Elevating Motherhood

Lori Beth Auldridge
  • 4.8 (52)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

Elevating Motherhood is for moms who want to build strong, intentional homes and raise confident kids. Through conversations with authors, experts, and fellow mothers, you’ll gain practical tools, fresh perspective, and encouragement for everyday family life. Each episode helps you move from overwhelm to clarity as you learn how to nurture your children, shape family culture, and mother with greater confidence and purpose. Show Notes -> www.elevatingmotherhood.com Connect -> @loribethauldridge Work with me -> loribeth@elevatingmotherhood.com

  1. 4d ago

    203. Raising Independent Kids: Teaching Life Skills That Prepare Children for Adulthood with Katie Kimball

    Teaching Textbooks Free Trial: https://www.teachingtextbooks.com/?cid=LORIBETH Teens Cook Real Food Link: https://sl290.isrefer.com/go/teenscook/loribeth/ What does it actually look like to raise kids who are confident, capable, and ready for the world? As parents, we spend so much time protecting our children, helping them, and making life run smoothly for them—but sometimes the very things we do out of love can unintentionally keep them from developing the skills and confidence they need to thrive. Today, I’m excited to welcome Katie Kimball back to Elevating Motherhood for the second time. Katie is the founder of Kids Cook Real Food and creator of Teens Cook Real Food, and she has a passion for helping families raise healthy, independent adults. But this conversation goes far beyond cooking. We’re talking about what it means to empower our kids at every age, how to give them opportunities to grow, and why independence isn’t something we suddenly hand over when they turn 18—it’s something we cultivate throughout childhood. Katie shares some hilarious stories, including the story of her daughter’s college orientation, the infamous knucklehead and the steak story, and some moments that perfectly illustrate what happens when we let our kids practice, fail, learn, and become more capable. Whether you have toddlers, elementary-aged kids, teenagers, or kids who are already preparing to launch, this conversation is full of wisdom and encouragement for any parent who wants to raise children who are confident in who they are and capable of caring for themselves and others. I always appreciate Katie’s practical, grounded approach, and I know this conversation is going to give you plenty to thinkabout.   More on Today's Sponsor: We completely switched up the way we’re doing math, and we’re now using Teaching Textbooks—and it has been agame changer. It has freed up so much time in our homeschool day, and honestly, it has helped me overcome some of my own insecurities as a homeschool mom whenit comes to teaching math. I love that my kids can work independently, get immediate feedback, and still have a highly effective math education without me feeling like I have to carry the entire weight of teaching it. If you’re looking for a stress-free, effective math solution for your homeschool, I highly recommend trying Teaching Textbooks. They offer a free trial, and you can access thatfree trial using the link in the show notes. Love the show? Leave me a review! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Join my email list: www.elevatingmotherhood.com

  2. Aug 9

    202. Homemaking Matters: Everyday Wisdom That Will Transform Your Home with Marci Ferrell

    Homeschool Mega Bundle Here: https://www.fortheloveofhomeschooling.com/?ref=loribeth Marci's Book Here: https://amzn.to/4xvVHQ9 I think we’ve misunderstood homemaking. I do. Because the best homemakers I know aren’t just creating beautiful homes. They’re creating environments where people feel known, loved, and deeply cared for. Today’s conversation is one I have been so excited to share with you. I’m talking with Marci Ferrell, author of Homemaking Matters—a book that has landed in my top two favorite books I’ve read this year. And I have to tell you… this book is about so much more than homemaking. Yes, we talk about creating a home. But what I love most about Marci’s message is that she gets to the heart behind it all: our mindset, our attitudes, our priorities, and the posture of our hearts as we move through everyday life. This conversation is filled with wisdom that reaches far beyond homemaking. It’s about becoming the kind of woman who intentionally creates beauty, connection, and meaning in the spaces God has placed her. Marci is one of those people whose wisdom feels both grounding and encouraging. I walked away from thisconversation with so many things to think about, and I truly believe you will too. So whether you consider yourself a homemaker, or you’re simply a woman who wants to live with more intention and purpose, I think this conversation is going to encourage youdeeply. The For the Love of Homeschooling Back-to-School Mega Bundle, Volume 6 is officially here, and if you're looking for fresh inspiration for the school year ahead, you're going to love this. For just $25, you'll get over 100 digital homeschool resources covering everything from language arts and math to history, science, nature study, geography, art, planners, encouragement for moms, and so much more. Altogether,these resources are valued at more than $799, but they're only available at this price through August 10th. I've actually been purchasing these bundles for years because they're such an incredible value. But this year is extra special because I'm one of the contributors! When you purchase Volume 6, you'll also receive my homeschool planning workshop—the same planning process Iteach at my homeschool retreats, use in private coaching sessions, and rely on every year to plan my own homeschool. I truly hope it helps you create a peaceful, purposeful school year. You'll find the link to the bundle in today's show notes. Don't wait--the bundle disappears after August 10th, and once it's gone, it's gone. Love the podcast? Please leave a 5 star review!

