Today we’d like to introduce you to Terri Hitt

Hi Terri, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

I think one of the most interesting aspects about me, and what has brought me to what I do now – is the fact that I’ve raised two families over two generations. My husband and I married right out of high school and had two children within three years. Our son and first daughter were raised and graduated from high school when we were only 39 years old. Fast forward a few years and my husband and I celebrated his 45th birthday while in China adopting a baby girl.

That precious daughter began a faith journey and new generation of parenting. Ten years later we adopted our youngest daughter from China. She was 9 years old at the time and had suffered isolation and neglect for most of her life. Being blessed to love and experience bio and adoptive parenting has been a gift, Also, working full time outside the home with my first set of children, then experiencing being a homeschooling, stay-at-home mom with the second set of children has taught me so much and given me quite a bit of experience and empathy. I’m also an experienced advocate for special medical and academic needs for my youngest daughter.

I’ve walked through the difficult loss of parents and other precious family members, but the hardest one has been the loss of my first daughter. The way God carried me through her death fifteen years ago, and His provisions for our adoptions led me to begin my first podcast, “Live With Eternal Perspective,” in January of 2020.

I’m now focused on a second podcast, “Purposed Parent/Connected Child.” This podcast allows me to share what I’ve learned over the course of parenting the last forty-five years. As a Christian Purposed Parenting and Mindset Mentor, I appreciate the ability to show women how to redeem their mindset and secure their identity so they will be able to raise kids to chase Christ over culture. I equip them to parent to “prepare,” not “repair,” and show them how to parent the heart of their child, not the behavior – in ways that disciple, not punish. One of my favorite aspects of mentoring women is helping them see the need to stop being a good mom and show them how to become a godly mom.

I currently work with women through my program, The Set-Apart Collective. This is an intimate program that begins with the basics of seeking God first and working identity in Christ. This work sounds simple, but we go deep to shed chains of bondage holding so many back in life, relationships, and parenting. I also share how to shift mindset and habits to bring freedom, peace, and joy. My program combines personal mentorship with group coaching to offer a safe space for sharing and sisterhood. I adore wrapping my arm around the shoulders of these women and watching breakthroughs that honor Jesus and alter their life.

Through the program, they also learn how to apply my Motherhood Mindset Model™️ and Purposed Parenting Plan™️ that enable them to become a set-apart woman who confidently raises set-apart children through the strength of Christ. The truth is, if women aren’t equipped to teach our children how to honor Christ, culture will sway them away. I believe that purposed and patient parenting through relationship with Jesus coupled with the unique methods I teach in my program will make an impact on the mental health crisis facing children and teens, as well as draw families nearer to God and each other.

I also co-founded an online business with my middle daughter. Melane & Co. is a lifestyle brand that creates joy to be showcased in the home. Our custom pet portraits, animal, floral, and nature prints and cards bring smiles to the young and young at heart. My daughter, Marissa Hitt, is the artist behind the beautiful watercolor creations that are painted on canvas. She also handles social media and photo shoots.

We desire innocence to be reflected in the home, so children can grow up surrounded by nature, joy, and innocence. One of the best compliments I received from my middle daughter after she was grown was how she appreciated growing up with picture books that instilled beauty, creativity, and light in her thoughts and character. Now we have the opportunity to continue that tradition with delightful items through Melane & Co. Children grow up too quickly, but parents have the ability to guide that process with truth and gentleness that molds godly character.

I want women to know that I am not perfect, but I follow and teach of a perfect Savior. He has carried me through a dysfunctional childhood, heartbreak, loss, fears, and given me the surety of eternal life. He has enabled me to parent for Him and live with children who honor me because they love, respect, and serve Him. No matter what we have been through, He is waiting for us to submit the load to Him. He doesn’t care what it is, in fact, the worse your life has been the more grace and forgiveness He offers.

