Parenting Without Fear of the Teen Years with Kristen Hatton | Ep. 588

Is it possible to parent without fear of the teen years? We say yes! So does today’s guest, Kristen Hatton. We are delighted to have Kristen on the podcast today to share how to prepare for some of the aspects of parenting teens that many parents find daunting. 

Episode highlights include: 

• Kristen shares ways to know if your fears are becoming idols in parenting 

• Proactive VS reactive parenting: Which one are you? 

• The difference between overparenting and underparenting and how they affect your kids

*Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! 

QUOTES 

• “Frequently parents are living in “reactive” mode, and often it’s because we’re just so busy.”  - Kristen Hatton 

• “If I always say yes to my kids going in different directions with their friends, or being on a travel team, and we’re always just so busy, then all the sudden, church goes by the wayside. Family time goes by the wayside.” - Kristen Hatton  

• “Often, what children experience from their parents is how they view God. So I want them to know my unconditional love and acceptance, so that they see that that’s how God is too.” - Kristen Hatton 

• “If we’re micromanaging to protect them, they’re not equipped to leave. It is hard… yet I have to remember in God’s providence that this is good.” - Kristen Hatton 

QUESTIONS: 

• To evaluate if something has become an idol: Are you holding it with an open palm, or a clenched fist? Can you be OK without it? 

• Evaluate your emotions to help you see your idols. Ask: Why am I so angry? Why am I so irritable? Is something controlling me? What occupies my time, habits, thoughts, money, and conversations?

• Talk with your spouse to decide: 

• What do we want most for our family? How are we doing to get there?

• What do we want to impart to our kids? 

• What will we allow? What won’t we allow? 

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: 

• Learn more from Kristen: 

• Follow her @RedemptiveParenting on Instagram

• Find all of her books and resources at KristenHatton.com 

• Get Biblical wisdom for parenting teens in her book Parenting Ahead 

• Our FREE 16 Ways To Navigate the Teenage Years as a Team will help you keep your marriage strong during this season.

• Don’t let porn teach your children about sex. Check out The Sex Talk. It’s a great resource to encourage healthy conversation about sex with your children.

• GIVEAWAY TIME! We are giving away a bundle of our TOP 3 RESOURCES of 2023: 44 Tips to Better Sex in Marriage, 21 Day Husband Encouragement Challenge, and 21 Day Wife Appreciation Challenge! To enter just leave an honest review of the podcast wherever you listen, screenshot it, send in to info@awesomemarriage.com. Giveaway ends 12/15 10am CST. 

• Dr. Kim’s newest book, Love, Intimacy and Sex in the Second Half is now available as an eBook! Grab your copy here! 

• We want to help you make 2024 your best married year yet with 12 Marriage Resolutions for the New Year! Click though for all the details of this uplifting resource!