The Christian Parenting Podcast - Motherhood, Teaching kids about Jesus, Intentional parenting, Raising Christian kids

Have you ever felt busy all day long but still wondered if any of it really mattered?
This week’s episode is a little different and so special. I’m sharing a conversation from another Christian Parenting podcast, Pardon the Mess, hosted by the wonderful Courtney DeFeo. I first heard her interview with Elaine Franklin years ago, and honestly, it stuck with me in such a meaningful way. So when I saw them sit down together again, I knew I had to share it with you.
This conversation is all about time, but not in the way you might expect. It’s not about doing more or getting more organized. It’s about living with intention, clarity, and peace in the middle of full lives.
Here are four takeaways that really stood out:
Why understanding your circle of care vs. circle of responsibility can completely shift how you spend your time
The importance of defining your purpose and mission before building your schedule
How margin isn’t lazy, it’s protective for your faith, your family, and your well-being
Why creating a “to stop” list might be the most freeing productivity tool you’ve never tried
This episode is packed with practical wisdom, but more than that, it’s an invitation to step out of the hustle and into a more thoughtful, life-giving rhythm. If you’ve been feeling stretched thin or a little out of alignment, I think this one will really meet you right where you are.

Elaine Franklin is a speaker, coach, and author who helps individuals and families align their time and priorities with their God-given purpose. Through her teaching, she offers practical and biblical tools for creating margin, setting healthy boundaries, and living with intention in every season of life.

Resources Mentioned
Sign up for Morning Minute
Christian Parenting
Open a LearningRX center

The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

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Hey friends,
Have you ever felt like you’re trying to pass on faith to your kids while quietly wrestling with your own? If so, this episode is for you.
This week I’m joined by Kristin LaValley, writer, retreat host, and mom of five, who brings so much vulnerability and hope to the table. Kristin’s story is one many of us can relate to: growing up in the church, facing seasons of doubt and deconstruction, and learning how to build a gentler, deeper faith in the aftermath. Her wisdom is rooted in real experience, and she reminds us that asking questions doesn’t disqualify us, it invites us to know God more fully.

Here are just a few of the things we unpack in today’s conversation:
Why fear-based faith doesn’t last, and how to replace it with something more rooted in love
The difference between shame and conviction, especially when helping our kids process emotions
How to give our children spiritual agency without disengaging from their discipleship
What it means to be a non-anxious presence in the midst of theological tension
This one is tender, thoughtful, and full of grace. I hope it reminds you that God can hold both your faith and your questions.

Kristin LaValley is a writer, retreat leader, and mother of five living in New England. She helps women process faith, trauma, and spiritual transformation with honesty and hope. Her latest book, Growing Up Saved, is a heartfelt reflection on evangelical culture, mental health, and rebuilding faith after deconstruction.
(01:28) Transitioning from Homeschooling to Public School
(02:41) The Power of Writing in Healing
(05:19) Navigating Church Hurt and Parenting
(10:36) Giving Kids Agency in Their Faith
(20:38) Understanding Shame and Its Impact on Faith
(28:38) Kristen's Book and Closing Thoughts

Connect with Kristen

Website
Instagram
Facebook
Growing Up Saved book

Resources Mentioned
Christian Parenting resources
Sign up for Morning Minute
I Can Only Imagine 2 movie
Open a LearningRX center
Disciplines of Devotion series

Prefer video? Find this and other episodes on YouTube!

The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Hi friends,
This week’s episode is a little different and really special. It's just me, Steph, reflecting on the past three years of hosting the Christian Parenting Podcast. As I look back on the many conversations I’ve had with incredible guests, a few themes have come up over and over again. And I wanted to take a moment to name them, reflect on them, and remind you (and myself!) that faithful parenting is not about doing everything perfectly, it's about showing up with humility, love, and trust in God.
In this solo episode, I share some of the truths that have encouraged me the most over the years:
Relationship comes before instruction. Our kids don’t need a lecture, they need connection.
Consistency matters more than intensity. One big moment doesn’t outweigh everyday faithfulness.
Modeling an authentic faith makes a lasting impact. Your honesty and humility preach louder than perfection.
You’re not responsible for the outcome. You’re invited to be faithful, present, and full of grace, and let God do the rest.

These reminders have shaped how I approach my own parenting and I hope they encourage you as you walk alongside your kids in faith, love, and truth.

With Love,
Steph

Resources Mentioned
Christian Parenting resources
Sign up for Morning Minute
I Can Only Imagine 2 movie
Raising Daughters
Open a LearningRX center

The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Hey friends,
Let’s be honest, talking about money with our kids can feel a little awkward. Whether it’s figuring out allowance, answering “Why can’t we just buy that?” at Target, or teaching the value of hard work without turning into the fun police, we’ve all been there.
That’s why I’m so excited for you to hear today’s episode with Stephen Day. He’s a dad of four, a professor, and the author of Teach a Kid to Save. Stephen brings a gentle, practical approach to money conversations that is full of wisdom and grace. He shares a framework he calls a “mini economy,” and honestly, it’s brilliant. This episode is packed with insight that will make you feel a lot more confident in raising money-wise kids without overcomplicating it.
Here’s what we talk about:
A simple family economy system that teaches saving, spending, and giving in real time
Why allowances can work, but only if they're tied to your values, not just chores
How to model contentment and generosity in a consumer-driven world
Creative ways to connect money with character-building, not just behavior control

Stephen is a former middle school teacher, a current university professor, and a dad of four who is passionate about helping families teach financial literacy with confidence. His book, Teach a Kid to Save, is a practical guide full of tips, strategies, and encouragement for families wanting to build good money habits from the ground up. He believes kids learn best through experience, and that parents don’t have to be financial experts to make a lasting impact.
This conversation will help you ditch the overwhelm and step into intentional parenting around money, with wisdom and peace.
With Love,
Steph

Connect with Stephen
Website
Substack
Instagram

Resources Mentioned 
Teach a Kid to Save
Mini economy downloads
Sign up for Morning Minute
Christian Parenting
Raising Daughters

Prefer video? This episode is on YouTube!

The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Hey friends,
I am so glad you’re here today because this episode is such a gift. I had the absolute honor of welcoming back Pastor Max Lucado to the podcast, and his gentle wisdom and encouragement are exactly what we need as we navigate parenting in an anxious world.
Max has spent decades speaking into our hearts with truth and grace. And now, he’s turned his attention to helping our kids better understand and manage fear and worry through his new devotional Calm Thoughts for Kids. It’s full of faith-based tools and age-appropriate encouragement, and today, we’re talking about how we, as parents, can come alongside our kids in their emotional and spiritual growth.
Here are a few things you’ll hear in our conversation:
How anxiety shows up differently in children, and how to recognize it
Why open, ongoing conversations are essential for helping our kids grow in faith
How to anchor your child’s identity in God’s truth instead of fear
Encouragement for you as the parent: why your presence matters more than perfection

Max Lucado is a pastor, speaker, and best-selling author whose books have sold over 145 million copies worldwide. Known for his approachable teaching style and heart for helping people experience God’s grace, Max has written countless books for adults, and now, for children too. His newest devotional Calm Thoughts for Kids is designed to help kids trust God in anxious moments and develop lifelong habits of hope and faith.
This episode is a beautiful reminder that we can model calm, point our children to Jesus, and be safe places for them to land, no matter what they’re walking through.
With Love,
Steph

Connect with Max
@maxlucado
https://maxlucado.com/

Resources Mentioned
Calm Thoughts For Kids 
Sign up for Morning Minute
Christian Parenting

Prefer video? Find this and other episodes on YouTube!

The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy