Tired Parents Podcast

Finding God's Peace in Summer Stress and Schedule Changes

Summer break is here—and for many parents, that means stress, schedule changes, exhaustion, and anxiety about how to manage it all. In this episode of the Tired Parents Podcast, Dani and Craig Kinchen talk honestly about the emotional transition from the school year into summer parenting. Together, they explore: Why summer schedule changes overwhelm parents The hidden anxiety many moms and dads experience this time of year How gratitude and thanksgiving can shift your mindset Biblical encouragement from Philippians 4 and 1 Chronicles 16 Finding peace and rest in God during chaotic parenting seasons Encouragement for parents with toddlers, preschoolers, and young kids If you’re feeling tired, overwhelmed, or nervous about summer break, this episode will remind you that you are not alone—and that God’s steadfast love remains the same in every season. Plus: Dani shares details about the new "Summer of Lights" devotional for parents and families. FREE Summer of Lights Calendar Devotional for Parents: https://tiredbutcalled.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-Summer-of-Lights-Calendar-Devotional-Parent-Devotional.pdf [https://tiredbutcalled.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-Summer-of-Lights-Calendar-Devotional-Parent-Devotional.pdf] FREE Summer of Lights Calendar Devotional for Preschool Families: https://tiredbutcalled.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-Summer-of-Lights-Calendar-Devotional-Preschool-Family-Devotional.pdf [https://tiredbutcalled.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-Summer-of-Lights-Calendar-Devotional-Preschool-Family-Devotional.pdf] FREE Summer of Lights Calendar Devotional (Combined): https://tiredbutcalled.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-Summer-of-Lights-Calendar-Devotional-Combined.pdf [https://tiredbutcalled.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-Summer-of-Lights-Calendar-Devotional-Combined.pdf] Bright Horizons Survey: https://investors.brighthorizons.com/news-releases/news-release-details/working-parents-lose-sleep-over-summer-break-child-care-planning [https://investors.brighthorizons.com/news-releases/news-release-details/working-parents-lose-sleep-over-summer-break-child-care-planning] Talker Research Survey: https://talkerresearch.com/why-parents-dread-this-time-of-year-the-most/ [https://talkerresearch.com/why-parents-dread-this-time-of-year-the-most/] Sign up for our FREE Tired Parents Newsletter! https://tiredbutcalled.org/newsletter/ [https://tiredbutcalled.org/newsletter/] YouTube/Insta: @tiredparentsministry Website: tiredbutcalled.org [http://tiredbutcalled.org] Chapters: 00:00 Today's Topic on Thanksgiving and Special Guest Introduction 01:33 Free Parents and Families Summer Devotional Announcement 03:17 Data on Stress in Family Vacations 06:00 God's Word on Thanksgiving During Stressful Transitions 09:36 Practical Examples of Thanksgiving as Stress Reliever About the Tired Parents Podcast Hello! My name is Dani Kinchen. I’m a wife, mother of three, practicing attorney, and family ministry leader. Above all, I’m an adopted child of God. The purpose of the Tired Parents Ministry is to help parents find rest in God's Word. Each week, I’ll cover the data on a topic real parents are losing sleep over and explore how God offers us rest in that area. #TiredParents #ParentalBurnout #ChristianParenting #FaithAndFamily #MomLife #ParentingSupport #BiblicalEncouragement #rest

