The Parenting Podcast

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The world is talking to your kids—are you in that conversation too? We’re starting something new to help you stay close right in the middle of it.

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It’s easy to think traditions are about holidays or special moments, but they’re often doing something deeper. This conversation looks at how the things we repeat as a family begin to form identity, connection, and that quiet sense of “us” over time.

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I can walk into a moment with my kids already holding a picture of how it’s supposed to go—and without even realizing it, I start pressing that onto them… and it quietly distorts what’s actually happening between us.

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When a moment doesn’t go the way you pictured, it can quietly pull you away from the people right in front of you. This conversation names that shift—and what it looks like to come back to what actually matters.

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Sometimes the tension with our kids isn’t about love or effort—it’s about being in the wrong lane. In this episode, we explore a simple way of thinking about relationships that might change how you show up with your child tonight.

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Parenting doesn’t follow a simple rulebook. In this conversation, we explore how recognizing the “lane” we’re in with our children can change the way we connect, guide, and love them through every stage of our relationship.

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 When there’s no margin left, even the life you love can feel tight. This conversation sits with that tension — and reminds you to stay steady in it.

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Working motherhood isn’t about splitting yourself evenly. It’s about learning to live well inside the tension.

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Working motherhood carries a real and heavy load that’s often unspoken. This conversation sits with the tensions, choices, and grace required along the way.

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Sometimes you’re giving everything you have as a parent and still not seeing much come back yet. This episode names that stretch and why it’s part of loving over the long haul.

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 Parenting doesn’t happen in resets—it happens in motion. A thoughtful conversation about time, growth, and living well inside the everyday.

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The calendar changed, but life didn’t reset. Four women talk honestly about growth, pressure, and parenting without the illusion of starting over.

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Some of the most influential parts of family life don’t stand out while we’re building them. This episode looks at how traditions quietly hold families together—and why meaning matters more than appearance when deciding what we pass on.

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The flood of parenting input hasn’t slowed down—so how do you keep your footing? This episode explores how to sift through the noise, to name what matters, and to let steady voices speak louder than trends.

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It’s not that the parenting advice is wrong—it’s the overload. Today we talk about what gets overlooked when everything demands attention and why the people who know us still shape us in ways information can’t.

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Christie returns to explore what changes when your kids grow up—the awkward shifts, the grief you don’t expect, and the quiet work of staying connected without managing their lives. A candid look at how the relationship evolves and how love grows with it.

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What happens when all your good intentions meet real life? Christie opens up about raising four daughters and learning that parenting isn’t about perfect plans—it’s about seeing the child in front of you.

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We start out believing there’s one right way to parent—that if we just do it well enough, our kids will turn out fine. But parenting keeps proving there isn’t a formula. Instead, it’s messy, humbling, and full of grace—for our kids and for ourselves.

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In the age of streaming and earbuds, music is shaping our kids in ways we don’t always see. A mom and music teacher joins us to talk about helping kids choose well, listen wisely, and stay connected through the noise.

Resources mentioned: Soltani music.com

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Music does more than fill the background—it shapes who our kids are becoming. In this episode, a mom and longtime music teacher shares what years of teaching have revealed about perseverance, confidence, and connection—and why the lessons behind the music might matter more than the notes themselves.

Resources mentioned: Soltani music.com

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When love feels like a battle and boundaries feel impossible, you’re not alone. Cheryl, Christie, and Kyla talk about the courage it takes to hold steady, stay kind, and keep your heart soft when the pushback comes. Because real love doesn’t give up—it grows stronger in the tension.

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We’re going under the surface—past the “what” into the “why.” This conversation invites you to notice the motive behind your limits and help your kids act from love, truth, and real ownership instead of fear or guilt. Gentle, practical, and honest—something you can try at home tonight.

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We’re talking about the kind of boundaries that make home more connected: clear lines, calm voices, and letting outcomes do the teaching. From toddlers to teens—and for us as parents, too—if you’ve felt stuck between rescuing and resentment, this conversation offers a gentler way forward without losing closeness

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Boundaries aren’t about control—they’re about care. In this episode of The Parenting Podcast, Cheryl and Christie share their real-life struggles and growth with boundaries, exploring what it looks like to practice them with kids of all ages. From toddlers learning to treat toys with value, to teens learning responsibility and respect, boundaries help families show value, protect relationships, and cultivate freedom.

