Being a Perfectly Imperfect Parent w/ Steph Thurling
The Motivation Series
Equipping parents during their child’s academic years to bring learning to daily moments.
The Parenting IQ Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual resources to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit www.christianparenting.org
on today’s episode…
In this episode of the Parenting IQ podcast, Dr. Kelly Cagle and Steph Thurling discuss the multifaceted nature of parenting, including the joys and challenges of raising children, particularly during the teenage years.
Insights
Summary
In this episode of the Parenting IQ podcast, Dr. Kelly Cagle and Steph Thurling discuss the multifaceted nature of parenting, including the joys and challenges of raising children, particularly during the teenage years. They explore the importance of communication within the family, the balance between work and home life, and the necessity of self-care for parents. The conversation emphasizes the idea that parenting is a journey of growth and learning, where perfection is not the goal, but rather doing one's best and relying on faith. In this conversation, Dr. Kelly Cagle and Steph Thurling explore the importance of communication within families, the journey of establishing family meetings, and the significance of spiritual leadership in parenting. They discuss the challenges of setting goals, reflecting on past experiences, and the necessity of modeling faith and open conversations with children. The dialogue emphasizes the gift of parenting, the importance of emotional intelligence, and the need to embrace imperfections while guiding children towards a strong relationship with God.
About Steph Thurling
Steph Thurling is Executive Director of Christian Parenting and host of The Christian Parenting Podcast. Steph has her master’s in youth, family, and culture from Fuller Theological Seminary and has a background in youth and children’s ministry. She is co-author of Raising Prayerful Kids, a book that shares easy, life-giving, and fun ways to teach kids to pray. She loves helping families grow closer to each other and to God through meaningful experiences and conversations. Steph is a frequent speaker at churches and mom groups and is known for her relatable stories, practical ideas, and gentle encouragement. Steph lives in Minnesota with her husband and three amazing and hilarious kids. When she is not hanging out with her family, you can probably find her on a walk with a friend, organizing things that won’t stay organized, or somewhere cozy reading a book.
Takeaways
Parenting is a journey of growth and learning.
Communication is essential for family dynamics.
Self-care is crucial for effective parenting.
It's okay to not be perfect; just do your best.
Teenage years bring new challenges and opportunities for connection.
Family meetings can enhance communication and involvement.
Balancing work and home life requires intentionality.
Parents need to prioritize their own needs too.
It's important to let children make mistakes and learn from them.
Relying on faith can provide strength in parenting challenges. Modeling communication is essential for children.
Family meetings can enhance connection and understanding.
Setting realistic goals helps in personal growth.
Spiritual leadership is crucial in parenting.
Faith should be integrated into daily life.
Open conversations about faith foster growth.
It's okay to not have all the answers.
Parenting is a journey of learning together.
Children remember how they feel more than perfection.
Embrace the imperfections of parenting.
HEY THERE! I’M DR. CAGLE… DO YOU NEED HELP WITH CREATING GREAT HABITS???
Parenting is hard work. It requires tons of boundaries, daily consistency, so much awareness, as well as lots of patience, grace, wisdom, and filters. Combine that hefty list with all of life’s demands and others’ voice may become louder than yours in your child’s life, increasing their anxiety, fears, and doubts.
Healthy parenting is about seeing yourself as your child’s #1 teacher, saying the right words (or nothing at all) at the right time, and having the right tools to be intentional and impactful. Guessing your way through life, which is what most parents do, is a recipe for failure, but following the lead of someone who has two decades of research-based information and fully understands the demands of parenthood is a recipe for a full life— for you and your child.
With a PhD in education, I’m here to teach you how to use daily moments are learning opportunities so you raise confident and competent lifelong learners that thrive in an ever-changing world.
Additionally, I offer workshops and keynotes on various topics to parents, educators, students, and business leaders— because the need to understand, support, and empower learners is everywhere..
