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Lying often reveals what our children are trying to protect through fear, confusion, or attempts to preserve connection. This episode explores how to create a family culture where truth is safe to tell and honesty is consistently invited.

• All kids lie at some point, regardless of their character
• Children's dishonesty usually grows from fear or self-protection
• Approaching lies with curiosity instead of control opens doors for real conversation
• Developmentally, younger children blur imagination with reality
• Older kids often lie to avoid trouble or gain autonomy
• Jesus modeled leading with presence and welcome, not shame
• With young children, gentle questions like "Can you tell me what happened?" create safety
• For older kids, deeper conversations about trust and motivations are more effective
• Trust is "earned in droplets but lost in buckets" but can be rebuilt over time
• Parents should examine their own patterns that might make truth-telling difficult

Download the Reflection Guide for Episode 5 "When Kids Lie" right here --> https://shorturl.at/FUPLp or at parentforward.com under episode five to help you gently walk through what's happening beneath the surface. Connect on Instagram @parentforwardpodcast or visit parentforward.com.

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Forgiveness in parenting isn't just about cleaning up after mistakes – it's where transformation begins for both parent and child. When we mess up and repair with our children, we're creating holy moments that reshape relationships and model God's grace.

• Perfectionism isn't the goal – being a "formed parent" willing to repair connection is what matters
• Research shows rupture and repair cycles actually strengthen emotional bonds
• When parents apologize, it signals safety, worth, and unconditional love to children
• Forgiveness stands at the center of the gospel – demonstrated by Jesus throughout scripture
• Spiritual formation mentors like Tutu, Ten Boom, Nouwen, and Willard emphasize forgiveness as transformational
• Practicing forgiveness flows both vertically (with God) and horizontally (with our children)
• Simple repairs like "I'm sorry, I was wrong, will you forgive me?" create cultures of grace

Come find me on Instagram at parentforwardpodcast, or visit parentforwardcom and, if you haven't already, would you subscribe to the show, leave a review or share it with a friend who might need some soul-deepening encouragement today.

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Raising spiritually resilient kids isn't about having all the right answers or preventing doubt. It's about creating relationships where questions are welcome and faith feels real, not forced.

• Nearly two-thirds of young people leave church after high school, often returning after a season of questioning
• Research shows the strongest predictor of lasting faith is having adults who walk with them through doubt
• Parental faith that's lived out authentically matters more than theological knowledge
• Different developmental stages require different approaches to spiritual questions
• Three recommended postures: inviting curiosity instead of shutting down questions, engaging in dialogue instead of theological dumping, and responding with peace instead of panic
• Helpful questions to ask when kids express doubt: "What makes you wonder about that?" "How do you think God feels about your question?" and "Can I wonder with you about this?"

Find me on Instagram at parentforwardpodcast or visit parentforward.com. If you found this helpful, please subscribe, rate the podcast, or share it with a friend navigating similar questions.

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Parenting doesn't have to be about getting everything right—it can be about being present in the moment with our children. Julianne Luce explores how shifting from perfection to presence can transform our parenting approach and build stronger neurological connections with our kids.

• The overwhelming pressure parents feel to get everything right
• How fixating on control often disconnects us from our children
• A personal story about choosing presence over fixing problems
• Research showing how parental attunement shapes children's brain development
• Biblical examples of Jesus demonstrating the power of presence
• A simple practice: asking "What do you need right now?" and then listening
• The neurological and spiritual benefits of being fully present with our children

If today's episode encouraged you, I'd love to hear from you. You can find me on Instagram at parentforwardpodcast. And if you haven't yet, would you take a moment to subscribe, rate the show or share this episode with a friend? It helps other parents find us and join this gentle, sacred journey.

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Parenting isn't just about raising kids; it's about being spiritually formed through the mess, beauty, and everyday moments of family life. We explore how shifting our focus from behavior management to spiritual formation can transform both our parenting approach and our own relationship with God.

• Many parents today feel pressure to parent perfectly while maintaining their identity, marriage, and sanity
• We often parent from fear and performance rather than connection
• The key to raising spiritually rooted kids may be allowing ourselves to be spiritually formed
• Parenting for God versus parenting with God represents a crucial mindset shift
• Spiritual formation happens in everyday moments—diaper changes, tantrums, and meltdowns
• Jesus modeled formation through walking slowly, asking questions, and creating space for growth
• Try asking "What is this moment forming in me?" when your child pushes your buttons
• God is present in the messiness of parenting, not just in perfect devotional moments

If today's episode encouraged you, I'd really love to hear from you. You can find me on Instagram at parentforwardpodcast, and let me know what landed with you. And if you haven't yet, would you do me a quick favor? Subscribe, give it a rating or share this episode with a friend who might need a little soul-deep encouragement today.

Let’s Stay Connected:

• Instagram: @parentforwardpodcast
• Website: www.parentforward.com

Have a question or parenting idea? Send me a text right here!

Parent Forward reimagines parenting through spiritual formation, creating space where your soul and your child's are truly seen. This podcast moves beyond tips and formulas, offering a place to slow down and listen deeply to your child, yourself, and God who is forming you through this journey.

• Invitation to move beyond behavior management to soul formation
• Weekly exploration of topics like responding to lying, repairing after parenting fails, and attuning to your child's heart
• Focus on how God guides parents while they guide their children
• Content rooted in story, scripture, and soul reflection
• Simple, practical takeaways that reduce pressure and help you pay better attention
• Space for both the hard and holy moments of parenting

Subscribe and join us for episode one where we'll explore what spiritual formation really means and why it changes everything about how we parent. Let's parent forward together.