  3. Aug 2

    201. Outdoor Learning: Why Nature Is One of Your Child's Best Teachers with Rachel Tidd

    Get the Homeschool Bundle Here: https://www.fortheloveofhomeschooling.com/?ref=loribeth If you've ever felt like your kids are happier, calmer, and more engaged after spending time outside, you're not imagining it. There is something incredibly life-giving about learning inGod's creation. The beautiful part is that outdoor learning doesn't have to be a special event or an elaborate field trip. It can become a natural extension of your homeschool day. Today's guest is Rachel Tidd, author of Wild Learning, Wild Math®, and Wild Reading™. Rachel is passionate about helping families and educators use the outdoors as aclassroom, showing us that subjects like reading and math don't have to stay at the kitchen table. Instead, nature can become one of our greatest teaching tools. In this episode, Rachel shares practical, simple ways to weave outdoor learning into your everyday homeschool, along with the many benefits children experience when they're given theopportunity to explore, move, observe, and learn outside. Whether you're homeschooling preschoolers, elementary-aged children, or simply looking for fresh inspiration, I think you'll come away with ideas you can put into practice right away. So grab your favorite drink, head outside if you can, andjoin me for this encouraging conversation with Rachel Tidd.   Please Visit Today's Sponsor:  The For the Love of Homeschooling Back-to-School Mega Bundle, Volume 6 is officially here, and if you're looking for fresh inspiration for the school year ahead, you're going to love this. For just $25, you'll get over 100 digital homeschoolresources covering everything from language arts and math to history, science, nature study, geography, art, planners, encouragement for moms, and so much more. Altogether,these resources are valued at more than $799, but they're only available at this price through August 10th. I've actually been purchasing these bundles for years because they're such an incredible value. But this year is extra special because I'm one of the contributors! When you purchase Volume 6, you'll also receive my homeschool planning workshop—the same planning process I teach at my homeschool retreats, use in private coaching sessions, and rely on every year to plan my own homeschool. I truly hope it helps you create a peaceful, purposeful school year. You'll find the link to the bundle in today's show notes. Don't wait--the bundle disappears after August 10th, and onceit's gone, it's gone. Full Show Notes at: www.elevatingmotherhood.com

  4. Jul 27

    200. Calm, Confident Motherhood, Part 1

    WOW! 200! From the bottom of my heart...thank you. Thank you, friends, for showing up week after week and supporting the Elevating Motherhood Podcast for nearly six years. Whether you've been listening since Episode 1 or you just recently found this little corner of the internet, I want you to know how grateful I am that you're here. This podcast has always been for you. It's been an incredible privilege to have conversations with authors, educators, experts, and fellow moms who have encouraged us to become more intentional in our motherhood, homeschooling, parenting, and faith. Together, we've explored everything from raising confident children and creating meaningful family culture to finding joy, purpose, and peace in the everyday work of motherhood. Reaching 200 episodes feels like more than a milestone, it feels like the beginning of a whole new chapter. Over the next few months, I'm opening my heart in a way I never have before here on the show. This is Part 1 of a new series where I'll be sharing the years-long journey that led me to what I now call calm, confident motherhood. I'll be sharing the stories, mindset shifts, lessons, and convictions that transformed the way I approach motherhood and, ultimately, the way I experience it. My hope is that these episodes don't simply encourage you, but that they help you see what's possible. That motherhood doesn't have to feel like something to survive. That peace isn't reserved for a select few. That confidence can be cultivated. And that, little by little, we can become the mothers we hope our children remember. Thank you for allowing me to be a small part of your motherhood journey. It is a responsibility I don't take lightly, and I pray these conversations continue to encourage and equip you for years to come. If the Elevating Motherhood Podcast has encouraged you over the years, would you help me celebrate 200 episodes by leaving a rating and written review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify? Reviews help more moms discover the show, and they truly mean more than you know. Thank you for listening, for sharing episodes with friends, for sending thoughtful messages, and for being part of this wonderful community. Here's to the next chapter. I'm so glad you're here.

