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Published on:

26th Jun 2025

Saddle Up Segment: Embracing Imperfect Parenting with Love & Grace

Parenting Through Challenges: A Personal Story and Helpful Insights

In this episode of the Saddle Up segment, the Lesa shares a personal story about parenting differences with her husband, illustrating how each parent can contribute uniquely, even when approaches differ. She emphasizes that her podcast is for women facing various hardships, not just divorce. Reflecting on a past conversation with attorneys about parenting through divorce, she reassures listeners that having one healthy, caring parent is enough for children to thrive. The host also highlights the importance of not making situations scarier than they need to be and encourages listeners to live a happy, fun life while recapping her previous podcast episode.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:12 About the Podcast

00:29 Parenting Through Divorce

01:36 Personal Parenting Story

02:56 Parenting Differences and Advice

03:51 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

DIY Parenting Plan Course

Transcript
Speaker:

Welcome listeners.

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I am so thankful you're here.

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I am excited to bring

you on my walk today.

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You may not see that if you're

listening to this podcast.

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You are listening to the Saddle

Up segment, and this is where

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I use it for several reasons.

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So you know, I do the Doing

Divorce different podcast.

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It comes out on Tuesday.

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Days and this past week we talked

to to some lovely attorneys.

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We talked a lot about parenting

through divorce, but this

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is what I want you to know.

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My podcast is for women, and it's not

just for women who are divorcing, it's for

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women who are going through hard times.

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So.

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If you are going through something

difficult, um, like a bad diagnosis

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or some trouble with your kids, so.

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It's more than just about doing

divorce different, it's about

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doing divorce different, it's

about doing life different.

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It's about living your best life.

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So today I just wanna recap a little bit.

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Tuesday you gotta go.

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Listen, it's, they're, these ladies

are darling and we had a lot of fun.

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Um, and it was a little bit different,

you know, to have two guests.

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And we talked about parenting.

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And so then I thought about a

story, and so this parenting applies

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to you if you're going through a

divorce or if you're just a parent.

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So here's, here's my little story.

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When I was a young mom, um, and woo, it

was, you know, so important to me to,

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to do everything correct and so, you

know, just so mommy, mommy, well, my

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son Jack, I was always, I always wanted

Jack to feel confident and I knew that.

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He was a kid that wanted

to be near his mama.

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And so when we were like in a store, I

would just always be really reassuring.

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I'm right here, sweetheart.

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I'm here for you.

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And you know, so he wouldn't be afraid.

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So then one day my husband

and I went together.

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You know, we did this a lot.

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Like we were at Target.

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He had Jack, I had Abby, and all of

a sudden I watch and I'm a little

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bit further down a different aisle.

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My husband leaves Jack in an aisle

and goes to a different aisle,

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and then I hear Jack crying.

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I, I go running and I said,

John, what are you doing?

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Like, we don't want Jack to be

scared that we're not there.

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And my husband said, oh.

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He goes, well, I thought.

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If I just went around the corner and he

could get a little scared and then see

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that I was right there, that that would

be, um, that would build his confidence.

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I was like, are you kidding me?

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So here's the thing, you guys, even when

you parent together in a marriage, you

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both parent different and that's okay.

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It's okay because each of them

does have something to bring.

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So I know it's hard if you were

married to an asshole and it's

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really hard to parent with them.

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I always tell my clients, as

long as your kids have one

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healthy parent that they can see.

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Who, and you're not perfect.

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You're just a healthy parent.

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Taking care of yourself, taking

care of your kids, that's enough.

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And here's another thing, don't be

so worried if your kids are getting

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parented different by your expo.

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You can let it go, I promise you they will

be okay and they will become resilient.

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And we all parent different and

we all have different ideas.

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So I just want you to, I just wanna make

things less scary because that is one

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thing that I have learned in my life

and you know, I've surrendered to God.

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So that's the biggest thing.

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But the one most important

thing that I've learned is that.

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Sometimes we make things a lot

scarier than we need to, and I don't

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want that for you because that's

no way to live a happy, fun life.

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And I'm sorry, I just realized I

was carrying my phone at an angle.

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So if you're watching this.

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On YouTube that may have happened.

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If not, I just want you to know I still

appreciate you being here for this

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little tidbit, you know where I recap

Tuesday's episode and just give you some

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little things that can help you in life.

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So hang in there.

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Thanks for joining me.

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About the Podcast

Doing Divorce Different A Podcast Guide to Doing Divorce Differently
Divorce, co-parenting, menopause, marriage, and starting over after 40—Doing Divorce Different is your guide to a healthy, faith filled life transition.

Hosted by Family Law Attorney and Mediator Lesa Koski, Doing Divorce Different is a candid, empowering podcast designed to take the fear out of divorce and guide you toward peace—whether you’re navigating a split, working to stay married, or rebuilding a better life after a major transition. Each week, Lesa brings heart-centered legal insight, emotional support, and holistic wisdom to help you heal, grow, and thrive.

We cover everything from amicable divorce and co-parenting strategies to parenting plans that actually work and support kids in thriving through change. You’ll learn how to prepare for marriage with prenups, revisit your relationship with post-nuptial agreements, and understand what it really takes to stay married or rekindle love after a rough season. If you're in the midst of a grey divorce, wondering how to not get divorced, or questioning whether love can be found again, this show is for you.

Lesa also explores the emotional and physical changes that often accompany midlife and major life shifts. From navigating the impact of menopause on your health, marriage, and mood, to dealing with the loneliness that can come after divorce or empty nesting, you’ll find honest conversations that don’t shy away from real-life challenges. And for those of you in your 40s, 50s, or beyond, you’ll discover what it means to truly build a better life after 40.

Health and wellness are deeply integrated into this journey. Lesa shares insights on the benefits of rest, joy, nutrition, fasting, protein, and bone health, along with the power of movement, community, and exercise to support mental clarity and physical strength. You’ll learn how to take care of yourself with intention—because healing isn’t just emotional, it’s also biological.

Mindset work and self-coaching are recurring tools offered in episodes to help you reframe your story and shift from fear to freedom. And through it all, the show honors the role of faith, spiritual surrender, and letting God lead you through every season. Whether you're leaning into your relationship with God for the first time or deepening a lifelong practice, you’ll hear how surrender can bring peace even in the hardest moments.

You’ll hear real stories from people who have done divorce differently, saved their marriages, or found new love and purpose on the other side. Lesa also brings in conversations about marriages that have stood the test of time, co-parenting through complex seasons, and the realities of parenting after separation while maintaining stability for your kids.

This is not just a podcast about divorce. Doing Divorce Different is about taking back your life, rewriting your future, and trusting that you’re not starting over, you’re starting better. If you’re craving practical advice, soul-level encouragement, and real conversations about creating a healthy, joyful, purpose-driven life, you’ve found your community.

Subscribe now and join Lesa Koski for weekly episodes that will help you grow stronger in your relationships, your health, and your faith, no matter where you’re starting from.

About the Host:
I’ve spent over 25 years helping families navigate amicable divorce as a lawyer and mediator, always focused on protecting what matters most—your kids and your peace of mind. But my mission has expanded. Today, I support women over 40 not just through endings, but in building stronger relationships—and sometimes even saving their marriages. I’m a breast cancer survivor, a cowgirl at heart, a wellness advocate, and a follower of Jesus. My life and faith fuel my passion for helping women thrive.

About your host

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Lesa Koski