Upside-Down Parenting

How Christian Parents Can Speak Their Child's Love Language w/ Gary Chapman | Ep. 45, Pt. 2

What does it actually look like to put the Five Love Languages into practice as a Christian parent? In Part 2 of this conversation, Matt Jones and Janel Greig continue their discussion with bestselling author Dr. Gary Chapman to explore practical ways parents can speak their child's love language, build deeper trust, and create a Christ-centered home where kids feel seen, valued, and loved. Dr. Gary Chapman is an author, speaker, pastor, and counselor best known for The Five Love Languages, which has helped millions of families and marriages worldwide. He has spent decades helping people build stronger relationships through intentional love and communication. 📘 Learn more about Dr. Gary Chapman: https://www.5lovelanguages.com 👍 If this episode encouraged you, be sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE it with another parent.

The Five Love Languages for Christian Parents: Loving Your Kids Well w/ Gary Chapman | Ep. 44, Pt. 1

How can Christian parents help their kids truly feel loved? In this episode of Upside-Down Parenting, Matt Jones and Janel Greig sit down with bestselling author Dr. Gary Chapman—the creator of The Five Love Languages—to talk about how parents can better understand their children, strengthen emotional connection, and reflect God's love at home. Drawing from his newest book, The Love Language That Matters Most, Dr. Chapman shares practical wisdom for parents navigating discipline, emotional connection, teens, boundaries, and everyday family life. Whether your child responds most to quality time, words of affirmation, physical touch, acts of service, or gifts, this conversation will help you love your kids in ways they can genuinely receive. In these episodes, we discuss: *The Five Love Languages and Christian parenting *How to identify your child's love language *Loving teenagers well during difficult seasons *Discipline without disconnect *Parenting multiple children with different emotional needs *How love languages connect to a biblical view of love *What it means to "fill your child's love tank" *How parents can reflect God's love in the home Dr. Gary Chapman is an author, speaker, pastor, and counselor best known for The Five Love Languages, which has helped millions of families and marriages worldwide. He has spent decades helping people build stronger relationships through intentional love and communication. 📘 Learn more about Dr. Gary Chapman: https://www.5lovelanguages.com 👍 If this episode encouraged you, be sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE it with another parent. Resources we talked about or that we'd recommend: *The Love Language That Matters Most: How to Personalize Love So They Really Feel It [https://5lovelanguages.com/store/lovethatmatters]—Dr. Gary Chapman and Les & Leslie Parrott *The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts [https://5lovelanguages.com/store/the-5-love-languages]—Dr. Gary Chapman *The Love Language Quiz [https://5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/love-language] *Love Never Fails [https://www.summit.org/resources/articles/agape-love-never-fails/]—Dr. Jeff Myers

Moms of the Bible: Lessons from the Fearless, Flawed, & Faithful w/ Rhonda Stoppe | Ep. 43

In this special Mother's Day episode of the Upside-Down Parenting Podcast, Matt Jones and Janel Greig sit down with author and speaker Rhonda Stoppe for an honest, deeply encouraging conversation about motherhood in God's upside-down Kingdom. Drawing from her book Moms of the Bible, Rhonda shares wisdom from Scripture and her own parenting journey to help moms move from guilt, comparison, and control toward faithfulness, surrender, and trust. Through stories of women like Jochebed, Naomi, and Lot's wife, she reminds parents that God works through imperfect people who choose to model faith, teach truth, seek wise community, and trust Him with the next generation. Whether you're in the exhausting early years, navigating older kids, or wondering if your ordinary faithfulness really matters, this episode reminds you that motherhood is not wasted work. God sees the quiet sacrifices, daily conversations, faithful rhythms, and hidden moments that shape a child's heart and worldview over time. In this episode, we discuss: * Why moms struggle with guilt, shame, and comparison * The importance of mentors and "older women who know stuff" * What moms in the Bible teach us about faith and failure * Raising kids with conviction without parenting from fear * Letting go of control and trusting God with your children * Why faithfulness matters more than perfection * The quiet influence of ordinary motherhood If you've ever felt inadequate, unseen, or overwhelmed as a parent, this conversation will remind you that your adequacy comes from the Lord—and that He has equipped you for the mission field of motherhood. You can find Rhonda's book, Moms of the Bible [https://Moms%20of%20the%20Bible%20Life-Changing%20Lessons%20from%20the%20Fearless,%20Flawed,%20and%20Faithful]: Life-Changing Lessons from the Fearless, Flawed, and Faithful, anywhere books are sold. For more resources to help you grow as a parent with a plan for discipling your kids, head to summit.org/parents [https://www.summit.org/parents/]. Resources we talked about or that we'd recommend: *Moms of the Bible: Life-Changing Lessons from the Fearless, Flawed, and Faithful [https://www.rhondastoppe.com/moms-of-the-bible-book/]—Rhonda Stoppe *Teaching to Change Lives: Seven Proven Ways to Make Your Teaching Come Alive [https://www.amazon.com/Teaching-Change-Lives-Seven-Proven/dp/1590521382]—Howard Hendricks *When Mom Guilt Meets Grace: A Biblical Approach [https://www.summit.org/resources/articles/when-mom-guilt-meets-grace-a-biblical-approach/]—Dr. Maggie Pope

