The Parent Club

Nigel “Legin” Anderson is a spoken word artist, preacher / speaker, and advocate in the community.  A husband and father to two children, Nigel uses his platforms to help others overcome fatherlessness and bring hope to the unseen.   Listen as he talks about overcoming the absence of his father and his journey to becoming the father his children need while discovering his calling in life.   Want to connect with Nigel? Head over to https://legin.tv/. You'll find all his social media handles and email at the top of that page!  You'll also be able to listen to his song “Wish I Knew You.”   Do YOU have a question you'd like answered?  Do YOU want to be a guest on the podcast?  Do YOU have an idea for who should be a guest?  Email us at theparentclub@gracebible.church.  We want to be FOR you!   Head over to our page and check out our free resources! https://gracebible.church/nextgenresources

In this episode, we talk with The Parent Club co-host, Melanie Lee, about a recent preschool situation with her four-year-old daughter, Marley Grace.  If you've never had to discipline your child or you haven't ever had to correct behavior in your home, you should just stop listening to this because this won't be helpful.  BUT if you want to hear ways that another parent is doing it – failing at it – trying to do better – or just trying to get through one moment at a time, listen to it.    Melanie, a former teacher and assistant principal at middle and high schools, is now the Executive Director of NextGen (aka, Family Ministry) at Grace Bible Church.  Listen as she describes the anxiety this parenting situation created within herself, how she and her husband decided to respond, and how this has impacted the way they plan to proceed with disciplining Marley Grace moving forward.  You'll also hear how Melanie applied tips and tricks from previously taped episodes to pull together a strategy for this very moment!   Do YOU have a question you'd like answered?  Do YOU want to be a guest on the podcast?  Do YOU have an idea for who should be a guest?  Email us at theparentclub@gracebible.church.  We want to be FOR you!   Enjoy and check out our free resources! https://gracebible.church/nextgenresources

Joel and Devon Sharp are the parents of two daughters, ages 12 and 6.  Prevented from growing their family because of infertility, they felt led to love on other children through fostering.    Listen to as they tell their journey of fighting to foster, healing from infertility through fostering, and experiencing the joy of restoring others as they help families reunify.    If you thought of fostering, are fostering, or have friends who are fostering, this episode is for you because Joel and Devon walk you through the varying stages of their experiences and share some lessons learned.   Do YOU have a question you'd like answered?  Do YOU want to be a guest on the podcast?  Do YOU have an idea for who should be a guest?  Email us at theparentclub@gracebible.church.  We want to be FOR you! Enjoy and checkout our free resources! https://gracebible.church/nextgenresources   The Sharp's Recommendations: Reframing Foster Care: Filtering Your Foster Parenting Journey Through the Lens of the Gospel by Jason Johnson Everyone Can Do Something: A Field Guide for Strategically Rallying Your Church Around the Orphaned and Vulnerable by Jason Johnson https://www.instagram.com/fosterthefamilyblog/ https://www.instagram.com/my_story_for_his_glory/

Dana is married with three children, the youngest born with significant hearing loss.  Listen as she shares her story of walking through the process of trusting God through doctor appointments, surgeries, and establishing an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for her son as he started school.   If you have a friend or coworker who has a child with special needs, this episode is for you as it gives you a glimpse into how you can support them on their journey with child.  If you are a parent of a child of special needs, we believe this episode will be an encouragement for you from one special needs parent to another.   If you're a woman who lives in the Hampton Roads area, feel free to check out Dana's Zumba Fit n' Faith Bible Study at Grace Bible Church Thursday mornings at 10am.  She'd love to meet you!   Do YOU have a question you'd like answered?  Do YOU want to be a guest on the podcast?  Do YOU have an idea for who should be a guest?  Email us at theparentclub@gracebible.church.  We want to be FOR you!   Enjoy and check out our free resources! https://gracebible.church/nextgenresources

