Pardon the Mess with Scarlet Hiltibidal - Christian Motherhood, Biblical Parenting, Raising Christian Kids

In this episode, Scarlet Hiltibidal dives deep into the unique challenges and joys of raising quieter children. As a mother of four, she reflects on her own experiences and the nuances of loving a child who may not express themselves as openly as others.
Scarlet shares her thoughts on the struggles of parenting a child who is more internal and reserved. She opens up about her desire to connect with her quieter daughter, emphasizing the importance of understanding their unique personalities.
"I love her so much. And I don't want to change her, but I want to know her and I want to be close to her... What does it look like for me to love her well with how [God] made her?"
Scarlet identifies the contrast between her own expressive nature and her daughter's quiet disposition, leading her to question how she can best support her.
Special thanks to Scarlet’s internal, former quiet kid Aubrey Fuhrman, who shares her journey growing up as the more reserved sibling, shedding light on the internal struggles that often go unnoticed.
Both Scarlet and Aubrey discuss practical ways to foster connection with quieter children, including the importance of patience, listening, and creating safe spaces for them to express themselves. Their shared experiences highlight the value of embracing differences in personality and understanding that each child requires a tailored approach to love and support.
As you navigate parenting, consider the unique traits of your quieter children and how you can celebrate their individuality while forging a deeper bond.

Scripture Focus:
Psalm 139:13-16

Connect with Scarlet
If this episode encouraged you, would you take a minute to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another mom who's trying to faithfully point her kids to Jesus. You can connect with Scarlet on Instagram and find her books, Bible studies, and more encouragement at scarlethiltibidal.com
Scarlet’s Instagram
Scarlet’s Facebook

Connect with Pardon The Mess:
Christian Parenting Website
Christian Parenting Instagram
Prefer video? This episode is on YouTube!

Resources:
Loaded Questions Junior
Christmas Gift guide
The Adventure Bible
Beyond Fit
Sign up for Morning Minute
Get your copy of our latest prayer journal and join Scarlet each Monday to listen to guided prayer and reflection that follows the journal: Faith in Action: Prayers from James for the Next Generation

Pardon The Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Avocado Green Mattress and use my code AvocadoGreenMattress.com/MESS for a great deal: https://www.avocadogreenmattress.com

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My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. (James 1:19–20)
This week, let’s pray that our kids:
• Become people who listen well—first to God’s Word, and then to the people around them.
• Grow in patience, humility, and wisdom as they learn to respond more like Jesus.
This episode continues our series through Christian Parenting's Faith in Action: Prayers from James for the Next Generation, a 38-week prayer journal to help you pray intentionally for your kids all school year long. Grab your own printed copy here, and join us every Monday through the end of May for guided prayer and reflection.

Pardon the Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Avocado Green Mattress and use my code AvocadoGreenMattress.com/MESS for a great deal: https://www.avocadogreenmattress.com

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Scarlet Hiltibidal shares her personal journey of dealing with sadness and how her faith helped her find hope and healing. She discusses practical ways for moms to handle their emotions while raising happy kids, even when their hearts feel heavy.
In this episode, you’ll hear about dealing with sadness and emotional struggles as a mom, the importance of bringing feelings to God through prayer, how biblical figures like David model emotional honesty, balancing genuine sadness with joyful parenting, the significance of community and Scripture in healing, and practical steps for moms to process grief and joy.

Scripture Focus:
Psalm 34:17-18
Romans 12:9-15

Connect with Scarlet
If this episode encouraged you, would you take a minute to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another mom who's trying to faithfully point her kids to Jesus. You can connect with Scarlet on Instagram and find her books, Bible studies, and more encouragement at scarlethiltibidal.com
Scarlet’s Instagram
Scarlet’s Facebook

Connect with Pardon The Mess:
Christian Parenting Website
Christian Parenting Instagram
Prefer video? This episode is on YouTube!

Resources:
Christmas Gift guide
Beyond Fit
Operation Christmas Child
WinShape Camps Carpool Conversations Podcast
Sign up for Morning Minute
Get your copy of our latest prayer journal and join Scarlet each Monday to listen to guided prayer and reflection that follows the journal: Faith in Action: Prayers from James for the Next Generation

Pardon The Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Avocado Green Mattress and use my code AvocadoGreenMattress.com/MESS for a great deal: https://www.avocadogreenmattress.com

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. (James 1:16–18)
This week, let’s pray that our kids:
• See God’s goodness everywhere in their life.
• Respond to God and his goodness with thankfulness and humility.
This episode continues our series through Christian Parenting's Faith in Action: Prayers from James for the Next Generation, a 38-week prayer journal to help you pray intentionally for your kids all school year long. Grab your own printed copy here, and join us every Monday through the end of May for guided prayer and reflection.

Pardon the Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Avocado Green Mattress and use my code AvocadoGreenMattress.com/MESS for a great deal: https://www.avocadogreenmattress.com

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Parenting little kids can feel like an endless cycle of correction. You’re saying “no,” breaking up fights, reminding, redirecting, and wondering if you’re doing any of it right.
In this episode, Scarlet Hiltibidal talks about the exhaustion of feeling like the “bad cop” and the temptation to believe that if we just parent well enough, we can make our kids patient, kind, self-controlled, and spiritually mature. But the fruit of the Spirit isn’t something we can manufacture in our children. It’s the work of God in them over time.
Special thanks to Jacie Laweson, who joined Scarlet in this week’s Messy Mom Moment, talking about the realities of parenting littles and how impactful finding a mentor mom has been!
If you’re in the thick of little kid chaos and wondering, Does this ever end? This episode is for you. You will not always feel this way.
Scripture Focus:
Galatians 2:22-23

Connect with Scarlet
If this episode encouraged you, would you take a minute to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another mom who's trying to faithfully point her kids to Jesus. You can connect with Scarlet on Instagram and find her books, Bible studies, and more encouragement at scarlethiltibidal.com
Scarlet’s Instagram
Scarlet’s Facebook

Connect with Pardon The Mess:
Christian Parenting Website
Christian Parenting Instagram
Prefer video? This episode is on YouTube!

Resources:
Christmas Gift guide
Operation Christmas Child
NiRV Question & Answer Bible for Kids
WinShape Camps Carpool Conversations Podcast
Sign up for Morning Minute

Get your copy of our latest prayer journal and join Scarlet each Monday to listen to guided prayer and reflection that follows the journal!
Faith in Action: Prayers from James for the Next Generation

Pardon The Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Avocado Green Mattress and use my code AvocadoGreenMattress.com/MESS for a great deal: https://www.avocadogreenmattress.com

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy