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Today's guest, Kayla E. Green, shared with us how important it is to know what our children consume from media. She emphasized how the content they engage with greatly impacts their development and worldview. Kayla shared from 1 John 2:16, emphasizing the importance of consuming media that aligns with godly values.

Kayla shared studies that highlighted how excessive exposure to media can lead to distractions, mental health struggles, and exposure to inappropriate content. She also shared a personal story of a parent who (unknowingly) allowed her nine-year-old daughter to read an adult novel...

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Today's special guest is Cheryl Schuermann, an award-winning author, a mom to four boys and a grandmother to 13 grandchildren. Before she became an author, she had a professional career in literary education, consulting, and staff development training. Her debut devotional, "Farmhouse Devotions, God's Glory and the Ordinary," released in May from Bold Vision Books, and was recently named the 2024 Golden Scroll Devotional Book of the Year.

Key Takeaways:
Cheryl shares ways parents and grandparents can help ground their children in faith by demonstrating key theological truths about God in practical...

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Today's guest is Alyssa Avant. She is a Christian author, podcaster and virtual assistant. Alyssa and her husband have a teenage son and daughter as well as a 20-year-old son. Today she is sharing three tips to teach your teens about what to avoid on social media. 

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Today's guest on 5-Minute Parenting is Michelle Lazurek, a multi-genre award-winning author and mother, who shares her wisdom on leaving a legacy of faith to our children. Michelle's insights and personal experiences shed light on practical ways parents can cultivate a lasting impact on their children's spiritual journey.

Key Takeaways:

1. Differentiate Sunday from the everyday: Help children discern between worldly values and spiritual truths. Emphasize the importance of being part of a local church community and integrating faith into everyday life.

2. Be the example: Parents need to...

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In this episode of 5-Minute Parenting, former high school teacher and author Patty LaRoche joins us to discuss the crucial topic of raising children who understand their immeasurable value. Patty shares insightful stories from her experiences in the classroom, providing valuable tips and advice for parents navigating the challenges of instilling confidence and self-worth in their children. From addressing the devastating effects of social media on kids' self-image to combating bullying and even delving into the fight against sex trafficking, Patty offers a wealth of knowledge and practical wisdom.

Key Takeaways:<...

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As parents and grandparents, we need to be praying for our children and grandchildren everyday and teaching them how to pray and put on the spiritual armor of God. As they begin a new school year, let’s pray together for them today. 

 10 Prayers for Our Children and Grandchildren as They Go Back to School:

Lord, we ask that our children:
1.Be keep safe physically, spiritually and emotionally while in school.
2.Develop discernment and stand firm for what is right and refuse what is wrong.
3.Develop a st...

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In this episode of 5-Minute Parenting, we're joined by special guest Melinda Poling, a mother of 8 sons and one daughter, who has homeschooled all of her children. Melinda shares her insights into the simplicity of homeschooling and the core values that have guided her family over the past 25 years, emphasizing the importance of love, ministry, flexibility, and consistent devotion to God. Her story is a testament to the power of a holistic approach to education and family life.

Key Takeaways:

1. Embrace a Lifestyle of Learning: Greet God first thing...

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Our guest speaker today is a retired homeschooler with 17+ years of experience in home educating their four children and 10 years of experience as a homeschool consultant, blogger, writer, and speaker. Kris shared with us valuable tips for parents and teens on planning the high school years from setting goals, nurturing character development, financial planning, time management, to finding a career that fits each individual's unique skills and interests.

Two of Kris's newest resources for teens include:
(1) Navigating High School Student Guidebook
(2) Navigating High School Priority Planner

...

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Welcome to another episode of 5 minute parenting. Today, I have a special guest, Holly Debella McCarthy. She's a dedicated educator, an accomplished author, and a passionate advocate for child development and education. She's a former special education teacher, a school administrator, and university professor. Holly now writes full time, and she creates resources supporting parents and educators. Her Dilly Duck and Friends series features three award-winning children's picture books, and it highlights the themes of kindness, teamwork, and environmental awareness. 

