By Lizzie @ What Makes My Kid Cry Today
Real Life. Real Laughs. Real Jesus.
When people ask what I’ve been watching lately, I usually say “true crime” because… well, that’s the quickest answer. But the truth is, my media habits are a little more eclectic—and honestly, a lot more edifying than I give myself credit for.
Sure, there’s the occasional murder mystery that somehow feels less chaotic than a toddler tantrum in the church parking lot, but that’s not the whole story. Most days, I’m tuning into voices that feed my faith, ground my motherhood, and help me laugh at the mess.
🧂 What’s Playing in My Kitchen
Yes, I watch grocery hauls on YouTube like they’re episodes of a survival documentary. But in a world where feeding a family of seven on a budget feels like a spiritual discipline, these videos are actually a lifeline. I’ve picked up tips, meal ideas, and encouragement from other moms who are stretching their pantry and praying over their pots—just like me.
I also love watching people cook. There’s something peaceful about a well-sliced onion and a simmering skillet. It reminds me that even small acts—like feeding our kids again (and again)—can be holy when done with love and purpose.
🎧 Faith in My Ears
Podcasts are my quiet-time-with-laundry companions. Lately I’ve been leaning on:
Grace to You – John MacArthur’s steady biblical teaching keeps my heart anchored, especially when my schedule isn’t. Thru the Bible – It’s like walking through Scripture with a wise grandpa who won’t let you skip the hard parts. Wisdom for the Heart – A warm cup of theology that fits into the chaos of motherhood.
🏡 Homeschool Help That Doesn’t Overwhelm
For bite-sized encouragement and practical homeschool tips, I love Little by Little Homeschool. It’s short, simple, and solid—kind of like how I wish my kids would behave at the grocery store.
📘 On My Nightstand
Right now I’m reading I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist by Norman Geisler and Frank Turek. It’s stretching me, grounding me, and reminding me that this faith I’m passing down to my kids isn’t just comforting—it’s reasonable.
💬 What This All Really Means
I realized I’m not just a mom who listens to true crime while folding laundry. I’m a woman who watches how others steward their kitchens, who listens to the Word while driving to yet another practice, and who seeks laughter and truth in equal measure. Media can distract, yes—but it can also disciple. And I want what I consume to reflect who I’m becoming in Christ.
Look, I love a good quiet time with my Bible and coffee. But let’s be real—with five kids, “quiet time” usually means hiding in the pantry with my earbuds while someone inevitably finds me and asks if they can have a snack (WHILE I’M LITERALLY STANDING IN THE PANTRY).
So here’s what keeps me spiritually fed and mentally sane when life is beautifully chaotic:
🎧 Podcasts That Ground Me Spiritually
These are the voices I play when my brain is scrambled eggs and I need some solid truth in my earbuds:
Grace to You John MacArthur keeps me rooted in scripture when I’m being pulled in 72 directions (including the toddler literally hanging on my leg asking “but WHY can’t I eat Play-Doh?”). His teaching is bold, biblical, and steadying—like having a wise pastor speak directly into the chaos.
Thru the Bible This is my daily dose of calm and clarity. Verse by verse, line by line, while I’m folding the same load of laundry for the third time because someone used the clean clothes as a fort. It helps keep my heart anchored when everything else feels like it’s floating away.
Wisdom for the Heart Like a warm cup of theological coffee for my weary-mom soul. Perfect for those moments when I’m questioning if I’m completely failing at this whole parenting thing (spoiler: we all feel that way).
🏠 Homeschool Help I Actually Use
Because Pinterest perfection is not happening in this house:
Little by Little Homeschool Short. Simple. Solid. Grace-filled. She reminds me that education happens in the mess—even when my 8-year-old discovers that marker ink and little brother’s face make an excellent science experiment. No Pinterest pressure, just gentle encouragement that I don’t have to do it all perfectly.
📘 What I’m Reading (When My Eyes Can Stay Open Past 9 PM)
“I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist” by Norman Geisler & Frank Turek 👉 Get it here
This book is deep, bold, and wildly thought-provoking. It’s apologetics for moms who want solid answers to life’s big questions—and can occasionally stay awake past bedtime stories. (Still working on that second part.) Perfect for when your teenager starts asking the hard questions about faith, and you want answers that go deeper than “because the Bible says so.”
I may earn a small commission if you click and buy—at no extra cost to you!
🎥 What I’m Watching (During My 23 Minutes of Free Time)
True Crime Recaps on YouTube 🔗 Watch Here
I don’t watch many shows, but when I do—it’s true crime while I’m doing dishes or folding Mount Washmore. Their storytelling is sharp, quick, and perfectly matches my attention span (which is roughly equivalent to a goldfish these days).
Current obsession: The Haunting Case I Can’t Stop Thinking About
💛 Here’s the Thing
Yes, I believe in Bible time and quiet time with Jesus. But I also believe God uses podcasts, books, and even YouTube to speak life and wisdom into our hearts when we’re too tired to dig deep into formal study.
Sometimes spiritual growth happens while you’re scrubbing mac and cheese off the wall and listening to solid biblical teaching through your earbuds. And that’s not second-best—that’s real life faithfulness.
Your turn: What keeps YOU grounded when life is chaos? Drop your favorite mom-friendly podcast, book, or show in the comments. Let’s build a grace-filled recommendation list for the beautifully exhausted mamas in the trenches! 💬✨
What Makes My Kids Cry Today 