  5. Jul 19

    199. In Defense of Homeschool: How to Respond Thoughtfully to Homeschool Critics

    The What Well, in recent days, podcaster Jennifer Welch and her co-host, Angie Sullivan, shared their colorful thoughtson homeschooling after a caller expressed frustration that stupid people she went to school with were choosing to homeschool their children. What followed wasn't simply a disagreement with homeschooling. It was a stream of insults. Homeschooling wascalled "the worst, worst, worst." Christian parents were portrayed as people who fear critical thinking. Homeschooling was described as selfish, andraising children with a Christian worldview was likened to child abuse. Parents were called "dumbasses," plenty of f-bombs were dropped, and the following day Jennifer doubled down on her view of homeschooling. What struck me wasn't simply that they disagreed with homeschooling. People are free to have different opinionsand make different educational choices for their families. What struck me was the confidence with which they spoke about a community they seemed to know very little about. Their comments reflected a picture of homeschooling that simply doesn't resemble what modern homeschooling lookslike in America today. And judging by the response online, I wasn't the only homeschool parent who noticed. I think many of us in the homeschool community were genuinely gob smacked. Wondering how someone couldspeak with such certainty and such contempt about something they clearly didn't understand. And when I say "ignorant," I mean it in the truest sense of the word: not knowing. I wanted to talk about it almost immediately. Not because I wanted to keep an internet argument going, but because I needed to process what I had just heard. There wasn't really time to sit down with friends and think through it together. It was one of those moments where you hear something and your mind just starts turning. I felt shock. Then disappointment. Then anger. But if I'm honest, the emotion I kept coming back to was sadness. Sadness that millions of homeschool families are still viewed through stereotypes that are decades out of date. Sadness that children who are being lovingly educated at home could someday hear adults describe families like theirs with such contempt. And sadness that so many people listening probably assumed those caricatures were true. Because words matter. When someone with a platform reaches millions of people, those words shape opinions. Opinions shape culture.Culture influences policy. And policy affects the freedoms families have for generations to come. That's why I felt compelled to respond. I posted an open letter, not because I needed Jennifer & Angie to agree with me, and not because I felt insecure about my decision to homeschool, but because I believe homeschool families deserve to be represented truthfully. But here's the thing: this episode isn't really about Jennifer Welch. Long after this particular controversy is forgotten, homeschool families will still encounter the same questions, the same assumptions, and the same misconceptions. So today, I don't want to spend our time dissecting one person's comments. Instead, I want to talk about why homeschooling is worthdefending, not because every family should homeschool, but because every family deserves the freedom to thoughtfully choose the educational path they believe is best for their children. Link to IG Open Letter: https://www.instagram.com/p/Da4hZvRFGfa/ FULL SHOW NOTES AT: WWW.ELEVATINGMOTHERHOOD.COMPlease visit our sponsors: www.elevatingmotherhood.com/sponsors

