I can’t WAIT for you to hear today’s episode… but first, I have to say a huge thank you to all of you for your support and excitement about my podcast officially launching last week with the first two episodes.
Even though I’ve been blogging for over 13 years and running online businesses for longer than that, it’s still scary to put something brand-new out into the world. But you all are the most amazing cheerleaders.
Thank you for listening to the podcast, for subscribing, for telling your friends and sharing it on social media. Most of all, thank you for the kind emails and texts and DMs and comments you all sent to me last week. It truly blessed me more than I can adequately describe in words.
You all are in for a treat with today’s episode! In addition to talking about kids and cell phones, our favorite site for crockpot menu plans, a book on hormones, and how to keep your home from being over run by toy clutter, I bring on Jeannie Cunnion to share about The Secret to Being a Happier Mom.
Jeannie is a mom four boys and a two-time author of books that have deeply impacted me in my mothering journey. In our conversation, she shares powerful words of advice for moms who feel like they aren’t enough, she talks about how to stop carrying around mom guilt, and the key to freedom and joy as a mom.
If you need some encouragement as a mom or if you wonder if you are completely messing it up, you’ve got to listen to this episode!
In This Episode:
[00:28] – Do you like small talk? I share my pretty blunt personal opinion on this and ask you to weigh in.
[03:38] – Over and over in the last year, I’ve been asked whether my kids have cell phones. I know this is a very personal decision for each family, but I share what our family policy is on cell phones in today’s episode.
[05:31] – Do you struggle to plan menus and make grocery lists? I talk about a site that I LOVE for simple, yummy, and easy crockpot menu plans.
[07:10] – My book pick of the week is The Hormone Reset Diet by Sara Gottfried M.D. If you think you might have hormone imbalance, this book is a fascinating read.
[09:42] – Jeannie Cunnion and I dive right in to sharing encouragement for the mom who feels like she’s failing.
[12:32] – I share how much relief and joy I’ve discovered as I’ve changed my approach to parenting.
[14:06] – Jeannie offers sage advice to moms who feel pressure to get it all right and to be perfect. “When we don’t model perfection for our kids, it frees them from the pressure of feeling like they have to get it all right.”
[22:02] – Jeannie talks about what she’s reading right now (I’m excited to read this book!) AND she shares a simple tip that’s saving her life right now.
[25:30] – Today’s Q&A segment is from Jena. She asks me how I keep clutter out of our home and how I encourage our kids to purge toys, clothes, stuffed animals. I answer this question specifically related to toy clutter, since so many moms have asked me for advice in that.
(Have a question you’d love for me to answer on the show? Email it to: [email protected])
How to Listen to The Crystal Paine Show
The podcast is available on iTunes, Android, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can listen online through the direct player we’ll include in the show notes of each episode. OR, a much easier way to listen is by subscribing to the podcast through a free podcast app on your phone. (Find instructions for how to subscribe to a podcast here.)
Ready to dive in and listen? Hit the player above or search for “The Crystal Paine Show” on your favorite podcast app.
Sponsor Spotlight
Today’s episode is sponsored by Twigby — a company dedicated to providing fantastic phone service at great prices. As I mentioned in the podcast, if you are looking for a great deal on a phone for your teen (or yourself!), I’d highly recommend checking out what Twigby has to offer.
Unlike traditional cell phone companies, they give you the ability to create your own custom, prepaid plan — without a contract or an unnecessary activation fee.
You don’t have to mess with going to a store and picking out a phone plan. You just go to their site, pick your phone plan and either switch your current phone over or get a new phone, and they get it all set up for you.
My favorite part about their service (in addition to their great prices!) is that they offer plan flexibility with the ability to change plans or phones at any time for free. You’re not locked into an expensive contract that has activation and termination fees.
They also offer Free Overage Protection, so you can rest easy in knowing that you will never be charged for overages without your go-ahead! You have complete control.
Special offer! Want to save 25% off your first 6 months of Twigby? Click here.
Links and Resources:
- Enneagram Types
- My Instagram post about small talk
- Twigby phone service
- The Hormone Reset Diet by Sara Gottfried M.D.
- Jeannie Cunnion
- Libby (app)
- Parenting the Wholehearted Child by Jeannie Cunnion
- Mom Set Free by Jeannie Cunnion
- Daring to Hope by Katie Davis Majors
- Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan
- 5 Simple Ways to Cut Down on Toy Clutter (my article mentioned in the Q&A segment)
- CrystalPaine.com
- MoneySavingMom.com
- My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!)
- Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: [email protected]
Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission — at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!
Barbara says
Learned about your blog from my friend Jennifer. That is the encouragement and inspiration I was looking for! Subscribed and preparing to binge-listen!
Crystal Paine says
Aw! Thank you so much! And welcome!
Jennifer says
Thank you for sharing. I’m so grateful that I come across this blog. Can’t wait to subscribe to your podcast.
Jennifer Kessler | https://shelovesbest.com/
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for your kind encouragement!
susie liberatore says
This sounds like a great topic for sure. I love all of your blogs, books, and now podcast. looking forward to listening to it.
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much!
Keri says
I just subscribed to your podcast on Spotify! I can’t wait to listen to this episode. It will help me take my mind off of the chores I will complete simultaneously. 😉 Congratulations on such a big step in your business!
Crystal Paine says
Aw, thank you SO much! That means so much to me!
Lindsey Swinborne says
What a great episode! Thank you for these encouraging truths. I’ve spent several moments over the last 5 days crying over my kid being left at play practice, our youngest, age 7. My husband was supposed to pick her up at 8pm, and he asked me to remind him because he has a terrible memory. I had done soooooooooooo many things that day, my brain was fried. I hadn’t had any down time, and had run errands, had an appointment, hosted a ladies’ Bible study, made two whole dinners, one for play directors, one for my small group. At 40 minutes past 8pm, we remembered……and felt sick inside. But, something we learned through this terrible experience is that God loves our kids more than we do, and He took care of her in such a big way. Something awful could have happened to her, she was alone in a giant high school; it was dark outside, and she didn’t have a phone or know how to walk home from there. An older gal who is a friend from Bible study happened to “just have a feeling” to go back in and check on her, and she sat with her the whole time. They were the only 2 people left in the building. We gave that sweet lady a card and gift card to one of her favorite restaurants and she called today and left the sweetest voicemail for me. It was pure grace….she told me how glad she was to be used of God to be in that right place at the right time, and it was sooooo sweet I just sobbed as I listened to this. It was a painful lesson, but it taught me that I can trust God to be there for my kiddoes; He’s more faithful than me, and He never forgets!
Crystal Paine says
Yes! I’m so grateful you were able to see God’s grace in this. Also, I think every mom can recount something like this that has happened. You’re not alone!
Dems Banjo says
Thanks for sharing Lindey,
I’m not a mom, but i can imagine it happening to me. God bless you.