Playfully Faithful Parenting: Encouraging Christian Mamas to Disciple & Discipline with Play & Joy

Hey, let's take the last few days of 2023 to take a step closer to being the mamas we want to be with a 4-day Disciple during meltdowns challenge. During the challenge, we will look at: 🧠common misconceptions of meltdowns, ✝️how God handles our meltdowns, 💜some tools to use, 🖊️make a plan for how we want to respond in the future. The challenge will be live in a Facebook group Dec. 27-29 and...

Welcome to the season of Advent! In this episode, share a Scripture reading and prayer for you about joy.  You’ve got the Holy Spirit! You can do it, mama! Links: (This may contain some affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using these links . For more information, please see my disclosure policy .) Free Consult Call Facebook Gro...

Welcome to the season of Advent! In this episode, share a Scripture reading and prayer for you about peace.  You’ve got the Holy Spirit! You can do it, mama! Links: (This may contain some affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using these links . For more information, please see my disclosure policy .) Free Consult Call Facebook G...

Welcome to the season of Advent! In this episode, share a Scripture reading and prayer for you about hope.  You’ve got the Holy Spirit! You can do it, mama! Links: (This may contain some affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using these links . For more information, please see my disclosure policy .) Free Consult Call Facebook Gr...

Join me as I chat with Catherine Parks about her children’s Bible study, What to Wear: A Kid’s Bible Study on Looking Like Jesus. In this half, we talk about gentleness, identity, and how to study the Bible with kids. Catherine’s bio:  CATHERINE PARKS is the author of several books, including two middle grade biography collections, Strong and Empowered. She also serves as an acquisitions editor fo...

Join me as I chat with Catherine Parks about her children’s Bible study, What to Wear: A Kid’s Bible Study on Looking Like Jesus. In this half we talk about the Holy Spirit, tweens, and kids capability to study God’s Word. Catherine’s bio:  CATHERINE PARKS is the author of several books, including two middle grade biography collections, Strong and Empowered. She also serves as an acquisitions edit...

Hey there, mamas! In this week's episode of Playfully Faithful Parenting, I dive into the topic of gratitude and whether kids can truly grasp it. As we approach Thanksgiving, it's the perfect time to discuss this important virtue. Join me, Joy Wendling, as I share some realistic expectations for teaching gratitude to our little ones and offer practical tips on how to nurture this quality i...

Join me as I chat with Caris Snider, author of Car Line Mom Devotional.  Caris’s bio:  CARIS SNIDER loves to share the hope of God through speaking, writing, coaching, and leading worship. She is the author of “Anxiety Elephants: 31 Day Devotional” and “Anxiety Elephants: 90 Day Devotional for Tween Boys and Girls.” From her own personal experience, she helps women in their journey of overcoming d...

In this episode of Playfully Faithful Parenting, join host Joy Wendling as she discusses how God responds to our emotions. Joy shares insights from a recent training session with Julie King, author of "How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen." Discover the importance of acknowledging and empathizing with our children's feelings, just as God does with us. Joy reflects on how God models...

In this episode of Playfully Faithful Parenting, host Joy Wendling shares her family's tradition of saying blessings before meals. She emphasizes the importance of gratitude and modeling a thankful heart for our children. Joy provides a downloadable resource of 16 different blessings that can be printed and laminated, making mealtime a playful and meaningful experience for the whole family. Sh...

In this episode of Playfully Faithful Parenting, host Joy Wendling welcomes back guest Valerie Ellis, a mom of two and children's book author. Valerie shares about her online resource, Our Everyday Parables, which helps parents engage with their children about faith and compassion through meaningful conversations and the use of children's books. Valerie also discusses the challenges of par...

In this bonus episode of Playfully Faithful Parenting, host Joy Wendling shares her excitement about an incredible resource for homeschool parents and public school parents alike. She introduces author Danica Cooley, whose books help parents teach their children about the Bible, history, and important social issues in a playful and faith-filled way. Joy focuses on Cooley's latest series on the...

