Parenting for the Everyday

What do you do when your child makes choices that don't align your faith system? In this heartfelt episode, Pastor Joe and his wife, Karen offer wisdom and encouragement for parents facing this challenge. They remind us of our true mission as parents: to love our kids with grace and stay faithful to God's calling. Together, they explore how to release control, trust God with your child's journey, and focus on their growth without making it about your own expectations. This episode is a powerful reminder to remain steadfast in love, even when the road gets hard.

In this episode, we're joined by two individuals who work closely with teens and remember their own journey through the pressures of growing up. Together, we unpack how parents can equip their kids to face peer pressure with confidence while offering key insights on what to remember as you guide them through these challenging moments. From practical strategies to personal stories, this conversation will help you support your child and stay grounded as a parent.

In this episode, we sit down with Zach Weihrauch, Lead Pastor at CCC, to explore how parents can guide their kids through the rich, sometimes challenging stories of the Old Testament. Pastor Zach shares practical tips on making scripture come alive for your family, cultivating a love for God's Word, and navigating difficult topics with grace and truth. Whether you're new to teaching your kids about the Bible or looking for fresh ways to deepen their faith, this conversation is full of wisdom and encouragement you won't want to miss.

It's hard to cultivate gratitude in today's materialistic and self-satisfying culture.  In this episode, we sit down with a dynamic parent-and-child trio to uncover the secrets behind nurturing a life rooted in kindness and gratitude. Through laughter, touching stories, and practical wisdom, they share how their family intentionally fostered a culture of love, empathy, and thankfulness in their home.Tune in for meaningful conversations, actionable insights, and a beautiful reminder that generosity starts at home—and its ripple effects can change the world.

In this episode, we're tackling the unimaginable: parenting through a cancer diagnosis. How do you balance doctor's appointments and treatments with helping your kids with homework and sharing bedtime stories? How do you talk to your children about something that even adults struggle to understand? Join us as we hear stories of strength, resilience, and love from Katy Masone, a wife and mom navigating this challenging journey. Together, we'll explore how to find hope, keep your faith, and hold onto joy—even on the hardest days.

This episode is dedicated to the raw, real journey of miscarriage and infertility. We dive into the emotional rollercoaster, the unanswered questions, and the resilience it takes to keep going. With compassion, honesty, and insights from our host, Holly, and her own journey, we aim to break the silence around this hard topic, offer support, and remind you that you're not alone. Whether you're in the midst of the journey, supporting a loved one, or seeking understanding, join us for a heartfelt conversation about infertility and finding your faith in difficult times.

In this episode, we're bridging the generational gap! Join us as we delve into the unique perspectives, challenges, and (sometimes hilarious) differences between Baby Boomer and Millennial parents. We sit down with our very own Becca and her mom to explore how parenting has evolved—and what each generation can learn from the other. Whether you're a parent, grandparent, or somewhere in between, tune in for insights, laughs, and a fresh perspective on navigating parenthood across the decades!

This week, we're diving into the world of almost-teenagers and all the wild, wonderful (and occasionally weird) changes ahead. From navigating new moods, new bodies, and new steps in independence, we're talking about what to expect and how to prepare yourself. Whitney Heightmeyer, mom of four, gets real as we discuss gearing up for the journey. Get ready for tips, laughs, and real talk on prepping for preteens—because if you think toddlers have meltdowns, you haven't met a 12-year-old!

Body image is something we all struggle with at times, regardless of age. So, how can we raise kids to feel confident in their own bodies? What should we be doing or saying—and, just as importantly, what should we definitely avoid saying?

Mom guilt is real, and it's no match for Instagram faith. Becca, Sara, and Holly discuss what realistic quiet time looks like for busy, tired, and overwhelmed moms. We share practical ideas, encouragement, and a few challenges to help ensure we're equipped to be the best version of ourselves for our kids.

We take our kids to check-ups and teeth cleanings, but do we check in on their mental health? Often, we don't consider mental health in our parenting unless we sense something is wrong. In this episode, our favorite clinical counselor talks to us about how to stay attuned to our kids' mental well-being. What are the day-to-day things we can do to promote and equip our kids with a foundation for whole-body healthy living?

