Taking the Pressure Off in Parenting
Parenting can feel heavy—especially when we carry around the weight of how our kids will turn out on our shoulders. But what if we weren’t meant to carry that pressure? In this episode of Carpool Conversations, Amy and Sara sit down with bestselling author and mom of five boys, Jeannie Cunnion, to talk about parenting in freedom rather than fear.
Jeannie shares encouragement for moms and dads who are weary from trying to do it all perfectly. She dives into what it looks like to trade our performance mindset for a grace-filled approach to both parenting and our relationship with God.
Whether you’re raising toddlers or teenagers, you’ll walk away from this episode feeling lighter, more equipped, and reminded that you’re not in this alone.
About Jeannie Cunnion
Jeannie Cunnion is a bestselling author of several books and Bible Studies. Her work has been featured on outlets such as The TODAY show, Fox News, CBN, and a host of popular podcasts. Jeannie holds a master’s degree in social work and she is the co-founder of The 509 Foundation. She and her husband, Mike, live in Greenwich, Connecticut, with their five boys.
Timestamps | Taking the Pressure Off in Parenting
(1:05) Guest Introduction – Jeannie Cunnion
(6:32) What is the 509 Foundation?
(10:00) Jeannie Cunnion book recommendations, for the season you are in now.
(12:01) “Mom Set Free” – for Moms that are feeling the pressure to be everything for everyone.
(13:13) Releasing the unrealistic burdens of parenting that we place on ourselves.
(14:20) Calling out the different pressures that we place on ourselves in parenting.
(15:52) “We do play a role in all of these things, but we tend to take it to the next level of, ‘It’s all on me.'”
(16:12) What we get right and what we get wrong will NOT determine the outcome.
(17:20) Modeling for our kids the unconditional love of God is what changes us and compels them to pursue Him.
(19:30) How to we NOT place an unrealistic pressure on ourselves?
(22:18) Keep planting seeds, trusting God, and modeling for our kids a love that feels irresistible.
(23:30) You can do all the right things, and they may still turn away for a while.
(25:03) The Performance Mindset in regard to our relationship with God.
(29:22) What encouragement/advice would you give to someone listening that is in the middle of raising young kids?
(31:20) Create homes of confession, not perfection.
(35:20) One practical thing a parent listening today can do to lean into this idea of lifting this unrealistic burden off themselves a little bit more today.
(36:30) Do NOT underestimate the power of prayer.
(38:00) Questions of the week.
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