When our children hurt (emotionally or physically), we simply hurt. One of the hardest jobs as a parent is to discern when to step in and when to let them live through hard seasons. I am so thrilled to introduce you to my very own therapist, Dr. Cassie Reid.  Cassie has counseled me and my own children through many seasons. It’s taken me years to find a good fit and I am beyond thankful for her wisdom and direction for our family. It is not always clear if our kids are just being kids - or if they are really struggling internally.  Listen in as Cassie and I chat about the challenges that come our way as parents. She shares many practical recommendations for us parents.  My favorite part is when she talks about the expectations we have for our kids. She challenges us to look inward and really work on ourselves and our own healing journey. She shares how our unrealistic expectations can start to produce extra pressure and anxiety and how to look out for that scenario in our homes.  In this episode we chat about:  When to see a therapist or counselorWhy counseling is so important for families Two pieces of advice for parents that she wishes we all knew Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Personal Connection 01:36 Dr. Cassie Reed's Background and Passion 08:35 Recognizing the Need for Professional Help 10:06 Finding Affordable Therapy Options 12:55 The Impact of Parental Anxiety on Children 14:36 Setting Boundaries and Recognizing Age-Appropriate Behavior 22:26 Setting Boundaries and Creating Space for Children 23:49 Managing Expectations and Apologizing to Children 26:19 The Impact of Technology on Children's Mental Health 27:10 Navigating Issues of Gender and Sexual Preferences as Christian Parents 29:04 Dr. Cassie Reid's Work in Spiritual Abuse Prevention and Healing Connect with Pardon The Mess: Christian Parenting Pardon The Mess  Courtney DeFeo Resources from today’s show: CassieReid.com Cassie’s Instagram Church Rehab by Dr. Cassie Reid Come Home God’s Holy Spirit in Me kid’s devotional My Daddy’s Hero Our Sponsors: * Check out Seed and use my code 25MESS for a great deal: seed.com Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy