I Don't Know How to Help My Kids Feel at Home When Home Keeps Changing
Pardon the Mess with Scarlet Hiltibidal - Christian Motherhood, Biblical Parenting, Raising Christian KidsShow Notes
How do we help our children navigate change when their hearts are breaking over what they're leaving behind? In this week's episode of Pardon the Mess, Scarlet Hiltibidal shares from a lifetime of moving, from her childhood years spent relocating across the country to the many ministry moves she's made as a wife and mom. She explores the unique challenges of helping children process transitions, say goodbye to people and places they love, and learn to trust God in unfamiliar seasons. Drawing from personal stories of moving with young children, leaving beloved churches and communities, and helping her family build new lives in new places, Scarlet discusses the tension many parents feel: wanting their children to embrace what's ahead without minimizing the grief of what's being left behind. But this episode isn't ultimately about moving. It's about belonging. It's about helping our children understand that while homes, schools, churches, friendships, and circumstances may change, God never does. Through biblical examples like Abraham, Moses, Ruth, and the Israelites, Scarlet highlights a powerful theme woven throughout Scripture: God's people have always been travelers, strangers, and sojourners learning to trust Him in unfamiliar places. The Christian life has never been about finding perfect security in this world. It's about learning to anchor our hearts in the One who never changes.
In this episode, Scarlet discusses: • How to help children grieve the people, places, and routines they love • Why grief is not evidence that a move or transition was a mistake • The tension of feeling both excitement and sadness during major life changes • Biblical examples of faithful people who followed God into the unknown • Why earthly homes, relationships, and comforts make poor ultimate foundations • How transitions reveal where we are placing our security and identity • Practical ways to help children build trust in God's faithfulness during uncertain seasons • How to cultivate gratitude for God's gifts without clinging too tightly to them
Today's Scripture Focus: Hebrews 11:13–16
A special thank you to Caroline Downen who shared her own moving to Japan and back experience during the Messy Mom Moment! If this episode encouraged you, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who may need this reminder today.
00:00 Embracing Transitions: A Personal Journey 12:02 Navigating Grief and Change with Kids 17:50 Finding Home in a Changing World
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