Ep. 404: Raising Gender Confident Kids with Dr. Kathy Koch

In this powerful episode of Let’s Parent on Purpose, Jay welcomes back Dr. Kathy Koch to discuss how Christian parents can raise gender-confident kids in today’s confusing cultural climate. Drawing from her book Raising Gender-Confident Kids, co-authored with Dr. Jeff Myers, Dr. Kathy unpacks the biblical framework behind the “Five to Thrive”—security, identity, belonging, purpose, and competence—and explains how unmet core needs often fuel gender confusion. With compassion and clarity, she equips parents to move from fear to faith, offering practical tools for affirming their child’s God-given design while maintaining strong, loving relationships.This episode explores how stereotypes distort masculinity and femininity, why social contagion and mental health struggles play a significant role in teen gender confusion, and how parents can proactively build confidence in their children from a young age. Dr. Kathy shares wisdom on affirming a child’s unique strengths through the “Eight Great Smarts,” guarding kids from harmful cultural influences, and responding wisely if a child questions their gender identity. If you’re a Christian parent seeking biblical guidance, practical strategies, and hope in navigating conversations about gender identity, this episode will strengthen your resolve and remind you that God’s design is both intentional and good.Resources Mentioned:Purchase Raising Gender-Confident Kids by Dr. Jeff Myers and Dr. Kathy Koch on Amazon or through the Celebrate Kids online store.Grab a copy of Five to Thrive by Dr. Kathy Koch on Amazon or through the Celebrate Kids online store.Get Jay's new devotional, Renewed: The 365-Day Christian Gratitude Journal. Use it solo, with your small group, or as a family for daily Scripture-based prompts to foster gratitude and closeness to Christ.Text "THINGS" to 66866 for free high-quality resources from Jay, including fun family conversations, a 52-week Scripture memory system, dating questions for kids, marriage tools, and more.Guest Bio: Dr. Kathy KochDr. Kathy Koch is the founder and president of Celebrate Kids, Inc., and a child development specialist. She is also the author of nine bestselling parent-child enrichment books including her latest book, Parent Differently: Raise Kids with Biblical Character that Changes Culture.For more, visit celebratekids.com.Key Takeaways from the EpisodeDrawing from Lightbulb Moments in Marriage, Dr. Eggerichs and Jay explore transformative "aha" insights for successful and satisfied Christian couples. Here are the highlights:The Five Core Needs (“Five to Thrive”) – Security, identity, belonging, purpose, and competence must be rooted in Christ to build lasting confidence.Identity Crisis Often Begins with Security Crisis – When kids don’t know who to trust, they struggle to know who they are.Gender Confusion vs. Gender Dysphoria – True clinical dysphoria is rare; confusion often stems from deeper identity and belonging issues.Celebrate Differences Without Stereotypes – Liking math, mechanics, ballet, or sports doesn’t redefine gender. Boys and girls can be multifaceted.Affirm Early and Specifically – Children become who we tell them they are. Use intentional language to affirm their God-given design.Guard Against Social Contagion – Social media exposure significantly influences teen identity struggles. Protect hearts, minds, and devices.Mental Health Matters – Many teens struggling with gender identity are also battling anxiety, depression, or isolation. Address root issues first.Keep the Relationship Alive – When a child questions their gender, prioritize connection, truth, and long-term influence over fear-driven reactions.Model Confidence in God’s Design – Parents who embrace their own God-given identity create a powerful example for their children.Hope for the Future – Research shows most teens experiencing gender confusion resolve it naturally by adulthood without medical intervention.Let’s Parent on Purpose is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcasting Network. For more information, visit www.ChristianParenting.orgMore Resources & Links:Renewed: The 365-Day Christian Gratitude Journal by Jay HollandCheck out www.youthministry.coachDaily Devotional Podcast Guided by Faith: www.guidedbyfaith.netJoin my Things for Thursday Email List and get a free Marriage Snapshot Tool and Fun Family Conversation Ebook! Support Let’s Parent on Purpose as we help families thrive through the gospel: https://letsparentonpurpose.com/support/

In this inspiring conversation, Jay sits down with Dr. Emerson Eggerichs, renowned author of the bestseller Love & Respect and his latest release, Lightbulb Moments in Marriage. Released in early 2026, the book explores 12 "aha" biblical perspectives to transform marriages from frustration to fulfillment.Dr. Eggerichs shares profound insights drawn from over three decades of counseling, scientific research, and Scripture, focusing on how lightbulb moments can break the "Crazy Cycle" of unmet needs in marriage. Whether you're a busy parent juggling kids and chaos or seeking deeper intimacy in your Christian marriage, this episode offers practical marriage advice to help you move forward without hitting the eject button. Topics include love and respect principles, communication breakthroughs, and eternal perspectives on relationships.Listen as Jay and Dr. Eggerichs discuss five to six key lightbulb moments that could revolutionize your marriage. Perfect for couples looking for Christian marriage counseling tips, biblical marriage guidance, or ways to strengthen family bonds.Resources Mentioned:Purchase Lightbulb Moments in Marriage by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs on Amazon or visit loveandrespect.com for more marriage resources, conferences, and tools.Get Jay's new devotional, Renewed: The 365-Day Christian Gratitude Journal Use it solo, with your small group, or as a family for daily Scripture-based prompts to foster gratitude and closeness to Christ.Text "THINGS" to 66866 for free high-quality resources from Jay, including fun family conversations, a 52-week Scripture memory system, dating questions for kids, marriage tools, and more.Guest Bio: Dr. Emerson EggerichsDr. Emerson Eggerichs is an internationally known public speaker on the topics of marriage, parenting, communication, and male-female relationships. Based on over three decades of counseling, as well as scientific and biblical research, Dr. Eggerichs and his wife, Sarah, developed the Love and Respect Marriage Conference, which they present to live audiences across the country. He is the founder and president of Love and Respect Ministries, with Sarah serving as vice president.A former senior pastor of East Lansing Trinity Church from 1980 to 1999, Dr. Eggerichs holds a PhD and has authored numerous books, including the New York Times bestseller Love & Respect, a Platinum and Book of the Year award winner that has sold over 2.3 million copies. His work emphasizes Ephesians 5:33, highlighting how wives need love and husbands need respect to thrive. Emerson and Sarah reside in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and have three grown children. For more, visit loveandrespect.com.Key Takeaways from the EpisodeDrawing from Lightbulb Moments in Marriage, Dr. Eggerichs and Jay explore transformative "aha" insights for successful and satisfied Christian couples. Here are the highlights:God-Given Value, Not Spouse-Driven: Your worth is rooted in Christ, not your spouse's approval. This frees couples from emotional rollercoasters, especially under parenting stress. Shift your identity to Jesus for lasting peace in marriage.Seeing Jesus Beyond Your Spouse: Treat your spouse as unto Christ to energize love and respect. Visualizing Jesus "beyond the shoulder" of your partner fosters forgiveness and intimacy, even in resentment-filled seasons.Clarity in Communication: True understanding beats just talking more. Break the Crazy Cycle by decoding "pink" (love-focused) and "blue" (respect-focused) languages. Use tools like word pictures to turn conflicts into connections, ideal for parents arguing over discipline or roles.Don't Let 20% Define the 80%: Focus on the 80% goodwill in your marriage rather than the 20% frustrations. Pray to magnify strengths and extend grace, helping busy families offset weaknesses like differing parenting styles.My Response Is My Responsibility: Embrace personal accountability for freedom and strength in Christ. Overcome fears like rejection to model resilience for your kids, transforming victim mentalities into victorious marriages.Eternal Perspective: View marriage through God's lens for motivation. Live for His "Well done!" knowing every act of faithfulness has eternal significance, preparing your children for healthy relationships.These biblical marriage tips can wake up stuck relationships and provide the tools needed for forward momentum in Christian parenting and marriage.Let’s Parent on Purpose is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcasting Network. For more information, visit www.ChristianParenting.orgMore Resources & Links:Renewed: The 365-Day Christian Gratitude Journal by Jay HollandCheck out www.youthministry.coachDaily Devotional Podcast Guided by Faith: www.guidedbyfaith.netJoin my Things for Thursday Email List and get a free Marriage Snapshot Tool and Fun Family Conversation Ebook! Support Let’s Parent on Purpose as we help families thrive through the gospel: https://letsparentonpurpose.com/support/

***Pick up a copy of Jay’s new Journal: Renewed: The 365-Day Christian Gratitude Journal How do we raise kids—and grow as parents—who don’t crumble under pressure but become stronger through hardship?In Episode 402 of Let’s Parent on Purpose, Jay Holland is joined once again by author, missionary, and leadership coach Virgil Tanner for a deep, practical conversation on antifragile faith—the kind of faith Jesus describes as a house built on the rock.Together, Jay and Virgil explore why anxiety and fragility have become normalized in modern culture, how Christian discipleship often unintentionally reinforces weakness, and what it looks like to intentionally form resilient, grounded followers of Jesus. Drawing from Scripture, neuroscience, leadership formation, and lived experience—from COVID lockdowns to pediatric cancer hospital rooms—this episode offers parents a hopeful and actionable framework for nurturing spiritual, emotional, physical, cognitive, and relational health.This conversation will challenge how you think about discipleship, parenting, and what it truly means to love God with all of who you are.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy storms don’t reveal weakness—they reveal foundationsHow culture has reframed fragility as virtue—and why that’s spiritually dangerousThe difference between changing behavior and changing the story we live inWhy discipleship must be whole-person formation, not just Bible knowledgeThe five dimensions of the soul: spiritual, physical, cognitive, emotional, relationalSimple daily practices that cultivate resilience and joyWhy modeling matters more than lecturing when discipling kidsHow families can become “houses on the rock” for othersWhy noticing emotions comes before managing or forgivingHow loving God with heart, mind, soul, and strength leads to abundant life—not burnoutKey Scriptures ReferencedMatthew 7:24–27 — The House Built on the RockLuke 10:25–28 — The Greatest Commandment1 Corinthians 10:31 — Doing Everything for the Glory of GodJohn 15:11 — “That My joy may be in you, and your joy may be full”Practical Takeaways for ParentsFormation happens relationally and communally, not just informationallyShared and modeled habits shape kids more than rulesEmotional maturity begins with naming emotions without judgmentGratitude reframes suffering without denying itThriving families talk openly about how they’re really doing—not just how they’re performingLet’s Parent on Purpose is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcasting Network. For more information, visit www.ChristianParenting.orgAbout Virgil TannerVirgil Tanner is a leadership coach, author, and missionary who has spent years equipping leaders and families to cultivate resilient, Christ-centered lives in high-pressure environments around the world. His work focuses on integrated human flourishing and forming leaders who can endure—and thrive—through adversity.Resources & Links:Renewed: The 365-Day Christian Gratitude Journal by Jay HollandSoul Tending: Leadership for Strategic Human Flourishing Check out www.youthministry.coachDaily Devotional Podcast Guided by Faith: www.guidedbyfaith.netJoin my Things for Thursday Email List and get a free Marriage Snapshot Tool and Fun Family Conversation Ebook! Support Let’s Parent on Purpose as we help families thrive through the gospel: https://letsparentonpurpose.com/support/

***Pick up a copy of Jay’s new Journal: Renewed: The 365-Day Christian Gratitude Journalhttps://amzn.to/3MLWavlIn this episode of Let’s Parent On Purpose, Jay Holland sits down with award-winning journalist and bestselling author Lee Strobel to explore the historical, theological, and personal significance of the Christmas story. Together they unpack the evidence for the birth of Jesus, the reliability of the Gospel accounts, misconceptions about the Nativity, and why the Incarnation still changes lives today.Whether you're a long-time believer, a seeker exploring Christianity, or a parent looking to equip your teens with confidence in their faith, this conversation offers clear, compelling reasons