Episodes

On this episode of Practice Makes Parent, Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James discuss the importance of intentional parenting and the transformative relationships between mothers and daughters. They highlight the impactful work of Relay Exchange, a program that fosters mother-daughter bonding through skill-building, biblical lessons, and service projects. One of our listeners gets advice on her 9-year-old daughter's readiness for baptism. And we'll talk about what's happening in school distri...

Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James host a live session in Virginia, focusing on the importance of prayer in transforming parenting, especially for those with teen boys. They're joined by Brooke McGlothlin, who shares her personal experiences and insights as a mother and counselor. Brooke emphasizes the essential role of prayer in raising godly men, detailing how her desperation for divine help during her sons' early years led her to a deeper spiritual journey. Praying For The Heart of Teen ...

In this episode of Practice Makes Parent, Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James are live from a homeschool conference in Virginia, joined by Amber O'Neill Johnson, a homeschool mom who advocates for diversity in education. Amber shares her family's journey of addressing cultural identity and promoting diversity in their homeschool curriculum. She discusses the importance of storytelling and embracing cultural differences, offering practical advice for parents to foster an inclusive and resilien...

Does name calling exist between your children? On this episode of Practice Makes Parent, Dr. Danny Huerta and Ginger Hubbard speak with Jim Daly and John Fuller about how teasing could become bullying, and how it may ultimately damage your children's self-esteem. Whether words come from in the home or at school, there is a line that can be crossed, and we'll discuss what parents can do and say to their children when teasing becomes hurtful. Danny and Rebecca also share a listener question about ...

Danny and Rebecca present part two of the significance of 'grace bombing' as a practice for family transformation, focusing on intentional acts of kindness, with Patrick Linnell, the founder of Grace Bomb. We'll discuss integrating grace bombing into family life to counter entitlement and instill gratitude. Patrick shares impactful stories and practical steps for engaging children of different ages in acts of kindness. The discussion emphasizes obedience, overcoming fear, and fostering joy throu...

On this special episode of Practice Makes Parent, Danny and Rebecca are live from the Homeschool Conference in Richmond, Virginia with Patrick Linnell, founder of Grace Bomb, a movement to carry out acts of kindness motivated by Jesus. Grace Bombing replaces random acts of kindness with intentional ones that point to Jesus. He recounts personal stories, including an impactful experience with his daughter that resulted in community transformation. We also answer a listener question regarding the ...

In a live episode of Practice Makes Parent'at the Virginia Homeschool Convention, Danny and Rebecca are joined by bestselling author Lisa Jo Baker to discuss the impact of inherited traits and the process of forgiveness. Lisa Jo delves into her personal story of overcoming the anger she experienced from her father, and the transformation that comes from God's love and redemption. The conversation touches on the importance of recognizing and addressing deep-seated emotions, and we take an audienc...

Are you a homeschooler, or thinking about it? On this episode of Practice Makes Parent, Danny and Rebecca are at the Homeschool Educators Association of Virginia talking with Christy Faith, an experienced homeschool advocate and educator. Christy shares her journey and emphasizes the importance of redefining education to include critical thinking and emotional intelligence, as well as challenging the traditional school system's focus on rote learning. The conversation covers free play, secure at...

On this episode of Practice Makes Parent, Rebecca and Danny discuss the complexities and rewards of foster care with Jamie Finn, founder of Foster the Family and host of The Real Mom podcast. The discussion covers the emotional and logistical challenges of fostering, the importance of unity and intentionality in family decisions, and the critical role of faith and sacrificial love in parenting. Jaime shares personal anecdotes and practical advice, emphasizing the mission-oriented nature of foste...

On this episode of Practice Makes Parent, Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James discuss the emotions and transitions experienced by parents and children, from the first school drop-off to adulthood. We'll talk with Erin McPherson, author of 'The Christian Mama's Guide' series of books, who offers insights on raising children through various stages, emphasizing heart goals over head goals. Erin highlights the importance of preparing kids for life's transitions, fostering character, and handling ...

On this episode of 'Practice Makes Parent,' Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James discuss the significance of rest and the outdoors in family life with Eryn Lynum, a master naturalist who shares insights into the importance of rest, its biblical foundations, and practical ways to incorporate daily, weekly, and seasonal rhythms of rest into family life. Receive the book The Nature Of Rest for a gift of any amount. The 7 Traits of Effective Parenting We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homep...

In this engaging and heartfelt episode of Practice Makes Parent, Heather McFadyen, the mother of four boys, shares her journey and challenges in raising her children and her transition from feeling overwhelmed to finding a God-centered approach to parenting. Danny and Rebecca ask about the pressures of modern parenting, dealing with anger and emotional triggers, and the importance of self-care and community support. Heather emphasizes the need for vulnerability, patience, and building connection...

