In today’s bonus episode we speak to Lucy Rycroft about her new book Be Still. Anna and Lucy share the highs and lows of parenting for faith in the summer holidays and explore what being still might like like for us as parents and carers even in that chaos! Lucy Rycroft is the founder of thehopefilledfamily.com and a part-time music teacher. She previously worked for BRF Ministries in the Parenting for Faith team. She lives in York with her husband and four children. Be Still, is a collection of 30 Bible devotions, reflecting on the concept of being still that can be used really flexibly.

Links:

Find out more about Lucy and The Hope-Filled Family on her website https://thehopefilledfamily.com/ or Instagram @thehopefilledfamily

Grab a copy of Be Still from www.brfonline.org.uk/collections/books/products/be-still-30-devotions-for-those-who-feel-anything-but

Send us your questions and stories at parentingforfaith.org/podcast or email us at [email protected]

Thank you for listening today. If you are able to contribute to the cost of producing this podcast, please click here to give a one-off or regular gift: www.brf.org.uk/get-involved/give/

Parenting for Faith is part of the charity, BRF. We are reliant on donations from individuals and churches to make our resources available to as many people as possible.

We are grateful for all donations, big or small. They make a real difference. Thank you so much for partnering with us.

In today’s episode we ask Rachel Turner, founder of Parenting for Faith, your questions. She has worked in churches for over 15 years and continues to consult, speak at conferences and run training days for church leaders, parents and families around the world. Rachel is the author of nine books, and the original Parenting for Faith course. We asked her these questions:

1:19 - What if your kid decides they hate church and they don’t want to go?

9:59 - Any tips for doing chat and catch with under fives?

12:26 - How would you encourage a child who is struggling with self-esteem?

16:33 - How do you help a four year old receive what God speaks over them for their lives in their future, and help frame that for them at that age?

20:19 - Do you have any ideas for helping kids navigate school where their peers and their teachers aren't Christian, and they're coming up against people with opposing views?

23:06 - What tips do you have for helping kids who are learning about Christianity and different faith at school?

25:01 - How can we help under fives read the Bible?

27:17 - How do you avoid feeling overwhelmed?

30:11 - What about kids who are nonverbal either through age or through a disability? How can we instill these values and use some of these key tools with children who don't have that ability?

Thank you for listening today. If you are able to contribute to the cost of producing this podcast, please click here to give a one-off or regular gift: www.brf.org.uk/get-involved/give/

Parenting for Faith is part of the charity, BRF. We are reliant on donations from individuals and churches to make our resources available to as many people as possible.

We are grateful for all donations, big or small. They make a real difference. Thank you so much for partnering with us.

In today’s episode we speak to Rosie Jefferson about parenting for faith for adopters and foster carers and her new venture Creative Calm. The conversation explores how to prepare for becoming an adopter or foster carers and who to support the people around us as well as how we can all find calm and self-care strategies as parents or carers.

Links:

Find Creative Calm on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576083088661 or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/creativecalm_uk

The podcast episodes on new siblings (birth and adoptive) https://soundcloud.com/parentingforfaith-brf/s7e11-the-one-with-the-new-sibling-with-anna-hawken-and-lucy-rycroft form the basis of the new siblings chapter in An A - Z of Parenting for Faith (out Oct 2025)

Send us your questions and stories at parentingforfaith.org/podcast or email us at [email protected]

Thank you for listening today. If you are able to contribute to the cost of producing this podcast, please click here to give a one-off or regular gift: www.brf.org.uk/get-involved/give/

Parenting for Faith is part of the charity, BRF. We are reliant on donations from individuals and churches to make our resources available to as many people as possible.

We are grateful for all donations, big or small. They make a real difference. Thank you so much for partnering with us.

In today’s episode we speak to Chine McDonald about imperfection and motherhood, sparked by her new book Unmaking Mary. Chine is a mum, writer, broadcaster, author and director of Theos, the religion and society think tank. She regularly contributes to BBC Religion & Ethics programmes, including Thought for the Day on Radio 4’s Today programme, the Daily Service, and Prayer for the Day. She is vice-chair of Greenbelt Festival and a trustee at Christian Aid and Demos.

