The Parenting for Faith podcast

In session 6 of the Parenting for Faith course, we learn about 'surfing the waves', which is about coming alongside your child. Rachel unpacks a bit further what it looks like to 'paddle at the right speed' - to give them opportunities to explore further without dictating what they should do. Find out more at https://parentingforfaith.org/surfing-waves She answers a question about how to explain the concept of grace to a six year old. In the wild card section, she interviews Jo and Elliott Ireton who have moved 11 times in the last 14 years. She asks them how they have spiritually prepared their four children for these moves.

How do we respond when our children pray for us? Rachel explores three ideas to help us use that experience to equip them and feedback well. She answers a question about how to help kids to make a connection between science and faith and help them if they feel like they offer opposing ideas. Finally, Becky Sedgwick, our local coordinator, shares something significant she learnt from a walk in the woods.

In this Valentine's episode, Rachel explores some ways we can wade into the romance narrative that is going on all around our kids. She answers a question about how to help your child engage with church when there's no children's ministry. Finally, she looks at some of the tricky love stories in the Bible - the ones where you wouldn't want your child to copy their example! She asks what we can learn from them and how we can help our kids and teens to understand them.

Rachel interviews her mum on why she was taken to places that didn't necessarily have provision for children. They discuss what children can learn about life, faith and God from all kinds of different environments. She answers the question 'Is it too late?'. If your children are older and you haven't been parenting for faith so far, what does using all these tools and skills look like for you? Elle Bird, Head of Children's and Youth Work at St Chad's, Romiley, explores what we might learn about God from the Disney film Tangled.

Rachel explores how to parent in the faith whilst 'being in the middle' - when you're going through something emotional but still have to carry on with life. She answers a question about how to help your kids connect when it feels like all they do is fight with each other. In the wild card section, she interviews her dad to get his perspective as a policeman on how to parent for faith when you work shifts.

Rachel interviews her mum about her experience of being a first generation Christian and gets her wisdom on parenting for faith when you didn't have Christian parents. She asks Josh Lees, a youth pastor for advice on helping teens who are disengaging from church and don't want to go. The final section is a simple explanation of how the Bible was made, so that you're equipped to chat to your child about this if they're curious.

An invitation to join our 'Watch Party', a closed Facebook group exploring the Parenting for Faith course starting on 14 Jan. https://www.facebook.com/groups/PFFWatchParty Some thoughts on New Year's Resolutions and how to help them not feel overwhelming with ideas from James Clear's new book 'Atomic Habits'. Rachel answers a question on how to tell challenging Old Testament stories without sanitising them. Find out more about answering tricky questions here https://parentingforfaith.org/post/four-simple-steps-approaching-questions-your-child-asks She ends by sharing how to review where your child is at spiritually and help find their next step.

Rachel kicks off with a festive reflection on 'Mary did you know?' and what it teaches us as parents. She answers a question about the way that her family chooses to do Christmas presents. Finally she interviews former youth pastor, Josh Lees, and asks him the top three things parents of teens need to know to spiritually encourage their children.

Rachel interviews James and Susie Yeates (Associate Vicar and Children and Family Minister at St Thomas with St Stephen) about advent prayer and how to weave together chat and catch (https://parentingforfaith.org/chat-and-catch) with more structured intercession. She answers a question about how to manage the dynamic in a blended family where the ex-partner isn't a Christian. Finally, she chews over how we can model to our children that God comes first and what that might look like for each of us. Visit the Parenting for Faith website to discover our free course.

All three of the Parenting for Faith team take part in today's episode. Becky, our local coordinator, shares her journey of starting using the parenting for faith tools with her teenager and gives ideas if you're starting with older children. Rachel answers a question about helping a child with a strong sense of right and wrong, to handle that well. Anna, our national coordinator, reflects on watching and reading stories with under fives and gives three suggestions for how to grow discernment in them. Visit the Parenting for Faith website to discover our free course.