Parenting to Impress

The world tells us our feelings are our truth. Emotions or circumstance defines you...in that moment. But feelings and circumstances change leaving an unstable foundation of beliefs.

Friends, this is one of the biggest issues facing our tweens and teens today. Two others are busyness and a cultural value of specialization. 

We invite you to dig deeper into these three issues in the 2nd of the 3-part podcast series Heidi and Melanie recorded with youth pastor Scott Jones.

Helpful Links from this Episode: 

• Characteristics of a God-Centered Family, Part 1
• Characteristics of a God-Centered Family, Part 3

Episode Sponsor:  The Old and New Testament Curricula provides age-appropriate learning for children ages 3-10 years at home, preschool, or church (Sunday School).

Facebook Group:  /groups/parentingtoimpress
Facebook:  /heidi.franz.2911
Instagram:  /abcjesuslovesme/

Get connected with Parenting to Impress:
Facebook Group:  /groups/ABCJLM
Facebook:  /heidi.franz.2911
Instagram:  /abcjesuslovesme/
Subscribe to Blog & Newsletters:  forms.feedblitz.com/5r0

Thanks for listening!

We live in a microwave society where everything happens at breakneck speed! Social media would have us believe that unless our calendars are full of activities we must be failing our kids. I mean, what kind of horrible mom would let her kid be bored???

But is this best for our children? Will it reap the God-centered families that we desire?

Today begins a 3-part series where Heidi and Melanie sit with a local youth pastor, Scott Jones. We asked the hard questions about good and bad characteristics - or rhythms - that he sees in families, hidden struggles he is seeing teens face, and then discussed how we can truly foster a godly-family. 

Click to listen to Part 2 and Part 3 of this series

Helpful Links from this Episode: 

• Praying the Scriptures Over Your Family
• Tips to Have Successful Meals with Kids
• How to Engage Your Child in Meaningful Conversations
• Fun High, Low, Buffalo Conversations

Episode Sponsor:  The Old and New Testament Curricula provides age-appropriate learning for children ages 3-10 years at home, preschool, or church (Sunday School).

Facebook Group:  /groups/parentingtoimpress
Facebook:  /heidi.franz.2911
Instagram:  /abcjesuslovesme/

Get connected with Parenting to Impress:
Facebook Group:  /groups/ABCJLM
Facebook:  /heidi.franz.2911
Instagram:  /abcjesuslovesme/
Subscribe to Blog & Newsletters:  forms.feedblitz.com/5r0

Thanks for listening!

Is it true that God won't give believers more than they can handle?   Heidi and Melanie invite you to listen to their journeys to find out if this common saying is even Biblical.   Discover the circumstances that caused them to let go of control, trust God, and believe that even when things get really hard, God never leaves nor forsakes us.

Helpful Links from this Episode: 

• What Lies Are You Believing?

Episode Sponsor:  The Be Intentional Planner - the planner created to help you be the intentional woman God has called you to be.  Order now for only $15.00.

Facebook Group:  /groups/parentingtoimpress
Facebook:  /heidi.franz.2911
Instagram:  /abcjesuslovesme/

Get connected with Parenting to Impress:
Facebook Group:  /groups/ABCJLM
Facebook:  /heidi.franz.2911
Instagram:  /abcjesuslovesme/
Subscribe to Blog & Newsletters:  forms.feedblitz.com/5r0

Thanks for listening!

Being a mom is hard work, but what do we do when it just feels like too much? When you are overwhelmed, hate being a parent, and dread getting up each morning?  Be encouraged as Heidi and Melanie open up about their own struggles with this issue and how they have found hope in the exhaustion.

Helpful Links from this Episode: 

• Training Your Child to Sleep In
• How to Set Up an Afternoon Quiet Time for Preschoolers
• Parenting Toolbox Video Series
• What Lies Are You Believing?

Episode Sponsor:  ABCJesusLovesMe.com, an educational ministry that equips adults with the materials needed to be intentional in educating children.

Get connected with Parenting to Impress:
Facebook Group:  /groups/ABCJLM
Facebook:  /heidi.franz.2911
Instagram:  /abcjesuslovesme/
Subscribe to Blog & Newsletters:  forms.feedblitz.com/5r0

Thanks for listening!

In this second episode about teaching our kids the value and purpose of work, Heidi and Melanie get into the nitty gritty of dealing with older kids, defiant kids, and kiddos with disabilities. As always, there are practical ideas with lots of love and grace to cover it all!
Join the discussion about chores and work and be encouraged to parent your kids with the end in mind.

Helpful Links from this Episode: 

• Part 1 of this Series:  Should Children Have Chores? 
• Age-Appropriate Chore Chart  Free Printable
• Kevin Leman's Have a New Kid By Friday
• The What and How of One-liners Free Printable
• Visual Schedule
• One Liners

Episode Sponsor:  The Be Intentional Planner - the planner created to help you be the intentional woman God has called you to be.  Order now for only $15.00.

Get connected with Parenting to Impress:
Facebook Group:  /groups/ABCJLM
Facebook:  /heidi.franz.2911
Instagram:  /abcjesuslovesme/
Subscribe to Blog & Newsletters:  forms.feedblitz.com/5r0

Thanks for listening!

In this episode, join the Parenting to Impress team as they delve into the concept of work through a biblical lens. Discover what the Bible has to say about work and responsibilities, especially when it comes to children.

Always grounded in scripture, Melanie and Heidi share the principles they've integrated into their family lives to teach their kids the value of hard work. They also reflect on the gratifying results of their early years' training, witnessing their teenagers embrace a strong work ethic. Tune in for valuable insights on raising industrious children in alignment with biblical teachings.

