

Practice Makes Parent
Focus on the Family
Dive into the heart of Christian parenting with "Practice Makes Parent," your go-to podcast for actionable insights, faith-based inspiration, and real-life strategies for every stage of parenthood. From the joyous toddler years to the challenging school-age phase, the perplexities of puberty, and the exhilarating journey of guiding your confident teen, this podcast is your trusty companion. Join hosts Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James as they bring you weekly episodes packed with the wisdom of parenting experts. Uncover Biblical truths, effective parenting techniques, and a treasure trove of resources designed to empower moms and dads in today's ever-evolving culture in this fun Christian parenting podcast.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 13, 2025 • 43min
Bullying and Teasing: How Words Matter with Kids
Does name calling exist between your children? On this episode of Practice Makes Parent, Dr. Danny Huerta and Ginger Hubbard speak with Jim Daly and John Fuller about how teasing could become bullying, and how it may ultimately damage your children's self-esteem. Whether words come from in the home or at school, there is a line that can be crossed, and we'll discuss what parents can do and say to their children when teasing becomes hurtful. Danny and Rebecca also share a listener question about how to work through anger and yelling. Shawn & His Amazing Shrinking Sister We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail. If you enjoyed listening to Practice Makes Parent with Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James, please give us your feedback.

Aug 6, 2025 • 36min
Acts of Kindness That Glorify Jesus, Pt. 2
Danny and Rebecca present part two of the significance of 'grace bombing' as a practice for family transformation, focusing on intentional acts of kindness, with Patrick Linnell, the founder of Grace Bomb. We'll discuss integrating grace bombing into family life to counter entitlement and instill gratitude. Patrick shares impactful stories and practical steps for engaging children of different ages in acts of kindness. The discussion emphasizes obedience, overcoming fear, and fostering joy through giving. And, we have some advice for a listener on handling potential autism spectrum behaviors in a child, providing resources and encouragement for navigating emotional outbursts. We're so happy you've joined us for this special episode! Grace Bomb Parenting Assessment Tool Get your free Grace Bomb cards here! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail. If you enjoyed listening to Practice Makes Parent with Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James, please give us your feedback.

Jul 30, 2025 • 35min
Acts of Kindness That Glorify Jesus, Pt.I
On this special episode of Practice Makes Parent, Danny and Rebecca are live from the Homeschool Conference in Richmond, Virginia with Patrick Linnell, founder of Grace Bomb, a movement to carry out acts of kindness motivated by Jesus. Grace Bombing replaces random acts of kindness with intentional ones that point to Jesus. He recounts personal stories, including an impactful experience with his daughter that resulted in community transformation. We also answer a listener question regarding the Manosphere, a harmful influence of misogynistic content targeting young boys online. If you want to intentionally infuse the ideas of grace and kindness into your kids, this two-part episode is for you! Grace Bomb Parenting Assessment Tool Get your free Grace Bomb cards here! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

Jul 23, 2025 • 49min
Your Past Doesn't Equal Your Future
In a live episode of Practice Makes Parent'at the Virginia Homeschool Convention, Danny and Rebecca are joined by bestselling author Lisa Jo Baker to discuss the impact of inherited traits and the process of forgiveness. Lisa Jo delves into her personal story of overcoming the anger she experienced from her father, and the transformation that comes from God's love and redemption. The conversation touches on the importance of recognizing and addressing deep-seated emotions, and we take an audience question about setting boundaries in toxic relationships, and the critical role of forgiveness in healing and personal growth. Healing the Scars of Emotional Abuse No one should feel unsafe. Click here if you need help for an abusive relationship. We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

Jul 16, 2025 • 47min
Homeschool Support & Guidance
Are you a homeschooler, or thinking about it? On this episode of Practice Makes Parent, Danny and Rebecca are at the Homeschool Educators Association of Virginia talking with Christy Faith, an experienced homeschool advocate and educator. Christy shares her journey and emphasizes the importance of redefining education to include critical thinking and emotional intelligence, as well as challenging the traditional school system's focus on rote learning. The conversation covers free play, secure attachment, and interest-led learning. We'll also address concerns about the organization and structure of homeschooling, the need for periodic assessment, and the importance of intentional parenting. Receive the book Homeschool Basics for a gift of any amount. We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

Jul 9, 2025 • 48min
Filled By Foster Parenting
On this episode of Practice Makes Parent, Rebecca and Danny discuss the complexities and rewards of foster care with Jamie Finn, founder of Foster the Family and host of The Real Mom podcast. The discussion covers the emotional and logistical challenges of fostering, the importance of unity and intentionality in family decisions, and the critical role of faith and sacrificial love in parenting. Jaime shares personal anecdotes and practical advice, emphasizing the mission-oriented nature of foster parenting and the ways it can spiritually and emotionally transform both parents and children. Receive the book Filled: 60 Devotions for the Foster Parent's Heart for a gift of any amount. Article featuring Jamie & her husband Alan. Wait No More Sacred Search We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

Jul 2, 2025 • 37min
Trusting God As Our Child Grows Up
On this episode of Practice Makes Parent, Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James discuss the emotions and transitions experienced by parents and children, from the first school drop-off to adulthood. We'll talk with Erin McPherson, author of 'The Christian Mama's Guide' series of books, who offers insights on raising children through various stages, emphasizing heart goals over head goals. Erin highlights the importance of preparing kids for life's transitions, fostering character, and handling technology responsibly. Receive the book The Christian Momma's Guide To The Grade School Years for a gift of any amount. Age & Stage Assessment Tool Dr. John Trent & Dr. Dewey Wilson: The Relationally Intelligent Child We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail. Click Here to Support the Show!

Jun 25, 2025 • 53min
The Nature of Rest For Kids
On this episode of 'Practice Makes Parent,' Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James discuss the significance of rest and the outdoors in family life with Eryn Lynum, a master naturalist who shares insights into the importance of rest, its biblical foundations, and practical ways to incorporate daily, weekly, and seasonal rhythms of rest into family life. Receive the book The Nature Of Rest for a gift of any amount. The 7 Traits of Effective Parenting We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail. Click Here to Support the Show!

Jun 18, 2025 • 53min
Don't Parent Alone
In this engaging and heartfelt episode of Practice Makes Parent, Heather McFadyen, the mother of four boys, shares her journey and challenges in raising her children and her transition from feeling overwhelmed to finding a God-centered approach to parenting. Danny and Rebecca ask about the pressures of modern parenting, dealing with anger and emotional triggers, and the importance of self-care and community support. Heather emphasizes the need for vulnerability, patience, and building connections with other mothers. Receive Heather's book, Don't Mom Alone for a gift of any amount. MomLifeU.com Text "LOVE" to 32728 for 5 Winning Ideas for moms. Feeding The Mouth That Bites You Good & Angry We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail. Click Here to Support the Show!

Jun 11, 2025 • 50min
Teaching Children Relational Intelligence
Is your child relationally intelligent? And how do parents go about teaching that? On this edition of Practice Makes Parent, Rebecca St. James and Dr. Danny Huerta discuss these vital topics with renowned experts Dr. John Trent and Dr. Dewey Wilson. The conversation underscores the significance of parents modeling emotional and relational intelligence. They explore key issues such as the impact of social media, 2020's societal changes, and the consumerist messaging children receive. The Relationally Intelligent Child 5 Emotional and Relational Intelligence Skills, by John Trent Parenting Assessment We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail. Click Here to Support the Show!