Raising Christian Kids

“I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.” -Psalm 86:12 There is a strong connection between the words thankful, grateful, grace, and mercy. However, even though the words thankful and grateful are used interchangeably, to be thankful is to feel an emotion, and to be grateful is to take it a step further and express that emotion in action. Thanksgiving is a holiday to be thankful for our many blessings. We should encourage our kids to be thankful and grateful and this can be done using simple gestures and tasks. During this episode, Lee Ann elaborates on the following ways to encourage kids to be thankful & grateful every day, not only on Thanksgiving Day: Say thank you often for simple gestures throughout the day. Send thank you notes for every occasion and help your children create their own thank you cards for friends. Let your children hear you thanking God and ask for forgiveness out loud daily. Post Bible verses about giving thanks throughout your home. Make a gratitude journal or board. Instead of expressing what someone did wrong, express your appreciation for what they did do. Have a positive attitude in your words and actions. Let your children see you extend grace to others who don’t deserve it. Pray! Praying is an action! Also, don't forget to read our blog post: 3 Simple Ideas to Help Your Child Have a Thankful Heart. Resources mentioned: “25 Bible Verses About the Importance of Being Thankful,” by Leah Hall. “11 Ways to Show Thanksgiving to Our Heavenly Father,” by Rachel Bruner. “5 Christian books on Thankfulness and Gratitude,” by David Kaywood. “How Grateful Are You? Interactive Quiz + Seven Strategies for Cultivating Gratitude,” by Happier Human. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest Love this episode? Please leave us a rating/review and share this episode with a friend! You can find a list of all our episodes here.

“We started coming together as a family for a few minutes of prayer and a few minutes of spending time in God’s word, and that family worship time has transformed our family and generations of our family.” Rob Rienow Rob Rienow has partnered with his loving wife, Amy, to help their seven children follow Jesus. Together they founded Visionary Family Ministries, an organization that encourages families and trains church leaders to impress the hearts of children to love and serve God. Rob is the author of several books, including Visionary Parenting, Healing Family Relationships, and Visionary Church. After being a youth pastor for ten years and passing his faith to other children and families, Rob had a turning point where he realized he was not passing his faith to his own children and his own family. During this episode, he talks about what triggered this turning point, specifically the scriptures that opened his heart to visionary parenting, which is the understanding that God has given us our children for an ultimate purpose to do everything we possibly can to help them love and follow Jesus forever. “If our children follow Jesus, they can lead our unborn grandchildren to follow Jesus,” Rob emphasizes. Family worship time can help influence future generations! Rob draws his inspiration from these passages: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength… Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” -Deuteronomy 6:5-8 “Teach even to the children yet to be born.” -Psalm 78:6, Rob’s resources and social media: website, podcast, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest Love this episode? Please leave us a rating/review and share this episode with a friend! You can also find a list of all our podcasts here.

James 1:5 states, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” Sometimes kids can figure things out on their own. Other times, if they can’t, they become frustrated and overwhelmed, and can't seem to resolve problems on their own. As parents, we can exhibit effective problem-solving for our children to mirror. We should strive to be wise like Solomon and peaceful like Jesus! During this episode, Lee Ann elaborates on these age-appropriate suggestions to help parents when trying to guide children who are faced with a problem that they can’t seem to diffuse or resolve: 3-5 Years: Take some space and let them cool down; let them tell you when they are feeling better and are ready to reconnect to try and resolve the issue. Use a fun Bible story to help them relate to someone in the Bible. Let them express what they want out of the situation through creative play such as puzzles, building blocks, or legos. 5-7 Years: Ask "what if" questions to help them become critical thinkers. Use the Bible to find words and verses that can help seek a solution for their feelings. Ask open-ended questions to let them figure them out on their own. 7-9 Years: For larger problems, make sure to break them down into smaller sections and discuss what can be done each step of the way. Ask for professional help if needed from a teacher or expert. And for all age groups, praise them when they have resolved the issue! Kids love to feel good about completing something especially when they feel like they did it themselves. 5 simple questions your children can learn to ask themselves when they feel overwhelmed: Step 1: What am I feeling? Step 2: What’s the problem that I can't seem to resolve? Step 3: What are some solutions? Step 4: What would happen if I did this? Step 5: Which one will I try? Resources to assist you when helping your children diffuse and resolve issues: Bears on Time: Solving the Lateness Problem, by Mike Berenstain. The Problem-Solving Superhero: A Children’s Growth Mindset Book About Becoming a Problem Solver, by Heidi Miget. “How to Teach Your Children to be Problem Solvers,” by Shawn Akers. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest Love this episode? Please leave us a rating/review and share this episode with a friend! You can find a list of all our episodes here.

“We want kids to know that their home is a warm place, a fun place, a fair place, a safe place; we want to free families up to have fun with the Bible.” -Frank Trimble Frank Trimble serves as the Director of Training and Consulting for Family Time Training, an organization that offers programs to help families pass down the Christian faith, in the home. Frank is honored to be Kristin's husband and blessed to be Ava and Olivia's father. He hopes to see home discipleship become the norm, instead of the exception, in Colorado and beyond. "What would just 20 minutes a week mean to your child’s faith? Family Time Training equips and encourages parents to pass the faith to their children by exploring and growing in God’s Word together." During this episode, Frank discusses his organization, Family Time Training, and how their programs work to train and equip parents and grandparents to pass the Christian faith to the next generation in the home. He shares insight and encouragement for families on how to overcome feeling inadequate in teaching their kids about God and how the programs are very simple. Frank emphasizes the importance of having fun and building relationships as a family when learning about God, and with the programs offered at FTT, families can grow their Christian faith for generations to come! Learn more about growing your Christian faith as a family here: Family Time Training. Frank's social media: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest Love this episode? Please leave us a rating/review and share this episode with a friend! You can find a list of all our episodes here.

Did you know that we are hardwired for spirituality? In a previous episode, we learned from Dr. Lisa Miller that 21% of our DNA is spiritual. This means we are hardwired for spirituality! We should know the best ways to connect spiritually with our children and how to help them engage in meaningful, spiritual conversations. During this episode, Lee Ann elaborates on the following suggestions: Purchase or create a mood flip book, a “how do I feel” spinning wheel, or emotion flash cards. Make a homemade happy or sad tool using two rulers, two pieces of paper (cardstock works best), a marker, and either glue or tape. Take small smooth rocks and paint a symbol on each rock that represents what the child is feeling such as a heart, a tear, or a smile. Parents or caregivers can create a physical and spiritual space wherever the child feels most comfortable talking about spiritual things, shifting some power to the child. When children are sharing their feelings, as best as we can, we should let the Holy Spirit guide them and not try to direct their questions or comments. Ask questions instead of giving answers, start questions with the word “will,” and use “what if” wonder statements. Pay attention to their body language and try not to show judgment or surprise. Exhibit understanding, compassion, and acceptance when they are sharing emotions with you. Resources: Spiritual Conversations with Children and The Spiritual Growth of Children Guide by Lacy Finn Borgo, and The Companioning Center. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest Love this episode? Please leave us a rating/review and share this episode with a friend! You can find a list of all our episodes here.

