When God says ‘No’ to something our kids desperately want — making a team, a friendship, an invite — it can break their hearts… and ours too. 💔

In this episode, I share personal stories of God’s “no’s” in my own life and what I’ve learned over twenty years of parenting about walking with our kids through disappointment and unanswered prayers.

You’ll hear six practical and powerful ways to respond when your child faces a “no” from God, including:

How to sit with them in the sadness and say, “I hurt with you.”

How to remind them what’s true about God and about who they are in Him.

How to share your own stories of doubt and faith.

How to teach them to trust the God who never leaves — even when His answer isn’t yes.

This is a tender, hope-filled conversation about helping our kids grow in empathy, trust, and to see the goodness of God — even in the “no.” 

Listen now to the latest episode of the No Way But Through podcast and you’ll be encouraged to see every “no” in your kids’ lives as an invitation for both of you to draw closer to God. And each other.

In today’s episode, I’m continuing our Season Five series, How We Talk With Our Kids About Real Life Stuff, with a conversation that every parent can relate to — how we talk with our kids about homework and grades.

For more than 15 years, Jason and I have helped our five kids navigate the daily realities of schoolwork, homework, and grades. In this episode, I’m sharing five truths that we come back to again and again in conversations with our kids — reminders that they are made in the image of God, that grades don’t define their worth, and that as parents, our identity has to stay anchored in Christ, not in our children’s performance.

You’ll hear some of our own stories from college, lessons we’ve learned about discipline, and how kids make terrible idols! 

🎧 Whether your child is in Kindergarten or college, bringing home straight A’s or struggling to stay motivated, this episode will encourage you, equip you, and give you words for guiding your kids through their school years and into adulthood as God’s children made to create and glorify Him in all things! 

The latest episode on the No Way But Through Podcast is out TODAY!

When our kids really mess up — whether it’s throwing a toy that sends a sibling to the ER or a teenager making a choice they instantly regret — how we respond matters. In this episode, I share the posture, tone and words Jason and I use when we’re sitting with one of our kids who’s really blown it.

I talk about what it looks like to remind them of what’s true about God, how to guide them away from shame, and how to help them move forward with humility and hope.

I share a story of driving with one of my boys to make an in-person apology, and how that moment helped foster humility and courage in his heart, while embracing the grace God extends to us in our failures.. And thanks to Whit’s reminder, I also talk about what it means to raise good forgivers — kids who choose love over resentment when they’ve been hurt by someone else’s mistake.

If you’ve ever wondered what to say after your child really messes up, this episode will leave you encouraged, equipped, and leave your child reminded that there is always a way forward after our biggest mistakes.  

Listen in TODAY to this brand new episode in this season’s series: From Bedtimes To Breakups: How We Talk With Our Kids About Real Life Stuff.

NEW SEASON IS OUT TODAY! And it might be my favorite one yet!

Parenting doesn’t come with a script. And our kids don’t come with a manual. We’re thrown into parenting scenarios we have no idea how to handle and conversations we’re not prepared for. And these conversations often happen not when it’s convenient, but when we’re folding laundry, driving to practice, or they come knocking when we’re already asleep.    

In this first episode of Season 5, I share the heart behind this season’s new series From Bedtimes to Breakups: How We Talk With Our Kids About Real Life Stuff. I share with you what inspired it (hint: you did!), why I don’t talk to my kids, but with them, and how that small change in approach, built trust and safety between us and our kids, made us closer with them,, and opened the door to countless opportunities to point them to the hope they have in Christ.

You’ll hear why these everyday conversations matter, what I want my kids to always feel when they walk away from our hard conversations, and why there’s no substitute for your voice in your kids’ lives! 

We’ll talk about everything this season from chores to comparison, screentime to hard friendships, honesty to heartache. 

First episode out TODAY! Tune in anywhere you get podcasts!

