Gather Moms

If bad karaoke sounds like a good time to you, you’re gonna love this episode! We start off talking about classic summer songs, the kind you might sing along to on a road trip. Let’s hope if Kate and Rebecca are in the car with you, the music is turned WAY UP to drown out their voices. Bless their hearts.

One of the fun things about summer is getting to take a trip. Whether it’s a big one out of state or a smaller one close by, many of the same truths apply: something will be forgotten, something will go wrong and someone will ask: Are we there yet? This episode is all about tips and tricks to make your summer trips the best ever! Let’s go make some memories with our families, mamas.

Travel Tips:

• Teach kids how to pack themselves
• Use packing cubes for each kid
• Each kid packs their travel bag (snacks, water bottle, books, blankie)
• Have a new book, coloring book, movie for your kids to watch or play with that they’ll be excited about (check out books from the library to save money)
• Make sure you have wipes
• Give everyone a job
• Go over the trip with your kids
• Accept that something will go wrong

Airplane tips:

• Mentally think through the logistics of suitcases, carseats, strollers and what all you will need BEFORE you get to the airport
• Drink or sucker at take off for popping ears

Road trip tips:

• Pack snacks-one gallon bag for each kid filled with snacks (saves money at gas stations)
• Incentivize good behavior (money for prizes, pick where you eat, reward tickets)
• License plate game, road sign alphabet, I spy

My biggest tip is that travel is an opportunity to make God bigger for your kids. They get to see a new part of the world, new people and get the blessing of a zoom out-a new understanding of who their God is.

Take the opportunity to help your kids be in awe of God. When they see a mountain, the ocean, beautiful flowers, a people group that looks and speaks differently than you do.

Psalm 19

¹ The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
² Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
³ They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
⁴ Yet their voice^[b] goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
⁵ It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
⁶ It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is deprived of its warmth.

We can get so used to the beauty of our daily surroundings that we forget to marvel at them. We have a fresh opportunity to marvel at the goodness of our God, His creativity, his beauty in a new place. Help your children see him and worship him.

We love you. We’re taking a little summer break to be present with our families. Stay tuned on Gather Moms Instagram and Facebook as we continue to provide resources and encouragement for you throughout the summer.

Love you, moms!

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Hey there, fabulous mamas!

We’re wrapping up spring and getting real about the summer parenting hustle. From battling the heatwaves to dodging screen-time overload, we’re sharing our personal wins and those adorable oops moments. Whether you’re the queen of planning or the spontaneous type, we’ve got something for every mama bear out there. And introverted parents, we see you – we’re chatting about the unique summer dance you do with your kiddos and all the feels that come with it.

Now, let’s talk about savoring those slow, precious moments. Summer’s the perfect season to let loose from those tight schedules and make memories that stick – like those heartwarming family board game nights, movie marathons with a touch of nostalgia, and of course, indulging in some ice cream bliss by the poolside. It’s all about quality time, ladies!

Just a reminder we are taking the summer off but will be back in the fall. It will be here before you know it!

XOXO,
Your Gather Moms Pals

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Listening to this episode in your closet or by yourself in your car and just trying to steal a few quiet moments? YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Summer can make us each want to get in our cars and head to Mexico for a little peace and quiet because this season requires so much of us as moms. Often, our rhythms get interrupted, our sleep gets off and we stop taking care of ourselves. The still, quiet moments where we snuck away to spend time with the Lord may slip away in the unpredictability of summer and we can find ourselves run down and even depressed.

We’re talking in this replay of episode 114 about the signs of depression, what to do if you start to experience them and how to implement healthy rhythms so you take care of yourself this summer.

Summer-Onset Seasonal Affective Disorder (SO SAD)

• Signs: sadness, lethargy, apathy, unmotivated, anxious, excessive sleepiness, food craving; especially carbohydrates, irritability or loss of appetite and insomnia
• Don’t wait to get help! Reach out to a counselor and tell your friends if you’re struggling.

TIPS to help take care of yourself this summer:

• Monitor your caffeine intake
• Keep exercising
• Get time with your friends
• Drink water
• Take rest days
• Keep your healthy rhythms
• Limit social media
• Let others help
• And most importantly:
• Spend time with the Lord

Mark 6:31

And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.

When you struggle, ask God to help you focus your mind on him. Are you getting anxious preparing to travel or about getting into your swimsuit? Ask God to help focus your mind on him and what is true.

Isaiah 26:3

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Summer will reveal weaknesses in each of us. It shows our limits, our lack of patience, the heat puts us on edge. As unbelievable as it sounds, we can celebrate that. Actually revel in it. Those weak places are where our God shines. When you see the temp tip past 100, look to your God and say: You’re up! He’s ready and wants to show his power in your weakness.

2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Moms, summer is such a blessing of more time with our families but can also

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Technology is the topic moms most ask us to cover. Why? Because we are pioneer parenting here. We are the first ones to navigate smart phones, streaming services and social media. We are not going to get it perfect BUT we can listen to experts, share wisdom we’ve learned and ask God to help us. Screens are not new to God–he knew they were coming and he is giving us the tools to have victory over them and even use them for GOOD.

STATS YOU NEED:

Americans check their phones an average of 144 times a day, which is a 58% decrease from their last cell phone usage survey published in January 2022. However, we’re also spending an average of four hours and 25 minutes each day on our phones, up 30% from last year.

From Raising Boys and Girls Podcast Bark Interview:

On average, children ages 8-12 in the United States spend 4-6 hours a day watching or using screens, and teens spend up to 9 hours.

With regards to sexual content, 70% of tweens and 91% of teens encountered nudity or content of a sexual nature

75% tweens and 93% of teens engaged in conversations about drugs and alcohol

72% tweens and 85% experienced bullying as a bully, victim or witness

10% tweens and 21% teens experienced predators

97.5% increase in online enticement reports

You may have some great ideas of your own. Here are a few suggestions to keep them safe:

• All phones, laptops, tablets must be used in a common area (living room, kitchen, family room, etc.)
• Daily/weekly time limits
• Seek permission before using a device
• Seek permission before installing any new apps
• All devices get turned in/off at bedtime
• Your device is a privilege not a right
• Do not share any personal information online
• Do not enter chats with unknows individuals online

A few suggestions to help with moderation:

• Set limits on apps
• Set downtime
• Have screen free zones
• Consider a tech sabbath

TRUTH:

2 Peter 1:3

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness

Ephesians 6:10-11

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

1 Peter 5:8-9

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

Romans 8:37-39

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

RESOURCES:

Qustudio

Net Nanny

Bark

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