In this heartfelt and transparent episode, Kersha sits down with her soon-to-be 15-year-old daughter, Jacelyn, for an honest conversation about what intentionality in parenting truly means from a teenager's perspective. What begins as a mother-daughter chat quickly transforms into a masterclass on building trust, creating safe spaces for vulnerability, and raising kids who feel genuinely loved—not just managed. Jacelyn opens up about what makes her feel seen and valued, from car conversations and nail salon trips to hunting with dad and those "cheese sandwich" bear hugs during emotional moments. Kersha shares the behind-the-scenes work of parenting—learning to let go, encouraging unique parent-child bonds, and leading from the front by apologizing first. Together, they unpack the difference between lecturing and listening, the power of pressing in during hard seasons rather than pulling away, and why teenagers need a trusted adult they can be vulnerable with—whether that's a parent, mentor, or God Himself. 🔥 What You'll Learn The Love Language of Time: How one-on-one moments—whether it's dinner dates, gym sessions, or hunting trips—communicate "you matter" louder than any words. Listen, Don't Lecture: Jacelyn's candid plea to parents everywhere: "I'm not looking for a sermon. I just want you to listen to me." Why creating space without judgment builds the trust bond. The Cheese Sandwich Hug: A powerful parenting tool for emotional seasons—refusing to let kids isolate during struggles and instead pressing in with love (even when they resist). Letting Go to Let Grow: Kersha's journey of releasing the need to be part of every moment and encouraging unique father-daughter (and mother-daughter) connections. Raising Adults, Not Kids: The intentional decision to teach reflection, apologize first, and model grace so children learn to extend it to themselves and others. The Wind Metaphor: Jacelyn's beautiful explanation of faith—"God is like the wind. You can feel Him, but you can't see Him." Open Communication as a Lifeline: Why teenagers need to be honest with their trusted adults, and how parents can create realistic expectations that make home feel safe. 💬 Memorable Quotes Jacelyn: "It makes me feel loved, makes me feel like, oh, my parents actually care about me because I've seen people who their parents just shove them off into a corner." Kersha: "Sometimes as parents, we kind of just get caught up in the day and the days run us instead of us running the day." Jacelyn: "Just sitting in the car and having just deep, meaningful conversations just shows that you actually care what I'm thinking about and what I'm feeling." Kersha: "Listen. Listen to your children." Jacelyn: "Mom, I'm not looking for a lecture. I just want you to listen to me." Kersha: "God worked on my heart and said, no, let that be their thing and it's okay for them to have that thing." Kersha: "Sometimes as parents, we just want to be like, go to your room. I don't have the time or the intention to give your emotions right now." Kersha: "When your child is struggling through those seasons, press in and don't pull out." Kersha: "Be intentional with your children, be into the things that they're into and pull them into the things that you're into. And that builds a mutual respect and a mutual foundation." Jacelyn: "You need to be honest with your parents, and you need to be open with them because if you aren't, they will never know what you're going through." Kersha: "Parents can't help lead their children unless they know really honestly the depth of what they're going through." Jacelyn: "Find someone that you can be authentic with and don't feel that you'll be judged by." Jacelyn: "Even when you don't say anything, He hears your tears." Jacelyn: "God is like the wind. You can feel Him, but you can't see Him." Kersha: "We as parents, seek forgiveness. We apologize first. We set that example. We lead from the front." 🛑 Reflect + Apply: Questions to Ask Yourself Are you running your day, or is your day running you? When was the last time you had intentional, one-on-one time with each of your children? Do your kids feel like they can talk to you without getting a lecture? Are you listening to understand, or listening to correct? What unique "things" does each of your children have with you? What about with your spouse? Are you encouraging those bonds or trying to be part of everything? During your child's emotional seasons, are you pressing in or pulling away? What does "pressing in" practically look like in your home? Are you modeling the behavior you want to see? Do your children see you apologize first, extend grace, and laugh at your own mistakes? If you're a teenager listening: Who is your safe person? Have you opened up to someone you trust about what you're really going through? Are you creating realistic expectations that allow your children to feel safe and comfortable at home? 