When we can’t fix our kids’ hurt with Vanessa Siso
This episode is for every parent who has ever felt helpless watching their child go through something hard. You know that ache, that deep desire to step in and fix it all?Today’s guest is Vanessa Siso, a registered psychologist and author, and she brings such a gentle, wise, and hope-filled perspective. She reminds us that while we can’t always protect our kids from hardship, we can walk with them through it in a way that strengthens their faith and resilience.Here’s what you’ll take away from this episode:Why it’s more powerful to be present than to offer quick fixesHow simple role play helps kids process and respond to hard things biblicallyThe difference between helping and rescuing, and how rescuing can hinder growthA practical tool: narrating your own coping strategies to model emotional resilienceIf this conversation speaks to you, be sure to check out Vanessa’s children's book, Elizabeth’s Miracle, which helps kids process challenges through a faith-based lens.About Vanessa Siso:Vanessa is a registered psychologist, children’s book author, and mom who is passionate about helping families navigate mental health and spiritual growth with compassion and confidence. Her work blends clinical insight with biblical wisdom, giving parents the tools to walk with their children through life’s ups and downs with grace.Thanks for being here, let’s keep walking this parenting path together.(01:51) The Importance of Allowing Kids to Experience Hardships(05:52) The Long-Term Effects of Shielding Kids from Pain(09:52) Understanding Kids' Feelings of Loneliness and Isolation(14:08) The Power of Presence in Parenting(18:15) Teaching Kids to Trust God Through Struggles(21:56) Role-Playing as a Tool for Learning(26:05) Vanessa's Book: A Resource for Parents(30:02) Conclusion and ResourcesPrefer video? This episode is on YouTube!Connect with Vanessahttps://www.vanessasiso.com/InstagramResources mentionedElisabeth’s MiracleMake your own sock puppets and coloring pagesChristian Parenting resourcesSubscribe to Christian Parenting’s Friday FavoritesThe Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.orgOur Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.com* Check out Mr. Pen and use my code CPPODCAST10 for a great deal: https://mrpen.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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How to embrace adventure as a family with Dan and Sam Matthews
Welcome back to the Christian Parenting Podcast! I hope you’re ready for a really fun, really doable conversation that might just spark your next memory-making moment.This week, I’m chatting with Dan and Sam Matthews. They are parents, content creators, and big believers in family adventures. You might know them from their videos online, but today, we’re going beyond the highlight reel and digging into what it really looks like to choose adventure in your everyday life.Whether you’re dreaming of a road trip or just looking to make Saturday pizza night more intentional, this episode is packed with practical encouragement.Here’s what we covered:• How to create a family culture of adventure (even if you’re not an “adventure person”)• Why small moments, like a backyard campout matter just as much as big vacations• Tips for staying flexible and faithful when kids melt down or plans fall apart• How saying yes to adventure helps our kids grow in resilience and trustIf your family feels stuck in the same old routine, this episode is your reminder that adventure doesn’t require plane tickets or perfect weather, just a little intention and a lot of grace.Dan and Sam are a husband and wife duo passionate about family, faith, and making the most of every moment. Known for their joyful content and honest approach to parenting, they’re the authors of Always Choose Adventure, a book filled with practical tips and inspiring stories to help you build a family life full of purpose, connection, and fun. You can follow them online and grab their book via the link in the show notes!Until next week, keep parenting with purpose and choosing the adventure—big or small.(03:00) The Importance of Family Adventures(06:13) Creating Lasting Memories Through Adventure(09:01) Navigating Challenges and Learning from Experiences(11:48) Faith and Family: Exploring Spirituality Through Adventure(15:11) Intentional Living: Simplifying Life and Giving Back(19:14) Expanding Perspectives Through Travel(20:12) Teaching Values: Tithing and Giving(21:49) Experiencing Service: Family Missions(22:45) Pursuing Time Freedom: A New Lifestyle(24:35) Finding Adventure in Everyday Life(31:32) Encouragement for Families: Breaking the RoutineConnect with Dan and SamWebsiteInstagramFacebookWe Are Dan and Sam YouTubeResources MentionedAlways Choose Adventure bookChristian Parenting resourcesSubscribe to Christian Parenting’s Friday FavoritesThe Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.orgOur Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.com* Check out Mr. Pen and use my code CPPODCAST10 for a great deal: https://mrpen.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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BONUS: Praying for your kids this school year
