The Whole Person Parenting Podcast

Send us Fan MailThe teenage years can feel like a constant push and pull—one moment your child needs you deeply, the next they’re pushing for independence. In this episode, we explore what it looks like to stay close enough to truly know your teen—their struggles, pressures, and questions—without holding so tightly that you hinder their growth into autonomy.We talk about the delicate shift from hands-on parenting to intentional presence, where influence matters more than control. We also dive into the role of healthy spiritual community. We take an honest look at the ways teens cope with the weight of social pressure—what they may be turning to for escape, and how parents can respond with curiosity instead of fear. This episode invites you to remain a steady, connected anchor while giving your teen the space they need to become who God created them to be.CDC Milestone Tracker App: https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones-app/index.htmlBabySparks - Developmental Tracker & Online Learning for Parents: https://babysparks.com/Harvard's Center for the Developing Child: Three Core Concepts in Early Development: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/videos/three-core-concepts-in-early-development/Building Social-Emotional Skills at Home: https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/building-social-emotional-skills-at-home

Send us Fan MailIf you’ve ever felt like your once-sweet child has suddenly become a strong-willed, independent, opinionated human who’s slowly taking over your house, you’re not wrong.The teen years can feel like a shift in power, a shift in connection, and honestly, sometimes a shift in sanity. But what if this “takeover” isn’t a problem to solve, but a process to understand?In this episode, Presley and Val are diving into what’s really happening beneath the surface—physically, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually—as your teen steps into who God is creating them to be. We’ll talk about why they push away, why they question everything (including you), and how this stage is less about losing influence… and more about learning how to use it differently.Because the goal isn’t to hold on tighter, but to stay connected while letting them grow.So if you’re in the thick of eye rolls, big questions, and growing independence… this episode is for you.CDC Milestone Tracker App: https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones-app/index.htmlBabySparks - Developmental Tracker & Online Learning for Parents: https://babysparks.com/Harvard's Center for the Developing Child: Three Core Concepts in Early Development: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/videos/three-core-concepts-in-early-development/Building Social-Emotional Skills at Home: https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/building-social-emotional-skills-at-home

Send us Fan MailThe tween years can feel like a quiet shift until suddenly, everything seems to be changing. In this episode, Presley and Val take a step back to look at what’s really going on beneath the surface of what is typically an awkward stage of development where your child is not the same little kid you've been raising, and not the teen you've been anticipating.  They're simply a "tween".From physical changes to growing emotions, evolving friendships, and a deepening spiritual awareness, we explore how this stage of development is shaping your child, your relationship with them, and their relationship with God. More than anything, we focus on how staying connected to our children and rooted in Christ through these changes can make all the difference.If you’ve ever wondered what your tween needs most in this in-between season, this conversation will give you a fresh perspective and a lot to think about.CDC Milestone Tracker App: https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones-app/index.htmlBabySparks - Developmental Tracker & Online Learning for Parents: https://babysparks.com/Harvard's Center for the Developing Child: Three Core Concepts in Early Development: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/videos/three-core-concepts-in-early-development/Building Social-Emotional Skills at Home: https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/building-social-emotional-skills-at-home

Send us Fan MailIn this special episode, we step into the elementary years—a season full of growth, curiosity, and deepening relationships—with someone who knows it from every angle. Joined by our very first guest, a veteran educator, and our favorite elementary school principal!  Listen in we bring both professional wisdom and personal insight to the table.Together, we explore the elementary years—how children are developing academically, relationally, and spiritually—and what they need most from the adults guiding them. From the classroom to the home, we talk about fostering confidence, navigating challenges, and building strong connections that support kids as they grow in independence.This conversation is rich with perspective, practical encouragement, and a shared heart for helping parents navigate this stage of development with their children.CDC Milestone Tracker App: https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones-app/index.htmlBabySparks - Developmental Tracker & Online Learning for Parents: https://babysparks.com/Harvard's Center for the Developing Child: Three Core Concepts in Early Development: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/videos/three-core-concepts-in-early-development/Building Social-Emotional Skills at Home: https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/building-social-emotional-skills-at-home

