Orthodox Christian Parenting

Surrounding Your Son With Holy Men With Father Jacob Saylor

Can one parent—or even two—raise a faithful son alone? Father Jacob Saylor says no family was ever meant to. In this episode, he explains why boys need faithful men beyond their own father to show them Christ's version of masculinity, and how priests, godfathers, uncles and parish friends can help form the next generation. He also offers real encouragement to moms doing this without a father present in the home. Download this week's free Discussion Guide here [https://www.faithtree.org/parenting]. Episode Recap: * Today we’re talking with Father Jacob Saylor about the importance of surrounding our sons with holy men.  * How do we help young men discover who God has created them to be?  * What can we do to help young people encounter Christ?  * How can single moms surround their sons with men to look up to?   * How can we support our Church community without overstepping?  * When should we encourage young people to talk to their priests?   * What do parents need to know about handing down the faith?  * What words of encouragement can you give to a mom who’s struggling with this?  * What have you learned from your own mentoring relationships?  * Can you share advice for a single parent who is co-parenting with someone outside the Church?  Resources: *  Follow and rate the podcast on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/orthodox-christian-parenting/id1840695620], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0Ij2IRfmbFqzYAGFVSq0gS] or YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@FaithtreeResources/podcasts] * Download this episode’s free Discussion Guide [https://www.faithtree.org/parenting] * Explore the full library of Faithtree Resources [https://www.faithtree.org/] * Donate to support the podcast  [https://www.faithtree.org/donate-now] * Get the Lionheart Sessions [https://www.faithtree.org/buy-now-products/p/lionheart-sessions-digital] * Get the Foundations of Faith Cards [https://www.faithtree.org/cards] * Learn about Arizona Christian Academy [https://www.arizonachristian.com]

How to Stay Peaceful When Life Feels Chaotic With Dr. Philip Mamalakis

Some days the sacred feels impossibly far away—buried under the laundry, the backpacks, the dishes in the sink. In this episode, Dr. Philip Mamalakis returns to the podcast with practical wisdom for parents worn thin by the chaos of daily life. He reminds us that a peaceful parent is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children, and offers a way to leave guilt and shame behind for good. Download this week's free Discussion Guide here [https://www.faithtree.org/parenting]. Episode Recap: * Today we’re talking about finding peace in the midst of chaos with Dr. Philip Mamalakis. * How can we stay focused on the sacred when we’re surrounded by mess? * Our kids don’t need a clean house, but they do need a peaceful parent. * How should we respond when we feel we’re about to snap? * What might it look like to build a little breathing room into our days? * How can we combat guilt and shame to show up as healthier parents? * Where can we find peace when we’re feeling stressed or anxious? * When things feel dark, how can we respond with light? * How can we support single parents who are doing the work of two? * How can we walk alongside our kids as they explore new ideas? Resources: *  Follow and rate the podcast on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/orthodox-christian-parenting/id1840695620], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0Ij2IRfmbFqzYAGFVSq0gS] or YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@FaithtreeResources/podcasts] * Download this episode’s free Discussion Guide [https://www.faithtree.org/parenting] * Explore the full library of Faithtree Resources [https://www.faithtree.org/] * Donate to support the podcast  [https://www.faithtree.org/donate-now] * Get the Foundations of Faith Cards [https://www.faithtree.org/cards] * Download The Encounter app  [https://www.faithtree.org/the-encounter] * “Parenting Toward the Kingdom” [https://www.amazon.com/Parenting-Toward-Kingdom-Principles-Child-Rearing/dp/1944967028] by Dr. Philip Mamalakis

