PODCAST · kids
Heart Focused Parenting
by Belinda Letchford
The heart-focused podcast that helps Christian parents raise their kids with faith, character, and life skills. Short encouragements, tips, and prompts to help you in your everyday interactions with your kids - always keeping in mind that the heart is more important than the behaviour. Join me every week.
Episodes
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When Your Teen Questions Their Faith: How Christian Parents Can Respond (#121)
About this Episode When your teen starts questioning their faith, it can be hard not to take their questions personally or worry about where those questions might lead. But our teens need to work out what they believe for themselves, rather than simply living off the faith and values we have…
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Don't Let Your Child's Strengths Excuse Poor Character (#120)
About this Episode We love seeing and celebrating our children's natural strengths, abilities and personality, but sometimes those strengths can cause us to overlook poor choices or character issues. In this episode, I talk about why strengths need character to mature, and how qualities such as...
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Homeschooling High School Is About More Than Academics (#119)
A bigger vision for the high school years can help you make confident decisions about your teen's education. About this Episode The high school years can make homeschool parents question whether they are doing enough or making the right educational choices. In this episode, I look at the purpose…
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How to Change my Child's Behaviour (#118)
In this episode, we're looking at the difference between changing a child's behaviour and simply trying to control it. I share why heart-focused parenting aims to teach children what is good, right and wise by growing in the virtues that motivate wise choices, rather than just expecting outward...
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How to Use Parental Authority to Help Your Children Grow (#117)
In this episode, I unpack four healthy ways parents use their authority in family life. We look at how authority isn't meant for control or convenience, but for setting values, creating expectations, teaching and training children, and putting structures in place that help them grow in wisdom and...
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How to Use Parental Authority Without Controlling your Kids
Many parents step back from using authority because they don't want to be controlling. But removing authority doesn't remove responsibility. We are still responsible for our child's safety, development, and training. Authority is simply the position we hold because of that responsibility. In this...
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Letting Go as a Parent: It is a good thing we need to do (#115)
In this episode, I talk about what letting go as a parent really means. If we understand what we are letting go of it changes everything. Letting go as a parent doesn't begin when your child leaves home - it starts much earlier, in the everyday decisions you make as they grow. This post explores...
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What to do when your Child says "I'm Bored!" (#114)
What to do when your child says, "I'm bored" When a child says they're bored, it's easy to respond quickly just to stop the complaining, but this episode invites you to pause and look deeper. I share why boredom is usually not a heart issue but a lack of skills, particularly around…
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How to Help Kids Handle Sibling Conflict Before It Turns into a Fight (#113)
Most sibling arguments don't start with shouting, they begin with little moments of annoyance. In this episode, I talk about what I call "the Niggles," those early signs that relationships between siblings are starting to unravel. I share how parents can notice these moments early and guide their...
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How to Strengthen Your Marriage According to the Bible (#112)
In this episode, I reflect on Colossians 3:12–14 and how these verses shape the way we should relate to our spouse. Rather than focusing on romance or shared interests, we look at the daily habits of compassion, humility, patience, forgiveness, and love that actually strengthen a marriage over...
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Verbal Reminders are a Simple way to Correct your Child (#111)
In this episode, I talk about a simple way to correct your child without overreacting or letting things slide. I explain how small, consistent verbal reminders act like course corrections, helping children adjust their behaviour before it becomes a habit. This matters because what we allow…
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How to Teach Your Children a Daily Quiet Time with God (#110)
How to Teach Your Children a Daily Quiet Time with God Teaching children to have a daily quiet time with God is about helping your child grow in their relationship with Jesus. In this episode Belinda shares how she moved from modeling a Quiet Time to teaching how to have a Devotional time…
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How I Had A Full Life As Well As Being A Full-Time Mum (#109)
How can you have a life and be a full-time mum at the same time. Being a mum is important but it isn't your only role nor does it completely define you. Belinda reflects on 6 things she taught her kids that ended up giving her time to do the other things that were important to her. Read the blog...