to trust the Christmas story as true history—not just a seasonal tradition.Key Topics Covered• The Investigative Journalist Who Tried to Disprove ChristianityLee shares how his journey from atheism to faith began as an attempt to rescue his wife from what he believed was a “cult.” His two-year investigation into the evidence for Jesus’ resurrection led him to the unexpected conclusion that Christianity is true.Why the Nativity Story Is Historically ReliableLee walks through:Why Luke’s and Matthew’s accounts are independent and trustworthyWhy different Gospel perspectives strengthen—not weaken—the historical caseHow early Christian writings outside the Gospels affirm the virgin birthHow ancient biography differs from modern biography but remains reliableWhat “No Room in the Inn” Actually MeansLee reveals:The Greek word kataluma likely means guest room, not hotelThe Holy Family almost certainly stayed with relativesJesus was probably born in the family living space of a first-century home, not a wooden stableWhy nativity sets with wooden barns and angry innkeepers are historically inaccurateWhy the Virgin Birth Matters theologicallyLee explains why the virgin birth is essential for:Jesus being fully God and fully manJesus being born without inherited sinFulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (Isaiah 7:14)Preserving core Christian doctrinesPagan Myth Claims DebunkedLee dismantles the popular internet claim that Christianity “borrowed” the virgin birth or resurrection from pagan myths such as Mithras, Dionysus, or Zoroaster. Each is exposed as historically inaccurate or chronologically impossible.How Investigating Christmas Strengthens WorshipLee shares how studying the incarnation moved him deeply, reminding him that Christianity is not a legend—it's a true story about God entering our world to save us.God Is Moving TodayLee and Jay reflect on the remarkable openness to the gospel they’re seeing nationwide—from churches to college campuses to everyday encounters.Let’s Parent on Purpose is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcasting Network. For more information, visit www.ChristianParenting.orgAbout Lee StrobelLee Strobel is a former award-winning legal editor for the Chicago Tribune and a New York Times bestselling author of more than forty books, including The Case for Christ, The Case for Faith, The Case for a Creator, The Case for Miracles, and his newest seasonal release, The Case for Christmas.Originally an atheist, Lee spent two years investigating the evidence for Christianity as a journalist. His search led him to faith in Christ and ultimately into ministry, where he continues to write, speak, teach apologetics, and help people explore the evidence for God.Lee currently serves as founding director of the Lee Strobel Center for Evangelism and Applied Apologetics at Colorado Christian University. His books have sold millions of copies and inspired films, documentaries, and student editions that help the next generation explore faith with confidence.Resources & Links:The Case for Christmas by Lee Strobel https://amzn.to/49S5BDcThe Case for Miracles Movie (2024) https://thecaseformiraclesmovie.com/Check out www.youthministry.coachDaily Devotional Podcast Guided by Faith: www.guidedbyfaith.netJoin my Things for Thursday Email List and get a free Marriage Snapshot Tool and Fun Family Conversation Ebook! Support Let’s Parent on Purpose as we help families thrive through the gospel: https://letsparentonpurpose.com/support/

In this episode, Jay sits down with Jeremy Pryor to explore what it looks like to build a thriving multi-generational Christian family in a culture that often prioritizes independence over connection. Jeremy shares the story behind his family’s four-generation household, the biblical foundations for treating family as a “multi-generational team,” and how countercultural habits—like a weekly multi-generational meal—can deepen identity, strengthen relationships, and create long-term family discipleship. Together, they unpack the dangers of hyper-individualism, the impact of technology on kids, and the surprising joy found in reclaiming ancient rhythms such as Sabbath-style meals. Jeremy also offers practical steps for parents who want to introduce meaningful, sustainable traditions that anchor their children in faith, family identity, and gospel-centered community.Jeremy Pryor is a family identity expert and author of the book “Family Revision”. His passion is helping families discover and live out their multigenerational mission to