“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free’” (John 8:31–32 ESV)

To abide in Christ is to remain, continue, or stay in Christ. It means taking what we know about who God is, who we are in Christ, and what the Bible says, and using those things to grow in a permanent relationship with the Lord. It means trusting him for all things—trusting we are loved, trusting his word is true, and trusting in his promises.

Truly knowing and following Jesus means continuing to grow our relationship with him. It’s a relationship worth investing in because it is the one relationship that matters: a relationship with Jesus gives us eternal life, peace in this lifetime, and allows us to bear good fruit and do good works.

This week let's pray that our kids will know and abide with Christ their entire lives and commit to deepening their relationship with him every day.

Jesus, I pray that ____________ would abide in you. That they would remain in your love and choose that every day of their lives. May they read scripture and learn about you in a way that lasts. Help them to keep your truth in their mind so that they may choose your ways over the world’s ways, and let it sink into their heart so that they become more and more like you. Amen.

My friend, Heather MacFayden, is a mom of four boys and I am a mom of two girls. We have two very different (but equally enjoyable) parenting experiences. We are both podcasters, but we are also real life friends. We have had many conversations over the last 10 years about the unique differences between raising boys and girls.

We decided to take our offline conversations online for you! Part 1 is over at her podcast, Don’t Mom Alone - Boys vs Girls (Part 1): The Early Years. And today, you will hear Part 2 which is all about the dating years. We even get into the anxiety that comes with dances like homecoming and prom.

I learned several things from Heather about how boys are feeling during these dating years. After our chat, I immediately went and talked to the girls about how the guys may feel used at times. They are more than a prop in a photo. I was encouraged to hear that her boys want deep conversations and interesting girls.

My goal for this conversation was to grow our understanding and empathy of the opposite gender - especially if you only have 1 gender of children in your home. Let us know what you think! What do you wish moms of girls knew about boys? What do you wish moms of boys knew about girls? Send me a DM!

In this episode, we discuss:

-Dating challenges for teens today

-Ideas on how to help boys and girls interact when curiosity begins

-How social media and phones are impacting the dating process

-Seeing behind the homecoming drama - what is going on with each gender

Enjoy!

Courtney

(02:00) Empathy in Parenting: Boys vs. Girls

(04:04) The Challenges of Modern Dating

(10:05) Navigating Social Events and Relationships

(18:08) The Impact of Social Media on Dating Dynamics

(20:21) The Pressure of Appearances in Relationships

(21:06) Navigating Modesty and Self-Confidence

(22:38) The Emotional Impact of Rejection

(23:52) Social Media's Role in Self-Perception

(24:40) Understanding Boys' Perspectives on Relationships

(25:45) The Importance of Communication and Planning

(27:39) The Dynamics of Dating and Social Expectations

(29:52) Boys' Leadership in Social Situations

(32:11) The Cost of Social Events and Expectations

(33:34) Teaching Boys About Respect and Kindness

(35:27) Building Confidence in Girls

(37:53) Encouraging Individuality in a Conformist Culture

(39:55) A Prayer for Our Children

Connect with Pardon The Mess:

Christian Parenting

Pardon The Mess

Courtney DeFeo

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

Christian Parenting Christmas Gift Guide

Resources from today’s show:

HeatherMacFadyen.com

Don’t Mom Alone Podcast

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

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

“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 God’s truth.

So this week, let’s pray that our kids will be surrounded by true, godly friends and be a light to the friends around them who don’t 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 family’s 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 isn’t a prescribed formula - it’s 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. Don’t 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 today’s 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 family’s 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 isn’t a prescribed formula - it’s 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. Don’t 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 today’s 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 10:23–25 ESV)

Getting our kids to church can be a real struggle. They may fight you about it at any age (toddler to teen), it’s 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, let’s pray that our kids know and understand the value of church. Let’s pray that they will love the church and have a desire to serve with God’s family. Let’s 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 couldn’t wait to have a chat with the founder, producer and director of The Chosen, Dallas Jenkins. Although that’s 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 don’t 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 life’s 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 neighbor’s 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 today’s 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

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:9–11)

Biblical discernment is understanding something through the power of the Holy Spirit. It means being able to see what is good vs. evil, false teaching vs. truth, wise vs. unwise. Being discerning does not mean being judgemental, though it is easy to fall into that. Being discerning means being able to distinguish the voice and will of God from the noise of the world.

It is so easy to accept what we see on social media, the news, or the internet as truth. But so often, it is far from the truth. Even our favorite Christian writers, podcasters, or pastors could share false teachings. Our kids are growing up in a world that is completely different from the world we grew up in. The access to information alone is overwhelming, which is why we need to be praying that our kids know how to discern God’s truth in the world around them.

Our kids will face peer pressure to do things that they know aren’t right, they will be taught to follow their emotions and desires over the Lord, and they will be told that there are ways that are better than God’s. The ability to recognize those things as harmful and untrue is a gift that we all desire for our kids.

For our kids to truly live in God’s will, they need to have a discerning spirit, so let’s pray for their ability to discern truth this week.

Father God, I pray that ____________ will learn to test what they read, hear, and see with scripture. Help them to seek your truth above all else. I pray that your word will guide their paths. May they base their life on your truth instead of the lies of the enemy and of this world. Will you daily renew their minds and make their hearts wholeheartedly devoted to you?