Dear Mattsons with Jeff and Terra

Two year olds are learning that they can do it themselves and build confidence apart from you. There is a balance between giving them freedom to learn cause and effect and disciplining. Join us as we talk through ideas on how to give your toddler choices that will help them feel independent while also setting boundaries.

Check out these similar resources:

• Help! I am always saying “No” to my toddler
• Decide to discipline: Toddlers 
• Pointing your preschooler to Jesus

We live in an achievement oriented culture and the pressure to know your expertise at an early age is an outside pressure. As a parent we want to help our children discover their passions, but remember it takes time to figure out what you are good at and what you enjoy. It is important to remind your child that we are not what we do. Join us as we talk through ideas to help your child find out how they are wired and what activities they may enjoy. 

Check out these similar resources: 

• Are parents ruining youth sports?
• To the mom whose kid didn’t make the honor society
• How to raise DIY kids
• Core Values Index

You are the parent and need to discern what's best for you and your child, but we say no to sleepovers in our family. It’s about risk assessment, and we decided sleepovers are not worth the risk. A lot of experimentation and exposure occurs at sleepovers and just because a family says they love Jesus does not mean they are safe. Join us as we discuss “late overs” and ways your child can join in the fun without the risk of sleepovers.

Check out these similar resources: 

• Teaching kids about boundaries
• Talking about sex: Big words for little ears
• Messengers of mercy: Teaching hard lessons to our kids
• Helping moms raise confident daughters

It’s normal that teens begin to pull away from their family and are focused on their peer group, so what do you do when that impacts the church they want to attend? Join us as we walk you through steps to sit down and have an open conversation with your teen. We will encourage you to validate, empathize and help your child think critically about the reasons behind their desire for change and be prepared to compromise if appropriate.

Check out these similar resources: 

• Teenagers are church members, too
• What if my child hates church?
• Why engaging teens with scripture is mission-critical
• Helping moms raise confident daughters

Anxiety at all age levels is at an all time high. Children have not had the opportunity to navigate normal social situations the past few years, so they may be extra anxious when new situations arise. Join us as we walk through tips to prepare your children for new situations and what to do when anxiety arises.

Links for Supplemental Resources:

• Making a toolbox for anxiety
• Three things your kids need today
• 10 Bible verses about anxiety
• Helping moms raise confident daughters

It’s natural to do some comparing when you have children the same age, but it can quickly turn into a competition. Close friendships go through seasons, and it’s important to view conflict as an opportunity to grow closer and deepen true friendships. Join us as we talk about healthy ways to move through conflict.

Check out these similar resources: 

• Helping our children love each other well
• Three tips for managing family conflict as a solo parent
• Three reasons why I am a “Judgy Mom” and three ways to stop
• Helping moms raise confident daughters

Join us as we discuss sibling rivalry and how to encourage our family members to intentionally affirm each other. We will walk you through practical ways to encourage your children to celebrate their siblings' gifts and achievements. Competition isn’t a bad thing, but sometimes we need to reframe it so that our children acknowledge and see others' gifts as well as their own.

Check out these similar resources: 

• https://www.christianparenting.org/articles/helping-our-children-love-each-other-well/
• https://www.christianparenting.org/articles/are-your-kids-sick-of-each-other/
• https://www.christianparenting.org/articles/sibling-harmony/

Whining is a form of manipulation and we need to teach our children a better way to communicate. Join us as we walk through 3 important communication skills your children need to learn to stop the whining. Teaching our kids healthy forms of communication is a life skill worth investing in.

Check out these similar resources: 

• https://www.christianparenting.org/articles/3-ways-to-love-your-challenging-toddler-well/
• https://www.christianparenting.org/articles/becoming-sensitive-to-gods-presence-in-a-hypersensitive-world/
• https://www.christianparenting.org/articles/try-helpful-parenting-phrases/

As our children grow into adulthood, we have to lean into the investments we have made in them throughout their childhood. If you do not approve of the relationship choices your child is making, we will encourage you to express your concerns, give tangible reasons for your opinions, and open up the lines of communications. We will also remind you that sometimes it is appropriate to keep our opinions to ourselves and give the situation to God.

Check out these similar resources: 

• https://www.christianparenting.org/articles/learning-to-trust-god-with-your-adult-children/
• https://www.christianparenting.org/articles/independent-dependents-the-faith-of-your-grown-children/
• https://www.christianparenting.org/articles/letting-go/

Time out is a great method to calm ourselves down, and it teaches children to self regulate their emotions. We will walk you through effective ways to use the time out and time in approach with your child and encourage you to use it as a parent when you need a break as well.

Check out these similar resources: 

• https://www.christianparenting.org/articles/visuals-over-verbals/
• https://www.christianparenting.org/articles/help-kids-learn-mistakes/
• https://www.christianparenting.org/articles/children-are-complex/