The MAVEN Parent Podcast

<p>There have been recent attacks on the idea that parents have certain rights and authority over their own kids. For example, when it comes to education, who has the right to decide what our kids will learn? In this episode, Brett and Erin discuss this modern challenge to parental authority.</p>

<p>There have been recent attacks on the idea that parents have certain rights and authority over their own kids. For example, when it comes to education, who has the right to decide what our kids will learn? In this episode, Brett and Erin discuss this modern challenge to parental authority.</p>

<p>In a world of plenty, where consumerism and materialism dominate so much of our lives, how do we raise kids who are thankful and generous? How do help them cultivate gratitude in their lives? Brett and Erin discuss practical ideas to help raise grateful kids in an entitled world.</p>

<p>Are we as intentional as we should be on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, in drawing our kids attention to Christ? In this episode Brett and Erin offer more practical ideas on how to keep Jesus front and center during the holidays.</p>

<p>Could we possibly ruin Christmas for our kids by the way we give gifts? Given the true meaning of the Christmas holiday--a celebration of the Incarnation--then the answer is yes. In this episode, Brett and Erin help guide us to be intentional in the giving of presents and provide some very practical ideas.<br><br>SHOW NOTES:<br><br>Three Wise Kings<br><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Story-Three-Wise-Kings/dp/1534466525/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1FPS5ELQURSCA&keywords=three+wise+kings+depaola&qid=1639562031&sprefix=three+wise+kings%2Caps%2C213&sr=8-1" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://smile.amazon.com/Story-Three-Wise-Kings/dp/1534466525/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1FPS5ELQURSCA&keywords=three+wise+kings+depaola&qid=1639562031&sprefix=three+wise+kings%2Caps%2C213&sr=8-1</a><br><br>This Is Stable:<br><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/This-Stable-Cynthia-Cotten/dp/0312384211/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=this+is+the+stable&qid=1639562709&s=books&sr=1-1" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://smile.amazon.com/This-Stable-Cynthia-Cotten/dp/0312384211/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=this+is+the+stable&qid=1639562709&s=books&sr=1-1</a><br><br>Holly & Ivy:<br><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Story-Holly-Ivy-Rumer-Godden/dp/0670062197/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1LUC0SXPDEQX7&keywords=the+story+of+holly+and+ivy&qid=1639562726&s=books&sprefix=the+story+of+holly%2Cstripbooks%2C217&sr=1-1" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://smile.amazon.com/Story-Holly-Ivy-Rumer-Godden/dp/0670062197/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1LUC0SXPDEQX7&keywords=the+story+of+holly+and+ivy&qid=1639562726&s=books&sprefix=the+story+of+holly%2Cstripbooks%2C217&sr=1-1</a><br><br>A Christmas Carol:<br><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Christmas-Carol-Facsimile-Original-Color/dp/1645940381/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=christmas+carol&qid=1639562636&s=books&sr=1-4" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://smile.amazon.com/Christmas-Carol-Facsimile-Original-Color/dp/1645940381/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=christmas+carol&qid=1639562636&s=books&sr=1-4</a><br><br>The Best Christmas Pagent Ever:<br><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Best-Christmas-Pageant-Ever/dp/0064402754/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1XCG8CQIJG2TX&keywords=the+best+christmas+pageant+ever&qid=1639562665&s=books&sprefix=the+best+car%2Cstripbooks%2C224&sr=1-1" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://smile.amazon.com/Best-Christmas-Pageant-Ever/dp/0064402754/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1XCG8CQIJG2TX&keywords=the+best+christmas+pageant+ever&qid=1639562665&s=books&sprefix=the+best+car%2Cstripbooks%2C224&sr=1-1</a><br><br>The Family Under The Bridge:<br><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Family-Bridge-Natalie-Savage-Carlson/dp/0064402509/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3DVRG7YZXHLXS&keywords=the+family+under+the+bridge&qid=1639562685&s=books&sprefix=the+family+under%2Cstripbooks%2C219&sr=1-1" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://smile.amazon.com/Family-Bridge-Natalie-Savage-Carlson/dp/0064402509/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3DVRG7YZXHLXS&keywords=the+family+under+the+bridge&qid=1639562685&s=books&sprefix=the+family+under%2Cstripbooks%2C219&sr=1-1</a><br><br>The Man Who Invented Christmas:<br><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B077MFZMB3/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B077MFZMB3/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r</a></p>