“Marriage is a byproduct of our relationship with Jesus, and at the same time, the way we parent is foundational to understanding what it means to have a relationship with God.” Dr. Dewey Wilson Dewey Wilson, Ph.D., is the founder and CEO of Strong Marriages. Dr. Wilson Co-Authored The Relationally Intelligent Child and contributed to Focus on the Family's book, The Best Advice on Marriage. He has also written many books and workbooks for his organization, including Devoted, I Promise, and the series Doing Life Together. Dr. Wilson is passionate about helping adults and children acquire healthy social interactions and form meaningful relationships in their lives. Key Takeaways: Strong Marriages is an umbrella organization to the company Marriage Mentors; they work with other churches to train couples to mentor other couples struggling in their marriage through Biblical principles and meaningful relationships. Shocking statistics show how the lack of social interaction (relational intelligence) directly correlates with the life expectancy rate. Every person is born with a unique personality that determines how you tend to connect and interact with others. The Connect Assessment helps you understand your personality better to be able to form healthy relationships. Five key elements that can engage and equip your child with skills to be relationally intelligent (socially interactive): secure attachment, exploring their world, unwavering resilience, wise decision making, and the future focus service of others. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest Love this episode? Please leave us a rating/review and share this episode with a friend! You can find a list of all our episodes here.

Did you know that the sin of idolatry is the most detestable sin in God's eyes? God makes it known many times in the Bible, especially in Ezekiel chapters 8 and 9, that the sin of idolatry is the most detestable sin. It's also God's number one commandment to not have any other Gods besides Him, the one true God. In Ezekiel chapters 8 and 9, the Lord addresses the four components of idolatry and describes the result of committing this sin. Four components of idolatry: Worshipping false idols. False teachers or people in the community that teach lies and stir conflict. Distortion of God’s word. Worshipping earth, rejecting God’s existence. Throughout this episode, Lee Ann elaborates on these four components of idolatry and gives six helpful suggestions to encourage you and your child to recognize and overcome sinful habits. Resources to assist you when teaching your children about sin: “Helping Children Recognize Sin and Win,” by Sheida Catalan from Child Evangelism Fellowship “What Are the Seven Deadly Sins? A Biblical Guide,” by Lori Wildenberg “Beware False Teachers with Good Doctrine and Bad Ethics,” by Emily McGowin RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest Love this episode? Please leave us a rating/review and share this episode with a friend! You can find a list of all our episodes here.

"We are giving our kids so much more than what we are taking away from them when we do this detox." – Molly DeFrank Stay-at-home mom and foster mom of six, Molly DeFrank helps free families from their addictions to electronic devices. She holds a degree in international relations and worked as a press aide for former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Molly's book, Digital Detox, offers guidance on setting the right technology boundaries for you and your family and how to effectively detox your children and transform their hearts to desire to have a life outside of screens again. During this episode, Molly is confident that a digital detox is the best parenting hack she's ever found and that it can completely transform your home! Key takeaways: Scientists have engineered dopamine release points into our kids' apps and games, making it hard for kids to get the same amount of pleasure and happiness from anywhere else but their screens. Electronic screen syndrome disguises itself as ADHD, multiple personality disorder, bipolar disorder, and other medical disorders, and 70-80% of the symptoms related to these disorders were resolved by a digital detox. This detox allows kids to troubleshoot their boredom, problem-solve, form new and valuable hobbies, and revisit skills they were born with but have been deprived of due to too much electronic use. The long-term consequences of our children over-using electronics are depression, anxiety, mental health, and the opportunity cost of what our kids aren't getting. Molly's website and Instagram. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest Love this episode? Please leave us a rating/review and share this episode with a friend! You can find a list of all our episodes here.

When teenagers don’t experience connection and consistency, they have a hard time developing self-control and responsibility. The last episode detailed ideas and ways to improve communication with teens. During this episode, Lee Ann continues to share her wisdom from her research to help you and your parenting partner, or just you if you’re a single parent, discipline your teenagers more effectively! Lee Ann elaborates on the following suggestions to help you discipline your teens more effectively: The importance of parents sticking together with proper punishments and mutual agreements when disciplining. The irreversible damage from “split parenting.” Triangulation and how it can negatively affect your parenting patterns. The necessary balance between love, consistency, responsibility, and dependability. Overindulging and overcompensation with your teens when parents discipline too harshly or harbor guilt. Books to help single parents or stepparents navigate their family: The 10 Best Decisions a Single Mom Can Make: A Biblical Guide for Navigating Family Life on Your Own, by Pam Farrel and Peggy Sue and 101 Tips for the Smart Stepmom: Expert Advice from One Stepmom to Another, by Laura Petherbridge. Bible passages to help your teens understand they are not alone and God is always there, even when they are misbehaving or being disciplined: Exodus 20:12 Deuteronomy 31:6 Isaiah 41:10 Jeremiah 29:11 Proverbs 1:8-9 Proverbs 3:5-6 1 Corinthians 10:13 1 Timothy 4:12 RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest Love this episode? Please leave us a rating/review and share this episode with a friend! You can find a list of all our episodes here.

The terrible twos… more like the terrible teens! In the first part of the two-part episode series on parenting teenagers, Lee Ann elaborates on the following topics to help improve communication and hopefully better your relationship with your teenager: Using "neutral ground communication" when trying to improve communication. The best and worst time to try and talk to your teens. How to empathize with them instead of judging them. The importance of following through with consequences for misbehavior or disobedience. Why you should establish rules and regulations early on. The benefits of showing remorse to your child instead of having guilt - healthy remorse will benefit both you and your teen, and harmful guilt could cause destruction beyond repair. Seeking community and wisdom from other Christian parents or the church and not be embarrassed. Reading between your teens' words and anger – they don't actually hate you! A recommended resource to help you improve communication with your teen: Boundaries with Teens: When to Say Yes How to Say No, by Dr. John Townsend. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest Love this episode? Please leave us a rating/review and share this episode with a friend! You can find a list of all our episodes here.

Does your son sometimes have trouble expressing his emotions or he doesn't like to share how he's feeling? If so, this episode is for you! David Thomas is the director of counseling for boys and men at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, TN. He is the author of several influential books including his latest, Raising Emotionally Strong Boys: Tools Your Son Can Build on For Life, and a companion workbook for boys ages 6-12, Strong and Smart: A Boy's Guide to Building Healthy Emotions. Key takeaways: The acronym for FINE is "Feelings In Need of Expression," and it takes more emotional muscles to move beyond answering with the word "fine" and having a sense of recognition and awareness around the way we are feeling. The most common emotion in boys is anger and around 9/10 years of age, boys begin to channel all primary emotions, such as sadness, fear, disappointment, and confusion, and turn them into anger because they don't know how to express those feelings. Having a "space" in the house packed with sensory, tactile, and physical experiences helps boys to release their physicality and energy more constructively, as well as regulate their emotions on their own and not resort to anger. "Anchoring" is when a child drags their parent down with their negative emotions and uses their parents to work through them rather than developing practical coping skills to work through their emotions on their own. We, as parents, are going to coregulate and be with our kids when they develop these emotions and coping skills, but we want them to move toward self-regulation. David's resources: Website, Instagram, Facebook, and podcast. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest Love this episode? Please leave us a rating/review and share this episode with a friend! You can find a list of all our episodes here.

