The Heidi St. John Podcast

Today I’m answering several questions about how we parent small children.  From character building (and my favorite parenting books) to the way we handle gifts at Christmas, it all matters to the Lord! Parenting Isn’t for Cowards: The ‘You Can Do It’ Guide for Hassled Parents by James Dobson Does your heart skip a beat when you think of all that could go wrong in the parenting years ahead? Anxiety is normal, but your worst fears don’t have to become reality. Speaking both as a therapist and a father―and drawing on a landmark study of thirty-five thousand parents―Dr. James Dobson helps you . . . * prevent child-rearing troubles before they happen * banish your guilt about hard-to-raise children * protect your sanity during a child’s adolescence * restore your energy when you’re facing burnout * enhance your relationships with your kids The 5 Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman Does your child speak a different language? Sometimes they wager for your attention, and other times they ignore you completely. Sometimes they are filled with gratitude and affection, and other times they seem totally indifferent. Attitude. Behavior. Development. Everything depends on the love relationship between you and your child. When children feel loved, they do their best. But how can you make sure your child feels loved? Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know by Dr. Meg Meeker In today’s increasingly complicated world, it’s often difficult for parents to connect with their daughters–and especially so for fathers. In this unique and invaluable guide, Dr. Meg Meeker, a pediatrician with more than twenty years’ experience counseling girls, reveals that a young woman’s relationship with her father is far more important than we’ve ever realized. To become a strong, confident woman, a daughter needs her father’s attention, protection, courage, and wisdom. Dr. Meeker shares the ten secrets every father needs to know in order to strengthen or rebuild bonds with his daughter and shape her life–and his own–for the better. Parenting by The Book: Biblical Wisdom for Raising Your Child by John Rosemond Picture respectful, responsible, obedient children who entertain themselves without television or video games, do their own homework, and have impeccable manners. A pie-in-the-sky fantasy? Not so, says family psychologist and bestselling author John Rosemond. In the 1960s, American parents stopped listening to their elders when it came to child rearing and began listening instead to professional experts. Since then, raising children has become fraught with anxiety, stress, and frustration. The solution, says John, lies in raising children according to biblical principles, the same principles that guided parents successfully for hundreds of years. They worked then, and they still work now!

“I think it’s worth it to declare Jesus to these people…” said John Chau, the young man who was killed as he went courageously to share Jesus with an unreached people group.  Was he foolish or brave? If we think he’s foolish, we have sorely forgotten what our Bible says about sharing the Gospel! Don’t miss it today.  It is worth it. John Chou News Article Ann Dunagan is a missions leader with Harvest Ministry, director of Daring Daughters, mobilizer with Mission-Minded Families, and global-mom with 7 kids (and a growing number of married-in-spouses and grandchildren). Since 1987, the Dunagan family have been sharing the love of Jesus in over 100 nations, caring for 1000+ orphan children in Africa and Asia, and overseeing 450+ remote village churches. Ann’s books include: The Mission-Minded Child (for parents) The Mission-Minded Family (for parents), Teaching With God’s Heart for the World, Volumes I and II (for homeschooling families) The Scarlet Cord: Nothing but the Blood of Jesus (co-authored with her husband Jon Dunagan), The Whole World Needs Jesus (for children), and coming soon in 2018 . . . The Fishless Fisherman (for children)

It’s easy to be distracted in December, but I’m encouraging you to keep your eyes on the Lord this season. Spend your time and resources on the things in which God wants you to invest. He wants to be invited into every area of your life, even the little things!

Like many of you, I came to “know” Kirk Cameron in the 80’s, watching the hit sitcom “Growing Pains” — but these days, Kirk is using his influence to strengthen families who are raising their kids in a digital age. In a social media-centered world, the smart phone has become a cultural rite of passage for kids. But is that rite all wrong?  How can this generation of parents blaze a new trail to equip their kids to thrive in an ever-changing digital environment while steering clear of the dangers that lurk nearby? Join in the conversation and be encouraged as Kirk Cameron and I discuss this very important topic. ‘Kirk Cameron: CONNECT’ Focuses on Strengthening Families in the Digital Age Now available on Digital, On Demand and DVD Actor & Father of Six Offers Real Help for Parenting Kids in a Social Media World Nashville, TN – June 5, 2018 – Kirk Cameron, a passionate advocate of marriages and families, has created what may be his most exciting and critical project to date, one that aims to enlighten and encourage parents in today’s digitally driven environment. In a social media-centered world, the smart phone has become a cultural rite of passage for kids. But is that rite all wrong? How can this generation of parents blaze a new trail to equip their kids to thrive in an ever-changing digital environment while steering clear of the dangers that lurk nearby? With six teenagers, Cameron and his wife Chelsea, fully understand this dilemma. So, he went to the experts, and what he learned will enlighten, challenge and equip parents. In an online world that creates an illusion of reality and “friends” through social media, apps and “followers,” Kirk Cameron: CONNECT pulls back the curtain to the benefits, dangers and boundaries that every parent, teacher, pastor or youth leader should consider while monitoring and utilizing technology in our children’s lives. As Cameron reminds parents, “The heart of the battle is really the battle of the heart.” Notable guests in this compelling documentary include Dr. Ian Armstrong (Neurosurgeon), Kathy Koch, Ph.D. (founder of Celebrate Kids, Inc.), Tim Woda (founder of uKnowKids), Pastor Ken Graves (Calvary Chapel, Bangor, Maine), and Mark Gregston (founder of Heartlight). Also featured are parents and young adults who share their personal stories regarding the life-changing impact of technology in their own lives. “God-fearing parents can find confidence and guidance when it comes to the challenges of parenting in our technology-driven world, knowing that God has fully equipped us for the sacred calling as a parent,” said Cameron. “We have resources to prepare our children as they learn their purpose and identity, and responsibly use technology to understand family, friends, God and the world around them.” Kirk Cameron: CONNECT, which premiered as a limited theatrical event this past spring, is now available on DVD from CamFam Studios and Provident Films Kirk Cameron is best known for his memorable role of “Mike Seaver”, a cultural icon of the 80’s, with his mullet hairstyle, cool glasses, and wisecracking comebacks on ABC’s “Growing Pains.”  Since then, he’s appeared in numerous television and movie productions, including the Left Behind series, Monumental, and Fireproof—the marriage-centered film that became the #1 grossing inspirational film of the year. He’s been featured on Good Morning America, The Today Show, Dr. Oz, Nightline, Fox News, and CNN and currently travels the country speaking on his brand new marriage and parenting tour, Living Room Reset that offers a night of worship, teaching, and heartfelt conversation about what matters most to husbands, wives, and parents.