<p>If justification and evidence strengthen our beliefs and help us move from mere belief to knowledge, then how and what should we teach our kids about the evidence for God’s existence? Brett & Erin walk though some practical ways we can teach our children about the powerful evidence for God’s existence.</p>

<p>What does it mean to “believe” something? Are you satisfied with the mere fact that your kids believe in God? Brett & Erin show why merely believing something isn’t enough, explain three important aspects of belief and how we ultimately want to help our kids move from simply BELIEVING in God to KNOWING that God is real.</p>

<p>Our lives are filled with busyness and activity. Work, school, church, sports, music lessons, meetings, dinners, etc. In this episode, Brett & Erin offer a simple and practical tool that they’ve been using for more than 20 years, to manage the family schedule.</p>

<p>Talking back. Whining. Dirty looks. Rolling the eyes. Rudeness. Are bad attitudes something parents just need to tolerate from their kids? Brett and Erin help us think carefully about this issue and offer practical advice on how to handle it.</p>

<p>Theology, the study of God, is the most significant area of knowledge that we can pass on to the next generation. But how can we effectively teach our kids theology? Brett & Erin outline six practical ways to pass on the knowledge of God to our children and youth.</p>

<p>How should Christians THINK about Halloween? Is it a pagan holiday that we should avoid? Or is it something that Christians can participate in and even redeem? Brett & Erin discuss HOW to think about this holiday.<br><br>Inspiring Philosophy’s video on the history of halloween:<br>Inspiring Philosophy’s link to the video on the history of halloween:<br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fu-5BmAzbrU" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fu-5BmAzbrU</a><br><br>Walt Russell’s study of “the appearance of evil” in 1 Thessalonians 5:22:<br><a href="https://www.biola.edu/blogs/good-book-blog/2011/avoid-every-appearance-of-evil-toppling-a-faulty-moral-pillar" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.biola.edu/blogs/good-book-blog/2011/avoid-every-appearance-of-evil-toppling-a-faulty-moral-pillar</a></p>

<p>What does the latest research show about the beliefs and behavior of Gen Z? Gen Z expert Jonathan Morrow joins Brett & Erin for a discussion on how to reach and disciple today’s children and youth.</p>

<p>What does the Bible teach about God and man? What are the implications of the biblical teaching for a Christian view of education? And is modern education compatible with the biblical view? In this episode, Brett and Erin walk us through Scripture and then challenge us to re-evaluate our kid’s education.</p>

<p>Are your views on education something you’ve come to through careful and biblical reflection? Or are they simply absorbed from the surrounding culture? Before you decide on public, private or home education, there’s a prior question that must be answered. In this episode, Brett and Erin discuss the question every Christian parent needs to answer about their kid’s schooling.</p>

<p>If parents aren’t fully awake yet, it’s time to wake up! Brett and Erin look at what’s happening in some of our public schools around the country, where kids’ gender transitions are being hidden from parents. What are the implications of such actions for the education of our kids? How must parents and churches rethink the education of the next generation?<br><br>Abigail Shrier <a href="http://Article:https://abigailshrier.substack.com/p/should-public-schools-be-allowed" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Article:https://abigailshrier.substack.com/p/should-public-schools-be-allowed</a><br><a href="https://abigailshrier.substack.com/p/should-public-schools-be-allowed" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://abigailshrier.substack.com/p/should-public-schools-be-allowed</a><br><br>Irreversible Damage: <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Irreversible-Damage-Transgender-Seducing-Daughters/dp/168451228X/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://smile.amazon.com/Irreversible-Damage-Transgender-Seducing-Daughters/dp/168451228X/</a></p>

<p>Our children are being socialized into using people’s “preferred” pronouns. Is this really a big deal? Are pronouns really that important? Is it something we should resist? Brett & Erin offer some clear thinking on this issue.<br><br>When Harry Became Sally: <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-harry-became-sally-ryan-anderson/1125792437" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-harry-became-sally-ryan-anderson/1125792437</a><br><br>Irreversible Damage: <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Irreversible-Damage-Transgender-Seducing-Daughters/dp/168451228X/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://smile.amazon.com/Irreversible-Damage-Transgender-Seducing-Daughters/dp/168451228X/</a></p>