further the Kingdom of God.Key TakeawaysWhy modern Western culture struggles with hyper-individualism—and how it harms families.The biblical idea of a multi-generational family team and how it differs from the fragile nuclear model.Jeremy’s real-life example of four generations living, working, and discipling together.How intentional weekly rhythms—especially a multi-generational family meal—can transform family unity and identity.Practical steps for starting meaningful family traditions that are enjoyable, sustainable, and spiritually rich.Why children thrive when they grow up with strong family identity, shared stories, and rootedness.How reclaiming ancient practices like blessings, Sabbath-style meals, and storytelling helps parents disciple their kids.Let’s Parent on Purpose is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcasting Network. For more information, visit www.ChristianParenting.orgResources & Links:Family Meal Template: https://courses.familyteams.com/family-mealFamily Identity Through Everyday Chores with Jeremy PryorYour Family As A Team with Jeremy PryorCheck out www.youthministry.coachDaily Devotional Podcast Guided by Faith: www.guidedbyfaith.netJoin my Things for Thursday Email List and get a free Marriage Snapshot Tool and Fun Family Conversation Ebook! Support Let’s Parent on Purpose as we help families thrive through the gospel: https://letsparentonpurpose.com/support/

In this conversation, attorney and author Justin Whitmel Earley unpacks how embodied habits shape our spiritual life—what he calls habits as liturgies. Drawing on neuroscience and Scripture (Genesis 2:7; Romans 5; Ephesians 2; Psalm 23), Justin explains why the body often leads the heart, how practices like box breathing + breath prayers, sleep and Sabbath, and fasting and feasting can realign our loves, and how parents can build grace-based rhythms that form their homes. Jay shares his own story of grief and healing to show how God uses humble, repeated practices—friendship, worship, exercise, daily prayer—to restore joy. If you’ve wrestled with anxiety, distraction, or unhealthy relationships with food/tech, this episode gives practical, theologically grounded steps to start small and stay faithful.Justin Whitmel Earley is a writer, speaker, and lawyer. He is the author of The Common Rule, Habits of the Household, and Made for People, though he spends most days running his business law practice. Through his writing and speaking, Justin empowers God’s people to thrive through life-giving habits that form them in the love of God and neighbor. He continually explores both how physical habits are more spiritual than we think and how spiritual habits are more physical than we think. He lives with his wife and four boys in Richmond, Virginia, spends a lot of time around fires and porches with friends, and is a part-owner of a local gym. You can follow him online at justinwhitmelearley.com.Key TakeawaysHabits are liturgies. What we do repeatedly (often unconsciously) forms our loves; your identity tends to follow your practices, not just your ideas.Embodiment matters. God made, saved, and will resurrect us in bodies. Spiritual formation happens through the body, not around it.Top-down meets bottom-up. Pair truth in the mind with training in the body—e.g., Scripture + breath, theology + sleep rhythms, confession + tech limits.Breathing as prayer. Use box breathing to calm the nervous system and pair it with breath prayers (e.g., inhale: “The Lord is my shepherd”; exhale: “I shall not want”).Sleep & Sabbath are starting points. Begin the week (and each day) from rest, not for rest—work from God’s finished work.Food as formation. Redeem eating with the twin practices of fasting (dependence) and feasting (delight); both counter indulgence and shame.Fight habit with habit. You usually can’t think your way out of what you practiced your way into; stack small, embodied practices.Parenting is daily formation. The household is a “monastery” where we practice loving God and neighbor—bedtime blessings, screen rules, mealtime conversations, and pause-prayers change the parent, not just the child.Conversation HighlightsWhy “habits as liturgies” reframes everyday routines as worship.Jay’s testimony of grief, trauma, and how embodied rhythms restored joy.Breathing as the intersection of theology, psychology, and physiology.The Jewish day begins at sundown: a paradigm for starting with rest.How ultra-processed foods hijack dopamine and how fasting/feasting heal.