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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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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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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How to Re-Engage in Church Life Post-Pandemic

By Guest Writer / August 31, 2021

By Lisa Garon In February 2020, my family was actively involved in various ministries at our large, multi-campus church. Aside from being on staff in an administrative role, my husband and I led a marriage workshop and facilitated our respective Bible study groups. Our teenage son attended the high school youth group, served in Sunday

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A Broken Hallelujah: Practicing Gratitude in Seasons of Grief

By Guest Writer / August 17, 2021

By Donna Bucher Along with our youngest daughter, my husband and I stood in a hospital room gathered with my son, his wife, her parents and grandfather. We were all excited for the much-anticipated day of the birth of my son’s first child. For first-time parents and grandparents, the long months of pregnancy often drag

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Parenting With Joy, Confidence, and Purpose

By Guest Writer / August 25, 2020

Article by: Sue Donaldson I went out the front door the other day, and our girls called out: “Mom! Where are you going?” I laughed and replied, “I’m only picking some rosemary for the roast.” With our older children sheltering-at-home, the tables are definitely turned. It’s endearing they don’t let me out of their sight.

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