“The 6th day of creation wasn’t the end of creation; it was just the beginning. It’s simply when God passes the baton to his image bearers and says, ‘pick up where I left off and go fill this earth for my glory and the good of others.’” -Jordan Raynor Jordan Raynor helps Christians respond to the radical, biblical truth that their work matters for eternity. He does this through his bestselling books, his podcast, Mere Christians, and a weekly devotional, The Word Before Work. In addition to his writing, Jordan serves as the Executive Chairman of Threshold 360, a venture-backed tech startup that Jordan previously ran as CEO following a string of successful ventures of his own. Key Takeaways: Jordan's insight from two of his bestselling books, Redeeming Your Time (for adults) and The Creator in You (for children). The reason that we redeem our time - we don’t redeem our time to be more successful; we do it because when we do our work with excellence and love in accordance with God’s commands, it shines a light pointing to our heavenly father. We can help our children understand that God is an active working God, not just a God who creates. He not only continues to work through people but he also continues to work in Heaven. Scripture can help motivate our children to have the desire to create and honor God and steer them to not only think about the dignity and the goodness of work but, more importantly, the purpose of work. We just need to be faithful in the present and trust the promise from the scriptures that even though we may not like our job, one day, work will be perfect worship once again in his heavenly kingdom. Jordan’s website. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest Love this episode? Please leave us a rating/review and share this episode with a friend! You can find a list of all our episodes here.

The Psalms claim, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” It is in our human nature to be fearful of things, and those who don’t believe in Jesus need to fear the Lord, for they will receive his wrath on judgment day. But those who believe in Jesus can have the type of fear that creates a desire in our hearts to worship him and obey his commands, called Godly fear. It’s a fear that causes us to stand in awe of his great power and bring us closer to him. Although we are afraid of what is happening in our world today, let’s help our children understand they do not have to fear anything because God is in control. Our fear of the Lord is a fear that exhibits love and honor for his great power and his great love. During this episode, Lee Ann explains what it means to have Godly fear, and how we can explain this to our children. She emphasizes Psalms and other bible passages that can assist you in teaching your children about Godly fear and love: Isaiah 12:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:9, 1 John 4:18, Job 4:6, and Revelation 14:7. Resources discussed throughout this episode: “Fear of the Lord,” by Becky Roach is a great article that gives examples of situations where children can decide if the child’s actions exhibited fear of the Lord or fear of consequences. The Video on YouTube, The Fear of the Lord - Sunday School Lesson for Kids, explains the fear of the Lord in an engaging way. I’m Not Afraid, by Lee Ann Mancini is a children’s picture book from the Sea Kids series that helps children overcome their fears through faith. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest Love this episode? Please leave us a rating/review and share this episode with a friend! You can find a list of all our episodes here.

That week, locked in the Monroe Juvenile Detention Center, Catherine gave her life to the Lord… Catherine Zoller is the author of The Rhyme and Reason series and a dynamic speaker who uses humor and truth to inspire audiences across the country. Her testimony is proof of God's ability to redeem everything. Her goal for the series is to familiarize children with the word of God and to help them understand complex Bible stories in a fun and engaging way! Rhyming combined with colorful and humorous illustrations help children learn Bible stories while teaching them about the events in the Bible as well as God's heart, in a fun and engaging way! During this episode, Catherine discusses her book series and how it influences children to want to learn and read the stories/chapters of the Bible (Old and New Testament). The book series is composed of complex passages from chapters in the Bible, such as Revelation and Genesis, and simplified to rhyme for children to understand better and remember. Her difficult beginning has helped inspire countless audiences with her message of hope; it gives proof of the power of Biblical truth through her amazing book series and the immense wisdom she shares throughout this episode. Help your children learn and memorize Bible stories with this special offer for RCK listeners! RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest Love this episode? Please leave us a rating/review and share this episode with a friend! You can find a list of all our episodes here.

“Science shows us that in our darkest moments, we are particularly able to break through and deepen our relationship with God.” -Dr. Lisa Miller Lisa Miller, Ph.D., is the New York Times bestselling author of The Spiritual Child: The New Science on Parenting for Health and Lifelong Thriving and The Awakened Brain: The New Science of Spirituality and our Quest for an Inspired Life. Dr. Miller graduated from Yale University and the University of Pennsylvania and is a professor in the Clinical Psychology Program at Teachers College Columbia University. She is also the Founder and Director of the Spirituality Mind Body Institute, which is the first Ivy League graduate program and research institute in spirituality and psychology. Dr. Miller speaks and consults around her two books for the US Military, faith-based organizations, universities, and for mental health and wellness initiatives. In this second part of this two-part episode series, Dr. Miller continues discussing shocking data and information from both of her books. She elaborates on how one-third of our genetic code contributes to our capacity to experience spirituality, and it’s not something that we learn; it is as innate as our eye color or fingerprints. Dr. Miller validates the Word of God with all her findings and data and emphasizes that science is finally catching up to Christianity! She explains the clear, scientific link between spirituality and health, and shares the benefits of children who have a positive and active relationship with spirituality. Lisa’s Website & Instagram. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest Love this episode? Please leave us a rating/review and share this episode with a friend! You can find a list of all our episodes here.

“Spirituality is involved with a circuit in the brain that every single one of us has been given from day one… and we can watch through our MRI machines how the brain moves when we are knowing, feeling, and experiencing our personal relationship with God.” -Dr. Lisa Miller Lisa Miller, Ph.D., is the New York Times bestselling author of The Spiritual Child: The New Science on Parenting for Health and Lifelong Thriving and The Awakened Brain: The New Science of Spirituality and our Quest for an Inspired Life. Dr. Miller graduated from Yale University and the University of Pennsylvania and is a professor in the Clinical Psychology Program at Teachers College Columbia University. She is also the Founder and Director of the Spirituality Mind Body Institute, which is the first Ivy League graduate program and research institute in spirituality and psychology. Dr. Miller speaks and consults around her two books for the US Military, faith-based organizations, universities, and for mental health and wellness initiatives. In this first part of the two-part episode series, Dr. Miller discusses eye-opening findings from her books, The Awakened Brain and The Spiritual Child regarding the direct link between science and spirituality. She dives into her findings about how children and people, in general, are connected spiritually and where spirituality lives in the brain. She explains how and why all spiritual connections are beneficial, especially the connection through Christianity. Lisa’s Website & Instagram. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest Love this episode? Please leave us a rating/review and share this episode with a friend! You can find a list of all our episodes here.

