208 episodes

Do you long to be a more intentional mom but you feel overwhelmed or weary or just don't have a clear path to the next step toward a successful family life? The Practically Speaking MOM, Val Harrison, is here to bring some order to the chaos and some focus to the confusion. You don’t have to be the perfect mom to have a strong family, you need a plan! Join author, speaker, mother of seven, and grandma of two, as she shares wisdom and encouragement about the six areas of an intentional mom's life. You'll learn from her years of experience, successes, mistakes and redemption. Val and her husband Rich, married 28 years, have three married children, two more in college, and two in her homeschool. This podcast covers all stages of parenting, from babies to toddlers to teens and beyond. Val wants to encourage you to not become weary in your work as an intentional mom, "Even with all its unique personalities, imperfections and scars; your family is God's masterpiece. Your efforts matter in this worthy journey of motherhood." Galations 6:9 says, "Do not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time you'll reap a harvest if you do not give up." Let's walk this marathon journey of motherhood TOGETHER, right here, every Monday on the Practically Speaking MOM podcast, the place for an intentional mom to build a strong family. 

Practically Speaking Mom: Intentional Mom, Strong Family Val Harrison, The Practically Speaking MOM

    • Kids & Family
    • 5.0 • 28 Ratings

Do you long to be a more intentional mom but you feel overwhelmed or weary or just don't have a clear path to the next step toward a successful family life? The Practically Speaking MOM, Val Harrison, is here to bring some order to the chaos and some focus to the confusion. You don’t have to be the perfect mom to have a strong family, you need a plan! Join author, speaker, mother of seven, and grandma of two, as she shares wisdom and encouragement about the six areas of an intentional mom's life. You'll learn from her years of experience, successes, mistakes and redemption. Val and her husband Rich, married 28 years, have three married children, two more in college, and two in her homeschool. This podcast covers all stages of parenting, from babies to toddlers to teens and beyond. Val wants to encourage you to not become weary in your work as an intentional mom, "Even with all its unique personalities, imperfections and scars; your family is God's masterpiece. Your efforts matter in this worthy journey of motherhood." Galations 6:9 says, "Do not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time you'll reap a harvest if you do not give up." Let's walk this marathon journey of motherhood TOGETHER, right here, every Monday on the Practically Speaking MOM podcast, the place for an intentional mom to build a strong family. 

    Siblings and Friends - Connection and Communication, Ep 211

    Siblings and Friends - Connection and Communication, Ep 211

    How can we navigate the delicate dance of nurturing family time/sibling relationships alongside the growing need for personal friendships in the lives of our children?

    I'm often asked by extended family and friends, how is that my kids get along so well and have close relationships. 
    Today we'll be looking at one thing we did in our family that made a big difference to cultivate unbreakable bonds. AND YET, as our kids get older, their need for other FRIENDSHIPS increases. Is it possible to grow and maintain sibling relationships while also growing friendships? It can be tough, but doable!
    Let me share practical HELP for navigating your child's growing need for other friends while cultivating sibling relationships as well. 
    We will use a LISTENER QUESTION to talk about balancing these facets of family life. I'll provide heartfelt guidance on a listener's dilemma about an older child's yearning for exclusive time with friends. 
    This episode is an essential listen for parents who wish to foster deep connections within their family while respecting their children's social development.

    Embark with me, Val Harrison, on a heartening journey towards strengthening the family unit.
    Also be a part of our "Intentional Mom, Strong Family" Facebook community where wisdom and questions flow freely. 
    In this episode, I also share a personal update on how Rich and I are diving deeper into our calling to help struggling marriages.
    This is more than a podcast; it's a community of intentional parents, and your enthusiastic participation makes all the difference in creating strong families anchored by love and understanding.
    LINKS:
    Episode: https://www.practicallyspeakingmom.com/podcast/episode/78020fe0/130-part-2-your-childs-nine-circles-of-influence-on-their-self-perception-from-the-life-giving-words-series
    Ebooks: Homeschooling in Real Life https://www.practicallyspeakingmom.com/product-page/7-system-for-homeschool-success-simplifying-schedules-records-and-curriculum
    Ebook: The Homeschool High School Roadmap to College https://www.practicallyspeakingmom.com/product-page/the-homeschool-roadmap-to-college


    Support the showVisit Val's website: PracticallySpeakingMOM.com
    Join Val's Facebook Group Intentional Mom, Strong Family
    Follow Val on Instagram and her Facebook Public Page Practically Speaking MOM

    To give a set amount each month click here. A few dollars a month would help so much!
    Here's some other ways to give:
    Cash App: $valPSM
    Paypal: val@PracticallySpeakingMOM.com
    Donate with a credit card HERE
    All donations will be used for the ministry. Gifts are not tax deductible.
    THANK YOU for partnering in this ministry to strengthen families and encourage intentional moms.
    "May the Words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, oh Lord, my Roc...