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The Real Reason Kids Don't Listen And How To Fix It (#108)
Sometimes we say all the right things as parents - yet nothing changes. Our kids tune out, we repeat ourselves, and then we get frustrated. This episode digs into why our words lose their influence and how a few simple steps of follow-through can bring real change to your family. Read the blog...
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How to Prepare for Family Travel With These 4 Virtues (#107)
In this episode of Heart-Focused Parenting, I share how family travel offers the perfect opportunity to grow character in our kids (and of course, ourselves as well!) Drawing from our recent trip to France, I started to think of four key virtues that make travelling with children easier…
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Christian Parents are you focused on Correction or Introducing Jesus? (#106)
Parenting can so easily become all about behaviour. We hear ourselves all day saying things like - 'Stop that, do this, don't forget.' But as Christian parents, we want our kids to know God personally, not just know the rules. So in this episode, I want to talk about how we can use those everyday...
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Why Modern Motherhood Feels So Exhausting (#105)
This episode explores the hidden pressures shaping modern motherhood and why so many mums feel stretched thin, overwhelmed, and exhausted - and then I share 3 lessons I learnt back in the day, that are still helpful for today. Read on the blog too: Why Modern Motherhood Feels So Exhausting—and…
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Teaching Kids to Pray Out Loud: Practical Tips for Parents (#104)
Praying out loud doesn't come naturally to every child — but it's a skill that can be learned in a safe, loving environment. In this episode, I share practical, age-appropriate strategies to help your kids grow comfortable talking to God in their own words. From modeling everyday prayer, to using...
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How To Stay Calm: 3 Essential Mindset Shifts For Christian Parents (#103)
I've had a few strong-willed kids, or strong-willed moments, and what I learnt was first, staying calm is important, and secondly, I am not calm because my child does well, I am calm because of the work done inside of me. We can be calm even if our kids' behaviour is creating havoc!! It starts…
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The Attitude of Readiness is more Important than Obedience (#102)
As a mum of four (now grown), I've had plenty of moments where I felt like my kids just weren't listening. I'd give a clear instruction, and it would feel like it disappeared into thin air. Sound familiar? What I learned back in the day was that obedience doesn't begin when a child does the task....
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How To Parent With Connection And Purpose (#101)
3 core words you will hear me say often about parenting is to be intentional, relational and heart-focused. But if you're new here, you might be wondering what those words actually mean. If you've been around for a while, now is a good time for a refresher. There's so much parenting information…
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Secret To A Strong Family Culture (An Interview With Belinda & Peter) #100
Belinda and her husband Peter, along with their daughter Jessica, celebrate the 100th episode of the podcast "Heart-Focused Parenting" by discussing their family's journey of intentional living and their shared faith values. They explored how their farming backgrounds and spiritual beliefs…
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Heart-Focused Homeschooling: A Mindset Shift for Christian Parents (#99)
Discover what it means to embrace heart-focused homeschooling—a mindset shift for Christian parents who want to shape character, faith, and values. Read it here: Heart-Focused Homeschooling: A Mindset Shift for Christian Parents Join HEART-BOOSTERS (free) here. Weekly email digging deeper into…
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What type of Mum Do You Want to Be? (#98)
If my kids grow up and remember me only for being a good cook and having a clean kitchen... well, I think I'll have missed something pretty important! Motherhood isn't just about managing life and doing all the things — it's about shaping hearts, including our own. Today on the podcast, I'm…
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How to Parent Multiple Kids of Different Ages (#97)
Today, we are going to talk about a parenting habit that we rarely notice. If we don't notice it, we can't do anything about it. We have this tendency to lean into depending on our eldest child to do things, because it is faster and quicker and less frustrating. The reality is though, it is…
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How To Reset Your Child's Screen Time (#96)
It doesn't matter how intentional we intend to be - or think we are - there comes a moment when we suddenly realise things aren't how we want them to be. This can happen in any area of parenting. One such situation is you suddenly realise your child spends too much time watching a screen. I know...