Katelyn was over the moon when her son Lantz was born in 2016.  Little did she know that she and Lantz's father would separate months later.  Although they maintained a healthy co-parenting relationship, life would change forever when Lantz's father died and Katelyn became a full-time single parent, alone and without the support she desperately needed.  Listen as Katelyn shares her story of overcoming grief and addiction as she walked closer to God and reengaged with her faith.    If you are a new parent, an experienced parent, or want to be a parent, this episode is for you as Katelyn shares how to talk about death and addiction with your child while also understanding the importance of showing grace to yourself as you parent.    If you or someone you know is struggling with grief or addiction, we welcome you to look into Celebrate Recovery, a program that helps you as you struggle with hurts and habits you may be facing.  You can find out more about Celebrate Recovery at https://gracebible.church/recovery.  Enjoy and checkout our free resources! https://gracebible.church/nextgenresources Katelyn's Recommendation: Parenting Beyond Your Capacity by Reggie Joiner   Do YOU have a question you'd like answered?  Do YOU want to be a guest on the podcast?  Do YOU have an idea for who should be a guest?  Email us at theparentclub@gracebible.church.  We want to be FOR you!  

Today we will hear from Simi and Steve Carlson as they share their journey of parenting their children to adulthood, keeping the end in mind.  Married for 35 years, they have four adult children along with three grandchildren.     The first ten years of their marriage involved moving regularly because of Steve's career in the military.  Far from friends and family, the church became one constant in their life—becoming the friends and family they needed as they raised their children.  Listen as they share how keeping this solid foundation center in their life—even after Steve retired from the military and Simi entered the workforce—benefitted not only their children, but also their marriage.   If you are a new parent or want to be a parent, this episode is for you as they address the need for parents to keep the end in mind as your children go through growing pains as they move from childhood to the teenage years to living independently as an adult Enjoy and checkout our free resources! https://gracebible.church/nextgenresources The Carlson's Recommendations: Focus on the Family parenting books  Legacy of Prayer by Jennifer Kennedy Dean Praying the Scriptures for Your Children by Jodie Berndt  Praying the Scriptures for Your Teens by Jodie Berndt  Praying the Scriptures for Your Adult Children by Jodie Berndt  Doing Life with Your Adult Children: Keep Your Mouth Shut and the Welcome Mat Out by Jim Burns

*Warning:  Parents, you may not want your kids in the room as we're talking about sex in this episode*   Did you know there are less than 200 Certified Christian Sex Therapists in the world?   Dr. Jessica McCleese, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist at Lighthouse Counseling, is one and is talking to us about sex and sex after kids today.  Taking a broader perspective on sex, she talks about the unspoken struggles Christians face in their sex life with their spouse.    If you've ever wondered if different sex drives are normal, how to overcome sexual shame based on your upbringing, or how to speak to your partner about lack of satisfaction in your sex life, this episode for is FOR you!   She also addresses when to use anatomically correct terms for sexual organs with your kids and how to talk to your kids about sex in age-appropriate ways.   You do not want to miss out as Dr. McCleese discusses the value of keeping both a Christ-focused view of your marriage and your sex life.  You may contact her at Drjessica@befullywell.com or by going to her website http://www.befullywell.com/.  If you are looking for a Certified Christian Sex Therapist near you, you may find one at https://www.sexualwholeness.com/abcst-find-a-therapist.   Enjoy and checkout our free resources! https://gracebible.church/nextgenresources   Dr. McCleese's Recommendations: Torn Asunder: Recovering From an Extramarital Affair by David Carder On the Threshold of Hope Dr Diane Langberg A Celebration of Sex Dr Douglas E Rosenau The Married Guy's Guide to Great Sex by Clifford Penner Enjoy! The Gift of Sexual Pleasure for Women by Dr Joyce Penner The Story of Me by Dr Stan and Brenna Jones (Ages 3-5) Before I Was Born by Carolyn Nystrom (Ages 5-8) What's the Big Deal? by Dr Stan and Brenna Jones (Ages 8-12) Facing the Facts by Dr Stan and Brenna Jones (Ages 11-16)

