Should We Dare to be a Different Kind of Family?
How many moms do you know that are completely overwhelmed by life? How many families do you know that never eat dinner together, never really take time to connect? Maybe it’s your family…maybe it’s mine too sometimes.
But what if we dared to be a different kind of family? What if we cleared everything from the calendar? What if we sat down with our spouse and made some major changes? Or what if we did some things that made our friends raise an eyebrow?
Let’s talk about this today and more. In episode 39 of the podcast, I want to talk about setting some priorities–family priorities that set the precedent for everything else we decided upon–activities, vacations, meal planning.
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The world is running at too fast of a speed. We can’t slow it down, but we can slow our own pace and run our own race. Let’s talk about daring to be a different kind of family…the kind that might say NO to what everyone else is saying YES to. The different kind of family that might not join in the thing that everyone else is joining, just to preserve our time together.
Should we dare? Scroll on to listen in on the conversation…

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Should we dare to be a different kind of family? Breaking the Busyness Book List:
There are SO many books out there about breaking the pattern of busyness. The following is a list to give you ideas—NOT to suggest you read every one of them. The truth is, a lot of them probably say a lot of the same things! But this is simply a list of ideas for you. I have not read every title, but I’ll note the ones I have. The rest just come highly recommended from friends.
- Breaking Busy by Alli Worthington // I am currently reading this book right now and I like it a lot. She talks a lot about our own purpose and letting the rest go.
- Essentialism // This is a great book and really breaks down deciding what is absolutely essential in your life and planning around that.
- Unstuffed: Decluttering your Home, Mind and Soul by Ruth Soukup // This one talks a lot about how our THINGS can cause more busyness than they are worth.
- The Best Yes by Lisa TerKeurst // This book is all about making decisions based on your priorities.
- Simply Tuesday by Emily Freeman // Taking time to notice the little things in a too-busy world.
- Hands-Free Mama by Rachel Macy Stafford // I read this one years ago and it really puts phone distraction in perspective. I recommend it!
- Rhythms of Rest: Finding the Spirit of Sabbath in a Busy World by Shelly Miller // I realllly want to read this one! I’ve been convicted for months now of doing too much on Sundays. There totally should be one day a week that we just Sabbath!
- Rhythms of Renewal by Rebekah Lyons // This is a new book and it looks really great. Lots of examples and life-experience stories.
- Chasing Slow by Erin Loechner // I read this one on vacation earlier this year and it is really good. I love her stories and how she adds in practical application tips too.
This list could be much longer, but these are my top picks.
Episode 39: Different Kind of Family Timestamps:
- 5:01 – Intro
- 7:50 – What’s Your Family’s Priority? And what our top 3 priorities are…
- 24:44 – Currently List
Currently List
Every episode of the podcast includes a Currently List, something I’m reading or enjoying or looking forward to. Basically, anything bringing me joy that week. Here’s my currently list for episode 39:
- Drinking: Cavita Probiotic Drink – Lemon Cayenne
- Impressed By: Walmart <—— here’s a round-up of what I’ve been finding!
- Relieved About: Being finished with a bedroom project!
Listen in here:


I love this so much, Alicia. Running everywhere and being super busy really didn’t work for our family, so we had to make a big decision to have a very different kind of life, and it’s been so completely worth it! Thank you for sharing this ๐
If often feels like we are the only family bucking the family norm these days. Thank you for the reminder that we are not! I couldn’t agree more with your thoughts in this podcast! Thank you!