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We’re kicking off a new series on Boundaries with Kids. In this opening episode, Cheryl and Christie explore what boundaries really are, why they bring freedom instead of restriction, and how “This is me, this is not me” can transform family life.

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Summary You love your kids—but you’re running on fumes. In this episode, we explore the quiet, cumulative exhaustion that parents often carry—and what to do when trying harder isn’t helping.

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What does forgiveness really look like in family life? This episode explores the everyday moments—from toddler squabbles to teenage standoffs—where repair matters more than being right. If you’ve ever wondered how to teach it, model it, or live it out yourself, this one’s for you.

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The urge to rescue is strong—but the real growth comes when our kids carry the weight of their own choices. In this episode, we get real about what that looks like in everyday parenting—the tension, the mess, and the surprising freedom it brings.

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What if the real goal of parenting isn’t raising children, but launching adults? On this episode, we explore the mindset shift of giving freedom and responsibility along the way—so your kids step into adulthood more prepared, connected, and confident.

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The best reading lessons don’t always come from a book. Sometimes they happen in the car, around the dinner table, or when you’re laughing over a silly rhyme. In this episode, we’ll explore how everyday moments can spark curiosity, confidence, and a love for reading that lasts a lifetime.

Learn more about Leslie Whittington’s tutoring work and resources at The Space to Learn: https://sites.google.com/view/thespacetolearn/home  

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Reading isn’t just about phonics and fluency—it’s about imagination, identity, and how our kids connect with the world. In this episode, we talk with a seasoned educator about how reading shapes more than academics and why understanding your child’s unique journey as a learner matters more than ever.

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No matter where your kids go to school, the heart of parenting is the same. In this final episode of our series, we reflect on what unites us as parents—why it’s time to link arms, not draw lines—and how our shared love, values, and intentionality matter more than the location.

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This encore episode takes you inside the everyday world of homeschooling and parenting. From navigating sibling tension and academic pressures to embracing individuality and battling comparison, we explore what it means to raise kids while doing school under your roof—and why it matters for all parents, no matter your educational path.

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This encore episode explores parenting in a private school setting—but the conversation reaches beyond. From friendships to expectations, it’s about staying grounded in what matters most, wherever your kids go to school.

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Letting go isn’t easy—but in public school parenting, it often starts early. In this encore episode, we explore how one mom navigated the balance of trust and involvement, connection and independence, while raising her kids through the public school system. Whether your child is just starting out or you're deep into school years, this conversation offers real-life encouragement for staying present, intentional, and anchored in love.

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Training your kids isn’t about control—it’s about building confidence. Whether they’re four or fourteen, this episode explores how to break down life skills in doable ways that strengthen your child’s character and your bond at the same time.

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What does it look like to give your kids space to grow—without giving up your role as a parent? In this episode, we talk about holding steady in the push and pull: letting kids be their own person while still leading with clarity, connection, and calm.

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If you ever feel like you're missing the golden moments of parenting or just never have enough time, this episode is for you. Whether you work full-time or are simply feeling the pressure, we’re exploring how meaningful connection can still happen—in the margins, in the mess, and in the everyday. Let’s take the pressure down and focus on what really matters.

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We’re not just talking about kids and screens—we’re talking about us. In this final episode on parenting in the digital age, Cheryl and Christie reflect on what stuck, what’s still hard, and where real change begins. If you’ve ever wondered how to lead your family differently in a tech-driven world, this conversation is for you 

Resources Mentioned:

– The Tech-Wise Family and The Life We're Looking For by Andy Crouch

– The Screen Time Solution by Emily Cherkin

– The Anxious Generation by Dr...

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We’ve heard the warnings about screens and devices —but what does real change look like in everyday family life in this digital culture? In this follow-up conversation, Cheryl and Christie unpack what’s still echoing in their minds, and what small steps are actually working for families.

Resources Mentioned:

– The Tech-Wise Family and The Life We're Looking For by Andy Crouch

– The Screen Time Solution by Emily Cherkin

– The Anxious Generation by Dr. Jonathan Haidt

– How to Raise an Adult by Julie Lythcott-Haims