Parenting Smarts

Why is community so important? Gina Fensterer and MaryRuth discuss different aspects of community and how to cultivate community both inside and outside the home.  Parenting Smarts blends together the science of child development and the realities of family life. We hope it helps you. Be sure to subscribe, download, and share with other people you know who could use some Parenting Smarts!

What makes a good friendship? How can our kids make good friends? MaryRuth and Jennifer Ellis explore different aspects of friendships and how to help our children cultivate healthy ones. Parenting Smarts blends together the science of child development and the realities of family life. We hope it helps you. Be sure to subscribe, download, and share with other people you know who could use some Pa...

Good parenting starts with strong marriages. MaryRuth explores the science behind healthy relationship. Guests, Mike and Jenna Guizar, share some of the ways they nurture their marriage. Parenting Smarts blends together the science of child development and the realities of family life. We hope it helps you. Be sure to subscribe, download, and share with other people you know who could use some Par...

How can we cultivate good prayer habits with our children? Prayer is about a relationship. Start with your own relationship with God and with your kids. MaryRuth breaks down the science that affects faith in kids and then explores prayer with Andrea Boring. Parenting Smarts blends together the science of child development and the realities of family life. We hope it helps you. Be sure to subscribe...

Welcome to Season 4! This season will be built on the concept of building habits. MaryRuth is joined by Jennifer Ellis and Andrea Boring to preview what you can expect. Parenting Smarts blends together the science of child development and the realities of family life. We hope it helps you. Be sure to subscribe, download, and share with other people you know who could use some Parenting Smarts!

Developmental science meets faith formation. How can we grow in virtue? Well, we develop good habits. What is the science behind forming good habits? How does that relate to forming holy habits?  Fr. Mark Mary Ames joins MaryRuth to explore the framework for Season 4, his book, Habits for Holiness . Parenting Smarts blends together the science of child development and the realities of family life....

Home, a place where we learn love, the union of the material with the immaterial. What makes a home a place where families flourish? Joining MaryRuth is Noelle Mering, co-author of Theology of Home and Theology of Home 2 to explore how to make the most of home life for families. Parenting Smarts blends together the science of child development and the realities of family life. We hope it helps you...

Newborns might not be able to do much physically, but their brains are working nonstop! What parents do during this critical time is so important for their healthy development. Missy Powers joins MaryRuth to help us understand baby brains and how we can nurture healthy growth. Spoiler alert: screens are bad. Parenting Smarts blends together the science of child development and the realities of fam...

Navigating the teen years is not easy! Their brains are reorganizing, they are trying to figure out who they are, and sometimes making poor decisions. MaryRuth explores how teen brains work and provides tips for parents in dealing with teens. Parenting Smarts blends together the science of child development and the realities of family life. We hope it helps you. Be sure to subscribe, download, and...

Growing in relationship with God takes effort. Prayer takes effort and discipline. Katie Prejean-McGrady joins MaryRuth to talk about practical ways to cultivate fruitful prayer for ourselves and our children. Parenting Smarts blends together the science of child development and the realities of family life. We hope it helps you. Be sure to subscribe, download, and share with other people you know...

Our bodies are temples, let's get better at taking care of them. Kelli Shallal joins MaryRuth to discuss nutrition; how to make good food choices for ourselves and our children. It's a refreshing look at how to approach food, choose language about food and examine attitudes about food. Parenting Smarts blends together the science of child development and the realities of family life. We hope it he...

It's a messy job, but we all have to do it. Getting rid of diapers is worth it! Every child starts at their own time, but usually complete it around the same age. MaryRuth helps us understand how to know when your child is ready. She gives us some tips on making a successful transition. Parenting Smarts blends together the science of child development and the realities of family life. We hope it h...

Many of us have experienced some level of anxiety, especially in 2020. MaryRuth and Maraeca Butler explore the brain, what anxiety looks like. Find out how to recognize signs of anxiety and how to help your kids. Parenting Smarts blends together the science of child development and the realities of family life. We hope it helps you. Be sure to subscribe, download, and share with other people you k...

To say 2020 has been a challenge for children and parents is an understatement. For most of us all the normal habits and rules have been thrown out the window. How do we cope during these times? What can we do to minimize the damage done or maybe even thrive while surviving through a global pandemic? MaryRuth brings some clarity and tips to help us weather this storm. Parenting Smarts blends toget...

We all want our kids to be responsible, to be leaders. What does it take to develop leadership qualities in our kids? It's about modeling behaviors as well as providing opportunities for kids to lead, to shine, to take responsibility. Check out this episode with fellow podcaster, Eric Brooker. Parenting Smarts blends together the science of child development and the realities of family life. We ho...

God has a special mission for each of us, but how do we find it? How do we help our kids discover their purpose? Praying with our kids, recognizing their passions, encouraging their natural talents all help them uncover God's plan for them. Parenting Smarts blends together the science of child development and the realities of family life. We hope it helps you. Be sure to subscribe, download, and s...

Sibling issues began with the very first siblings, Cain and Abel. From jealousy to crabbiness, kids need help working through issues with their siblings. Today MaryRuth and Beth Williby talk through some strategies to help parents cultivate healthy sibling relationships. Parenting Smarts blends together the science of child development and the realities of family life. We hope it helps you. Be sur...

Kids will lie. Research proves it. The challenge for parents is how to teach children to be honest. MaryRuth explores how the brain works and strategies for helping encourage honesty. Parenting Smarts blends together the science of child development and the realities of family life. We hope it helps you. Be sure to subscribe, download, and share with other people you know who could use some Parent...

We all want to be good parents, but what does it take? Today MaryRuth answers the question she asked her guests last season. She explores different types of parenting and goals for those striving to be the best parents possible.  Parenting Smarts blends together the science of child development and the realities of family life. We hope it helps you. Be sure to subscribe, download, and share with o...

Setting boundaries can be a challenge. How do we evaluate and set boundaries for ourselves and in our families? How do we help our children learn to set their own boundaries?  Parenting Smarts blends together the science of child development and the realities of family life. We hope it helps you. Be sure to subscribe, download, and share with other people you know who could use some Parenting Smar...

Diversity is beautiful, all of God's creation is beautiful. How do we impart this truth to our children? It's good to talk with our children about race. It's important to acknowledge physical differences as well as talk about similarities we share, read books about the history or race in America, introduce them to heroes of different races and more great ideas. Leana Bowler joins MaryRuth to explo...

One day our kids will grow up and leave our home. Will they be ready? How do we prepare them for adulthood? Today we get tips on cultivating autonomy, independence and helping our kids discover their unique gifts. We'll also hear from a young adult, Sophie Welter about her own transition to college. Parenting Smarts blends together the science of child development and the realities of family life....

What's the difference between guilt and shame? Guilt is related to how a person feels about a particular action, shame is how someone fells about themselves. Today, MaryRuth and Kristin Maher talk about helping our children to understand the difference. How can we correct behaviors, and not be critical? Tune in to get tips on how to silence the voice of shame and help our kids be confident about t...

How do we help our children embrace their biology? Our masculinity or femininity is stamped into our very being. Becky Greene joins MaryRuth to talk about how parents can cultivate healthy attitudes about their biological sex. Parenting Smarts blends together the science of child development and the realities of family life. We hope it helps you. Be sure to subscribe, download, and share with othe...

God made our bodies and they are good! Many factors can affect how we feel about our bodies. A negative body image can lead to eating disorders and other issues. MaryRuth is joined by Maraeca Butler to help us understand how to cultivate a positive body image and a healthy relationship with food for ourselves and our kids. Parenting Smarts blends together the science of child development and the r...