Here are some of the key takeaways from the episode:

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This month we are focusing on topics and tips to help parents get ready to send their children back to school. 

Today, we're diving into the topic of choosing schooling options for our children. I discuss the fact that our daughter actually experienced all three types of schooling--private, public and homeschooling. I discuss the reasons behind each of our choices and highlight the pros and cons of each schooling option. 

Here are 3 key takeaways for parents navigating the education landscape for their children:

1. Flexibility in Education: Explore va...

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During the month of August we will be focusing on tips to help your child as he/she prepares to go back to school. In this episode, we discussed five tips for helping your child get organized:

1. Designated Space: Create a designated area in the home for schoolwork or homework to help children focus.

2. Designated Storage Space: Provide a designated storage space for school-related items to help children keep track of their work.

3. Family Organizational Calendar: Use a central family bulletin board or calendar to keep track...

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Welcome to another episode of 5-Minute Parenting! Today's guest, Terry Heller Brown, shares with us valuable insights on recognizing and seizing teachable moments with our children.

Key Takeaways:

- Use the Acronym STOP:  "S T O P" stands for "Stop," "Take" notice of emotions, "Open" up the conversation, and "Praise" their insights and present solutions. 

- Embrace interruptions: Teachable moments often interrupt our plans, but they are invaluable opportunities to disciple our children and equip them for a life following Christ.

- Encourage critical th...

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Today I had the pleasure of hosting Leigh Ann Mancini, an award-winning author and executive producer of the Sick Kids series books. She shared invaluable insights from her brand new parenting guide, "Raising Kids to Follow Christ: Instilling a Lifelong Trust in God." The episode delves into the challenges parents face in raising kids to have a strong faith in today's culture.

Leigh Ann highlighted some alarming statistics about the beliefs of today's youth and the role of Christian parents in guiding their children to stay strong in their faith. She...

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In our latest episode, we had the pleasure of hosting Karen Whiting, an experienced author and speaker, who shared invaluable insights on ways to engage our children in prayer. Karen's practical and hands-on approach to family prayer is not only fun but also effective in helping children grow in their faith.

Her book, "52 Weekly Devotions for Family Prayer," offers a treasure trove of ideas for parents to engage their children in prayer activities. From "ball prayers" for active kids to "family powwow" sessions where family members pray for each other's worries...

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As parents, we have a unique role in shaping our children's worldview and values, and one aspect that shouldn't be overlooked is instilling a love for missions. Today, I had the pleasure of discussing this important topic with Melissa Heiland, founder of "Beautiful Feet International. "

Melissa shared that the act of instilling a heart for missions in our children is about instilling a deep love for all people to know Jesus as their Savior. As Melissa highlighted, there are numerous creative and accessible ways to incorporate missions into everyday family life.  Duration: 00:10:08

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Our guest today on  5-Minute Parenting is Laurie Deverno, who shares with us the importance of building strong family foundations rooted in faith. As a parent, she feels it's vital to be intentional in guiding our children on their spiritual journey.

Key Takeaways:

1. Prioritize Family Devotional Time: Establishing regular family devotional times and open discussions about faith will help instill lasting values in your children.

2. Be Mindful of Cultural Influence: Stay informed about the media and entertainment your children consume, and guide them towards content that aligns w...

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In this episode of 5-Minute Parenting, we have the pleasure of hosting the insightful Julie Zine Coleman. As a mother of four grown children and six grandchildren, Julie holds a wealth of experience on today's topic: Mommy Guilt. Julie candidly shares her personal journey through the highs and lows of parenting, offering touching anecdotes and a refreshing perspective on overcoming guilt. With valuable insights from her background in biblical studies, Julie delves into the scriptural view of guilt and offers wisdom for all parents. Join us as we uncover the transformative power of...

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Parenting in today's world can be tough, but today's guest, Maureen Miller, shared some incredible insights on praying the Word of God over our children. 

 Maureen emphasized the importance of praying the full armor of God over our children, no matter their age. From the helmet of salvation to the sword of the spirit, each piece plays a crucial role in protecting and guiding our kids through life's challenges. 

