Setting Healthy Boundaries with Family Dr. John Townsend Ep 250

As moms, we are like a life support system for our kids. To keep our families healthy, we need to be healthy. A key part of our overall well being is setting healthy boundaries.

But boundaries are hard. They require uncomfortable, direct conversations. We may need to put a limit on really good things or draw a line in the sand with our in-laws or parents.

My guest, Dr. John Townsend literally wrote the book on boundaries and he shares some deep wisdom on how to set healthy boundaries while honoring our family members and others.

You've got to take care of your energy, your heart and your emotions. You've got to take care of yourself and your health. If you don't guard that heart, then the wellsprings of life won't come out from it. Boundaries are basically about how to set healthy, loving limits in our life. So we have something to offer to our children.

Townsend answers your tough questions about set limits with in-laws, making healthy boundaries for the holidays and even models having a tough conversation with a parent about a boundary.

This is an episode packed with great information and Townsend has several books and resources available if you want to go deeper. Let’s make setting healthy boundaries a priority and guard our hearts and our time to bring life to our family!

• “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23
• Setting boundaries is guarding our wellspring of life so we can love our kids
• His book, Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life
• Is setting boundaries biblical? YES!
• The difference between hurting and harming someone when it comes to setting boundaries
• Honoring vs obeying your parents as an adult
• What it looks like to have a boundary setting conversation
• Conveying love in hard conversations and not getting hijacked with emotions or blame
• Giving three chances when you set new boundaries and how to have consequences when they aren’t respected
• Turning to spiritual family when biological family isn’t what your kids need
• Keeping the lines of communication open with grandparents and communicating boundaries in love
• Looking for mild, moderate and severe reactions to suggestions and boundary setting
• Suggestions for setting healthy boundaries for the holidays
• The idea of people fuel and relational nutrients that help us fuel up