Don’t Mix the Play-Doh: Motherhood, Memories & Letting Go
🎙️ DON’T MIX THE PLAY-DOH: MOTHERHOOD, MEMORIES & LETTING GO
A heartfelt conversation with Jacki Ascough.
What if the very chaos you’re trying to survive today becomes the thing you miss the most tomorrow?
In this heartfelt and deeply relatable episode of Living Fearlessly, Michelle sits down with new friend and fellow mama Jacki Ascough — a Texas native who spent over 30 years raising her family in Ireland before returning to the United States.
Together, they share an honest conversation about motherhood, memories, grief, family culture, launching children into adulthood, screen-time struggles, perfectionism, faith, and learning how to hold each season of life with open hands.
From mixed-up Play-Doh and overflowing laundry baskets to adult children returning home with guitars, grandbabies, and new memories to make, this episode is a beautiful reminder that love matters more than perfection, and that the little moments we rush through today often become the moments we treasure most later.
Michelle and Jacki reflect on:
* The bittersweet transition from raising children to launching them
* Why moms often cling to perfectionism and control
* Creating a home your children actually want to come back to
* The grief that comes when kids leave home - and the beauty that follows
* Raising children in a screen-saturated world
* The importance of apologizing to your children
* Letting go of shame and embracing growth
* Why discipline, warmth, faith, and fun all matter in family culture
* Learning to savor every season before it changes
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by motherhood, discouraged by your imperfections, or afraid you’re “getting it wrong,” this conversation will remind you that love covers far more than you think.
Because someday, you may just miss the noise, the mess, the socks on the floor… and even the mixed-up Play-Doh.
💬 KEY TAKEAWAYS:
* The seasons of family life change faster than we realize
* Your children won’t remember perfection - they’ll remember love
* A peaceful home is built through connection, not control
* It’s okay to apologize to your children and model humility
* Creating warm memories matters more than maintaining perfect order
* Social media and screens require intentional boundaries
* Grieving changing seasons is healthy and normal
* The goal is to create a home your children want to return to
* God can redeem every imperfect part of our parenting journey
* Living fearlessly means surrendering our children - and ourselves - to God
RESOURCES MENTIONED
* The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People [https://amzn.to/4u32hM4] by Stephen Covey
* Brené Brown [https://amzn.to/4f4YMkk] and her work on shame, vulnerability, and wholehearted living
* The Dialogue of Saint Catherine of Siena [https://amzn.to/4ds5bF1]
* Spirit Radio [https://www.spiritradio.ie/]
Some links in these show notes are affiliate links.This means a small commission may be earned at no extra cost to you.
💛 ABOUT JACKI
Radio Presenter/Consultant at Mother of Divine Grace School
Jacki met her husband, Tom, over a game of volleyball in Houston, Texas. Her “yes” to Tom that day led to her conversion to Catholicism, moving to Ireland, 27+ years of marriage, ten children, and (so far) six grandchildren. Jacki divides her time between teaching NFP (Natural Family Planning), presenting Saturday Magazine on Spirit Radio, and home-educating their children. She is also a private consultant supporting Irish families who are enrolled in Mother of Divine Grace School, a Catholic online Classical Curriculum. Jacki speaks publicly on Catholic issues, and has appeared on KTRK-TV Houston, RTÉ, Virgin Media, BBC, and various American, Irish and UK radio programs and podcasts.
You can find Jacki on Instagram at:
@jackilinn67 [https://www.instagram.com/jackilinn67/]
STAY CONNECTED WITH LIVING FEARLESSLY
🎧 New episodes released weekly.
➕ Subscribe, follow, and share with someone who needs encouragement.
✉️ Contact the Living Fearlessly Podcast at hello@livingfearlessly.us [hello@livingfearlessly.us].