In this episode of Parenting for the Everyday, we explore parenting for the long game—focusing on raising resilient, compassionate, and independent adults. Discover practical strategies for building lasting relationships, instilling lifelong values, and making decisions that prioritize your child's future. Perfect for parents at any stage, this episode offers valuable insights on parenting with intention and vision. Tune in!

Sibling rivalry is a common challenge in many households, and it can stem from various factors such as competitive nature, differing personalities, and changing dynamics. In this episode of the Parenting for the Everyday Podcast, we dive deep into understanding the roots of sibling conflicts and explore effective strategies to manage and even prevent them. Is it truly possible to have a household free from sibling rivalry? Tune in to find out as we discuss real-life experiences and practical tips to foster a harmonious environment for your children. Don't miss out on today's enlightening conversation!

Do we really know how to honor the Sabbath as Christian parents? In this episode, we explore the true meaning of the Sabbath as a rest from work, not just a day to relax or watch TV. We'll discuss how to be intentional about observing this sacred day, following God's model of resting to reconnect with Him. Discover practical tips to help your family embrace the Sabbath and strengthen your relationship with God.Sources:https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-most-important-reason-we-workhttps://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/sabbath-rest-moms/

On this episode of Parenting for the Everyday, we bring on guest speakers Pastor Zach Weihrauch and Jimmy Kozy to discuss the fast-paced trend of faith deconstruction. We dive into what it means to deconstruct one's faith, the negative connotations associated with it, and how to reflect on your faith in a healthy manner. Tune in to today's episode to learn more.

Did you know parental burnout is a real thing? As parents, we often feel tired, defeated, and worn out. Did you know it's both normal and not normal at the same time? Join us as we talk about the real science behind parental burnout, the danger of ignoring it, and practical ways to overcome it.

In this episode of Parenting for the Everyday, we sit down and discuss how to help give our kids gospel sighted vision. What can we do in our homes to equip our kids to have compassion, grace, and kindness towards people who look and act differently than them? We sit down withLori, mother of five and Heather, CCC's CCC's Ability Inclusion Director to talk through practical tools we can use to grow our kids in this area. Guest: Heather Gleason and Lori Thomas

Tune into the final part of this three part series with Dr. Juli Slattery as we discuss all things LGBTQ+. What it means for our children growing up in a community where one in five adolescents consider themselves LGBTQ and how we navigate the ups and downs that come with questioning gender and sexuality. 

Today on Parenting with the Everyday, we continue with our second part of this three-part series with Dr. Juli Slattery. In this captivating episode Dr. Slattery walks us through the phenomena of biological sex, what it means to be created by God, and what the Bible tells us about gender awareness. 

On todays episode of Parenting for the Everyday we sit down with Dr. Juli Slattery, clinical psychologist, author and co-founder of Authentic Intimacy, a ministry dedicated to helping Christians navigate their sexuality. Today we ask Dr. Juli Slattery, what does the bible say about sexuality? Tune into today's episode as we dive into purity culture, when to talk to your kids about sex, and how to explore your own sexuality. 

Today we sit down with experts in the field of one of the most common mental disorders affecting children today, Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Tune in as we determine the definition of ADHD, what the disorder's symptoms are, and how to parent children struggling with ADHD. 

Social Media is something that every parent should be talking about. It's an unavoidable place for kids and parents. We make plans about potty training and dating but most of us feel unprepared how to lead our kids through this digital age. We sat down with Middle School teacher and youth advocate James Talbert and asked the hard questions. What do we need to know? What is social media doing to our kids? How do we protect them? What boundaries should we have? 

Often, it feels like Easter Sunday is second to Christmas on the scale of Christian holidays. We sat down and discussed the danger of setting this expectation intentionally or unintentionally in your household. We discuss ways to avoid this trap and share some great age-appropriate resources and ideas for a gospel-centered Easter this year.  

At what point should your child's faith become their own? Does making them go to church put a negative spin on church? We sat down with Pastor Joe and his wife Karen and discussed how weekend services should fit into your parenting. Their answer might surprise you!  

Is dating your spouse related to parenting? The answer is YES! Join us as we talk about dating your spouse in different seasons of parenting. Why it matters, tips and tricks to make it happen, and what to avoid. 

This is the final part of our three-part series on Mental Health. Did you know that the CDC states that 1 in 5 high schoolers report being bullied? In this episode, we'll sit down with Jen Hoffman, a licensed professional counselor, as we discuss why bullying exists, the mental and physical damage it can cause our children, and how to lead your children through it no matter what side of the bullying they are on. 

