In this episode we talked with the host of HerTheology podcast, Cass Backhouse, about the value of parents, especially mums, reading and studying the Bible. We spent some time reflecting on why it's worth investing in our relationship with God by reading his word. But then we turned to the problem: it can be so hard! We talked through some questions like:

• How can I adjust my expectations for Bible reading to my season of life?
• Does it have to be a 'quiet' time?
• Does it have to look the same every time?
• What are the benefits of doing a Bible reading plan?
• What if reading the Bible feels dry or boring?
• What if I forget what I read?
• What are the benefits of reading in community?
• What if I don't understand what I read? Where can I find some resources to help?
• How will all this benefit my children?
• Is there anything wrong with just 'flicking to a page'?

This conversation with inspire and equip you to get stuck into the Bible, with the ultimate goal of knowing God better with both our hearts and our minds.

Links:
HerTheology podcast hosted by our guest, Cass Backhouse: exploring all of life in light of the Bible.
Knowing Faith podcast with Jen Wilkin.
Lift Their Eyes theology resources for families.

Recommended books:
Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin.
God's Big Picture by Vaughn Roberts.
Knowing God by JI Packer.
The Ology by Marty Machowski.

Mothers Union Sydney. Listen to all of the talks from the Mothers Union Seminar on Soundcloud.

Theme music: Soul's Getting Wet by Ali Maegraith. Produced by Ali Maegraith and Gerard Masters. Available on SoundCloud.

In this episode we got practical about prayer with our guest, author and mother-of-three, Wendy Lin. We spoke about how we experienced (or didn't experience) Christian prayer in our families of origin and how we decided to approach it with our own children. We discussed questions like:

• What is prayer? Why should we pray if God already knows everything?
• How can practise both routine and spontaneous prayer?
• How does God answer prayer?
• How can we do family prayer when we're not confident?
• What should we do if our spouse is not a keen Christian?
• How can busy parents find time to focus on prayer themselves?

This conversation is insightful, practical, encouraging and full of grace for families in every season of life!

Links:
Parenting in God's Family: Biblical Wisdom for Everyday Issues, which contains a chapter on 'Bible reading and prayer across the stages of family life' by our guest, Wendy Lin.

Wendy Lin's blog, with book reviews and devotional resources for families, Musings in Adelaide.

Mothers Union Sydney. Listen to all of the talks from the Mothers Union Seminar on Soundcloud.

Theme music: Soul's Getting Wet by Ali Maegraith. Produced by Ali Maegraith and Gerard Masters. Available on SoundCloud.

In this episode we chatted with father of four, Anthony Penn, about the issue of extracurricular activities (things like sport, music, dance and drama) that our kids might want to get involved in outside of school. We talked about the good things these activities can teach our children and the benefits of our whole family getting involved in the community organisations that run them. We talked about how our Christian values shape our approach to extracurricular activities and how we can make sure that church is not just squeezed in as an optional extra. We discussed how to navigate hard conversations, such as when we have to say no to an activity or when a child wants to quit. We finished by talking about how we can intentionally build genuine connections with the other families we cross paths with. This conversation with Anthony Penn was inspiring and insightful and will change how you see extracurricular activities!

Links:
Growing Faith: articles and resources to encourage and equip Christian parents and carers. Related articles:
'Calendar clash: Sport or church'
'How do I give my kids the edge?'
'Changing the "maybe" culture in our churches'

Mothers Union Sydney. Listen to all of the talks from the Mothers Union Seminar on Soundcloud.

Theme music: Soul's Getting Wet by Ali Maegraith. Produced by Ali Maegraith and Gerard Masters. Available on SoundCloud.

In this episode Ann talks with Nicole Martin, Head of Foster Care, Adoption & Family Support at Anglicare, as well and two current foster mums: Robyn and Kate. Together they share a compelling vision of how churches and Christian families can show the love of God to some of the most vulnerable people in our society. Ann asked our guests a number of questions including:

- Why do some children need to enter foster care?
- What is the relationship like between foster parents and birth parents?
- How has fostering impacted your own biological children?
- What are the different types of foster care?
- How can churches work together to support foster kids and their families?
- Are you allowed to share your faith with your foster children?
- Do you need special qualities to be a good foster carer?
- What training and support is available for foster carers?

This conversation will help you to see that supporting foster care is something that all Christians can do - in some surprisingly simple ways. Together, we can help vulnerable children to experience the love of God through the practical care of his people.

Links:

Anglicare Foster Care Resource Hub

Mothers Union Sydney. Listen to all of the talks from the Mothers Union Seminar on Soundcloud.

Theme music: Soul's Getting Wet by Ali Maegraith. Produced by Ali Maegraith and Gerard Masters. Available on SoundCloud.