Need to Recharge? A Simpler Alternative to Family Trips

Think your next family vacation will finally give you the rest you need … only to come home more exhausted than before? You’re not alone—and this episode is for you. In today’s conversation, Dani Kinchen dives into a powerful (and surprisingly simple) alternative to the “vacation will fix everything” mindset. Discover how to build meaningful moments of mental, physical, and spiritual rest right into your everyday routine—no plane tickets required. Backed by research and grounded in biblical truth, this episode explores why so many parents feel drained even after time away—and how God offers a better, more accessible path to renewal through daily rhythms and reflection. NYU Family Travel Survey: https://www.sps.nyu.edu/about/news-and-ideas/articles/press-releases/2025/2025-family-travel-survey-highlights-rise-of-kidfluence.html [https://www.sps.nyu.edu/about/news-and-ideas/articles/press-releases/2025/2025-family-travel-survey-highlights-rise-of-kidfluence.html] Talker Research Survey: https://talkerresearch.com/how-long-do-you-need-to-recover-from-a-family-vacation/ [https://talkerresearch.com/how-long-do-you-need-to-recover-from-a-family-vacation/] Civic Science Article on Travel Planning: https://civicscience.com/as-vacation-season-heats-up-many-americans-are-feeling-stressed-over-travel-planning/ [https://civicscience.com/as-vacation-season-heats-up-many-americans-are-feeling-stressed-over-travel-planning/] Sign up for our FREE Tired Parents Newsletter! https://tiredbutcalled.org/newsletter/ [https://tiredbutcalled.org/newsletter/] YouTube/Insta: @tiredparentsministry Website: tiredbutcalled.org [http://tiredbutcalled.org] Chapters: 00:00 Today's Topic on Mental Breaks and Introduction 01:20 Data on Stress in Family Vacations 02:37 God's Word on Mental and Spiritual Breaks in God's Creation 05:56 Practical Examples of Regular Breaks through Meditation on Nature

Tired Parents, Say Yes to Help: A Biblical Path Out of Burnout

Running on empty? In this episode of The Tired Parents Podcast, Dani Kinchen dives into the hidden cost of doing it all alone—and why learning to accept help could be the key to overcoming parental burnout. Discover eye-opening data on how individualism fuels exhaustion in modern parenting, plus powerful biblical encouragement showing that God never intended for you to carry everything on your own. Through the story of Naomi and Ruth, you’ll see how saying “yes” to help can lead to healing, provision, and renewed hope. If you’ve ever struggled to ask for help, felt like accepting support means failure, or are navigating a hard season of parenting, this episode will meet you right where you are. You can read the article behind this episode here: https://tiredbutcalled.org/2026/04/17/tired-parents-say-yes-to-help-a-biblical-path-out-of-burnout/ [https://tiredbutcalled.org/2026/04/17/tired-parents-say-yes-to-help-a-biblical-path-out-of-burnout/] FREE Tired Parents Newsletter Signup: https://tiredbutcalled.org/newsletter/ [https://tiredbutcalled.org/newsletter/] YouTube/Insta: @tiredparentsministry Website: tiredbutcalled.org [http://tiredbutcalled.org] Chapters: 00:00 Today's Topic on Accepting Help and Introduction 01:15 Data on the Connection Between Individualism and Parental Burnout 04:47 God's Word on Asking for and Accepting Help 11:50 Practical Examples of Saying Yes to Help in Parenthood About the Tired Parents Podcast Hello! My name is Dani Kinchen. I’m a wife, mother of three, practicing attorney, and family ministry leader. Above all, I’m an adopted child of God. The purpose of the Tired Parents Ministry is to help parents find rest in God's Word. Each week, I’ll cover the data on a topic real parents are losing sleep over and explore how God offers us rest in that area. #TiredParents #ParentalBurnout #ChristianParenting #FaithAndFamily #MomLife #ParentingSupport #BiblicalEncouragement

