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Have you ever been asked "What did you do all day?" and struggled to put it into words? Mama, you did everything. In this episode, we come alongside you with the warmth and wisdom of mothers who have been right where you are, reminding you that making a home is one of the most meaningful things you will ever do.

Rooted in Titus 2 and Psalm 90, we walk through the everyday rhythms of a home built with love, from planning and decluttering to cooking, decorating, and supervising little ones, offering practical hacks and grace-filled encouragement every step of the way.

Episode Highlights

00:00 What it means to be "busy at home" from Titus 2:4-5
04:30 Planning your home, writing your family pillars, and starting with the heart (1-2)
11:30 Organizing, cleaning, and the Princess Bride method (3-5)
18:00 Decorating your home and mealtimes (6-7)
33:00 Communication, loose schedules, and supervising children (8-10)

Please send us your questions if you'd like to have them discussed on the podcast: themindofachildpodcast@gmail.com

The Mind of a Child is an early child development podcast that exists to encourage and equip parents to raise their kids to love God and love others. If you're looking for Biblical principles, practical parenting solutions, and science-backed research, our discussions are specifically tailored for you. Our hosts are Leslie Dudley Corbell and Diane Doucet Matthews, who each have a combined 50+ years of experience in the early child parenting space.

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Social media says the '90s mom had it all figured out, but what was she actually doing right? In this episode, we take a warm, honest look at what defined our generation of mothering and what today's young moms can carry forward.

From supervised freedom and unstructured play to chores, limited technology, and keeping the heart at home, we ground this conversation in Titus 2 and the timeless truth that faithful motherhood begins with a heart oriented toward God, not fear, comparison, or the pressure to perform.

Episode Highlights

00:00 What defined a 90s mom?
09:00 Parenting without fear
13:20 Social media and anxiety
19:00 Putting down the phone and being present
21:00 Bringing the heart home

Please send us your questions if you'd like to have them discussed on the podcast: themindofachildpodcast@gmail.com

The Mind of a Child is an early child development podcast that exists to encourage and equip parents to raise their kids to love God and love others. If you're looking for Biblical principles, practical parenting solutions, and science-backed research, our discussions are specifically tailored for you. Our hosts are Leslie Dudley Corbell and Diane Doucet Matthews, who each have a combined 50+ years of experience in the early child parenting space.

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What happens when parenting gets complicated by blended families, boundary-crossing relatives, or an unbelieving spouse? In this episode, we answer real listener questions about some of the most tender and complex relationships in a mother's life.

With grace, honesty, and scripture as our guide, we walk through what it looks like to present a united parenting front, navigate family members who push against your values, and faithfully raise children when your spouse does not share your faith.

Episode Highlights

00:00 Parenting on a united front
03:40 Navigating blended families
08:00 Setting boundaries when family members cross the line
12:22 Parenting with an unbelieving spouse

Please send us your questions if you'd like to have them discussed on the podcast: themindofachildpodcast@gmail.com

The Mind of a Child is an early child development podcast that exists to encourage and equip parents to raise their kids to love God and love others. If you're looking for Biblical principles, practical parenting solutions, and science-backed research, our discussions are specifically tailored for you. Our hosts are Leslie Dudley Corbell and Diane Doucet Matthews, who each have a combined 50+ years of experience in the early child parenting space.

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→ Our book recommendations

Learning to read is one of the most pivotal milestones in a child’s life—and yet, it’s often clouded with pressure, comparison, and confusion. On this episode, we explore what it really means to be “reading ready” by drawing from research-backed methods, personal parenting experiences, and biblical principles. We'll help you understand how to foster early literacy in a way that honors both the child’s pace and God’s design.

With insights on vocabulary development, phonics, phonemic awareness, comprehension, and even the fourth-grade slump, this conversation equips parents with practical tools and the reassurance to trust the process—while never losing sight of the joy of reading and the power of God's Word.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00:00] – Introduction: Why reading matters and how it shapes lifelong success
[00:06:00] – Proven strategies for reading readiness: Language-rich environments and daily life learning
[00:13:00] – Breaking down the components of reading: Phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension
[00:18:00] – Understanding the fourth-grade slump: How vocabulary impacts academic success
[00:25:00] – Tips for reluctant readers: Observing interests and introducing engaging materials

3 Takeaways:

1. Reading is a developmental process that unfolds naturally over time - Parents are encouraged to resist comparison and pressure, instead creating rich, contextual environments where children can grow at their own pace—supported by love, conversation, and daily experiences.
2. Vocabulary is the single greatest predictor of long-term reading comprehension and academic success - From infancy through early elementary years, exposing children to diverse, rich language—through conversation, books, songs, poetry, and storytelling—is essential.
   Reading readiness is not just about decoding words.
3. True literacy includes phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension - These components are best developed through daily living, joyful interaction, and exposure to meaningful content, especially scripture and high-quality literature.

