The Necessary Desperation {bonus}

Introducing Season 2 of Light Duties! Across this new season I will be sharing what I have been noticing about the nature of a range of relationships and responsibilities which have fallen in my way. The field of observation will be wide and the sources of content varied. After introducing this new season, this episode features footage from a conference talk I presented in April 2026, "Making Merry: Women Devising Good for the Glory of God and the Joy of Many".

Growing up without a father and then becoming the mother of many children are two experiences that have taught me two things relevant to the abortion issue. The key to ending abortion is not to lie about life with children. The truth is so much better.

I've been asked about parenting teenagers, by some people who are anticipating their children soon growing to be teens. This collection of observations is a snapshot of what I've been learning thus far (with my 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, 8 year olds). I expect to have more and less to say down the track, but also know that immediacy counts for something. This episode is a forerunner to anything I might say in the future about youth ministry. Charlotte Mason Ourselves Cindy Rollins Mere Motherhood God Will Not Do What We Imagine The Necessary Desperation Teenagers conference videos Interview with ADE podcast on Homeschooling Teenagers  

In this episode I start with a brief history of the problem that Sunday Schools were first trying to solve. I then spend time considering how the 17th Century challenges are not the same as ours, which then raises the question of what Children's Ministries exist for in 21st Century Australia.  I mention Charlotte Mason, Vol.2 Parents and Children p.92-100. To see other things I've written about kids in church, see articles #29-35 from the Light Duties series. 

This episode features a brief life update as well as an article I wrote at Easter-time, but true for all times. Life is a cycle of deaths, seeds buried. But we believe in resurrection through Jesus Christ. My garden is a metaphor for that.

God built certain responsibilities into the parent/child relationship. If you are looking to grow in understanding and doing that role, then you might appreciate the monthly Charlotte Mason study group I host. This episode explains what that is all about. You can join the group via Patreon ($5 AUD per month). A reading schedule is available on the Light Duties website. Join anytime, no prior knowledge required!    

First published August 2024 on the Australian Presbyterian website. For the full text, see the AP site or the Light Duties website. This article explores the disparity between the sentiments of the 2024-25 Women's Budget Statement and the Bible's vision of how children are raised. Instead of focusing on women's rights, I suggest we refocus by considering how our children are going with the biblical imperative that they obey their parents. Is it possible that the expectation that children can learn to obey has disappeared along with the means by which the Bible assumes it is learned?

Following the How to Fill the Time episode, I've received questions about what kinds of children's books to read. Here is a response, to help you filter out many of the options and point you to some good springs.  I mentioned: Biblioguides Vigen Guroian, "Tending the Heart of Virtue" (No affiliate link; I used the website that had the cheapest prices as of the date the episode was released). Hans Christian Anderson translated by Erik Haugaard. Five in a Row Sabbath Mood Homeschool Charlotte Mason Study group at The Book House Patreon (NB it's 5% per month). The Literary Life Podcast.

Jodie McIver is the Christian friend every expectant mum needs, especially in Australia. She understands the Bible, she understands midwifery and she understands the great variety of experiences faced by women who are becoming mothers. This is a review of her book, "Bringing Forth Life: God's Purposes in Pregnancy and Birth". 

When we've been invested in giving good and restraining harm for our kids, the situations that bring them low can be bitter to us. But we and our children need these pains, lest we miss the best of comfort, especially as they become independent.