Crystal Paine Show

Welcome to the very last episode of the podcast before we move into 2023! It has been a really eventful 2022, so we are spending this episode taking a look back at 2022, reflecting on the big events of the year, including finishing my next book and giving birth to Micah.

We talk about how we have two teenagers who are preparing for college, how this year has provided a lot of opportunities for me to talk about foster care, what challenges we have faced this year, and so, so much more!

You will also want to stay tuned to the end of the podcast for an exciting announcement that is, for the time being, completely exclusive to this podcast! You’re hearing it here first!

In This Episode

[00:33] - This is the last episode of 2022!

[01:41] - Discover the title of my new book!

[04:51] - Micah has been a blessing from 2022.

[07:06] - This year has not been without its challenges.

[09:29] - We also have our older girls getting ready to go to college.

[12:18] - Jesse and I have learned to let go this year.

[13:10] - I reflect back on prioritizing community.

[16:37] - I touch upon how we began homeschooling again this year.

[18:27] - Our oldest is in a dating relationship for the first time this year.

[21:20] - Listen for an exciting exclusive announcement!

Links & Resources

Crystal Paine

Books

The Time-Saving Mom: How to Juggle a Lot, Enjoy Your Life, and Accomplish What Matters Most by Crystal Paine

Find Your People: Building Deep Community in a Lonely World by Jennie Allen

Social Media

Crystal Paine on Instagram

Crystal Paine on Twitter

Crystal Paine on Goodreads

Money Saving Mom

Money Saving Mom on Facebook

Money Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook group

[email protected]

"Could you share some parenting advise for raising my enneagram 8 daughter? She is very headstrong and persistent, but has a complete disregard for rules and regularly challenges authority. As an enneagram 5 (and people pleaser), I do not understand the way she thinks. We have gone around and around and I've tried to get to the heart is the issue. But it seems her bottom line is she is going to do whatever it takes to get what she wants. How do I help channel her perseverance and tenacity in a positive way? She is only 8 years old. -a podcast listener"

When I got this email in my inbox, I could relate so much -- because I remember being that 8-year-old girl with a very strong personality. And truth be told, I think "headstrong" and "persistent" are two words that can still describe me as a 38-year-old woman!

Oftentimes, we hear people talk about their "strong-willed child" in a way that makes it seem so negative... as if a child's will needs to be broken and replaced. But that's like trying to strip someone of their God-given personality.

I believe that the character qualities of persistence and determination can be such a gift -- to your home, to your community, and to the world. That's why I want to encourage you to stop trying to stifle a child's strong personality and instead embrace the strength that it can bring.

In this episode, Jesse and I share encouragement for parents who are raising strong kids. I share from the perspective of being a strong kid growing up and we both share from the perspective of raising a child who has a very strong personality.

In This Episode:

[02:26] Why Snuggle Sacks have been a life-saver recently.

[04:53] I came down with mastitis on Tuesday, so here's what's been saving my life.

[07:59] My experience getting a Coronavirus test (Spoiler... it was negative!)

[10:59] A book update on Get Out of Your Head.

[14:07] We’re chatting all about raising strong-willed kids.

[16:21] It’s okay if you can't relate with your kids, but seeking to understand them is so important.

[17:16] Why rules for an Enneagram 8 are very restrictive.

[19:29] Change your mindset and see the desire for independence as a blessing.

[21:03] Stop using negative labels to define your kids.

[22:07] How studying personality typings can be so beneficial.

[24:26] Celebrate their strengths because they really are gifts.

[26:11] Say yes as often as possible for your child.

[29:45] Don't overly protect your kids from struggle and failure.

Links and Resources:

• CuddleBug Swaddle Wraps for Babies
• Get Out of Your Head by Jennie Allen
• Reading People by Anne Bogel
• MoneySavingMom.com
• YourBloggingMentor.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]

One of the most requested podcast episodes has been for us to talk about our Christmas traditions, what Christmas looks like for our family, and how we do gifts for our immediate and extended family.

In this episode, we sat down with Kathrynne, Kaitlynn, and Silas and had a discussion on our favorite Christmas memories, why we make a December Bucket List, what we chose for our bucket list this year, some things we're doing differently for Christmas this year, how we do gifts, and what Christmas Eve and Christmas Day look like for our family.

One of our biggest goals for each December is to keep things simple, not over-commit, and focus on memory-making and shared experiences. We sit down at the end of November and talk about what we want to prioritize for the Christmas season and then we make a list and block out days and times on the calendar to make these priorities happen.

We're excited about some new things we're trying this year and we're looking forward to another special December season of celebrating the true meaning of Christmas and spending lots of time together as a family!

In This Episode:

[01:58] We kick off the show by each sharing one of our favorite Christmas memories.

[07:29] Want to know what's on our December Bucket List this year?

[11:16] Hear about our Dollar Tree stocking tradition and why we’re stepping it up this year.

[13:16] How we do presents at our house.

[15:45] Giving is something that is always a big priority for us, thanks to the kids' initiative in this area!

[18:00] What does our actual Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebration look like for our family?

[21:38] The kids share our quirky wrapping tradition.

Links and Resources:

• Dollar Tree Stocking Stuffers
• Jesse Tree
• Ann Voskamp
• She Reads Truth
  
• He Reads Truth
• Crystal’s Favorite Things on Amazon
• CrystalPaine.com
• MoneySavingMom.com
• Crystal’s 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]

Do you ever feel like you're just barely keeping your head above water? If so, this episode of The Crystal Paine Show is for you! Jesse and I have been married for 21 years and we've learned and grown a lot in those years -- and tried a lot of different things that worked and many things that didn't.