    • 18 min
    Season 5 Debut, Parents start now - Lessons on Love, Dating, Marriage #210

    Season 5 Debut, Parents start now - Lessons on Love, Dating, Marriage #210

    Season Five is here! Let's talk heart-to-heart! Now is the best time to share with your kids from your heart about love, dating, and marriage. Do you have your philosophies and principles figured out about these topics? I'm here to help! Your philosophy will impact the words you say, the jokes you make, and the guidance you give your kids years before they're even dating, so don't wait to figure it out! Let's talk about it TOGETHER!  Navigating the maze of romantic relationships can often feel like an untamed wilderness for parents, but fear not, we can take this adventure together!

    Join us, as we continue the journey as intentional parents building strong families TOGETHER!

    Here's links to earlier episodes about parenting principles regarding dating and marriage (episodes with ** were the ones that we shared clips in this episode):
    **#125 "Family Bonding Activity & Wisdom-giving about Love, Dating, and the Meaning of Marriage
    #97 Modesty, Pitfalls from the Purity Movement, and Treasuring Sexuality
    #96 Val & Abby Share Keys to Waiting with Grace, Part 2
    #95 Conversation with a Teen about Guarding Your Heart, Part 1
    **#72 Teach Your Kids the Truth about Love, Dating, and Marriage
    **#22 Moms Marathon Path, and Are We Going to Teach Our Kids that Sex is Sacred?
    Support the showVisit Val's website: PracticallySpeakingMOM.com
    Join Val's Facebook Group Intentional Mom, Strong Family
    Follow Val on Instagram and her Facebook Public Page Practically Speaking MOM

    To give a set amount each month click here. A few dollars a month would help so much!
    Here's some other ways to give:
    Cash App: $valPSM
    Paypal: val@PracticallySpeakingMOM.com
    Donate with a credit card HERE
    All donations will be used for the ministry. Gifts are not tax deductible.
    THANK YOU for partnering in this ministry to strengthen families and encourage intentional moms.
    "May the Words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, oh Lord, my Roc...

    • 25 min
    209 Siblings, Connection, and Family Bonding Activities

    209 Siblings, Connection, and Family Bonding Activities

    Need a parenting pick-me-up?  Join in an episode to encourage and equip intentional parents to build strong families. In episode 209 you'll find
    *More HELP for sibling issues
    *Emphasizing CONNECTION in the family
    *Family Bonding Activities Through BLESSING Others

    Whether you're stepping into motherhood or have years of parenting under your belt, there’s something here for everyone. Join our growing community of intentional moms and strong families. Let's navigate this journey together.
    Support the showVisit Val's website: PracticallySpeakingMOM.com
    Join Val's Facebook Group Intentional Mom, Strong Family
    Follow Val on Instagram and her Facebook Public Page Practically Speaking MOM

    To give a set amount each month click here. A few dollars a month would help so much!
    Here's some other ways to give:
    Cash App: $valPSM
    Paypal: val@PracticallySpeakingMOM.com
    Donate with a credit card HERE
    All donations will be used for the ministry. Gifts are not tax deductible.
    THANK YOU for partnering in this ministry to strengthen families and encourage intentional moms.
    "May the Words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, oh Lord, my Roc...

    • 19 min
    208 Sibling Strife - Help for the Pestering Child & the Tattle Tale

    208 Sibling Strife - Help for the Pestering Child & the Tattle Tale

    If you have multiple children at your house, you probably have experienced one sibling intentionally irritating another sibling, maybe pestering them, causing them unhappiness on purpose, possibly even bullying. What do we do about this? We're going to talk about it today in episode 208, right here on the Practically Speaking Mom Podcast. It's the place for intentional moms to build a strong family. I'm Val Harrison, your mom friend for the journey. 
    Ever felt overwhelmed when your kids come to you with stories of sibling irritations, and you're unsure of how to handle it? Buckle up, as we bring you an enlightening episode dedicated to handling sibling bullying and pestering. Find strategies to help the child who is doing the pestering, and strategies to help the one who is being pestered. Get to the heart of these sibling dynamics, helping you decode the stories your kids bring to you, without labeling them as tattlers.
    Our exploration doesn't stop there; we tap into the five Rs - reflection, regret, repentance, refinement, and restoration for your CHILD, powerful tools to help your children understand their actions toward their siblings. We put the spotlight on the kids who might be causing disharmony, identifying the root cause of their behavior to channel their energy positively and build better habits.

    Prepare for a power-packed journey of building stronger families.
    Support the showVisit Val's website: PracticallySpeakingMOM.com
    Join Val's Facebook Group Intentional Mom, Strong Family
    Follow Val on Instagram and her Facebook Public Page Practically Speaking MOM

    To give a set amount each month click here. A few dollars a month would help so much!
    Here's some other ways to give:
    Cash App: $valPSM
    Paypal: val@PracticallySpeakingMOM.com
    Donate with a credit card HERE
    All donations will be used for the ministry. Gifts are not tax deductible.
    THANK YOU for partnering in this ministry to strengthen families and encourage intentional moms.
    "May the Words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, oh Lord, my Roc...

