Send me a text to ask a question or share a thought!

Can a family vacation really be both relaxing and fun when you're juggling young kids, single-bathroom situations, and meal planning? Tune in as we unravel the joy and chaos of family trips, offering practical advice on everything from mastering staycations to understanding the nuances of hotel etiquette and VRBO meal prep. Learn why setting realistic goals is key and how adjusting your expectations as your children grow can lead to more fulfilling trips. And if elaborate travel plans seem daunting, fear not—discover the beauty of meaningful family time close to home. Join us for a refreshing perspective that prioritizes shared experiences over picture-perfect vacations.

Helpful Links from this Episode:

• Vacationing Tips for Families
• Family Vacation 101: What to Pack, Where to Say, How Long, Meal Calendar
• I'm Giving You Permission Not to Go on a Family Vacation and Why
• Brand New: Road Trip Activity Book
• Hotel Rooms, Vacations, and Kids: 16 Tips to Success
• Create a Travel Journal (ages 5+), 2nd Edition
• Car and Travel Activities for Kids
• Specific Tips to Visit: Central California (Yosemite)
  Smoky Mountains
  Rocky Mountains (Colorado Springs)
  Grand Tetons and Yellowstone
  Zion, Bryce, and Grand Canyon
  St. Louis
• "How to Break Free from Lies to Embrace the Truth" Podcast Episode

Episode Sponsor: The Be Intentional Planner - the planner created to help you be the intentional woman God has called you to be. Order now for only $15.00.

Get connected with Parenting to Impress:
Facebook Group: /groups/ABCJLM
Facebook: /heidi.franz.2911
Instagram: /abcjesuslovesme/
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Thanks for listening!

Send me a text to ask a question or share a thought!

Embark on a journey to craft the ultimate summer experience for your kids. Together, Melanie and Heidi peel back the layers of parenting during those sun-drenched days, drawing inspiration from Mark 12:30 to fill our children's time with intention. Whether you love the slower pace or grapple with guilt as a working parent, our conversation is brimming with actionable strategies to help you plan a summer.

Discover how to strike that perfect balance between nurturing your child's academic and spiritual progress and embracing the carefree spirit of the season. Tune in and transform those fleeting summer moments into lasting memories and lessons for your little ones.

Helpful Links from this Episode:

• Free Summer Success Packet
• Training a Child to Report
• Teaching Little Man First-Time Obedience
• Runts Fruit Candy (affiliate link)
• Our Daily Bread for Kids (affiliate link)
• Old and New Testament Curriculum
• All About Spelling Curriculum (affiliate link)
• How Much Media Use is the Right Amount?

Episode Sponsor: ABCJesusLovesMe.com, an educational ministry that equips adults with the materials needed to be intentional in educating children.

Get connected with Parenting to Impress:
Facebook Group: /groups/ABCJLM
Facebook: /heidi.franz.2911
Instagram: /abcjesuslovesme/
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Have you ever felt like you're just not measuring up? It's something I've grappled with, and I'm sure many others have too. In our latest chat on Parenting to Impress, my friend Melanie and I get real about these struggles. We dive deep into those nagging doubts about our worth and our kids' success, because let's face it, those thoughts can be pretty relentless.

But here's the thing: there is Truth midst of all that chaos, and we're excited to share it with you. We are learning, alongside you, to sift through the lies and find the truth in God's Word.

Together, we're laying out a roadmap for reclaiming our identities in Christ. We're sharing our own experiences of battling self-doubt and insecurity, and how we've found hope in Scripture.

Whether you're a parent feeling the weight of perfectionism or just someone in need of a little encouragement, tune in for some heartfelt inspiration and practical steps toward embracing the abundant life that's waiting for you.

Helpful Links from this Episode:

• Be Intentional Planner
• The 2 Lies I am Believing. You Too?
• What Lies Are You Believing - Free Printable

Episode Sponsor: ABCJesusLovesMe.com, an educational ministry that equips adults with the materials needed to be intentional in educating children.

Get connected with Parenting to Impress:
Facebook Group: /groups/ABCJLM
Facebook: /heidi.franz.2911
Instagram: /abcjesuslovesme/
Subscribe to Blog & Newsletters: forms.feedblitz.com/5r0

Thanks for listening!

Send me a text to ask a question or share a thought!

As a mother who's navigated the stormy seas of parenting, I've seen firsthand the pressures that tests and tryouts can heap onto our children's shoulders. Today, I'm sharing heartfelt strategies to support your kids through anxiety-riddled tests, whether the elementary spelling test, ACT, or sports tryouts. We'll explore how shifting the conversation from your child's abilities to God's guiding hand can make all the difference.

I'll share three practical tips that can ease the burden of test anxiety for your little ones, including how to pray with them using scripture and the profound impact of sending a short but powerful encouraging note or text. We also discuss the importance of celebrating every success by attributing it to God's wisdom and support.

