Now in the SHOP, eBooks for less than the price of a latte!

About
Books
Shop
Speaking
Counseling
Podcast
Archives
Contact

Growing Together in Grace

Newsletter

Let’s Connect

Receive Blog Posts via Email

Email Address

Stay Up To Date

Subscribe to the monthly newsletter

By subscribing to our newsletter, you consent to receive monthly emails and occasional promotional emails.

Yesterday someone reached out for a counseling ap

Yesterday someone reached out for a counseling appt for her child. Since I will be out next week and knew it was time-sensitive, I offered 5pm today. The mom responded, “Well, that’s Halloween!”

Of course🤦🏻‍♀️!

How could I forget! Oh yeah, I’m an empty nester! But still I was surprised, I loved Halloween costumes & festivities with my kids! I still do but just have no plans🙃

This blog post {temporarily linked in bio} I wrote when I still had kids at home, but teens who didn’t need me anymore on Halloween. That was a sad, lonely year. Maybe some of you feel that now.

As for us—I guess we’ll turn the lights out (bc I didn’t remember to buy candy either🤦🏻‍♀️), and scroll IG looking at cute pictures reminiscing of days gone by!

#emptynestermom #parentingteens #littlegriefs #halloween #halloweenwithkids #parenting #parentingtransitions

For those feeling afraid right now, may you find r

For those feeling afraid right now, may you find rest knowing the God of the universe who is in control of all things love you and your child, and he will not abandon you.

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” - 1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭7‬ ‭

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” - Deuteronomy‬ ‭31‬:‭8‬ ‭

#gospeltruth #godspromises #parentingfears #christianparenting

Yesterday in our Sunday school class we discussed

Yesterday in our Sunday school class we discussed the difference between law & gospel. In our worship service John 3 was preached when John the Baptist said, “He must increase, I must decrease.” Putting the two together—when we live striving to be enough, to earn favor and measure our performance on what we do we live as if we need to be Jesus. Rather, he declared “it is finished” so we could rest in his work & worth!

May we have the mind to see our law-living is self-salvation!

#gospel #grace

Spoke this morning at @therootedministry conferenc

Spoke this morning at @therootedministry conference to parents of teens on my 5 Ps of long-haul parenting. One of these explores how our parenting idols drive both our overparenting & underparenting and how each of these parenting styles contribute to the struggles of our emerging adult children.

As I often say—parenting starts with the heart of the parent AND our small, daily parenting decisions add up (both the positive & negative). I so want to help play it forward so parents of younger children more clearly see how the early years impact the teens years. Thus the reason for my book title—Parenting Ahead!

If you haven’t read the book find it on Amazon or with @newgrowthpress . If this speaking topic interests you for your church, school or other group, Ild love to hear from you through the speaking page on my website www.kristenhatton.com

And if you are a parent of teens, Rooted Ministry is my favorite go-to resource!! So many helpful articles, podcast episodes & curriculum all rooted in the gospel!

#christianspeaker #christusnauthor #christiancounselor #dallascounselor #rootedministry #parentingteens #parentinglittles #parentingahead #intentionalparenting #redemptiveparenting

Preparing to speak tomorrow at the @therootedminis

Preparing to speak tomorrow at the @therootedministry national conference here in Dallas. Drawing upon my book Parenting Ahead to help parents in the teen years. But above all what I want for parents, teens & families is to KNOW & REST UNDER GOD’S SMILE. He smiles at you not bc of your perfect performance but bc you’re covered in Christ’s work & worth for you! This is freeing! And if we relaxed into this I can only imagine how much less pressure and anxiety we would feel over everything. Same for our kids!!!

#redemptiveparenting #parentingahead #intentionalparenting #proactiveparenting #parenting #christianparenting #homeashaven #family #familyconnected #parentingteens #christianauthor #christiancounselor

🎉Big news here for me!🎉 Since obtaining my

🎉Big news here for me!🎉

Since obtaining my masters in counseling in Aug 2021 alongside writing & speaking I’ve been chipping away at the 3,000 counseling hours needed to be fully licensed. I completed the hours earlier this month & with the Texas board’s approval and certificate in hand I am now a full LPC!

In practice this doesn’t change much as I’ve now been seeing counseling clients since 2020 and am at a private practice in Dallas where I will remain. But for me it is a huge load lifted—no more tediously counting hours, keeping paperwork and weekly supervision meetings—which will hopefully enable me more time again for researching & writing on the side of seeing clients!

It was after all in part my writing/speaking that led me to want to become a LPC. I had found when speaking, especially after I wrote Face Time, that many parents were confiding in me about their struggles in parenting and life. But I was in an out-of-town city at an event and could offer up only a prayer and then I was gone. I realized then that as much as I love to travel to speak, I wanted to be able to walk with and help others in and through their journeys. As a pastors wife I had done lay counseling but knew I needed more professional equipping. There is more always to learn bc every person and every story is unique but I love how this degree and the experiences it brings me compliments my writing & speaking.

Whether you are new here or an old friend just wanted to share this news & a little of the backstory with you. Now I’m off to Round Top, Texas for a couple days to celebrate with friends🩷!

#christiancounselor #lpc #dallascounselor #magnoliacounselinggroupdallas #christianauthor #christisnspeaker #christianwriterofinstagram

Someone sharing her testimony at church last week

Someone sharing her testimony at church last week shared this verse and how God used it to sustain her during some real difficulties. Since hearing her speak this verse keeps popping in my head, and even in the counseling room it’s guided some conversations.

It’s amazing how what we think on influences our feelings—for better or worse. And there is something to taking notice of what we are thankful for each day, or as our family sometimes asked around the dinner table:

✨Where did you see God’s grace or glory today?✨

So I encourage today/this week—Rejoice. Pray. Give thanks! In this mindful remembering may you experience God’s grace in upholding you in whatever you face.

#1thessalonians5 #rejoice #praycontinually #givethanks #cbt #christiancounselor #gratitude #gratitudejournal #thanksliving #redemptiveparenting #redemptiveliving #thinkonthesethings #thankfulheart

May you stop striving in your own goodness & stren

May you stop striving in your own goodness & strength and rest in his perfection for you!

#gospel #justification #hisperfection #wheniamweak #theologymatters #redemptiveparenting

Have you ever wished you could get in someone’s

Have you ever wished you could get in someone’s suitcase and go along with them somewhere? Yeah, that’s me right now!

This weekend my husband is leading a men’s conference in Pennsylvania, which is where our daughter and son-in-law live so he is with them now. I so badly wish I could be there too! I last saw my daughter in August and won’t be with her again until Christmas. So I decided symbolically to just put myself in his suitcase to go along—kind of like Flat Stanley, you know?

Now here I am from late last night surprising my daughter!! Makes me laugh thinking about her laughing at this, and smile knowing my husband and she get this little time together!

Any creative, funny or fun ways you connect with & remind your kids (of any age) of your love?

#parentingahead #parentingyoungadults #emptynestermom

Subscribe to My Substack

Copyright © 2024 · anchored theme by Restored 316