5–Minute Parenting: Tips to Help You Raise Competent, Godly Kids.

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Today, I want to share some very exciting news and introduce a very special person to my 5-Minute Parenting audience. Karen Ferguson is my guest today, and she is going to become a cohost for the 5 minute parenting podcast, and will eventually take over the podcast as I'm cutting back on my writing and podcast responsibility for the coming year. Karen is a wife, mom, and grandma of two and soon to be three grandchildren. She's a writer and children's book author with a background in K-8 education. Her first book, "Guess How Much God Loves You," was published through Ambassador International and she has published a second book, "Guess Who's in God's Family." These two books are part of an upcoming seven-book series called "Questions for Kids."

Karen's passion is to see this generation fall in love with God and with his Word, and she's all about biblical literacy and raising our kids with a biblical worldview. She wants  to point kids to the Bible because that's the power of God and it's so important for kids to have a deep understanding of that. "Otherwise, they're so open to deception, and that's what we're seeing right now in our culture," Karen emphasizes.

Looking to the future of this podcast, Karen will bring that passion and insight as a Christian mom, grandmother and writer. She will continue to provide parents with practical, biblically-based tools and insights to nurture God-confident and biblically literate kids.

Be sure to visit Karen's website to find out more about her, her books and her passion for kids.

Check out the Questions for Kids picture book series, perfect for young readers ages 5-10! 

*Are you looking for fun, gospel-inspired merch for your family + discounted picture books for your kids and grandkids? Visit my Etsy store at KarensBooksandMore

Book 3 in the Questions for Kids picture book series is now available! Check out Guess Why God Made the Rainbow on Amazon or your favorite book retailer! 🌈

Love this podcast episode? Please leave a positive rating/review and share this episode with a friend ❤️

Visit our websites at: 

https://www.karenferg.com/

https://www.sandrakaychambers.com/ 

Find our books on Amazon:

Karen Ferguson: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Karen-Ferguson/author/B075SHZ1WV?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true 

Sandra Chambers: ...

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In our recent episode of the 5-Minute Parenting podcast, we delved into the crucial topic of ADHD accommodations for students at different age levels. As a former teacher and parent of a child with ADHD, I know firsthand the importance of providing the right support for these students.

🔑 Key takeaways from the episode:

- Accommodations for elementary school students include flexible seating, reward programs, academic planners, and fidget tools to help them thrive in the classroom environment.

- Middle school accommodations involve quieter test settings, daily schedules, and increased time for completing work and tests, recognizing the added complexities of changing classes and social interactions.

- High school accommodations shift to managing increased academic demands and extracurricular activities, where students may benefit from an set of books at home, verbal exams, checklists, and organizational tools.

Join the conversation and listen to the full episode for valuable insights that parents, educators, and homeschoolers can implement to create inclusive learning environments for students with ADHD. #ADHDsupport #EducationForAll #InclusiveLearning

Check out the Questions for Kids picture book series, perfect for young readers ages 5-10! 

*Are you looking for fun, gospel-inspired merch for your family + discounted picture books for your kids and grandkids? Visit my Etsy store at KarensBooksandMore

Book 3 in the Questions for Kids picture book series is now available! Check out Guess Why God Made the Rainbow on Amazon or your favorite book retailer! 🌈

Love this podcast episode? Please leave a positive rating/review and share this episode with a friend ❤️

Visit our websites at: 

https://www.karenferg.com/

https://www.sandrakaychambers.com/ 

Find our books on Amazon:

Karen Ferguson: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Karen-Ferguson/author/B075SHZ1WV?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true 

Sandra Chambers: ...

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Welcome to Episode 2 of the 5-Minute Parenting Podcast.  

• We know how someone’s harsh or critical words can hurt us even as adults. And it’s even more hurtful for a child who has no experience in knowing how to accept or reject or evaluate what they hear about themselves. 
• It has been scientifically shown that in order for children to develop a positive view of themselves, they need at least five interactions to every one negative interaction. Education and Behavior. 
• Kids don’t come into this world knowing they’re loved, special, have a purpose, and have the power to change the world. They have to be told this! 
• God used only His words when He spoke the universe into existence. In the book of Genesis, we see God made us in His image and after His likeness. Therefore, we were created to be imitators of the way God operates. Our words have power! 
• Proverbs 18:21 says “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Our tongue can be used as a weapon to harm and destroy or as a tool to build and heal.
• Below is a link to a list of short, positive phases you can use to encourage your child. You can download the PDF and print it out. Be deliberate about speaking and writing them in notes to put in your child’s lunchbox, leave them on their pillow at bedtime or under their plate at mealtime.  Aim to give these positive affirmations at least 5x daily.

