September 2, 2026

Are You Still Calling Timeouts?

How many times do you have to say something or repeat an instruction to your kids before they will listen and do what you asked them to do?

It’s football season and coaches don’t have time to teach a player over and over how to play a position or keep telling them where they are supposed to be on each play. Once they have taught their players, they expect them to remember what they have learned and follow through.

The same is true for parents as we train our children. Once we have spent time training them and they know our family rules and expectations, we expect them to follow them. Coming when we call them, respecting their teachers at school, getting along with their siblings, etc.

During football training camp, coaches put players through a lot of hard work, practice, and conditioning. They are teaching their players to listen and follow instructions. If the players won’t obey their coaches, the coaches can’t trust them to do what they have been taught when they are in the game.

As the season progresses and the players demonstrate that they can follow instructions, the relationship begins to shift from constant training to trust. The coach can focus more on coaching and guiding the players because they have learned to listen and do what they have been taught.

Mom and Dad, are you still in the obedience-training phase of parenting? Have you reached the point where you can trust your kids to follow through when you give them an instruction, or are you still unsure whether they will actually do what you ask?

Ideally, the foundation of obedience should be established during the early years so that, as your children grow, you can move more into the role of a coach, encouraging, guiding, and training them in how they should live. Your goal is to teach them how to make wise decisions and then gradually give them the freedom to make those decisions on their own.

In football, coaches can only call three timeouts in each half to stop the game and instruct their players. Are you having to call more timeouts than that?

If so, it may be time to put your child back through obedience training. Sometimes children need a reset. They may need to be reminded of the expectations, given additional practice, and shown that there are consequences when they choose not to follow through. The goal is to get them back to a place where you can trust them to do what you’ve taught them, so you can get back to coaching rather than constantly correcting.

And remember, timeouts for instruction and training aren’t bad. Even as adults, we sometimes need to stop, ask questions, and get help when we’re trying to figure things out. A good coach would much rather have a player come to them and ask, “What am I supposed to do?” than have that player guess and play the game incorrectly. The same is true for our kids.

Are your children comfortable coming to you when they aren’t sure how to handle a situation? Do they ask for your help, direction, or advice when they don’t know what to do?A good coach is approachable. Players should feel comfortable asking questions and seeking help when they need it. As parents, we want our children to know that we are approachable and they can come to us, too.

“A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, 

but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.”

Proverbs 13:1

Parenting Made Practical Podcast

Building Character In Your Kids

Satan is going to use someone or something to try and influence your kids because he wants to write on their hearts what his character is, and what he wants their character to be. It’s your job to beat Satan to it by taking the time to write God’s character on their hearts instead. This is a process that takes years. Satan delights when he wins and God loses the character of an adult, teen or child. Whose side do you want your kids to be on, Satan’s or God’s?

Click the title or search Parenting Made Practical in your favorite podcast app to listen!

August 26, 2026

I was at a park recently and noticed three different types of dogs with their owners.

The first dog was on a short, tight leash. His owner kept him close so he wouldn’t get close to other people or dogs. When no one was around, the owner would let the leash out a little more. But when people or other dogs came near, he would pull the leash back in.

The second dog had a much longer leash. When other dogs came near, the owner was able to call the dog’s name, and the dog immediately stopped, turned around, and headed back toward his owner.

The third dog didn’t have a leash at all. He was free to roam because his owner trusted that he wouldn’t run away, even when other people and dogs were nearby.

Watching these three dogs and their owners made me think about the different stages of parenting.

Sometimes, especially when kids are little, parents need to maintain close and constant supervision over their children. At this stage, children may not yet have the maturity, wisdom, or self-control to handle a great deal of freedom.

When kids are a little older and more responsible, parents can give their children a little more freedom. However, when they need their children to come to them, they respond and come immediately when they hear their names. If a child refuses to listen or come when called, the parent may need to discipline them to correct the behavior and remind the child of the expectations of listening and obeying.

The last stage is when parents no longer need to maintain as much control because they have taught their children how to behave and make wise choices. Of course, there may still be times when a child/teen needs to be reminded of the rules or disciplined for poor choices. This child/teen has been given greater freedom because they understand the difference between right and wrong and typically choose what is right.

Where are you in your parenting?

Are you still needing to hold the leash tightly because your child isn’t ready for more freedom? Are you gradually letting the leash out as they demonstrate responsibility and good decision-making? Or have you taught them what they need to know and can now begin to unleash them, trusting them with more of the freedoms and responsibilities of life?