Links:

To find out more about Chine and her work go to chinemcdonald.com or instagram.com/chine_mcdonald/

Find Theos Think Tank at https://www.instagram.com/chine_mcdonald/

The 14th century painting Anna mentions is Simone Martini's painting, "Christ Discovered in the Temple," also known as "The Holy Family" based on Luke 2:41 - 51. You can see it here https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/be/Simone_Martini_-_Christ_Discovered_in_the_Temple_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg

Send us your questions and stories at parentingforfaith.org/podcast or email us at [email protected]

Thank you for listening today. If you are able to contribute to the cost of producing this podcast, please click here to give a one-off or regular gift: www.brf.org.uk/get-involved/give/

Parenting for Faith is part of the charity, BRF. We are reliant on donations from individuals and churches to make our resources available to as many people as possible.

We are grateful for all donations, big or small. They make a real difference. Thank you so much for partnering with us.

In today’s episode we speak to Louise Willis about handling anger. Louise is the founder of Hope for Families. She’s married to Garryl and they have four children. She’s a qualified teacher and recently completed her MA in Theology, Mission and Ministry (Children, Young People and Family specialism), researching the impact of Hope for Families’ most popular course, Handling Anger in the Family.

Links:

Hope for Families - hopeforfamilies.org.uk on Facebook facebook.com/hopeforfamiliesuk and Instagram instagram.com/hopeforfamiliesuk

Send us your questions and stories at parentingforfaith.org/podcast or email us at [email protected]

Thank you for listening today. If you are able to contribute to the cost of producing this podcast, please click here to give a one-off or regular gift: www.brf.org.uk/get-involved/give/

Parenting for Faith is part of the charity, BRF. We are reliant on donations from individuals and churches to make our resources available to as many people as possible.

We are grateful for all donations, big or small. They make a real difference. Thank you so much for partnering with us.

In today’s episode we speak to Dorothy Mendez about social media, online safety and relationships. Dorothy Mendez is the Mobilisation Coordinator for A21 UK. A21 is a global anti-human trafficking organisation, operating programmes in over 20 countries, with the mission to Abolish Slavery in the 21st century.

Links:

A21 resources available at a21.org/content/resources-uk

This episode was inspired by the social media and p0rnography chapters of an A - Z of Parenting for Faith. Listen the episodes they summarise on pornography (S7E10) at https://on.soundcloud.com/KJXA3eYiwGd22VhF8 and social media (episodes 31 https://on.soundcloud.com/ngsjjB7yCCBDTLgX7 and 117 https://on.soundcloud.com/1nz8rLEQ1fbWrFrA6 of the first season)

Send us your questions and stories at parentingforfaith.org/podcast or email us at [email protected]

Thank you for listening today. If you are able to contribute to the cost of producing this podcast, please click here to give a one-off or regular gift: www.brf.org.uk/get-involved/give/

Parenting for Faith is part of the charity, BRF. We are reliant on donations from individuals and churches to make our resources available to as many people as possible.

We are grateful for all donations, big or small. They make a real difference. Thank you so much for partnering with us.

In today’s episode we speak to Rebecca St James about framing the ups and downs of life. Rebecca St. James is among the most defining artists in Christian music history. She’s a GRAMMY®-winning singer/songwriter, best-selling author, speaker and actress who catapulted into the global spotlight following the release of her self-titled Forefront Records debut in 1994.

Rebecca has been involved in multiple podcast partnerships with Christian organizations, and now serves as a resident worship leader at the renowned church First Dallas in Texas.

Links:

Book onto any of our upcoming zoom courses https://www.parentingforfaith.brf.org.uk/upcoming-events/

rebeccastjames.com

Unsung Hero - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt23638614/, Lasting Ever - https://www.eden.co.uk/christian-books/christian-biographies/general-biography/lasting-ever/

Send us your questions and stories at parentingforfaith.org/podcast or email us at [email protected]

Thank you for listening today. If you are able to contribute to the cost of producing this podcast, please click here to give a one-off or regular gift: www.brf.org.uk/get-involved/give/

Parenting for Faith is part of the charity, BRF. We are reliant on donations from individuals and churches to make our resources available to as many people as possible.

We are grateful for all donations, big or small. They make a real difference. Thank you so much for partnering with us.