• Words to Encourage PDF 

Check out the Questions for Kids picture book series, perfect for young readers ages 5-10! 

*Are you looking for fun, gospel-inspired merch for your family + discounted picture books for your kids and grandkids? Visit my Etsy store at KarensBooksandMore

Book 3 in the Questions for Kids picture book series is now available! Check out Guess Why God Made the Rainbow on Amazon or your favorite book retailer! 🌈

Love this podcast episode? Please leave a positive rating/review and share this episode with a friend ❤️

Visit our websites at: 

https://www.karenferg.com/

https://www.sandrakaychambers.com/ 

Find our books on Amazon:

Karen Ferguson: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Karen-Ferguson/author/B075SHZ1WV?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true 

Sandra Chambers: ...

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In today's episode of 5-Minute Parenting, we had the pleasure of hosting Trisha Pull, a dedicated mother who is currently homeschooling her 6 children across different grades. Trisha shared 10 valuable insights she wishes she knew as a beginning homeschooler.

Here are a few highlights from the episode:

1. The Realities of Homeschooling: Trisha highlighted the challenges and messiness of the homeschooling process, emphasizing the importance of embracing the imperfections and understanding that it's okay for things to be messy.

2. The Joys of Homeschooling: Despite the difficulties, Trisha expressed her love for being with her children, learning with them, and sharing special moments together.

3. Individualized Approach: Trisha emphasized the significance of tailoring the homeschooling environment to fit your family's lifestyle and needs, rather than imitating traditional school settings.

4. The Importance of Reading Aloud: She underscored the value of reading aloud as a means to build relationships, connect subjects to the real world, and enhance cognitive skills in children.

5. The Myth of Perfect Curriculum: Trisha debunked the idea of a perfect curriculum, emphasizing that flexibility and adaptability are key when it comes to choosing educational materials.

In the upcoming part 2 of this insightful conversation, Trisha will share five more tips for beginning homeschoolers. Stay tuned for further knowledge and motivation to elevate your homeschooling journey.

If you'd like to delve deeper into the topics discussed, be sure to visit Trisha's website. Additionally, keep an eye out for next week's episode to catch the second part of Trisha's valuable insights.

Check out the Questions for Kids picture book series, perfect for young readers ages 5-10! 

*Are you looking for fun, gospel-inspired merch for your family + discounted picture books for your kids and grandkids? Visit my Etsy store at KarensBooksandMore

Book 3 in the Questions for Kids picture book series is now available! Check out Guess Why God Made the Rainbow on Amazon or your favorite book retailer! 🌈

Love this podcast episode? Please leave a positive rating/review and share this episode with a friend ❤️

Visit our websites at: 

https://www.karenferg.com/

https://www.sandrakaychambers.com/ 

Find our books on Amazon:

Karen Ferguson: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Karen-Ferguson/author/B075SHZ1WV?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true 

Sandra Chambers: ...

Send us Fan Mail

On this episode of “5-Minute Parenting,” we discuss the importance of allowing our children to fail. Failure is a natural part of life, and parents need to teach their children how to learn from their failures and grow from them. 

We also discuss how communication, unconditional love, and support can help children take responsibility for their bad decisions. We discuss the importance of internalization of actions, natural consequences, and not being afraid to try new things. 

As parents, we need to teach our children that God and authority figures love and guide them, while also being willing to share our failures to show them that it's okay to fail and that it can lead to growth and character development. 

Check out the Questions for Kids picture book series, perfect for young readers ages 5-10! 

*Are you looking for fun, gospel-inspired merch for your family + discounted picture books for your kids and grandkids? Visit my Etsy store at KarensBooksandMore

Book 3 in the Questions for Kids picture book series is now available! Check out Guess Why God Made the Rainbow on Amazon or your favorite book retailer! 🌈

Love this podcast episode? Please leave a positive rating/review and share this episode with a friend ❤️

Visit our websites at: 

https://www.karenferg.com/

https://www.sandrakaychambers.com/ 

Find our books on Amazon:

Karen Ferguson: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Karen-Ferguson/author/B075SHZ1WV?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true 

Sandra Chambers: ...

Send us Fan Mail

It’s that time of year where kids are already back in school or soon will be. And one of the most important things we as parents can help our children with at the beginning of the school year is teaching them how to get and stay organized. Building these habits early in their lives will benefit them throughout their career as a student and later as an adult.

In today’s episode we cover:

 1. Creating a designated homework space at home and why having a dedicated area prevents unnecessary stress and promotes a focused mindset.

2. Providing storage solutions for backpacks and school supplies as well as keeping a central family bulletin board or calendar to keep track of all school related things. 