Loving a Child Through a Medical Crisis Part 2 With Elias & Joy Hajjar

When their daughter needed a heart transplant, Elias and Joy Hajjar learned what it looks like for an Orthodox Church community to truly show up. In part two of this conversation, they share the next chapter of their journey including the remarkable relationship they built with the donor's family. They also speak directly to parents caring for a sick child and to the communities trying to love them well. Download this week's free Discussion Guide here [https://www.faithtree.org/parenting]. Episode Recap: * Today we’re continuing our conversation about parenting through a child’s illness with Elias and Joy Hajjar. * Tell us about your transplant experience.  * How did you build a relationship with Rosie’s donor’s family? * How can we best show up for people as they’re walking through hardship?  * What would you say to someone going through this experience right now?  * What do families in the middle of a crisis need most?  * Can you give us an update on Rosie?  Resources: * Follow and rate the podcast on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/orthodox-christian-parenting/id1840695620], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0Ij2IRfmbFqzYAGFVSq0gS] or YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@FaithtreeResources/podcasts] * Download this episode’s free Discussion Guide [https://www.faithtree.org/parenting] * Explore the full library of Faithtree Resources [https://www.faithtree.org/] * Donate to support the podcast  [https://www.faithtree.org/donate-now] * Get the Foundations of Faith Cards [https://www.faithtree.org/cards]

Loving a Child Through a Medical Crisis Part 1 With Elias & Joy Hajjar

As parents, we all have a plan for how our lives will unfold. But how do we hold onto faith when those plans shatter? In this episode, Elias and Joy Hajjar share their story of raising a child with a heart defect and navigating surgeries, hospital stays and eventually a transplant. They explain how their Church community held them up during the most difficult moments and discuss the steps they’ve taken to keep their marriage strong in times of chaos and calm. Make sure to follow the podcast so you don’t miss part 2 of this conversation, and download this week's free Discussion Guide here [https://www.faithtree.org/parenting]. Episode Recap: * Today we’re talking with Elias and Joy Hajjar about holding onto faith in the midst of a child’s illness. * Tell us about your experience of giving birth to Rosie. * How did your Church family surround you in such a challenging time? * How did Rosie’s health impact your younger daughters? * Did navigating these challenges together make your marriage stronger? * How did the lessons of faith you grew up with carry you through? * Did you ever find yourself feeling angry at God? * Can you tell us about the transplant process? Resources: *  Follow and rate the podcast on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/orthodox-christian-parenting/id1840695620], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0Ij2IRfmbFqzYAGFVSq0gS] or YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@FaithtreeResources/podcasts] * Download this episode’s free Discussion Guide [https://www.faithtree.org/parenting] * Explore the full library of Faithtree Resources [https://www.faithtree.org/] * Donate to support the podcast  [https://www.faithtree.org/donate-now]

How to Raise Children Who Can Share Their Faith With Confidence and Joy With Fr. Constantine Nasr

How do we raise children who love the Faith and aren't afraid to talk about it? Fr. Constantine Nasr, a ninth-generation priest, shares why we don't need to turn our children into little evangelists. Instead, he says, we need to live the Faith with enough joy, humility and love for them to see something worth embracing. He also reveals three questions his father passed down to him that are simple enough for children to remember but deep enough for all of us to live by. Download this week's free Discussion Guide here [https://www.faithtree.org/parenting]. Episode Recap: * Today we’re talking with Fr. Constantine Nasr about teaching our children to share their faith. * There’s enormous power in sharing our faith stories. * How do we help our children confidently share their faith? * What would you say to parents who are too hard on themselves?  * How do we make the Faith a thing of joy and not obligation? * You can’t save the world, but you might be able to save one person in your world. * How do we help our children handle questions from people outside the Orthodox Church?  * What’s the one thing you want parents to teach their children about the faith?  Resources: *  Follow and rate the podcast on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/orthodox-christian-parenting/id1840695620], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0Ij2IRfmbFqzYAGFVSq0gS] or YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@FaithtreeResources/podcasts] * Download this episode’s free Discussion Guide [https://www.faithtree.org/parenting] * Explore the full library of Faithtree Resources [https://www.faithtree.org/] * Order the Foundations of Faith Cards [https://www.faithtree.org/cards] * Donate to support the podcast  [https://www.faithtree.org/donate-now] * Father Nasr’s podcast [https://www.youtube.com/@FaithofOurFathersPodcast]