Orthodox Christian Parenting

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]

What Your Marriage Is Teaching Your Kids With Paul & Karen Kinan

One of the greatest gifts you can give your children is a healthy marriage. In this episode, Paul and Karen Kinan join the podcast to explain how investing in their marriage has helped them raise a family who loves God and each other. As parents of adult children—and now grandparents—Paul and Karen also reflect on what worked well when they were raising their kids as well as what they would do differently if they could go back in time. Download this week's free Discussion Guide here [https://www.faithtree.org/parenting]. Episode Recap: * Today we're talking with Paul and Karen Kinan, who have what most of us are desperate for—the hindsight that comes from decades of parenting experience. * Tell us about your family and how you met. * When you look at your adult children, what tells you something went right? * How did you surround your family with other Orthodox Christians? * Why is leading by example so important for parents? * What is village living and how do you create it? * Why did focusing on your marriage make you better parents? * How have you established a peaceful home? * What role does forgiveness play in your parenting? * How do you use the Jesus prayer in your daily life? * If you could go back in time, what would you do differently? * How do we help our kids develop relationships with the saints? * Has becoming a grandparent changed your perspective on anything? * What would you say to young parents today? * Can you share advice for parents when kids don’t want to go to church?  * What do you do when your kids ask questions you don’t have the answers to? 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] * Download The Encounter App [https://www.faithtree.org/individual] * Donate to support the podcast  [https://www.faithtree.org/donate-now]

Why Orthodox Church Camp Changes Kids for Life With Father Andrew Andrews

Church camp offers an incredible opportunity to give your children a break from the noise of the world and surround them with a community of believers. In this episode, Father Andrew Andrews explains how camp can transform lives and form a faith that lasts beyond the weeks of summer. He also shares practical guidance for parents about who camp is for and how to overcome common fears around sending your kids to camp. Download this week's free Discussion Guide here [https://www.faithtree.org/parenting]. Episode Recap: * Today we’re talking with Fr. Andrew Andrews about the role of church camp in spiritual formation.  * What sets this generation of Orthodox kids apart?   * How can camp strip away some of the falsehoods of the modern world?   * Can you share a story that exemplifies why camp matters? * What does liturgical life look like at camp?  * How can parents extend the impact of camp when kids come home?  * What would you say to parents who are scared to send their kids to camp? * How do we teach our kids to love people while holding firm to their beliefs? * How can church camp help kids who don’t have Orthodox friends at school? * Is camp helpful for kids who are new to the Church? * How can I get my spouse on board with the idea of camp? * What if my teenagers don’t want to go to camp?  * Lightning round camp questions    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/] * Download The Encounter App [https://www.faithtree.org/individual] * Order the Foundations of Faith Cards [https://www.faithtree.org/cards]

How Perfectionism Hurts Parents and Their Kids With Dr. Philip Mamalakis

It's easy to get caught up in perfectionism in a world that gives us so much to worry about and so many "perfect" families to measure ourselves against. The question is what to do about it—and the Church, it turns out, has a lot to say. In this episode, Dr. Philip Mamalakis is back to share his advice for overcoming perfectionism, building life-giving relationships with other parents, and finding the freedom to stop caring what everyone else thinks. Download this week's free Discussion Guide here [https://www.faithtree.org/parenting]. Episode Recap: * Today we're talking with Dr. Philip Mamalakis about how the Church helps free us from perfectionism.  * What does the Church teach us about responding instead of reacting?  * How can the Church community support parents?  * How do we avoid the comparison trap?  * What can we do to stop fearing judgment as parents?   * How do we navigate a betrayal of trust? * What can we do when our kids are feeling hurt or excluded?   * How do I balance motherhood, work and the life of the Church?  * Can you share tips for fasting with children?  * I’m scared my kids will grow up and leave the Church. What should I do?    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/] * Download The Encounter App [https://www.faithtree.org/individual] * “10 Things Every Orthodox Parent Should Know” [https://www.faithtree.org/buy-now-products/p/ten-things-every-parent-should-know] * “Parenting Toward the Kingdom” [https://www.amazon.com/Parenting-Toward-Kingdom-Principles-Child-Rearing/dp/1944967028] by Dr. Philip Mamalakis