3. Establishing a regular homework schedule and setting expectations. How to establish consistency and routine, along with strategies to help your child adhere to their schedule.

4. How to keep homework and projects organized with color-coded folders.

5. Motivating and breaking down tasks for younger children. Stickers, rewards, and incremental steps can make a significant difference in their productivity and understanding.

6. Teaching your children the importance of planning ahead using calendars or planners and how they can track assignments and due dates effectively.

 7. Understanding your role as a parent in helping your child with organization, including how involved you should be based on your child's age. Also, how you can provide guidance without taking over their responsibilities and allowing them to develop self-confidence as they learn to become more independent learners.

Check out the Questions for Kids picture book series, perfect for young readers ages 5-10! 

*Are you looking for fun, gospel-inspired merch for your family + discounted picture books for your kids and grandkids? Visit my Etsy store at KarensBooksandMore

Book 3 in the Questions for Kids picture book series is now available! Check out Guess Why God Made the Rainbow on Amazon or your favorite book retailer! 🌈

Love this podcast episode? Please leave a positive rating/review and share this episode with a friend ❤️

Visit our websites at: 

https://www.karenferg.com/

https://www.sandrakaychambers.com/ 

Find our books on Amazon:

Karen Ferguson: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Karen-Ferguson/author/B075SHZ1WV?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true 

Sandra Chambers: ...

Send us Fan Mail

Our special guest today is Angela Breidenbach, the executive director of the International Institute of Genealogical Studies. Angela shares the crucial importance of sharing family history with children. Through captivating stories, she emphasizes the impact of knowing one's ancestral journey, whether heroic, cautionary, or inspiring. Angela spotlights how understanding family history can shape a child's identity and purpose. Join us as we unravel the power of passing down stories and heritage to future generations.

Here are the top 3 key takeaways from our conversation today with Angela.

1. Imparting Identity and Inspiration: Family history provides a sense of belonging, community, and understanding. By sharing tales of heroism, cautionary stories, and talents passed down through generations, parents can inspire children to overcome challenges and embrace their unique identities and abilities.
2. Racism and Entitlement: Understanding one's genealogy helps dismantle prejudice, eliminate a sense of entitlement, and fosters a spirit of connection with people from diverse backgrounds. This empowers individuals to find their place in the world and appreciate the rich tapestry of human heritage.
3. Empowerment Through Ancestral Tales: Encouraging children and grandchildren to know their family roots fosters a deeper connection with their heritage, empowering them to find their talents and lean into their innate abilities. By understanding their ancestral lineage, individuals can discover their purpose and navigate their life path with the wisdom of generations before them.

Discover more about Angela, her work and her books on her website.

Check out the Questions for Kids picture book series, perfect for young readers ages 5-10! 

*Are you looking for fun, gospel-inspired merch for your family + discounted picture books for your kids and grandkids? Visit my Etsy store at KarensBooksandMore

Book 3 in the Questions for Kids picture book series is now available! Check out Guess Why God Made the Rainbow on Amazon or your favorite book retailer! 🌈

Love this podcast episode? Please leave a positive rating/review and share this episode with a friend ❤️

Visit our websites at: 

https://www.karenferg.com/

https://www.sandrakaychambers.com/ 

Find our books on Amazon:

Karen Ferguson: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Karen-Ferguson/author/B075SHZ1WV?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true 

Sandra Chambers: ...

Send us Fan Mail

Gossip is defined by Webster's Dictionary as "casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people". It's a term loaded with negativity, often associated with spreading rumors and sharing personal details about someone's life without their consent. Gossip is not just idle chit-chat; it is harmful and unkind.

The tendency to gossip can be understood through our inherent fascination with other people's lives. This fascination is evident in the popularity of talk shows, tabloids, and social media platforms where juicy details about others cause our jaws to drop in shock. However, hiding behind labels like "sharing concerns" or "discussing feelings" doesn't change the nature of the act—it's still gossip, and as the podcast episode highlighted, it's wrong.

God's Perspective on Bullying 

From a spiritual perspective, gossip is also frowned upon. First Timothy 5:13 describes gossip as "meddling in another person's business and talking about things they shouldn't." Romans 1:29 goes even further by calling gossip wicked. This strong condemnation reflects the understanding that gossip can cause severe damage by revealing embarrassing and shameful details about someone, damaging their reputation and causing personal hurt.

Teaching Our Children About Gossip & Bullying

Gossip can also be the spark that ignites bullying, particularly among children and teens. As parents, it's vital to teach our children about the detrimental effects of gossip and how to avoid it. Encourage children to ask themselves questions before sharing information about someone:

• Why do I want to share this information?
• Is it to make someone feel bad about themselves?
• Am I doing this just because everyone else is, and I don’t want to be excluded?

