When God says ‘No’ to something our kids desperately want — making a team, a friendship, an invite — it can break their hearts… and ours too. 💔

In today’s episode, I’m continuing our Season Five series, How We Talk With Our Kids About Real Life Stuff, with a conversation that every parent can relate to — how we talk with our kids about homework and grades.

For more than 15 years, Jason and I have helped our five kids navigate the daily realities of schoolwork, homework, and grades. In this episode, I’m sharing five truths that we come back to again and again in conversations with our kids — reminders that they are made in the image of God, that grades don’t define their worth, and that as parents, our identity has to stay anchored in Christ, not in our children’s performance.

You’ll hear some of our own stories from college, lessons we’ve learned about discipline, and how kids make terrible idols!

🎧 Whether your child is in Kindergarten or college, bringing home straight A’s or struggling to stay motivated, this episode will encourage you, equip you, and give you words for guiding your kids through their school years and into adulthood as God’s children made to create and glorify Him in all things!

The latest episode on the No Way But Through Podcast is out TODAY!

When our kids really mess up — whether it’s throwing a toy that sends a sibling to the ER or a teenager making a choice they instantly regret — how we respond matters. In this episode, I share the posture, tone and words Jason and I use when we’re sitting with one of our kids who’s really blown it.

I talk about what it looks like to remind them of what’s true about God, how to guide them away from shame, and how to help them move forward with humility and hope.

I share a story of driving with one of my boys to make an in-person apology, and how that moment helped foster humility and courage in his heart, while embracing the grace God extends to us in our failures.. And thanks to Whit’s reminder, I also talk about what it means to raise good forgivers — kids who choose love over resentment when they’ve been hurt by someone else’s mistake.

If you’ve ever wondered what to say after your child really messes up, this episode will leave you encouraged, equipped, and leave your child reminded that there is always a way forward after our biggest mistakes.

Listen in TODAY to this brand new episode in this season’s series: From Bedtimes To Breakups: How We Talk With Our Kids About Real Life Stuff.