When do you say "yes" to your children? How do you say "no"? Alyssa is a mother of three children under five years old and a counselor who specializes in working with teenagers. Alyssa Hanna talks with John about setting boundaries with your children based on a class he has been teaching on Wednesdays at Spanish River Church. Resources: Spanish River Counseling Center Boundaries curriculum by Henry Cloud and John Townsend

When kids come, the marital relationship changes significantly. It can easily slip into the roommate phase, or center the relationship around the kids. In all that, it can be hard to get back to each other so that the covenant of marriage is the bedrock of the home.

John interviews pre-marital counselor, Dan Meyers, about some best practices to implement to help your marriage grow after kids.

Resources:

Learn more about Dan Myers

The Meaning of Marriage, by Tim & Kathy Keller

Couples Counseling Groups at Spanish River Counseling Center

Marriage, Family and Parenting services at Spanish River Counseling Center

Ep 4: Modeling Curiosity

Curiosity is powerful. But we live in a culture of assumption. Who needs to be curious when we get sound bytes on cable news or social media about what other people think. Our culture often trains us to assume we know it all. This includes our children. Even though they’re in our home, we often don’t know what they think. John talks with business coach about parents asking questions, be genuinely curious, and modeling that curiosity to our children.

Available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Resources:

Ask Powerful Questions, by Will Wise

Laine Schmidt Coaching

S1 Ep 3: Kids These Days

Move over Gen Z and Millennials. Gen Alpha is here! Rising 6th graders are considered a brand new generation. John Houmes interviews Lara Jensen, director of SRC’s Middle School student ministry. Lara and John discuss generational differences and the deeper questions today’s students are asking.

Available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Resources:

Generations: The Real Differences between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers and Silents - And What They Mean For America’s Future, by Jean Twenge

TikTok Therapy comedy bit, by Jen Fulwiler

Music is powerful. We can all remember a moment when the music just hit us and made us feel like we were part of something much bigger. But music can also form us by shaping our thoughts, feelings, and even actions. John talks with Spanish River Church's worship director, Eric Blythe, about using music to disciple kids in your home. Available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Resources:

Slugs and Bugs

Westminster Shorter Catechism songs, by Bruce Benedict

Ask Me Whoo Children’s Catechism, by Diana Beach Batarseh

Indelible Grace (old hymns to new music)

You can listen to Eric Blythe's music with The River Collective at spanishriver.com/rivco

Talking with your children about sex feels awkward and complicated. But it doesn’t have to be. Parents can foster honest, layered, and open communication with their kids. John talks with therapist Jill Dagastino about discipling your kids in their sexuality.

Key Points Include:

• Talking about it is better than not talking about it. • God created sex, and what God creates is good. • God’s boundaries around sex are for a reason.

Available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Resources mentioned in the Podcast:

The Amazing Beginning of You, by Jacobson, Jacobson and Lee

How Did God Make Me?: The Miracle Before Birth, by Matt Jacobson

Talking to Your Kids About Sex, Mark Laaser

A Chicken's Guide to Talking Turkey with Your Kids About Sex: Honest Advice for Parents on How to Have “The Talk”, by Kevin Leman

Learning About Sex series (8 Books)

You can learn more about Jill Dagistino at Spanish River Counseling Center at https://www.spanishrivercounseling.com/jill-dagistino

Welcome to "Rooted by the River," a Spanish River Church podcast designed to empower you as a parent. We invite you to take a journey with us as we engage with knowledgeable guests who offer practical parenting wisdom. We want to equip you to nurture faith at home in our fast-paced, ever-changing culture.

Whether you're navigating toddler tantrums or teen questions, each episode will offer practical insights, gospel encouragement, and a deeper connection to help you and your children stay rooted in Jesus.

In this episode, SRC Family Ministries Pastor John Houmes shares the vision for the podcast. Think “best practices” with kids rather than “controlled outcomes”.

Available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Scripture Reference:

Psalm 1 Proverbs 22:6 Follow Along on Instagram: Rooted by the River Spanish River Church