This one has been one of my favorites from ya'll. I'd love to hear how you guys also juggle social/ministry life with being intentional to not push the more introverted kids into that. My husband and I have a 4 yr old, 2 yr old, and 8 month old specifically with that season thing in mind and how we didn't want to start all over(we're finished having babies). We don't have community much and don't have anyone often to leave the older two with. Our 4 yr old has sensory issues and possibly ASD (waiting on results from eval), 2 year old doesn't communicate yet, and still nursing the babe who hates car seats. My middle has bovine protein allergy so in-laws don't like to keep her because they're scared to feed her the wrong thing, etc. We've been mostly an island to ourselves for the last 4 years where before we were really involved with friends and ministry. I felt the Holy Spirit tell me to invest my attention and energy towards laying the solid foundation of love and connection for this season, but know there will be a season very soon where that begins to shift. I prayed for God to give me more capacity and tools to be able to handle more as a mom myself (the sensory thing is strong with this one too lol). Then you taught the following week on capacity for that Jubilee Monday and I knew it was the Holy Spirit confirming that word. I am not a Bad-a mom/wife like your Hannah there lol... and being a creative means the fight to serve/create for mental release is always a balance and a struggle. I know Audrie and Josh are in the creative slots and would love to hear how both of you guys have worked through those struggles of identity shifts and responsibility in your ministry positions as well as having enough time yourselves to refuel to pour into everyone. Do you guys just have both sets of parents that help continuously? How many hours do you sleep? Do you just tag each other in to get alone time? Help us out😅.
Hey Sarah, Josh here. I will say that Audrie’s and my dynamic as creative personalities definitely looks a bit different. Our kids are each also all very creative and so there is lots of messy creative energy in our home :). The dynamic that Audrie and I have had to adopt is a recognition of our limits and to recognize there is just gonna have to be trade-offs in certain busy seasons. She recently in this past year moved to a full-time role in ministry and her time at home was reduced as a result. So, I started learning some new skills (like cooking) to be more helpful at home. There are times when my energy level is up and hers is down or vice-versa and we just try to communicate and roll with it. I started taking time early in the morning or late at night to get outside and walk or run to get some of that recharge time I need as an introvert. I’ve also begun to take more initiative in things like grocery shopping and doing dishes where I knew I could be more helpful. We are in a season now where our oldest (14 year old) is mature and responsible enough to keep her younger sisters and so we can rely on her to be able to have some flexibility in our own ministry/life balance. But, for a season we didn’t have that so we had to limit our extra involvement in extracurricular things and church programs if that makes sense. I think as long as Audrie and I feel like we are working together and on the same team then we can roll with the challenges with grace and mercy for eachother. We certainly don’t have perfect order and predictable routines and we tend to be more reactive than methodical, that’s just our dynamic as a couple and we’re ok with that. It’s easy to fall prey to the comparison trap when we’re surrounded by so many great parents who seem to be getting everything right, but comparison is the thief of joy and it’s doesn’t do us any good. We can learn from one another, but comparison isn’t helpful. From Audrie: If I were to add anything it would be us just praying consistently and asking for God’s discernment. Then, evaluating and having a conversation once in a while to see how things are going at home, what we need, what the kids need and what adjustments might need to happen. Their needs change as they grow and our work load changes pretty much all the time. Our girls don’t all need the same thing. Even though we all have a creative bent, each of us function a little differently with different needs and desires. Even adaptable, creative people need to talk through what we’re doing and not doing and be willing to make adjustments for us to become the healthiest versions of ourselves.
Hahaha thanks for the stories! It was opposite for my first and second born. Both boys. First born (who is 3 now) is the more tender one and second one (who’s 15 months) I’m still trying to figure out but he’s definitely more tough and persistent. 😂❤
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Have enjoyed the recent bonus sessions and so thankful y'all are back!
Us too!
This was good! Love how humble and honest you guys are.