In today’s episode we speak to Debs Peake about Self Worth, drawing on some ideas from the Puberty, Emotions, Eating Disorders and Self Harm chapters in the A - Z of Parenting for Faith book. Debs is a parent of two and Founder of the Charity Know Your Worth which is all about helping teenage girls to grow self-esteem. The charity also supports professionals and parents/carers to support their teens too.

Links:

- Book onto any of our upcoming zoom courses https://www.parentingforfaith.brf.org.uk/upcoming-events/

- Become a friend of Parenting for Faith by giving just £2 per month https://www.brf.org.uk/give/friends/

- Find out more about Know Your Worth on their website know-your-worth.org.uk/ or Instagram @knowyourworth_uk

- Send us your questions and stories at parentingforfaith.org/podcast or email us at [email protected]

Thank you for listening today. If you are able to contribute to the cost of producing this podcast, please click here to give a one-off or regular gift: www.brf.org.uk/get-involved/give/

Parenting for Faith is part of the charity, BRF. We are reliant on donations from individuals and churches to make our resources available to as many people as possible.

We are grateful for all donations, big or small. They make a real difference. Thank you so much for partnering with us.

In today’s episode we speak to Graham Daniels and Jonny Reid about sport. Dr Graham Daniels is General Director of Christians in Sport. A former professional footballer, he also serves as a director of Cambridge United Football Club. Graham is on the staff of St Andrew the Great Church, Cambridge, UK and an Associate of Ridley Hall Theological College, Cambridge. He is on the Board of Trustees for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Jonny Reid co-leads Town Church Bicester and is Director of Engagement at Oak Hill College. He worked for Christians in Sport for 13 years, helping sportspeople connect their sport and faith. He is married to Caroline and they have two children. Graham and Jonny have just released a book called Spiritual Gameplan. A book for anyone who enjoys sport to discover how the gospel transforms our thinking, our playing and our watching.

Links:

Book onto any of our upcoming zoom courses https://www.parentingforfaith.brf.org.uk/upcoming-events/

Buy Spiritual Gameplan https://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/spiritual-game-plan

The parents section of Christians in Sport https://christiansinsport.org.uk/academy/audience/parent/

Podcast episode on Connecting with God through sport with Richard Shorter https://on.soundcloud.com/fhn173TuRyAbLrqGA

Send us your questions and stories at parentingforfaith.org/podcast or email us at [email protected]

Thank you for listening today. If you are able to contribute to the cost of producing this podcast, please click here to give a one-off or regular gift: www.brf.org.uk/get-involved/give/

Parenting for Faith is part of the charity, BRF. We are reliant on donations from individuals and churches to make our resources available to as many people as possible.

We are grateful for all donations, big or small. They make a real difference. Thank you so much for partnering with us.

In today’s episode we speak to Joy Wendling about emotions. Joy Wendling is a mum of 5 girls, writer, speaker, parent coach, founder of Created to Play, and former family pastor. She has over 25 years of experience in children, youth, and family ministry and a Master’s in Youth, Family, and Culture from Fuller Theological Seminary. The springboard for the conversation was the emotions chapter of An A - Z of Parenting for Faith (out October 2025).

Links:

Book onto any of our upcoming zoom courses https://www.parentingforfaith.brf.org.uk/upcoming-events/

Become a champion or find a champion https://www.parentingforfaith.brf.org.uk/meet-team/all-about-champions/

Created to play https://createdtoplay.com/

Follow Created to Play on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/createdtoplay

The emotions chapter of An A - Z of Parenting for Faith book is based on Struggling with emotional health (Rae Morfin, S5E6) https://on.soundcloud.com/fSfePS4XGjgXZGvRA, Helping an autistic child manage emotions with God (Rachel, E96) https://on.soundcloud.com/makDYqLQ3MwYvK4D7, Dealing with big emotions (Lisa Campbell, S9E3) https://on.soundcloud.com/mH5LQMEufayXfbCB8

Send us your questions and stories at parentingforfaith.org/podcast or email us at [email protected]

Thank you for listening today. If you are able to contribute to the cost of producing this podcast, please click here to give a one-off or regular gift: www.brf.org.uk/get-involved/give/

Parenting for Faith is part of the charity, BRF. We are reliant on donations from individuals and churches to make our resources available to as many people as possible.

We are grateful for all donations, big or small. They make a real difference. Thank you so much for partnering with us.