In this episode of Playfully Faithful Parenting, join me, Joy Wendling, as I explore the common struggle of self-doubt among moms. Through the story of Jesus calming the storm, I offer encouragement and remind moms that they are chosen by God to be, not a perfect mom, but the perfect mom for their children. I also share a heartfelt prayer for self-doubt and offer practical advice on how to trust i...

In this episode of Playfully Faithful Parenting, join me, Joy Wendling, as I share three simple yet powerful ways to disciple your child before breakfast. We'll explore the importance of modeling delight in our children, bestowing blessings upon them, and framing their day with Christ at the center. Discover how these small acts can have a big impact on your child's spiritual growth and th...

In this episode, we take a look at Bloom’s taxonomy in action with the example of learning the books of the Bible. You’ve got the Holy Spirit! You can do it, mama! Links: (This may contain some affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using these links . For more information, please see my disclosure policy .) Free Coaching Call Fac...

In this episode of Playfully Faithful Parenting, join me, Joy Wendling, as we explore the fascinating concept of Bloom's Taxonomy and its relation to parenting and faith. We dive into the six levels of thinking and discuss how many children's curriculum in Sunday schools fall short in engaging children on a deeper level. I share insights from a recent interview with Dr. Mimi Larson, an exp...

We all need those books that we know we can always turn to for encouragement in our parenting journey. Every Season Sacred: Reflections, Prayers, and Invitations to Nourish Your Soul and Nurture Your Family throughout the Year by Kayla Craig is one of those book. Let me introduce you to it! You’ve got the Holy Spirit! You can do it, mama! Links: (This may contain some affiliate links, which means...

Welcome to another episode of Playfully Faithful Parenting! I'm your host, Joy Wendling, and today we have a special episode all about the power of storytelling. We'll explore why stories matter, how they affect our brains, and why it's important to pass down our own stories to the next generation. Did you know that storytelling is not only biblical, but it also helps our children lear...

Hey there! In this episode of Playfully Faithful Parenting, join me, Joy Wendling, as we dive into the topic of division of responsibility for faith. I'll be sharing insights and stories about how parents can put down those responsibilities we weren’t meant to carry to walk in the freedom of Jesus’ love. So grab a cup of tea, relax, and get ready to be inspired to raise faith-filled kids in a...

Today, Joy dives into the topic of why she gave up her quiet time and how it has transformed her approach to motherhood. In this episode, Joy addresses the pressure that Christian moms often feel to be perfect and do everything perfectly. She emphasizes that even if we could parent perfectly, it doesn't guarantee that our kids will turn out perfectly. Joy encourages moms to not constantly feel...

In today's episode of Playfully Faithful Parenting, host Joy Wendling dives into the topic of modeling behavior for our children. Drawing inspiration from an episode of the popular kids' show Bluey, Joy explores the concept of asking our kids to do things that we ourselves may struggle with. She challenges us to consider whether we are practicing what we preach and if we are setting the ri...

Welcome to another episode of Playfully Faithful Parenting with your host, Joy Wendling. In today's episode, titled "Is Misbehavior Sin?" Joy delves into an important question that many parents grapple with. Is it fair to label all of our children's misbehavior as sin? As Joy explores this topic, she reminds us that there is often a mismatch between our expectations as parents an...

In episode 160 of Playfully Faithful Parenting, host Joy Wendling explores the idea of moving from concrete to abstract when teaching children about faith. Drawing inspiration from her readings and personal experiences, Joy shares valuable insights on how to engage children's senses and experiences in order to connect them with God. She reflects on the story of Elijah and the importance of all...

We need Jesus, but we didn’t choose Him. He chose us! He chose us and calls us friends. Let’s dig into John 15:9-17 to read more about what it means to be friends with Jesus. You’ve got the Holy Spirit! You can do it, mama! Links: (This may contain some affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using these links . For more informatio...

Welcome to another episode of Playfully Faithful Parenting with your host, Joy Wendling! In today's episode titled "Chalk Play and Faith," we dive into the topic of engaging with God directly and teaching children how to communicate with Him in various ways. From prayer labyrinths to using chalk as a medium of expression, we explore how faith can be integrated into playful activities...