Hearing the word “porn” can make us want to shout “la la la la” with our fingers in our ears. […] The post Engaging critical conversations about pornography appeared first on Christian Parenting.
It was a sunny Fourth of July weekend. Red roses and navy ribbons were the ideal backdrop for my fiancé, […] The post Two funerals and a wedding: 3 principles of grief in a stepfamily appeared first on Christian Parenting.
My friend and her husband were embarking on quite an adventure. They sensed God calling them to become a foster […] The post Pleasing God, not people appeared first on Christian Parenting.
Did you know that Christian Parenting has a podcast network? The Christian Parenting Podcast Network curates the best parenting podcasts […] The post A podcast for every parent appeared first on Christian Parenting.
It’s been a few years, but I (Shellie) well remember my first bout of SAG. And no, I’m not referring […] The post Three ways to strengthen the bond with your grandkids appeared first on Christian Parenting.
© 2021 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved When children show signs of toilet training readiness, they may learn toileting skills more easily or quickly. But not all signs are equally important — or even relevant — to your family’s needs. What is “toilet training readiness”? The concept was pioneered...
Since Genesis 3, shame has been Satan’s primary weapon against the sons and daughters of God. The reason shame is so powerful? Because it speaks to the core of our identity. Shame is not only the sense that we’re not enough—but that we’re tragically different. Irreparably damaged. Unworthy of love. ...
Matthew and his parents entered my office and sat down on my couch. Matthew folded his arms and stared out my window. His parents both took a deep sigh as they looked at each other. Feeling the tension in the room, I said, “Thank you for coming in today. You...
I don’t have to tell you that because of COVID-19, our world has changed dramatically. Thanks to the vaccines, we’re beginning to get out into this new world to discover what comes next. And it’s a little scary. In our attempt to re-enter a more normal existence we shouldn’t forget...
When we talk about “purity culture” in the Church, it’s often followed by stories of hurt, anger, and regret. So, what is purity culture, and why are people so upset about it? How did something that set out to be so well meaning and helpful hurt so many? What is...
© 2021 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved Music in the womb? It’s become an almost cartoonish cliché of modern pregnancy — a pregnant mother-to-be playing tunes for her unborn baby. But is this really a thing? Do fetuses actually respond to music? Will they remember any of it later?...
Bible verses about trusting God are not in short supply. As believers, we know the wisdom and truth behind placing our trust in God rather than ourselves. But when it comes to trusting him with our children, there’s often a tension there, and we can struggle with the release. In...
When I saw the uncontrollable shaking shoulders of my stepdaughter-in-law as she wept at our wedding, I knew the stepmom life was going to be harder than I thought. Since both my husband and I were widowed, I thought our situation would be less complicated, and perhaps it is in...
As I look through photos of raising our family on the road, I see nothing normal about it. Nothing screams abnormal like those first couple of years with Josie. For one thing, we visited forty-eight states in eighteen months, which must have set a world record! She napped in my...
I’m not sure how the Lord is leading you to pray for your children. But here’s what happens. Sometimes these prayers feel like a boomerang. And a boomerang, you throw it. And it gets further and further and further away. And sometimes we pray for these things. And it’s almost...
Questions parents often ask (or maybe just wonder about): How do I protect my child from all the “wolves in sheep’s clothing” in this world?How do I help my child stand up for themself and others, while loving like Jesus? Let’s start with the way Jesus modeled this. Though Jesus...
Sometimes mamas need help and advice. But all the time, they need grace. Once upon a time, at Trader Joes, I allowed my three angels to push their own mini-carts. So—they decided to play bumper carts down the aisle of wine bottles. Smack in the middle of the horrific scene,...
Christian parenting in the 21st century can seem daunting—trying to keep up with the advancing technology is nearly impossible. So the question becomes: how do we parent well? Parenting well requires you to be intentional and patient, and it requires us to be engaged in our children’s life, walking with them...
© 2021 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved A mother’s voice has special power. It can provide comfort — and improve outcomes — for babies hospitalized in the NICU. It can shape the way infants process language in the brain. And it can help children cope with pain and stress....
Well, here’s the thing, from the time that our kids are old enough to carry on a conversation with us that doesn’t just involve whether or not they have a poopy diaper, or what color bowl they would like for their snack. From that age, until, basically we’re dead, conversations...
