→ 20% off Duncan and Stone's keepsake journals

→ Prayer Calendar

Navigating parental authority can be challenging, especially when young children test boundaries through behaviors like hitting. Many parents struggle with being too permissive or too authoritarian, unsure of how to guide their child in a way that is both firm and loving. In this episode of The Mind of a Child, we dive into the heart of parental authority—what it means, how it is often misunderstood, and how we can align our approach with God’s authority. Through real-life examples, biblical wisdom, and practical strategies, this discussion will help you confidently lead your child while fostering respect, love, and spiritual growth.

3 Takeaways:

1. Parental authority is a God-given (or lent) responsibility, not a tool for control.
2. Effective discipline is rooted in calm, clear expectations.
3. God’s authority serves as a model for parental authority.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00:00] – Introduction: The challenge of parental authority and how it impacts child behavior
[00:02:00] – Examples of permissive and authoritarian parenting styles
[00:05:00] – Breaking down ineffective parenting approaches and their consequences
[00:07:00] – The middle-ground approach: Confidence, authority, and God's guidance
[00:12:00] – How to maintain calm authority: Practical steps for parenting with confidence
[00:16:00] – Biblical foundation: Ephesians 6 and the responsibility of parents
[00:19:00] – God’s authority: How recognizing His rule shapes our parenting
[00:22:00] – Authority as a protective grace: Teaching children obedience and security
[00:24:00] – Closing prayer and reflection

Please send us your questions if you'd like to have them discussed on the podcast:
themindofachildpodcast@gmail.com

The Mind of a Child is an early child development podcast that exists to encourage and equip parents to raise their kids to love God and love others. If you're looking for Biblical principles, practical parenting solutions, and science-backed research, our discussions are specifically tailored for you. Our hosts are Leslie Dudley Corbell and Diane Doucet Matthews, who each have a combined 50+ years of experience in the early child parenting space.

→ 20% off Duncan and Stone's keepsake journals

→ Prayer Calendar

Does your toddler hit when frustrated, resisting the car seat, or struggling with big emotions? In this episode we break down this common toddler behavior, offering gentle yet firm discipline strategies, positive reinforcement techniques, and faith-based wisdom to guide your little one toward self-control and respect. From setting firm limits to recognizing foolishness in your child, this episode is packed with practical tools for parents who want to discipline their children with gentleness, love, and authority.

3 Takeaways:

1. Hitting is a natural toddler behavior, but firm, loving guidance helps them learn self-control.
2. Set clear limits and redirect behavior using simple, positive instructions (e.g., “Hands in your lap”).
3. Biblical discipline is about heart change, not just behavior correction—guide children toward wisdom and self-control through faith, patience, and consistency.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] Welcome & Listener Question

[05:20] The 4-Step Approach to Addressing Hitting

[12:45] Understanding Toddler Behavior & Root Causes

[18:30] Teaching Through Play & Gentle Correction

[24:10] The Biblical Perspective on Foolishness & Self-Control

[30:00] Encouragement for Parents: Disciplining with Faith

[35:15] Preview of Next Episode

Please send us your questions if you'd like to have them discussed on the podcast:
themindofachildpodcast@gmail.com

The Mind of a Child is an early child development podcast that exists to encourage and equip parents to raise their kids to love God and love others. If you're looking for Biblical principles, practical parenting solutions, and science-backed research, our discussions are specifically tailored for you. Our hosts are Leslie Dudley Corbell and Diane Doucet Matthews, who each have a combined 50+ years of experience in the early child parenting space.

→ 20% off Duncan and Stone's keepsake journals

→ Prayer Calendar

Mealtime isn’t just about food—it’s about connection, conversation, and creating lifelong habits. In this episode, we explore how to make family meals a positive experience while encouraging healthy eating habits in children. From picky eating to power struggles, we’ll share practical strategies to transform mealtime into a joyful experience for you and your family.

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Avoid labels like “picky eater” to prevent reinforcing negative food behaviors.
2. Offer foods multiple times—it can take 10-15 exposures before a child accepts a new food.
3. Make mealtime enjoyable with creative food presentations, fun names, and engaging conversations.
4. Encourage independence by letting kids serve themselves family-style.
5. Focus on connection, not just nutrition—mealtime should be a time of joy and togetherness.

