Simple Farmhouse Life

There’s been a subtle shift in how our culture views boys, and in this conversation, we’re diving into where we’ve gone wrong and how to reclaim the narrative. From understanding their natural wiring to navigating the tension between safety and risk-taking, we talk through practical ways to raise boys who are both capable and caring. If you’re raising boys of any age and want encouragement and practical ideas, join us for this conversation! In this episode, we cover: - What sparked the message behind Boyhood Resurrected and the modern cultural shift that has changed how boys are viewed and treated - The difference between “daring and heroic” boyhood and the passive, muted version many boys are being shaped into today - Why a boy’s energy, risk-taking, and drive for adventure are not problems to fix but qualities to steward well - The tension many moms feel between protecting their sons and allowing the kind of risk that actually builds strength and confidence - Practical ways to introduce healthy danger in age-appropriate ways, from climbing trees to using real tools with guidance - Simple daily rhythms that build spiritual and emotional strength without over-structuring family life - How work, responsibility, and even boredom play a key role in shaping boys into capable young men - The connection between modern schooling struggles and the natural way boys are wired to move, learn, and engage - Addressing whining, laziness, and resistance in a way that is clear, consistent, and doesn’t escalate the emotional tone of the home - Finding the balance between raising strong boys and nurturing tender hearts without tipping into fragility - Why limiting screens is essential for boys and how to replace digital stimulation with real-life adventure and creativity - Practical ideas for occupying boys of every age when outdoor options are limited - Encouraging brotherhood instead of rivalry through shared space, mutual respect, and avoiding comparison View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible! RESOURCES MENTIONED Grab your copy of Boyhood Resurrected: Igniting a Revival of Daring and Heroic Boys and learn more at boyhoodresurrected.com Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook CONNECT Rebekah Lovell | Website | Instagram | X Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest

Smartphones, social media, and interactive screens are something many parents today are thinking carefully about, especially when it comes to their kids. In this episode, I’m joined by Clare Morrell to talk about what the research shows regarding how these technologies affect developing brains and family life. We discuss practical ways families can approach technology differently, from trying a 30-day tech detox to delaying smartphones and modeling healthier phone habits as parents. If you’re looking for thoughtful perspective and practical ideas for navigating screens in your home, this conversation will be the encouragement you need! In this episode, we cover: - Why smartphones and social media apps are intentionally designed to capture kids’ time, attention, and data - The brain science behind dopamine hits and why interactive screens are uniquely addictive for children - Why even short amounts of screen time can affect kids’ mood, focus, and behavior throughout the day - The surprising limitations of parental controls and why they rarely give parents real oversight - Distinguishing between passive technology (like watching a movie) and highly stimulating interactive media - How excessive screen stimulation can dysregulate a child’s nervous system and mimic ADHD-like symptoms - What families experience during a 30-day digital detox and the behavioral changes many notice within weeks - Ground rules for a family tech reset, including which devices and activities are removed during detox - Why addressing our own phone habits as parents—and modeling healthier technology boundaries—plays a critical role in helping kids succeed - Alternative phone options that allow teens to communicate without introducing smartphone distractions - How some families delay smartphones until late high school or adulthood and what they observe long term - Navigating cultural pressures—from youth groups to employers—that assume every teen has a smartphone - The bigger vision behind a “tech exit”: raising kids who prioritize real-world skills, creativity, and relationships over digital consumption View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible! RESOURCES MENTIONED Get your copy of Clare’s book The Tech Exit at TheTechExit.com Explore free resources to accompany the book, including screen-free activity ideas, a group discussion guide, and a tech-exit checklist Follow along with more resources and updates at ClareMorell.substack.com Interested in the Wisephone mentioned in this episode? Use code CLARE for $20 off Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook CONNECT Clare Morell | Website | Instagram | Substack | X Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest

When you are in the thick of raising children, it can feel overwhelming to sort through expectations, opinions, and the daily logistics of family life. In this conversation, Jennifer shares what nearly three decades of motherhood have taught her about choosing peace in each season, homeschooling at your own pace, navigating special needs with a focus on progress, and letting go of unnecessary pressure. This episode offers perspective and encouragement for building a peaceful family culture that reflects your unique family. In this episode, we cover: - Introducing Jennifer’s family of seven children ranging from 28 to 12 years old, life on a Wisconsin cranberry farm, and decades of homeschooling - What no one tells you about having a wide age range of children and the surprising gift of older kids becoming your “allies” in family life - How perspective shifts as children grow up, get married, and start families of their own, and why the years truly do move faster than you think - Letting go of early motherhood pressures about tidy homes, perfect routines, and outside expectations in order to create a peaceful family culture - Rethinking homeschool success through the lens of progress over grade levels, especially when navigating special needs - Practical rhythms for homeschooling multiple children with different abilities without doing everything at the same time - The freedom that comes with age and experience—why comparison loses its grip and confidence grows over time - Overthinking in modern motherhood, the pressure to “get it right” the first time, and permission to change your mind as you grow - What it’s actually like to become a young grandmother while still raising children at home and how that dynamic reshapes family life - Embracing the evolving nature of family seasons instead of trying to control or predict them View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible! RESOURCES MENTIONED Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook CONNECT Jennifer of A Country Life | Website | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest