Most parents want to protect their kids from things that seem dangerous, but too much protection can leave our children feeling unsure of themselves and afraid in the world. In this episode, Dr. Jeffrey Olrick and Amy Olrick talk about what research shows us about real dangers kids face and how opportunities to overcome manageable amounts of trouble can reduce anxiety in the long-run and help kids grow strong.
Author D.L. Mayfield and her husband, therapist and author Krispin Mayfield, join the conversation to discuss how they balance the desire for safety with Christ’s call to love and engage with our neighbors. Exposing their kids to new things while keeping communication open has helped build their whole family’s confidence and resilience.
On each Growing Connected podcast, husband and wife team Dr. Jeffrey Olrick and Amy Olrick discuss a listener-submitted question, exploring what the intersection of child development science and faith teach us about issues families are facing. Each episode ends with a God Moment — a story about a time a parent or a child felt God's love in their life in a specific and sometimes inexplicable way.
Child psychologist Dr. Jeffrey Olrick and author Amy Olrick are co-authors of the book, The 6 Needs of Every Child: Empowering Parents & Kids through the Science of Connection. Together they run GrowingConnected.com, where they share faith-affirming and scientifically grounded information for parents and kids. They live in New Zealand with their three children.