Feeling Drained? How Comparison Misdirects Our Energy as Parents

Do you ever scroll social media and suddenly feel like you’re failing as a parent? You’re not alone. In this honest and faith-filled episode of the Tired Parents Podcast, Dani Kinchen dives into the exhausting cycle of comparing ourselves to other parents. If you’ve ever thought “I should be doing more” or “Why can’t I keep up?”, this episode is for you. Through scriptures like Romans 8:6, Ecclesiastes 6:9, and Jeremiah 29:11, you’ll be reminded that God has a specific, intentional plan for your family—and it doesn’t require you to keep up with anyone else. Plus, don’t miss a special Easter reflection resource designed just for tired parents—linked in the show notes! You can read the article behind this episode here: https://tiredbutcalled.org/2026/04/03/feeling-drained-how-comparison-misdirects-our-energy-as-parents/ [https://tiredbutcalled.org/2026/04/03/feeling-drained-how-comparison-misdirects-our-energy-as-parents/] FREE Easter Devotional for Parents: https://tiredbutcalled.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Easter-Devotional-Printout-2.pdf [https://tiredbutcalled.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Easter-Devotional-Printout-2.pdf] Monthly Tired Parents Newsletter Signup: https://tiredbutcalled.org/newsletter/ [https://tiredbutcalled.org/newsletter/] YouTube/Insta: @tiredparentsministry Website: tiredbutcalled.org [http://tiredbutcalled.org] Chapters: 00:00 Today's Topic on Comparison and Introduction 01:25 Announcement for New Free Easter Christian Parenting Resources 02:12 Energy Parents Use on Comparison 02:59 God's Word on Discipline with Christ in Mind 06:30 Practical Examples of Sticking to God's Plan in World of Comparison About the Tired Parents Podcast Hello! My name is Dani Kinchen. I’m a wife, mother of three, practicing attorney, and family ministry leader. Above all, I’m an adopted child of God. The purpose of the Tired Parents Ministry is to help parents find rest in God's Word. Each week, I’ll cover the data on a topic real parents are losing sleep over and explore how God offers us rest in that area.

When Nothing is Working: How Prayer Brings Strength When You Have None Left

Feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and out of solutions as a parent? You’re not alone. In this encouraging episode of the Tired Parents Podcast, we explore how prayer becomes a powerful tool for rest, strength, and real change—especially when you’ve reached the end of your energy. If you’re stuck in a cycle of overthinking, decision fatigue, or trying to “fix everything” for your family, this episode offers a refreshing perspective rooted in Scripture. Discover why prayer isn’t passive—it’s active problem-solving, and how God is still working even when you feel completely worn out. You can read the article behind this episode here: https://tiredbutcalled.org/2026/03/20/when-nothing-is-working-how-prayer-brings-strength-when-you-have-none-left/ [https://tiredbutcalled.org/2026/03/20/when-nothing-is-working-how-prayer-brings-strength-when-you-have-none-left/] Sign Up for our Monthly Tired Parents Newsletter! https://tiredbutcalled.org/newsletter/ [https://tiredbutcalled.org/newsletter/] FREE Daily Parent Prayer Calendar: https://tiredbutcalled.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/parent_prayer_calendar-1.pdf [https://tiredbutcalled.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/parent_prayer_calendar-1.pdf] FREE Minimalist Fathers Scripture Posters: https://tiredbutcalled.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/fathers-minimalist-scripture-posters_revised.pdf [https://tiredbutcalled.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/fathers-minimalist-scripture-posters_revised.pdf] FREE Parent Prayer Calendar: https://danikinchen.wordpress.com/parent-prayer-calendar/ [https://danikinchen.wordpress.com/parent-prayer-calendar/] YouTube/Instagram: @tiredparentsministry Website: tiredbutcalled.org [http://tiredbutcalled.org] Chapters: 00:00 Today's Topic on Prayer and Introduction 01:10 Two Factors That Make Parenthood Challenging and Rewarding 02:49 Prayer to God Is Taking Action and Problem-Solving 07:32 How God Can Take Into Account Our Prayers in His Plan 13:08 Reach Out to Tired Parents Podcast! About the Tired Parents Podcast Hello! My name is Dani Kinchen. I’m a wife, mother of three, practicing attorney, and family ministry leader. Above all, I’m an adopted child of God. The purpose of the Tired Parents Ministry is to help parents find rest in God's Word. Each week, I’ll cover the data on a topic real parents are losing sleep over and explore how God offers us rest in that area.