THE SUMMER TRAVEL EPISODE! Planning a road trip or family vacation? This episode that’s been 20 years in the making is packed with 10 real-life travel tips that have helped our big family of seven not only survive, but actually ENJOY traveling together. I’m sharing the practical strategies and tips that have made our family trips smoother, less stressful, less expensive, more fun, and more memorable. 

Whether you're prepping for a cross-country drive or a weekend getaway to the beach, these 10 travel hacks will help you plan with intention, create lasting memories for your kids, and troubleshoot the challenges of traveling as a family!

If you're gearing up for summer travel, these are game-changers you want to know.

In this latest episode in our ‘Short Takes’ series on the No Way But Through podcast, we’re back from a little spring break hiatus and diving into a question I got from one of the young moms in my real life who has spent a lot of time with my family: 

How do you raise tough, resilient kids? 

I’m sharing real-life stories, hard-earned wisdom, and three practical (and heart-level) ways to help your kids build grit, navigate tough relationships, and find laughter even in the hardest moments. 

Whether you're in the thick of toddler tantrums or navigating the ups and downs of parenting teens, this episode will encourage and equip you to raise kids who can stand strong, love well, and laugh hard—even when life gets tough.

Out today anywhere you get podcasts!!

In Episode 41 of the No Way But Through podcast, we’re continuing our Short Takes series with this question: What habits do you wish you had made when your kids were newborns and toddlers?

I'm sharing three key insights—one we didn’t do but wish we had, and two that we’re so glad we prioritized. From carving out quality one-on-one time with your toddler, to letting go of the idea of a perfect house, and the importance of shared family meals around the dinner table, these small habits can have a big impact on your relationships with your kids!

Join me as I reflect on some of the most valuable lessons I learned during the early years of parenthood. Whether you're navigating life with little ones or looking to strengthen your family dynamic, this episode offers practical advice you won’t want to miss.

Available now on your favorite podcast platform!

In this episode of No Way But Through, we dive into a common parenting challenge: setting boundaries with grandparents. This is such a tough topic because not one of us has the exact same scenario, proximity, or relationships with our parents or in-laws. Is there a one right way to put up boundaries without it blowing up our whole relationship? 

In this episode, I’ll give you both practical tips and my hard won wisdom on how to navigate the delicate balance between respecting your parents’ perspective and confidently parenting your own kids in the way that works best for your family. I think you’ll walk away encouraged, more confident in your parenting choices, and challenged to lead the way with humility, too!

Tune in for insights on how to honor both your parents and in-laws, while faithfully parenting the kids God has given you to parent. 

Available NOW everywhere you get podcasts!

Who is my favorite kid, you ask? I think the answer might surprise you. 

On today’s ‘Short Takes’ episode, I answer this question that’s been asked of me by the young moms in my real life and that my teenage son asked me just this week. I have five kids, ranging in ages from 20 down to 12. Could I pick a favorite?

This actually isn’t a hard question for me to answer at all. And I break it down into two answers during today’s episode. I think you’ll be surprised, encouraged, and challenged by what I share with you today.

You only need a few minutes to listen to this episode from start to finish! And you’ll walk away not only encouraged, but with a fresh perspective to help you tackle the hard seasons ahead with each of your kids. 

You don’t wanna miss this one! Available everywhere you get podcasts!

In this first episode of ‘Short Takes’ - Your Parenting Questions. Straight To The Point Answers, I give you the backstory behind this new series AND answer one of the most popular questions I get from young (and older) parents!

We want our kids to have an independent and growing relationship with God, right? But how do we help them develop the habit of making time for God every day? Is there a formula? Is there a perfect resource? Is there one right way to do this? 

I take on this question in today’s episode and answer it with the simplest yet BEST way you can help your kids discover a love for meeting with God, opening their Bibles, and going to Him in prayer.  

You need less than 15 minutes to listen to this episode from start to finish! And you’ll walk away encouraged (and convicted!) that you can have a tremendous impact on your kids’ daily walk with God!

Listen in TODAY everywhere you get podcasts!