BONUS: Faithful Friends

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend (Proverbs 27:17 NLT)

Godly friends make us better, not out of shame or peer pressure, but out of a desire to see us faithful to God and pursuing his will for our lives. Godly friends know that God wants more for us than what the world has to offer, and so they will push us in that direction when we start to veer from the path.

Who our kids hang out with is important, iron sharpens iron and bad company corrupts character (1 Corinthians 15:33). Godly friends will help our kids grow in their faith and keep them accountable. Ungodly friends will bring them further and further from Gods truth.

So this week, lets pray that our kids will be surrounded by true, godly friends and be a light to the friends around them who dont know Jesus.

Jesus, I pray that ______________ surrounds 

themselves with friends who know and love you. I pray they would encourage each other in faith, hold each other accountable, and that their friendships would draw them closer to you. Where there is conflict, may they be quick to show forgiveness, just as you forgave us. May _____________ be a light to those around them, always showing what a godly friend is. Amen.

Pardon The Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

These two episodes with Dr. David and Amanda Erickson are packed with practical ideas for the little years. Truthfully, it can be overwhelming to determine how to discipline, redirect, manage chaos while not breaking the spirit of your child. I see a cultural shift from one extreme (punishing behavior out of kids and using fear) to another extreme - letting the kids run the house with no rules. 

This couple has an approach that I really believe in - they combine child development with scriptural truth. I wish I had had them when my kids were younger. They focus on what to do vs what not to do which puts an upfront emphasis on your familys values and expectations. 

My favorite part is when they talk about how to take a biblical value like trustworthiness and live it out in the home. As you listen to this episode, I am praying you feel equipped and not discouraged. Their way isnt a prescribed formula - its a parenting philosophy that has many benefits and ideas attached to it.

When my kids were little, it was so chaotic at times and I would get so overwhelmed at my lack of parenting principles and felt like I kept messing it up. You are not alone. Dont give up! This work and effort will pay off.

In this episode, we chat about:

• Cultural shifts in parenting styles
• How to build trust and honesty in parenting 
• How to redirect behavior and manage chaos
• Ideas for discipline and consequences

Enjoy!

Courtney

Part 1

(03:03) Parenting Principles and Practical Application

(05:55) Cultural Shifts in Parenting Styles

(09:04) The Importance of Early Emotional Development

(11:53) Building Trust and Honesty in Parenting

(15:11) Consequences and Discipline Strategies

(17:53) Redirecting Behavior and Managing Chaos

Part 2 

(2:30) Understanding the Impact of Fear on Parenting 

(6:33) The Importance of Separation in Conflict Resolution 

(9:10) Timeouts: Purposeful or Punitive?

(12:10) Channeling Physical Energy in Children

(16:20) Teaching Control Over Emotions and Actions 5

(22:00) The Role of Respect in Parenting 2

(23:48) Assuming the Best: Navigating Disrespect 3

(27:20) Affirming Positive Behavior in Children 4

Connect with Pardon The Mess:

Christian Parenting

Pardon The Mess 

Courtney DeFeo

Resources from todays show:

The Flourishing Family - new book

Identity Simplified

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Pardon The Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

These two episodes with Dr. David and Amanda Erickson are packed with practical ideas for the little years. Truthfully, it can be overwhelming to determine how to discipline, redirect, manage chaos while not breaking the spirit of your child. I see a cultural shift from one extreme (punishing behavior out of kids and using fear) to another extreme - letting the kids run the house with no rules. 

This couple has an approach that I really believe in - they combine child development with scriptural truth. I wish I had had them when my kids were younger. They focus on what to do vs what not to do which puts an upfront emphasis on your familys values and expectations. 

My favorite part is when they talk about how to take a biblical value like trustworthiness and live it out in the home. As you listen to this episode, I am praying you feel equipped and not discouraged. Their way isnt a prescribed formula - its a parenting philosophy that has many benefits and ideas attached to it.

When my kids were little, it was so chaotic at times and I would get so overwhelmed at my lack of parenting principles and felt like I kept messing it up. You are not alone. Dont give up! This work and effort will pay off.