Hey friends, today we’ve got something special for you: a bonus episode straight from the Pardon the Mess podcast!Every Monday, host Courtney DeFeo shares a short prayer to help you lift up your kids. This year’s series follows Christian Parenting’s brand new prayer journal, A Great Cloud of Witnesses. Each week highlights a biblical hero of the faith, paired with Scripture-based prayers for your kids. Here is a sneak peek into week one:This first week is all about Noah—a man of incredible faith and obedience. While the world around him turned away from God, Noah walked in righteousness. Building the ark probably looked foolish to everyone else, but Noah trusted God’s word even when it didn’t make sense. That’s the kind of faith we want for our kids: to listen to God’s voice over any others and walk confidently with Him even when it means standing apart.If you love this episode and don’t have your copy of A Great Cloud of Witnesses yet, it’s not too late to get yours! Go ChristianParenting.org to get your copy and follow along. And don’t forget to tune in to Pardon the Mess every Monday for more prayer episodes. Order A Great Cloud of Witnesses todayFollow Pardon the Mess on Apple or SpotifyThe Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.orgOur Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.com* Check out Mr. Pen and use my code CPPODCAST10 for a great deal: https://mrpen.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Helping our kids find their identity in Christ with Emma Mae McDaniel
This week’s episode is one that speaks straight to the heart especially for those of us raising kids in a digital world.I’m joined by joy-filled Emma Mae McDaniel, a speaker and writer who shares her powerful story of navigating cyberbullying and learning to root her identity in Christ rather than the words of others. Her story is raw, redemptive, and full of practical encouragement.We talked about:• How Emma learned to respond to cruelty with grace• The importance of building a daily habit of being in God’s Word• What it looks like to help our kids form their own faith, not just borrow ours• How God uses our pain for His glory and purposeWhether you’re parenting a teen who’s struggling with identity or walking through your own healing, this episode is going to speak life over you.Emma is a speaker, author, and passionate encourager who loves pointing people to Jesus. She is the author of The Girl in the Middle and travels around the country sharing messages of identity, faith, and courage with teens and women. Her authenticity and joy are contagious, and her wisdom is rooted deeply in scripture.00:00 Introduction to Emma Mae02:58 Emma's Journey into Ministry06:00 The Impact of Cyberbullying11:53 Finding Identity in Christ18:05 Encouragement for Parents24:00 Daily Habits for Spiritual GrowthConnect with Emma MaeWebsiteInstagramThe Compelled Podcast with Emma MaeThe Girl in the Middle bookResources MentionedPraise God, All Creatures bookChristian Parenting resourcesSubscribe to Christian Parenting’s Friday FavoritesThe Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.orgOur Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.com* Check out Mr. Pen and use my code CPPODCAST10 for a great deal: https://mrpen.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Making room for what matters with Kari Kampakis
In a world that constantly pushes us to hustle harder and do more, this week’s conversation is a breath of fresh air. I sat down with the wise and grace-filled Kari Kampakis, and she reminded us of something so important: sometimes the most faithful thing we can do is make peace with accomplishing less in a day.As parents, it's easy to feel like we need to keep up with everything: our careers, commitments, expectations, and a perfectly run household. But what if slowing down is actually the bravest and most obedient thing we can do? Kari gives us permission to step back, breathe, and create space for the things that really matter.Here are four takeaways from our conversation:How doing less can actually strengthen your parenting and your peaceWhy margin in your schedule creates more room for spiritual growthWays to listen to God's leading in the pace of your family lifeThe freedom that comes when you stop chasing “shoulds” and start embracing “enough”Kari Kampakis is a mom of four daughters, a bestselling author, speaker, and host of The Girl Mom Podcast. Her books, including Love Her Well and More Than a Mom, have encouraged countless women to parent with purpose, grace, and deep faith. Kari’s message is always full of wisdom and grounded in truth and this conversation is no different.I hope this episode helps you take a deep breath and remember: you don’t have to do it all to be a faithful parent.(00:00) Introduction to Parenting Dynamics(03:08) Navigating the Challenges of Modern Parenting(05:58) Building Lifelong Relationships with Our Children(08:47) The Importance of Connection in Parenting(12:07) Embracing Imperfection in Parenting(16:24) Embracing Vulnerability in Parenting(17:16) Navigating Big Emotions(18:40) Understanding Adolescent Emotional Development(20:32) Staying Grounded as a Parent(24:01) Connecting Before Correcting(27:32) Self-Care for Moms(30:00) Modeling Healthy Behaviors for Future GenerationsConnect with KariKariKampakis.comInstagramGirl Mom podcastResources MentionedKari’s booksRaising Kind Daughters episode on The Christian Parenting PodcastChristian Parenting resourcesA Great Cloud of Witnesses prayer journalThe Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.orgOur Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.com* Check out Mr. Pen and use my code CPPODCAST10 for a great deal: https://mrpen.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
About The Christian Parenting Podcast - Motherhood, Teaching kids about Jesus, Intentional parenting, Raising Christian kids
As believing parents, we know how important it is to raise our kids with love and intentionality. We want to give our kids a full picture of God’s love for them every day! But some days, it’s really hard! We are stretched thin, tired, and often feel unequipped. The Christian Parenting Podcast gives parents the space and resources to set aside perfection and grow into the perfectly imperfect parents God made them to be. Join host Steph Thurling and her guests as they discuss practical tips and spiritual guidance for your parenting journey.
Listen to The Christian Parenting Podcast - Motherhood, Teaching kids about Jesus, Intentional parenting, Raising Christian kids, We Don't Have Time For This and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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