“You can’t think your way out of what you didn’t think your way into.”Reflection / Small-Group Questions1. Where do your current habits reveal what you actually love?2. Which embodied practice (breath prayer, sleep/Sabbath, fasting/feasting, exercise) do you sense God inviting you to try first? Why?3. How could you redesign one household moment (bedtime, mealtime, screens, discipline) to make it a mini-liturgy?4. In a season of anxiety or grief, which small, repeatable habit most reliably pulls you back to God?Resources & Links:The Body Teaches the Soul — Justin Whitmel Earley Habits of the Household — Justin Whitmel EarleyBreath as Prayer: Calm Your Anxiety, Focus Your Mind and Renew Your SoulJustin’s Website - https://www.justinwhitmelearley.comCheck out www.youthministry.coachDaily Devotional Podcast Guided by Faith: www.guidedbyfaith.netJoin my Things for Thursday Email List and get a free Marriage Snapshot Tool and Fun Family Conversation Ebook! Support Let’s Parent on Purpose as we help families thrive through the gospel: https://letsparentonpurpose.com/support/Let’s Parent on Purpose is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcasting Network. For more information, visit www.ChristianParenting.org

In this conversation, Jay Holland and Rita Diapoules discuss the framework of children's ministry, focusing on the 'Ages and Stages' concept that helps parents understand how to guide their children spiritually as they grow. They emphasize the importance of habit stacking in daily routines to reinforce biblical truths, the significance of teaching biblical concepts appropriate to each age group, and the necessity of creating high-value touch points for families. Rita shares practical tips for parents to integrate spiritual discussions into their daily lives and the importance of partnering with the church for the spiritual growth of children.TakeawaysChildren's ministry should focus on long-term spiritual growth.The 'Ages and Stages' framework helps parents guide their children.Habit stacking can integrate spiritual teachings into daily routines.Parents are the primary disciplers of their children.Regular spiritual conversations are crucial for faith retention.Teaching should be age-appropriate and build on previous knowledge.Creating a community helps parents feel supported in their roles.Parents should actively engage with their church's children's ministry.Simple reminders can help reinforce biblical truths at home.Prayer and Bible reading should be prioritized in family life.Let’s Parent on Purpose is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcasting Network. For more information, visit www.ChristianParenting.orgResources & Links:Ages and Stages: A Discipleship Framework for Church and Home Check out www.youthministry.coachDaily Devotional Podcast Guided by Faith: www.guidedbyfaith.netJoin my Things for Thursday Email List and get a free Marriage Snapshot Tool and Fun Family Conversation Ebook! Support Let’s Parent on Purpose as we help families thrive through the gospel: https://letsparentonpurpose.com/support/

In this conversation, Dr. Sy Garte shares his remarkable journey from atheism to Christianity, exploring the intersection of faith and science. He discusses his personal experiences, the complexities of evolution, and the importance of understanding inheritance in biological processes. Dr. Garte emphasizes that science and faith are not mutually exclusive, advocating for a perspective that sees scientific discovery as a way to appreciate God's creation. He also provides insights for parents on how to discuss science with their children in a way that celebrates discovery while affirming their faith.TakeawaysDr. Garte's journey from atheism to Christianity was influenced by both intellectual and spiritual experiences.He emphasizes the importance of spirituality in human existence.The concept of inheritance is foundational to understanding evolution.Evolution does not contradict the biblical account of creation.Why Dr. Garte prefers the word divine design over intelligent design.Recent scientific discoveries suggest that even single-celled organisms exhibit agency and purpose.Science and faith can coexist and complement each other.Parents can equip their children to understand science as a celebration of God's creation.The history of science is deeply intertwined with Christian thought.Truth is unchanging, and God created everything for His pleasure.About Sy GarteSy Garte, PhD in biochemistry, is the author of Beyond Evolution: How New Discoveries in the Science of Life Point to God (Tyndale, August 2025) as well