The Better Part - Intentional Living for Christian Moms with a Bible-Loving Catholic Mama

• Sticky Conversations: Death & Hell

  In this conversation, Stefani Blackwell and I discuss how we've handled conversations about death and hell with the kids. Each of our kids have various interest levels and needs as far as explanations go, but we discuss the basics of explaining hell, and the hope of heaven. We praise God that He has mercy and pray for His mercy to encompass all who pass. We allow our knowledge of hell not to scare us, but instead to convict us to tell everyone we know about Jesus. A picture book recommendation for whetting kids' appetites about the amazing place that God invites us to is "Heaven is a Wonderful Place," by Angela Burrin. This give theologically accurate descriptions of what we know about heave, and my kids love it.

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• Sticky Conversations: Technology

  Episode Four of the Sticky Conversations series is all about technology including TV, video games, phones, social media, etc. Stephani Blackwell, and I discuss the necessity of first examining our own relationship with technology--especially phone usage and social media, and letting that be the first thing we work on before trying to influence our children's relationship with technology. We discuss specific ideas for limiting technology, but focus mainly on how parents need to determine their own personal philosophies about technology and then let their examples and rules be based on that. Technology, though it can lead to many temptations and trouble, is not itself evil, and using it as a tool is not a bad thing. But we do not want technology to rule us. Follow along to hear more thoughts!Check out The Tech Exit by Clare Morell to hear more insights about how technology can influence children (and their parents!)Listen to Episode 157 of the Raising Boys and Girls podcast for more thoughts and ideas.

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• Sticky Conversations: Friendships

  Though talking about friendships doesn't seem like the "stickiest" topic, we have found in experience that there can be many sticky conversations surrounding friendships (especially with girls). Hurt feelings, bad influences, and handling fights or bad behavior are all examples of things that parents have to help their kids navigate with friends, and Stef shares from an abundance of wisdom and experience about how she handles friendships with her kids. As with sex, we find that starting conversations with your kids early about how to be a good friend (sharing, not hitting, etc.) is the best way to open the door to future conversations about deeper issues. We also find that examining your own relationships (with God, your husband, and friends) helps us to be able to teach our children honestly and vulnerably. Listen in for examples, ideas, and thoughts on godly friendship and how to teach it to our kids!The book that Steph refers to is called Growing Friendships by Dr. Eileen Kennedy-Moore and Christine McLaughlin.

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• Sticky Conversations: Feminism

  Back again with Steph Blackwell to discuss another sticky conversation. This topic was given to us by a listener who wanted to teach her daughter about feminism without bringing down men or pretending that men and women are made the same.Steph and I discuss how to honor both sexes through the concepts of theology of the body, historical contexts, and living examples in our marriages. We believe that God made both men and women equal in dignity, but very different in form and purpose. We try to portray that to both our sons and daughters in both word and deed and discuss practical ways we can do that in front of our kids. Please reach out @thebetterpartpod or [email protected] with any specific topics you would like to hear about!

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