Carpool Conversations

How do we, as parents, instill the joy of Christ in our children so that it resonates throughout their lives? It starts in our homes, but it truly takes a village. In today's episode, we are joined by friend and colleague Emily Alters—a long-time WinShape Camps camper, former summer staffer, and now a member of our full-time Marketing team. Emily reflects on how her parents and community influence...

In today's episode, we are joined by our friend and colleague Jeremy Marshall. Jeremy is a father of three and the Senior Manager of Learning and Development for the WinShape Foundation. He leads this conversation with Amy Lowe and Sara Jones on helping your kids navigate both the planned and unplanned changes that life brings. Listen in as Jeremy shares practical examples and steps you can take t...

No matter their age or stage,  kids today encounter peer pressure in various forms, both positive and negative. In today's episode, Amy and Sara discuss effective strategies for coaching kids through these challenging experiences, kicking things off with a few interesting research findings and a few light-hearted personal anecdotes. Then, they offer practical advice on starting Christ-centered con...

Whether you are a stay-at-home parent, a working parent, a mom, or a dad - we all have experienced feelings of “parent guilt” from time to time. The term "Parent Guilt" is a name we often give to the feelings of guilt or shame that arise when we don't live up to our own or others expectations as parents. In today's episode, Amy and Sara address this feeling of parent guilt and share some of the wa...

In this episode, we sit down with Rusty Chadwick, the Director of WinShape Teams, to explore the transformative concept of viewing your family as a team. He shares several practical tips on how to lead and serve our family with a team-first mindset, highlighting that the success of the family unit hinges on the health and teamwork of all its members. Rusty uses the three concepts of "Look In, Look...

Ever wondered what middle and high schoolers are worried about these days? Are their conversations at church similar to the ones we had as kids? Are their fears and worries the same, or how are they different? In today's episode, we sit down with Anna Aaron Harvey, a mom and the Minister to Middle and High School Girls at Hebron Church, to get a look behind the curtain of student ministry. Anna sh...

Kids are constantly learning lessons, and most of the time it's not even in the classroom. As they grow, they learn through relationships, discovering new abilities, and quite often they learn through failure! As parents, we get to come alongside them and help them understand that taking risks, and failing is OK! It's hard to watch our kids take risks when our instincts are telling us to protect a...

As parents, we put on many hats, and one of those is the "coach" hat. In today's episode Amy and Sara will be talking about the art of question-asking and the impact it has on our effectiveness in coaching our kids. Did you know that Jesus asked his disciples over 307 documented questions, and He was undoubtedly the world's greatest Teacher and Coach! A coach is someone that pushes you to new heig...

Sending your kids to overnight camp for the first time can be scary for parents. How do you know if your kids are ready for camp? How do you know if YOU are ready? In today's episode we will be talking about the benefits of camp, and how you can prepare your kid's for their first overnight camp experience. We'll also be talking about some of the things to consider when selecting an overnight camp....

In this episode, Amy Lowe and Sara Jones are joined by Mike McGuire who works with WinShape Camps for Families and is a father of 2. Today we are talking about creating meaningful and memorable family experiences. Mike dives into the significance of creating memorable family experiences to help disciple and engage our kids, and point them to Jesus. And if you're interested in finding a Family Camp...

Explore the joys of cultivating a culture of fun and intentional play within your family! In this episode, Amy and Sara uncover the "why" of fun, drawing insights from scientific research and Biblical truths. These insights lay the groundwork for an exciting discussion featuring laughter-filled anecdotes and practical tips for how we can infuse our family time with more play and intentional fun! W...

In this episode, Amy Lowe and Sara Jones explore the significance of identifying your family values, drawing from personal experience and biblical Truth!  Identifying your family values can help set a tone and a vision for your family. When called out, they may serve as a compass for your family, especially when rooted in biblical truth. In this episode, Amy Lowe and Sara Jones share an enlighteni...

As parents, it is our job to be the primary discipler of our kids. But what exactly is discipleship? It is actually really simple - Discipleship is the process by which we help someone else in their walk with Jesus. In this episode, Amy and Sara discuss the vital role parents play in family discipleship, emphasizing the integration of faith into daily life. They share personal experiences and prac...