Send us Fan MailBetween toddlerhood and becoming a "big kid", something remarkable starts happening. Kids ages 4 to 6 are stretching in every direction. This stage of early childhood is full of imagination, big questions, and even bigger feelings. Children are learning how to navigate friendships, manage frustration, test their abilities, and understand the world God placed them in.In this episode, we’re looking at what’s actually happening beneath the surface during these years including how development shapes behavior, why some struggles are completely normal, and how parents can guide their children in ways that nurture growth, relationship, and character along the way.We’ll also talk about what parents can learn during this stage. Early childhood invites us to slow down, enter their world of curiosity and imagination, and recognize how much growth happens through play, practice, and patience. As our children learn courage, empathy, and self-control, we often find God growing those same qualities in us too.Because when we understand what God designed children to be learning at this stage, it changes how we respond to what we see and how we grow right alongside them!CDC Milestone Tracker App: https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones-app/index.htmlBabySparks - Developmental Tracker & Online Learning for Parents: https://babysparks.com/Harvard's Center for the Developing Child: Three Core Concepts in Early Development: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/videos/three-core-concepts-in-early-development/Building Social-Emotional Skills at Home: https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/building-social-emotional-skills-at-home

Send us Fan MailHave you ever noticed that toddlers seem wired to explore everything… and also completely unaware of danger at the exact same time?In this episode of Are We There Yet?, Presley and Val continue their look at the toddler years by stepping into the tension many parents feel: how do we honor our child’s God-given drive for exploration while also setting boundaries that keep them safe and help them grow?Because as much as we might wish we could just say “yes” to everything… we can’t. And we shouldn’t.Boundaries aren’t the enemy of exploration—they’re what make exploration possible.Together, explore how toddlers learn through both freedom and limits, and why those limits are not interruptions to development, but a necessary part of it. They'll look at how young children come to understand safety, trust, and guidance through their relationship with us—and how the way we hold boundaries shapes not just behavior, but connection.They'll also go all the way back to the beginning, considering what we can learn from God’s design in the garden—where both freedom and boundaries existed side by side. What if boundaries were never meant to restrict us, but to protect us? What if they were always part of how we flourish?As parents, we’re invited into that same work: creating space for curiosity, while also providing the guidance our children aren’t yet able to give themselves.So, if you’ve ever wondered whether all those “no’s” really matter—this conversation might just change the way you see them.CDC Milestone Tracker App: https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones-app/index.htmlBabySparks - Developmental Tracker & Online Learning for Parents: https://babysparks.com/Harvard's Center for the Developing Child: Three Core Concepts in Early Development: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/videos/three-core-concepts-in-early-development/Building Social-Emotional Skills at Home: https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/building-social-emotional-skills-at-home

Send us Fan MailThe toddler years are marked by curiosity, movement, and a relentless drive to explore—and Scripture gives us a surprisingly rich place to understand why. In this episode, Presley and Val discuss what it means to support exploration the way God supports us. By returning to the Garden of Eden, they consider how God created humans for curiosity, freedom, and discovery within relationship—and what that reveals about this season of parenting.This episode invites parents to see exploration as sacred developmental work.  Exploring how, "In the beginning..." the Bible offers insight into how God enjoys humanity and allows for exploration and expression. In toddlerhood, young children learn about their world, develop across domains, and expand their connections with the same type of support. This conversation reframes toddlerhood not as a phase to manage, but as a formative season where children are learning that the world is good, relationships are trustworthy, and growth happens best when curiosity is met with support.In a future episode, we’ll turn our attention to what it means when exploration begins to bump up against limits—how testing, boundaries, and guidance emerge developmentally, and how parents can respond with wisdom and care.Additional Resources: CDC Milestone Tracker App: https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones-app/index.htmlBabySparks - Developmental Tracker & Online Learning for Parents: https://babysparks.com/Harvard's Center for the Developing Child: Three Core Concepts in Early Development: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/videos/three-core-concepts-in-early-development/CDC Milestone Tracker App: https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones-app/index.htmlBabySparks - Developmental Tracker & Online Learning for Parents: https://babysparks.com/Harvard's Center for the Developing Child: Three Core Concepts in Early Development: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/videos/three-core-concepts-in-early-development/Building Social-Emotional Skills at Home: https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/building-social-emotional-skills-at-home

Send us Fan MailThe earliest years of a child’s life are not just about milestones—they’re about relationship. In this episode, Presley and Val explore how God designed infancy and early childhood as a season for deep relational formation between parents and children. From crying and comfort to play, presence, and protection, these early interactions shape a child’s sense of safety, trust, and belonging.Through a developmental lens, we’ll talk about how babies and young children are learning who they are—and who God is—through the way they are responded to. We’ll unpack how early relational formation relates to early spiritual formation and how it's all part of God's perfect plan. Whether you’re holding a newborn, chasing a toddler, or reflecting back on the early years, this episode offers encouragement, practical insight, and grace-filled perspective for parents who want to nurture strong relationships from the very beginning.Because before children can listen, obey, or understand, they are learning one essential truth: Can I depend on you?CDC Milestone Tracker App: https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones-app/index.htmlBabySparks - Developmental Tracker & Online Learning for Parents: https://babysparks.com/Harvard's Center for the Developing Child: Three Core Concepts in Early Development: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/videos/three-core-concepts-in-early-development/Building Social-Emotional Skills at Home: https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/building-social-emotional-skills-at-home

Send us Fan MailParenting often feels like a race toward the next milestone—or a desperate attempt to “fix” what isn’t working right now. In this introductory episode, we invite you to slow down and consider a different question: What if your child’s development is not a problem to solve, but a process God designed?In this episode, we lay the foundation for the entire "Are We There Yet?" series by introducing a developmental lens for parenting. In this episode, Presley and Val explore how children grow in predictable (but not always easy) ways, how unmet developmental needs often show up as relational struggles, and how faith invites us to trust the long, grace-filled journey rather than rush toward outcomes.Whether you’re parenting a baby, a teen, or somewhere in between, this episode sets the tone for a series about growth, grace, and trusting God with the journey—especially when you’re tempted to ask, “Are we there yet?”CDC Milestone Tracker App: https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones-app/index.htmlBabySparks - Developmental Tracker & Online Learning for Parents: https://babysparks.com/Harvard's Center for the Developing Child: Three Core Concepts in Early Development: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/videos/three-core-concepts-in-early-development/Building Social-Emotional Skills at Home: https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/building-social-emotional-skills-at-home

Send us Fan MailThe holidays don’t just bring twinkly lights and cocoa—they also bring opinions. In Part 2 of our Christmas series, Presley and Val are talking about navigating the beautiful, complicated reality of extended family gatherings while staying rooted in the differentiated life God has uniquely called your family to live.From well-meaning comments about your parenting choices to subtle pressure to fall back into old roles, we explore how to show up with grace without abandoning conviction. This episode unpacks what it looks like to honor parents and relatives, set healthy boundaries, and model faith-filled unity for your kids—all while keeping Jesus (not expectations, traditions, or Uncle Bob) at the center of it all.If you’ve ever whispered a prayer in the bathroom during a family gathering or wondered how to keep peace and integrity at the Christmas table, this conversation is for you. Expect biblical encouragement, practical tools, and reminders that faithfulness doesn’t require sameness—and that God is present even in the awkward moments around the tree.CDC Milestone Tracker App: https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones-app/index.htmlBabySparks - Developmental Tracker & Online Learning for Parents: https://babysparks.com/Harvard's Center for the Developing Child: Three Core Concepts in Early Development: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/videos/three-core-concepts-in-early-development/Building Social-Emotional Skills at Home: https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/building-social-emotional-skills-at-home

Send us Fan MailIf “joy to the world” feels more like “stress to the parents” at your house, this episode is your Christmas lifeline. This is the first of our 2 holiday episodes looking at how to choose joy for yourself and your family.  In this episode, Presley and Val remember holiday traditions and consider how holidays are not always the joyous occasions we'd hoped for - oftentimes they're stressful! So join in learning how to return to joy through practical steps and spiritual practices that will be good for your whole family! Access the Seasonal Stress Plan Resource here: Seasonal stress plan.pdfCDC Milestone Tracker App: https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones-app/index.htmlBabySparks - Developmental Tracker & Online Learning for Parents: https://babysparks.com/Harvard's Center for the Developing Child: Three Core Concepts in Early Development: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/videos/three-core-concepts-in-early-development/Building Social-Emotional Skills at Home: https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/building-social-emotional-skills-at-home