<p>Let’s face it, life is EASY in our culture. So how can we allow our kids to struggle and deal with difficulties in a culture that is so pleasure-oriented? Brett and Erin lay out a host of very practical steps that will help parents cultivate resilient kids who aren’t strangers to adversity AND who understand God’s redemptive ways amidst pain and struggle.</p>

<p>Helicopter parents have morphed into Lawnmower parents, attempting to remove every obstacle and barrier in their kids’ lives. But even well-intentioned parents will prevent their kids from maturing in important ways if they don’t let them struggle. Brett & Erin discuss a biblical view of difficulty and struggle.</p>

<p>Deuteronomy 6:7 tells us to “Impress [God’s laws] 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.” But how can we do this practically in our 21st century world? Brett and Erin discuss the concept of narration and how it can be an effective tool in passing on God’s truth to the next generation.</p>

<p>Blended families are reality for most modern families. How do we should we think about blended families biblically and how do we navigate the unique challenges they bring? Brett & Erin discuss insights from the Christian worldview that help us to think properly and realistically about blended families AND offer practical help.<br><br>Focus on the family resource: <a href="https://www.focusonthefamily.com/resources-fostering-or-adopting-children-from-difficult-backgrounds/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.focusonthefamily.com/resources-fostering-or-adopting-children-from-difficult-backgrounds/</a></p>

<p>In an increasingly polarized and hostile public square, can Christians disagree with others WITH civility and grace? How do we keep our kids from being socialized by the outrage-machine that is social media? Brett and Erin lay out a biblical view and practical steps to help us lead our families in God-honoring disagreement.</p>

<p>We live in an increasingly secular culture and our kids are immersed in it, as well. So, it’s inevitable that they will be challenged by the false world views of the culture. How do we prepare them to engage with false ideas AND strengthen their faith in Christ at the same time? In this episode, Brett and Erin discuss a strategy to inoculate our kids rather than isolate them from false views of the culture.</p>

<p>Is it detrimental to force our kids to attend church even when they don’t want to? What should parents look for when their kids start complaining about church? Does our kid’s reluctance reveal our own unhealthy views or habits when it comes to the local church? In this episode, Brett and Erin unpack this difficult topic.</p>

<p>How do we deal with kids that don’t want to eat the food we prepare? Should we make them a separate meals? How has American culture shaped our views about eating in unhealthy ways? In this episode, Brett and Erin discuss practical steps to help our kids establish good eating habits.</p>

<p>How can parents overcome their differences and become unified partners in the discipline of their children? Brett and Erin offer very practical steps to help your spouse and you come together as a team.</p>

<p>The older years. How should we discipline our kids when they move into their teen years? How should we shift what we do to respect their growing independence and yet still guide them with wisdom? Brett and Erin tackle the challenges of disciplining our teenagers.</p>

<p>The middle years. How do we begin to transition into giving our children the reasons why we have the limits and rules that we have? How can we continue to discipline well as they grow towards their teen years? Brett and Erin give practical advise for navigating discipline through the preteen years.</p>

<p>In this episode, Brett and Erin continue laying out very practical steps on how to discipline children during the younger years. These steps will lay a foundation for discipline that carry into the later stages, as well.</p>

<p>The past year has made one thing very clear—we live in a culture full of chaos and confusion. And helping our children and students navigate this chaotic culture is more challenging than ever. The confusion abounds. Can boys be girls and girls be boys? Deep down are we all racists? Is the Bible sexist? Is Christianity anti-science? How can a loving God allow suffering? Is our true identity our sexual identity? Does the Christian faith need to change to survive? In this episode, Brett goes over how we can start to teach our kids the answers to these tough questions.</p>

<p>The past year has made one thing very clear—we live in a culture full of chaos and confusion. And helping our children and students navigate this chaotic culture is more challenging than ever. The confusion abounds. Can boys be girls and girls be boys? Deep down are we all racists? Is the Bible sexist? Is Christianity anti-science? How can a loving God allow suffering? Is our true identity our sexual identity? Does the Christian faith need to change to survive? In this episode, Brett goes over how we can start to teach our kids the answers to these tough questions.</p>