Episode Highlights:

[00:30] – Why mealtime is a blessing and an opportunity for family bonding
[05:45] – Overcoming power struggles at the dinner table
[11:00] – Fun ways to make food more appealing for kids
[16:15] – The do’s and don’ts of raising healthy eaters
[20:40] – The role of patience when introducing new foods
[26:20] – How family-style meals encourage independence and better eating habits

Please send us your questions if you'd like to have them discussed on the podcast:
themindofachildpodcast@gmail.com

The Mind of a Child is an early child development podcast that exists to encourage and equip parents to raise their kids to love God and love others. If you're looking for Biblical principles, practical parenting solutions, and science-backed research, our discussions are specifically tailored for you. Our hosts are Leslie Dudley Corbell and Diane Doucet Matthews, who each have a combined 50+ years of experience in the early child parenting space.

How Do We Nurture Faith & Discipline in Our Families?

In this special Q&A episode, we answer listener-submitted questions about family discipleship, teaching humility, setting healthy boundaries, and navigating discipline as a united front. Parenting is a journey filled with challenges, and we’re here to provide faith-based guidance to help you raise children who love God, love others, and grow up honoring family values.

Episode Highlights & Timestamps

[00:30] – How to create meaningful family devotionals without resistance
[06:15] – Daily discipleship habits that fit naturally into your routine
[12:00] – Teaching humility through gratitude, service, and responsibility
[18:45] – Protecting kids from cultural influences without over-sheltering them
[25:30] – Navigating discipline: How to present a united front as parents

Key Takeaways

1. Don’t force devotionals. Instead, find a time that works best for your family’s natural rhythm.
2. Encourage gratitude and humility by modeling these traits daily.
3. Be a safe space for your child’s questions—master the art of “not freaking out.”
4. Set clear boundaries on media, social influences, and cultural exposure.
5. Unite as parents in discipline decisions—avoid letting kids play one parent against the other.

→ Book mentioned: Family Discipleship by Matt Chandler & Adam Griffin

Please send us your questions if you'd like to have them discussed on the podcast
themindofachildpodcast@gmail.com

Happy 2025! We're leading off the new year with some questions we received at a discipleship conference that are relevant for lots of parents with younger children. This episode is super practical and will cover such things as tantrums, boundaries, routines, and even meal time. Enjoy!

Episode mentioned: Meal Time

The Mind of a Child explores early child development on a social, intellectual, physical, emotional, and spiritual level to equip parents to parent well. Information is tailored for children 8 and under BUT is relevant for all ages.

SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS at themindofachildpodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram at @themindofachildpod for reels, stories, and pictures.

This podcast is produced by Rockwell ---> www.rockwell-productions.com

> Capture your child's precious moments with Duncan and Stone's keepsake journals

Christmas is just around the corner and for many of our listeners it's a season of anticipation and expectation as they await the birth of their newborn. What an exciting time! On this episode we give some practical steps for preparing your home for a new family member, dive into Luke 1:26-55, and finally share how we can prepare our hearts this Christmas Season with Hope, Joy, Peace, and Love just like Mary did. Enjoy!

The Mind of a Child explores early child development on a social, intellectual, physical, emotional, and spiritual level to equip parents to parent well. Information is tailored for children 8 and under BUT is relevant for all ages.

SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS at themindofachildpodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram at @themindofachildpod for reels, stories, and pictures.

This podcast is produced by Rockwell ---> www.rockwell-productions.com

> Capture your child's precious moments with Duncan and Stone's keepsake journals

Advent awaits the coming of Christ which is the hope, joy, peace and love not only for parents of young children this season, but for the entire world. On today's episode, we dive into the history of advent, discuss each of the four elements, before finishing with some practical steps for how you can bring hope, joy, peace, and love into your parenting this Christmas. Enjoy!

The Mind of a Child explores early child development on a social, intellectual, physical, emotional, and spiritual level to equip parents to parent well. Information is tailored for children 8 and under BUT is relevant for all ages.

SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS at themindofachildpodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram at @themindofachildpod for reels, stories, and pictures.

This podcast is produced by Rockwell ---> www.rockwell-productions.com

Here's a short segment from our most recent episode:

We are joined by artist, author, and mother Tabitha Paige to hear how saying "yes" to God's vision for her life and her family's life has led to blessings beyond her wildest imaginations. You've probably seen her children's books all over social media, and we're so excited to share her story with you all. This interview blessed us so much! And we can't wait for it to do the same for you. Enjoy!

Support Tabitha's work by purchasing one of her best-selling children's books today on Amazon or on her website.

The Mind of a Child explores early child development on a social, intellectual, physical, emotional, and spiritual level to equip parents to parent well. Information is tailored for children 8 and under BUT is relevant for all ages.

SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS at themindofachildpodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram at @themindofachildpod for reels, stories, and pictures.

This podcast is produced by Rockwell ---> www.rockwell-productions.com