How can we help our children find their identity through Christ? Today, children believe their self-worth is measured by what people say about them or by what they see and hear on social media. But it can be difficult for them to build self-esteem if they don't understand that they were made in the image of the creator of all things! We can also help them recognize that they are so much more valuable than what others say about them or how they feel about themselves. This is because God created all of us for a specific purpose. One of the most beneficial tasks we as parents can do when trying to build self-esteem in children is to make sure that we see our self-worth and love ourselves too. It will not benefit anyone if we try to teach our children principles that we don’t emulate ourselves! During this episode, Lee Ann dives into ten ideas and tips to help you and your children grasp your true worth and build self-esteem. Some bible verses mentioned that can help children love themselves are Genesis 1:26 -27, Colossians 3:10, 2 Corinthians 3:18, and Solomon 4:7. Some additional resources to assist you in helping you or your child understand one's own true worth and identity: Her True Worth, by Brittany Maher and Cassandra Speer; Who Am I? Rooting a Child’s Identity in Christ, by Lucesita Melendez; God Says I am: A Biblical Affirmation Book for Kids, by Gerald Fadayomi; “What it Means to be ‘Made in the Image of God,’” by Focus on the Family; “Self-esteem in Children: 1-8 Years,” by The Australian Parenting Website. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest Love this episode? Please leave us a rating/review and share this episode with a friend! You can find a list of all our episodes here.

“It’s easier to raise a boy than fix a man.” -Rick Johnson Bestselling author and speaker Rick Johnson founded Better Dads, an organization based on the urgent need to empower men to lead and serve in their families and communities. Rick, an experienced grandparent raising his grandchild, works to influence the whole family with life-changing insights for parents and grandparents on parenting, marriage, and personal growth. His newest book, When Grandparents Become Parents: How to Succeed at Raising Your Children's Children, offers strategies and resources for seniors dealing with the difficiult situation of raising a grandchild, and details both the challenges and solutions grandparents face. During this episode, Rick shares his incredible testimony on how he ended up raising his son's daughter (his granddaughter) and insight from his book When Grandparents Become Parents. He elaborates on the reasons why we as a society should care about grandparents raising their grandchildren, some being the death of an adult child, parental drug addiction, an abusive living situation, incarceration, mental illness, etc., and he emphasizes the importance of creating a smooth transition for young children who have to move in with their grandparents. "And yet, through their sacrificial service, these grandparents are acting as kinsman-redeemers for their grandchildren—keeping them out of the foster care system and giving them the best shot possible for a successful life." -Rick Johnson RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest Love this episode? Please leave us a rating/review and share this episode with a friend! You can find a list of all our episodes here.

How can we help our children to learn to relinquish when the world teaches them quitting is never an option? Relinquishment means to abandon, put aside, let go, release, or cease from holding. Relinquishment is not surrendering or giving up for no reason. To surrender means that we admit the enemy has won. When we relinquish, we are releasing to God what we cannot control and letting go for a good reason. Children need opportunities to fulfill their desires, but with the opportunity of success comes the chance of failure. It is important to help our children learn when it is time to give up or relinquish the desire to do something. They should know when to direct their efforts toward something else and understand that relinquishment is good when we surrender to the will of God and let him take charge of our lives. Praying a prayer of relinquishment can help release the unwanted burden of giving up on something. During this episode, Lee Ann gives tips and examples to help you teach your child about relinquishment, and how sometimes giving up is appropriate. Relinquishing some of your dreams is okay because that gives God the chance to replace them with better ones! “Prayer of Relinquishment,” by Jean Wise, is an example of a prayer of relinquishment that you can say when you are having trouble letting go of something because it didn’t serve a purpose in your life anymore. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest Love this episode? Please leave us a rating/review and share this episode with a friend! You can find a list of all our episodes here.

Champ Thornton, Ph.D., and his wife, Robben, live in Newark, Delaware, and have three children. He is the author of many books that children and families can enjoy while staying engaged and learning biblical content, more speicfically, the history of the church and the Bible. He also hosts a ten-minute family podcast called “In the Word, On the Go.” Champ discusses lessons and biblical wisdom from some of his books: The Radical Book for Kids: Exploring the Roots and Shoots of Faith is a fun-filled interactive guide for ages eight and up that teaches about church and Bible history. Why Do We Say Good Night? When You Are Afraid of the Dark helps parents comfort their children with three truths about God that can help them understand the dark better and not be afraid at bedtime. The Serpent Slayer and the Scroll of Riddles is an adventure book where a brother and sister time travel through the history of the Bible, getting trapped in an ancient scroll where they try to escape by unlocking secret riddles and following a dangerous path! Champ’s website, Twitter, and Instagram. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest Love this episode? Please leave us a rating/review and share this episode with a friend! You can find a list of all our episodes here.

Do you have a child that, no matter what, always seems to be complaining or grumbling? If you have a child who never seems to see the positive in things, is never satisfied, or always seems to be grumbling, there are many ways you can help them transform their heart into a heart that give thanks in all situations. According to 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, it is God's will that we rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances. Remember, there are many occurences in the Bible where Jesus was mistreated; but he still trusted and praised the Father. Before he was about to die, he wasn't grumbling or complaining. Instead, he said, "Father, let your will be done!" Children must understand that when they complain, they are complaining about the sovereignty of God. Throughout this episode, Lee Ann discusses the many ways you can start to transform a grumbling heart into a heart that gives thanks in every situation, just like Jesus. Resources to help parents with grumbling kids: I Can’t Believe You Just Said That, by Ginger Hubbard. The Grumble Free Years, by Tricia Goyer. “Could Negativity Affect Your Lifespan?” by Stephanie Behling. “Do Everything Without Grumbling,” by Scott Hubbard. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest Love this episode? Please leave us a rating/review and share this episode with a friend! You can find a list of all our episodes here.

“The average age of exposure to pornography is 8 -11, and I wondered… why aren’t we talking about this?” -Barb Winters. Barb Winters is a pastor’s wife and parent of four adult children, one of who is a recovering pornography addict. She’s a hopeful mom supporting, encouraging, and offering help to parents in this digital world through her writing and speaking engagements. Her book, Healthy Relationships in a Hookup World, will be released in August 2023. Barb discusses how she created her organization, Hopeful Mom, to offer practical tips to other parents that may be dealing with issues like pornography use in their household. She talks about how parents should start talking about pornography and its dangers as early as possible, especially before handing a child any device that has access to the internet. Even though we may have all the necessary filters and parental controls in place, we as parents need to define pornography for them and get ahead of the game. Resources mentioned: Filters and parental controls for phones, web browsers & Wi-Fi: Covenant Eyes, Gryphon, Protect Young Eyes, and Kiddle.co Good Pictures Bad Picture by Kristen A. Jenson Gabb Watch & Phone Barb’s resources: Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest Love this episode? Please leave us a rating/review and share this episode with a friend! You can find a list of all our episodes here.

