5–Minute Parenting: Tips to Help You Raise Competent, Godly Kids.

Send us a textGossip is defined by Webster's Dictionary as "casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people". It's a term loaded with negativity, often associated with spreading rumors and sharing personal details about someone's life without their consent. Gossip is not just idle chit-chat; it is harmful and unkind.The tendency to gossip can be understood through our inherent fascination with other people's lives. This fascination is evident in the popularity of talk shows, tabloids, and social media platforms where juicy details about others cause our jaws to drop in shock. However, hiding behind labels like "sharing concerns" or "discussing feelings" doesn't change the nature of the act—it's still gossip, and as the podcast episode highlighted, it's wrong.God's Perspective on Bullying From a spiritual perspective, gossip is also frowned upon. First Timothy 5:13 describes gossip as "meddling in another person's business and talking about things they shouldn't." Romans 1:29 goes even further by calling gossip wicked. This strong condemnation reflects the understanding that gossip can cause severe damage by revealing embarrassing and shameful details about someone, damaging their reputation and causing personal hurt.Teaching Our Children About Gossip & BullyingGossip can also be the spark that ignites bullying, particularly among children and teens. As parents, it's vital to teach our children about the detrimental effects of gossip and how to avoid it. Encourage children to ask themselves questions before sharing information about someone:Why do I want to share this information?Is it to make someone feel bad about themselves?Am I doing this just because everyone else is, and I don’t want to be excluded?Advocate for empathy by having children think about how they would feel if someone spoke about them in the same way. Encourage them to pray and seek guidance to resist the temptation to gossip or bully. Teach them to stand up against gossip by choosing not to participate or spreading it further.Check out free resources and downloads on my website: Website: http://SandraKayChambers.com Follow Me on Social Media: Instagram: http://instagram.com/SandraKayChambers Facebook: http://facebook.com/SandraKayChambersauthor Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/SandraKayChamberswriter Thanks to my Virtual Assistant, Alyssa Avant (https://alyssaavantandcompany.com), for her tech genius and help with this podcast.

Send us a textIn this episode of 5-Minute Parenting, host Sandra welcomes special guest Jennifer Bosma, an accomplished author of Christian children's books, including "The Baby Garden," "I Know the Plans," and her latest release, "God is Three in One." Jennifer shares the inspiration behind her latest book, which explores the concept of the Holy Trinity in a way that is both accessible and engaging for children ages 4 to 10. She recounts how a thought-provoking question from her granddaughter led her to undertake the challenge of explaining a complex theological topic in verse. Jennifer provides insights into the book's beautiful illustrations and offers a glimpse into her creative process and collaboration with her illustrator Beth Snyder. Tune in to hear about her approach to making theology relatable for young minds and her passion for helping parents explore biblical concepts with their children. Don't forget to visit Jennifer's website and podcast "Front Parking Spot" for more resources and inspiration. Be sure to visit Jennifer's website for more info on her and her books.Check out free resources and downloads on my website: Website: http://SandraKayChambers.com Follow Me on Social Media: Instagram: http://instagram.com/SandraKayChambers Facebook: http://facebook.com/SandraKayChambersauthor Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/SandraKayChamberswriter Thanks to my Virtual Assistant, Alyssa Avant (https://alyssaavantandcompany.com), for her tech genius and help with this podcast.

Send us a textIn today's episode of 5-Minute Parenting, we delve into a topic that coincides with Halloween — the growing interest in Wicca among teens. The gospel coalition says that Wicca is "the largest subset of a modern witchcraft revival movement. It's characterized as a worldview, religion and practices associated with using rituals that are believed to harness and focus cosmic and psychic energies to bring about some desired change." And Wicca now has a growing digital footprint on social media platforms. There's lots of hashtags that go along with it as as well as emojis that indicate online groups of Wiccans. Some popular hashtags that connect Wiccans across social media include: #mindfulness #meditation #spirituality #wellness.Some primary goals of Wicca are:To re-establish female power and usher in a new era of goddess worship.Promises a safe medium for emotional highs.Being able to influence your reality by manipulating the power in the universe.As parents, how do we address our teens' curiosity or involvement in Wicca, a belief system that challenges traditional Christian values? Join us as we discuss strategies for open dialogue with your teen, the importance of research, and ways to gently guide them back to biblical perspectives. Plus, we'll provide resources for further support, including a helpline for additional counseling. This information taken from this article by Focus on the Family.Focus on the Family counselor toll-free 1-855-771-HELP (4357)Check out free resources and downloads on my website: Website: http://SandraKayChambers.com Follow Me on Social Media: Instagram: http://instagram.com/SandraKayChambers Facebook: http://facebook.com/SandraKayChambersauthor Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/SandraKayChamberswriter Thanks to my Virtual Assistant, Alyssa Avant (https://alyssaavantandcompany.com), for her tech genius and help with this podcast.

Send us a textToday's special guest is Terri Hellerd-Brown. Terri is not only an accomplished author, but also a podcast host with a passion for helping parents disciple their children. Her latest book, “Up, Down, and All Around: A Handbook for Discipling Our Children Based on Deuteronomy 6,” offers 52 devotions, 52 parenting tips, and 52 object lessons designed to make spiritual concepts tangible for young minds. Why Use Object Lessons to Disciple Your Kids?1.Jesus used object lessons, so we are following his example2.An object lesson can help make difficult concepts more concrete3.It allows them to play out scenarios and ideas in a real time example4.It appeals to children’s curiosity5.An object lesson often touches on humor or surprise6.It is memorable7.It involves parents and children actively engaging togetherFor more info on Terri and her other books, visit her website.Check out free resources and downloads on my website: Website: http://SandraKayChambers.com Follow Me on Social Media: Instagram: http://instagram.com/SandraKayChambers Facebook: http://facebook.com/SandraKayChambersauthor Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/SandraKayChamberswriter Thanks to my Virtual Assistant, Alyssa Avant (https://alyssaavantandcompany.com), for her tech genius and help with this podcast.

Send us a textWe're excited to share our latest episode featuring Joyce McCullough, an award-winning educator and author, who offers insightful tips to help children deal with grief and loss. Her debut picture book, "Look for the Pink Ribbons," beautifully tackles this delicate subject with hope and compassion.In this episode, Joyce discusses five key points to guide parents in supporting their children through difficult times:Emphasize Hope: The overarching message of Joyce's book is hope, emphasizing the promise of life after death and the new life offered through faith.Focus on Positivity: Encourage children to find joy in life's daily wonders and help them to see the beauty in the world, shifting focus away from fear and grief.Share Hope with Others: By helping others, children can find comfort and lift their spirits, especially in times of widespread tragedy.Express Grief Creatively: Assist children in expressing their emotions through writing or drawing, allowing them to communicate their feelings and find solace.Explore Concepts of Heaven: Encourage children to imagine and describe what heaven might be like to help them process their grief and envision a positive future.With the recent tragedies and challenges our world has faced, this episode couldn't be more timely. Joyce's insights will not only aid your children but can offer a valuable lesson for adults too. Listening to her compassionate approach could very well be the comforting guide you need in helping your child through their journey of understanding and coping with loss.Find out more about Joyce and her book on her website.Check out free resources and downloads on my website: Website: http://SandraKayChambers.com Follow Me on Social Media: Instagram: http://instagram.com/SandraKayChambers Facebook: http://facebook.com/SandraKayChambersauthor Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/SandraKayChamberswriter Thanks to my Virtual Assistant, Alyssa Avant (https://alyssaavantandcompany.com), for her tech genius and help with this podcast.

Send us a textToday's guest, Kayla E. Green, shared with us how important it is to know what our children consume from media. She emphasized how the content they engage with greatly impacts their development and worldview. Kayla shared from 1 John 2:16, emphasizing the importance of consuming media that aligns with godly values. Kayla shared studies that highlighted how excessive exposure to media can lead to distractions, mental health struggles, and exposure to inappropriate content. She also shared a personal story of a parent who (unknowingly) allowed her nine-year-old daughter to read an adult novel with inappropriate content. In today's culture, it's so easy for children to stumble upon material not meant for their age group. For this reason, parents must be actively involved in monitoring and engaging with the media their children engage with. From books to music to TV, it's crucial to guide them toward wholesome, age-appropriate content.  In a world where the media landscape is rapidly evolving, our guidance has never been more critical. Let's encourage open conversations with our kids, create a fun environment, and lead them toward media that uplifts, inspires, and aligns with our values. Be sure to visit Kayla's website to find out about her writing upcoming book. Check out free resources and downloads on my website: Website: http://SandraKayChambers.com Follow Me on Social Media: Instagram: http://instagram.com/SandraKayChambers Facebook: http://facebook.com/SandraKayChambersauthor Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/SandraKayChamberswriter Thanks to my Virtual Assistant, Alyssa Avant (https://alyssaavantandcompany.com), for her tech genius and help with this podcast.

Send us a textToday's special guest is Cheryl Schuermann, an award-winning author, a mom to four boys and a grandmother to 13 grandchildren. Before she became an author, she had a professional career in literary education, consulting, and staff development training. Her debut devotional, "Farmhouse Devotions, God's Glory and the Ordinary," released in May from Bold Vision Books, and was recently named the 2024 Golden Scroll Devotional Book of the Year.Key Takeaways:Cheryl shares ways parents and grandparents can help ground their children in faith by demonstrating key theological truths about God in practical ways children will understand.Teach about the Creator God - Establish the authority of God in a child's worldview by marveling at God's attributes through nature and creation.Model how to run to the rock - Demonstrate the stability and refuge found in a relationship with God who never changes.Show them Jesus - Create a home where righteousness dwells and model patterns of righteous behavior for the generations to come.For more info on Cheryl and her books visit her website.Check out free resources and downloads on my website: Website: http://SandraKayChambers.com Follow Me on Social Media: Instagram: http://instagram.com/SandraKayChambers Facebook: http://facebook.com/SandraKayChambersauthor Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/SandraKayChamberswriter Thanks to my Virtual Assistant, Alyssa Avant (https://alyssaavantandcompany.com), for her tech genius and help with this podcast.

Send us a textToday's guest is Alyssa Avant. She is a Christian author, podcaster and virtual assistant. Alyssa and her husband have a teenage son and daughter as well as a 20-year-old son. Today she is sharing three tips to teach your teens about what to avoid on social media. Social Media is Forever: Alyssa emphasized the importance of thinking before posting, sharing, or commenting on social media. She highlighted the long-term implications of online content and how it could impact future opportunities, such as job prospects. Be Careful Who You Talk To: With her own daughter's safety in mind, Alyssa underlined the need to exercise caution when interacting with individuals online. She advises her daughter about setting boundaries, such as restricting public access to certain social media accounts and being selective about who to connect with. Alyssa shared real-life incidents to highlight the potential dangers and risks associated with online interactions.Avoid Sharing Personal Information: Alyssa stressed the importance of safeguarding personal information, such as phone numbers, addresses, school details, etc., from being publicly disclosed on social media. She reiterated the potential threats posed by malicious individuals who could exploit such information for harmful purposes.Find out more about Alyssa and what she offers as a virtual assistant on her website.Check out free resources and downloads on my website: Website: http://SandraKayChambers.com Follow Me on Social Media: Instagram: http://instagram.com/SandraKayChambers Facebook: http://facebook.com/SandraKayChambersauthor Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/SandraKayChamberswriter Thanks to my Virtual Assistant, Alyssa Avant (https://alyssaavantandcompany.com), for her tech genius and help with this podcast.

Send us a textToday's guest on 5-Minute Parenting is Michelle Lazurek, a multi-genre award-winning author and mother, who shares her wisdom on leaving a legacy of faith to our children. Michelle's insights and personal experiences shed light on practical ways parents can cultivate a lasting impact on their children's spiritual journey.Key Takeaways:1. Differentiate Sunday from the everyday: Help children discern between worldly values and spiritual truths. Emphasize the importance of being part of a local church community and integrating faith into everyday life.2. Be the example: Parents need to lead by example, demonstrating a commitment to spiritual growth and a genuine faith journey. Children absorb and emulate what they see in their parents, making it crucial to be intentional about living out and sharing one's faith.3. Let them be them: Allow children to explore their faith and individuality without imposing expectations. Encourage open communication, address their doubts, and empower them to make their own choices in their spiritual journey.I'm grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this important conversation and hope that these insights provide meaningful guidance to all the parents out there. Let's continue to support each other as we navigate the beautiful yet challenging journey of parenting.Check out Michelle's website and her new book, "Hall of Fame."Check out free resources and downloads on my website: Website: http://SandraKayChambers.com Follow Me on Social Media: Instagram: http://instagram.com/SandraKayChambers Facebook: http://facebook.com/SandraKayChambersauthor Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/SandraKayChamberswriter Thanks to my Virtual Assistant, Alyssa Avant (https://alyssaavantandcompany.com), for her tech genius and help with this podcast.

Send us a textIn this episode of 5-Minute Parenting, former high school teacher and author Patty LaRoche joins us to discuss the crucial topic of raising children who understand their immeasurable value. Patty shares insightful stories from her experiences in the classroom, providing valuable tips and advice for parents navigating the challenges of instilling confidence and self-worth in their children. From addressing the devastating effects of social media on kids' self-image to combating bullying and even delving into the fight against sex trafficking, Patty offers a wealth of knowledge and practical wisdom. Key Takeaways:1. Teach Children Their Intrinsic Worth: Discussing the alarming lack of confidence and self-worth in students, Patty emphasizes the importance of guiding children to find their value in their unique gifts and not in comparison to others.2. Stand Against Bullying: Sharing a powerful incident in a middle school classroom, Patty highlighted the need to empower children to stand up against bullying and defend those who are targeted, reinforcing the message that no one has the right to diminish another's worth.3. Combatting Social Media Impact: Reflecting on the detrimental effects of social media on children's self-esteem, we explored the urgent need for parents to instill a sense of worth and confidence in their children outside of online validation.Check out Patty's website and her book "A Little Faith Lift."Check out free resources and downloads on my website: Website: http://SandraKayChambers.com Follow Me on Social Media: Instagram: http://instagram.com/SandraKayChambers Facebook: http://facebook.com/SandraKayChambersauthor Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/SandraKayChamberswriter Thanks to my Virtual Assistant, Alyssa Avant (https://alyssaavantandcompany.com), for her tech genius and help with this podcast.