Is your child relationally intelligent? And how do parents go about teaching that? On this edition of Practice Makes Parent, Rebecca St. James and Dr. Danny Huerta discuss these vital topics with renowned experts Dr. John Trent and Dr. Dewey Wilson. The conversation underscores the significance of parents modeling emotional and relational intelligence. They explore key issues such as the impact of social media, 2020's societal changes, and the consumerist messaging children receive. The Relatio...

What have you done to protect your children from pornography? On this episode of Practice Makes Parent, Danny and Rebecca discuss the various emotional responses children might have upon encountering pornography, such as fear, disgust, or curiosity with author Greta Eskridge. We'll give you tips to talk to children about the harmful effects of pornography to prevent feelings of shame, and discourage curiosity that might lead them back to it. We'll also give you some tools to help them reject por...

Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James discuss the prevalent issue of anxiety in children, exploring its developmental, situational, and physiological roots with licensed professional counselor, Julie Lowe. They address how modern media, social pressures, and changes in family dynamics contribute to rising anxiety levels among children. We'll also share personal anecdotes and practical advice on identifying anxiety, the importance of parental support, fostering resilience, and the efficacy of fa...

How can we make family devotions fun for the whole family? Join Danny and Rebecca as they sit down with author and family devotions expert Tim Shoemaker to discuss some really exciting ways you can engage your family in fun biblical learning. We underscore the essence of devotions as part of parental responsibility to pass on truth to your kids and create lasting memories. We also answer a listener email question about a toddler who is out of control. This is an episode that you're going to want...

On this episode of Practice Makes Parent, hosts Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James are joined by Justin Whitmel Earley to discuss his book 'Habits of the Household.' We'll talk about creating intentional family habits that foster transformation rather than perfection. Justin shares his personal experiences and strategies for integrating daily spiritual routines, like bedtime liturgies and morning prayers into family life. There are wonderful tips on building community, discipline, maintainin...

On this episode of Practice Makes Parent, Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James discuss the critical role of friendships during the pre-teen and teenage years. They explore the dynamics of mean girls and the impact of friendships on children's mental health. Guest Dannah Gresh, founder of True Girl and Pure Freedom Ministries, shares insights on tackling friendship issues, building self-worth, and handling boy craziness. Talking With Your Daughter About Best Friends & Mean Girls Launching Int...

On this episode of Practice Makes Parent, Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James discuss strategies for parents to help their children manage emotional baggage. We highlight the importance of addressing the mental health crisis affecting youth, emphasizing dealing with stress, anxiety, and emotional burdens. The conversation, featuring insights from guest Pastor Chris Sasser, focuses on understanding and lightening children's emotional loads through the analogy of 'bags', exploring various types...

Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James interview Nicole Zasowski, a licensed marriage and family therapist, about her experiences with loss, grief, and finding joy through faith. They discuss practical ways to overcome negative mindsets, the importance of savoring daily moments, and celebrating intrinsic traits over achievements. The episode also includes advice on addressing sensitive topics with teenagers and emphasizes gratitude as a practice to foster joy and resilience. Danny and Rebecca an...

On this edition of Practice Makes Parent, Danny and Rebecca talk about the importance of having support systems for blended families with Scott and Deana Thayer. You'll hear their stories as they recommend seeking objective perspectives from therapists, finding mentor couples, and participating in church support groups as you blend. We'll also answer a question from a couple who care for a special needs child, but are concerned that their other children may feel neglected. Building Love Togethe...

On this episode of Practice Makes Parent, Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James discuss the importance of instilling the true meaning of Easter in children. They are joined by John Greco, author of 'The Easter Lamb,' a children's book that connects Passover to Easter. The conversation explores methods to teach children about these significant religious events amidst cultural distractions like the Easter Bunny. They emphasize the value of intentional parenting, involving age-appropriate conversa...

On this episode of Practice Makes Parent, we talk about the challenges and experiences of raising strong-willed children. Sally Burke joins Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James and discusses incidents from her child's early years, how strong-willed behavior manifested, and how these situations were handled with a mix of discipline and understanding. You'll hear the importance of prayer and using scripture as a foundation for guiding and nurturing children. Plus, you'll learn tactics for instil...

On this episode of Practice Makes Parent, Danny and Rebecca speak with Jeannie Cunnion about the mental stress mothers face. We empower moms to leave the worry, anger, guilt, and comparison behind and have confidence in God's grace. We also answer a lister email from a mother of toddlers who feels as though she's losing her identity. Receive the book Mom Set Free for your donation of any amount Age & Stage Click Here to Support the Show! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leav...