THE CELEBRATE KIDS PODCAST

THE CELEBRATE KIDS PODCAST

Get the Latest from Dr. Kathy and Celebrate Kids Inc.

Every day we send emails and texts to guide, inspire, and encourage people to celebrate the kids in their lives. These are practical insights to build identity, reinforce our kids' smarts, and expound on the insights from Dr. Kathy and the staff at Celebrate Kids. It’s a free offering, thanks to a generous grant. Click the link below to join the movement of those who are celebrating kids in powerful ways.

With the Rise of Anxiety in Teens Parenting Approaches Must Change
Wayne Stender Wayne Stender

With the Rise of Anxiety in Teens Parenting Approaches Must Change

Today’s challenges are unique and require a commitment to understanding the world your children are growing up in. Raising them well means helping them navigate day-to-day tasks and preparing them to thrive in a world vastly different from the one you grew up in.

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Reading Aloud for Children’s Success: A Timeless Gift
Wayne Stender Wayne Stender

Reading Aloud for Children’s Success: A Timeless Gift

In a world that often divides us, reading together unifies, encouraging understanding and connection in priceless ways. By making reading aloud a priority, we’re building a future where our children feel capable, connected, and inspired. So, let’s turn the pages together and help shape their story.

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Beyond Comparison: Helping Young Women Find Confidence in Their Identity
Wayne Stender Wayne Stender

Beyond Comparison: Helping Young Women Find Confidence in Their Identity

Parenting draws from the confidence and security that we hold. Hebrews 13:6 reminds us that confidence in the Lord offers peace and resilience, grounding us as we parent. Through these layered conversations—celebrating the women in our lives and nurturing unique identities—we model the beauty of a purposed and competent life grounded on Jesus Christ.

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The Rise of Mental Health Support and Problems
Wayne Stender Wayne Stender

The Rise of Mental Health Support and Problems

The rising complexity of youth mental health isn’t about finding just one solution. It’s about giving young people tools that fit them as individuals—tools to face challenges, celebrate their unique strengths, and hold onto hope. We need to build both an awareness of their struggles and an unshakeable sense that they’re equipped and loved through it all.

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Anxiety Framing is a Parental Call
Wayne Stender Wayne Stender

Anxiety Framing is a Parental Call

We create a strong support system for our youth through engaging, observing, and encouraging open dialogue. We don’t have to be experts to make a difference. It’s about being present, paying attention, and showing them they are not alone.

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Building Trust in a Tracking World
Wayne Stender Wayne Stender

Building Trust in a Tracking World

Trust is the thread that binds families together. It allows kids to grow into their unique selves, taking safe risks and finding strength in knowing they’re not alone. When trust and accountability go hand-in-hand, kids feel ready to face the world with confidence and resilience, knowing they have a family that believes in them and a God who is always with them.

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Values Shouldn't Compromise Truth in Learning Methods
Wayne Stender Wayne Stender

Values Shouldn't Compromise Truth in Learning Methods

Introducing tampons in boys’ restrooms could blur the lines of gender identity at a time when students are already wrestling with complex personal issues. Instead of focusing on learning, they may be distracted by identity concerns, which hinder the goal of education.

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Politics, Citizenship, and Identity Formation
Wayne Stender Wayne Stender

Politics, Citizenship, and Identity Formation

Our identity shapes everything we do—our values, relationships, actions, and place in the world. But more than anything, our identity is a journey. As we grow, learn, and experience life, our identity evolves, and so does our ability to connect with others meaningfully.

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Battling Kids’ Doubt with Them
Wayne Stender Wayne Stender

Battling Kids’ Doubt with Them

Create spaces for open dialogue, walk with young people through their questions, and remind them that God is big enough for all of their doubts. “It’s through these moments of uncertainty that their faith will become truly their own,” Dr. Kathy concludes. “And that’s the kind of faith that will carry them through life’s challenges.”

