Heart Focused Parenting

Many parents step back from using authority because they don't want to be controlling. But removing authority doesn't remove responsibility. We are still responsible for our child's safety, development, and training. Authority is simply the position we hold because of that responsibility. In this episode, I talk about how we find the healthy balance of parental authority and respecting our child's...

In this episode, I talk about what letting go as a parent really means. If we understand what we are letting go of it changes everything.  Letting go as a parent doesn't begin when your child leaves home - it starts much earlier, in the everyday decisions you make as they grow. This post explores how to transition from directive parenting to becoming an influence in your child's life.  With practi...

What to do when your child says, "I'm bored" When a child says they're bored, it's easy to respond quickly just to stop the complaining, but this episode invites you to pause and look deeper. I share why boredom is usually not a heart issue but a lack of skills, particularly around decision-making and using their time wisely. This matters because how we respond in these moments either shuts the pr...

Most sibling arguments don't start with shouting, they begin with little moments of annoyance. In this episode, I talk about what I call "the Niggles," those early signs that relationships between siblings are starting to unravel. I share how parents can notice these moments early and guide their children to pause, adjust their attitude, and take responsibility for their responses before conflict...

In this episode, I reflect on Colossians 3:12–14 and how these verses shape the way we should relate to our spouse. Rather than focusing on romance or shared interests, we look at the daily habits of compassion, humility, patience, forgiveness, and love that actually strengthen a marriage over time. This matters for for our own sake but also as parents, because the health of our marriage forms the...

In this episode, I talk about a simple way to correct your child without overreacting or letting things slide. I explain how small, consistent verbal reminders act like course corrections, helping children adjust their behaviour before it becomes a habit. This matters because what we allow becomes normal in our homes, and small choices shape long-term character in our child's life.   In This Episo...

How to Teach Your Children a Daily Quiet Time with God  Teaching children to have a daily quiet time with God is about helping your child grow in their relationship with Jesus.  In this episode Belinda shares how she moved from modeling a Quiet Time to teaching how to have a Devotional time - helping her kids respond to God when they were ready and interested in doing so.   In this Episode:  What...

How can you have a life and be a full-time mum at the same time.  Being a mum is important but it isn't your only role nor does it completely define you.  Belinda reflects on 6 things she taught her kids that ended up giving her time to do the other things that were important to her.   Read the blog here :  How I Had A Full Life As Well As Being A Full-Time Mum   Extra Mention:  How to teach your...

Sometimes we say all the right things as parents - yet nothing changes. Our kids tune out, we repeat ourselves, and then we get frustrated. This episode digs into why our words lose their influence and how a few simple steps of follow-through can bring real change to your family.   Read the blog here:   The Real Reason Kids Tune Out And How To Fix It   Grow as a Heart-Focused Parent: Join Heart Bo...

In this episode of Heart-Focused Parenting, I share how family travel offers the perfect opportunity to grow character in our kids (and of course, ourselves as well!) Drawing from our recent trip to France, I started to think of four key virtues that make travelling with children easier: patience, flexibility, self-control, and responsibility. With practical examples and heart-focused ideas, I enc...

Parenting can so easily become all about behaviour.  We hear ourselves all day saying things like - 'Stop that, do this, don't forget.' But as Christian parents, we want our kids to know God personally, not just know the rules. So in this episode, I want to talk about how we can use those everyday moments when our kids need correction to disciple their hearts because we want our kids to know God's...

This episode explores the hidden pressures shaping modern motherhood and why so many mums feel stretched thin, overwhelmed, and exhausted - and then I share 3 lessons I learnt back in the day, that are still helpful for today. Read on the blog too:   Why Modern Motherhood Feels So Exhausting—and What You Can Do About It    FREE PARENTING SUPPORT:  Join HEART-BOOSTERS Weekly email digging deeper in...

Praying out loud doesn't come naturally to every child — but it's a skill that can be learned in a safe, loving environment. In this episode, I share practical, age-appropriate strategies to help your kids grow comfortable talking to God in their own words. From modeling everyday prayer, to using the A-C-T-S framework, to preparing them with conversation starters, you'll learn how to guide them in...

I've had a few strong-willed kids, or strong-willed moments, and what I learnt was first, staying calm is important, and secondly, I am not calm because my child does well, I am calm because of the work done inside of me.  We can be calm even if our kids' behaviour is creating havoc!!  It starts with a shift in us (the parents) - in how we think, what we expect, and what we believe about our role...

As a mum of four (now grown), I've had plenty of moments where I felt like my kids just weren't listening. I'd give a clear instruction, and it would feel like it disappeared into thin air. Sound familiar? What I learned back in the day was that obedience doesn't begin when a child does the task. It begins when they stop, turn, and receive the instruction. That little moment of readiness is the fo...

3 core words you will hear me say often about parenting is to be intentional, relational and heart-focused.  But if you're new here, you might be wondering what those words actually mean.  If you've been around for a while, now is a good time for a refresher.  There's so much parenting information and advice out there - it is easy to feel overwhelmed and pulled in different directions. Which is wh...

Belinda and her husband Peter, along with their daughter Jessica, celebrate the 100th episode of the podcast "Heart-Focused Parenting" by discussing their family's journey of intentional living and their shared faith values. They explored how their farming backgrounds and spiritual beliefs brought them together, and shared their experiences of moving to a remote area in Northwestern Australia whil...

Discover what it means to embrace heart-focused homeschooling—a mindset shift for Christian parents who want to shape character, faith, and values.  Read it here:  Heart-Focused Homeschooling: A Mindset Shift for Christian Parents   Join HEART-BOOSTERS (free ) here . Weekly email digging deeper into the heart-focus parenting topic so you can make real change in your family. PLUS Resource Library P...

If my kids grow up and remember me only for being a good cook and having a clean kitchen... well, I think I'll have missed something pretty  important! Motherhood isn't just about managing life and doing all the things — it's about shaping hearts, including our own. Today on the podcast, I'm talking about the deeper story we're writing as Christian mums — and five priorities that matter far more t...

Today, we are going to talk about a parenting habit that we rarely notice.  If we don't notice it, we can't do anything about it.  We have this tendency to lean into depending on our eldest child to do things, because it is faster and quicker and less frustrating.  The reality is though, it is holding back our youngest kids, and at the same time, not doing any favours for our oldest either. So tod...

It doesn't matter how intentional we intend to be - or think we are - there comes a moment when we suddenly realise things aren't how we want them to be.  This can happen in any area of parenting. One such situation is you suddenly realise your child spends too much time watching a screen.   I know that a big issue is teens on social media but that's not what I'm specifically talking about today. ...

Ever had one of those moments where your child walks in the door, and within minutes, you can tell something is off? Maybe they're short-tempered, suddenly disrespectful, or acting way too cool for the family rules. You're left wondering, What happened?! And more importantly how to deal with it!  Today's episode I'm breaking down what is really going on and how to handle it without becoming confro...

Do you have a vision for what you want your family life to be like?  Do you have a vision for what you want your child to be like? We can just do parenting off the cuff or we can ask these important questions.  Why are you parenting - or what are you parenting towards?  I'm not talking about your kids career choices, or their personality but rather the values that they build their life on - do you...

Welcome to today's episode, where we are looking at how our words and actions affect our children's hearts? Are we nurturing them or unknowingly creating a disconnect?  We are going to start off by looking at Colossians 3:21  By obeying this verse - which calls us to not provoke our children to wrath (which is a commonly known translation). So how do we do that?  I have 6 simple ideas that will he...

Welcome back to the Heart-focused Parenting podcast after a month or so off over Christmas and the New Year as I caught up with family and had some rest time.  We are back into the year - episode 91. And we are kicking off with a topic that many of us face daily - the temptation to compare ourselves to other parents.  Whether you are scrolling on social media or watching your kids at the park, or...