I started as a scared, insecure seventeen year old girl who married early because I was expecting a baby and hoped with everything that my marriage would make it. Despite not knowing how to even hold a baby at first, I’ve now raised four children over two generations. I’ve gained vast experience that enables me to help others and direct them to a Source that heals all wounds. Now I wrap my arm around younger moms to show them how to get that confidence, joy, and direction so they can live and parent with eternal purpose, not continue to just parent in the moment without hope or change.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

Life is never smooth, but I’m so glad it’s not! Without struggles, I wouldn’t have realized my need for a Savior. Instead, I’d still be carrying loads I don’t need to. I’d probably be living with fears or anxiety instead of peace and love. I wouldn’t have experienced grace and provisions that couldn’t have come from anywhere but above.

A dysfunctional childhood home life, pregnancy out of wedlock, marrying young and having little money, health issues, job loss, death of a daughter, watching my mother suffer from Alzheimer’s and my father and father-in-law suffer and die from cancer, and goodness SO MUCH more, has led me straight into the arms of a God who provided just what I needed each time – to carry me through and to help me strengthen my relationship with Him.

Now I am so blessed to help other women and it gives me great joy! I used to think I wanted to be a famous author, now I simply find peace, joy, and blessings by mentoring mothers so they will have a godly mindset and a parenting plan that creates connection with their children and Christ.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?

As a Christian Parenting and Mindset Mentor, I work with women one-on-one and in groups. Through my signature program, The Set-Apart Collective, I focus on professional women who are high-achievers and desire someone to walk alongside them with love, understanding, and direction. I help women mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. These women may be expectant mothers, women who have little ones to upper grade school age children, or women with older children, some even out of the house. Once a mother, always a mother. We know that motherhood can carry valleys and peaks, but there is a way to steady the mind and heart of mothers who fix their eyes on Him. There is a way to ensure that mothers carry peace and joy beyond understanding to create a stronger connection with Christ and her family. Getting support and insight for the heart and mind creates the vehicle for that change to occur.

I’ve been told that what sets me apart is my heart and the peace I carry. Mothers have remarked often that they see the heart of Christ through my words and character. They also tell me I have a deep peace that calms them. I am thankful for the compliments and encouragement. I believe that is evidence that He is at work. I know the changes He has made in me. Praise God, I see the changes He continues to make.

I deeply enjoy helping mothers deepen identity in Christ and commit to parent for Him. If women are interested in learning more, they may contact me at [email protected]. If they would like to work with me, I also have an application at terrihitt.com/setapart that helps ensure we are a right fit for one another. I will get in contact with each woman shortly after I receive their completed form. God gives each mother power, purpose, and privilege to parent for Him. I am honored to support women in this journey that crafts generational change that lasts into eternity.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?

Prayerfully consider what gifts, talents, and interests you carry. What lights you up? What gives you joy? What do you wake up thinking about? What do you go to sleep dreaming of? These are the keys to finding the purpose God has crafted into you.

I wish someone had told me to simply identify the ideal woman I want to work with and touch her heart. Social media is exhausting to me. When I sit with women and simply listen and share, I’m overjoyed! I naturally want to help, but I don’t want to give women fish. I want to teach them how to fish. So I say find a way to help your people and let them soar.

I’d love to offer a 30-minute complimentary call to women looking for a mentor who will point them straight to Christ. There’s no obligation to continue working together, but I’d love to hear where you are, strategize to see how we can shift your heart and mind, then offer a suggestion to move you where you need to be. We can get a lot sorted out in 30 minutes that will shift parenting and mindset concerns. If interested, please reach out at [email protected].

Contact Info:

• Website: FREE Resource: https://www.terrihitt.com/resources
• Instagram: Check out Terri Hitt’s website: www.terrihitt.com/ www.terrihitt.com/
• Facebook: Connect with Terri Hitt on Instagram: www.terrihitt.com/
• Youtube: YouTube – N/A – but I think it may be coming!
• Yelp: Follow Terri Hitt on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/purposedparentconnectedchild
• Other: Take a peek at Terri Hitt’s FREE, Resource-filled Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com/terri_hitt/