Through vulnerable storytelling about near-drowning experiences and parenting struggles, Jennifer reveals that courage isn't about being fearless—it's about having strength in the face of difficulty. She shares how moving from controlling, fear-based parenting to compassionate parenting required tremendous courage, and how you can take your own courageous steps forward.
This episode is for every mama who feels like she's drowning, who's afraid of making the wrong choice, or who's carrying the full mental load alone. You'll learn the three things that make motherhood harder and the three courageous actions you can take today.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Welcome to Episode 102: Finding Courage in Motherhood
00:05 - Introduction: Courage, Confidence, and Calling
01:30 - Guided Breathing Exercise: Finding Calm
03:00 - The Beach Story: A Childhood Fear of the Ocean
06:00 - Fast Forward: Saving My Son from the Waves
08:00 - The Lesson: Until You Stand Up, Everything Feels Like Drowning
09:30 - What Is Courage? Strength in the Face of Difficulty
10:00 - Three Things That Make Motherhood Harder
11:00 - #1: Fear of the Unknown Isolates Us
12:00 - #2: Chasing the "Right Way" to Parent Frustrates Us
13:00 - #3: Doing Everything Yourself Is Debilitating
14:00 - Three Courageous Actions You Can Take
15:00 - Action #1: Make Changes & Step Out in Faith
16:30 - Action #2: Accept Grace & Let Go of Control
18:00 - Moving Away from Fear-Based, Authoritative Parenting
19:30 - My Journey: From Spanking and Yelling to Compassionate Parenting
21:00 - What Comes First: Courage or Confidence?
22:30 - Action #3: Ask for Help—You Can't Do This Alone
24:00 - "I Can't Do This" Has Two Meanings
25:30 - Guilt vs. Shame: You Made a Mistake, You're Not a Mistake
26:30 - Practical Ways to Show Courage in Motherhood
28:00 - Courage with Kids: Apologizing, Setting Boundaries, and More
29:30 - Final Encouragement: You Are Learning to Swim
31:00 - Join the Enough Mom Community & Closing
KEY TAKEAWAYS
✨ Courage = strength in the face of difficulty, not the absence of fear
✨ Until you stand up, everything will feel like you're drowning
✨ Three things that make motherhood harder: isolation from fear, chasing the "right way," and doing it all alone
✨ You have enough for the journey you're on TODAY
✨ Courage comes before confidence—doing hard things builds our belief in ourselves
✨ We cannot guide our children through journeys we haven't taken ourselves
✨ "I can't do this" can mean defeat OR an admission that you need support
✨ Guilt says "I made a mistake" / Shame says "I am a mistake" - you are NOT a mistake
✨ It takes courage to admit what you don't know
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
Jennifer's Powerful Ocean Metaphors
"Until you stand up, until you are lifted out of the water, everything will feel like you're drowning. Until you decide to make certain changes and overcome or learn or get a different perspective on the struggles that you're facing, everything will feel like the waves are crashing over you."
On Parenting Transformation
"The spirits of my children are more precious than my need for them to do the thing I need them to do right now."
On Building Courage
"We cannot guide our children through journeys that we have not taken ourselves... but our kids will learn from us—from our mistakes as much as our actual lessons."
ABOUT THE HOST
Jennifer Bryant is an educational leader, having worked in every sector of school from public to private to homeschool. She is a California girl living in Hawaii, homeschool mama to teenagers, and recovering perfectionist. As an ADHD mom and former authoritative parent turned compassionate parent, she brings raw honesty and deep insight to conversations about maternal mental health. Jennifer is passionate about helping mothers find courage, build confidence, and walk boldly in their calling.
RESOURCES & LINKS
Instagram: @jennifer_bryant_
Facebook: Jennifer Bryant
X (Twitter): @jennifer_bryant_
Website: jenniferbryant.com
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*Disclaimer: Jennifer Bryant is not a licensed professional counselor. The content shared on this podcast is based on personal experience and educational research. All medical and scientific information is credited to appropriate sources. For professional mental health support, please consult a licensed therapist or counselor.*
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