Have you ever watched your child ask Siri or ChatGPT a question and wondered, “Where are they learning this from?” Whether it’s “What’s the capital of Peru?” or “What is a woman?”, our kids are asking big questions, and often getting answers from voices we didn’t invite into the conversation.

When 50% of teenagers say they feel anxious without their phone, it’s clear we’re not dealing with a casual hobby. For many teens, their smartphone is their connection to the world—a world where being offline can feel like being invisible. This connection may look social, but emotionally, it often leaves them isolated.

As parents and mentors, we can celebrate that deeper question. A “good job” still matters. Work funds groceries, missions trips, and the occasional extra-large pizza can be part of the adulting equation. Yet Scripture reminds us that life is “more than food, and the body more than clothes.” The good life God designed includes purpose, relationships, growth, and joyful service. Our challenge is to help kids see how careers and calling fit together rather than compete.

Ever had one of those moments when your child asked, “How much money do we have?” right in the checkout line… in front of everyone? Or maybe they’ve offered to tip the barista your last $20. Kids and money—funny, curious, and a little nerve-wracking.

Screens are sticky, indoor comforts are cozy, and let’s face it—convincing your kids to choose the backyard over the basement can feel like a losing battle.

You scroll past a post and see it: a teen sharing vague sadness or dramatic frustration. Maybe your own kid has done it. You wonder, Are they okay? Or are they just fishing for attention?

From fairy tales to YouTube shorts to things whispered on the playground, our kids are navigating a world that sometimes blurs fantasy and reality. And as parents, we don’t want to squelch their wonder. But we do want to guide it.

Nature is one of the most powerful environments to awaken a child’s strengths and smarts. It builds self-awareness, fosters problem-solving, and helps kids feel both brave and safe.

Let's talk about the "A" word: Average. No, it’s not a bad word! In fact, embracing the value of average can feel pretty refreshing in our achievement-obsessed world.

Have you ever noticed how a genuine conversation can completely change your day? In a recent podcast, Dr. Kathy Koch pointed out that our kids often label their entire day as "bad," when really, it's just one small moment overshadowing everything else. By guiding our kids into deeper conversations, we help them see their day (and themselves) more clearly and confidently.

Remember the thrill of riding a bike without training wheels, opening the mailbox to find your high-school diploma, or sliding a new driver’s license out of its envelope? Those moments weren’t just picture-worthy—they quietly rewired your brain, nudging you toward maturity and a bigger view of yourself. Today, your kids crave the same “I did it!” spark, and you get to help light the fuse.

Let’s talk about something we've all faced: that cringe-worthy moment when our kid breaks something valuable or makes a choice that leaves us scratching our heads. It's easy to jump straight into discipline mode, especially when you're juggling the many demands of parenting, but what if we paused first to understand the "why" behind the action?

The old checklist for success is looking a little dusty.

You know the one—go to college, get a stable job, buy a house, settle down, climb the ladder. Rinse and repeat.

But your kids? They’re growing up in a different world. One where careers zigzag, passions lead the way, and success can mean anything from launching a business out of a bedroom to traveling the world with a camera.

When we reduce school to report cards and test scores, we flatten a much bigger picture. Learning is about curiosity, character, resilience, and the joy of discovery—not just outcomes. And no, this isn’t about ignoring achievement. It’s about redefining it.

Have you ever noticed how your kids seem happier after running around outside or dancing wildly in the living room? It’s not just your imagination; science backs you up! A recent study confirms what we already suspect—moving more helps kids feel better emotionally. Think of exercise as nature’s happy pill, releasing endorphins that lift spirits, reduce stress, and tackle anxiety.

Raising kids is one wild adventure. Between snack requests, every five minutes, endless laundry piles, and convincing little humans to eat something green, education might sometimes slip off the radar. But here's something fascinating: helping our kids see the relevance in their learning can dramatically boost their engagement and excitement for school.