Parenting in the Weeds - Series 14
Positive parenting is within reach!
Even the most loving parents can feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and so bogged down by the challenges of parenting that they begin to miss out on the joys of parenting.
We designed our series, Parenting in the Weeds, as a way to equip you to better understand yourself, your child(ren), and to equip you with the skills you need to parent with intentionality and positivity.
Parenting Wars: “Gentle Parenting” vs. “Tough Love”
Confused about the ‘right’ way to parent? Join the club! Go to a bookstore and browse parenting titles or visit an online parenting forum and almost immediately you’ll see some people advocating “gentle parenting” and others who vow that “tough love” works every time.
Is there a new framework for parenting? John, Lynn, and Austin sit down to discuss:
The difference between “gentle parenting” and “tough love”
The best arguments for each type – and downsides of each
A new framework for raising healthy, happy kids
4 specific takeaways for parents
Loving the Kid You Have, Not the Kid You Want
Even when parenting with the best of intentions, there are times when you may expect your child to be ‘perfect’, or to attain your own unfulfilled dreams, or to take care of you when you are feeling sad or alone.
In the second episode of our new series, Parenting in the Weeds, John, Lynn, and Shay sit down to talk about 3 very real traps of parenting – and ways you can recognize and then undo the damage caused by these traps:
Defining the primary goal of parenting
3 traps that you might fall into as a parent
3 truths that will help you get out of those traps
Managing Sibling Conflict
Whether you're dealing with daily squabbles between young kids, quiet resentment among teens, or lingering rivalries into adulthood, you may feel frustration or even despair in your efforts to help your kids get along.
In this episode, Shay and Austin combine personal anecdotes, biblical wisdom, and counseling experience as they share the foundations of sibling rivalry and actionable solutions to improve family dynamics:
3 main causes of sibling conflict
5 practical strategies to manage sibling conflict
Parenting in a Blended Family
In this heartfelt episode, Chris and Amanda Horn share insights with Austin about co-parenting with grace, resolving conflict peacefully, and building strong family bonds.
This honest conversation includes:
Real talk about parenting a blended family
The highest highs and the lowest lows
What they wish they knew at the beginning
The ways that God has shown up for their family
Practical takeaways for parents in similar situations
The Journey of Parenting a Child with ADHD
Listen in as Lynn interviews WYITW co-host Austin Conner and his wife Polly about their journey of parenting a child with ADHD. They share honest emotional stages, heartfelt insights, and helpful takeaways about:
Life before the diagnosis
The turning point: the diagnosis
Life after the diagnosis
How to Talk to Your Kids About Sex
In order to help you provide your child with a biblically-based foundation of sex and sexuality, as well as feel comfortable answering their questions, Austin sits down with Certified Health Specialist and sex educator Kristen Miele to talk about:
Why it matters that sex is designed by God
How talking about sex doesn’t lead to increased sexual activity
Why “the talk” is an ongoing conversation, not a one-time conversation
“We Listen and We Don’t Judge”
Ever wonder what your kids really think about your parenting? In this unforgettable episode, hosts Lynn and Shay hand the microphone to their own kids—Jack (25), Emma (22), and Owen (19)—for a raw, unscripted conversation.
You’ll hear about:
Cherished childhood memories - and more than a few parenting fails
How to better understand your kids' feelings, challenges, and needs
Cultivating a parent-child relationship based on grace, forgiveness, and open communication
Encouragement to start building trust and connection with your kids
Guiding Your Child Through Dating and Relationships
When your child is finally old enough to date, it can be an exciting time – but also a time fraught with worries and concerns.
In this episode, John and his wife of over 30 years, Paula, sit down with Austin to reflect on lessons learned from their own dating experiences as well as the advice they gave their daughters when it came to dating and relationships, including:
Their own dating and relationship history
Setting healthy boundaries for your children’s dating experiences
Practical guidelines for opposite-sex relationships at every age
Advice for present-day dating dilemmas parents are facing
Reaching Your Child’s Heart for Jesus
Wondering how much influence you can have in your kids’ spiritual lives? In this helpful episode of our ongoing series, Parenting in the Weeds, John and Austin offer encouragement, hope, and practical tips on how to reach your child’s heart:
4 developmental ‘pillars’ to establish in your child’s heart
How to help your child grow spiritually
The role of experiential learning
How to actually reach your children for the Lord
What to do if your child isn’t interested in learning about Jesus
Setting Boundaries With Your Adult Child
In this episode of our ongoing series, Parenting in the Weeds, Lynn and John discuss the complexities of transitioning from parenting young children to building healthy, respectful relationships with adult children, including:
Their personal stories of parenting adult children
Ways to communicate with your child that allow for autonomy and responsibility
5 principles for setting boundaries with your adult child
Reasons why setting boundaries is “easier said than done”
Connecting with Your Child When They’re Hurting
Research shows kids who feel supported by their parents are more resilient. The key is not to fix every problem, but to be present and connected, especially during painful moments, reflecting how God supports you in your distress. This episode offers helpful information and actionable takeaways, including:
What hurts kids: in the home, outside the home, and within themselves
Recognizing when your child is hurting
How to respond when your child is hurting
Practical phrases that lead to open conversations with your child
Suicide awareness – signs to look out for
What Parents Need to Know About Teens and Suicide
Wondering what you can say or do if your child is considering suicide? In this heart-wrenching but illuminating interview, Austin talks with Gary Maddux, MA, LPC-A about:
Gary’s personal story of losing his daughter to suicide
Debunking myths about suicide and depression
Individual and relational dynamics that contribute to suicidal thoughts and behaviors
Practical ways to respond to suicidal ideation with care and compassion
Parenting With Hope with Melissa Kruger
Parenting teens can feel like navigating a storm—chaotic, unpredictable, and uncertain. How do you guide them toward faith and wisdom in a world pulling them in every direction?
Our special guest for this episode, author and teacher Melissa Kruger, blends biblical wisdom with practical strategies for shepherding teens through this turbulent season of parenting. Listen in as Austin talks with Melissa about:
The power of asking questions over dictating answers
The effectiveness of an invitational approach to studying the Bible with your teen
The wisdom of avoiding a fear-based controlling approach to parenting
The ultimate place to find hope when you’re feeling discouraged