📖 Biblical Principles Focus This episode centers on the heart of parenting as discipleship and the power of intentional relationships: Principle of Intentional Investment (Deuteronomy 6:6-7): "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Everyday moments—car rides, dinners, gym sessions—become sacred opportunities to build trust and teach truth. Principle of Leading by Example (1 Corinthians 11:1): "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." Kersha's emphasis on apologizing first and modeling grace reflects Paul's call to lead from the front in humility. Principle of Safe Spaces (Proverbs 18:13, James 1:19): "To answer before listening—that is folly and shame." "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." The episode's core message—listen, don't lecture—is grounded in biblical wisdom about the power of truly hearing someone. Principle of God's Omnipresence (Psalm 139:1-4, Matthew 28:20): Jacelyn's reflection that "even when you don't say anything, He hears your tears" echoes the psalmist's assurance that God knows us intimately and is always present, even when we can't see Him. 🙌 Join the Movement If you're a parent feeling overwhelmed by the chaos of daily life, let this episode be your reminder that the dishes can wait, but the conversations can't. Intentionality doesn't require perfection—it requires presence. We challenge you this week to carve out one-on-one time with each of your children. Put down your phone, silence the lecture in your head, and just listen. Ask them what makes them feel loved. And if you're a teenager, take the brave step of opening up to someone you trust. Your story matters, your feelings are valid, and you are deeply loved. 💻 Visit https://crazyunbelievablefaith.com to sign up for behind-the-scenes content, submit a prayer request, and find links to other resources mentioned in today's show. 📩 Got questions or want to connect? Brian and Kersha would love to hear from you. 🎧 Subscribe, rate, and share this episode to help other parents and teens experience the same encouragement you just received. Crazy Unbelievable Faith: Because the life God calls you to isn't always easy, but it is always worth it.
In this heartfelt and transparent episode, Kersha sits down with her soon-to-be 15-year-old daughter, Jacelyn, for an honest conversation about what intentionality in parenting truly means from a teenager's perspective. What begins as a mother-daughter chat quickly transforms into a masterclass on building trust, creating safe spaces for vulnerability, and raising kids who feel genuinely loved—not just managed.
Jacelyn opens up about what makes her feel seen and valued, from car conversations and nail salon trips to hunting with dad and those "cheese sandwich" bear hugs during emotional moments. Kersha shares the behind-the-scenes work of parenting—learning to let go, encouraging unique parent-child bonds, and leading from the front by apologizing first. Together, they unpack the difference between lecturing and listening, the power of pressing in during hard seasons rather than pulling away, and why teenagers need a trusted adult they can be vulnerable with—whether that's a parent, mentor, or God Himself.
🔥 What You'll Learn
💬 Memorable Quotes
🛑 Reflect + Apply: Questions to Ask Yourself
📖 Biblical Principles Focus
This episode centers on the heart of parenting as discipleship and the power of intentional relationships:
🙌 Join the Movement
If you're a parent feeling overwhelmed by the chaos of daily life, let this episode be your reminder that the dishes can wait, but the conversations can't. Intentionality doesn't require perfection—it requires presence. We challenge you this week to carve out one-on-one time with each of your children. Put down your phone, silence the lecture in your head, and just listen. Ask them what makes them feel loved. And if you're a teenager, take the brave step of opening up to someone you trust. Your story matters, your feelings are valid, and you are deeply loved.
💻 Visit https://crazyunbelievablefaith.com to sign up for behind-the-scenes content, submit a prayer request, and find links to other resources mentioned in today's show.
📩 Got questions or want to connect? Brian and Kersha would love to hear from you.
🎧 Subscribe, rate, and share this episode to help other parents and teens experience the same encouragement you just received.
Crazy Unbelievable Faith: Because the life God calls you to isn't always easy, but it is always worth it.