In this deeply personal and faith-filled episode, Ellen Radcliffe is joined by a very special guest—her mom—to talk through the quiet grief many Christian parents carry: unmet expectations. What do you do when the dreams you had for your child don’t come true? When the path you prayed they'd walk takes a turn you never expected?

From small hopes like frilly Easter dresses to big heartbreaks over spiritual decisions, this episode explores how fear, shame, guilt, and even anger often hide a deeper pain we rarely talk about—grief. Together, Ellen and her mom open up about their own parenting journeys, how they’ve learned to pray through pain, and how to stay rooted in peace and truth even when life looks nothing like you imagined.

If you’ve ever asked, “What did I do wrong?” or felt overwhelmed by fear for your children’s futures, this conversation is for you. You are not alone—and this isn’t the end of the story.

Timestamps:

0:00 – Intro & surprise guest: Ellen’s mom!

2:00 – The grief of lost expectations in parenting

10:30 – Small disappointments that still hurt

17:00 – What’s really underneath fear-based parenting

24:00 – “What is true here?” – Ellen’s mom’s life mantra

32:00 – Prayer as the anchor in the storm

39:00 – Finding joy, even in the wait

44:30 – Should Christian parents even have expectations?

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