Before we've even grown comfortable in the role of motherhood, it starts...the fall-to-the-floor tantrums, the food throwing, the back-talking, the hitting, and even the selective hearing. Suddenly, we're faced with the the reality that our children are sinners, and moreso, that God has given us the authority to do something about it! With a sea of opinions and resources, it's easy to just feel paralyzed. In this episode, Emily and Laura give an overview of discipline in the early years, especially focusing on using it as a tool to communicate the gospel. Discipline will play out differently in each family, but the goal is the same: pointing our sinful children to their desperate need for the perfect Savior.
Resources:
Although neither of us follow, subscribe to, or endorse one particular book or method of discipline, we still wanted to share some resources we've learned from (in different ways). Please see this not as the "perfect" list for discipline resources, but as a place to begin your own prayerful research and learning!
- Shepherding a Child's Heart - Tedd Tripp
- Give Them Grace - Elyse Fitzpatrick, Jessica Thompson
- Grace Based Discipline - Karis Kimmel Murray
- How Does Scripture Teach Us to Discipline Our Kids? - Roundtable TGC discussion
- Parenting A Difficult Child - Julie Lowe
- We've both learned a lot of practical insight from Jess Connell's blog - she's so candid and gives straightforward techniques to try, so search her archives. Here are some good ones to start with:
- Why Require Unregenerate Children to Act Like They're Good? - John Piper
- Parents, Require Obedience of Your Children - John Piper
- Why We Don't Punish Our Kids - Sara Wallace
- Give Them Grace (book review) - Bob Kellemen
- Helping Children Discover Heart Idols - Tedd Tripp
- My Child's Greatest Need - Paul Tripp
- When You Don't Know How to Discipline - Emily Jensen
- 10 Promises for Parents - Kevin DeYoung
- Why Kids Ask Why (and How to Respond Lovingly) - Jen Wilkin
- Defining Discipline: Hebrews 12:3-11 (ESV)
- Practical Takeaways for Each Section of the Gospel Mentioned:
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- Establish clear expectations according to God's word, and train the child to respond to those expectations. Practice immediate obedience when they are young with early commands like, "Come" or "Stop" in a low-stakes environment.
- When children fail obey at an age-appropriate level (and they will!), provide consistent, loving discipline (not in anger or with a desire to punish/shame). This might be things like: time-out, natural consequences, loss of privilege, verbal rebuke, spanking, etc.
- As the Holy Spirit leads, use discipline as a teachable moment to point the child to their need for a Savior. Pray together, hug, and always remember to reconcile after discipline -- forgiving them and keeping short accounts.
- Train your children in righteousness by encouraging them, practicing "doing what is right" in a low-stakes environment, and equipping them in everyday situations. See discipline in the context of disciple-making, and give your children the bigger picture: they are an image-bearer of God, created for relationship with Him for His glory.
For More:
- To subscribe: on iOS, go to our iTunes page and subscribe. On Android, click this podcast RSS feed link and select your podcast app. You may need to copy the link into your favorite podcast app (like Overcast or Stitcher).
- Leave an iTunes review. These are huge for us! The more reviews, the greater chance another mother will find us.
- Like Risen Motherhood on Facebook, Instagram and follow on Twitter for the latest updates and related information.
- Let us know your thoughts! We'd love to hear more about the conversations you're having. Shoot us an email, or find us on on social media.
- Tell others. We truly hope this podcast fosters conversations and deeper discussions between mothers to seek the gospel in their daily activities - we'd be honored if you shared and encouraged others to listen in.
*Affiliate links used where appropriate to support this ministry.
In today's culture, there is much debate about food, from the snacks on your toddler's plate to the liquid in their sippy cup. For every article that advocates for a certain diet, there is another one that says you should avoid it. Even the most research-savvy moms have a difficult time understanding how to love their family well by providing good food (without going overboard). In this episode, Emily and Laura discuss some common heart issues and gospel freedoms surrounding the issue of food. Holding to perfect food standards shouldn't be more important than the connection and fellowship we enjoy during meal times in the name of Christ.
Free Printable:
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Articles & Resources:
- Love to Eat, Hate to Eat - A series about idolatry and food, with Elyse Fitzpatrick
- Organic Food, Essential Oils, & The Gospel of Grace - Stacy Raeoach
- Each One Should be Fully Convinced in His Own Mind - John Piper (on Romans 14 passage, mentioned in the show)
- What I Want My Daughters to Know About Food - Jenna Fleming
- Enjoy - Trillia Newbell (Chapter 7, Taste & See)
For More:
- To subscribe: on iOS, go to our iTunes page and subscribe. On Android, click this podcast RSS feed link and select your podcast app. You may need to copy the link into your favorite podcast app (like Overcast or Stitcher).
- Leave an iTunes review. These are huge for us! The more reviews, the greater chance another mother will find us.
- Like Risen Motherhood on Facebook, Instagram and follow on Twitter for the latest updates and related information.
- Let us know your thoughts! We'd love to hear more about the conversations you're having. Shoot us an email, or find us on on social media.
- Tell others. We truly hope this podcast fosters conversations and deeper discussions between mothers to seek the gospel in their daily activities - we'd be honored if you shared and encouraged others to listen in.
*Affiliate links used where appropriate to support this ministry.
Letting others into the imperfect mess of daily life is challenging in the easiest seasons, and holds particular stresses with little ones around. But should obstacles like disorganized toy rooms, meal planning, noise, and messes be a major deterrent to welcoming others in the name of Christ? In this episode, Emily and Laura discuss the biblical call to hospitality, and consider its importance, even in the season of young children. Because God welcomed us into his family when we were strangers at great personal cost to himself, we can extend that same welcome to others, even when it's not convenient.
Articles & Other Resources:
- RM Ep. 43 || Serving Others Right Where You're At
- Why Hospitality Beats Entertaining - Jen Wilkin
- How to Practice Biblical Hospitality - Pat Ennis
- Gospel-Motivated Hospitality - (video) round table discussion w/Gloria Furman, Kathleen Neilson, Rosaria Butterfield
- Open Roof Hospitality - Melissa Krueger
- You Can Be Hospitable, Even with Little - Trillia Newbell
- Host Without Grumbling - Christina Fox
- Children and Hospitality - Christina Fox
For More:
- To subscribe: on iOS, go to our iTunes page and subscribe. On Android, click this podcast RSS feed link and select your podcast app. You may need to copy the link into your favorite podcast app (like Overcast or Stitcher).
- Leave an iTunes review. These are huge for us! The more reviews, the greater chance another mother will find us.
- Like Risen Motherhood on Facebook, Instagram and follow on Twitter for the latest updates and related information.
- Let us know your thoughts! We'd love to hear more about the conversations you're having. Shoot us an email, or find us on on social media.
- Tell others. We truly hope this podcast fosters conversations and deeper discussions between mothers to seek the gospel in their daily activities - we'd be honored if you shared and encouraged others to listen in.
*Affiliate links used where appropriate to support this ministry.
Over the last year or so, we've had many questions from listeners about all things motherhood, ranging from the super practical to the thought-provoking theological. Although we've tried to keep up with answers, we thought it might also be fun to record an entire episode that was packed with frequently asked questions! In this special one-hour edition, Emily and Laura laugh and chat about coffee, maternity pants, daily routines, balancing time inside versus outside the home, and so much more. And of course, because it's still Risen Motherhood, we hope you also catch lots of ideas about how to apply the gospel to everyday life!
Questions Answered (In Order) & Resources Mentioned:
- How many coffees do you drink each day (and when you're pregnant or nursing)?
- What are your go-to "momiforms," and what are your favorite places to shop for those pieces?
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- Maternity: Gap, Old Navy, Pink Blush, Target
- Non-Maternity: Madewell, Nordstrom, Loft (Lou & Grey), Gap, Old Navy, Target
- Laura's Vans
- Ep. 08 || Top Knots & Leggings: What Difference Does Your Momiform Make?
- What are you currently doing for your quiet times? How do you choose what you’re going to do? Any you like or recommend to try?
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- From Garden to Glory - Courtney Doctor
- 1 Peter: A living hope in Christ - Jen Wilkin
- Grace: A bible study on Ephesians for Women - Keri Folmar
- Joy: A bible study on Philippians for Women - Keri Folmar
- The Lamb of God: Seeing Jesus in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy - Nancy Guthrie
- Articles Laura has written on this topic:
- See our Resources We Love Page for more bible study tools
- What temperature do you keep your home in the winter months?
