Parenting Archives - Living by Design Ministries

Finding Your Identity in Christ (Not in Your Kids’ Behavior): A Survival Guide for Moms

By Guest Writer / October 14, 2025

By Katherine Grote My four amazing children are my sun, moon, heart, and every other sappy thing people say. The oldest is 20-I-know-everything-about-life-can-you-put-some-money-in-my-account years old, two are teenagers, and the youngest is 11 going on 35. My kids are also the cause of the tic under my left eye and the reason I wake up […]

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How to Pass Down Your Faith to the Next Generation

By Guest Writer / September 2, 2025

By Margaret Kemp On a family trip along the Appalachian Trail to Catawba Mountain, we passed a sign that read, “Catawba Hospital.” That sign prompted my sons’ grandfather to tell a story about his father. In the early 1900s, Great-grandpa was a patient at Catawba Hospital. Located near mineral springs, Catawba was a health resort.

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Lie Detector

By Guest Writer / May 27, 2025

By Bethany Broderick “Who drew on the wall?” I yell from our dining room as I stand before a sketch made with colorful markers. My 5-year-old daughter slides into the room behind me and shrugs her shoulders. “I don’t know,” she replies. “But they signed their name.” I notice the inscription as well. My middle

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5 Habits of a Peaceful Parent

By Guest Writer / March 25, 2025

By Stacy Jenkins It’s crazy how much I thought I knew about parenting before I got into the game. I laugh now about all the things I said I’d never do. But a few topics hit too close to home to be funny. One of those is how easily I can lose my cool. Even-tempered

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5 Spiritual Routines to Develop as a Family

By Guest Writer / January 7, 2025

By Grace Thomas Does your family struggle with developing spiritual routines? My family has, especially as we navigate life with a newborn and toddler. Just like regular rhythms can help us, spiritual routines can provide a lifeline in busy times, anchor us, and streamline our days. So, how can we develop spiritual routines when life

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3 Things To Do When Your Teen Tells You They Don’t Believe in Jesus

By Guest Writer / March 26, 2024

By Heather Hart “Mom, what would you and Dad do if one of us didn’t believe in Jesus?” my teenage daughter asked me. The question sparked dread deep within my soul, and I knew I needed to weigh my next words carefully. “Nothing. Faith is something you must choose for yourselves. It would break our

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Receive Rest As You Release Your Prodigal Child to God

By Guest Writer / October 31, 2023

By Donna Bucher For several years now, my fear surrounding my prodigal son and daughter remains unhindered. Part of a yet unanswered prayer, admitting my apprehension for their welfare feels like a lack of faith. With each passing year, fear regarding their whereabouts or well-being etches deeper in my heart. When my daughter left home,

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Five Lies Teenagers Believe & Biblical Truth to Set Them Free

By Sarah Koontz / September 5, 2023

By Sarah Koontz When I was fourteen, the enemy planted a lie in my heart that grew undetected for nearly two decades. One day after school, I sat in the wing-backed chair in the corner of my mother’s home office. I remember it like it was yesterday. My mom was on a business call. When

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7 Ways to be a Positive Role Model for Teens

By Guest Writer / April 18, 2023

By Laura Sumpter The freshness of the sea air and the whisper of the wind brushed my face as I pushed open the creaky wooden gate. Our excursion had taken us to the home of an elderly lady who sat near us every Sunday at church. “Come around to the back,” she called to

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Moving from Commitment to Completion

By Guest Writer / October 25, 2022

By Annie Yorty Do you know any parents who habitually fail to keep their word to their children? They promise a treat or reward and forget to give it. Or they threaten a consequence for poor behavior and never follow through. Sometimes moms and dads abandon their marriage vows and break the promise of an

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