I love how authentic and open you all are about raising your kids and just doing life. I always enjoy your episodes, no matter the topic. ❤❤
Thank you so much!
Taking notes for the future!! Great episode!
This one has been one of my favorites from ya'll. I'd love to hear how you guys also juggle social/ministry life with being intentional to not push the more introverted kids into that. My husband and I have a 4 yr old, 2 yr old, and 8 month old specifically with that season thing in mind and how we didn't want to start all over(we're finished having babies). We don't have community much and don't have anyone often to leave the older two with. Our 4 yr old has sensory issues and possibly ASD (waiting on results from eval), 2 year old doesn't communicate yet, and still nursing the babe who hates car seats. My middle has bovine protein allergy so in-laws don't like to keep her because they're scared to feed her the wrong thing, etc. We've been mostly an island to ourselves for the last 4 years where before we were really involved with friends and ministry. I felt the Holy Spirit tell me to invest my attention and energy towards laying the solid foundation of love and connection for this season, but know there will be a season very soon where that begins to shift. I prayed for God to give me more capacity and tools to be able to handle more as a mom myself (the sensory thing is strong with this one too lol). Then you taught the following week on capacity for that Jubilee Monday and I knew it was the Holy Spirit confirming that word. I am not a Bad-a mom/wife like your Hannah there lol... and being a creative means the fight to serve/create for mental release is always a balance and a struggle. I know Audrie and Josh are in the creative slots and would love to hear how both of you guys have worked through those struggles of identity shifts and responsibility in your ministry positions as well as having enough time yourselves to refuel to pour into everyone. Do you guys just have both sets of parents that help continuously? How many hours do you sleep? Do you just tag each other in to get alone time? Help us out😅.
Hey Sarah, Josh here. I will say that Audrie’s and my dynamic as creative personalities definitely looks a bit different. Our kids are each also all very creative and so there is lots of messy creative energy in our home :). The dynamic that Audrie and I have had to adopt is a recognition of our limits and to recognize there is just gonna have to be trade-offs in certain busy seasons. She recently in this past year moved to a full-time role in ministry and her time at home was reduced as a result. So, I started learning some new skills (like cooking) to be more helpful at home. There are times when my energy level is up and hers is down or vice-versa and we just try to communicate and roll with it. I started taking time early in the morning or late at night to get outside and walk or run to get some of that recharge time I need as an introvert. I’ve also begun to take more initiative in things like grocery shopping and doing dishes where I knew I could be more helpful. We are in a season now where our oldest (14 year old) is mature and responsible enough to keep her younger sisters and so we can rely on her to be able to have some flexibility in our own ministry/life balance. But, for a season we didn’t have that so we had to limit our extra involvement in extracurricular things and church programs if that makes sense. I think as long as Audrie and I feel like we are working together and on the same team then we can roll with the challenges with grace and mercy for eachother. We certainly don’t have perfect order and predictable routines and we tend to be more reactive than methodical, that’s just our dynamic as a couple and we’re ok with that. It’s easy to fall prey to the comparison trap when we’re surrounded by so many great parents who seem to be getting everything right, but comparison is the thief of joy and it’s doesn’t do us any good. We can learn from one another, but comparison isn’t helpful.
From Audrie: If I were to add anything it would be us just praying consistently and asking for God’s discernment. Then, evaluating and having a conversation once in a while to see how things are going at home, what we need, what the kids need and what adjustments might need to happen. Their needs change as they grow and our work load changes pretty much all the time. Our girls don’t all need the same thing. Even though we all have a creative bent, each of us function a little differently with different needs and desires. Even adaptable, creative people need to talk through what we’re doing and not doing and be willing to make adjustments for us to become the healthiest versions of ourselves.
Hahaha thanks for the stories! It was opposite for my first and second born. Both boys. First born (who is 3 now) is the more tender one and second one (who’s 15 months) I’m still trying to figure out but he’s definitely more tough and persistent. 😂❤