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Practice Makes Parent

Practice Makes Parent

Focus on the Family

Dive into the heart of Christian parenting with "Practice Makes Parent," your go-to podcast for actionable insights, faith-based inspiration, and real-life strategies for every stage of parenthood. From the joyous toddler years to the challenging school-age phase, the perplexities of puberty, and the exhilarating journey of guiding your confident teen, this podcast is your trusty companion. Join hosts Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James as they bring you weekly episodes packed with the wisdom of parenting experts. Uncover Biblical truths, effective parenting techniques, and a treasure trove of resources designed to empower moms and dads in today's ever-evolving culture in this fun Christian parenting podcast.

  • 30 minutes 36 seconds
    The Parenting Research Roundup

    Do you have a favorite child? Probably! Are you a dolphin, elephant, or free-range parent? Do you know? Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James go through some recent research that explain, personality types, conscious and unconscious choices in your parenting. If you question your parenting, or if you're anxious about doing the right or wrong things, you'll learn a lot through this episode.

    7 Traits of Effective Parenting

    Want To Know Your Parenting Style?

    Parenting Tools Library

    Join the Focus on the Family Parenting Facebook Group

    Take Our Parenting Assessment

    Reach Out To Our Team of Christian Counselors

    30 September 2026, 6:00 am
  • 31 minutes 16 seconds
    The ADHD Family (Part 2 of 2)

    We're continuing our conversation with Dr. Tamara Rosier, author of You, Me & Our ADHD Family, focusing on family communication. She highlights emotional regulation as a key ADHD-related challenges, using a “pool” metaphor for big emotions and encouraging families to develop preplanned self-regulation toolkits. We distinguish defiance from ADHD by responding to patterns once everyone is calm. We address self-medicating and we also take a listener question about using diet and nutrition to help with ADHD symptoms. If you or someone in your family has ADHD, let us know what you think of this program!
    You, Me, and Your ADHD Family
    Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email
    Enjoying music as a family can bring everyone closer. Check out Focus Live, powered by Godcaster. It’s a great way to get Focus On The Family content and expose your kids to great worship music!
    Speak To A Counselor

    23 September 2026, 6:00 am
  • 33 minutes 45 seconds
    The ADHD Family (Part 1 of 2)

    Danny and Rebecca discuss ADHD with Dr. Tamara Rosier, founder of the ADD Center of West Michigan and author of "You, Me, and Our ADHD Family." If you or your children are having difficulty directing attention, Dr. Rosier has helpful advice that describes ADHD parenting as a “goat rodeo” and offers a “monkeys” naming technique to separate people from symptoms. We also answer a listener's question about too many extra curricular activities.
    You, Me, and Your ADHD Family
    Call Our Counseling Line at 1800-A FAMILY
    Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email
    Enjoying music as a family can bring everyone closer. Check out Focus Live, powered by Godcaster. It’s a great way to get Focus On The Family content and expose your kids to great worship music!
    Speak To A Counselor

    16 September 2026, 6:00 am
  • 34 minutes 34 seconds
    Bringing God's Word To Public Schools

    Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James discuss how Christian parents can bring God’s Word into public schools. They talk with Kori Pennypacker, CEO of Bible2School and author of Backpack Faith. She explains that First Amendment freedoms protect students’ rights to express faith at appropriate times, including praying, reading the Bible, wearing religious messages, using faith in assignments, and meeting for Bible studies with equal access rules. We also answer a listener's question about taking her kids out of public school.
    Backpack Faith: Helping Your Child Live Confidently for Jesus in Public School
    Bring Your Bible To School Day
    Get Your Free Download of Important Decisions That Affect Your Child
    ABCDEF Sheet For Parents
    Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email
    Alliance Defending Freedom
    Speak To A Counselor

    9 September 2026, 6:00 am
  • 36 minutes 5 seconds
    Raising Gen Alpha/Gen Anxious ( Part 2 of 2)

    Danny and Rebecca continue their conversation with Dave Boden about raising Gen Alpha (born 2010–2024) in an AI-shaped world. He describes risks of AI chatbots giving unsafe advice and reducing real-life relationships, and he outlines big data’s influence. Practical guidance includes parents learning AI realities, modeling healthy tech habits, answering teens’ identity/purpose/belonging questions through faith, family, and church, and prioritizing in-person rhythms. They also highlight SMART tech benefits and discuss balancing tech limits in homeschooling.
    Raising Gen Alpha
    Take Our FREE Parenting Assessment
    List Of Words Gen Alpha Says
    Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email
    Enjoying music as a family can bring everyone closer. Check out Focus Live, powered by Godcaster. It’s a great way to get Focus On The Family content and expose your kids to great worship music!
    Speak To A Counselor