  6. Jul 11

    198. The Inspired Homeschool with Jennifer Pepito

    Buy Jennifer’s Book Here: https://amzn.to/4wiwDLS Today I’m so glad to welcome Jennifer Pepito backto the show. Jennifer is the host of the Restoration Home podcast, bestselling author of Habits for a Sacred Home, andfounder of The Peaceful Press, a homeschool curriculum provider many of us know and love. Her writing has been featured in Wild + Free, Commonplace Quarterly, and HomeEducating Family, and she’s been a guest on 1000 Hours Outside, At Home with Sally, and The Read Aloud Revival. Shelives in the mountains with her family, where her days are shaped by reading aloud, tending the garden, and building a home life rooted in rhythm and beauty. And if you’re a mom who has ever felt the tension between what homeschool “should” look like and what your child actually needs… if you’ve wondered whether there’s a more peaceful, more meaningful way to educate without losing depth or vision—this conversation is for you. Today we’re talking about her newest book, The Inspired Homeschool: How History’s Heroes Light a Path Toward Joyful, Confident Learning. In her book, Jennifer pulls from the lives of historical figures, along with research and biblical wisdom, to help us reimagine education through literature, nature, work, and story—so we can raise children who are curious, grounded, and confident in who they are becoming. Here are some of my favorite quotes fromJennifer’s book (& the interview): “Raising my hand too often and too excitedly to answerquestions was met with frustration from teachers.” - page 27   “My personal ideals for our homeschool don’t have to be yours, but if you don’t know your why, you will continually bow to outside pressures and create stress for your children in the process.” – page 29   Not wanting our kids to learn from a system that is hostiletoward our faith.   “Young children are great imitators, and if we haven’t yetcrushed their natural desire to help by setting unreasonable standards or expressing disappointment in them, they can be great helpers.” – page 47   “The atmosphere is you.” – page 49   Beauty: Effortlessly incorporate beauty…such intentionality. “Mason particularly emphasized the habits of attention,obedience, right thinking, and right acting.” – page 63   Habits: You’re the one who showed me that virtues andhabits are interconnected.   “Homeschooling in the modern age requires tremendous powers of attention, as we must forcibly tear ourselves away from a highly distracting culture and learn to settle into the beautiful and short season of homeschooling our children.” – page 74   “I wanted to give my children the world, so I gave theminspiring books.” – page 79   “It’s hard to understand why traditional schools keeppushing the factory model, and why they’ve replaced classic literature with hopeless victim narratives.” – page 126 FULL SHOW NOTES AT: WWW.ELEVATINGMOTHERHOOD.COM Follow LB on IG: @loribethauldridge @elevatingmotherhood Please visit our sponsors: www.elevatinghomeschool.com/sponsors

  7. Jul 3

    197. Empty Nest Season: Preparing Your Kids (and Your Heart) for Launch

    Whether your baby is still in diapers, you’re in the middle of the school years, your teenager just got their driver's license, or you've recently become an empty nester, the relationship you hope to have with your children when they leave home doesn't begin the day they pack their bags. It begins today. It begins with the culture you're creating in your home, the words you speak, the trust you're building, the way you respond to change, and the example you're setting. In this conversation, we talk about what it really feels like when your children begin leaving the nest—not just for them, but for you and even for the siblings they leave behind. We discuss the grief that can catch you off guard, the joy of watching your children become independent, and the mindset shifts that help us parent with open hands instead of clenched fists. You'll hear us talk about becoming an "open nester" instead of an "empty nester," why it's so important not to keep our kids small, how to prepare them with the life skills and confidence they'll need to launch well, and why it's never too late to change the patterns in our homes. One of my favorite reminders from this conversation is something Amy says: "You can't talk to your kids enough." And Jennifer's encouragement not to keep our kids small has stayed with me ever since. If you've ever wondered how to prepare your children to leave home while also preparing your own heart, I think you'll find so much encouragement here. And if your kids are still little, don't skip this episode thinking it's for someone else. The foundation for launching our children well is laid years before they ever leave. The attitudes, habits, and relationships we cultivate now matter more than we realize. So grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and enjoy this conversation with my sweet friends, Jennifer Ford Berry and Amy Debrucque.   In this episode we talk about:   Open nester vs. empty nester The transition from needing you all the time  The change that happens when kids get their driver’s license Daily independence vs. financial independence Differences based on boys vs. girls leaving the nest Differences with number of kids Grieving unexpected things with their departure Song: Crowded Table by Highway Women Every flight is different Mindset through our whole motherhood journey The parallel between school breaks and when your kids fly the nest The selfless nature of motherhood Kids still at home with their siblings leave home Life 360 App Giving them messages of security and encouragement Making sure we lay a secure foundation and not one of nagging and mistrust Learning from our realizations and taking action from there Pivoting and adapting WE NEED TO MODEL FOR OUR KIDS It’s never to late to change How moms change when kids leave the nest Mistakes they made when their kids first left the nest Being more aware Figure our what draws your kids in and what drives them away Taking up hobbies as a mom in this season for rejuvenation  Talking with moms who have gone before you in this season Acknowledging the grief Preparing your child to launch – was there a list of skills you want them to have before they leave home?  Open communication within a family Becoming less offended “You can’t talk to your kids enough.” -Amy Debrucque Realistic expectations Talking through how to navigate situations Building up their courage Dealing with homesickness “Don’t keep your kids small.” – JFB And so much more...full show notes at: www.elevatingmotherhood.com   Link to Jennifer’s Podcast: The Make Room Show https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/make-room-show/id1664260193    Link to Amy’s Podcast: Life on Purpose Podcast  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-on-purpose-podcast-with-amy-debrucque/id1498212623   Elevating Motherhood Links:  Website: www.elevatingmotherhood.com Instagram: @loribethauldridge @elevatingmotherhood   Please Visit Our Sponsors: www.elevatingmotherhood.com/sponsors