Plus, I've put together a special resource just for you—a complimentary PDF of Bible verses tailored for testing times, ready to download below. Let's turn these challenges into opportunities to strengthen your child's faith and confidence.

Helpful Links from the Podcast:

• FREE PDF - Scriptures to Pray for Testing Anxiety
• Subscribe to The Helping Hand Newsletter
• Learn to Pray the Scriptures Podcast
• Building a Work Ethic

Scripture Shared in this Podcast:

• Colossians 3:23 - Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.
• Deuteronomy 6:4-9 - Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Get connected with Parenting to Impress:
Facebook Group: /groups/ABCJLM
Facebook: /heidi.franz.2911
Instagram: /abcjesuslovesme/
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Her inquiry was raw and brimming with emotion. To conclude, she anonymously posted, "I'm committed to our marriage, but I am tired." I'm aware that many have experienced this same sentiment in their marriages, even though Christians often feel pressure to have a different kind of marriage. Yet, what are you to do when you feel trapped and unhappy? Can love and connection truly endure in a marriage?

I invite you to join me on what may be my most candid podcast yet. I welcome you to sit in the booth as my guest and I engage in an honest conversation about expectations for date nights, issues of control, and the impact of sin and discord. This is a marriage podcast that diverges from the typical "Christian" responses you may have encountered.

Whether you've listened to every episode of the Parenting to Impress podcast or none at all, I encourage you to click "play" above and discover that you are not alone. There is hope.

Helpful Links:

• Re|Engage
• A Weekend to Remember
• Marriage Recovery Center

Get connected with Parenting to Impress:
Facebook Group: /groups/ABCJLM
Facebook: /heidi.franz.2911
Instagram: /abcjesuslovesme/
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Let's talk about adoption and foster care. Some adopt to expand their families. Others personally feel a command to "look after the orphans" (James 1:27). Recently, I sat down with my friend Holly to learn about her journey of foster care and adoption. It was eye-opening and inspiring, to say the least.

Join us for a conversation that's not just about building a family, but about redefining what it means to love unconditionally.

Get connected with Parenting to Impress:
Facebook Group: /groups/ABCJLM
Facebook: /heidi.franz.2911
Instagram: /abcjesuslovesme/
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Thanks for listening!

Send me a text to ask a question or share a thought!

Imagine a life in which you trust God with your time so much so that you pause work on Sundays. Sounds intriguing, right?

Join us, your hosts Heidi Franz and Melanie Simpson, as we share our personal journeys about observing Sabbath - even as busy moms. From the ancient roots of Sabbath in the Old Testament to its place in the 10 commandments, we dig into why God established this practice and how we strive to balance rest with our parenting responsibilities.

Parenthood can often feel like a non-stop whirlwind, but we're here to remind you there is freedom in establishing a Sabbath routine that works for you. From navigating weekend tournaments to aligning with your spouse on spiritual goals for your children, we share our experiences and learnings in finding balance. So, whether you're a busy mom or a dad trying to figure out rest in the midst of chaos, this conversation will offer you practical insights and spiritual encouragement. Let's journey together in discovering the beauty of Sabbath rest in our lives as parents.

Helpful Links from this Episode:

• Characteristics of a God-Centered Family, Part 2 Podcast and Blog Post
• Live Chat with Heidi

Get connected with Parenting to Impress:
Facebook Group: /groups/ABCJLM
Facebook: /heidi.franz.2911
Instagram: /abcjesuslovesme/
Subscribe to Blog & Newsletters: forms.feedblitz.com/5r0

Thanks for listening!

Send me a text to ask a question or share a thought!

This podcast episode explores the sacred covenant of marriage. Join us as we uncover the truths behind common misconceptions and reveal the divine blueprint for matrimony.

In this personal discussion, Melanie and I dive into the wisdom of 1 Corinthians 13:4-9, offering practical advice on cultivating love and humility within your marriage. We'll debunk the notion of perpetual happiness, emphasizing instead the journey towards holiness that marriage entails.

Discover the true meaning of submission as a reflection of surrender to God, not a tool for control. We'll also address common challenges like the 'seven-year-itch' and offer insights on how to guard and nurture your relationship.

Through personal experience and insights from God's word, we'll show you how facing life's trials together has strengthen our marriages, allowing them to not just endure, but thrive. Tune in for a fresh perspective on marriage that will inspire and encourage you on your own journey of matrimony.

Helpful Links from this Episode:

• "One study found that a third of unhappy couples with new babies divorced, but of the two-thirds who persisted, 93% reported happy marriages. A 2002 report found that two-thirds of unhappily married adults who chose to stick it out reported happier marriages five years later." Breakingpoint.org
  
  
• Love is.... {Free Printable}

Get connected with Parenting to Impress:
Facebook Group: /groups/ABCJLM
Facebook: /heidi.franz.2911
Instagram: /abcjesuslovesme/
Subscribe to Blog & Newsletters: forms.feedblitz.com/5r0

Thanks for listening!