Teaching your kids to serve can be a powerful tool for your kids' development and it actually comes with some added benefits too!  In this episode, Amy and Sara share the big "why" of serving and give you some practical tips to easily incorporate serving into your family's routine. Book: Love Does for Kids - Bob Goff Book: Raising Emotionally Strong Boys Article: Health Benefits of Serving Spiritu...

As our kids grow older, we often find ourselves pondering if our parenting actions now are laying the groundwork for their future success.  In this episode, Amy Lowe and Sara Jones are joined by Katie Bulmer, a motivational speaker & host of the " Truth for your Twenties " podcast. As a mom to two teenage daughters and a mentor to twenty-something-aged girls, she shares valuable insights on prepar...

We all share the desire to glimpse into our kids' futures, seeking guidance on how to be better parents today and equip them for tomorrow. While we will never have all the answers, this episode brings together three accomplished and faith-driven young adults —former WinShape Camps summer staff— offering invaluable insights into the impactful role their parents played in shaping their development....

 In this episode, Amy Lowe and Sara Jones explore the transformative impact of speaking spiritual truths and encouragement over our kids. Then, they share some practical examples of how we can shine a light on milestone moments in our kids lives to make them feel special. When life gets busy, these ideas can often get innocently lost in the wake of our packed schedules. Pulling from resources and...

Using the New Year or changing of the seasons to reset and restart may be easier,  but you and your family can have a fresh start today, no matter what the calendar says. In this episode, Amy Lowe and Sara Jones talk about pressing that RESET button and establishing new rhythms of living and parenting. They start by sharing questions for evaluation and reflection on past seasons as a family. Then...

Screen time is a difficult subject to navigate when it comes to raising our kids in today's technology-reliant world. Research tells us that kids need much more than what screens can provide. In this episode, Amy Lowe and Sara Jones start by sharing some interesting research on the subject. Then, they share some practical tips that they use for managing their kids screen time, and encouraging expe...

It's so natural to put ourselves at the end of the line, as parents. We have to remember that prioritizing our own wellness, is not only good for our soul, but good for our marriage and children as well. In this episode, Amy Lowe and Sara Jones are joined by the Senior Director of WinShape Marriage - Julie Baumgardner. Julie starts by emphasizing the importance and benefits of taking time for ours...

Every parent wants their kids to have friends. They want them to build the social skills and connections that will help them now and in the future. But making friends isn't always easy for kids. In this episode, Amy Lowe and Sara Jones discuss some common misconceptions about friends and a few practical ways you can help your kids in their pursuit of making friends. Questions of the Week : What ma...

Anger is a powerful emotion that can often cause damage if not handled properly. That's why it's important to work on managing anger as an adult and help your kids learn to do so too. In this episode, Amy Lowe and Sara Jones start by talking about tools they use to help themselves as parents deal with anger in everyday life. Then, they share a few practical ways to help your kids handle their emot...

Today's world feels more fragile and complex than ever before. So, the youngest generation that is being raised in it is going to be heavily impacted by it. The good news is that resilience and grit can be taught to help kids navigate their present and future. In this episode, Amy Lowe and Sara Jones are joined by the Clinical Director of WinShape Homes - Phil Bradfield. Phil starts by defining re...

It can be challenging to teach your kids to be kind and caring in a world that feels ever-increasingly mean. Research says about 20% of students ages 12-18 are experiencing bullying nationwide. In this episode, Amy Lowe and Sara Jones start by defining bullying and then share how to help your kids identify it and take action when it does happen. Then, they discuss a few practical ways to cultivate...

Did you know kids are suffering from anxiety levels that are worse than any period we’ve ever had before? Now, more than 8 in 10 kids admit to struggling with anxiety regularly. In this episode, Amy Lowe and Sara Jones share two practical ways to help you, as a parent, equip your kids to handle their anxiety. The first part of the episode covers how to help your kids find peace - including looking...