We're flipping the script!    Ashleigh and Eric Sanzone kicked off last season with two episodes.  Today we'll start with the Sanzone family again, this time with their kids!   Listen as their five children (ages 13 – 21) discuss their appreciation for their parent's purposeful engagement towards them on an individual level and how this intentionality set the stage for a long-lasting relationship, one that endures after high school and into college.     If you're a parent or soon-to-be-parent, this episode will give you the inside scoop of how setting boundaries and standing up guardrails while also giving space for individual growth will allow your children to learn how to make choices on their own.  It will also remind you that there is room for discipline, love, and grace and that you—the parent—don't need to have it all together!   Enjoy and check out our free resources! https://gracebible.church/nextgenresources

Welcome to The Parent Club!   Before we kick off this season, we'd love to recap some of our favorite moments from Season One!    Missed the first season?  Have no fear, the episodes are standalone so you can hop in at any time.   A quick intro of our podcast hosts: Melanie Lee and Matt Love.   Melanie Lee is the Executive Director of NextGen (kids and students and families) at Grace Bible Church, wife to Michael, and mom to a preschool-aged daughter who loves to sing at the top of her lungs.   Matt Love is a Students Director at Grace Bible Church, a husband to Jenny, and is the proud girl dad of a sweet two-year-old.   Enjoy and check out our free resources!   https://gracebible.church/nextgenresources

Today we will hear from Jeff Duenke, our Technical Director, as he shares his journey of adapting his parenting styles for each of his children as they grew older.   Jeff met his wife Becky and, after two years of marriage, they felt ready to start their family. Twenty-seven years later, they have three sons and one daughter.  Jeff was raised to not display his emotions and was often praised for being “even-keeled”.  Listen as Jeff describes his journey of recognizing and admitting parenting mistakes, loving and raising his sons and daughter uniquely, and adapting his parenting style as he strove to teach his children to not only make healthy decisions, but also to grow knowing God's love for them.   If you are a new parent or want to be a parent, this episode is for you as Jeff addresses the unique role a father has in raising both sons and daughters as well as the importance of affirming your children in both the big and small moments.   Enjoy!  Check out our FREE resources! https://gracebible.church/nextgenresources  

Today we will hear from Melanie Lee, our Executive Director of NextGen and Local Outreach, as she shares her journey of perseverance both to and in motherhood.   Melanie met her husband Michael later in life and, after two years of marriage, they felt ready to start their family. After trying for a while, they sought the counsel of medical professionals and learned their ability to have children would not be easy.  At one point, a doctor even told them they may need to consider “child-free living”.  Listen as Melanie describes their multi-year journey that included several rounds of IVF and ended in the adoption of their daughter Marley Grace.   Her story, though, does not end there.  Adopting Marley Grace was only the beginning as Melanie talks about navigating those initial years along with balancing the challenges of transracial adoption.    If you are a new parent, want to be a parent, or are single and have friends that are parents, this episode is for you as Melanie addresses how the support of others and their encouragement, along with her faith, helped her and Michael navigate their journey of parenthood.    Enjoy!   Check out our FREE resources!   https://gracebible.church/nextgenresources  

Today we are super excited to be spending time with Peter and Megan. They've been married for almost eight years in December. Peter works full-time, and Megan left her job as a teacher to stay home with their three boys. They are parenting three under four years old, and I think she used the word "rollercoaster" to describe it.  I feel really strongly that after spending time with them and listening to them that whether you're married, single, or a different type of parent, I think you'll learn a lot from Peter and Megan. Enjoy!   Enjoy our free resources: https://gracebible.church/nextgenresources   Like, Share, Comment, and Subscribe!  