    2 September 2026, 6:00 am
  • 32 minutes 16 seconds
    Raising Gen Alpha/Gen Anxious (Part 1 of 2)

    Are you raising Gen Alpha? Danny and Rebecca speak with author Dave Boden on the things that have impacted how this generation sees their lives. They emphasize parental self-regulation, asking for help, reframing thoughts, and teaching kids to face discomfort, while grounding their identity in faith. The Q&A covers Gen Alpha slang terms and points every parent should know.
    Raising Gen Alpha
    Take Our FREE Parenting Assessment
    List Of Words Gen Alpha Says
    Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email
    Enjoying music as a family can bring everyone closer. Check out Focus Live, powered by Godcaster. It’s a great way to get Focus On The Family content and expose your kids to great worship music!
    Speak To A Counselor

    26 August 2026, 6:00 am
  • 25 minutes 23 seconds
    Christian Worldview At Home & At School ( Part 2 of 2)

    Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James host part two with Billy Hutchinson, director of Colson Educators at the Colson Center on equipping parents to foster a biblical Christian worldview amid cultural pressures. They discuss, building relational “capital,” treating people as image-bearers, and parenting with an authoritative style. Practical take-a-ways include encouraging a safe space for questions about God, serving others, and meaningful liturgies like prayer and blessings.
    A Practical Guide to Culture: Helping the Next Generation Navigate Today's World
    Equipping Parents for Back To School Download
    A Student's Guide To Culture
    Built For Resilience Webinar
    Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email
    Parenting Style Quiz
    Speak To A Counselor

    19 August 2026, 6:00 am
  • 27 minutes 35 seconds
    Christian Worldview At Home & At School (Part 1 of 2)

    How can you bolster your child's Christian worldview? Danny and Rebecca speak with Billy Hutchinson, of The Colson Center, and he urges parents to be primary disciple makers through intentional teaching and daily practices He gives tips on how to monitor school assignments, assess whether conflicts are occasional or systemic, and even how to request alternate assignments if the school is pushing your parenting boundaries. We also tackle how to address “woke” and LGBT ideologies through our Q & A.
    A Practical Guide to Culture: Helping the Next Generation Navigate Today's World
    Equipping Parents for Back To School Download
    How The Colson Center Can Help Parents Respond To Wokeness
    Truth Rising Documentary: Chloe Cole Story
    Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email
    Transgender Resources
    Speak To A Counselor

    12 August 2026, 6:00 am
  • 30 minutes 31 seconds
    Equipping Parents For Back To School

    Dr. Danny Huerta hosts a special episode with Focus on the Family Policy Analyst, Jeff Johnston to brief parents on recent US Supreme Court developments affecting education. From "opting out" of assignments, to gender specific sports teams, we'll give you what you need to know for the start of the school year. We even discuss how to approach teachers, school administrations, and even school boards when a line has been crossed. Make sure you share this episode with all of the parents you're meeting at your child's school, and download the Equipping Parents for Back to School 2026 resource, too!
    7 Traits of Effective Parenting
    Check Out The Daily Citizen
    Get Your Free Download of Equipping Parents For Back To School 2026
    Bring Your Bible To School Day Information
    Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email
    Helping Children Through An Identity Crisis
    Speak To A Counselor

    5 August 2026, 6:00 am
  • 42 minutes 58 seconds
    Helping Moms Understand God's Truth with Erica Ligenza Gwynn

    Have you ever asked yourself if what you believe is REALLY true? Or is it something that
    culture has influenced in your day-to-day life? Danny and Rebecca welcome Erica Ligenza
    Gwynn to discuss her book, That’s Just Not True. Erica shares how motherhood exposed
    half-truths like “I can do anything,” and discusses trusting God through problems rather than
    doing everything to prevent them. They explore lies such as “I’m stuck,” “I messed it all up”,
    and “I’ll be happy when...”. We're emphasizing joy, gratitude, and contentment. In the Q&A,
    we advise a listener worried about generational patterns of children outside marriage. This
    program encourages prayer, community, and honest future conversations.

    Get Your Copy of "That's Just Not True" for a donation of any amount.

    Have you seen our Parenting Assessment Tool?

    Get a "GratiKube" for your family!

    Help your child Launch Into the Teen Years.

    Leave a Comment or Ask Your Question HERE

    Check out Focus Live, powered by Godcaster.

    Speak with one of our counselors

     

    29 July 2026, 6:00 am
  • 36 minutes 13 seconds
    Q & A Session

    It's another Q & A Show where Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James answer your parenting questions. This time, we advise a single mom in Compton, address a worried mom about her 17-year-old pursuing entertainment, and we respond to a child who dislikes spanking, We also help a mom whose 12-year-old is cutting, and counsel a dad of a sensitive 5-year-old to affirm his temperment and sexuality. Have you sent your questions in? Just click on the show notes and you can be a part of our next Q & A Show.
    7 Traits of Effective Parenting
    Check Out Our Parenting Assessment Tool!
    Here's Some Support For Single Parents
    Here Are Tips About Spanking
    Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email
    Here's a Helpful Article Regarding Self-Harm
    Speak To A Counselor

    22 July 2026, 6:00 am
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