Practice Makes Parent

Focus on the Family
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Nov 11, 2026 • 35min

Teaching Kids to Talk To God

How have you taught your kids to pray? We have a new approach for you today. Danny and Rebecca talk with Dr. Scott James, a pediatrician and author of the children’s book Deep Breath, Little Whisper. We're emphasizing prayer as accessible, relational, and possible anytime, not only at set routines. We also answer a listener question about teaching manners by linking them to love, respect, and growing in maturity. Deep Breath, Little Whisper Deep Breath, Little Whisper Activity Kit & Prayer Guide Check Out Our Parenting Page! Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email Enjoying music as a family can bring everyone closer. Check out Focus Live, powered by Godcaster. It’s a great way to get Focus On The Family content and expose your kids to great worship music! Speak To A Counselor
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Nov 4, 2026 • 43min

Communicating to Kids with Confidence & Joy

Rebecca St. James and Dr. Danny Huerta talk with Connie Albers, author of Parenting Beyondthe Rules and mother of five grown children, about hearing what kids are really saying. When achild walks in and answers "fine," there is usually something underneath, and in a Gallup surveyone in six parents said they struggle to comfort or communicate with their children. Parenting Beyond the Rules: Raising Teens with Confidence and Joy, by Connie Albers Find out in about two minutes which kind of parent you are with the free parenting styles quizTake the free 7 Traits of Effective Parenting Assessment, the framework Danny returns to onevery episodeSend Danny and Rebecca your parenting question by voicemail on the Practice Makes Parentpodcast pageSpeak with a Christian counselor at Focus on the Family:  
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Oct 28, 2026 • 34min

Unsure, Overwhelmed & Alone Moms

Are you questioning your abilities as a mom? Rebecca and Danny talk with a panel of moms about their pressures, guilt, burnout, and comparison. You can redefine your "success" as a mom through Help Club for Moms! We also answer a listener question that advises balancing a child’s bold faith-sharing with emotional awareness and respectful family conversations. Help Club For Moms: Inspiration and Practical Help for You, Your Home, and Your Family Connect with Help Club For Moms Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email Speak To A Counselor
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Oct 21, 2026 • 35min

Solid Parenting Tips

Dr. Danny and Rebecca speak with Pastor Jonathan Brozozog and his wife Joanne of Creative Church, and parents of eight. Your famiy is a team with Jesus as head coach. Here are practical ideas for communication—creating safe, phone-free rhythms, one-on-one time, listening, and using conversation. We'll also answer a listener’s question about spiritually leading teen daughters. Send this to someone you know! The Home Team: Winning Begins At Home Brio Magazine Launch Into The Teen Years For Parents Only Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email Speak To A Counselor
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Oct 14, 2026 • 33min

When Parents Are Incarcerated

Hosts Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James speak with Betsy Wright and Nikki Mattison from Angel Tree Ministry about children who have absent parents. If you know any grandparent raising their grandchild -- no matter if their incarcerated or not -- make sure to send them this podcast episode! We talk about how kids mask their shame, various trauma-informed approaches, and how to rebuild relationships. In the Q&A, theres advice for a grandmother raising teens to keep praying, encourage consistent communication, prioritize emotional safety, and seek counseling resources. Contact Prison Fellowship and Learn More About Angel Tree Call Our Counseling Line at 1800-A FAMILY Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email Enjoying music as a family can bring everyone closer. Check out Focus Live, powered by Godcaster. It’s a great way to get Focus On The Family content and expose your kids to great worship music! Speak To A Counselor  
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Oct 7, 2026 • 39min

Learning To Be Limitless with Nick Vujicic

If you've ever felt that you "can't" or that the obstacles in your life are too insurmountable, you've GOT to listen to Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James' conversation with Nick Vujicic! This will encourage you and your children to understand that there's purpose, no matter the pain and setbacks we may encounter. This is an inspiring podcast that will challenge your faith and give you confidence that you can have a life without limits. Share this with your friends and family! Life Without Limits: Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life Love Without Limits
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Sep 30, 2026 • 31min

The Parenting Research Roundup

Do you have a favorite child? Probably! Are you a dolphin, elephant, or free-range parent? Do you know? Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James go through some recent research that explain, personality types, conscious and unconscious choices in your parenting. If you question your parenting, or if you're anxious about doing the right or wrong things, you'll learn a lot through this episode. 7 Traits of Effective Parenting Want To Know Your Parenting Style? Parenting Tools Library Join the Focus on the Family Parenting Facebook Group Take Our Parenting Assessment Reach Out To Our Team of Christian Counselors
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Sep 23, 2026 • 31min

The ADHD Family (Part 2 of 2)

We're continuing our conversation with Dr. Tamara Rosier, author of You, Me & Our ADHD Family, focusing on family communication. She highlights emotional regulation as a key ADHD-related challenges, using a “pool” metaphor for big emotions and encouraging families to develop preplanned self-regulation toolkits. We distinguish defiance from ADHD by responding to patterns once everyone is calm. We address self-medicating and we also take a listener question about using diet and nutrition to help with ADHD symptoms. If you or someone in your family has ADHD, let us know what you think of this program!You, Me, and Your ADHD FamilyAsk Us Your Question via Voicemail or EmailEnjoying music as a family can bring everyone closer. Check out Focus Live, powered by Godcaster. It’s a great way to get Focus On The Family content and expose your kids to great worship music!Speak To A Counselor
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Sep 16, 2026 • 34min

The ADHD Family (Part 1 of 2)

Danny and Rebecca discuss ADHD with Dr. Tamara Rosier, founder of the ADD Center of West Michigan and author of "You, Me, and Our ADHD Family." If you or your children are having difficulty directing attention, Dr. Rosier has helpful advice that describes ADHD parenting as a “goat rodeo” and offers a “monkeys” naming technique to separate people from symptoms. We also answer a listener's question about too many extra curricular activities.You, Me, and Your ADHD FamilyCall Our Counseling Line at 1800-A FAMILYAsk Us Your Question via Voicemail or EmailEnjoying music as a family can bring everyone closer. Check out Focus Live, powered by Godcaster. It’s a great way to get Focus On The Family content and expose your kids to great worship music!Speak To A Counselor
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Sep 9, 2026 • 35min

Bringing God's Word To Public Schools

Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James discuss how Christian parents can bring God’s Word into public schools. They talk with Kori Pennypacker, CEO of Bible2School and author of Backpack Faith. She explains that First Amendment freedoms protect students’ rights to express faith at appropriate times, including praying, reading the Bible, wearing religious messages, using faith in assignments, and meeting for Bible studies with equal access rules. We also answer a listener's question about taking her kids out of public school.Backpack Faith: Helping Your Child Live Confidently for Jesus in Public SchoolBring Your Bible To School DayGet Your Free Download of Important Decisions That Affect Your ChildABCDEF Sheet For ParentsAsk Us Your Question via Voicemail or EmailAlliance Defending FreedomSpeak To A Counselor

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