How to Dream During Motherhood w/ Melissa Ferguson
Raising Driven Kids
Equipping parents during their child’s academic years to bring learning to daily moments.
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On today’s episode…
Is it possible to chase your dreams and raise kids? Author and content creator Melissa Ferguson joins Dr. Kelly Cagle to talk about writing books, homeschooling on a farm, facing rejection, and staying grounded in faith. This episode will inspire every mom who’s ever wondered if her dreams still matter.
Insights
How to Dream During Motherhood: Lessons from Melissa Ferguson
Parenting IQ Podcast with Dr. Kelly Cagle
What does it look like to pursue your dreams while raising kids, homeschooling, and managing a farmhouse full of animals? Author and content creator Melissa Ferguson joined Dr. Kelly Cagle on the Parenting IQ Podcast to answer that question with authenticity, laughter, and deep encouragement for moms everywhere.
Whether you feel stuck in the daily grind or wonder if your personal passions still matter, this episode is a reminder that motherhood doesn’t have to mean the end of your dreams—it can actually be the catalyst for them.
Rediscovering Dreams in the Middle of Motherhood
Melissa opens up about her journey from ESL teacher to adult rom-com author to children’s book writer, all while homeschooling four kids on a Tennessee farm. Her pivot to social media wasn’t planned—it started with sharing real-life moments like how she displayed her kids’ artwork, which unexpectedly went viral. From there, doors began to open in unexpected ways.
But she didn’t chase virality—Melissa chose simplicity and intentionality, focusing on her greatest passions: her children and her writing.
“I had to learn to shut some doors,” she shares, noting the importance of discerning the best yes for each season. Even good things can become distractions if they don’t align with your purpose right now.
From Suburb to Farmhouse Dreams
Melissa’s new children’s book, Our Friendly Farmhouse, beautifully captures her family’s real-life move from the suburbs to the countryside. The story is told through the eyes of her son, as their family discovers land for sale, takes a leap of faith, and begins a slower, simpler lifestyle on the farm.
The book celebrates:
Risk-taking rooted in faith
The beauty of hard work
Creating lasting memories with your kids
Cherishing the everyday moments—whether in a cul-de-sac or chicken coop
Even though farm life is often romanticized on social media, Melissa is clear: it’s hard work. But she’s learned that you don’t have to do it all at once, and you don’t have to be an expert at everything. “Start with chickens,” she jokes, and build from there.
Modeling Perseverance for Our Kids
One of the most powerful themes from this episode is the idea that our kids are always watching. Melissa talks about the decade of rejection she faced in publishing and how her children now get to witness the payoff of that perseverance.
“My kids saw me crying, staying up late, working hard. They saw the cost. And now, they see the dream coming to life.”
She even brought her 10-year-old daughter—a budding illustrator—to a meeting with movie producers. It’s a reminder that when moms dream out loud, their children learn to do the same.
Faith as the Foundation
Melissa shares how her faith isn’t always overt in her writing but is deeply embedded in everything she does. “I’m a Christian who writes,” she says. Even when industry pressures tempt her to compromise, she remains grounded in her values.
From turning down brand deals that didn’t align with her convictions to navigating the publishing world with integrity, Melissa proves that you can chase your dreams without losing your soul.
Takeaways for Moms:
You can dream and raise kids at the same time. It may take time, boundaries, and help—but it’s possible.
Simplify your life by focusing on what matters most in your current season.
Rejection is part of the journey. Don’t be afraid of it—use it to build resilience and model perseverance for your children.
Faith can guide your dreams, even in unexpected ways.
Memories matter. Whether you live on a farm or in the city, your presence and intentionality leave lasting impressions.
Connect with Melissa:
Website: melissaferguson.com
Instagram: @ourfriendlyfarmhouse
Children’s Book: Our Friendly Farmhouse – available wherever books are sold
👉 Don’t miss this heartwarming episode that will challenge and inspire you to reignite your dreams in the midst of motherhood. You’re not “just” a mom—you’re a dreamer, a doer, and a disciple-maker in your own home.
🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you tune in.
About Melissa Ferguson
Melissa Ferguson is a bestselling author and creative storyteller who brings a warm-hearted, whimsical lens to both adult and children’s fiction. She lives in Tennessee with her husband and four children, where they are building a slower, simpler life on their growing farmhouse—and it’s the real-life inspiration behind her debut children’s picture book, Our Friendly Farmhouse
Melissa’s work spans genres—from charming clean romantic comedies, such as The Perfect Rom‑Com, How to Plot a Payback, Meet Me in the Margins, and Famous for a Living to evocative children’s storytelling full of heart, nature, and imaginative living—perfect for dreaming families and little adventurers
Her writing isn't just creative—it’s grounded in real faith and real family. Melissa calls herself a Christian who writes, not necessarily a writer of explicitly Christian fiction, and she remains committed to integrity in both storytelling and life choices
You can discover more about her books, farmhouse journey, and creative life at melissaferguson.com, and connect with her visually rich world on Instagram and TikTok at @ourfriendlyfarmhouse
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HEY THERE! I’M DR. CAGLE… DO YOU NEED HELP WITH CREATING GREAT HABITS???
Parenting is hard work. It requires tons of boundaries, daily consistency, so much awareness, as well as lots of patience, grace, wisdom, and filters. Combine that hefty list with all of life’s demands and others’ voice may become louder than yours in your child’s life, increasing their anxiety, fears, and doubts.
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