as the award-winning book The Works of His Hands: A Scientist’s Journey from Atheism to Faith (Kregel, 2019); and Science and Faith in Harmony: Contemplations on a Distilled Doxology (Kregel, 2024); and He has been a professor at New York University, the University of Pittsburgh and is currently Visiting Professor at Rutgers University. He has held leadership positions at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Uniformed Services University. Sy has published over two hundred peer-reviewed scientific papers and five books, as well as articles on science and faith. He serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the American Scientific Affiliation’s (ASA) quarterly magazine God and Nature. He is a fellow of the ASA, and Vice President of the Washington DC Metro chapter. He served as lay leader at his United Methodist Church. Sy was raised in an atheist, Marxist family, and was baptized 13 years ago. Let’s Parent on Purpose is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcasting Network. For more information, visit www.ChristianParenting.orgResources & Links:Check out www.youthministry.coachDaily Devotional Podcast Guided by Faith: www.guidedbyfaith.netFind Dr. Garte at https://sygarte.com/Get Beyond Evolution: How New Discoveries in the Science of Life Point to God: https://amzn.to/4mzDyemGet The Works of His Hands: A Scientists Journey from Atheism to Faith: https://amzn.to/3Vthrv9Join my Things for Thursday Email List and get a free Marriage Snapshot Tool and Fun Family Conversation Ebook! Support Let’s Parent on Purpose as we help families thrive through the gospel: https://letsparentonpurpose.com/support/

In recent days, our children have experienced another horrific act of evil with the assassination of Charlie Kirk.  There are some ways in which Charlie’s murder was unique - his explicit Christian faith, the motives behind the murder, and its brutal public nature caught on video for the world (and our children) to see.  In other ways, this is just one more horrible act of traumatic violence that our children are exposed to.  In this episode, Jay shares four helpful guidelines for moms and dads to help their children process this (and other) wickedness. He then shares his recent episode of Guided by Faith, where he directly addresses young people to help them process the murder.  Listen as Jay shares the following wisdom for moms and dads:Be compassionate Grieve for somebody whose life was cut short.Grieve for the friends and families of those affected. Grieve with your child that they had to be exposed.Be curious Can you tell me what you heard or saw?Who was with you when you heard? What was their reaction?What was your reaction? What do you remember feeling right away? What are you thinking and feeling about it now?The Lord promises to be with us. In what way was the Lord with you when you heard about this?Be cautious Don’t fan the flame of fear.Don’t fan the flame about contempt.Don’t fan the flame of vengeance.Pay attention to how obsessed you are getting with the situation.Pay attention to how obsessed your child is getting. You might need to make time for more conversations, or let them talk to a pastor or other trusted counselor. Be courageous Your children will remember your tone and your spirit more than your specific words. Ground your hope and emotions in the reality that Christ has overcome the world. Remind your children that Christ has overcome the world, and that he is coming back to set all things new. Until then he’s promised us that the world will have trouble, but he’s also called us to be his salt and light in the world. We don’t have to live afraid when we are living out God’s mission.Let’s Parent on Purpose is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcasting Network. For more information, visit www.ChristianParenting.orgResources and links mentioned:How to Walk With Loved Ones Through Trauma with Eliza Huie Part 1: https://letsparentonpurpose.com/part-1-how-to-walk-with-loved-ones-through-trauma-with-eliza-huie/How to Walk With Loved Ones Through Trauma with Eliza Huie Part 2: https://letsparentonpurpose.com/part-2-how-to-walk-with-loved-ones-through-trauma-with-eliza-huie/Daily Devotional Podcast Guided by Faith: www.guidedbyfaith.netJoin my Things for Thursday Email List and get a free Marriage Snapshot Tool and Fun Family Conversation Ebook! Support Let’s Parent on Purpose as we help families thrive through the gospel: https://letsparentonpurpose.com/support/

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 Spotify