The goal isn’t to keep our children on a tight leash forever. The goal is to gradually prepare them for greater freedom by teaching them how to make wise and responsible choices when we are not there to guide every step.

“A wise son brings joy to his father.

But a foolish son brings grief to his mother.” 

Proverbs 10:1

Parenting Made Practical Podcast

Are You Controlling Your Kid’s Behavior or Training It?

It’s natural for parents to control their kid’s behavior growing up. Eventually, kids need to learn to manage their own behavior both in the home and everywhere else to be a positive influence vs. others influencing them.

Training An Unteachable Child

What do you do when you are trying to teach your kids they need to be patient and kind with a willingness to help others, starting with their siblings and they aren’t paying attention? They are not teachable and they just don’t care about what you think they need to learn. Get encouraged with fresh ideas on how to work with your child to open his/her heart and mind to your instruction so he/she will discover for himself the freedom that comes with obedience.

Click the title or search Parenting Made Practical in your favorite podcast app to listen!

August 19, 2026

What a tough question! Hopefully, your answer is yes. But there are many times we, as parents, say things and make promises with good intentions, but for some reason, we just don’t keep them.

We are talking about keeping your word. I (Carla) remember my Dad said he would pay my way through college, but he didn’t. He also told me he would buy me a car if I got all A’s in High school, but he didn’t do that either. Those unfulfilled promises still ring in my ears today saying, “If my dad could not follow through with promises like that, how could I trust anything else he said to me?”

My dad may have been trying to motivate me to do well in school, but these are perfect examples of how parents can make innocent promises that can actually undermine trust.

As dads and moms, we are a representation of who Jesus is to our kids. If we want our kids to believe in Jesus, then we need to represent Him by keeping our promises, just as He does. In I Corinthians 11:1 Paul says “Follow my example because I follow the example of Christ.” As parents, we need to be an example of God’s character to our kids through the way we live, and especially by keeping our promises, so they can learn to trust that God will keep His promises too.

On my (Joey) 12^th birthday, my dad gave me a fishing pole. My dad promised that four days later, on Saturday morning, he would take me fishing. Friday night came, and we packed up everything we needed to go fishing early Saturday morning.

If something had come up that prevented my dad from taking me fishing, I believe it would have undermined my trust in my dad’s word. My dad wasn’t perfect, but to this day, I have great respect for all the things he did for me and taught me because I knew my dad would keep his word.

Can your kids trust you will keep your word?

 “A man who makes a vow to the LORD or makes a pledge under oath must never break it. He must do exactly what he said he would do.”

Number 30:2

Parenting Made Practical Podcast

Are you a Trustable Parent?

Trust is the foundation of any relationship. For kids to obey, they need to be able to trust their parents. Learn 5 ways parents often undercut trust with their kids.

Click the title or search Parenting Made Practical in your favorite podcast app to listen!

August 12, 2026

Do your kids ever try to expand their freedoms and do things you don’t think they’re ready to handle? Maybe it’s something as simple as a four-year-old trying to get something out of the refrigerator when you haven’t given them the freedom to get into it on their own.

When your child tries to do something you don’t think they are ready or skilled enough to handle, it may be because they don’t yet have the knowledge, wisdom, or life experience to understand everything that comes with that new freedom. These are areas of their life where they haven’t yet earned the right to make decisions on their own.

A phone is a great illustration of this. Once your kid/preteen/teen gets a phone, they think they have all the freedom that comes with one. Even if you told them to only call you or certain family members, they may think they can call and text all their friends, as well as do everything their friends do with their phones. You tell them “no internet searching”. They even say yes Mom/Dad. But do they have the self-control to stick to that rule when their friends encourage them to look something up online?

New things bring new freedom opportunities, and those opportunities reveal how much self-control, obedience, and responsibility your child has developed. The question is: If your kids don’t follow your instructions or give in to the temptations of their friends, will you have the courage to hold them accountable to the boundaries you’ve established?

If you waver on holding to your family’s standards, your kids will quickly begin establishing their own standards of what they believe is right and wrong based on the freedoms they take for themselves.

One of the best pieces of parenting advice we can give you, is when you give your child something they really want or you think they need to have, surround it with boundaries so it will be used properly.

When they demonstrate they can handle this new independence, you can open the door to greater freedoms by gradually loosening the restrictions you’ve placed on them.

Be aware – once your child is given freedoms he/she has earned, he will start taking them in other areas he hasn’t earned them in as well. It’s always easier to open the freedom’s up then restricting them and pulling them back in! Pulling freedoms back from your kids can often lead to frustration and rebellion because they don’t understand why something they were previously allowed to do is suddenly no longer permitted. They are disagreeing with what you are saying and the decision you are making.