    • 23 min
    207 Let's Get Real w/ Tiff and Val, Habits to Thrive

    207 Let's Get Real w/ Tiff and Val, Habits to Thrive

    Ever wondered how to balance an organized home while raising kids? That's what we're chatting about this week with the delightful Tiffany Deschner, a mom of four who shares some helpful nuggets of wisdom with us about joy in the midst of housekeeping and enjoying quality time with her kids. "Let's Get Real w/ Tiff and Val" is an occasional series, this time it overlaps with our ongoing theme of Habits to Thrive - where everyday intentional moms share their habits to thrive with our listeners.

    In episode 207, we talk about the challenges of fostering productivity in our everyday life. Tiffany shares with us about 'blessing her future self' and her clever way of anchoring new habits into existing routines. She even lets us in on her strategy of using time tracking to handle her tasks efficiently. Sprinkled in this rich conversation is a thought-provoking discourse on the impact of social media on our lives, along with Tiffany's recommendation of Wendy Speake's 40-day social media fast for reclaiming control.

    Hear how Tiffany motivates her daughters to take ownership of their spaces and how her husband's organized nature serves as the perfect foil to her spontaneous spirit - a balance that keeps their home in harmony. Tune in and let's journey together.

    Want to hear more from Let's Get Real with Val & Tiff?  Listen to episodes 70, 71, 73.
    Want to hear more from the HABITS TO THRIVE series? Listen to episodes 192, 172.
    Support the showVisit Val's website: PracticallySpeakingMOM.com
    Join Val's Facebook Group Intentional Mom, Strong Family
    Follow Val on Instagram and her Facebook Public Page Practically Speaking MOM

    To give a set amount each month click here. A few dollars a month would help so much!
    Here's some other ways to give:
    Cash App: $valPSM
    Paypal: val@PracticallySpeakingMOM.com
    Donate with a credit card HERE
    All donations will be used for the ministry. Gifts are not tax deductible.
    THANK YOU for partnering in this ministry to strengthen families and encourage intentional moms.
    "May the Words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, oh Lord, my Roc...

    • 38 min
    206 "Don't Be Late!" Facing Weaknesses & Finding Strengths in Our Kids

    206 "Don't Be Late!" Facing Weaknesses & Finding Strengths in Our Kids

    Have you ever felt that sinking feeling when your child's weakness continues to cause issues for your child or for the family? I understand and have been there too! Take heart, mom friend, as those weaknesses may be important guides to our child's strengths. Yet, we still have to manage and finetune the weak spots. How do we do this all at the same time and in a way that doesn't squash your child's gifts?! We can do this TOGETHER! We can manage our child's weaknesses without trying to change their unique personalities. I'm Val Harrison, the Practically Speaking Mom, and I'll be sharing some of the strategies I've discovered, and I'm also going to share an embarrassing family memory in hopes that it helps you see that yours isn't the only imperfect family.  We are all beautifully flawed and, well, we might as well laugh about the mishaps! More so, I discuss how the habits we help our kids form today will shape their lives tomorrow and why a child's weaknesses can actually be a roadmap to their strengths.
    Together, let's explore the importance of identifying and managing our children's weaknesses in a way that allows their strength to emerge! 
    Support the showVisit Val's website: PracticallySpeakingMOM.com
    Join Val's Facebook Group Intentional Mom, Strong Family
    Follow Val on Instagram and her Facebook Public Page Practically Speaking MOM

    To give a set amount each month click here. A few dollars a month would help so much!
    Here's some other ways to give:
    Cash App: $valPSM
    Paypal: val@PracticallySpeakingMOM.com
    Donate with a credit card HERE
    All donations will be used for the ministry. Gifts are not tax deductible.
    THANK YOU for partnering in this ministry to strengthen families and encourage intentional moms.
    "May the Words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, oh Lord, my Roc...

    • 13 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
28 Ratings

28 Ratings

Melissa Mom Life By Design ,

Incredible wisdom for moms!

Val not only encourages us in the everyday trenches of motherhood, but provides us with actionable tools to be more intentional in our every day.

234634579 ,

What an encouraging Mom podcast!

Thank you Val for taking your time to share your life and family and teach other moms how to love God and our families well! I always appreciate your transparency and your wisdom! You have truly helped encourage me through different stages of parenting!

Crystal Freie ,

Great insights and helpful information

This podcast is a wealth of rich information that can be practically applied to your family life. I’ve especially enjoyed the Uniquely United 2.0 personality combo episodes and the way the information is presented to help families grow together.

Top Podcasts In Kids & Family

Good Inside with Dr. Becky
Dr. Becky Kennedy
Greeking Out from National Geographic Kids
National Geographic Kids
Circle Round
WBUR
Wow in the World
Tinkercast | Wondery
Story Pirates
Story Pirates
Stories Podcast: A Bedtime Show for Kids of All Ages
Starglow Media / Wondery

You Might Also Like

Focus on Parenting Podcast
Focus on the Family
Focus on the Family Broadcast
Focus on the Family
Parenting Today's Teens
Mark Gregston and Christian Parenting
Focus on Marriage Podcast
Focus on the Family
Minimal-ish: Minimalism, Intentional Living, Motherhood
Cloud10
The Mother Like a Boss Podcast
Kendra Hennessy