Parenting, Money and Therapy Answering YOUR Questions!

[@joysharpe1500]

Amen! Everyone does NOT need a college education! So many good jobs require a skill set more than a school degree.

[@johnaesposito1737]

“Don’t take that as an insult, take that as an honor.” I am tearing up. Three teenage girls over here. Thank you!

[@johnamathan]

This was the most beautiful concept. Thank you Jen. Truly.

[@debbieschmidt1661]

I had the Pre Paid Florida plan for my kids. 4 yrs University but I didn't set the dorms fees. Dorms fees are a lot more than I thought they would be, $600+ a month so, if you have a pre paid option in your state, lock in the dorm fees.

[@kimt8162]

We are so on the same wavelength again. I've got one of these teenagers. This little pep talk is SOOOOO helpful. Sometimes yes, she's freaked out. I try so HARD not to take it personally. I figure as long as we're still talking. It's okay.

[@dawnturpin]

You have the best advice column. Seriously.

[@deancoffman9164]

Spot on with the raising teenagers. I have always believed that with kids you give them things they need to make good decisions. You do this with the knowledge that in all likelihood that when the time comes, they won't listen to any of them. They fall on their faces, get back up, and do it again. In the end our reward comes when they finally see that we were right all along. We were not hands off parents, but we definitely did not press into their lives if they did not want us there (honestly it is not much different now that they 28 and 34). If they want our opinions they know where we are. Now they ask and value our opinion, so we did something right. Great video!

[@stephaniedecamp2362]

There are no magic answers, but it is nice to know that others struggle the same as you. Makes me feel not as crazy!

[@Benasboysandgirl]

Thank you for all of this. So many golden nuggets in here. My kids are 11-19 now, including 2 sets of twins. I probably never thought I’d say that these years are much harder in some ways than those in the trenches early years. But it can also be rewarding on a whole different level. It helps to know you’ve been there!

[@lesliewellbrock9693]

Thank you for your opinion on college. I’m wrestling with that with my older kids right now. I totally agree with your ideas. It was re-assuring to hear it from someone else. A trusted source!

[@blesskittens4484]

I could be be your mom. I’m that old! I love your authenticity. You make me laugh! I don’t do Disney, but appreciate your enthusiasm. More power to you. Keep your enthusiasm and authentic self!

[@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge]

What a kind comment! Thank you!

[@trishsp3160]

Oh my goodness! Is it weird that I was excited that your admission of not liking to cook was heartwarming and validating for me? I could blather on and on about it, but I will just thank you for your honesty for now.

[@mollywoodisastar]

Jen, thank you for making this video. As a young working mom it is so encouraging to hear advice from someone who made it out on the other side. I always appreciate your insight

[@donnabaardsen5372]

I'm cracking up, Jen. I cannot cook either. My now adult son got mac and cheese, hot dogs, Dinty Moore stew. When trying to serve it to him again as an adult, he said an emphatic "NO!" Independent travel is a hands down yes!

[@thekayakingarcher7948]

In 2019 I found myself able to travel after years of … not traveling. And it was going to be solo. Your videos on Disney were so helpful. Turns out WDW is a great place to go solo if you stay on property. Get off the plane, get on Magic Express, blend into the crowd in the parks, etc. I even ran into other solo travelers.

[@chevonnewallace8370]

Yes to the part about work/life balance. I ADORE my career and being a mom and some days I spent some of my "home" time working and that is okay. What a super interesting perspective on everything else!

[@JennaKennedy]

love the advice about raising teens. celebrating a 15th bday soon in the kennedy household.

[@FamilyPixieDust429]

I hate cooking too LOL haha :-) My older son turns 14 in two weeks.. this fall he was being bullied at school by one of his own good friends who turned on him. In turn the anxiety triggered OCD... its been awful but I love my kids more than anything in the world so I will never give up fighting for them and always researching what to do to help

[@StevvieZz]

As a late-twenty-something trying to figure out what adulthood looks like, I REALLY appreciate all of of the life tips and hacks in these Q&A videos! I especially love how honest and holistic all of it sounds - keep it coming! I'm not on Insta but I might add a question for the next Q&A: I know you used to be a pastor and wonder if KZbin allows you to get your fix of pastoral caregiving? (General life stuff rather than more specifically spiritual stuff, of course.) Or are you just generally a person who likes to help others?

[@aimeeguerrera2579]

I love how open and honest you are. You are spot on and hilarious. I’d give you 100 likes if I could 😊

[@jeanmacfarland1428]

After seeing a picture of you walking a pyrenees, I wondered if you were volunteering. I volunteer at a local dog shelter and it is the best thing I ever did for myself-I know exactly how you feel. And yes, you would be a foster fail, I know I would be too.

[@donnac380]

Always enjoy your frank (and calming!) Q&A videos...we are all doing the best we can. But if I'm being totally honest, you were almost upstaged by Miss Daisy Duck back there. She is a vibe! 🤣🤣

[@anniephilipsadventures2872]

work / life balance is always a hot topic. I don't see it as being equal, I think it is different for everyone. However people make work/life work for them to ensure they are feeling fulfilled with life (most of the time) is the goal.

[@meganquiah2547]

Thank you so much for the tips. I plan on giving the routine stuff a shot. Great video! Always very thought provoking and humorous.

[@tammykaroly2756]

Thank you, Jen! I really enjoy your Q&As and really appreciate your openness. I’m ready to tackle my organization projects … after Disney that is. Send help!

[@Crystal-hx5ke]

Such great advice! Wholeheartedly agree with your thoughts on state universities. They are a good value for a solid education that won’t start a person out in their life with massive debt to worry about. I also recently left a job that I felt left me at the end of the day with no emotional energy for my young children. I wanted to be more present and happier for both myself and my family. I’m grateful to have been able to make a move in my career to have a better work-life balance that has made a huge difference for me every day. My husband has said a few times now that I seem much happier, which makes me both happy and sad that I had struggled to make my old life work. I had to stop and ask “what am I doing this for?” Love your videos Jen!