That’s why it’s important to increase freedoms gradually and intentionally. Give your children opportunities to prove they can handle more responsibility before giving them more independence.

James 5:12 says “let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, or you will be condemned.”

Parenting Made Practical Podcast

Why Won’t My Kids Do What I Tell Them To Do? 

When you tell your kids to do something do you expect them to do it? Learn what you can do to get your kids to listen to you and to do what you tell them to do.

Does Your Child Have The Freedom To Do That?

This is a powerful phrase with a powerful punch, throwing the ball of responsibility back in your kid’s irresponsible court. Learn how to teach your kids to be responsible for their own stuff.

Freedom Areas Kids Try to Take

There are 2 freedom areas kids try to take when they haven’t earned the freedom or can’t handle the responsibility. The freedoms your kids have only exist because of what you allow them to do, choose, or say. Learn in this episode specific ways, to deal with these freedom areas proactively to help get your kids back inside the boundary areas you have laid before them.

Click the title or search Parenting Made Practical in your favorite podcast app to listen!

August 5, 2026

Can you love your child too much? The obvious answer is NO! But can parents love their kids so much that they give them things that can hinder them from learning to mature and provide for themselves? The quick answer is definitely yes!

We know of loving parents who continue waking their teenagers up throughout their high school years out of love, so that they never learned to get up to their own alarm. Those same teenagers were often late or slept through classes when they started college because they didn’t know how to wake up to their alarms.

When one of our kids was in their 3^rd year of college, their roommate’s parents drove 90 minutes each week to bring them fresh laundry including towels and sheets, partly to see their adult child, but also because they never taught this 20-year-old how to do laundry for themselves. Their love ended up neglecting teaching their child basic “need-to-know” lessons for him to grow into maturity and learn to be responsible.

What we are really talking about is called child-centered parenting. It’s where parents prioritize a child’s individual needs, interests, and emotional well-being over their need for maturity and owning their responsibilities.

Many parents fall naturally into this syndrome by giving their kids whatever they want to please them. It starts naturally with young children because parents have to give children whatever they need. The problem comes when parents miss the transition of stepping back when a child can do something on their own and teaching them how to do it for themselves. 

Think of it as a parent who feeds their toddler food with a spoon, until the child can master the skill of holding a spoon and feeding themselves. The parent then turns the responsibility of feeding themselves over to this child.

What are you currently doing for your kids that they can and should be doing for themselves, so that they can grow and mature to become responsible for their own actions? Want to know more? Click here to listen to the podcast, “Can You Love Your Kids to Much?”

“But solid food is for the mature, 

who by constant use have trained themselves

to distinguish good from evil.”

Hebrews 5:14

July 29, 2026

No matter what type of education your family has chosen-homeschool, public school, or private school, getting your kids ready for a new school year can be a big job. From buying new clothes and shoes to gathering books, curriculum, and the long list of school supplies, there is always plenty to do.

But beyond the physical preparations, have you considered whether your children are ready emotionally, socially, and morally for a new school year? Are they prepared to enter a new grade with confidence? If you’ve recently moved, are they ready to be the new student? Are they prepared for the transition to middle school or high school? Do they know how to respond if they’re teased because they’re new, got glasses over the summer, have braces, or simply don’t fit in with a particular group of classmates?

Whether your children are homeschooled or attend public or private school, have you begun preparing their daily routines? Are you gradually adjusting their internal clocks so they go to bed earlier so they’ll be ready to wake up refreshed and alert? For homeschooling families, establishing a consistent start and end time, along with a daily schedule, helps create structure and teaches good habits that will help them learn time management skills they’ll need throughout their life.

Have you evaluated how many extracurricular activities your children can realistically handle? Are you teaching them the self-discipline to complete homework on school days instead of waiting until Sunday night? Developing these habits early on in the school year will hope the entire school year go smoother. 

Do your children have an alarm clock so they can learn the responsibility of waking up on their own? Have you established a consistent bedtime and bedtime routine to ensure they get enough rest each night and are ready to learn the next day?

With the busyness of life, it’s easy to put these preparations off until the first day of school. Even if you’ve been through many “back to school” seasons before, it’s worth asking yourself these questions again. Whether you’re a seasoned parent or preparing for your child’s very first school year, have you intentionally planned how you’ll help your children get ready for a great year?

It’s your responsibility as Mom and Dad to prepare them, not just with backpacks and school supplies, but with the routines, character, confidence, and life skills they need to be ready to learn and succeed.

“But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.”

