Hey friends,

What if discipling your kids didn’t feel heavy… but actually felt joyful again?

I don’t know about you, but sometimes the pressure to “do it right” as a Christian parent can slowly steal the fun and freedom out of faith. What starts as a beautiful calling can start to feel like another thing on the list. And that’s exactly why this conversation felt so refreshing.

Today I’m joined by my friend Amanda Jass, and she brings such a grace-filled, life-giving perspective to what it looks like to disciple our kids in a way that feels natural, joyful, and deeply rooted in Jesus.

Here are four takeaways that I think will really stick with you:

• You can partner with the church without outsourcing discipleship, your home still matters most
• Faith doesn’t have to feel overwhelming when we make it simple, approachable, and part of everyday life
• Play, story, and imagination are essential, not extra, when it comes to kids understanding and loving Jesus
• You are not behind, small, consistent moments matter more than getting it “perfect”

This conversation is such a deep exhale. If you’ve ever felt like you’re not doing enough or you don’t even know where to start, I think this will remind you that God isn’t asking for perfection—just presence.

Amanda Joss is a children’s author, illustrator, and longtime kids ministry leader who is passionate about helping families make faith feel joyful and accessible. She is the creator of Adventures in the Friendly Forest, a 30-day storybook devotional that uses imaginative storytelling and biblical truth to help kids grow in their faith in a fun and meaningful way.

I’m cheering you on as you create a home where faith feels light, joyful, and lived out together.

With Love,

Steph

Resources Mentioned:

Amanda’s Website

Amanda’s Instagram

Sign up for Morning Minute

Christian Parenting

Open a LearningRX center

The Hunt for the Kraken

Prefer video? This episode is on YouTube!

The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Have you ever felt busy all day long but still wondered if any of it really mattered?

This week’s episode is a little different and so special. I’m sharing a conversation from another Christian Parenting podcast, Pardon the Mess, hosted by the wonderful Courtney DeFeo. I first heard her interview with Elaine Franklin years ago, and honestly, it stuck with me in such a meaningful way. So when I saw them sit down together again, I knew I had to share it with you.

This conversation is all about time, but not in the way you might expect. It’s not about doing more or getting more organized. It’s about living with intention, clarity, and peace in the middle of full lives.

Here are four takeaways that really stood out:

• Why understanding your circle of care vs. circle of responsibility can completely shift how you spend your time
• The importance of defining your purpose and mission before building your schedule
• How margin isn’t lazy, it’s protective for your faith, your family, and your well-being
• Why creating a “to stop” list might be the most freeing productivity tool you’ve never tried

This episode is packed with practical wisdom, but more than that, it’s an invitation to step out of the hustle and into a more thoughtful, life-giving rhythm. If you’ve been feeling stretched thin or a little out of alignment, I think this one will really meet you right where you are.

Elaine Franklin is a speaker, coach, and author who helps individuals and families align their time and priorities with their God-given purpose. Through her teaching, she offers practical and biblical tools for creating margin, setting healthy boundaries, and living with intention in every season of life.

Resources Mentioned

Sign up for Morning Minute

Christian Parenting

Open a LearningRX center

The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Hey friends,

Have you ever felt like you’re trying to pass on faith to your kids while quietly wrestling with your own? If so, this episode is for you.

This week I’m joined by Kristin LaValley, writer, retreat host, and mom of five, who brings so much vulnerability and hope to the table. Kristin’s story is one many of us can relate to: growing up in the church, facing seasons of doubt and deconstruction, and learning how to build a gentler, deeper faith in the aftermath. Her wisdom is rooted in real experience, and she reminds us that asking questions doesn’t disqualify us, it invites us to know God more fully.

Here are just a few of the things we unpack in today’s conversation:

• Why fear-based faith doesn’t last, and how to replace it with something more rooted in love
• The difference between shame and conviction, especially when helping our kids process emotions
• How to give our children spiritual agency without disengaging from their discipleship
• What it means to be a non-anxious presence in the midst of theological tension

This one is tender, thoughtful, and full of grace. I hope it reminds you that God can hold both your faith and your questions.

Kristin LaValley is a writer, retreat leader, and mother of five living in New England. She helps women process faith, trauma, and spiritual transformation with honesty and hope. Her latest book, Growing Up Saved, is a heartfelt reflection on evangelical culture, mental health, and rebuilding faith after deconstruction.

(01:28) Transitioning from Homeschooling to Public School

(02:41) The Power of Writing in Healing

(05:19) Navigating Church Hurt and Parenting

(10:36) Giving Kids Agency in Their Faith

(20:38) Understanding Shame and Its Impact on Faith

(28:38) Kristen's Book and Closing Thoughts

Connect with Kristen

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Growing Up Saved book

Resources Mentioned

Christian Parenting resources

Sign up for Morning Minute

I Can Only Imagine 2 movie

Open a LearningRX center

Disciplines of Devotion series

Prefer video? Find this and other episodes on YouTube!

The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org