<p>Navigating discipline with our children can be rough, so Brett & Erin begin with some challenge and encouragement in this episode. In addition, they begin to lay out a three-stage framework for how to discipline kids at different ages, starting with the younger years.</p>

<p>If discipline is defined as “training that corrects,” then it’s a lot more than punishing our kids. In this episode, Brett and Erin lay out four steps that prevent such reductionistic thinking about discipline and instead, help to lay a healthy foundation.</p>

<p>When we discipline our kids well, we not only teach them obedience to God’s moral laws but we also instill in them habits that shape their desires and loves. Yes, we can help them not only do what is good but also love what is good! In this episode, Brett and Erin discuss five life-long and life-changing habits brought about by good discipline.</p>

<p>When it comes to the discipline of children, we CAN’T start with the how-tos. We must makes sense of WHY we should discipline in the first place. In this episode, Brett and Erin show how the Christian worldview connects discipline back to God’s existence and character, providing us with the necessary framework that makes sense of the discipline of our kids.</p>

<p>Our culture socializes us to place more value on our kid’s achievements than on their character. This is revealed by what things--academics, sports, extra-curricular activities--take priority in our family life. And if we go along with the culture, it will ultimately undermine our discipline.</p>

<p>How does our Christian worldview guide us in the discipline of our kids? Is discipline ineffective and outdated in raising today’s kids? Where do we start when thinking about discipline? In this episode, Brett & Erin begin to lay down a biblical foundation for disciplining children.</p>

<p>How do we develop a theology of gender? How do we create homes where healthy gender distinctions are modeled and affirmed? Brett and Erin provide practical steps that families can take with their kids.</p>

<p>Are men and women different? If so, does that mean one is inferior to the other? And what does it even mean to be male or female? Brett and Erin unpack how human design is vital for understanding human functioning and flourishing and how God has uniquely designed men and women.</p>

<p>Can boys be girls and girls be boys? Is gender identity merely a matter of feelings? In this episode, Brett and Erin help untangle us from the lie that we can determine our own gender and discuss how our biological sex fits with our gender identity, so we can help our kids navigate this cultural challenge.</p>

<p>Brett & Erin Kunkle discuss five very practical steps you can take with your kids RIGHT NOW, to help your kids manage and navigate the challenges of <a href="http://technology...and" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">technology...and</a> help them fight screen addiction!</p>

<p>Technology is powerful AND technology is not neutral. That means it has the power to shape our hearts and minds JUST by our very use of it. As parents, we must THINK carefully about the nature of technology if we want to help our kids successfully navigate a world of screens.</p>

<p>The Christian worldview provides us with a thoughtful and comprehensive response to the COVID-19 (or Coronavirus) pandemic. Therefore, Christian parents must think biblically about the myriad of issues our society now faces due to the pandemic and lockdown, in order to help our kids navigate these unprecedented times.</p>

<p>The average American family is overly busy, over extended and we all feel the crunch. In a fast-paced culture, we must be intentional to slow life down and block out distractions. Family meals can be that time. In this session, we’ll discuss habits you can cultivate in your home that will make meals a significant time of connection with your kids.</p>

<p>Parents must create a safe place in their homes, for kids to wrestle with doubt and ask their tough questions about Christianity. In fact, doubt can be a GREAT tool to help build strong and confident kids.</p>

<p>Work is such a good thing. So how do we pass on a biblical view of work to our kids and ACTUALLY get them do work around our homes and contribute to family life?</p>

<p>Parents need tools, especially tools that will help them teach their kids about God. Brett and Erin Kunkle discuss a very practical tool they've implemented in their family, called "Morning Time" (thanks to Cindy Rollins for this great idea!), that serves as an important way the Kunkle parents disciple and teach their four kids (that are still at home).</p>

<p>What should Christian parents desire ABOVE ALL ELSE for their kids? What is the MAIN parenting GOAL for Christian parents? Brett & Erin Kunkle discuss how our parenting must start with the end in mind AND what that end goal should be for followers of Jesus Christ.</p>

<p>What happens when a youth pastor goes on a blind date with a single mom? You get the beginnings of the Kunkle Family! Hear how Brett & Erin met, how they started their parenting journey and how God has worked through all of it.</p>