I Corinthians 14:40

Parenting Made Practical Podcast

Getting Kids to Prioritize Time

Kids can waste so much time! Learn why you need to teach your kids time management, and get practical ideas on how to train your kids to organize their time at different ages so they can have fun and play time.

Click the title or search Parenting Made Practical in your favorite podcast app to listen!

July 22, 2026

Have you caught yourself saying “Kids, stop doing that!” or “Don’t do that again!” or something like that to try and get your kids to get themselves under control? You know your kids know better, as you have gone over this very issue with them many times in the past. But for some reason, it seems they just get carried away and you have to remind them again, and again to settle down before someone gets hurt, and when they still don’t bring it down, you have to step in and control their behavior.

Parents need to control their kid’s behavior when they are little, but as kids reach the elementary years, they need to learn to manage their own behavior both at home and everywhere they go, no matter who they go with. They need to be a positive influence on others vs. others negatively influencing your kids behavior.

Your goal is to teach your kids how to be aware of their surroundings and others in it vs. letting others regulate them, being rowdy until a parent has to step in, which makes you the “mean parent” when you have to stop them.

Your goal mom and dad is for your kids to learn to bring their behavior back under control themselves vs. you having to do it for them. But do your kids have this skill yet? Can they learn to “read the room”, watching to see what the others are doing so they can keep things down to a low roar without you having to intervene?

If you have taught your kids what is right, and you have trained them in how to do it, now it comes down to your kids wanting to obey you and submit to your standards. Versus doing what they want to do, or letting siblings or friends entice them to change your standard, and then they act according to what others want.

This kind of scenario is a great opportunity to teach your kids two lessons:

1. How to control their own behavior no matter who is around vs. you controlling their behavior.

2. How to stand up to their siblings and peers to do what is right even though they are being heavily influenced to make wrong choices.

“Start children off on the way they should go,

    and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

Proverbs 22:6

Are you tired of controlling your kids behavior? Do you want your kids to follow through on what you have taught them? We encourage you to listen to a recent “Parenting Made Practical” podcast titled “Are You Controlling Your Kid’s Behavior or Training It?” You will get more encouragement and tips on how to stop reminding your kids and hold them accountable for how you have trained them to follow through with wise choices, even when their siblings and friends are encouraging them to make bad choices.

Kids, Get Self-Control!

“How many times have I told you…” comes out of Mom’s mouth when she can’t believe her child did something again. Kids have self-control; they just don’t use it unless they want to. This presentation teaches parents of 5 and under how to begin getting self-control. It also gives parents of 5 and older 8 key areas parents need to train their kids in self-control character and suggestions on how to accomplish it. A child knows he is supposed to brush his teeth but doesn’t have the self-control to take the time to pull the brush out of the cup, put the tooth paste on it and brush his teeth, yet later that day he has the self-control to dribble a soccer ball with his foot with other teammates on the practice field which takes a lot of self-control. The same is true for their character!

MP3

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Use code JULY26 at checkout by July 26, 2026 for $1 off the MP3 & PDF

Parenting Made Practical Podcasts

Are You Controlling Your Kid’s Behavior or Training It?

It’s natural for parents to control their kid’s behavior growing up. Eventually, kids need to learn to manage their own behavior both in the home and everywhere else to be a positive influence vs. others influencing them.

Click the title or search Parenting Made Practical in your favorite

podcast app to listen!

July 15, 2026

“Why Do I Have to Do That?” Have your kids ever said that to you? We think almost every parent has heard this at one time or another. What your kids are trying to do with phrases like this is to try and get you, their parents to back off and you either give the task to someone else, or you do it instead.

One day you tell your child to get the dishes done. You hear a pot banging around in the sink and you know they are trying to show you their displeasure at having to do the dishes. Instead of saying “Why do I have to do that?”, they are telling you in non-verbal ways they don’t want to do this chore.

So, you ponder: How do you change this child’s bad attitude other than continuing to give him this chore week after week until he starts doing it in an appropriate way? You wanted to play some games with your kids tonight or do something fun with them, but with this kid’s bad attitude, you’re not going to be able to do that.

You heard in Sunday’s sermon Philippians 2:14 “Do everything without grumbling or arguing.”  “Arguing, which is the same as quarreling and complaining, which is the same as grumbling” You start thinking you really need to deal with this child’s attitude or it will get way out of control.

Another way of looking at this is when your child debates, negotiates, and talks back to you, all these are ways he/she is trying to subtly tell you he is in control and you aren’t. He is trying to find a way to argue with you that won’t make you mad, because he doesn’t want to get into trouble, since that will get him consequences. He just wants to change your mind which gives him control.