This is part two of our three-part series, where we talk about mental health. Depression is a word that is commonly used and thrown around. We sit down with licensed counselor Jessica Wojnarowski as she helps us break down what it means to struggle with depression, how to build resilience in our kids, what warning signs to look for, and when to seek help. This episode covers a wide variety of topics, including situational depression and even suicide. 

Mental health is such an important topic. As parents, we must know how to prepare and equip our children to be healthy. We are kicking off our mental health series, talking about anxiety. It seems like more and more people experience it. What exactly is it? How does it affect our kids? How can we teach them to navigate it as they grow into adulthood? Shannon Miller, a licensed professional clinical counselor, and Kristina Holwerda, a licensed independent social worker, join us. Both specialize in kids and adolescents and share their expertise and wisdom to help us parents know the do's and don'ts to help us understand how to best help our kids walk through tough spots.If you or someone you know is suffering from anxiety and needs help, please reach out at the link below.https://ccchapel.com/care/

Santa is a hot topic among Christian parents; many draw a hard line in the sand. Why is there so much controversy around jolly old St. Nick? Can you point to Jesus and also do Santa in your house? What about lying to your kids? Today, we sit down and share how we grew up and what we do with our kids. Our answers might surprise you! 

Did you know that youth sports is a 37-billion-dollar industry? How do you know when and to what level should your kids participate in sports? Should all kids play sports? What is my role as a parent? It's such a complicated topic that we couldn't do it in just one episode.. In this three-part series, we sit down with two professionals passionate about healthy and unhealthy interactions with sports and how they integrate into our faith including a former D1 coach.

Did you know that youth sports is a 37-billion-dollar industry? How do you know when and to what level should your kids participate in sports? Should all kids play sports? What is my role as a parent? It's such a complicated topic that we couldn't do it in just one episode. In this three-part series, we sit with two professionals passionate about healthy and unhealthy interactions with sports and how they integrate into our faith, including a former D1 coach. 

Did you know that youth sports is a 37-billion-dollar industry? How do you know when and to what level should your kids participate in sports? Should all kids play sports? What is my role as a parent? It's such a complicated topic that we couldn't do it in just one episode. In this three-part series, we sit with two professionals passionate about healthy and unhealthy interactions with sports and how they integrate into our faith, including a former D1 coach. 

In this episode of Parenting for the Everyday, we are talking all about adoption—the good stuff, the messy stuff, and the in-between stuff. We break down misconceptions and discuss what God has to say about adoption. Even if we aren't called to adopt, what is our role? How do we support families who are or have adopted? We talk with several CCC staff who have adopted as they share their stories.

Postpartum is a term that probably everyone has heard before, but few can accurately define it. On this episode of Parenting for the Everyday, we sit down with nurse practitioner Kathryn Walker as she walks us through what postpartum is, what to expect, and what warning signs to look for when something isn't right. This episode is helpful for anyone in this season, soon-to-be in this season, finished this season, or anyone who knows someone who might have a baby in the future.

Nobody wants to experience grief, yet we all have. Whatever the source: illness, death, or broken relationships, we want to talk about the messy side of grief. What does it look like to grieve healthily? How do we lead our children through grief? We are joined by Chelsey Martin, cancer survivor, wife, special needs mom, and adoptive/foster mom. Chelsey openly shares her grief as she mourns the life she thought she would live while inviting us into her story, including the loss of her son, Charlie. Chelsey shows all the sides of grief while she actively works to point her kids to a faithful Father. 

Grandparents are a special gift, but what does it look like to utilize them in parenting? In today's conversation, we want to give parents and grandparents practical ways to invite grandparents to be more involved in their grandkids' lives. We also discuss how broken relationships and grandparents can make our parenting journey harder. How can we move toward reconciliation? Why would we want to? We sit with two veteran and very intentional grandparents to get their take. 

It's hard to make the transition from summer to the school year. We wanted to know how to prepare and equip our kids to do it well. In this episode, we sat with Kati Foster, a public school nurse, and Katey Cochran, a school counselor, to learn practical tips for us parents to begin at home to ensure our kids are ready to return to school.

Did you know that two-thirds of couples report that the quality of their relationship drops within three years of the birth of a child? We sat down with Micah and Jess Irwin, two people passionate about building strong and healthy marriages. We asked what happens when your spouse has a different parenting style or belief system. Why is it important to be on the same page, and how do you get there? Micah and Jess walk us through these answers as they share their own story navigating this complicated topic and give us practical tips on how to lean in where it matters.

Parenting can feel all-consuming at times. We sat down with Jimmy and Emily Kozy — parents to four kids and asked them to dissect one of the busiest parenting seasons. How do you not lose yourself in these moments? How do you know your capacity? Jimmy and Emily share their joys, challenges, and how they keep their family focused on kingdom living during those hectic seasons.

The most recent school shooting shattered our illusion of safety for our children. We invited CVCA administration Jason Spodnik and Dr. Matt Koons to discuss how to process fear as parents in a broken world. How do we keep our fears from crippling us as parents? Where is the line between walking in wisdom and responding in fear? We ask them to share their experiences as parents and school administrators to help us break down this challenging topic.

In this episode of Parenting in the Everyday, we discuss the importance of having hard conversations with your kids. The topics could include things like sexuality, addiction, and death, but the topics are limitless. We have Jamie and Carolyn Hewitt share their wisdom and experience of being parents and leading youth ministries for over a decade.

In this episode of Parenting in the Everyday, we are talking about the transition from the school year to summer, which is both anticipated and, if we are honest, a little scary. We sit down with April and Jess, veteran moms, and discuss how they build summer rhythms to help them get the most out of the summer months with their kids. We discuss screen time limits, summer must-haves, and how to combat the dreaded “Mom, I'm bored's.”

On this Parenting in the Everyday episode, we are talking with NEO Orchard church planter Lentrail Abston and his wife, Ingrid. They answered God's call to move to a new neighborhood and new community to pursue his command to take the good news to all people. As the parents of 3 kids, we asked them how they decided to lead their family on this path of uncertainty, how they prepared their family for this transition, and how they cling to the truth when it feels hard. 

On this Parenting for the Everyday episode, we talk with Jonathan Holmes, author and Executive Director of Fieldstone Counseling Center. Jonathan shares his expertise as we dive into the heart of anxiety: How to recognize it, how to navigate it, and when to get help. Jonathan also shares what role our faith should play in the mental health of ourselves and our kids.

In this Parenting in the Everyday episode, we are talking about porn. Did you know that the average age of exposure is eight years old? How do you protect them from this? Join us as we talk with Pastors Joe and Zach about what makes pornography so dangerous and ask how you prepare your kids for a porn-saturated world.

In this episode of Parenting in the Everyday, we discuss relationships. What can we do now to foster healthy relationships with our kids that will translate into adult children? Do you ever wonder what your relationship will be with your child when they are an adult? Today, we have veteran moms sharing their wisdom with us as they reflect on their own motherhood journeys.

On this Parenting in the Everyday episode, we are talking about cell phones! Cell phones seem essential to everyday life, but how do you know your kid is ready? What's safe and what's not? What apps do you need to know about? We are talking with tech expert Caleb Lichty as he breaks down the hidden dangers of cell phones and how to protect your kids best. We also invited Steve and Elissa Hyatt to share some of the boundaries they have set for their four kids regarding cell phone usage.

On this episode of "Parenting in the Everyday," we are talking about travel! Traveling with kids can be very challenging. Is it worth the cost? What about the headache? Is there a way to do it without it costing a small fortune? In this episode, Holly and her friend Rachel share all their travel hacks and encourage parents to take that first trip. 

On this Parenting in the Everyday episode, we are talking about money! How do we balance that with our faith in a society that places huge importance on money? How do we teach our children to be good stewards of our money? We talk with Pete McQuillen, finance guru, and his daughter Kelly Coffey about practical tips to help our kids handle money well and the dangers if we don't.

On this episode of Parenting in the Everyday we are talking about dating! Specifically, how do you know your child is ready to date? Is there an age that makes them ready? What boundaries should be in place? How do you prepare them for this important life stage? Tune in as we answer these questions and more!

Deciding what school option is right for your child can be so overwhelming for a parent. On this episode of Parenting for the Everyday, we are talking with two parents who chose public schools for their kids. Join us as Laurie and Christina discuss what led them to make that decision for their kids and how to process a public school system in today's society.