Advocate for empathy by having children think about how they would feel if someone spoke about them in the same way. Encourage them to pray and seek guidance to resist the temptation to gossip or bully. Teach them to stand up against gossip by choosing not to participate or spreading it further.

Check out the Questions for Kids picture book series, perfect for young readers ages 5-10! 

*Are you looking for fun, gospel-inspired merch for your family + discounted picture books for your kids and grandkids? Visit my Etsy store at KarensBooksandMore

Book 3 in the Questions for Kids picture book series is now available! Check out Guess Why God Made the Rainbow on Amazon or your favorite book retailer! 🌈

Love this podcast episode? Please leave a positive rating/review and share this episode with a friend ❤️

Visit our websites at: 

https://www.karenferg.com/

https://www.sandrakaychambers.com/ 

Find our books on Amazon:

Karen Ferguson: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Karen-Ferguson/author/B075SHZ1WV?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true 

Sandra Chambers: ...

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of 5-Minute Parenting, host Sandra welcomes special guest Jennifer Bosma, an accomplished author of Christian children's books, including "The Baby Garden," "I Know the Plans," and her latest release, "God is Three in One." Jennifer shares the inspiration behind her latest book, which explores the concept of the Holy Trinity in a way that is both accessible and engaging for children ages 4 to 10. She recounts how a thought-provoking question from her granddaughter led her to undertake the challenge of explaining a complex theological topic in verse. Jennifer provides insights into the book's beautiful illustrations and offers a glimpse into her creative process and collaboration with her illustrator Beth Snyder. Tune in to hear about her approach to making theology relatable for young minds and her passion for helping parents explore biblical concepts with their children. Don't forget to visit Jennifer's website and podcast "Front Parking Spot" for more resources and inspiration. Be sure to visit Jennifer's website for more info on her and her books.

Check out the Questions for Kids picture book series, perfect for young readers ages 5-10! 

*Are you looking for fun, gospel-inspired merch for your family + discounted picture books for your kids and grandkids? Visit my Etsy store at KarensBooksandMore

Book 3 in the Questions for Kids picture book series is now available! Check out Guess Why God Made the Rainbow on Amazon or your favorite book retailer! 🌈

Love this podcast episode? Please leave a positive rating/review and share this episode with a friend ❤️

Visit our websites at: 

https://www.karenferg.com/

https://www.sandrakaychambers.com/ 

Find our books on Amazon:

Karen Ferguson: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Karen-Ferguson/author/B075SHZ1WV?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true 

Sandra Chambers: ...

Send us Fan Mail

In today's episode of 5-Minute Parenting, we delve into a topic that coincides with Halloween — the growing interest in Wicca among teens. 
The gospel coalition says that Wicca is "the largest subset of a modern witchcraft revival movement. It's characterized as a worldview, religion and practices associated with using rituals that are believed to harness and focus cosmic and psychic energies to bring about some desired change." And Wicca now has a growing digital footprint on social media platforms. There's lots of hashtags that go along with it as as well as emojis that indicate online groups of Wiccans. Some popular hashtags that connect Wiccans across social media include: #mindfulness #meditation #spirituality #wellness.

Some primary goals of Wicca are:

• To re-establish female power and usher in a new era of goddess worship.
• Promises a safe medium for emotional highs.
• Being able to influence your reality by manipulating the power in the universe.

As parents, how do we address our teens' curiosity or involvement in Wicca, a belief system that challenges traditional Christian values? Join us as we discuss strategies for open dialogue with your teen, the importance of research, and ways to gently guide them back to biblical perspectives. Plus, we'll provide resources for further support, including a helpline for additional counseling.

This information taken from this article by Focus on the Family.
Focus on the Family counselor toll-free 1-855-771-HELP (4357)

Check out the Questions for Kids picture book series, perfect for young readers ages 5-10! 

*Are you looking for fun, gospel-inspired merch for your family + discounted picture books for your kids and grandkids? Visit my Etsy store at KarensBooksandMore

Book 3 in the Questions for Kids picture book series is now available! Check out Guess Why God Made the Rainbow on Amazon or your favorite book retailer! 🌈

Love this podcast episode? Please leave a positive rating/review and share this episode with a friend ❤️

Visit our websites at: 

https://www.karenferg.com/

https://www.sandrakaychambers.com/ 

Find our books on Amazon:

Karen Ferguson: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Karen-Ferguson/author/B075SHZ1WV?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true 

Sandra Chambers: ...