In this conversation we speak with Dr Sarah Allen, a GP with a special interest in anxiety disorders, about the feelings we call anxiety, worry or fear, especially as experienced by our children. Sarah helps us to understand the difference between 'everyday' kinds of worry and clinical anxiety disorders - and what we should do if we think we or our children are suffering from the latter. We talk about how the Bible sheds light on this topic in helping us to understand God's purposes in our and our children's suffering. Sarah encourages us to see how anxiety can actually present an opportunity for us and our children to grow in our knowledge of God and of ourselves. This conversation will equip you not to 'fix' your children's problems, but to walk alongside them with empathy and gently point them back to their loving heavenly Father.

Links:
Scary Stuff by Dr Sarah Allen. A book for children aged 8-12 and parents to work through together to help them discover what fear is all about, how our bodies and minds work, and—best of all!—God himself.

The Parent Hope Project: parenting courses, articles and podcasts designed to empower and support parents in today’s complex world using a 'family systems' approach.

Emerging Minds: Resources on parenting children with mental illness and parenting with a mental illness. This site covers topics such as dealing with trauma, natural disasters and bullying. There are resources for both parents and children

Beyond Blue: Support to achieve and maintain good mental health. This includes resources for family and friends.

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Mothers Union Sydney. Listen to all of the talks from the Mothers Union Seminar on Soundcloud.

Theme music: Soul's Getting Wet by Ali Maegraith. Produced by Ali Maegraith and Gerard Masters. Available on SoundCloud.

In this episode we talk with Kate Morris and Dave Whittingham, who both have first hand experience of living with neurodivergence and/or supporting neurodivergent children. Kate Morris also brings a wealth of knowledge from her studies and research in this field. Our guests' insights are enlightening, educational and very encouraging. We cover questions like:

- What do the terms 'neurodiversity' and 'neurodivergence' mean?
- What language is most helpful when referring to neurodivergent people?
- Why might parents seek a diagnosis for their child? Is it detrimental to 'label' them in this way?
- How does our Christian world view shape our attitude to neurodiversity?
- What would our families and churches look like if we truly loved people in all their neurodiversity?
- How might an understanding of neurodivergence shape parents' approach to discipline?
- How can we foster positive relationships between neurodiverse siblings?

Links:

An Extraordinary Normal: Faith, Family, and Neurodivergence Substack articles by our guest Kate Morris.

Stories of a Faithful God for Kids podcast by our guest Dave Whittingham.

Faith in Kids 4 Kids podcast from UK organisation Faith in Kids.

Growing Faith articles by our guest Kate Morris:
'Supporting families with neurodivergent members'
'Neurodivergent Christians can find true belonging at church'

Mothers Union Sydney. Listen to all of the talks from the Mothers Union Seminar on Soundcloud.

Theme music: Soul's Getting Wet by Ali Maegraith. Produced by Ali Maegraith and Gerard Masters. Available on SoundCloud.

In this episode we talk with Jocelyn Loane about the thorny topic of discipline. We explore what biblical discipline really means - it's not just punishment for a past wrong, but rather the loving, intentional, wholistic, long-term process of modelling, encouraging, training and correcting our children to help them mature towards godliness.

We talk about:
- What is discipline?
- Why do parents need to discipline?
- How can discipline go wrong?
- Is it OK for Christian parents to smack (or not to smack) their children?
- How can we best respond to our children's bad behaviour?

Links:
Parenting in God's Family: Biblical Wisdom for Everyday Issues, which contains a chapter on 'Discipline as discipleship' by Harriet Connor and a chapter by our guest, Jocelyn Loane.

Motherhood: How the gospel shapes our purpose and priorities by Jocelyn Loane, which includes two chapters on discipline.

Mothers Union Sydney. Listen to all of the talks from the Mothers Union Seminar on Soundcloud.

Theme music: Soul's Getting Wet by Ali Maegraith. Produced by Ali Maegraith and Gerard Masters. Available on SoundCloud.

In this episode we talk with Jane Gibb, an experienced life and conflict coach, about the many aspects of personal conflict, especially within marriages and families, and how it can help us grow. We had an insightful, practical and wide-ranging conversation about:

- What is conflict?
- Should Christians expect conflict?
- What are the different ways people naturally respond to conflict and why?
- Where do we experience conflict in our families?
- What steps can we take to work through personal conflict in a healthy way?
- What are some principles for managing conflict in our marriages?
- How can we teach our children to manage conflict well?

Links:
Peacewise: a Christian, cross-denominational, not for profit peacemaking ministry striving to build peacemakers for life.
Peacewise kids: Resources to help kids have better relationships and resolve conflict in a healthy way.

Quiet wisdom: Jane Gibb's coaching ministry for women seeking healing after sexual betrayal.

Growing Faith: articles and resources to encourage and equip Christian parents and carers. Related articles:
'Should we argue in front of the kids?' by Keturah Jones.
'Sticking together when parenting pulls us apart' by Harriet Connor.
'Help, my kids are fighting ... again!' by Roselyn Owens.

Mothers Union Sydney. Listen to all of the talks from the Mothers Union Seminar on Soundcloud.

Theme music: Soul's Getting Wet by Ali Maegraith. Produced by Ali Maegraith and Gerard Masters. Available on SoundCloud.