In this episode, I’m talking with Janel Breitenstein, author of Emotionally Strongish Parenting: Seven Shifts for a More Resilient and Jesus-Centered Home, about why raising emotionally healthy kids often starts with paying attention to our own hearts.

Janel explains what happens in our brains when fear, anxiety, or anger takes over and why sometimes the best parenting decision we can make is to pause before responding. We talk about creating space for our kids’ doubts and questions, moving from behavior management toward heart change, and the important difference between guilt and shame.

We also talk about something every parent needs to hear: perfect parenting isn’t the goal. Our mistakes can actually become opportunities to model repentance, forgiveness, grace, and repair.

Janel ends with a simple three-step process to help us handle emotions with our kids: identify, manage, and shepherd.

If you’ve ever lost your temper, parented out of fear, or wondered how your own emotional health is affecting your kids, this conversation will give you practical tools and a lot of encouragement.

Resources Mentioned

Janel’s website

Substack

Instagram

Emotionally Strong(ish) Parenting book

Christmas Gift guide

Beyond Fit

NiRV Question & Answer Bible for Kids

Operation Christmas Child

Faith in Action: Prayers from James for the Next Generation

Sign up for Morning Minute

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

Have you ever wondered what happens to an Operation Christmas Child shoebox after your family packs it?

In this episode, Dania Andraos shares her incredible story of growing up in the Middle East, where her family faced persecution for their Christian faith, and how receiving a shoebox gift became a powerful reminder that God saw her and heard her prayers.

We talk about how that simple gift opened doors for the gospel in her community, how Dania eventually became involved with Operation Christmas Child herself, and practical ways families can participate in this ministry together.

If you've ever packed a shoebox or wondered how to help your kids develop a heart for serving others, this conversation will remind you that God can use even the smallest gifts to make an eternal impact.

Resources Mentioned

Operation Christmas Child

Learn how to pack a shoebox

Find a drop-off location

Build a shoebox online.

Christmas Gift guide

Carpool Conversations with WinShape Camps

NiRV Question & Answer Bible for Kids

Midnight Mom Devotional Bible

Faith in Action: Prayers from James for the Next Generation

Sign up for Morning Minute

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

In this episode, Steph talks with Dana K. White, author of Procrastinators Get Stuff Done, about why procrastination isn't always laziness. Often, it comes from overwhelm, decision fatigue, perfectionism, and the feeling that we need to have everything figured out before we begin.

Dana shares her practical process for getting unstuck, starting with one surprisingly simple step: just look. They talk about why small wins matter, how “noncommittal experimentation” can help us move forward, and why making a big plan too early can actually become another form of procrastination.

Steph and Dana also talk about understanding your personal “commitment threshold,” resisting comparison, and helping kids who procrastinate without labeling them as lazy.

If there’s something you’ve been putting off, this conversation will help you stop overthinking it and take one small, doable step forward today.

Resources Mentioned

Procrastinators Get Stuff Done book

Dana’s website

Christmas Gift guide

Carpool Conversations with WinShape Camps

NiRV Question & Answer Bible for Kids

Midnight Mom Devotional Bible

Faith in Action: Prayers from James for the Next Generation

Sign up for Morning Minute

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