In this episode, we chat about:

• Cultural shifts in parenting styles
• How to build trust and honesty in parenting 
• How to redirect behavior and manage chaos
• Ideas for discipline and consequences

Enjoy!

Courtney

Part 1

(03:03) Parenting Principles and Practical Application

(05:55) Cultural Shifts in Parenting Styles

(09:04) The Importance of Early Emotional Development

(11:53) Building Trust and Honesty in Parenting

(15:11) Consequences and Discipline Strategies

(17:53) Redirecting Behavior and Managing Chaos

Part 2 

(2:30) Understanding the Impact of Fear on Parenting 

(6:33) The Importance of Separation in Conflict Resolution 

(9:10) Timeouts: Purposeful or Punitive?

(12:10) Channeling Physical Energy in Children

(16:20) Teaching Control Over Emotions and Actions 5

(22:00) The Role of Respect in Parenting 2

(23:48) Assuming the Best: Navigating Disrespect 3

(27:20) Affirming Positive Behavior in Children 4

Connect with Pardon The Mess:

Christian Parenting

Pardon The Mess 

Courtney DeFeo

Resources from todays show:

The Flourishing Family - new book

Identity Simplified

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Pardon The Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near (Hebrews 10:2325 ESV)

Getting our kids to church can be a real struggle. They may fight you about it at any age (toddler to teen), its early in the morning and everyone wants to sleep in, and it can be hard to find a church community that meets the needs of everyone in your family. You may have been hurt by the church and find it difficult to trust a faith community again. If you identify with any of that, you are not alone in these struggles!

But we are not meant to do life alone and church is where we can find our best community. Attending church is also one of the ways we can get to know and experience God more.

The discipleship that happens in church is about relationship. There is a reason people often refer to their congregation as their church family. It is a place of encouragement where brothers and sisters in Christ can build each other up in love and spur each other on in faith.

So this week, lets pray that our kids know and understand the value of church. Lets pray that they will love the church and have a desire to serve with Gods family. Lets ask God to help them love going to church and to feel loved, known, and safe there.

God, thank you for the gift of church. I pray that _____________ would love going to church, that it would not be something we convince them to do, but something they participate in out of love for you and your family. May they use their gifts to expand your kingdom and serve your church. Amen.

Pardon The Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

I couldnt wait to have a chat with the founder, producer and director of The Chosen, Dallas Jenkins. Although thats super cool - I also wanted it to be practical for us as parents. He was fantastic!

My kids are very visual learners and I am sure many of your children are as well, so I wanted to hear his thoughts on creative storytelling. Some kids cannot read the Bible and get what they need right away. They dont understand the context around the stories. Dallas is a master at providing context to scriptural truth through his TV series and films. 

This conversation challenged me to keep thinking creatively about how we infuse virtues, values and faith in the lives of my kids. It encouraged me to keep living faith more than I lecture about it. We know that much of lifes most valuable lessons are caught not taught. It reminded me to relax if my kids are more into movies, books, music vs reading.

My favorite part is the amazing God story behind his newest movie for kids, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. It is truly extraordinary how it came about. I can't wait to take my kids to see it (with all of their friends) and kick off the season that is all about the birth of our Savior.

In this episode, we chat about:

• How The Chosen series changed my neighbors life
• How to use creative storytelling in your parenting 
• How Dallas latest movie came about and how it can benefit your family

Enjoy!

Courtney

(00:00) The Power of Friendship and Faith

(02:53) Transformative Impact of 'The Chosen'

(06:05) Family Dynamics and Sacrifices

(09:01) Creative Storytelling in Parenting

(12:00) The New Movie: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

(14:55) Behind the Scenes of the Movie Production

(17:51) The Journey of Faith and Persistence

(21:00) Encouragement for Families and Communities

Connect with Pardon The Mess:

Christian Parenting

Pardon The Mess 

Courtney DeFeo

Get your 2024-2025 prayer journal, A Life of Faith

Resources from todays show:

The Chosen

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Christian Parenting Christmas Gift Guide

Carpool Conversations 

Pardon The Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org