Key Takeaways:

- Praying the full armor of God over our children is vital for their protection, no mat...

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In this episode, our guest Karen Ferguson  shares insights on creating a Bible culture in our homes, protecting our children's innocence, and praying God's word together. Here are three key takeaways for you:

1. Speak God's word over your kids' identity from an early age, combining your spoken words with God's ordained word to create powerful connections.

2. Be diligent in protecting your child's innocence by filling their environment with God-honoring books, videos, and stories that align directly with the Bible, making its teachings come alive for them.
Duration: 00:13:20

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With summer break just around the corner, it's time to start planning some exciting activities for your kids. In this week's episode of 5-Minute Parenting, we discussed the importance of creating a bucket list of summer activities for your children. Whether it's encouraging them to try a new sport, embarking on a road trip, or embracing outdoor adventures, there are endless possibilities to make this summer an unforgettable one for your family.

Here are some ideas to consider adding to your bucket list:

1. Encourage them to try a new...

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In our latest episode, we had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Mel Taveras, a seasoned expert in youth culture, mental health coaching, and parenting. Dr. Taveras shared valuable insights on how parents can guide their children through the complexities of today's youth culture, incorporating age-appropriate discussions and grounding them in God's truths.

Here are some key takeaways from the episode:

1. Communicating Age-Appropriate Information: Dr. Taveras emphasized the importance of tailoring conversations to match the developmental stage of the child. She shared a personal experience of discussing pregnancy with her...

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Today, I again put on my teacher hat as we discuss ADHD accommodations in public schools for children. It's important for parents to understand how public schools typically make accommodations for ADHD students. In public schools, these accommodations are known as 504 plans, which are designed to offer support for ADHD students.

Some typical accommodations include:

1. Presentation & Organizational accommodations may involve highlighted text, audiobooks, pre-made outlines, and visual schedules. 

2. Response accommodations can change how students complete classroom work - such as verbal testing or using technology for assignments.  Duration: 00:07:14

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In the latest episode of 5-Minute Parenting, we dove into the characteristics of kids with ADHD from a teacher and parental perspective. As someone with a master's in education specializing in learning disabilities and a parent of a child with ADHD, I shared insights that can help you identify if your child is displaying ADHD characteristics.

Key Takeaways:

- Understanding ADHD: Kids with ADHD often experience challenges with time management, attention and focus, organization, memory, social skills, task initiation, flexibility, listening skills, impulse control, and motor skills.

<...

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So, how can you utilize active listening to encourage your child? Here are some key takeaways from the episode:

1. Give your child your full attention and make eye contact when they speak to you.

2. Listen to them without interrupting and allow them to express themselves fully.

3. Show empathy and validate their feelings by reflecting back what they are saying.

4. Ask open-ended questions to encourage deeper conversations.

5. Avoid passing judgment or criticizing their thoughts and feelings.

6. Paraphrase or summarize what they have...

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 Encouraging Your Children: Tips from the 5-Minute Parenting Podcast

In this week's episode of the 5-Minute Parenting podcast, we delved into the important topic of encouraging our children. We explored the powerful impact of creating a positive environment at home through words of affirmation and genuine praise. It's crucial for our children to feel valued and appreciated for who they are as individuals to foster a healthy self-esteem and positive outlook on life.

We discussed the significance of focusing on our children's strengths and efforts, rather than solely on t...

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In a recent episode of 5-Minute Parenting, we had the pleasure of hosting a special guest, Jennifer Bosma, who shared an insightful discussion about "The Best Gift Every Parent Should Give." We were touched by her heartfelt story and valuable parenting advice.

Jennifer shared a unique and meaningful gift idea for parents - a journal for their children. This journal serves as a treasure trove of memories, capturing precious moments and milestones in a child's life. It's a place to jot down thoughts, prayers, and reflections, creating a beautiful...

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Time management is an important skill for our children to learn beginning early in life, but today I’m going to give 15 Tips for Time Management for High Schoolers. These will be listed in the Notes. They are a free downloadable from Your Therapy Source,  which has all kinds of resources—some free, some that have a cost . I’ll put their contact info in the Notes.

