Focus on the Family Parenting Podcast

Are parents putting too much pressure on their children to succeed? In this episode, John Fuller and Dr. Danny Huerta explore the growing trend of performance-driven parenting and how it's affecting kids' well-being. Along with Dr. Kevin Leman, they challenge parents to redefine success around character rather than achievement, examine whether their love feels conditional on performance, and model...

Bullying can leave emotional scars that last a lifetime. John Fuller and Dr. Danny Huerta discuss how to recognize the signs, respond with compassion, and help your child heal. Plus, Focus on the Family president Jim Daly talks with author Nancy Rue, who shares a heartbreaking story about a student she couldn't save — and her own daughter's experience being bullied. Practical guidance and ho...

John Fuller and Dr. Danny Huerta hear from authors Amber Lia and Wendy Speake to discussing replacing reactive, knee-jerk parenting responses with thoughtful, biblically grounded scripts—covering how to set consequences ahead of time, self-regulate in heated moments, and keep connection intact while enforcing boundaries. Parenting Scripts 7 Traits of Effective Parenting Assessment Say This,...

Culture tells kids, "If I feel it, it's true." John Fuller and Dr. Danny Huerta unpack the lies children hear about emotions with Hilary Ferrer of Mama Bear Apologetics and how parents can help kids keep feelings in the passenger seat, not the driver's seat. Mama Bear Apologetics Age and Stage eNewsletter Helping Your Children Navigate the Culture (Digital)

In this episode of the Focus on the Family Parenting podcast, host John Fuller and Dr. Danny Huerta discuss how parents can encourage their children to take risks responsibly. Young adult Caroline Shankle shares her personal journey with comparison, perfectionism, and learning to embrace failure offering practical insights for families navigating anxiety, decision-making, and the fear of getting i...

John Fuller and Dr. Danny Huerta explore the mental health challenges parents face in the exhausting early years, sharing honestly about spousal tension and the need for personal resets. Jim Daly talks with author Jen Babacan about her book Detoured , the importance of moms refueling themselves, and a memorable Target trip gone awry. The conversation wraps up with practical encouragement around se...

Is your anxiety rubbing off on your kids? In this episode of the Focus on the Family Parenting Podcast, host John Fuller and Dr. Danny Huerta unpack how parental stress becomes contagious, the key difference between fear and anxiety, and why managing your own mental health is essential to showing up well for your children. They're joined by Sissy Goff and David Thomas from the Raising Boys and Gir...

Faith is often caught more than it is taught. In this episode, John Fuller and Dr. Danny Huerta discuss a conversation with Stephen and Sarah Williams about standing firm in your faith when it's challenged. As Stephen shares his experience facing opposition as a public school history teacher, you'll discover how parents can model courage, resilience, and biblical conviction for their children, hel...

How do you raise kids who will have a good attitude? Arlene Pellicane and Jim Daly give some ideas for how to encourage godly character in your kids instead of entitlement. Also, Danny and John discuss how building character in your kids can help improve their mental health. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Parents Rising Take the 7 Traits of Effecti...

How do you raise kids who will have a good attitude? Arlene Pellicane and Jim Daly give some ideas for how to encourage godly character in your kids instead of entitlement. Also, Danny and John discuss how building character in your kids can help improve their mental health. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Parents Rising Take the 7 Traits of Effecti...

Does your child need a word of encouragement or strong discipline? Debra Fileta and Jim Daly explain how to gauge what your child is feeling during a moment of praise or correction. Then, Danny discusses how you can correct your child without discouraging him or her in the process. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Nourish Your Family’s Mental H...

Today, we explore how Jesus can help your child's mental health. Kori Pennypacker talks with Jim Daly about how she's shared the gospel with young kids. Then, Danny and John explain why thinking about Bible verses can help you feel more hopeful. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Backpack Faith Take the 7 Traits of Effective Parenting Assessment Bringi...

How does your child learn and process information? Cynthia Tobias and Jim Daly explore different learning styles kids have. Also, John and Danny provide encouragement for if your child is struggling with discouragement because he or she is struggling to learn things in school. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. The Way They Learn Take the 7 Traits of E...

Is your teenager being disrespectful to you? Danny and John cover the different ways boys and girls can show disrespect towards parents. Plus, Jim Daly and Dr. John Townsend discuss what to do if your son or daughter isn't giving you proper respect. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Take the 7 Traits of Effective Parenting Assessment Establishing Heal...

Do you consider yourself a rule-follower or a go with the flow type? Melissa Hannigan joins Jim Daly to encourage moms and dads to be more flexible. Also, John and Danny provide some encouragement to parents who are more bent towards following the rules. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Inconvenient Parenting Parenting Styles Quiz Instilling God-Give...

Is it a challenge for you to keep the house clean? As we approach a new school year, Kristi Clover and Jim Daly offer young moms some encouragement for how to teach kids to clean. Plus, John and Danny will give some guidelines for how to make cleaning fun, even if you kid doesn't want to do it. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. M.O.M.: Master Organize...

What are the underlying reasons behind your child's misbehavior? Linda Ranson Jacobs tells Jim Daly a story about when her son was misbehaving at school, and how they worked through it. Plus, Danny and John explain how taking time to pray will help you better relate to your kids. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. The Single Parent Take the 7 Traits of...

Is one of your kids struggling to get his or her homework completed? John and Danny share some statistics on how many kids and parents are battling homework frustrations. Then, Jim Daly talks to Erin MacPherson and Ellen Schuknecht about some solutions for what you can do if your child is struggling with homework. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. The...

Do you lean more towards being a rule-follower or wanting to have fun with your kids? Jonathan McKee and Jim Daly discuss why a healthy parent needs both rules and relationship. Danny will follow that up with some thoughts on having good boundaries with your kids during the school year. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. If I Had a Parenting Do Over Pa...

More parents in the Christian community are trying homeschooling. But how do you know if it's the right move for you and your children? Monica Swanson talks to Jim Daly about some of the things she learned from choosing to homeschool her kids. John and Danny will also address parents who want to homeschool but are concerned about their kids' social lives. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/par...

Many kids today feel overly pressured to perform well in sports. Brian Smith and Dr. Ed Uszynski speak with Jim Daly on how parents can have a proper perspective on when their kids play sports. Also, Danny gives you some encouragement if you realize you've been putting too much pressure on your kids in athletics. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Away...

Many young parents feel very overwhelmed by the demands they face. Christi Straub talks to Jim Daly about how she felt exhausted with young children. Also, John and Danny offer hope to dads who feel tired. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Famous at Home Take the 7 Traits of Effective Parenting Assessment 8 Ways To Cultivate Relationships And Joy With...

Demonstrating God's grace to your kids is one of the best things you can model for them. Jeannie Cunnion talks with Jim and Jean Daly on how she learned to let go of focusing too much on her kids' performance in life. Plus, John and Danny will share why it's good to pray, even when you aren't sure what to do as a parent. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMI...

Showing a little kindness can change the world around you. Danny tells a moving story about a time he and his kids blessed a homeless man. Then, Jim Daly talks with Kay Wyma about the power of helping those in need. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. The Peace Project Take the 7 Traits of Effective Parenting Assessment Finding Peace in Your Everyday Li...

When was the last time your family had a meal together? John and Danny reflect on when their kids were younger and they ate with them. Plus, Ted Cunningham speaks with Jim Daly on how meal-times changed when his children reached the teen phase. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Adventures in Odyssey: Whit's End Mealtime Devotions Take the 7 Traits of...