In this conversation, we share some of our simple systems that keep us sane and help us to have breathing room in our days to enjoy our life and invest in what matters most.

First up, we talk about how we each have our own jurisdictions in managing our house and business and what that looks like. We also share what we expect of our kids and how us all working together really frees up a lot of physical and emotional energy for us as parents.

Then, we move onto detailing changes we've made this year to simplify and how it has made such a difference: like reserving one day a week for meetings and interviews, carefully considering commitments and what that looks like for us right now, and how we have our work schedule set up so we both get time to work in.

We end with sharing a number of different strategies we employ to eliminate decision fatigue and to streamline our lives: things like groceries, dishes, laundry, daily routines, avoiding paper piles, and more! I also give you a little peek into my home life growing up and talk about how my mom's organized systems influenced me.

If you're ready to ditch the overwhelm and reclaim your peace of mind, I hope our ideas serve as a springboard for solutions that might work for you, and don't forget to snag your free Simplified Home Checklists!

In This Episode

[0:35] - Today's episode dives into practical strategies for maintaining sanity and enjoying life even if there's a lot going on.

[1:52] - Delegation and instilling teamwork and work ethic in our kids.

[4:35] - Gradual release of responsibility leads to independence as kids develop their own systems over time.

[8:20] - Everyone is an asset to our home and we all work together.

[11:05] - What simplifying has looked like for our home and schedule this year and one change that has made a big difference.

[15:58] - Our current schedule for work-life balance with both of us working from home.

[18:39] - How my mom's organized systems have influenced me.

[20:46] - Scheduling grocery deliveries and using cost-saving programs like Kroger Boost.

[22:59] - Daily routines, paper piles, and how we prep for our day the night before.

[27:52] - Check out the free Simplified Home Checklists!

Links & Resources

• Crystal Paine
• 208. Slacker Parenting (AKA How to spend less time micromanaging and more time enjoying your kids)
• 232. Why We Require Our Teens to Get a Job at 15
• Kroger Boost
• Simplified Home Checklists

Social Media

• Crystal Paine on Instagram
• Crystal Paine on Twitter
• Crystal Paine on Goodreads
• Money Saving Mom
• Money Saving Mom on Facebook
• Money Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook group
• [email protected]

I have been so excited for this episode because I had the pleasure of sitting down with Trillia Newbell, author of the book Celebrating Around the Table: Learning the Stories of Black Christians Through Readings, Fellowships, Food, and Faith!

When we talk about celebrating culture within the church, what does that actually look like in our homes, around our tables, and in our conversations with our kids? You have perhaps considered this before, but even if you haven't, then you are not going to want to miss this episode because Trillia offers a wealth of insight and experience as she talks about the book.

Celebrating Around the Table is a book which invites families to explore Black history through devotionals, recipes, and meaningful discussions, but it definitely is not just a book about the past; it is also about how Christians can embrace and celebrate the beautiful diversity interwoven into the church.

Tune in as Trillia shares how her own interracial family has learned to cherish both their Black heritage and their shared faith, using Black History Month as a time to reflect, learn, and celebrate. She and I also talk about the church’s role in addressing racism, not with vague calls for unity but with actual, actionable conversations about sin, repentance, and reconciliation.

Via the powerful stories throughout her book, such as those of Elizabeth Freeman who fought for her freedom in court and Ruby Bridges who faced truly unimaginable challenges as a child, Trillia reminds us how faith, courage, and perseverance have shaped history and why these stories absolutely still matter today!

Again, this is an incredibly rich conversation that you are not going to want to miss, whether you are looking for ways to honor Black history with your family or wondering how to have honest, gospel-centered conversations about race, this episode is sure to enlighten, encourage, and even challenge you!

In This Episode

[0:35] - I am so excited to welcome Trillia Newbell, author of Celebrating Around the Table, to the show!

[1:38] - Trillia cherishes her interracial family, enjoys parenting teens, and supports their artistic ambitions.

[4:40] - Trillia's biracial children embrace both cultures, and she is grateful for a family life free of racism.

[8:01] - Trillia's family celebrates Black History Month by learning about influential Black historical figures.

[10:15] - Elizabeth Freeman won her freedom in court after realizing her equality via the Declaration.

[11:41] - Ruby Bridges, at only six years old, desegregated schools, showing faith, courage, and forgiveness despite hatred.

[14:56] - Cooking and discussing cultural recipes can lead to meaningful conversations about history, faith, and community.

[17:17] - Understanding others’ histories and experiences can help break barriers.

[19:38] - Trillia states that racism persists because of sin, causing pain and requiring ongoing resistance until Christ's return.

[23:09] - The church must preach repentance, confront sin, and promote reconciliation that goes beyond political debates.

[25:23] - Trillia believes that parents need to teach children early to appreciate diversity.

[27:19] - I point out how experiencing diverse cultures deepens faith and that family separation causes generational trauma, as seen in slavery.

[29:31] - Trillia adds that slavery’s cruelty tore families apart, erased histories, and tried to strip people of their humanity.

[31:25] - Celebrating Around the Table highlights forgiveness, hope, and the beauty of human diversity.

[33:23] - Trillia closes by expressing that our unity is already won through Jesus, so we should live in that reality now.

Links & Resources<...