Episode 104 · May 16, 2023
Kirsten Vossler is Rejoicing in Motherhood!
with Kirsten Vossler, Host of the Rejoicing in Motherhood podcast; mother of nine and homeschool mom
31 min
Kirsten Vossler is Rejoicing in Motherhood!
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In this episode
In this episode I sit down with Kirsten Vossler, the mom of nine behind the podcast Rejoicing in Motherhood. Kirsten's kids range from thirteen years old all the way down to eight months, and she brings something I find so refreshing — a genuine joy in mothering, not just a love for her kids. We talk about the difference between the two, and why that distinction matters.
We get honest about the hard parts too. Kirsten opens up about feeling tired and overwhelmed (yes, even her!), how she leans on the Lord and His grace to reset, and how she lets her feeling of overwhelm actually point her toward what matters most that day. We also dig into homeschooling five school-age kids in a "one room schoolhouse" style, teaching children to be real contributors to the family, and how she carved out time to start a podcast after her kids are in bed.
And because I know so many of you carry it — we talk about mom guilt, the endless "shoulds," and how to put down the phone, step out of the comparison trap, and get back in the moment with your own family. This one is full of encouragement, whether you're deep in the diaper years or, like me, about to be an empty nester. Keep going, friend.
Key takeaways
- Love your kids AND love mothering — Kirsten makes the case that many moms love their children but haven't yet learned to love motherhood itself, and that finding joy starts with seeing the calling as valuable.
- Let overwhelm point you to your priorities. Kirsten isn't a natural planner, but when she feels overwhelmed she pauses to ask what actually needs to happen right now, then channels that energy into peace instead of shutting down.
- Lean on grace, not just effort. She describes God's grace as a real, available strength she 'receives' rather than begs for — a practical reset when the day feels like too much.
- Mom guilt is usually the 'shoulds' talking. So much guilt comes from comparison, especially online. Naming your actual season ('this isn't where I'm at right now') sets you free from the superficial pressure.
- Give your kids grace too. You will make mistakes — and it's okay. Kids also learn from God and from their own experiences; not everything rests on you as their mom.
- Teach children to contribute. Kirsten's older kids help the younger ones, which builds their sense of belonging, identity, and being 'all in this together' as a family.
- Start where you are. Kirsten put a book idea on hold and launched a podcast she could record after bedtime — proof you can build something meaningful around the season you're actually in.
- Put the phone down. When social media starts feeling like a burden, set it on the counter for a day and get present with the people in front of you.
“I love that God has just made me for this. God has made us moms so perfectly to mother the kids that He's given us.”
“We all love our kids, but we don't all love mothering. And there can be so much joy when we recognize how valuable motherhood is.”
“Perfect doesn't actually exist — so we can let ourselves off the hook. We're all doing the best we can.”
“When I get in the moment with my own family, that is such a blessing, and it helped me a lot with eliminating that mom guilt.”
Resources mentioned
- WebsiteSharing Passion and Purpose
About Kirsten
Host of the Rejoicing in Motherhood podcast; mother of nine and homeschool mom
Kirsten Vossler is the host of the podcast Rejoicing in Motherhood and a mom of nine children ranging from thirteen years old to eight months. Raised in a ministry family, she has a heart for encouraging mothers to find joy and purpose in the calling of motherhood. She and her family homeschool, and she has been podcasting for about two years.
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