Help, I'm Ruining My Kids - A Gospel Guide with Abbey Wedgeworth

May 18, 2026
00:00 39:22
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How can you pursue change as a mom without being crushed by guilt or shame?

Abbey Wedgeworth brings a needed message: We don't need more willpower. We need the power of the Gospel.

Sharing from her book, Help, I'm Ruining My Kids, Abbey talks about her own experience with poor postpartum mental health, the pull between shame and blame, and why our weakness is not the enemy we think it is. If you've ever felt like you're failing your kids, this conversation will point you to the real hope in Jesus. On today's episode, we're talking honestly about:

4:06 The "pendulum from shame to blame" — and what the Gospel offers instead

9:03 "We hate our weakness and tolerate our sin" — the powerful flip we need

10:20 Equating competence with righteousness — and learning to choose kindness over capability

19:00 Abbey opens up about postpartum suicidal ideations and how the Gospel gave her courage to get help

23:08 Running for the joy set before us — how a fitness competition became a spiritual metaphor

29:33 What your kids actually need isn't a mom who stops yelling — it's a mom who hungers for righteousness

37:39 The "3 to 5 method" for getting into scripture even in your most exhausted seasons (you'll love this)

Learn more about Abbey Wedgeworth and her book, Help I'm Ruining My Kids https://www.abbeywedgeworth.com/

Connect with Abbey on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/abbeywedgeworth/

More Resources from Arlene Pellicane:

SUBSCRIBE to Arlene's newsletter "What I'm Learning This Week" and get the checklist, 7 Warning Signs of Screen Overuse.

Check out Arlene's BOOKS including Parents Rising, Screen Kids, and Making Marriage Easier.

Follow Arlene on Instagram and/or Facebook

Go to Arlene's YouTube Channel

How did Arlene's kids adapt to not having phones, video games or social media? Watch the free video, Screen Kids: In Their Own Words.

Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Want to invite Arlene to speak to your group? Email speaking@arlenepellicane.com

Not sure about a smartphone for your child? Check out the Gabb Wireless phone for kids and teens (use the promo code ARLENE)

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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Meet Your Host
Arlene Pellicane is a speaker, host of the Happy Home Podcast, and author of several books including Parents Rising, Making Marriage Easier and Screen Kids.

Arlene has been featured on the Today Show, Fox & Friends, the Wall Street Journal, FamilyLife Today, Focus on the Family, and is the spokesperson for National Marriage Week. Arlene and her husband James have three children and live in San Diego. They have raised their kids without social media, video games and smartphones and inspire others to scroll less and live more. To learn more, visit her website at ArlenePellicane.com.
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