Please send us your questions if you'd like to have them discussed on the podcast: themindofachildpodcast@gmail.com

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Summer offers a unique opportunity to slow down, connect, and refocus on what really matters. But for many parents, it quickly becomes a season of hustle, pressure, and endless activity.

In this episode, we share practical, faith-centered ideas for engaging your children from backyard discovery and theme days to pointing your kids to God through nature and Scripture. This episode reminds parents that summer doesn’t need to be full of structure to be full of meaning.

Scripture mentioned
Matthew 13:3-9
Matthew 13:18-33
Ephesians 5:19-20

Episode Highlights

[00:00:00] Introduction
[00:03:30] 3 Strategies for Laying a Foundation this Summer
[00:15:30] Four-part Garden framework: Prepare, Weed, Tend, Irrigate

Please send us your questions if you'd like to have them discussed on the podcast: themindofachildpodcast@gmail.com

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Motherhood is full of noise, rushing, and never-ending to-do lists, but what if slowing down was the most important thing you could do for your child today? In this episode of The Mind of a Child, we offer warm, gospel-centered wisdom for young mothers navigating the sacred, sometimes exhausting rhythms of nap times and bedtimes.

From practical tips like writing things down, using a crockpot, and setting consistent routines, to deeper spiritual practices like prayer, scripture memorization, and worship music, this conversation reminds us that a peaceful mama makes a peaceful home. Stay consistent, extend yourself grace, and remember: raising children is some of the best work you will ever do.

Episode Highlights

00:00 — Why young parents should prioritize slowing down
09:30 — Respecting rhythms and routines
17:00 — Perspective shift on "menial" tasks

Please send us your questions if you'd like to have them discussed on the podcast: themindofachildpodcast@gmail.com

The Mind of a Child is an early child development podcast that exists to encourage and equip parents to raise their kids to love God and love others. If you're looking for Biblical principles, practical parenting solutions, and science-backed research, our discussions are specifically tailored for you. Our hosts are Leslie Dudley Corbell and Diane Doucet Matthews, who each have a combined 50+ years of experience in the early child parenting space.

→ Prayer Calendar

There are moments in motherhood when emotions feel louder than everything else. Your child is overwhelmed, you’re overwhelmed, and it can feel like the only thing to do is react to whatever is happening in the moment. But what if feelings were never meant to lead in the first place?

Instead of ignoring feelings or being controlled by them, we're inviting mothers to see them as something deeper: a window into your heart's need for God. This episode walks through how to help children process emotions in a way that leads to truth, not confusion. It’s not about behavior management, but heart transformation for both the child and the parent.

Episode Highlights

00:00 — The purpose of feelings
06:00 — What the Bible says about feelings
14:00 — Nurturing wisdom with your feelings
22:00 — Practical examples & takeaways

Please send us your questions if you'd like to have them discussed on the podcast: themindofachildpodcast@gmail.com

The Mind of a Child is an early child development podcast that exists to encourage and equip parents to raise their kids to love God and love others. If you're looking for Biblical principles, practical parenting solutions, and science-backed research, our discussions are specifically tailored for you. Our hosts are Leslie Dudley Corbell and Diane Doucet Matthews, who each have a combined 50+ years of experience in the early child parenting space.

→ Prayer Calendar

It usually starts with a quick search. A tough parenting moment, a tired afternoon, or a question you just want answered fast. So you open your phone, type in a question, and suddenly you’re pulled into a world of parenting philosophies that all promise peace, connection, and better outcomes.

But what if some of those ideas are quietly pulling your heart in the wrong direction? In this conversation we gently but honestly explore the dangers of modern parenting trends, using “gentle parenting” as a lens. It’s a reminder that parenting isn’t about mastering a method, but about stewarding a heart: both yours and your child’s.

Episode Highlights

00:00 — Why parenting trends can be a slippery slope
06:00 — The pressure and fear modern parenting creates
12:00 — Parenting beyond behavior: focusing on the heart
16:00 — Control, fear, and trusting God with your child

Please send us your questions if you'd like to have them discussed on the podcast: themindofachildpodcast@gmail.com

The Mind of a Child is an early child development podcast that exists to encourage and equip parents to raise their kids to love God and love others. If you're looking for Biblical principles, practical parenting solutions, and science-backed research, our discussions are specifically tailored for you. Our hosts are Leslie Dudley Corbell and Diane Doucet Matthews, who each have a combined 50+ years of experience in the early child parenting space.