Your child/teen may not be yelling or screaming at you when they are debating or negotiating with you, but their heart is still rebelling against your authority. These will only work in your kid’s favor if you let them, so be prepared for them and know they might use these tactics on you.

If you would like to dig deeper into how to deal with these kinds of issues, listen to our recent podcast titled “Why Do I Have to Do That?”. We share 8 strategies to deal with a child or teen that argues with you when you give him something to do.

Click here or search Parenting Made Practical

in your favorite podcast app to listen!

By Joey & Carla Link

It’s hot outside, we’re halfway through summer and you might be looking for some new ideas to help work on some of those parenting issues that arise when everyone is home together. We’ve put together a list with some of our most popular podcast episodes over the past 5 1/2 years we thought might be helpful! Click the title or search Parenting Made Practical in your favorite podcast app to listen.

Do you have a topic you’d like us to do a podcast on? Or is there an episode that has made an impact in your parenting? Send us a message at info@parentingmadepractical.com to let us know!

HELP! My Kids Misbehaving Again!

This episode gives parents a practical plan to deal with kids that misbehave over, and OVER, and OVER AGAIN. Help your kids learn to make right choices so you can trust them to make good decisions.

10 Family Relationship Builders

Kids can grow distant and independent from their family, aligning more with friends and technology than Mom & Dad or siblings. Learn how to change this trend and to strengthen your family identity.

Why Do Kids Keep Doing the Same Wrong Behavior?

Kids often do the same wrong behavior over and over because of their Temperament. Learn what temperaments are and how they influence and impact your kids and parenting.

What Do I Do With A Child Who Talks Back To Me?

When kids talk back to their parents it is to question and challenge their parent’s authority over them. Learn what parents can do and how to change this merry-go-round.

Are You a Trustable Parent?

Trust is the foundation of any relationship. For kids to obey, they need to be able to trust their parents. Learn 5 ways parents often undercut trust with their kids.

Click the title or search Parenting Made Practical in your favorite

podcast app to listen!

July 1, 2026

You think your kids will learn about the 4^th of July and what it means in school. But exactly what are they learning about it? In public schools, especially these days, it is hard to tell what is being taught about anything. Often, it is someone’s opinion about a historical event rather than the details surrounding the event itself. 

Do your kids know the 4^th of July (in the US) is the birthday of the United States? This is our country’s 250th birthday!! Most kids can relate to what a birthday means. Celebration! Gifts! Parties! Talk about how your family can celebrate the 4^th. Ask your kids why they are glad to be an American. Why not plan a birthday party celebrating the United States with your kids to teach them about our country! Ask each of your kids who are old enough to look up the following to share with the family on the 4^th of July.

• Have one of your kids prepare to share what being a “free” country means. That it gives us the freedom to go to church every Sunday and worship God. 
• Do your kids know that millions of people live in countries where these freedoms don’t exist? Have one of your kids be prepared to share what some of these freedoms are.
• Do your kids know that God has historically been given credit for what the United States stands for?
• Where did the phrase, “In God We Trust” come from and where can you most easily find it? (Hint: Look on the back of a dollar bill)

I would have told you that the phrase “In God We Trust” first came into being in US politics when the Constitution was written. I just looked it up. On July 30, 1956, two years after pushing to have the phrase “under God” inserted into the pledge of allegiance, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a law officially declaring “In God We Trust” to be the nation’s official motto. That was 80 years ago this July.

• Ask one of your kids to look up and find out how many US Presidents refused to put their hand on the Bible when they were sworn into office. Answer: All except 10 U.S. presidents have been sworn in with a Bible, and those that did traditionally seal their oath of office with “so help me God.”
•  Ask one of your kids to be prepared to share how the Declaration of Independence came into being and how many times it mentions God. (Answer: It mentions God 4 times.)

To celebrate enjoy a picnic or a BBQ at a park or in your back yard. Ask your kids after they have shared their answers to the questions you have asked them what kind of gifts they can give the United States. One gift we told our kids they could always give was to pick up trash they saw and throw it away so they could help keep our city and our country clean. Another gift we can each give our country when we are old enough is to vote. That’s a freedom other countries don’t always have. We are sure your family can think of a lot of other things you can do as well!

Our kids still talk about the family trip we took to many of the historical sites on the East coast when they were in elementary, middle and high school. The 250th birthday of America is a fun occasion to celebrate, one to look back on and remember as a fun family memory someday when they are adults!

“In God I trust and am not afraid.

    What can man do to me?”

Psalms 56:11