  8. Jun 27

    196. How to Lobby for a New Playground in Your Community

    You don't have to be a politician to change your community. Back before 2020, when we were still living on Maui, my friend Katie and I lobbied for a new playground to be built upcountry at Kula Park…and it happened! There is a small, but mighty playground with bicoastal ocean views and lots of opportunity for vestibular and proprioceptive input (want to know what that is? Find out in Episode 196!) Most parents assume playgrounds simply appear because a city decides to build one. They don't realize that many parks, trails, splash pads, and playgrounds exist because one persistent citizen cared enough to ask. Have you ever driven past an empty field and thought, 'This would be the perfect place for a playground'? Or watched your kids struggle on outdated equipment and wondered why nobody does anything about it? What if I told you that 'somebody' could be you? Today I'm sharing how I helped advocate for a playground in our community on Maui and what I learned about working with city leaders, gathering support, and turning an idea into reality. Action Step 1: Research - Start With Curiosity, Not Complaints One of the biggest mistakes people make is approaching leaders with frustration. Instead of: "Why hasn't anyone done this?" Try: "I noticed a need and would love to understand how decisions like this are made." People are far more willing to help when they feel respected rather than attacked. Questions to ask: Who oversees parks?How are projects prioritized?What funding sources exist?Is this already on a future plan?What would need to happen for it to become a reality?Your goal is to learn before you advocate.   Action Step 2: A Conversation - Find Out Who Actually Makes Decisions & Talk to Them Many people spend months talking to the wrong person. Potential decision-makers include: Parks and Recreation DepartmentCity CouncilCounty CommissionersPlanning DepartmentsSchool BoardsParks FoundationsCommunity Development OrganizationsLearn the process before trying to influence the outcome. A great question: "Who would I need to talk with to better understand how a playground project might move forward?"   Action Step 3: Support - Bring Friends, Not Just Opinions This may be the most important lesson. Leaders need to know the need extends beyond one family. I want you to:  Gather parentsCollect storiesCreate surveysBring neighborsAttend meetings togetherA room filled with supportive, respectful citizens communicates far more than one passionate person. People often underestimate how powerful it is to simply show up   Action Step 4: Educate - Present Information, Not Demands Decision-makers are constantly balancing: BudgetsSafetyMaintenanceStaffingCompeting prioritiesHelp them by doing some homework. Bring: PhotosCommunity surveysPopulation statisticsExamples from nearby communitiesPotential locationsGrant opportunitiesPlayground conceptsInstead of saying: "We need a playground." Say: "Our neighborhood has 600 children within a one-mile radius and no accessible play space. Here are examples of communities that successfully addressed a similar need." Help them solve a problem.   Action Step 5: Consistency - Your Attitude Matters More Than You Think Community leaders hear complaints every day. The person they remember & want to work with is often the one who is: GratefulRespectfulPreparedPatientCollaborativeYou aren't trying to win an argument. You're trying to build a partnership. Advocate like a neighbor, not a customer.Communities thrive when citizens and leaders work together.   Action Steps You Can Take This Week: Identify one community need.Find out who oversees that area.Schedule one conversation.Invite two friends to join you.Ask questions before making requests.Communities don't change because someone gets angry enough. They change because someone cares enough to stay involved. Elevating Motherhood Links:  Website: www.elevatingmotherhood.com IG: @loribethauldridge @elevatingmotherhood

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4.8
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About

Elevating Motherhood is for moms who want to build strong, intentional homes and raise confident kids. Through conversations with authors, experts, and fellow mothers, you’ll gain practical tools, fresh perspective, and encouragement for everyday family life. Each episode helps you move from overwhelm to clarity as you learn how to nurture your children, shape family culture, and mother with greater confidence and purpose. Show Notes -> www.elevatingmotherhood.com Connect -> @loribethauldridge Work with me -> loribeth@elevatingmotherhood.com

Information

  • Creator
    Lori Beth Auldridge
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    204
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Lori Beth Auldridge
  • Show Website
    Elevating Motherhood

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