Christmas is supposed to be meaningful… But sometimes it just feels loud, fast, and one school party away from tears (yours or theirs). In this episode of Emotions with Ease, I'm joined by my dear friend, mentor, and spiritual formation expert Jennifer Freeman to talk about what spiritual formation for families actually looks like in real life—beyond church attendance, Bible reading plans, or adding one more thing to your plate. We talk about integration over perfection, how emotional wellness and faith overlap, and simple, practical ways to help kids experience God as safe, present, and trustworthy—even in seasons of anxiety, grief, and overwhelm. If you've ever wondered: Am I doing enough spiritually for my kids? Why doesn't "just pray about it" seem to help my anxious child? How do I model faith when I feel spiritually dry myself? You're in the right place. Pull up a chair. 💛 Meet My Guest: Jennifer Freeman Jennifer Freeman is a spiritual mentor, speaker, and longtime leader in Christian formation. She served for 25 years as Director of Christian Formation at College of the Ozarks and is the creator of Rooted Families, a beautifully practical resource designed to help children and caregivers grow together in faith from infancy through college. She brings wisdom, calm, and a whole lot of grace to this conversation—and yes, she once tried to teach me how to cook (we'll just say… eggs were involved 🥚). Timestamps & Highlights 00:02 – Why Christmas feels meaningful and overwhelming 05:19 – What spiritual formation really is (hint: it's shaping, not cramming information) 08:38 – Why faith works best when it's integrated into daily life 12:10 – "You can't give your kids what you don't have yourself" 15:33 – Using nature, bedtime, and daily rhythms to point kids back to God 19:38 – Advent, waiting, and helping kids learn patience without lectures 25:22 – Emotional wellness + faith: why big feelings belong with God 31:55 – Bible journaling, art, and body-based ways kids can experience faith 33:27 – When "just pray and memorize a verse" isn't enough 47:37 – For parents who feel spiritually dry: start with silence (just 3 minutes) 55:40 – Jennifer's go-to anxiety regulation tool (body + belief together) 58:00 – How to access Rooted Families resources (they're free!) Key Takeaways for Parents Spiritual formation isn't an add-on. It's meant to be woven into everyday life. Kids are shaped more by what they love than what they're told to believe. Faith needs to be strong and flexible enough to hold questions, doubt, and change. Emotional wellness and spiritual formation are deeply connected. When kids struggle with anxiety or worry, giving them only prayer and memorization can unintentionally create shame. God is not a vending machine—and kids need help understanding His character, not just His rules. Silence (even a few minutes) is one of the most powerful spiritual practices we overlook. Practical Tools You Can Try This Week ✔ Name emotions + bring them to God (nothing is off-limits in prayer) ✔ Use concrete images kids understand: light, bread, nature, waiting ✔ Invite faith conversations with questions, not lectures ✔ Try body-based tools: drawing, painting, movement, sorting objects ✔ Practice micro-silence: in the car, shower, before bed, or while sipping coffee ✔ At bedtime, thank God out loud for your kids—it builds safety and trust Resources Mentioned Rooted Families: rootedfamilies.cfo.edu Jennifer Freeman: jenniferfreeman.co The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer The Book of Belonging (family devotional) The Whole-Brain Child by Dan Siegel Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors by Robyn Gobbel If this episode gave you a deep breath, a new perspective, or even just permission to stop striving—share it with a friend who needs the same reminder. ✨ And if you're craving more practical tools AND my favorite parenting book list, be sure to snag it HERE. You don't need to do this perfectly. You just need roots deep enough to grow. 🌱