[@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge]

Such wisdom there, Crystal!!!!! Thank you so much for your kind words.

[@charliehuffman326]

Thanks for acknowledging that the teen years are hard for the kids too; I think that sometimes gets lost in the mix. My mom wasn't a fan of cooking, either, and worked full time too, but my brother and I happened to like cooking, so we found a compromise that turned out working great for everyone - just putting that out there for anyone who might not consider that as an option - ask your kids if they'd be interested in swapping other chores (that's what we did) for cooking weeknight meals. Great $$ advice in this video, as always, and glad you are willing to talk about it. We somehow as a society need to get over the stigma of talking about finances (well, we need to get over the stigma of talking about a LOT of things, but finances definitely one of them!) because if we discussed them more regularly, I feel that people wouldn't end up in as much trouble - and I speak from experience.

[@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge]

YES very thankful that the boys cook quite a bit!!

[@susieb6516]

These sit down videos are always my favorite!!!

[@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge]

I'm so glad!

[@malloryconnor4550]

Thank you for the reminder t not be so hard on ourselves. So I think we have all done the food thing with our kids. My 4 year olds will eat sushi but also McDonald’s. Whatever the food is they are getting fed. This morning my one kid just ate Nutella off a spoon. But he ate and was no longer cranky.

[@1DawnMarie1]

I am 41 years old and still paying student loans. I started saving for my daughter's college in a 529 before she was even 6 months old but I'm sure it still won't be enough. Still holding out hope something will change in the next 2 years but know practically that's not likely. Thankfully she's doing a lot of dual credit in high school so hoping we can get through with 3 years of school vs. 4 and we might be able to eek by.

[@rachelspollett3930]

Thanks so much for your openness, Jen, as always! Oh my gosh, solo travel is a HUGE gift to oneself. I'm fortunate that I've been able to do it many times. I go away by myself for a full week every year. Abroad is the best (although it's not always in the budget), but in the last two years, I've just done AirBnB "staycations" within a few hours from home so I don't have to get on a plane. Just being by myself someplace new, exploring a local area, spending that time to reset and reorient helps me feel refreshed when I go back home.

[@1DawnMarie1]

A nice lunch time break eating my salad and watching Jen!!

[@packyourpixiedust]

I would like more videos about maybe being intentional with my time and choices. I feel like I’m all over the place chasing deadlines, etc.

[@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge]

Love that idea!

[@claraa6474]

woooowww great advice! my twin boys are turning thirteen next month!

[@tarynd19]

Such a great video, thank you for always being so open with sharing! Also loving that colour jacket on you!!

[@becskoff]

Truly golden advice. Thank you Jen! I plan my days ahead of time, but I love the idea of reflecting at the end of the day as a practice and adding that step of evaluation. Totally agree with leaning into different things at different moments.

[@tammydahl386]

I always enjoy this type of video and love how you organized the topics!

[@peterchen8868]

Thank you, Good comments.

[@joannewilliams41]

Wonderful vlog - thank you 🥰🥰🥰

[@mimipatten7169]

Made me think of The Examen. A practice I learned of in college…started by St Ignatius… once again, many thanks for your content and time!

[@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge]

Yes, that's exactly what it is, Mimi. My pleasure!

[@Karideplov]

I loved the way you let out a deep breath when you admitted that you are not a good cook. I love the idea but I hate the reality of “eating the rainbow”.

[@mjarsenault]

It was fun hearing you answer all those great questions. Have a great day! 😀

[@packyourpixiedust]

Love the pink jacket!!!

[@saramerrill8592]

You are so wise! It’s like being friends with Oprah.

[@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge]

Well there was that time Steadman wouldn’t leave us alone at DHS 😂😂😂

[@saramerrill8592]

@@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge - he was drawn to you and didn’t even know it! 😂

[@Liezjeuh]

Ha ...ha ha ... yeah ... eating healthy and cooking every day... was a lovely idea. on paper. :-p I do need to do a solo trip though. Some day I will! But now my husband and daughter need me the most :-( We've been going through a very difficult time here at the moment.

[@HappyTravelVlogs]

Great video!! Love all the parenting advice and college!

[@lisasproul8027]

That was fantastic! Lots of really good points!

[@hannahelizabeththomas9267]

Hello Jen your awesome

[@charleneknottsrubini2220]

I feel like you’re going to catch some heat on your views on college, but I absolutely agree with you on the thoughts you expressed.

[@cindyprice546]

I totally agree with what she said about college and maybe it’s not for everyone. A lot of money for a degree that might not be useable for a job.

[@majorhollingshead5906]

Great video. ❤️😘

[@nicolef9456]

In My 30s, work/life balance means work doesn’t have the right to infringe on my off the clock time. I’m not constantly at their beck and call to the point where I can’t have a life. And, more importantly, I’m compensated appropriately for my labor. I’m paid to do a job, if that’s not enough for them then good bye. 🤷‍♀️

[@d.a.ballou9740]

Always enjoyable. I kind of missed the "title card" (if that's what it's called), is that gone now? (not complaining, just noticing, and curious)😄👨‍🚒

[@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge]

Just mixing this up DA no worries it will be back!❤️

[@amberh5010]

I adore you! Thank you for always doing these, and making me feel so much less alone. It’s refreshing to have your honest thoughts on things. As a mom, I always feel overwhelmed by thinking I’m failing…that there’s too much sugary cereal, or two McD days in a week is too much…it’s nice to know that surviving motherhood in general is ok. Lol 💗💗💗(I hope that all makes sense!! Lol)