1. Prioritize Tasks: Identify and focus on completing the most important tasks first, such as schoolwork and essential projects, to ensure academi...

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Today's guest, Rachel Norman, is a devoted mother of five who is passionate about teaching her children to live a godly life and equipping them with life skills to make godly choices  that align with the Bible. As the "Routine Queen," Rachel helps parents develop simple routines so their home can be a peaceful haven, not a source of stress.

During the episode, Rachel emphasized the importance of talking to children about truth and equipping them to make godly choices that align with biblical values. She discussed the significance of teaching k...

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In our last podcast episode, we had the pleasure of hosting Tricia Poole, a homeschooling parent of six children. Last week, Trish shared the first 5 things she wish she knew as a beginning homeschooler and today Trish is sharing her final 5 tips for: "10 Things I Wish I Knew as a Beginning Homeschooler"  Here are some of her key points.

6. Differentiating Between Mom and Teacher Hat: Tricia highlighted the importance of helping kids differentiate between her roles as a mom and a teacher, and the significance of providing constructive feedback in a w...

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In today's episode, we continued our topic of "Helping Our Children Deal with Fear (Part 2)."  We discussed practical ways to help children handle fear, including some valuable tips and resources. Here are three key takeaways from the episode:

🔹 Encourage children to come up with their own solutions to deal with their fears. This helps them learn problem-solving skills, boost their self-confidence, and prepares them to handle future fears effectively. Young children will need more help. They often act out their fears through play, so encourage them to draw a picture or act...

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In this episode, we delve into practical tips for parents to help their children deal with and overcome fear. It's essential to equip our children with strategies to manage fear from an early age, setting them up for success as they grow.

Key takeaways:

- Cultivate trust: Spend quality time with your child, listen to their concerns, and respect their feelings to build trust and confidence.

- Foster faith: Teach your child to trust in a loving God who cares for...

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In this episode of 5-Minute Parenting, I am joined by special guest Janet McHenry, author of 26 books, including "Praying Personalities: Finding Your Natural Prayer Style." Janet shares her journey of discovering the various prayer styles individuals have, and how these styles are influenced by their unique personalities. Janet's insight has come partially from exploring the different ways individuals in the Bible approached God. When we  see  their unique approaches to prayer, we can better understand how everyone has their own unique way of approaching God in prayer.  From the perspective of a parent, Jan...

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In this episode of 5-Minute Parenting, we discuss a crucial topic that every parent of a teenager can relate to: teenage moodiness versus depression. In this episode, we delve into the complexities of distinguishing between typical teenage behavior and signs of depression in adolescents.

The teenage years can be tumultuous for our children, as they navigate academic pressures, hormonal changes, and both positive and negative influences from their peers. This episode provides some valuable insights to help parents discern and address their teens' emotional well-being.

We point out some...

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I don’t know anyone who remembers loving middle school—the physical changes, the up-and-down emotions, the longing to fit in, navigating turbulent friendships, etc., etc. etc. I just ran across and article in Christian Parenting from which I’m going to share today. Author, Kari Kampakis shares "10 Truths Middle Schoolers Should Know." I think as parents, we also need to know them so we can encourage our children who are going through these turbulent pre-teen years. So stash these suggestions in your arsenal of parenting helps and perhaps even share the ar...

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In our last episode, we looked at what the latest research is saying about the dangers of too much screen time for babies and toddlers. . As technology becomes more integrated into our daily lives, it's crucial for us as parents to be aware of the potential effects of excessive screen time on our children. Today we're going to look at some signs that may indicate your child is getting too much screen time.

Here are some key indicators your child may be getting too much screen time: 

1. O...

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I recently delved into the latest research regarding screen time and its effects on our little ones' developing brains. A just published study from Drexel University sheds light on the potential consequences of early exposure to screens, such as TV and other devices, for infants and toddlers.

1. Early access to screens may lead to sensory challenges in childhood: The study suggests that exposure to screens at a very young age could result in atypical sensory processing, potentially leading to sensory-related behavioral issues later in childhood. These include sensory seeking...