Mother's Day: Becoming the Upside-Down Mom w/ Cat Jones | Ep. 42

In this special Mother's Day episode of the Upside-Down Parenting Podcast, Matt Jones and Janel Greig sit down with Cat Jones to explore what it really means to be a 'good mom' in God's upside-down Kingdom. In a culture that pushes performance, comparison, and perfection, this conversation invites moms into something radically different—faithfulness, surrender, and trust. Cat shares honestly from her own motherhood journey, offering wisdom, encouragement, and practical insight for moms in every season—from sleepless nights to launching young adults. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, or just trying to keep up, this episode is a reminder that God has already equipped you for the role he's called you to. In this episode, we cover: *Redefining what success looks like for a Kingdom-focused mom *Why surrender matters more than striving *Letting go of comparison and embracing faithfulness *Choosing presence over perfection *Trusting God through every stage of motherhood Motherhood isn't about getting everything right—it's about walking faithfully with God in the moments that matter most. If this episode encouraged you, share it with a mom who needs to hear it this Mother's Day 💛 Resources we talked about or that we'd recommend: *How to Set a Family Mission, Values, & Verse Together—A New Year Reset for Christian Parents [https://www.summit.org/resources/podcast/how-to-set-a-family-mission-values-verse-together-a-new-year-reset-for-christian-parents-ep-25/] *Single, Dating, Engaged, Married: Navigating Life and Love in the Modern Age [https://www.amazon.com/Single-Dating-Engaged-Married-Navigating/dp/1400345871/ref=sr_1_2?adgrpid=194858613108&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Tq3njqgg4DOtx62M1pBjAUQvAdLE4gq6Kc9zllDU2Ftk5F2uNW2BmVYqRWKtZ49Zf-o0omc91rdyM5OCKpKGJSifLYjsD7GOXCILMd_iEVxuiYtRSAwQ3DuhQoZTsLLAdBof0W3emAJ9pr6ndgK97qwy6rr8gw-cS-59ZwZo5GMBspE6I0xzN40QfNCnXAONSUqJ7JfKZ5YdKrFLU2vu5hpyiagy0i1KS74EIn4cMxw.yl-nU3i0IfnHiOAr_fkdGrzkn3b2vlDFa3NCBP4kmQg&dib_tag=se&hvadid=779509543668&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=1020749&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=17008431567611633759--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=17008431567611633759&hvtargid=kwd-389653385997&hydadcr=17811_13794493_2332425&keywords=single+dating+engaged+married&mcid=df13f5380a8f3915a8c2bc86801f9a0f&qid=1777906807&sr=8-2]—Ben Stuart *Risen Motherhood: Gospel Hope for Everyday Moments [https://store.summit.org/Risen-Motherhood]—Emily Jensen and Laura Wifler *Hard Is Not the Same Thing as Bad: The Perspective Shift That Could Completely Change the Way You Mother [https://store.summit.org/Hard-Is-Not-the-Same-Thing-as-Bad-The-Perspective-Shift-That-Could-Completely-Change-the-Way-You-Mot]—Abbie Halberstadt

Called to Be Dad: Becoming the Father God Designed You to Be w/ Mark Pitts | Ep. 41

Most dads don't say it out loud—but many feel like they're just trying to keep their heads above water. Balancing work, family, expectations… and quietly wondering if they're falling short. In this episode of the Upside-Down Parenting Podcast, Matt Jones and Janel Greig sit down with Dr. Mark Pitts—author, speaker, and founder of the Midnight Dad Devotional community—to have an honest, hope-filled conversation about fatherhood. Together, they explore what it really means to be "called" to be a dad—not as a performance to perfect, but as a role God equips you for. Mark shares wisdom from his new book, Called to Be Dad: How God Equips You to Be the Man He Made You to Be, along with personal stories, biblical encouragement, and practical ways to lead your family with humility, presence, and dependence on God. In this episode, you'll hear: * Why fatherhood is a calling—not a performance * How to move from striving and pressure to trust and faith * Encouragement for dads who feel inadequate or overwhelmed * How your view of God as Father shapes the way you parent * Practical, biblical habits for showing up well—even imperfectly Whether you're a dad in the trenches, preparing for fatherhood, or supporting one, this conversation will remind you: you're not alone—and you're not unequipped. 👉 If this episode encouraged you, share it with a dad who needs to hear it. Subscribe for more conversations that challenge and encourage you to parent in God's upside-down Kingdom. To learn more about Mark's work and books, check out Calledtobedad.com! Resources we talked about or that we'd recommend: *Called to Be Dad: How God Equips You to Be the Man He Made You to Be [https://calledtobedad.com/]—Dr. Mark Pitts *The Force of Fatherhood [https://www.summit.org/resources/reflect/the-force-of-fatherhood/]—Timothy Fox *Family Discipleship: That Works Guiding Your Child to Know, Love, and Act Like Jesus [https://store.summit.org/Family-Discipleship-That-Works-Guiding-Your-Child-to-Know-Love-and-Act-Like-Jesus]—Brian Dembowczyk