This week we had a conversation with Beth Hunter, a mental health therapist and a parent to three grown children. She's going to talk to us about how we can help our kids manage anxiety and about three different types of anxiety, ranging from stress all the way through to depression and anger. She gives some great steps to us parents on how to manage the anxiety our children are dealing with intentionally. So we hope that this episode will work as a translator of sorts for parents to realize, oh, my kid is experiencing this emotion because of X, Y, and Z or ABC., and there are ways that I can validate that and learn to interpret that. This episode offers parents the hope that it is never too late to have a positive relationship with your family.    Enjoy!   Enjoy our free resources: https://gracebible.church/nextgenresources   Like, Share, Comment, and Subscribe!        

This week's guest on The Parent Club is Vanessa Clinton. She is a mom, an educator, and an amazing woman who brings a fresh perspective to parenting little people. Vanessa, a black woman, was raised by two white parents, and in this episode, she leans into her experiences about what that's like and how it impacts her while raising her own three kids. We wanted parents to hear her story because it is real example of how complicated life can be and how our family of origin influences our own parenting.  Regardless of whether you are a diverse family, a white family, a two parent family or single parent, Vanessa's stories and perspective will spark something in you. We hope it helps you to think about being more intentional in your interactions in all things, while raising your little humans. Enjoy!   Enjoy our free resources: https://gracebible.church/nextgenresources   Like, Share, Comment, and Subscribe!  

In today's episode, we talk to Jason & Emily Brown, brand-new parents to Kennedy! we'll unpack what surprised The Browns the most about becoming parents,  how to handle guilt in parenting, balancing work/home life, and why working on your marriage is the best thing you can do as a parent.  One theme that comes out in today's episode is to remember that “It's Just a Phase…so don't miss it!   Enjoy our free resources: https://gracebible.church/nextgenresources   Like, Share, Comment, and Subscribe! 

Today we talked to single parent Emily Wells. She had such amazing gems for us that can take some of the parenting perfection guilt off of us all, whether we are part of a couple or not. Community is very important to her as a single parent and she talks about how they are even more important for single parents. It all comes down to the fact that Emily loves Jesus and His people and it is highlighted in this amazing conversation.    Subscribe and share if you love this conversation!   Go get our resources at https://gracebible.church/nextgenresources    

In Part 2 of our chat with Eric and Ashleigh, we're chatting about parenting teenagers…how to build influence with them, practical ways to fight for relationships with them, and the value of admitting when you're wrong.  We also have some great resources to share with you! Eric and Ashleigh have been married for almost 25 years and have 5 children. Three of their children are biological and two are adopted, and their ages range from college down to middle school.    Be a part of The Parent Club by liking, commenting, and subscribing!   

Eric and Ashleigh have been married for almost 25 years and have 5 children. Three of their children are biological and two are adopted, and their ages range from college down to middle school. They have been through many of the stages parents deal with, so are the perfect first guests for us in The Parent Club.   Key Takeaways Parenting fails and successes Parenting with community Postpartum depression Practical ways to parent your kids through discipline   Be a part of The Parent Club by liking, commenting, and subscribing!   

Welcome to The Parent Club.  In our pilot episode, we'd love for you to get to know our podcast hosts: Leslie Horton, Melanie Lee, and Matt Love.     Leslie is the lead Kids Director at Grace Bible Church, wife to Bill and mom of two adult boys and a brand new mother-in-law.     Melanie Lee is the Executive Director of NextGen (kids and students and families) at Grace Bible Church,  wife to Michael, and mom to a preschool-aged daughter who loves to sing at the top of her lungs.     Matt Love is a Students Director at Grace Bible Church and a husband and girl dad of a one and half year old daughter.     Welcome to The Parent Club!

Being a parent doesn't come with a "how-to" book for sure. Just when we think we have it all figured out, things change and you find yourself feeling lost again. Join us for The Parent Club where we talk about all things parenthood with parents who are in the trenches.    Welcome to... The Parent Club