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How To Help Your Child Realign Their Heart After Being With Friends (#95)
Ever had one of those moments where your child walks in the door, and within minutes, you can tell something is off? Maybe they're short-tempered, suddenly disrespectful, or acting way too cool for the family rules. You're left wondering, What happened?! And more importantly how to deal with it!...
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Practical Ways To Embed Family Values In Everyday Life (#94)
Do you have a vision for what you want your family life to be like? Do you have a vision for what you want your child to be like? We can just do parenting off the cuff or we can ask these important questions. Why are you parenting - or what are you parenting towards? I'm not talking about your…
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How to not Provoke your Child's Heart (#93)
Welcome to today's episode, where we are looking at how our words and actions affect our children's hearts? Are we nurturing them or unknowingly creating a disconnect? We are going to start off by looking at Colossians 3:21 By obeying this verse - which calls us to not provoke our children to…
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The Comparison Trap: Calling all Mums to Make it Stop (#92)
Welcome back to the Heart-focused Parenting podcast after a month or so off over Christmas and the New Year as I caught up with family and had some rest time. We are back into the year - episode 91. And we are kicking off with a topic that many of us face daily - the temptation to compare…
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5 Tips to Make This Christmas the Best Yet (#91)
It's hard to believe, but Christmas is just around the corner! Today's episode is packed with tips to help you get through the Christmas season in a way that reflects your family's values and faith. This will also be the last episode for a few months as I take a short break, so I do wish you a...
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How To Teach Your Children The 'Why' for Everything they Do (#90)
Parenting often feels like a constant roll of reminders, prompts, and, yes, even nagging. But what dowe do if the constant correction (that we feel caught up in) isn't actually changing anything? Often the real issue is that your kids don't know why you're telling them to do these things? Join me...
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A Truly Heart-focused Christmas Starts With Guarding Your Heart (#89)
So, be honest—have you ever said, 'This Christmas will be different!' only to find yourself drowning in wrapping paper and Pinterest ideas by December 10th? Yeah, we've all been there. But what if it really could be different this year? In today's episode, we're chatting about how to swap stress...
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Mindset Shift That Helps Parents Prioritise Their Child's Heart (#88)
Ever felt like your carefully planned day just unraveled before your eyes? The meltdown you didn't schedule happens, your plans fall apart, and you're left wondering—how do I keep my cool and still parent well? In today's episode, we're talking about managing life's interruptions with a...
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Why "Do This" Works Better than "Stop That" in Parenting (#87)
Are you tired of feeling like a broken record, constantly telling your kids to 'stop' doing this and 'stop' doing that? Today, I'm sharing a heart-focused parenting strategy that helps you parent the heart, helps keep the temperature down in your family dynamics, and helps your child learn to do...
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Practical Steps For Growing In Patience As A Parent (#86)
Today, we're diving into that all-too-familiar feeling of wanting patience—and wanting it, right now! But here's the thing, patience is a muscle we have to build. Stick around, because in this episode, we're talking about practical ways to strengthen that 'patience muscle' and why it's so…
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How to Encourage your Child to be a Problem Solver (#85)
Welcome back to the podcast! Today, I'm talking about a challenge every parent faces at some point - raising kids who can solve their own problems with willingness and confidence. Maybe you've felt the frustration of always being on call, being needed to fix everything when things don't go your...
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The Harmful Parenting Excuses You Need To Stop Making Today (#84)
Do you ever catch yourself making excuses about your child's behaviour that you know deep down just aren't helping? It's a common struggle. This episode might be a bit uncomfortable because I'm going to highlight 4 excuses we all make and why they might be more harmful than you think. Actually…
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Parents, Do You Need To Forgive Your Child? (#83)
#83: Here is something that we don't talk about enough: forgiveness as a parent. It is important to get your heart to a place of forgiveness before you deal with any heart or behavioural issue from your child. Forgiving is hard - especially when our child keeps doing the same thing over and over…
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Do your Kids Keep Interrupting you? (#82)
#82: Do you get interrupted throughout the day? Your day starts off with the best of intentions, a plan for the day, a realistic to-do list, and then life happens. I learned pretty quickly as a parent that my plans needed to be flexible. Kids seem to have their own agendas, their own needs and...