What are generational parenting patterns and why do they matter? Generational parenting patterns are patterns that are transferred from one generation to another. For example, if your parents screamed at you as a teenager, sometimes you may scream at your own teenagers now because that is the way you were raised. Or even saying things the same way your parents said things to you. “I told you a thousand times, no!” Throughout this episode, Lee Ann gives examples of some parenting patterns parents should be aware of, and shares different ways that we can change the way we say things to our children. She gives helpful tips on how we can change the wording of certain phrases that we use when we are angry with our children in order to not pass down unwanted generational parenting patterns to our children. But, some parenting patterns can be developed from the word of God. Some examples: “ A leopard cannot change its spots,” Jeremiah 13:23; “The writing is on the wall, ” Daniel 5:5-6; “Fall by the wayside,” Luke 8:5; “An eye for an eye, ”Exodus 21:24; lastly, “A sign of the times,” Matthew 16:3. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest Love this episode? Please leave us a rating/review and share this episode with a friend! You can find a list of all our episodes here.

"One out of every twenty adults in America have a biblical worldview. Our worldview begins developing at 15 months of age and is almost fully formed by age 13." -Dr. Barna Dr. George Barna founded the Barna Research Group in 1984 (now The Barna Group) and helped it become a leading marketing research firm focused on the intersection of faith and culture. He currently serves as the executive director of the American Culture and Faith Institute and is President of Metaformation, a faith development organization. Dr. Barna has written over 50 award-winning best-selling books and is hailed as "the most quoted person in the Christian Church today.” He’s recognized as one of the nation's most influential Christian leaders! Dr. Barna elaborates on: Findings from various studies regarding worldview formation and how important it is to help your child form a biblical worldview before age 13. Only 1 out of 3 pastors in Christian churches have a biblical worldview, and only 12% (1 out of 8) of youth pastors have a biblical worldview. Biblically speaking, parents are responsible for shaping their child's worldview, but they are losing that influence on their children because their words and deeds are inconsistent, and nobody is concerned about their faith formation. How parents must do a ruthless self-evaluation of their worldview and be intentional, strategic, and consistent - they must also hold themselves accountable and keep their children accountable when building a proper biblical worldview. Dr. Barna’s resources: The Barna Group, Cultural Research Center, and Cultural Research Center Facebook RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest Love this episode? Please leave us a rating/review and share this episode with a friend! You can find a list of all our episodes here.

Do you have a child that likes to take control or, may we dare say, is bossy? We as Christian parents should acknowledge children who may be showing signs of being bossy and never ignore them. There are many ways to address children who may be showing signs of bossiness. Ginger Hubbard states, “To redirect a teachable moment is an opportunity to miss a teachable moment.” Children should understand that if they act bossy and tell their friends what to do, their friends may think they are being a bully. This is why Jesus had many friends and many followers; He was a natural-born leader whom people loved. The best leaders lead by example, and Jesus was the greatest leader who was humble and served others. He was never self-centered, prideful, or bossy. Our job as a parent is to set an example and not be bossy toward others, as our children mirror our actions. Throughout this episode, Lee Ann discusses how to handle a bossy child, starting with positive affirmation and leading to correction and advice for the family. Remember, the bossy characteristic of a child may be a gift from God that just needs to be fine-tuned! RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest Love this episode? Please leave us a rating/review and share this episode with a friend! You can find a list of all our episodes here.

God is compassionate and promises to save those who are crushed in spirit! Lisa Appelo is the author of Life Can Be Good Again: Putting Your World Back Together After It All Falls Apart and speaks to inspire women to cultivate faith in life’s storms. Lisa went to bed happily married one night, and the next day woke up a widow and single mom to her seven children. As a former litigating attorney, Lisa is passionate about rich Bible teaching. She founded a team of writers, Hope in Grief, and serves on the Executive Team for COMPEL with Proverbs31Ministries. Lisa talks about her story of immeasurable heartbreak when she lost her husband suddenly in his sleep one night. She sheds hope on how even though she suffered such a tragedy, God showed his goodness in many ways and how he is a compassionate God. Lisa explains what having an attitude of gratitude and an attitude of ingratitude means and how you can choose the way you look at your life differently regardless of what God has in store for you! Lisa’s resources: Website, Book Page, Instagram, and Facebook. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest Love this episode? Please leave us a rating/review and share this episode with a friend!

“There is a difference between excellence and perfection. Excellence allows for growth, and perfection doesn’t.” -Dr. Kathy Koch Dr. Kathy Koch, an author, speaker, and follower of Jesus, earned a Ph.D. in reading and educational psychology from Purdue University and influences thousands of parents, teachers, and children worldwide. She is the Founder and President of Celebrate Kids and an associate founder of Ignite the Family. She speaks through keynote messages, seminars, and chapels and is a popular guest on Focus on the Family radio and other radio talk shows. In this final episode of the three-part series, Dr. Kathy Koch continues to share her knowledge and discusses two more of her books, No More Perfect Kids: Love Your Kids For Who They Are and Resilient Kids: Raising Them to Embrace Life with Confidence. Dr. Kathy elaborates on the following topics: How parents can overcome the “perfection infection” and have high expectations and high standards without requiring perfectionism. Five ideas to help parents have realistic standards for their children: grieve what isn’t, accept what is, reject the lies, embrace the truth, and work on what you can. The importance of having resilience, which is when you readily recover from difficult circumstances, and how it can be a solution to the perfect parenting problem. How resiliency in life is pertinent; spiritual resiliency in our relationship with God can help us through many of life’s difficulties. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest Love this episode? Please leave us a rating/review and share this episode with a friend!

“Today’s kids believe happiness is their right and choice is their right, so they treat God like Amazon Prime. They want him to answer their prayers in the way they want him to answer it, right now.” -Dr. Kathy Koch Dr. Kathy Koch, an author, speaker, and follower of Jesus, earned a Ph.D. in reading and educational psychology from Purdue University and influences thousands of parents, teachers, and children worldwide. She is the Founder and President of Celebrate Kids and an associate founder of Ignite the Family. She speaks through keynote messages, seminars, and chapels and is a popular guest on Focus on the Family radio and other radio talk shows. In this second part of the three-part episode series, Dr. Kathy Koch continues to share her knowledge by discussing two more of her books, 8 Great Smarts: Discover and Nurture Your Child’s Intelligences and Screens and Teens: Connecting with Our Kids in a Wireless World. Dr. Kathy elaborates on the following ideas: How parents can learn to guide and nurture their children based on their children’s specific gifts and talents. The many ways that children perceive and retain information. Everyone has the 8 smarts (parts of the brain), and understanding them can help parents understand their child’s learning style more. The 8 smarts: word smart, logic smart, picture smart, music smart, body smart, nature smart, people smart, and self smart. The reasons why teens have become more stressed, tired, tech-addicted, and overwhelmed in today's society. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest Love this episode? Please leave us a rating/review and share this episode with a friend!

