Timeless Parenting

22 - Thinking Christianly about technology. With James and Simone Boswell.

In this episode we discussed how to think Christianly about technology from a variety of perspectives. Our guests were James Boswell, a 'technologist' and long-time consultant in the tech industry and his wife, Simone, who home schooled their six children as well as supporting many other young families in their parenting. Ann contributed her expertise in neurology and her experiences running parenting seminars with MU Sydney, and Harriet confessed to being a very reluctant tech user. Bringing these different perspectives together, we discussed: - What are the down sides and risks of children's tech overuse? - How do children's brains develop best? - How do we know when tech has become a problem for our toddlers and teens? - Is technology really a new or unique issue for parents? - What do parents need to know about artificial intelligence? - What are some Christian principles to guide our family's tech decisions? - What are some practical ideas for keeping technology in its place? - What are some ways to keep children busy without screens? Links: Parenting in God's Family Volume 2: More Biblical Wisdom for Everyday Issues [https://youthworksmedia.net/collections/frontpage/products/parenting-in-gods-family-volume-2], which includes chapters by our guests on 'Who is raising your online child?' and 'Parenting in an age of artificial intelligence'. Growing Faith [https://growingfaith.com.au/]: articles and resources to encourage and equip Christian parents and carers. Related articles: 'When social media is delayed' [https://growingfaith.com.au/articles/when-social-media-is-delayed] by James and Simone Boswell 'Advice for raising tech-healthy humans' [https://growingfaith.com.au/articles/advice-for-raising-tech-healthy-humans] by Daniel Sih 'Technology: it's a discipleship issue' [https://growingfaith.com.au/articles/technology-its-a-discipleship-issue] podcast with Daniel Sih 'In a screen-based world, our children need to play' [https://growingfaith.com.au/articles/in-a-screen-based-world-our-children-need-to-play] by Jenn Phillips 'In a screen-based world, our children need limits' [https://growingfaith.com.au/articles/in-a-screen-based-world-our-children-need-limits] by Jenn Phillips. Mothers Union Sydney [https://www.musydney.org.au/]. Listen to talks from previous seminars [https://soundcloud.com/mothersunionsydney] on Soundcloud. MU Parenting seminars [https://www.musydney.org.au/parenting-courses], including 'Parenting in a technological age'. Theme music: Soul's Getting Wet by Ali Maegraith. Produced by Ali Maegraith and Gerard Masters. Available on SoundCloud [https://soundcloud.com/ali-maegraith/souls-getting-wet].

021 - Contentment when life is tough. With Kate Morris, Mary O'Brien and Jess Habib.

This episode was recorded live at the Mothers Union Sydney Seminar on February 27, 2026 at St Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney. In the final session of the day, Harriet Connor hosted a panel of three guests about finding contentment when life is tough. Our guests were Kate Morris, who is raising two neurodivergent children, Jess Habib, who lives with a chronic illness and Mary O'Brien, who has seen adult children wander from the faith. Our guests shared with honesty and genuine faith about the lessons their tough times have taught them about themselves, God and Christian community. Whether you are walking through a tough time, or whether you are seeking to support someone who is, you will find this conversation deeply encouraging. Note: Due to a technical issue on the day of the seminar, the sound quality of some speakers is not at our usual standard. Links: Parenting in God's Family Volume 2: More Biblical Wisdom for Everyday Issues [https://youthworksmedia.net/collections/frontpage/products/parenting-in-gods-family-volume-2], which includes a chapter by Kate Morris on 'Neurodivergent families can't do it all (no family can!)'. 'An Extraordinary Normal' [https://anextraordinarynormal.substack.com/], Kate Morris' Substack. 'Neurodiversity in the family of God' [https://www.faithfulgod.net/webinar/] webinar by Kate Morris and Dave Whittingham. Growing Faith [https://growingfaith.com.au/]: articles and resources to encourage and equip Christian parents and carers. Related articles: 'Parenting with a chronic illness' [https://growingfaith.com.au/articles/parenting-with-a-chronic-illness] by Rebecca Sharley and Jess Habib. Mothers Union Sydney [https://www.musydney.org.au/]. Watch all the talks from the 2026 Seminar 'The Joy of Enough' [https://www.musydney.org.au/christian-seminars]. Listen to talks from previous seminars [https://soundcloud.com/mothersunionsydney] on Soundcloud. Theme music: Soul's Getting Wet by Ali Maegraith. Produced by Ali Maegraith and Gerard Masters. Available on SoundCloud [https://soundcloud.com/ali-maegraith/souls-getting-wet].

020 - Family goals and priorities for a new year. With Christine Jensen.

In this summer edition of Timeless Parenting, we spoke with our guest, Christine Jensen, about setting goals and priorities for ourselves and our families. We reflected on questions like: * What worldly priorities can influence our parenting? * Why isn't happiness a good aim for our children? * How can we set goals for our family when so much is out of our control? * What is a better aim for our children than achievement or success? * How can we love our children as God loves us? * What are some good personal, daily goals? This conversation will help you to get intentional about living out your Christian faith in front of your children. Links: Timeless Parenting Episode 03: How to help our kids stick with Jesus. [https://share.transistor.fm/s/7d44fac7] With Al James. Growing Faith articles: 'Why I don't want my children to be (just) happy' [https://growingfaith.com.au/articles/why-i-dont-want-our-children-to-be-just-happy] by Harriet Connor. 'Back to school and the achievement game [https://growingfaith.com.au/articles/back-to-school-and-the-achievement-game]' by Jess Chilton. 'What is Christian parenting?' [https://growingfaith.com.au/articles/what-is-christian-parenting] by Harriet Connor. Parenting in God's Family: Biblical Wisdom for Everyday Issues [https://youthworksmedia.net/products/parenting-in-gods-family], which includes chapters on 'What is Christian parenting?' and 'Growing your family in the faith'. Mothers Union Sydney [https://www.musydney.org.au/] Seminar on 'The Joy of Enough' coming up on February 27, 2026. Register for FREE [https://www.musydney.org.au/annual-seminar-registration] to attend in-person or online. Listen to all of the talks from the Mothers Union Seminar on Soundcloud [https://soundcloud.com/mothersunionsydney]. Theme music: Soul's Getting Wet by Ali Maegraith. Produced by Ali Maegraith and Gerard Masters. Available on SoundCloud [https://soundcloud.com/ali-maegraith/souls-getting-wet].

019 - Knowing God better through reading the Bible. With Cass Backhouse.

In this episode we talked with the host of HerTheology podcast, Cass Backhouse, about the value of parents, especially mums, reading and studying the Bible. We spent some time reflecting on why it's worth investing in our relationship with God by reading his word. But then we turned to the problem: it can be so hard! We talked through some questions like: * How can I adjust my expectations for Bible reading to my season of life?  * Does it have to be a 'quiet' time? * Does it have to look the same every time? * What are the benefits of doing a Bible reading plan? * What if reading the Bible feels dry or boring? * What if I forget what I read? * What are the benefits of reading in community? * What if I don't understand what I read? Where can I find some resources to help? * How will all this benefit my children? * Is there anything wrong with just 'flicking to a page'? This conversation with inspire and equip you to get stuck into the Bible, with the ultimate goal of knowing God better with both our hearts and our minds. Links: HerTheology [https://www.hertheology.com/] podcast hosted by our guest, Cass Backhouse: exploring all of life in light of the Bible. Knowing Faith [https://www.jenwilkin.net/podcast] podcast with Jen Wilkin. Lift Their Eyes [https://lifttheireyes.com/] theology resources for families. Recommended books: Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin. God's Big Picture by Vaughn Roberts. Knowing God by JI Packer. The Ology by Marty Machowski. Mothers Union Sydney [https://www.musydney.org.au/]. Listen to all of the talks from the Mothers Union Seminar on Soundcloud [https://soundcloud.com/mothersunionsydney]. Theme music: Soul's Getting Wet by Ali Maegraith. Produced by Ali Maegraith and Gerard Masters. Available on SoundCloud [https://soundcloud.com/ali-maegraith/souls-getting-wet].

018 - Prayer and its place in our families. With Wendy Lin.

In this episode we got practical about prayer with our guest, author and mother-of-three, Wendy Lin. We spoke about how we experienced (or didn't experience) Christian prayer in our families of origin and how we decided to approach it with our own children. We discussed questions like:  * What is prayer? Why should we pray if God already knows everything? * How can practise both routine and spontaneous prayer? * How does God answer prayer?  * How can we do family prayer when we're not confident? * What should we do if our spouse is not a keen Christian? * How can busy parents find time to focus on prayer themselves? This conversation is insightful, practical, encouraging and full of grace for families in every season of life! Links: Parenting in God's Family: Biblical Wisdom for Everyday Issues [https://youthworksmedia.net/products/parenting-in-gods-family], which contains a chapter on 'Bible reading and prayer across the stages of family life' by our guest, Wendy Lin. Wendy Lin's blog, with book reviews and devotional resources for families, Musings in Adelaide [https://musingsinadelaide.blogspot.com/]. Mothers Union Sydney [https://www.musydney.org.au/]. Listen to all of the talks from the Mothers Union Seminar on Soundcloud [https://soundcloud.com/mothersunionsydney]. Theme music: Soul's Getting Wet by Ali Maegraith. Produced by Ali Maegraith and Gerard Masters. Available on SoundCloud [https://soundcloud.com/ali-maegraith/souls-getting-wet].