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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.
All Episodes:
When we cant fix our kids hurt with Vanessa Siso →
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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?
Todays 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 cant always protect our kids from hardship, we can walk with them through it in a way that strengthens their faith and resilience.
Heres what youll take away from this episode:
- Why its more powerful to be present than to offer quick fixes
- How simple role play helps kids process and respond to hard things biblically
- The difference between helping and rescuing, and how rescuing can hinder growth
- A practical tool: narrating your own coping strategies to model emotional resilience
If this conversation speaks to you, be sure to check out Vanessas children's book, Elizabeths Miracle, which helps kids process challenges through a faith-based lens.
About Vanessa Siso:
Vanessa is a registered psychologist, childrens 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 lifes ups and downs with grace.
Thanks for being here, lets 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 Resources
Connect with Vanessa
Resources mentioned
Make your own sock puppets and coloring pages
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The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org
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How to embrace adventure as a family with Dan and Sam Matthews →
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Welcome back to the Christian Parenting Podcast! I hope youre ready for a really fun, really doable conversation that might just spark your next memory-making moment.
This week, Im 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, were going beyond the highlight reel and digging into what it really looks like to choose adventure in your everyday life.
Whether youre dreaming of a road trip or just looking to make Saturday pizza night more intentional, this episode is packed with practical encouragement.
Heres what we covered:
How to create a family culture of adventure (even if youre 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 trust
If your family feels stuck in the same old routine, this episode is your reminder that adventure doesnt 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, theyre 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 adventurebig 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 Routine
Connect with Dan and Sam
Resources Mentioned
Subscribe to Christian Parentings Friday Favorites
The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org
Our Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.com
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BONUS: Praying for your kids this school year →
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Hey friends, today weve 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 years series follows Christian Parentings 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 Noaha 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 Gods word even when it didnt make sense. Thats the kind of faith we want for our kids: to listen to Gods voice over any others and walk confidently with Him even when it means standing apart.
If you love this episode and dont have your copy of A Great Cloud of Witnesses yet, its not too late to get yours! Go ChristianParenting.org to get your copy and follow along. And dont forget to tune in to Pardon the Mess every Monday for more prayer episodes.
Order A Great Cloud of Witnesses today
Follow Pardon the Mess on Apple or Spotify
The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org
Our Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.com
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Helping our kids find their identity in Christ with Emma Mae McDaniel →
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This weeks episode is one that speaks straight to the heart especially for those of us raising kids in a digital world.
Im 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 Gods 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 purpose
Whether youre parenting a teen whos 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 Mae
02:58 Emma's Journey into Ministry
06:00 The Impact of Cyberbullying
11:53 Finding Identity in Christ
18:05 Encouragement for Parents
24:00 Daily Habits for Spiritual Growth
Connect with Emma Mae
The Compelled Podcast with Emma Mae
Resources Mentioned
Praise God, All Creatures book
Subscribe to Christian Parentings Friday Favorites
The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org
Our 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.com
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Making room for what matters with Kari Kampakis →
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In a world that constantly pushes us to hustle harder and do more, this weeks 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 peace
- Why margin in your schedule creates more room for spiritual growth
- Ways to listen to God's leading in the pace of your family life
- The 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. Karis 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 dont 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 Generations
Connect with Kari
Resources Mentioned
Raising Kind Daughters episode on The Christian Parenting Podcast
A Great Cloud of Witnesses prayer journal
The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org
Our 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.com
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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