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How your Parenting will Grow your Faith (#81)
#81: Ever feel like there's no time for you to grow spiritually because you're always busy with the kids? In this episode, I look at this a different way because the truth is being a parent can actually help you grow closer to God. As we deal with all the busy and all the exhaustion we can try…
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How to be a Consistent Parent (#80)
#80: We all know it – Being consistent is important as a parent. But we also know it is one of the biggest challenges we face – and it is one of the biggest guilts we deal with. But what does consistency look like? We tend to see it as being 100 percent the same – always; but, that can look like...
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How To Help Your Children Do The Right Thing (#79)
#79: My goal as a Christian parent was to raise children who loved God, loved others and who were able to make wise choices as they lived in their community using their passions and talents to be a blessing to others. Sounds good on paper - but how do we raise our kids to do the right thing - to...
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Discipline: How to Discipline your Child & Stay Heart-focused (#78)
#78: Discipline is a big topic - and one that sparks lots of intense feelings. I thought it time to address what I believe about discipline because we use a word - and it may not mean what you think it means. Or at least you may not know what I mean when I use the word. Discipline is understood…
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Have This Conversation When Your Child Becomes An Adult (#77)
#77: If you have older teens, or young adults living at home then you want to listen in today as I talk about a key parenting strategy that will help your young adult child move into adulthood well, but it will also help you make the transitions you need to as a parent. If your young adult is...
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3 Words that Changed my Parenting (#76)
#76: Today we're talking about three words that changed my parenting: love, mercy, and grace. As Christian parents, we are probably very familiar with those words. But do we let them change how we parent? Blog: 3 Words that Changed my Parenting Further Listening What does it Mean to be a…
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I Feel Inadequate to talk to my Children about Jesus (#75)
#75: Feelings of inadequacy can stop Christians from sharing gospel with children. Learn to distinguish conviction from condemnation and how to be in a place where you can confidently talk to your kids about Jesus. Blog: I'm a Christian, but feel Inadequate to talk to my Children about Jesus...
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Stop Doing All the Things Good Christian Families are Doing (#74)
#74: Are you tired of feeling like you have to do it all to be a "good Christian family"? We are very quick to judge ourselves as not doing the right things, or not doing enough things to be a good Christian family. This is a false standard. What is a good Christian family anyway! Our goal should...
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Preparing Your Family for a Faith-Centered Easter Celebration (#73)
#73 As Christian parents, we all want our kids to know Jesus - and Easter is a time to create meaningful spiritual moments for our children, but we often get overwhelmed by chocolate and other things. In this episode, I'm talking about the importance of planning how you will approach Easter with...
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Parents are you Cultivating a Family Culture of Love and Caring? (#72)
#72: We all dream of a family home overflowing with love, laughter, and fun. And yet the reality is daily chaos and trying to balance all the things we have to do along with teaching and training our kids! This week I'm sharing a journaling moment that changed my heart, changed my perspective…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The heart-focused podcast that helps Christian parents raise their kids with faith, character, and life skills. Short encouragements, tips, and prompts to help you in your everyday interactions with your kids - always keeping in mind that the heart is more important than the behaviour. Join me every week.
HOSTED BY
Belinda Letchford
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Heart Focused Parenting have?
Heart Focused Parenting currently has 122 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Heart Focused Parenting about?
The heart-focused podcast that helps Christian parents raise their kids with faith, character, and life skills. Short encouragements, tips, and prompts to help you in your everyday interactions with your kids - always keeping in mind that the heart is more important than the behaviour. Join me...
How often does Heart Focused Parenting release new episodes?
Heart Focused Parenting publishes regularly with 122 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Heart Focused Parenting?
You can listen to Heart Focused Parenting on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Heart Focused Parenting?
Heart Focused Parenting is created and hosted by Belinda Letchford.
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