Staying optimistic as a parent takes being intentional. John and Danny tell you whether they tend to be more of an optimist or a pessimist. Jim Daly and Dr. Kathy Koch discuss how to be real with your kids when they need to grow, without being negative.



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Staying optimistic as a parent takes being intentional. John and Danny tell you whether they tend to be more of an optimist or a pessimist. Jim Daly and Dr. Kathy Koch discuss how to be real with your kids when they need to grow, without being negative.
 
Find us online at <a href="http://focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast" data-callout-id="edit_links_in_description">focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast</a>, or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.
 
<a href="https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-fofp-podcast-2023-06-27?refcd=1711805">Receive the book "Resilient Kids" for your donation of any amount!</a>
 
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/7-traits-of-effective-parenting-landing-page-8-22-fop">Learn About the 7 Traits of Effective Parenting</a>
 
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/raising-resilient-kids--">Raising Resilient Kids</a>
 
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/6-ways-to-help-your-highly-sensitive-child-thrive">6 Ways to Help Your Highly Sensitive Child Thrive</a> 
 
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Christian mom or dad, could you use some encouragement and support? Put your ear buds in for this Christian parenting podcast and get practical, faith-based inspiration through all stages of parenting — raising toddlers, navigating the school-age years, preparing for puberty, and seeing your teen soar with confidence. Hosted by Danny Huerta, in every 8 to 15 minute episode, you’ll hear parenting experts share Biblical truths, effective parenting techniques, and useful resources that will help you feel equipped as a mom or dad in today’s culture.

Focus on the Family Equipping Parents Podcast

Staying Optimistic in Your Parenting

Introduction

Maintain Their Attention Spans

Lessons Danny Taught

Resources for You

How do you keep your kids' attention in an age that's so distracted? Tim Shoemaker shares with Jim Daly that kids today are hungry for real analogies. Plus, Danny talks about some visual lessons that he taught his children, and how those have stuck with them.

 

Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.

 

Receive the book The Very Best, Hands-On, Kinda Dangerous Family Devotions, Volume 1: 52 Activities Your Kids Will Never Forget for your donation of any amount!

 

Take the 7 Traits of Effective Parenting Assessment

 

Surprise Your Kids with Unforgettable Faith Lessons 

 

Family Reading of Scripture

 

How to Make Family Devotions Fun (and Actually Work!)

 

Support This Show!

 

If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Parenting Podcast, please give us your feedback.

How do you keep your kids' attention in an age that's so distracted? Tim Shoemaker shares with Jim Daly that kids today are hungry for real analogies. Plus, Danny talks about some visual lessons that he taught his children, and how those have stuck with them.
&nbsp;
Find us online at <a href="http://focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast." data-callout-id="edit_links_in_description">focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast.</a> Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.
&nbsp;
<a href="https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-fofp-podcast-2025-12-18?refcd=2400102">Receive the book The Very Best, Hands-On, Kinda Dangerous Family Devotions, Volume 1: 52 Activities Your Kids Will Never Forget for your donation of any amount!</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/u1l5ru">Take the 7 Traits of Effective Parenting Assessment</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://store.focusonthefamily.com/surprise-your-kids-with-unforgettable-faith-lessons-digital/?refcd=2400102">Surprise Your Kids with Unforgettable Faith Lessons</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/229c7z">Family Reading of Scripture</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/dg0ykk">How to Make Family Devotions Fun (and Actually Work!)</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/24fop-donate?refcd=2400102">Support This Show!</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/hflpj3">If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Parenting Podcast, please give us your feedback.</a>

Keeping Your Kids’ Attention Through Visuals

Object Lessons

Electrocuted Pickle

If Your Child Isn't a Visual Learner

Our Resources

When your kids are little, sometimes it's best to teach them spiritual principles through visuals. Tim Shoemaker joins Jim Daly to talk about how he electrocuted a pickle to teach his kids a powerful lesson. Also, Danny offers some thoughts for helping your son or daughter who's not a visual learner.

 

Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.

 

Receive the book The Very Best, Hands-On, Kinda Dangerous Family Devotions, Volume 1: 52 Activities Your Kids Will Never Forget for your donation of any amount!

 

Take the 7 Traits of Effective Parenting Assessment

 

Surprise Your Kids with Unforgettable Faith Lessons 

 

Family Reading of Scripture

 

How to Make Family Devotions Fun (and Actually Work!)

 

Support This Show!

 

If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Parenting Podcast, please give us your feedback.

When your kids are little, sometimes it's best to teach them spiritual principles through visuals. Tim Shoemaker joins Jim Daly to talk about how he electrocuted a pickle to teach his kids a powerful lesson. Also, Danny offers some thoughts for helping your son or daughter who's not a visual learner.
&nbsp;
Find us online at <a href="http://focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast." data-callout-id="edit_links_in_description">focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast.</a> Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.
&nbsp;
<a href="https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-fofp-podcast-2025-12-16?refcd=2398606">Receive the book The Very Best, Hands-On, Kinda Dangerous Family Devotions, Volume 1: 52 Activities Your Kids Will Never Forget for your donation of any amount!</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/vu2c36">Take the 7 Traits of Effective Parenting Assessment</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://store.focusonthefamily.com/surprise-your-kids-with-unforgettable-faith-lessons-digital/?refcd=2398606">Surprise Your Kids with Unforgettable Faith Lessons</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/abqokd">Family Reading of Scripture</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/gsrgv4">How to Make Family Devotions Fun (and Actually Work!)</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/24fop-donate?refcd=2398606">Support This Show!</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/hflpj3">If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Parenting Podcast, please give us your feedback.</a>

The Value of Object Lessons

Don't Bail Your Teen Out

Giving Effective Freedom

Communication Frustrations

Reach Out to Us

One of the worst things you can do is bail your teen out when they make a poor choice. Danny and John open up about times their kids learned some hard lessons, and how they were tempted to bail them out. Also, Jim Daly chats with Jessica Pfeiffer and Dr. Ken Wilgus on communicating with your teens about their need to take responsibility.

 

Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.

 

Receive the book Feeding the Mouth that Bites You for your donation of any amount!

 

Take the 7 Traits of Effective Parenting Assessment

 

Common Teen Issues That Drive Parents Crazy 

 

Learn About Our Age and Stage e-Newsletter

 

Contact our Counseling Team

 

Support This Show!

 

If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Parenting Podcast, please give us your feedback.

One of the worst things you can do is bail your teen out when they make a poor choice. Danny and John open up about times their kids learned some hard lessons, and how they were tempted to bail them out. Also, Jim Daly chats with Jessica Pfeiffer and Dr. Ken Wilgus on communicating with your teens about their need to take responsibility.
&nbsp;
Find us online at <a href="http://focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast." data-callout-id="edit_links_in_description">focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast.</a> Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.
&nbsp;
<a href="https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-fofp-podcast-2025-12-11?refcd=2397203">Receive the book Feeding the Mouth that Bites You for your donation of any amount!</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/q8x2r6">Take the 7 Traits of Effective Parenting Assessment</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://store.focusonthefamily.com/common-teen-issues-that-drive-parents-crazy-i-ii-digital/?refcd=2397203">Common Teen Issues That Drive Parents Crazy</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/w8zmkv">Learn About Our Age and Stage e-Newsletter</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/22jhjz">Contact our Counseling Team</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/24fop-donate?refcd=2397203">Support This Show!</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/hflpj3">If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Parenting Podcast, please give us your feedback.</a>

Staying Optimistic in Your Parenting

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