A mass shooting in Thousand Oaks, California, wildfires, illness. Many in the culture right now reject the power of prayer because the reject the existence of God. But God says that He never leaves or forsakes us—even in suffering. His graces sustains His own. Let’s talk about suffering and God’s amazing grace today. Listen in and be encouraged!  

Today, Heidi answers two questions from listeners: Jessica wants to know who to keep from feeling overwhelmed now that the holiday season is here, and an anonymous mom wonders how she can strengthen her marriage. At the end of the day, it’s God’s priorities that bring blessing. Listen in and be encouraged! Mentioned in Podcast Laugh Your Way to a Healthy Marriage Busy Homeschool Mom’s Guide to Daylight Managing Your Days , by Heidi St. John: Do you need encouragement and fresh ideas for your homeschool day? Help is on the way! Tick Tock, Tick Tock… Can you hear it? Are you “burning daylight?” If you have ever experienced a series of days, weeks or even months when you felt like you just could NOT get on top of all you had to do, you are not alone. Juggling homeschooling and homemaking can be challenging-or so we’ve heard! Whether you’re struggling with managing your day, or simply looking for encouragement and fresh ideas for tackling your list of things to do, you will enjoy hearing from the heart of busy homeschool mom of seven, wife and author, Heidi St. John. You’ll laugh out loud, learn some of Heidi’s favorite tips on everything from home organization to meal preparation, and discover how you can homeschool in freedom and joy. Are you ready to be encouraged? Then join Heidi in discovering that real moms sometimes serve cereal for dinner-and live to write about it!

Stressed out. That’s a common theme from kids today. We’re making sure our kids are in every activity available to them—but maybe—we’re missing out on the blessing of unburdening ourselves from the busy and hitting reset in our homes. Join Heidi and her friend, Tricia Goyer as they talk about devotion from Prayers for the Battlefield and the need to connect with our kids. Calming Angry Kids: Help and Hope for Parents in the Whirlwind: Slammed doors. Hurting hearts. Tricia Goyer knows what it’s like to parent children with chronic anger. In Calming Angry Kids, Goyer draws on her own experience to help readers * understand what’s going on in a child’s brain * focus on relationship over rules * teach a child how to handle frustrations without outbursts * control how they express their own anger * establish a standard of respect in the home  Including reflection questions and action steps at the end of each chapter, Calming Angry Kids shows weary parents that peace in their home is within reach. Tricia Goyer is the award-winning author of more than seventy books, including Walk It Out: The Radical Result of Living God’s Word One Step at a Time. She is a homeschooling mom of ten and a grandmother of four. Tricia and her family live in Little Rock, Arkansas

This month at MomStrong International, we are studying the book of Job as we learn how to find blessing on the battlefield. God allowed suffering into Job’s life, and then, rather than answer Job’s unanswerable questions, He showed him a glimpse of who HE is. Are you abiding today in the sovereignty and goodness of God? Listen in and find out how you can rest in the midst of struggle in part two of this series. Don’t Miss Part 1!

Have you ever struggled to rest in the Lord? Jesus said to take His yoke, because it was “easy and light,” and yet, most of us don’t know what that looks like.  Today, Heidi begins part one of a two-part series on “abiding.” If you’re in need of peace as we enter into this busy time of year, listen in and be encouraged! More from The Busy Mom: Hope in Our Heartache – God’s main concern isn’t our happiness. Happiness is temporary, fleeting, dependent on the circumstances or the moment. No, He’s concerned with our holiness. Because when we are holy, we ascribe glory to Him which is the entire reason we were created.  You see, God sees the big picture in our lives, and He can use anything to make us more like Him. Failure, hunger, depression, heartache, wayward children… Prompted by Love, Inspired by Hope – The endurance needed for the days of mothering is inspired by hope.  The hope of good things to come if we don’t give up.  The hope that as we train our children, they will walk in the truth. It’s truly a hope that is prompted by love.

This is our last week on the October study on truth at MomStrong International. Join Heidi as she talks about taking the position of ambassador for the Lord Jesus! Scripture Hebrews 13:7