Helpful Links from this Episode:
Some linked items are affiliate links. This means that I receive an itty-bitty commission if you choose to purchase through these links. See my favorite products here. 

• Age-Appropriate Chore Chart  Free Printable
• Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby
• Quarter System (Money Management and Behavior System for Children)
• Kid-safe Knife

Episode Sponsor:  The Be Intentional Planner - the planner created to help you be the intentional woman God has called you to be.  Order now for only $15.00.

Get connected with Parenting to Impress:
Facebook Group:  /groups/ABCJLM
Facebook:  /heidi.franz.2911
Instagram:  /abcjesuslovesme/
Subscribe to Blog & Newsletters:  forms.feedblitz.com/5r0

Thanks for listening!

The school year is almost over! For our kids it's a time to play, spend time with family and friends and have a different daily rhythm. But for moms (and dads too), the 3 months with no structure or routine can make us feel anxious-what will we do with all this time! Whether you are ready to embrace summer or are worried about how to fill your days, this episode is for you! Heidi and Melanie chat about all things summer including how to be intentional with your days so that you don't look back at the start of the next school year with regret.

Helpful Links from this Episode: 

• Blank Summer Schedule Chart
• Training a Child to Report
• Teaching Little Man First-Time Obedience
• Runts Fruit Candy (affiliate link)
• Our Daily Bread for Kids (affiliate link)
• Old and New Testament Curriculum 
• All About Spelling Curriculum (affiliate link)
• How Much Media Use is the Right Amount?

Episode Sponsor:  ABCJesusLovesMe.com, an educational ministry that equips adults with the materials needed to be intentional in educating children.

Facebook Group:  /groups/parentingtoimpress
Facebook:  /heidi.franz.2911
Instagram:  /abcjesuslovesme/

Get connected with Parenting to Impress:
Facebook Group:  /groups/ABCJLM
Facebook:  /heidi.franz.2911
Instagram:  /abcjesuslovesme/
Subscribe to Blog & Newsletters:  forms.feedblitz.com/5r0

Thanks for listening!

Congratulations! You've decided to start having a quiet time with God! You'd like to use something alongside your Bible to help guide your quiet time but you're not sure what to choose. We get it!

In this episode, Heidi and Melanie discuss how to avoid the common pitfall of using self-help books during your quiet time. What's wrong with self-help books? Should I never read a book from this genre? The ladies answer these questions and offer encouragement as you decide what to use other than the Bible when you meet with God each day.

Helpful Links from this Episode: 

• How to Have a Quiet Time Podcast Episode
• DRAW Deep
• Creating a Prayer Journal
• What is a Quiet Time?
• When to Have a Quiet Time
• Does Where Matter?
• But I Need My Sleep!
• The Best Devotionals to Guide Your Quiet Time
• A Quiet Time, Worth the Time eBook
• Free Psalm Study (Attributes of God) - Part of the ABCJesusLovesMe Resource Library
• Free Old Testament Chronological Reading Plan
• Free New Testament Chronological Reading Plan

Episode Sponsor:  The Be Intentional Planner - the planner created to help you be the intentional woman God has called you to be.  Order now for only $15.00.

Get connected with Parenting to Impress:
Facebook Group:  /groups/ABCJLM
Facebook:  /heidi.franz.2911
Instagram:  /abcjesuslovesme/
Subscribe to Blog & Newsletters:  forms.feedblitz.com/5r0

Thanks for listening!

Finding a church home can be challenging! In this episode Heidi and Melanie unpack the questions they would ask if they were looking for a church. Significant issues to consider include doctrine, worship style, and children's services. In this encouraging conversation, you'll find helpful ideas and hear how they processed these very questions when their families were looking for a church home.

Helpful Links from this Episode: 

• How to Have a Quiet Time Podcast
• Old and New Testament Curricula
• 10 Tips to Introduce Your Child to Church
• 5 Expectation Tips to Set Before Attending Church
• 5 Tips to Keep Your Child Quiet During Church
• 5 Tips to Prepare Your Child to Attend Church

Episode Sponsor:  The Old and New Testament Curricula provides age-appropriate learning for children ages 3-10 years at home, preschool, or church (Sunday School).

Get connected with Parenting to Impress:
Facebook Group:  /groups/ABCJLM
Facebook:  /heidi.franz.2911
Instagram:  /abcjesuslovesme/
Subscribe to Blog & Newsletters:  forms.feedblitz.com/5r0

Thanks for listening!

If you knew you could transform your life by changing how you spend 1% of your day, would you do it?  While it hasn't always been easy, Melanie and Heidi made the change and today's podcast shares their stories. 

Join the Parenting to Impress Podcast team as they process through the what, when, where, and how details of this change. And be encouraged and challenged to give it a try!

Helpful Links from this Episode: 

• Creating a Prayer Journal
• What is a Quiet Time?
• When to Have a Quiet Time
• Does Where Matter?
• But I Need My Sleep!
• The Best Devotionals to Guide Your Quiet Time
• A Quiet Time, Worth the Time eBook
• Free Psalm Study (Attributes of God) - Part of the ABCJesusLovesMe Resource Library
• Free Old Testament Chronological Reading Plan
• Free New Testament Chronological Reading Plan
• Lies We Believe Podcast
• Ephesians 1:18-21

Episode Sponsor:  The Be Intentional Planner - the planner created to help you be the intentional woman God has called you to be.  Order now for only $15.00.

Get connected with Parenting to Impress:
Facebook Group:  /groups/ABCJLM
Facebook:  /heidi.franz.2911
Instagram:  /abcjesuslovesme/
Subscribe to Blog & Newsletters:  forms.feedblitz.com/5r0

Thanks for listening!