Managing Anxiety in Family Life w/ Becky Keife
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On today’s episode…
How can we navigate anxiety as parents while raising emotionally resilient kids? In this honest and hope-filled episode, Becky Keife shares her story of living with anxiety and how honesty, Scripture, and small rhythms can bring healing. From marriage communication to breath prayers with kids, this conversation offers practical tools and spiritual encouragement for every anxious mom.
Insights
Managing Anxiety in Family Life
With Guest: Becky Keife
Parenting IQ Podcast with Dr. Kelly Cagle
When anxiety collides with motherhood, the burden can feel both isolating and overwhelming. In this heartfelt episode, Dr. Kelly Cagle sits down with author and speaker Becky Keife to explore the real, raw, and redemptive journey of managing anxiety in the context of family life. Becky opens up about her personal experience with clinical anxiety and depression and the power of surrender, honesty, and grace in her healing process.
Coming to the End of Ourselves
Becky vulnerably shares how her journey didn’t begin with courage—it began with desperation. Trying to “fix herself” with the usual strategies—prayer, gratitude journals, better time management—left her exhausted. True transformation came when she finally got radically honest: with herself, with God, and with her husband. That moment became the doorway to healing.
"The end of myself is just the beginning of God’s grace." — Becky Keife
Why Hiding Doesn't Heal
Becky reminds listeners that anxiety often thrives in secrecy. For years, she wrestled with the fear of being seen, known, and misunderstood. Now, her passion is helping others find the freedom that comes with naming the struggle and allowing others in. Her newest devotional, A Verse a Day for the Anxious Soul, was written for this exact moment—when someone needs truth to meet them in the spiral.
Communicating Through the Chaos
Dr. Cagle and Becky discuss the power of open communication in marriage—especially when your spouse processes emotions differently. Becky encourages women to:
Be honest even when you fear being misunderstood.
Ask for space to be heard, not “fixed.”
Give your spouse a clear role: “I just need you to listen and be with me in this.”
Talking to Kids About Anxiety
Becky emphasizes that vulnerability with children doesn’t have to be a burden. In fact, it’s a gift. She offers simple, age-appropriate strategies like:
Saying: “My brain is really full right now. Can you write that down or save it for later?”
Teaching them breath prayers rooted in Scripture (like Psalm 56:3: “When I am afraid, I will trust in You.”)
Modeling boundaries and regulating your own stress response in front of them
“It’s okay to not have it all together. That’s how we show our kids their need for Jesus.” — Becky Keife
When It’s Our Kids Struggling
From calming spirals to resetting overwhelmed nervous systems, Becky encourages parents to:
Validate what their kids are feeling
Avoid minimizing or dismissing emotions
Practice spiritual and physical tools to anchor anxious hearts
A Toolkit for Moms, by a Mom Who Knows
Becky’s new devotional, A Verse a Day for the Anxious Soul, is more than a book—it’s a daily companion for moms navigating anxiety in the trenches of family life. Each entry offers:
A breath prayer rooted in Scripture
Short reflections of hope and peace
Real-life encouragement from someone who gets it
About Becky Keife
Becky Keife is the author of A Verse A Day For The Anxious Soul and a Bible teacher, speaker, and author passionate about helping people hear God’s voice, embrace their true identity, and step into their purpose. A dedicated mental health advocate, Becky equips individuals and churches to understand anxiety biblically and experience Jesus wholly. She loves long naps, puffy clouds, and shady trails. Becky lives in Southern California with her husband and three always-hungry teenage sons.
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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.
Healthy parenting is about seeing yourself as your child’s #1 teacher, saying the right words (or nothing at all) at the right time, and having the right tools to be intentional and impactful. Guessing your way through life, which is what most parents do, is a recipe for failure, but following the lead of someone who has two decades of research-based information and fully understands the demands of parenthood is a recipe for a full life— for you and your child.
With a PhD in education, I’m here to teach you how to use daily moments are learning opportunities so you raise confident and competent lifelong learners that thrive in an ever-changing world.
Additionally, I offer workshops and keynotes on various topics to parents, educators, students, and business leaders— because the need to understand, support, and empower learners is everywhere..
