Updates from Flourishing Homes and Families - Parenting with Peace and Purpose

Managing Parenting Triggers: Proactive & Responsive Strategies for Peacemaker Parents

Tue, 20 May 2025 11:16:00 CDT

Parenting is a journey filled with love, joy, and, at times, overwhelming challenges. There are moments when our children's behaviors - tantrums, defiance, whining, or even just their boundless energy and unending noise can ignite something deep within us. These reactions, often disproportionate to the situation, are known as triggers. They are usually the echoes of our past: unresolved emotions or beliefs that resurface in the heat of the moment. In this post, we address a heartfelt question from a parent navigating these very challenges...

Is the Flourishing Family Study Guide Right for You?

Mon, 05 May 2025 08:45:00 CDT

Parenting is sacred...and stretching. And when you’re trying to follow Jesus while unlearning old patterns and building new ones, it can feel especially lonely.

That’s why we created The Flourishing Family Study Guide.

This six-week guide was made for parents who are ready to root their parenting in the way of Jesus - drawing from both Scripture and the science of child development. Whether you're reading The Flourishing Family for the first time or you've already dog-eared your favorite pages, the study guide will help you reflect more deeply and apply it to your everyday life.

If you’ve been curious about how it works, you’re not alone! Here are a few questions we’ve been asked:

The Sacred Beauty of a Slow Yes: Parenting PDA Kids with the Eyes of Jesus

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 22:45:36 CDT

If you're raising a child with PDA (clinically known as Pathological Demand Avoidance, though many in the autistic community prefer Persistent Drive for Autonomy), you know what it’s like to live in the land of no.

No to getting dressed.
No to brushing teeth.
No to leaving the house.
No to things they actually want to do.
No while they're doing the thing you asked them to do.
No that seems to come before they even hear the question.

It can be exhausting, confusing, even infuriating. And if you’re anything like me, it can leave you questioning yourself as a parent - or worse, questioning your child’s heart.

But Jesus tells a story that speaks directly to this place.

Judas, Peter, and What Easter Taught Me About Parenting

Sun, 20 Apr 2025 22:04:00 CDT

This week, I’ve been reading through the resurrection story again - something I try to do slowly and intentionally every Easter season.

But this time, two names kept standing out to me in a way they haven’t before:

Judas and Peter.

Two of Jesus’ closest disciples.
Two men who loved Him.
Two men who, in His most vulnerable moment, betrayed Him.

Judas, Peter, and What Easter Taught Me About Parenting

Sun, 20 Apr 2025 22:03:22 CDT

This week, I’ve been reading through the resurrection story again - something I try to do slowly and intentionally every Easter season.

But this time, two names kept standing out to me in a way they haven’t before:

Judas and Peter.

Two of Jesus’ closest disciples.
Two men who loved Him.
Two men who, in His most vulnerable moment, betrayed Him.

How to Support Your Neurodivergent Child Without Shame: A Jesus-Centered Approach

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 12:28:00 CDT

There was a time when I couldn’t tell the difference between a meltdown and defiance.

When our boys were very young, they would stomp or slam doors or throw something across the room when they were upset, my gut response was: How dare you? That's unacceptable!

Because that’s what I’d been taught to believe - about children, about behavior, and about what “respect” should look like.

But slowly, Jesus began softening my eyes.

Rethinking Obedience: Leading Our Kids to Jesus, Not Just Rules

Sun, 30 Mar 2025 22:36:00 CDT

There is a popular teaching in Christian parenting circles, sometimes stated outright but often implied: teach your children to obey you so that when they grow up, they will know how to obey God. With such a heavy burden, parents develop catchy phrases like, "Obedience is doing what I say, when I say it, with a happy heart," or "Obedience the first time, every time."

At first glance, this idea may seem logical, even biblical. But when we examine Scripture, we see that this approach goes beyond what Jesus actually teaches. In reality, it promotes legalism rather than true obedience, and it is rooted in a flawed understanding of both obedience and spiritual formation.

Peacemaker Parenting: The FAQ on Obedience

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 20:59:00 CDT

When it comes to obedience, one of the biggest mindset shifts we can make is seeing it as more than just rule-following- it’s about relationship. In Peacemaker Parenting, obedience isn’t about control; it’s about connection, trust, and discipleship. In this post, we’re answering your biggest questions about obedience so you can move beyond power struggles and into a more peaceful, Jesus-centered approach.

What if We've Been Reading "Do Not Be Anxious" all Wrong?

Sun, 09 Mar 2025 23:18:00 CDT

Our family has been through quite a lot in the past six months. We've launched a book, walked through a health emergency that shook us—complete with a life flight, packed up and moved out of our home of 15 years, moved into a multi-generational home with Amanda's parents and brother, hosted Thanksgiving and Christmas, finished writing the study guide to our book, and recorded video sessions for it. Add to that David’s annual work review, traveling to attend and speak at conferences, juggling meetings with our contractor about the house remodel, and, oh yes, parenting our kiddos! At times,, the weight of it all felt immense. I won’t pretend it’s been easy. It's been hard, overwhelming at times. But through the chaos and exhaustion, God’s goodness has been so, so evident. In every moment—good and hard—He has been right there, anchoring us.

The Peacemaker Parenting Approach to Hitting

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 00:05:00 CDT

One of the most frequently asked questions we get, when it comes to behavior challenges, is "What do I do when my child tries to hit me or their sibling?" The good news is: hitting is a very typical behavior for toddlers and early preschoolers. The bad news is: hitting is a very typical behavior for toddlers and early preschoolers.

If you're in the throes of hitting (do you see what we did there?), we know it is one of the most challenging moments to face. Whether it’s a sibling, a friend, or even us, hitting feels like a big deal, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But instead of reacting with frustration or anger, Peacemaker Parenting encourages us to approach these moments with calmness, empathy, and clear boundaries. In the heat of the moment, our kids need us to be the steady ones—teaching them not just how to stop hitting, but to understand and handle their emotions in a healthier way.