Upside-Down Parenting

Have you ever caught yourself saying or doing something and thought, "Oh no, I'm becoming my parents!"? In this episode of Upside-Down Parenting , Matt Jones and Janel Greig share some of the funny, unexpected, and meaningful ways they've become more like their parents. From family quirks and traditions to habits of faith and serving others, they reflect on the things worth passing down to the nex...

Should Christians celebrate Halloween? For many Christian parents, Halloween raises difficult questions about faith, culture, and biblical convictions. Is trick-or-treating harmless fun, or are certain Halloween traditions incompatible with following Jesus? And how should families respond when other Christians reach different conclusions? In this episode of Upside-Down Parenting , hosts Matt Jones...

Your kids are learning about sex and sexuality. But who is shaping their understanding—parents, friends, social media, or the internet? For many Christian parents, talking about sex can feel awkward, intimidating, or overwhelming. When should these conversations begin? How much should kids know at different ages? And how can parents teach God's good design for sexuality in a way that builds trust...

What do daughters really need from their dads? And how can fathers build relationships where their daughters feel loved, understood, and safe sharing what's on their hearts? In this episode of Upside-Down Parenting , Matt Jones and Janel Greig are joined by Dr. Michelle Watson Canfield, licensed professional counselor, author, and founder of The Abba Project, to discuss how dads can build stronger...

After spending several episodes exploring the challenges of raising kids in a technology-saturated world, what have we learned? What challenged our thinking? And what are we doing differently in our own families? Matt Jones, Janel Greig, and Aaron Klemm reflect on their biggest takeaways and how these conversations have changed the way they approach technology and parenting. Together, they discuss...

How can parents protect their kids online without parenting from fear? When does gaming become unhealthy? How should kids use AI without letting it do their thinking for them? In this special Q&A episode of Upside-Down Parenting , Matt Jones, Janel Greig, and Aaron Klemm tackle some of the questions Christian parents are asking about raising kids in a technology-saturated world. They discuss onlin...

Is technology just a neutral tool—or is it actually shaping who we and our children are becoming? Smartphones, social media, video games, and artificial intelligence are woven into nearly every part of our kids' lives. But before Christian parents can help their children navigate technology wisely, we need to ask a bigger question: What does the Bible say about technology? In this episode of Upsid...

What is it really like to grow up with parents who limit your screen time? In this episode of Upside-Down Parenting , Matt Jones and Janel Greig sit down with Noelle Pellicane, daughter of The Great Tech Reset author Arlene Pellicane, to hear about technology boundaries from a kid's perspective. Noelle shares whether she ever felt left out, what filled her childhood instead of screens, and why she...

In Part 2 of our conversation with Arlene Pellicane , we move from awareness to action. What does it actually look like to reset your family's relationship with technology? Arlene joins Matt and Janel to share practical ways parents can establish healthy tech boundaries, navigate pushback from kids, create screen-free rhythms, and help children rediscover boredom, creativity, play, and face-to-fac...

Technology is everywhere. It entertains our kids, connects them with friends, and makes life easier. But what is it actually doing to childhood? In this episode, Arlene Pellicane, author of The Great Tech Reset: Reclaiming Real Life for Christian Families , explores how technology is shaping our kids' attention, anxiety, relationships, habits, and spiritual lives. Arlene unpacks the four "ABCD" ha...

How do the everyday moments of parenting shape your child's faith? In this episode of Upside-Down Parenting , Matt and Janel share real stories about raising their kids and the lessons they've learned about Christian parenting, family discipleship, and modeling a biblical worldview. From Bible reading and family traditions to car-ride conversations, apologies, hospitality, and difficult questions...

As Christian parents, it's easy to feel responsible for making our kids believe the right things, make the right choices, and follow Jesus. But changing your child's heart isn't your job. In this episode of Upside-Down Parenting , Matt Jones and Janel Greig explore the role of the Holy Spirit in parenting. They discuss how the Spirit guides, convicts, teaches, and transforms us, why parents should...

How can Christian parents raise resilient, joy-filled kids who know how to handle big emotions, bounce back from difficult experiences, and grow in wisdom? In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Marcus Warner, author of The Four Habits of Raising Joy-Filled Kids , Matt Jones and Janel Greig explore practical Christian parenting strategies for building emotional resilience in children. Dr. Warner e...

Are your kids truly joyful—or just temporarily happy? Many parents wonder if they're doing enough to help their children develop a faith that lasts. According to Dr. Marcus Warner, one of the greatest gifts we can give our kids isn't another activity, achievement, or gadget—it's joy. In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Matt Jones and Janel Greig sit down with Dr. Marcus Warner, author of The...

Every parent has difficult questions—and today's episode tackles some of the biggest ones. In this Christian parenting Q&A, Matt Jones and Janel Greig answer real questions from parents about raising children in today's culture. They discuss how to faithfully disciple your children when your spouse doesn't share your faith, whether Christian families should allow horror movies, how to think biblic...

What happens when parenting doesn't unfold the way you expected? For parents raising a child with special needs, the journey often includes unexpected challenges, deep grief, incredible joy, and a daily dependence on God's grace. In this episode of Upside-Down Parenting , Matt Jones and Janel Greig sit down with Dr. Joe and Cindi Ferrini , authors of The Special Needs Parent: A Guide to the Life Y...

How do you raise kids who can discern truth in a world full of competing voices? In Part 2 of our conversation with Kathy Gibbens , founder of Filter It Through a Brain Cell , Matt Jones and Janel Greig explore one of the most important skills Christian parents can cultivate: critical thinking rooted in a biblical worldview . Our children are constantly being shaped by social media, school, entert...

How do you raise children who can think critically, discern truth, and keep their faith in today's confusing culture? In Part 1 of this conversation, Matt Jones and Janel Greig are joined by Kathy Gibbens , founder of Filter It Through a Brain Cell , to explore why critical thinking is one of the most important skills that Christian parents can help their children develop. Rather than simply teach...

Sending your teenager to college is one of the biggest transitions a family will ever experience. How do you prepare your child for independence without becoming controlling? How do you let go without losing your identity as a parent? And how can you help your teen develop a faith that truly becomes their own? In this episode of the Upside-Down Parenting Podcast , Matt Jones and Janel Greig sit do...

Dating can feel overwhelming for Christian parents. When should your child start dating? Should you set age limits? What boundaries are wise? And how do you prepare your son or daughter to pursue relationships that honor Christ in a culture with a very different vision of love? In this episode of Upside-Down Parenting, Matt Jones and Janel Greig explore dating from a biblical worldview. Rather tha...

What does it mean to be a godly father in today's culture? In this special Father's Day episode, Christian Greig shares candid reflections on fatherhood, family, faith, and the challenges of raising children in a rapidly changing world. Together, we discuss the joys and sacrifices of being a dad, the importance of intentional parenting, and how fathers can leave a lasting spiritual legacy for thei...

Parenting adult children can be one of the most rewarding—and heartbreaking—seasons of life. What do you do when your adult child pulls away, communication breaks down, or family conflict creates distance? How can parents maintain influence without trying to control, and find peace when relationships don't look the way they hoped? In this episode of the Upside-Down Parenting Podcast, Matt Jones an...

Can archaeology help strengthen our confidence in the Bible? What do ancient inscriptions, artifacts, manuscripts, and historical discoveries reveal about Jesus and the reliability of the Christian faith? In Part 2 of this conversation on Upside-Down Parenting , Matt Jones and Janel Greig continue their discussion with New Testament scholar and apologist Dr. Jeremiah Johnston, author of  The Jesus...

Can archaeology help prove Jesus was a real historical person? What do discoveries like the Shroud of Turin, ancient manuscripts, and archaeological evidence reveal about the life of Christ? In Part 1 of this two-part conversation on Upside-Down Parenting , Matt Jones and Janel Greig sit down with New Testament scholar and apologist Dr. Jeremiah Johnston , author of The Jesus Discoveries: 10 Histo...

What does it actually look like to put the Five Love Languages into practice as a Christian parent? In Part 2 of this conversation, Matt Jones and Janel Greig continue their discussion with bestselling author Dr. Gary Chapman to explore practical ways parents can speak their child's love language, build deeper trust, and create a Christ-centered home where kids feel seen, valued, and loved. Dr. Ga...