- What are your favorite resources for teaching little ones about God?
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- See our Resources We Love Page for ideas
- Browse the Show Archive Page by topic (specifically Training Children in the Gospel) to listen to all of our shows on these topics and read show notes for specific resources
- What things are you involved in outside your home?
- What are your daily routines, and when do you do things like cook, clean, shop, workout, and play with the kids?
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- Articles Emily has written on this topic:
- Articles Laura has written on this topic:
- VIDEO: How to Add Structure With a Time-Blocking Calendar
- VIDEO: How I Meal Plan (Part I) // (Part II)
- Ep. 43 || Serving Others Right Where You're At
- What is the balance of staying home and getting out with your kiddos and how/why have you intentionally chosen these commitments?
- How do you balance being involved in church things with your children's bedtime and naptime needs?
- How do you transition from full-time working to being a stay-at-home-mom?
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- Articles Laura has written on this topic:
- How do you offer discipline to your toddler?
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- Spoiler: we're doing a whole episode on this soon!!
- What's your favorite place to go on a date-night?
- How did you plan your family?
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- Spoiler: we're doing a whole episode on this soon!!
- How do you transition from one to two, three, four or more kids?
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- Spoiler: we're doing a whole episode on this soon!!
For More:
- To subscribe: on iOS, go to our iTunes page and subscribe. On Android, click this podcast RSS feed link and select your podcast app. You may need to copy the link into your favorite podcast app (like Overcast or Stitcher).
- Leave an iTunes review. These are huge for us! The more reviews, the greater chance another mother will find us.
- Like Risen Motherhood on Facebook, Instagram and follow on Twitter for the latest updates and related information.
- Let us know your thoughts! We'd love to hear more about the conversations you're having. Shoot us an email, or find us on on social media.
- Tell others. We truly hope this podcast fosters conversations and deeper discussions between mothers to seek the gospel in their daily activities - we'd be honored if you shared and encouraged others to listen in.
With nearly-unlimited resources for motherhood, it can be difficult to figure out what's helpful and what subtly distracts from our primary mission as moms. Even in the Christian resources, there are great nuggets of truth, stirred together with potentially dangerous theology. How can we safely get the help we need for motherhood without deviating from the path of truth? In this episode, Emily and Laura discuss the common fears and missteps moms face as they navigate resources, and offer gospel-principles for "finding the meat and spitting out the bones". Because ultimately, when we are familiar with biblical truth we can be wise and discerning instead of scared and gullible.
Helpful Questions for Discerning Resources:
- Check credentials / endorsements
- Who is this person? Were they educated in their field, and if so, where? How are they getting their information and who else endorses it? What is their reputation?
- Check agenda
- What type of theology are they hoping the reader adopts? Is there an underlying ideology that influences their ideas?
- Check associations
- Who do they "buddy-up" with? Are they involved in any questionable or unethical organizations, ministries or "tribes"?
- Check for the gospel
- What is their worldview? Is it gospel-centered or coming from a different perspective completely?
- Check for common issues of false teaching
- Prosperity gospel
- Works-based mentality
- Encouraging hope in something / someone other than Christ (lifestyle, relationship, parenting method, finding the "perfect" balance, etc.)
- Culturally relative mentality: "whatever seems good to me or others must be right"
Articles & Other Resources:
- True Hope for Moms: Discerning Lies You Hear Online - RM Episode 36
- Can Christians Benefit From Books By Non-Believers? - Ask Pastor John
- 15 Discernment Diagnostics - Kevin DeYoung
For More:
- To subscribe: on iOS, go to our iTunes page and subscribe. On Android, click this podcast RSS feed link and select your podcast app. You may need to copy the link into your favorite podcast app (like Overcast or Stitcher).
- Leave an iTunes review. These are huge for us! The more reviews, the greater chance another mother will find us.
- Like Risen Motherhood on Facebook, Instagram and follow on Twitter for the latest updates and related information.
- Let us know your thoughts! We'd love to hear more about the conversations you're having. Shoot us an email, or find us on on social media.
- Tell others. We truly hope this podcast fosters conversations and deeper discussions between mothers to seek the gospel in their daily activities - we'd be honored if you shared and encouraged others to listen in.
