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    It’s a big day at the Girl Mom Podcast, for 2 reas It’s a big day at the Girl Mom Podcast, for 2 reasons. 

First of all, we are celebrating 1 million downloads 🎉 🎉 I never expected to hit this milestone since podcasting is priority #4 in my work schedule, but I guess it shows how episodes add up. I’m grateful for every faithful listener and every meaningful conversation I’ve had. It’s been a fun ride!

And second (and more importantly!), we’re ringing in episode #100 with this dynamic trio!! They’re known across the world, yet they live in my community, and we are SO blessed to have them as Mountain Brook treasures!

Lulu Gribbin @lulu.gribbin was just 15 years old when she was attacked by a bull shark in Florida in June 2024, losing part of her arm and her leg. She was with her twin sister Ellie and their mom, Ann Blair, on a mother/daughter trip. 

Since that fateful day, Lulu has defied all odds. She is now thriving as a joyful, athletic, funny, wise, kind, optimistic, humble, and vivacious teenage girl, and as she embraces her new life with 2 prosthetics, she gives hopes to millions that they too can overcome their darkest days and feel excited about what is next. 

Already, Lulu has spoken to crowds up to 19,000 people, been named the @southernlivingmag 2025 Southerner of the Year, and been featured on @goodmorningamerica. The sky is the limit for this girl, and I tell my daughter Camille all the time how lucky she is to be just a year behind Lulu and Ellie in school and witness firsthand the start of greatness. Whatever God has in store for the Gribbin family, it’ll be big! 

Having this conversation about Lulu’s survivor story was an honor, and if you comment LULU, I’ll message you the link. Also, as you make year-end donations, please consider giving to the new Lulu Strong Foundation, linked in the show notes and found here: @lulu.gribbin

Lulu’s mission is to help fellow amputees through research that speeds up their recovery time and helps them master prosthetics through virtual reality and AI. It’s a FASCINATING topic, and I hope you’ll join me in supporting Lulu’s Foundation as she shines a spotlight amputee needs and allows us to help her significantly impact lives!
    Parents often reach out to me as they struggle wit Parents often reach out to me as they struggle with poor choices their teenager, college student, or young adult has made.

Especially as kids leave home (and become legal adults) we lose control. We start to parent with more influence than control. 

New on my Substack, for paid subscribers, are tips on how to respond wisely. Comment LOVE and I’ll message you the link - or find the link in my bio. This message is from my new release #isyourdaughterreadybook.

Also, some food for thought: Since I’m at the age where everyone is losing parents, one thing I repeatedly hear is that after a parent’s death, a core memory that often plays on repeat in the child’s mind is how that parent handled their most disappointing choices. 

Did their parents love them even when they were hard to love? If so, that is never ever forgotten.

We can hold our kids to high standards, let them face consequences, and still leave zero doubt that we’ll be there if they fall. Every human is just 1 step away from falling off a cliff, and keeping this in mind makes a big difference in whether we act on knee-jerk reactions or pray for wisdom first 🕊️
    When it comes to college, I tell my girls that you When it comes to college, I tell my girls that you want to be where God wants you to be. 

I remind them that I’ve been to college, and I got to make my choices, and now it’s their turn to make their choices, which may be different than mine, beginning with what school they choose.

I tell them to pay attention to how a campus makes you feel and what feels most like “home.” You can get a great education in many places, yet it’s the intangibles and gut instincts that ultimately help you make the right call.

In all my years of reading articles on college selection, I’ve never seen any mention of prayer, discernment, consulting God, or trusting your gut. But the way I see it, only He knows the future. Only He knows the people we should meet and the experiences we should have that play into His long-term plan. I met many of my best friends in college as well as my husband, who grew up next door to my pledge sister. Even my instinct to choose that sorority had a major impact on my life trajectory.

When my first book released, many moms who led small group studies or planned speaking events were people I knew from college. They weren’t my best friends, but rather, friendly acquaintances. I had no idea at age 18, as I made random connections, that God would later weave them back into my life in more significant ways. I share this with my daughters too to remind them that the biggest blessings they’ll carry away from college are the relationships that they cultivate.

I know outstanding kids who attend high-brow universities, and I cheer so hard for them. At the same time, every campus has success stories. Every campus has students who thrive and become amazing alums. More important than choosing the most prestigious college you get into is choosing a college that brings you peace. If we want our kids to be happy, it’s wise to help them find the place that gets them excited, feels like home, and sets the stage for their future.

As our kids make decisions about their life and their calling, let’s remind them to consult their intuition. Sometimes God has a quiet way of revealing where to go.

*This is us in 2000, graduating from Bama’s EMBA Program.
    SEC Championship with my game day date for 30 year SEC Championship with my game day date for 30 years and counting❤️ Not the outcome (or game) we hoped for, but through all the ups and downs we love cheering on Bama with so many lifelong friends. Roll Tide always!
    Shopping for a teen girl/college girl this Christm Shopping for a teen girl/college girl this Christmas? My devotional makes a perfect stocking stuffer and has been a bestseller since it released last January.

Comment DEVO and I’ll message you the link🩷

This book also works well for tween girls. Girls like to read “up” and hear about scenarios that prepare them for what’s to come, and the stories in this devo do that. Mom friends tell me that they relate to messages as well, so it’s really for all ages. Thank you for your support of a book that I wrote for my own daughters, it’s been so rewarding to share with you!
    A reader shared this with me years ago, and I resh A reader shared this with me years ago, and I reshare these beautiful words from @katiemblackburn every December.

Remember: Perfect parents don’t prepare their kids for an imperfect world. Perfect parents don’t let their children see their desperate need for a Savior. No holiday season is perfect, but the One we worship is, and the fact that He came to rescue us is the joy that defines this season⭐️
    My weakness is little girls🩷 Even after raising 4, My weakness is little girls🩷 Even after raising 4, I’d take more, and I always had fun looking for gifts that would make them light up on Christmas morning.

Comment GIRL and I’ll message you my gift guide for this age (or find the link in my bio). There are great Cyber Monday deals on pink tents, roller skates, bikes, scooters, karaoke machines, inflatable gymnastics mats, dress-up clothes, and more, so take advantage of them while you can!
    Whether you’re shopping for a son, a grandson, a n Whether you’re shopping for a son, a grandson, a nephew, or a boyfriend, finding the right gift for a guy can be hard.

With my daughter’s help, I’ve curated a gift guide for teen + college boys (and yes, it includes a cold plunging tub because a lot of college boys are apparently loving those🧊) 

Comment BOY and I’ll send you the link, or find it in my IG bio. Don’t miss the Cyber Monday deals on favorites like the Pizza Oven, Putting Green, Foosball Table, Beats Headphones, Cooler Backpack, Fire Pit, Gourmet Hot Sauce, and more!
    Shopping for a teenage daughter or college girl th Shopping for a teenage daughter or college girl this Christmas? 

I’ve curated a gift guide, and many of my daughters’ favorite things - like the Hatch Alarm Clock, Oura Ring, Beats Headphones, CRZ Leggings, Weekender Bag, Walking Pads and more - are on sale today, so take advantage of Cyber Monday deals while you can ✨ 

Comment GIRL and I’ll message you the link. Or find my Amazon links (for daughters + sons) in my IG bio. Happy Shopping!
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