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Encourage Independent Play for Mental Health
Wayne Stender Wayne Stender

Encourage Independent Play for Mental Health

We don’t need to fill every moment of our kids’ days with structured activities. Making space for independent play allows children to learn more about who they are and their capabilities. And as they build confidence through play, they’ll develop resilience and spark the creativity that will serve them throughout their lives.

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Loneliness Impacts Health, Significantly
Wayne Stender Wayne Stender

Loneliness Impacts Health, Significantly

Loneliness is not just an emotional challenge—it’s a serious health concern. We need to address it in our families and communities, especially as technology continues to shape how we connect with one another. By fostering authentic relationships, building resilience, and helping young people find their identity in Christ, we can combat loneliness and create healthier, more connected lives for ourselves and the next generation.

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Helping Kids Overcome a Quitting Culture
Wayne Stender Wayne Stender

Helping Kids Overcome a Quitting Culture

Ultimately, a strong sense of identity and a focus on long-term goals will not only shape individual lives but also strengthen communities. By guiding young people to prioritize growth, purpose, and resilience, we create a generation that approaches life with hope and determination, equipped to live into their created purpose.

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The Hunger for Mentors in GenZ and Millennials
Wayne Stender Wayne Stender

The Hunger for Mentors in GenZ and Millennials

If we can lean into GenZ with grace, empathy, and a heart for mentorship, we’ll find that generational divides aren’t roadblocks—they’re opportunities for growth and mutual learning. And it all starts with identity: knowing who we are in Christ, standing firm in that, and inviting others—no matter their generation—into that same understanding.

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Guiding Kids Beyond the Draw of Social Media
Wayne Stender Wayne Stender

Guiding Kids Beyond the Draw of Social Media

Dr. Kathy’s approach to guiding children through social media highlights the importance of education, critical thinking, and emotional resilience. By teaching kids to engage thoughtfully with the digital world, parents can help them develop a healthy relationship with social media that promotes personal growth and well-being both online and offline.

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Bullying Undermines Children's Identity
Wayne Stender Wayne Stender

Bullying Undermines Children's Identity

As we navigate the challenges of bullying and its impact on identity, it is our collective responsibility as parents, educators, and community members to ensure that every child feels valued, respected, and empowered. Honest conversations that affirm their identities and address their concerns cultivate a more honoring and supportive environment. Embracing one's God-given purpose is not just a personal journey; it is a collective movement to celebrate God's unique crafting of every individual.

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We Can’t Leave Words to AI
Wayne Stender Wayne Stender

We Can’t Leave Words to AI

The language arts, specifically teaching reading, is far more than a solitary pastime; it is a powerful catalyst for shaping character and mindset. Modeling reading behaviors for younger generations instills values of curiosity, empathy, and critical thinking. Engaging with texts that promote positivity and moral integrity equips individuals with tools to navigate an ever-evolving world. Ultimately, fostering a culture of reading is not just about individual success; it is about nurturing well-rounded individuals who can illuminate the path for others, creating a brighter future for all.

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Talking to Kids About Death and Dying
Wayne Stender Wayne Stender

Talking to Kids About Death and Dying

Embracing discussions about death openly is essential for nurturing a healthy understanding of life and mortality. By engaging in these conversations, we help children develop a sense of purpose, foster meaningful relationships, and alleviate the fear surrounding death. Living well in the knowledge of our mortality allows us to lead more fulfilling lives, equipping us and our children to navigate existence with grace, acceptance, and joy. Reflecting on our life’s impact is not just about contemplating our end; it is about enriching our journey and ensuring that our legacy resonates with love, purpose, and authenticity.

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Helping Kids Build Resilient Identities Amid Disaster News
Wayne Stender Wayne Stender

Helping Kids Build Resilient Identities Amid Disaster News

In times of uncertainty and fear, hope becomes a critical foundation for children. Dr. Kathy encourages families to frame discussions about disasters with a perspective of hope. This doesn't mean minimizing the events' seriousness but rather highlighting how people come together to support, rebuild, and find meaning in the face of adversity.

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