Parenting Boys into The Launch {Episode 71 with Gwen Smith}

I remember…just like yesterday…when the idea of sending my oldest son to college sounded absolutely crazy.  Like it was so far away…why would I even think about it? (Or want to?)  But, the grandmas were right again when they said “Just blink and they’ll be all grown up!”  

Sending kids off to college…or launching them into whatever future they choose…can be a bittersweet topic. It can be all at once everything we have prayed for, worked for, and dreamed of.  And the saddest part of parenting.  😭  

I am SO happy to have my friend, Gwen Smith on the podcast with me to dive in and talk about parenting boys (and all kids, really) in the season of “LAUNCH.”  And trust me, we cover a lot! 

I have two college – age sons, and Gwen has one college grad and two kids (one boy, one girl) still in college. Together we talk about some of the things that might help prepare you for the launch.  We talk about staying connected with our boys once they’ve left the nest (we’ve both actually had a great experience with that!) and coaching them through life (dating, life challenges, spiritual growth, etc.) while they’re away.  And we talk about our own emotions and adjustments as parents.  We talk about giving kids expanding freedoms as they grow up to better prepare them for the launch, and Gwen suggests that the most emotional times might actually happen the year before kids launch. This episode is so very conversational, real, and practical.  I hope you love it!

SHOW NOTES:

Gwen’s website: Gwensmith.net
Gwen’s podcast: The Graceologie Podcast

Books we mention:
Talking to Your Kids about Jesus. (by Natasha Crain)
Graceologie Podcast episode 103 with Natasha Crain:  
Mama Bear Apologetics.
Making Children Mind without Losing Yours (Kevin Lehman)

Some fun PODCAST news: I am happy to share the news that the Boy Mom Podcast has officially joined the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. 🎊 I’m super excited as this means I’ll be joining an amazing team of people who will be producing my podcast episodes (yay!) and offering support, community, and some great opportunities. You won’t notice much difference in my podcast (other than a little mention of Christian Parenting in my podcast intro 😉) but the support means so much to me! Check out other podcasts in their network and TONS of great articles on their website.

You can still find the Boy Mom Podcast on all of the podcast platforms…here are just a few of them:

Spotify

Or you can listen right here! 🙂

Today’s episode is sponsored by the DIVE MATH AND SCIENCE homeschool curriculum!  

**My boys have used DIVE for years – my two oldest took it through the level of AP physics and AP Calculus (which is hard to find in homeschool curriculums!)  
We are friends of the founder and professor, Dr. Shormann, and have the utmost respect for him as a man and a teacher!  

Join over 100,000 families around the world who have used DIVE to give their children a college preparatory math and science education. Find out more HERE. 

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More about Gwen: