief and growth that came through infertility, what led them to open their home to fostering, and how they intentionally helped their children navigate change, build compassion, and feel secure through it all. From difficult parenting moments to seeing God’s faithfulness in the middle of uncertainty, this episode is a powerful reminder that God often shapes our families in ways we never planned.   If you’ve ever walked through disappointment, wrestled with fear as a parent, or wondered how to raise bold followers of Jesus in the middle of real life, this conversation will encourage you deeply. Connect with Our Perspective: 💛 Instagram: @ourperspective.podcast 💛 Patricia: @patricia_6710 💛 Mary Grace: @_marygrace_d 💛 Hal Mayer: @halmayer4 💛 Chrissy Mayer: @chrissymmayer

In Part 2 of our conversation with Rachel and Jonathan from the Not a Bad Parent Podcast, we dive into one of the most important conversations a parent can have: identity. In a world constantly telling our kids who they should be, how they should look, and how they should measure up, how do we help them hear God's voice above all the noise? This episode explores how our own identity impacts the way we parent, why understanding how God uniquely wired each child matters, and how parents can learn to call out the gifts, strengths, and purpose God has placed inside their children. We discuss: • Why helping kids understand their identity makes them more resilient and confident • The danger of comparing our children to others • How our own wounds and false identities affect our parenting • The power of "calling out the gold" in our kids • Why encouragement can shape a child's future • The role of community in helping children discover who they are • How to recognize and nurture your child's God-given gifts • The importance of hearing God's voice as parents One of the most powerful reminders from this conversation is that we cannot help our children know who they are until we are continually learning who God says we are. If you've ever wondered how to raise confident, secure, faith-filled kids in today's culture, this episode is for you. Be sure to like, subscribe, and share this episode with another parent who needs encouragement. Connect with Rachel & Jonathan Podcast: Not a Bad Parent Podcast Books & Resources Mentioned Fearless Living by Jamie Winship The Problem of Pain by C. S. Lewis Key Questions Discussed in This Episode • Who is God to you? • Who are you in God? • What has He given you to do right now? These simple but powerful questions can transform the way you see yourself, your children, and your purpose.

Every child is uniquely designed by God and sometimes that design looks very different from our own.   In this episode of Our Perspective, Jonathan and Rachael Starrett share what they’ve learned about parenting children with different personalities, communication styles, interests, and ways of seeing the world. It’s easy to connect with kids who think like we do, but what happens when they don’t?   Together, we talk about the importance of leaning in instead of pulling away, choosing curiosity over frustration, and intentionally creating space for our children to be who God made them to be.    We discuss how as parents we need to selflessly lean out from our own preferences and learn the language of our child, and build strong connections that prevent distance and misunderstanding.   If you’ve ever felt disconnected from one of your children or wondered how to better understand them, this conversation will encourage you to slow down, get curious, and pursue connection. Because some of the most beautiful parent-child relationships are built when we choose to lean in, especially when it’s not easy.