034 Choose Your Own Adventure: Parenting After Mormonism
“There’s no way to be a perfect [parent] and a million ways to be a good one.”
Parenting is often an exercise in contradictions. At times it can feel like the most rewarding, positive experience you can imagine, and at other times you may seriously find yourself questioning how you got yourself into this mess. Parenting while Mormon can add additional layers of complexity: mothers and fathers may struggle with fulfilling their “divinely appointed” roles, their instincts may be at odds with church guidance, and so forth. At the same time, the pathway provided by the church may feel comfortable and secure; the steps are laid out in front of you, ready for you to follow. So what do you do when you no longer travel down that path? How do you raise children outside of this familiar framework?
In this episode, Donna sits down with our guest Cher Anderton, MSW, LSWAIC, to dive into what it’s like parenting after Mormonism. They share some of their own experiences raising children both before and after their transitions away from Mormonism, discuss navigating relationships with family and friends while setting appropriate boundaries, and provide suggestions on how to build your parenting skill set. Cher also answers some listener questions around values, mixed faith parenting, and more.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Cher’s website: https://www.cheranderton.com
Books
Positive Discipline: The Classic Guide to Helping Children Develop Self-Discipline, Responsibility, Cooperation, and Problem-Solving Skills by Jane Nelson, Ed. D.
Out of Control: Why Disciplining Your Child Doesn’t Work and What Will by Dr. Shefali Tsabary
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