“We have to understand that all kids are motivated. It’s not a question of how do I get them motivated; it’s how do I redirect their motivation to something healthy.” -Dr. Kathy Koch Dr. Kathy Koch, an author, speaker, and follower of Jesus, earned a Ph.D. in reading and educational psychology from Purdue University and influences thousands of parents, teachers, and children worldwide. She is the Founder and President of Celebrate Kids and an associate founder of Ignite the Family. She speaks through keynote messages, seminars, and chapels and is a popular guest on Focus on the Family radio and other radio talk shows. In this first episode of the three-part series, Dr. Kathy discusses her unique ministry, Celebrate Kids, and her two books, Start with the Heart: How to Motivate Your Kids to Be Compassionate, Responsible, and Brave (Even When You’re Not Around) and Five to Thrive: How to Determine if Your Core Needs Are Met (and What To Do If They’re Not). Dr. Kathy elaborates on the following topics: Confusion around the issue of motivation and how to help your children become motivated for the right things. The best way to teach Christlike characteristics in the home is for parents to model those attributes in front of the children and then inspect their children’s character and behavior by complimenting and correcting them. Different components of a changing child’s behavior and how a parent can create the desire for a child to change. Five core needs of humans and how these needs need to be met in a healthy way through God. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest Love this episode? Please leave us a rating/review and share this episode with a friend!

In the typical order of things, parents give, and children receive. Sometimes, though, this gets reversed… So, what is parentification? Parentification is when the parent delegates their duties to a child, and the child ends up with too many parental responsibilities and sometimes even takes the role of caregiver to keep the family functioning. Parentification can help a child gain competence and other positive benefits, but it can also be detrimental. Lee Ann elaborates on the following topics throughout this episode: How and why parentification happens. Instrumental vs. emotional parentification. Sibling-focused parentification. The symptoms of a child experiencing parentification. Tips on how we as parents can change our behaviors and be aware of the responsibilities we place on our children. “We are in this Together: Retrospective Parentification, Sibling Relationships, and Self-Esteem,” by Judyta Borchet, is a great article to understand parentification better. Healthline also has excellent resources regarding these topics: “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: What Is It and How Does It Work,” “Teen Depression,” and “What is Parentification?” RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest Love this episode? Please leave us a rating/review and share this episode with a friend!

“If we can just expose them in small, controlled dosages when we are still there to guide them through it, it can really help build immunity to false ideas.” -Elizabeth Urbanowicz Elizabeth Urbanowicz is a follower of Jesus, passionate about equipping kids to understand the truth of the Christian worldview. She holds a B.S. in Elementary Education, an M.S. in Education, and an M.A. in Christian Apologetics. Elizabeth spent the first decade of her professional career teaching elementary students at a Christian school and now works full-time on developing comparative worldview and apologetics resources for children. Elizabeth discusses the following topics: Foundation Worldview: an organization that helps transform the way kids at the elementary-aged level think about the world and equips them to carefully think about each idea they have to understand the truth of the Christian worldview better. Advice for parents on navigating the vast amount of information our children face within this culture. Exposing our children to other worldviews and beliefs that contradict the Christian worldview in small doses throughout their youth can help prepare them to defend their faith. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest Love this episode? Please leave us a rating/review and share this episode with a friend!

Do you deal with mom guilt? Well, if so, this episode is for you. "When I brought my firstborn home from the hospital, I was snapping the buttons on his onesie to get him to sleep, and I snapped the last snap by his neck and pinched his skin. He let out a piercing scream and started crying. I never forgot it because I felt so guilty about it! I recently saw a mother at the grocery store with her toddler, and her baby kept trying to crawl out of the seat in the cart. In frustration, as she was putting him back into the cart for probably the tenth time, his leg got stuck, and he let out a scream and started crying. You could see the mommy guilt written all over her face! Or what about needing to take some time off for yourself, so you call the babysitter and go off to lunch only to continually recall the image of your baby girl clinging to your leg, begging you not to go." -Lee Ann Mancini Mommy guilt is real, and if it is not addressed, it can cripple you from being the parent you are meant to be. Unfortunately, sometimes things happen accidentally, and nothing could have prevented it. So, how can we stop mom guilt? Throughout this episode, Lee Ann addresses the many ways you can overcome mom guilt. Additional resources to help with mommy guilt: Mommy Grace: Erasing Your Mommy Guilt, by Dr. Sheila Schuller Coleman & Mommy Guilt: Learn to Worry Less, Focus on What Matters Most, and Raise Happier Kids by Julie Bort, Aviva Pflock, and Devra Renner. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest Love this episode? Please leave us a rating/review and share this episode with a friend!

Lisa Tawn Bergren is a best-selling, award-winning author who has written over seventy books! She writes in many different genres, from historical women’s fiction to illustrated Christian children’s books to time travel and spiritual suspense. Some of her books include the best-selling God Gave Us Series, Nana the Great Comes to Visit, and Upside-Down Prayers for Parents. Lisa talks about her journey of writing Christian books and her successful career writing adult fiction. Her inspiration for writing her newest book, Nana the Great Comes to Visit, came from her parents, who live far away. Still, they would take the time, spend the money, and make significant efforts to connect their grandkids, forming a special relationship between grandparents and grandchildren. This book celebrates how grandparents can help children learn to believe in themselves. Lisa’s resources: Website, Facebook & Instagram. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest

Can sports actually help our children grow spiritually? Sports are one of the best ways to keep children busy and out of trouble. And most importantly, it can help prepare them to run the race that brings eternal life. During this episode, Lee Ann elaborates on how sports can benefit your child’s spiritual growth and how they can also teach them Christlike characteristics. Sports: Help children do better academically, teaching them problem-solving skills and teamwork. Boosts self-esteem and reduces stress, which is good for mental and physical health. Helps them learn God’s word, preparing them to face an opponent such as the evil one. Can help children learn to be courageous in the face of extreme difficulties. Teaches children to have resiliency and never to give up, even when things get tough. Help children learn patience as they wait their turn to play. Teaches them good sportsmanship and to be kind to their opponent. Sports can be beneficial but let’s make sure our children understand the priority - God first! Resources: “Youth Sports Facts: Benefits,” by the Aspen Project Play, “The 25 Most Religious Athletes,” by Amber Lee, “Vision and Mission,” by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and “An Expert’s Take on the Role of Sports in the Christian Life,” by Calvin University RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest Love this episode? Please leave us a rating/review and share this episode with a friend!

