Veil + Armour: Holiness in Motherhood and Daily Life - 34. When Motherhood Feels Like "Hell:" A Christian Perspective on Reclaiming Joy in Homemaking and Motherhood

34. When Motherhood Feels Like "Hell:" A Christian Perspective on Reclaiming Joy in Homemaking and Motherhood

04/09/25 • 78 min

Veil + Armour: Holiness in Motherhood and Daily Life

Keywords:

Mom life coach, Christian, Motherhood, parenting, gratitude, communication, family support, joy in motherhood, daily routine, mental health, family responsibilities, homemaking, motherhood, communication, independence, skills, empowerment, family, relationships, personal growth, parenting

Summary

From struggles with depression and post-partum depression, Tessa Weenink, a Christian mom and life coach, shares her journey of motherhood: the ups and downs, the peaks and valleys, and the lessons she learned about building skills and capacity as a mom, especially if we don't have a village to help us in raising our children and being a wife and mother in the modern world.

Tessa's experience comes from being a homeschooling mother of six, an entrepreneur and a dairy farmer from Alberta, Canada.

She shares her iinsights on motherhood, emphasizing the importance of starting with God, building a supportive home environment, and effective communication within the family. She discusses her mission to empower mothers and rebuild society by focusing on their well-being and capacity. Tessa offers practical advice on finding joy in motherhood, establishing daily routines, and teaching children responsibility, all while navigating the challenges of parenting. In this conversation, Tessa and Sheila discuss the importance of empowering independence in relationships, particularly in the context of Christian homemaking and motherhood.

They emphasize the need for communication and teamwork between partners, the significance of building skills for a balanced life, and the role of homemaking in society. Tessa shares her personal experiences and insights on overcoming comparison, finding joy in motherhood, and the power of personal growth. The conversation concludes with resources for growth and advice for new mothers, highlighting the importance of taking one step at a time in the journey of motherhood.

This interview was conducted on March 12, 2025

To find out more about Tessa and Aimed at the Heart, and to download free resources, including Tessa's Christian homemaking tips, and to contact Tessa about her coaching programs, please visit:

https://www.aimedattheheart.com

https://www.instagram.com/@aimedattheheart

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Keywords:

Summary

Tessa's experience comes from being a homeschooling mother of six, an entrepreneur and a dairy farmer from Alberta, Canada.

This interview was conducted on March 12, 2025

To find out more about Tessa and Aimed at the Heart, and to download free resources, including Tessa's Christian homemaking tips, and to contact Tessa about her coaching programs, please visit:

https://www.aimedattheheart.com

https://www.instagram.com/@aimedattheheart

Support the show

Previous Episode

33. Bibles and Birkins: A Busy Mother's Guide to Lent, Practical tips for time-starved mothers and for beginners

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What could a multi-million dollar Hermès Birkin bag possibly teach us about our Catholic faith? As it turns out, quite a lot. The way collectors prize, protect, and see these luxury handbags appreciate in value mirrors how we should view our familly, our spiritual life, and our vocation as wives and mothers —especially during the sacred season of Lent.
For busy women, finding time for prayer often feels impossible. Yet carving out just 15 minutes at the beginning and end of each day can transform our relationship with God. Prayer doesn't require perfect silence or uninterrupted solitude; it can happen while washing dishes, commuting on the subway, or feeding a baby. Just as a Birkin bag retains its value and can appreciate in value over time with loving care and protection of this prized asset, our daily tasks become pathways to sanctification when offered to God with love. It will also contribute to the development and enrichment of our relationship with God, and to our families.
The podcast invites listeners to consider a media fast this Lent—perhaps the most countercultural sacrifice in our digital age. By setting app limits or deleting social platforms altogether, we break free from comparison, perfectionism, and the dopamine hits of so-called "vanity metrics" of the number of likes and followers we get on our social media pages and accounts.

This digital detoxification creates space for gratitude, genuine human connection, and deeper spiritual focus. Complemented by practical suggestions for almsgiving through decluttering, preparing extra food for those in need, and giving up unhealthy habits, this episode offers realistic guidance for mothers seeking to journey meaningfully toward Calvary, and towards Easter. Whether you're balancing career demands or managing a household full-time, these Lenten practices will help you invest in what truly matters—your eternal soul and those entrusted to your care.

Please subscribe to our podcast and YouTube Channel to help us spread the word about our podcast apostolate. Please share with a mother or friend who would benefit from the messages in this episode, and please join us in being brave, bold, and blessed this Lenten season.

Books mentioned:

1) "The Way of the Cross" by St. Josemaria Escriva

https://escriva.org/en/via-crucis/1/

https://opusdei.org/en-ng/article/the-way-of-the-cross/

(with audio, and links to purchase the book)

2) "Media Fasting: Six Weeks to Recharge in Christ" by Sister Nancy Usselmann, FSP

https://paulinestore.ca/media-fasting.html

Have a Blessed Lent!

If you would like to help us and find our podcast useful for your spiritual life, please consider subscribing to our podcast and YouTube channel, and writing a five-star review, if it warrants it. This would help us spread the word. Thank you and God bless!

Would you like to help us reach 1,000 subscribers on YouTube? We are almost halfway there! We would be most grateful! Thank you! This would help us make the podcast financially sustainable, and to enable us to continue to bring you content that enriches your spiritual life. Thank you and God bless!

Online references:

To see what the $2 mill

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Next Episode

undefined - 35. What is an Easter Vigil? How did Jesus save us? How did Jesus fulfill the Law and the Old Testament? Anniversary of Tammy Peterson's Confirmation and Holy Communion

35. What is an Easter Vigil? How did Jesus save us? How did Jesus fulfill the Law and the Old Testament? Anniversary of Tammy Peterson's Confirmation and Holy Communion

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A Blessed Holy Week and Triduum to you all!

This week, we have a special guest co-host, Sheila' daughter, to introduce this week's special episode for Easter.

The power of the Easter Vigil—that "Mother of All Vigils"—shines through in this remarkable homily from Father Peter Turrone, delivered at Holy Rosary Parish in mid-Toronto, Canada. Beginning with the blessing of fire and preparation of the Paschal Candle marked with 2024, Father Peter takes us on a journey through salvation history that culminates in the cosmic significance of Christ's resurrection.
From Creation to the Fall of man, from Abraham's sacrifice to the Prophet Moses Moses leading the Israelites from slavery, the entire biblical narrative finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. As Father Turrone explains, drawing on the late Pope Benedict XVI's writings, Resurrection isn't merely reversing clinical death but represents something entirely new—"the first day of a new creation with a new heaven and a new earth," as G.K. Chesterton beautifully puts it.
This homily holds special significance as it marks the one-year anniversary of Tammy Peterson's Confirmation into the Catholic Church. Father Turrone speaks directly to catechumens and candidates preparing to receive the sacraments, reminding them that through Baptism, they become adopted children of God with the Father and Son dwelling within them. His words challenge all believers to bring Christ's light everywhere—from homes to workplaces to social media—despite the challenges of a culture that has often chosen "the path of the prodigal son rather than remain faithful to her Christian roots."
Whether you're preparing for your own journey into the Catholic Church, commemorating your Baptismal or Confirmation anniversary, or simply seeking deeper understanding of Easter's transformative power, this episode offers profound insights into the mystery at the heart of our faith. Subscribe to Veil and Armor and join us at Veil + Armour as strive to continue to tell stories that inspire Catholic women in their vocation of raising the next generation of saints and leaders.

Holy Rosary Parish's website is: https://holyrosary.ca/
Tammy Peterson's Podcast is on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tammypeterson
It is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all podcasting platforms.
Hawthorn School for Girls' website is:
https://hawthornschool.com/
Veil + Armour is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all Podcasting Platforms

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Veil + Armour: Holiness in Motherhood and Daily Life - 34. When Motherhood Feels Like "Hell:" A Christian Perspective on Reclaiming Joy in Homemaking and Motherhood

Transcript

Sheila Nonato00:00:00.100

What would you say to your 19 or 20 year old self , you know , when you were in the midst of all the busyness of being a new mom , of all the newness of having a baby , running a household , being a wife . What would you say to her when she's not feeling the joy of motherhood , when there's all the chaos or the stress , or just a lot of work and less sleep , little sle