Send us Fan MailWelcome back to The Whole Person Parenting Podcast! In today's we’re jumping into everyone's favorite toxic duo, perfectionism and the fear of failure—otherwise known as “Tuesday” for many parents.So grab your coffee, take a pause from the grind of life, and maybe hold off on tossing that glitter-covered craft your toddler made that you’ve been pretending you like. Today we’re talking about why perfectionism sneaks into our parenting, how fear of failure keeps us up at night, and what it actually looks like to trust God with process of raising humans. Let's go!CDC Milestone Tracker App: https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones-app/index.htmlBabySparks - Developmental Tracker & Online Learning for Parents: https://babysparks.com/Harvard's Center for the Developing Child: Three Core Concepts in Early Development: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/videos/three-core-concepts-in-early-development/Building Social-Emotional Skills at Home: https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/building-social-emotional-skills-at-home

Send us Fan MailPresley has been reflecting on her own journey with the smart phone and social media as she's been reading a new book for one of her classes, and she's anxious to discuss it.  Listen in as Presley and Val discuss both the mental, relational, and spiritual aspects of our cultural departure from a play-based childhood and the challenges that parents face in this shift.  Be encouraged as we think about this together. It's episode 5! Book reference: The Anxious Generation by Jonathan HaidtPurchase link: https://a.co/d/80QFEwLCDC Milestone Tracker App: https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones-app/index.htmlBabySparks - Developmental Tracker & Online Learning for Parents: https://babysparks.com/Harvard's Center for the Developing Child: Three Core Concepts in Early Development: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/videos/three-core-concepts-in-early-development/Building Social-Emotional Skills at Home: https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/building-social-emotional-skills-at-home

Send us Fan MailPresley and Val continue the conversation on the intergenerational transmission of trauma by discussing two well-known psychoanalytic concepts known as "Ghosts" and "Angels" in parenting, and how they can be considered in Christian parenting. Things are getting spooky as around here!  Episode 4 of The Whole Person Parenting Podcast awaits you!https://frcnca.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Ghosts-in-the-nursery-paper-copy.pdfhttps://childparentpsychotherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Lieberman-2005-angels-in-the-nursery-article.pdfCDC Milestone Tracker App: https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones-app/index.htmlBabySparks - Developmental Tracker & Online Learning for Parents: https://babysparks.com/Harvard's Center for the Developing Child: Three Core Concepts in Early Development: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/videos/three-core-concepts-in-early-development/Building Social-Emotional Skills at Home: https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/building-social-emotional-skills-at-home

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Presley and Val explore the generational aspects of parenting from what you bring to parenting, to how God works in generational ways. Join us as we journey into spaces where the past meets the present and begin to discover where your own experiences and those of your parents' converge. Episode 3 - here we go!CDC Milestone Tracker App: https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones-app/index.htmlBabySparks - Developmental Tracker & Online Learning for Parents: https://babysparks.com/Harvard's Center for the Developing Child: Three Core Concepts in Early Development: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/videos/three-core-concepts-in-early-development/Building Social-Emotional Skills at Home: https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/building-social-emotional-skills-at-home

Send us Fan MailPresley and Val follow up on a social media comment on emotional regulation and relationships that made an unexpected impression.  As it turns out emotional regulation is not a solo sport, especially in childhood.  But since we all seem to need some help in this area (ourselves included), we're getting practical on how to support the development of emotional regulation in our kids while we continue to grow in this area, as parents. Join us for our second episode! CDC Milestone Tracker App: https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones-app/index.htmlBabySparks - Developmental Tracker & Online Learning for Parents: https://babysparks.com/Harvard's Center for the Developing Child: Three Core Concepts in Early Development: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/videos/three-core-concepts-in-early-development/Building Social-Emotional Skills at Home: https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/building-social-emotional-skills-at-home

Send us Fan MailThe Whole Person Parenting Podcast is finally a reality!  In today's episode, Presley and Val discuss why they're getting into the wonderful world of podcasting, why we chose the name, and what we're hoping for.  Presley also shares one of their favorite funny memories and they go deep into scripture. How do they do it all in 18 minutes?! Listen in, and find out! CDC Milestone Tracker App: https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones-app/index.htmlBabySparks - Developmental Tracker & Online Learning for Parents: https://babysparks.com/Harvard's Center for the Developing Child: Three Core Concepts in Early Development: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/videos/three-core-concepts-in-early-development/Building Social-Emotional Skills at Home: https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/building-social-emotional-skills-at-home