In this episode, we dive deep into the concept of freedom and its importance in shaping our lives, our children's lives, and their faith journeys. Freedom is often portrayed as the ability to do whatever we want, but true freedom is about making the best choices, using our freedom for good, and navigating the limits and responsibilities that come with it. As children grow into teenagers, they begin to make their own choices, and as parents, we must guide them toward understanding the true essence of freedom. Our guest helps us explore how freedom is tied to compassion, respect for others, and living our faith authentically.

· Freedom isn't just the ability to choose anything—it’s about choosing what’s right and good. How do we teach our children to navigate between good and bad choices, and how can they use their freedom for positive impact?

· How can parents allow their children to make their own choices while providing enough space for them to take risks? Why is it important to show confidence and trust in their abilities, especially for teenagers?

· What role does freedom play in living out our faith? How can parents create an environment where faith is joyful and freely chosen, rather than forced, allowing children to make their own decisions in regards to cultivating their faith?

Link Recommendations:

Freedom: Raising your children to make meaningful choices

You can:

• Follow us on Instagram @growingheartspodcast
• Find out more about the Pared Foundation: visit our website
• Discover our schools by visiting: pared.edu.au/openday
• Remember to hit FOLLOW so you don't miss out on any of our future episodes

In this episode, Clare Horsfall shares how stories and books can be powerful tools in helping children develop virtues, values, and an understanding of the world beyond themselves. We explore how books help children process emotions, build imagination, and introduce them to beauty, truth, and goodness. This episode is packed with actionable tips for instilling a love of reading and nurturing character through stories.

• How books help children process emotions and relate to characters' challenges.
• Why stories are essential for building imagination and fostering a sense of wonder.
• Practical tips for selecting the right books for different ages and interests.
• Balancing religious texts with other genres to promote holistic development.
• How family reading habits can shape a child's values, hope, and sense of compassion.

Recommendations:

- Year 3-5 Reading List

- The Little House Series

- Children's bible Golden Books

- Catholic book store: Cardinal Newman Bookshop

You can:

Follow us on Instagram @growingheartspodcast

Find out more about the Pared Foundation: visit our website

Discover our schools by visiting: pared.edu.au/openday

Remember to hit FOLLOW so you don't miss out on any of our future episodes.