“One in five children will be sexually abused by their 18th birthday in the United States! 34% of perpetrators are family members, 58% are acquaintances, and 7% are strangers.” -Justin Holcomb Justin Holcomb, Ph.D., is a minister and professor of theology at Reformed and Theological Seminary and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He has authored, co-authored, and edited more than twenty books! Lindsey Holcomb, Justin’s wife, works in non-profit development, advocates for abuse survivors, and is a former case manager at a sexual assault crisis center and domestic violence shelter. Justin and Lindsey conduct training seminars on parenting topics such as child sexual abuse prevention, body image, and how to talk about sex. Together, they co-authored the award-winning children’s book, God Made All of Me, and their most recent book, God Made Me in His Image. Key takeaways: Justin is on the board of GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in Christian Environments), which is an organization that helps Christian churches and schools prevent abuse, recognize abuse, and respond to abuse in a Christian way. Lindsey is the co-founder of the non-profit REST (Real Escape from the Sex Trade), which cares for survivors and victims of sex trafficking. Their children’s books help children learn how to protect their bodies and equip parents to talk to their children about their bodies, helping them understand the difference between the appropriate and inappropriate touch of others. Justin’s resources: Website, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest Love this episode? Please leave us a rating/review and share this episode with a friend!

“People really need to get plugged into their local pregnancy centers and really get plugged into their local pro-life community because we still have a big fight ahead of us.” -Abby Johnson Abby Johnson continues to share her conversion story from being an abortion clinic leader to the amazing pro-life activist she is today. She relates the story in the Bible about Paul’s conversion to Christianity and the true hero, Ananias, to her own story. Paul would be her, and the true hero, Ananias, would be the people outside of the abortion clinic she worked at who prayed for her and welcomed her when she decided to change her life. Abby gives suggestions to help women who suffer from guilt after an abortion and how you can memorialize and re-humanize a baby to help overcome that guilt. If your child knows you had an abortion, you should let them be angry and get over it on their own terms; they will work through those emotions independently. She also elaborates on the many ways parents can introduce the topic of abortion to children, helping them understand what it is to be pro-life early on. She touches upon the controversy around the constitutional right to privacy and what is going on in our courts today (this episode was recorded before Roe v. Wade was overturned). Abby’s resources: Website, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest Love this episode? Please leave us a rating/review and share this episode with a friend!

“We wanted people’s lives to be changed. We wanted people’s hearts to be converted. We wanted people to walk in pro-choice and walk out pro-life.” -Abby Johnson Abby Johnson, wife and mother of 8, worked for Planned Parenthood for eight years to become the clinic director. But, she walked away from her job after witnessing a 13-week-old fetus during an ultrasound-guided abortion. She went on to be the founder of, And Then There Were None, which is the only ministry in the nation that helps abortion workers leave their jobs and find new ones out of the industry. Abby’s incredible books include Fierce Mercy, The Walls Are Talking, and, the bestseller Unplanned, which was made into a feature film that helped transform the hearts of so many and continues to change people’s hearts. In this first part of the two-part episode series, Abby discusses her incredible testimony and personal journal through abortion and her mission going forward. Her organization has helped over 600 individuals escape their jobs at abortion clinics and has shut down over 20 Planned Parenthoods (this episode was recorded before Roe v. Wade was overturned). Abby’s resources: Website, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest

Don't you think it's a crazy name for a clinic that aborts children... Planned Parenthood? Abortion is the killing of humans. Our children should understand what the sanctity of human life means. When we help our children understand the value of human life, it also helps them understand why it is important to be respectful and loving towards each other. Lee Ann elaborates on the following ways to help children understand and honor the sanctity of life throughout this episode: We can explain that because we are created in the very image of God the Father, we are of immeasurable value. We can honor the sanctity of life by celebrating a loved one through the various milestones of life. We can explain each beatitude that expresses that we are very blessed. Have your child write a list of what they love about each member of the family, their friends, and the value of those who perhaps have not been so nice to them. Help them see the good in the humans they have personal relationships with, and maybe they will learn to love the bully! Here’s a resource to assist you in this topic: “Teaching Kids the Sanctity of Life,” by Nathan Hamilton. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest

God has given us a tool of gratitude; when you choose to look at things differently and be grateful, you can work to overcome anxiety! Caris Snider is a Christian communicator delivering the hope of God through speaking, writing, worship, and life coaching. She is the author of, Anxiety Elephants: A 31-Day Devotional to Help Stomp Out Your Anxiety, Anxiety Elephants for Tween Boys: A 90-Day Devotional, and Anxiety Elephants for Teen Girls: A 90-Day Devotional. Her passion for conveying the importance of faith and mental health to all generations is evident as she shares her experience of overcoming anxiety and depression. Caris discusses the effects of anxiety on both boys and girls and encourages parents to help children look to God to build their faith and stand on their own. Children model their parents’ behavior - if they have their foundation with God, they won’t become as dependent on their parent’s faith to overcome their anxiousness. Caris’s resources: Website, Facebook, YouTube & Instagram. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest

Joe Carter is a senior writer for The Gospel Coalition, the author of The Life and Faith Field Guide for Parents, the editor of the NIV Lifehacks Bible, and the co-author of How to Argue Like Jesus: Learning Persuasion from History’s Greatest Communicator. He also serves as an associate pastor at McLean Bible Church in Arlington, Virginia. Joe elaborates on how the decision-making process is circular. The day-to-day decisions we make determine our knowledge, character, and worldview, and in turn, our knowledge, character, and worldview shape our future decisions. He also discusses that we should find a healthy balance between the two fears we are born with, filial fear and servile fear. Filial fear is the more positive fear or the fear we have for God, and servile fear is a fear rooted in distrust or dread. Joe details how parents can navigate specific fears with their children and discusses five ways parents can help them overcome fear. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest

Tammy Daughtry is known as America's Coparent Strategist. She is the author of the book Co-Parenting Works! and the founder of Co-Parenting International, which is an organization that helps thousands of single parents and stepparents raise amazing children in complex families. Her resource, One Heart, Two Homes, serves as a helpful guide for parents who recently went through a divorce or separation. Tammy and her husband, Jay, have a blended family of four adult children and five grandchildren. Key takeaways: Tammy discusses a road map for Christian parents going through either a divorce or a separation and how her organization can help them co-parent in a healthy and loving way. A helpful tool from her book, Co-Parenting Works, called the New Family Bill of Rights, can be used to help both parents come up with a game plan and help them recognize that the children have a right to be able to enjoy both homes free of pain and guilt. Both parents must be positive and mindful of their facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice when doing a hand-off, which is when the child goes from one home to the other. Tammy’s resources: Website, Facebook, LinkedIn, & Instagram. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest

Penny Cooke is the author of the award-winning book Pursuing Prayer – Being Effective in a Busy World and a certified biblical life coach. Her passion is to see everyone pray more often and more fervently. Whether she is writing, coaching, teaching, or speaking, Penny seeks to encourage and equip others with the Word of God and see them empowered by His Spirit. Key takeaways: Children should learn the Lord’s Prayer to understand that prayer is much more than just talking to Jesus; they must also incorporate the worship, confession, and all the other parts we are told to do in the Bible. Each letter of the word “PRAYER” coincides with that specific part of the Lord’s Prayer: Proactively pursue prayer Remember His deeds Acknowledge sin and ask for forgiveness Yield to His will Enjoy His daily bread Rest in Him Kids seeing parents enjoying prayer time and praying continuously throughout the day will encourage children to want to remember to pray daily. Penny’s resources: Website, Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest

“If God calls you to it, he will equip you to do it!” -Kate Battistelli Kate Battistelli is the best-selling author of The God Dare: Will You Choose to Believe the Impossible and Growing Great Kids: Partner with God to Cultivate His Purpose in Your Child’s Life. She is one of the three hosts of the popular Mom to Mom Podcast. Kate and her husband of 38 years laid down their careers in the Broadway theatre when they took their first “God Dare”, by moving out of New York City and into a life of homeschooling and home business. Kate feels strongly about parents modeling humility to kids because children copy what they learn from the parent’s behavior. She discusses how this is really missing from the church, and we as Christian parents can help steer children down the right path by modeling Christ-like characteristics and biblical virtues such as humility. Kate also encourages parents to dream big and be faithful that God has a plan for every child, and he will call on you as parents to step out and serve him in new and different ways when the timing permits! Kate’s resources: Website, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest

Are you looking for a devotional that helps your child apply biblical principles to everyday life? Linsey Driskill is a mother, author, and speaker who has helped lead educational awareness trips and directed the nonprofit organization, Villages of Hope. Linsey’s book, Beautiful Hearted Women of the Bible: A Creative Mother-Daughter Devotional, published by Focus on the Family, is a unique devotional for daughters ages 6-10. Linsey’s creative and interactive 40-week devotional includes prayers, stories, Scriptures, reflective and imaginative questions, action prompts, and creative activities. A huge part of transforming young girls’ hearts to connect with both mom and Jesus is to put faith into action and develop hearts with strength, courage, and love to spread with others. Linsey’s resources: Website, Instagram, and Facebook. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest

“Small actions on our part as parents can lead to huge spiritual differences in our family.” -Justin Earley Justin Whitmel Earley is a lawyer, author, husband, and father of 4 boys. He holds a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center and a degree in English Literature from the University of Virginia. He runs his business law practice under the Earley Legal Group. Justin frequently speaks at businesses, churches, and conferences on habits, technology, and mental health. Key takeaways Justin elaborates on: His book, Habits of the Household – Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms, can be a tool for your family to incorporate God into your everyday busy lives. Developing simple habits in daily moments can help families find meaning beyond work or social media. The many benefits of incorporating habits of waking, which are habits that you form right when you wake up, such as devotional time or saying a prayer. How addressing your instincts in moments of discipline, such as using pause prayers, which are little prayers you say when you are about to discipline your children, can be helpful when parenting. Justin's Website RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest

Petherbridge is an international speaker, author, and life coach. She has been featured in: Focus on the Family, The Billy Graham Training Center, FamilyLife, iBelieve, Crosswalk, Lifeway, Today's Christian Woman, and Momlife Today. Her books include The Smart Stepmom, 101 Tips for the Smart Stepmom, and Quiet Moments for the Stepmom Soul. Key Takeaways: Divorce is a death for everyone; even if the parents are not sad the marriage ended, everyone grieves. The differences in the way children and adults grieve. The number one mistake stepparents make is that they try and step into a parenting role that holds parental authority. Children do not want to replace their parent with a new authority – most of the time, this causes the most tension in a household even if the child likes the stepparent. Laura Petherbridge's Website RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest

“The most effective form of learning educates the whole person, but it doesn’t happen overnight. It happens by sowing one tiny seed at a time, then watering, feeding, nurturing, and covering it all in prayer.” -Durenda Wilson. Durenda Wilson has homeschooled and graduated 7 out of 8 children so far. She is a speaker, podcaster, and author who strives to encourage an unhurried homeschooling approach. Her book, The 4 Hour School Day, promises that you already have what it takes to give your child a healthy and successful future as she unpacks the lifelong advantages of home education. Durenda elaborates on… The many reasons why homeschooling isn’t a lesser alternative but actually has the potential to be superior to many other methods of education. Misconceptions parents have as well as the truth regarding the outlook on homeschooling. When teaching children basic principles at a young age, it is more effective for them to have organic interactions with their parents who know their learning style best versus sitting in a classroom with other children seven hours a day. Durenda's social media: Website, Facebook & Instagram. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest

“Your child’s maturity in Christ is your priority.” -Josh Mulvihill Dr. Josh Mulvihill is the Executive Director of Church and Family Ministry at Renewanation. He served as a pastor for nearly 20 years, has a Ph.D. in Family Ministry, serves on the board of Awana, and is the author/editor of ten books on parenting and grandparenting. Josh is married with five children. Josh elaborates on how parents can be intentional in their Christian parenting through six steps of planning discussed in his book, 50 Things Every Child Needs to Know Before Leaving Home. The six reasons parents should plan: Planning helps us take ownership of our children’s spiritual growth. Planning is good stewardship. Planning saves time and energy. Planning focuses on our efforts. Planning shows us where we must grow as parents. Planning imitates God the father. Josh’s resources: Renewanation, Blog, Instagram, and Twitter. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest

“Lying expresses a lack of trust that God is in control.” -Ginger Hubbard Ginger talks about why children lie, what God’s Word says about lying, and encourages parents with practical ways to train children to speak the truth. Her book, Chloe and the Closet of Secrets, is a great resource to help children understand and overcome the sin of lying. Key takeaways: Most of the time lying derives from the love and preservation of oneself. 3 methods parents should avoid when dealing with a lying child: administering punishment alone, responding with anger, or putting labels on them. How self-controlled and Gospel-oriented responses can pave the way for more honest communication with children. Practical examples of how parents can address their child that is lying with a heart-oriented perspective and be open and transparent with their own struggles. Ginger’s resources: Website, Instagram, and Podcast. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest

Is your child struggling with habits of whining, but you aren’t sure how to address them? Ginger Hubbard discusses a biblical framework and practical ways to help children understand why they whine, how they can learn better ways to express themselves, and how to become better communicators ultimately. If you haven't already, we recommend listening to part 1 - Ginger Hubbard’s 3-Step Plan to Help Tame Your Child’s Tongue Key Takeaways: Whining has become a huge problem in today’s culture as children lack self-control and parents are often responsible for the habits of their children. There are many ineffective methods that are not beneficial when disciplining a whining child, such as scolding them, ignoring them, or giving in to their demands. The many ways to create good communication habits with your kids; talk about things that are important to them and explain that love motivates you to have the patience to teach them how to respond with self-control. The importance of warning older children about the dangers of idolatry in accordance with the sin of whining. Ginger’s book Sam and the Sticky Situation tells the story of a whiner who gets what he wants when he whines, and eventually, the mother of the whiner confesses her own problem with whining. Together, they realize that what they want isn’t as important as obeying and praising God! Ginger’s resources: Website, Instagram, and Podcast. RCK social media: Facebook Facebook community group Instagram Pinterest