Timeless Parenting – Details, episodes & analysis

In this 'summer edition' we spoke with Sam Hudson from Youthworks' Getaways program about holidaying well as a family. We talked about why we can find it hard to prioritise family holidays, what God's word has to say on the topic and how holidays can strengthen Christian families in their faith and relationships. Finally, we explored some practical tips for holidaying well, even if our budget is tight or things don't go to plan.

Links:
Youthworks Getaways: offering immersive outdoor adventures and experiences that strengthen family bonds and celebrate God's creation.

Growing Faith: articles and resources to encourage and equip Christian parents and carers.

Mothers Union Sydney. Listen to past Mothers Union Christian seminars on Soundcloud.

Theme music: Soul's Getting Wet by Ali Maegraith. Produced by Ali Maegraith and Gerard Masters. Available on SoundCloud.

We spoke with author and podcaster Daniel Sih about why Christian discipleship should include being intentional in our family's use of technology. We talked about the effects of tech overuse on children and their learning, the importance of creating 'tech-healthy' rhythms and 'going slow' with introducing new tech to kids. We finished with an encouraging reminder that no matter what, we can always keep coming back to God's unending grace.

Links:
Parenting in God's Family: Biblical Wisdom for Everyday Issues, which contains a chapter on 'The art of tech-healthy parenting' by our guest, Daniel Sih.

Raising Tech-Healthy Humans book and free online course by Daniel Sih.

Growing Faith articles:
Advice for raising tech-healthy humans (a review of Daniel Sih's book by Wendy Lin).
In a screen-based world, our children need limits.
In a screen-based world, our children need to play.
What happened when ... we started screen-free Sundays.

Mothers Union Sydney. Listen to past Mothers Union Christian seminars on Soundcloud.

Theme music: Soul's Getting Wet by Ali Maegraith. Produced by Ali Maegraith and Gerard Masters. Available on SoundCloud.

In this episode we chat with our guests Mary O'Brien and Jocelyn Loane about what the Bible says about family traditions, how repeated rhythms can benefit our families, and how we can keep our focus on relationships rather than 'rules' amidst it all. We then share some practical ideas and examples of the kind of daily, weekly and yearly rhythms that can draw Christian families closer to God and closer to each other.

Links:
An Arrival to Celebrate: Fun Advent devotions for busy families unwrapping God’s big Bible plan by David and Janice Whittingham.

Parenting in God's Family: Biblical Wisdom for Everyday Issues, which contains a chapter on 'Setting rhythms that point our family to Jesus' by Wendy Lin and a chapter by our guest, Jocelyn Loane.

Motherhood: How the gospel shapes our purpose and priorities by Jocelyn Loane

Growing Faith articles:
Considering Christ with your children at Christmas by Jocelyn Loane
Getting in the Christmas Spirit by Wendy Lin

Mothers Union Sydney. Listen to past Mothers Union Christian seminars on Soundcloud.

Theme music: Soul's Getting Wet by Ali Maegraith. Produced by Ali Maegraith and Gerard Masters. Available on SoundCloud.

In this episode, we chat with Kat Ashton Israel, preschool educator and mother-of-five, about: how to decide whether our child is ready to start school, how to prepare them for their first day, how to build a positive partnership with our child's educators, and how to navigate conflicts and concerns that may arise.

Links:
Parenting in God's Family: Biblical Wisdom for Everyday Issues, which contains a chapter on 'Weighing up different types of schooling' by Emily Cobb and two chapters by our guest, Kat Ashton Israel.

Growing Faith articles:
'Should I let my children attend an Aboriginal smoking ceremony?'
'Responding to "rainbow days" at school'

Mothers Union Sydney. Listen to past Mothers Union Christian seminars on Soundcloud.

Theme music: Soul's Getting Wet by Ali Maegraith. Produced by Ali Maegraith and Gerard Masters. Available on SoundCloud.

In this episode, Christian sexologist Patricia Weerakoon and her son, theologian Kamal Weerakoon, spoke with Harriet Connor and Al James from the Effective Ministry Podcast. We spoke about the changes in our society that have given rise to transgender ideology, about the many factors that can contribute to children experiencing gender-related distress, about the most effective ways of managing gender dysphoria and about how parents can promote a healthy, biblical understanding of gender that is grounded in biology, yet free from restrictive gender stereotypes. Parents will come away from this conversation informed, encouraged and equipped.

Links:

• The Gender Revolution by Patricia Weerakoon, Kamal Weerakoon & Robert Smith.
  Patricia Weerakoon's books for families:
  You and Me by the Book
  Birds and Bees by the Book
  Growing Up by the Book
  Teen Sex by the Book
  Talking Sex by the Book
  
  
• Parenting in God's Family
  
  
• Growing Faith
• Mothers Union Sydney. Listen to past Mothers Union Christian seminars on Soundcloud.

Theme music: Soul's Getting Wet by Ali Maegraith. Produced by Ali Maegraith and Gerard Masters. Available on SoundCloud.

In this episode, Christian sexologist Patricia Weerakoon and her son, theologian Kamal Weerakoon, spoke with Ann Cunningham and Al James from the Effective Ministry Podcast. We spoke about the secular, hyper-sexualised world our children are growing up in, how the Bible offers a much more positive message about sex, and how parents can start talking to their children about sex in a healthy and natural way. Parents will come away from this conversation feeling encouraged and equipped.

Links:

• Youthworks Media stocks all of Patricia's books for families:
  You and Me by the Book
  Birds and Bees by the Book
  Growing Up by the Book
  Teen Sex by the Book
  Talking Sex by the Book
  
  
• Growing Faith
• Mothers Union Sydney. Listen to past Mothers Union Christian seminars on Soundcloud.

Theme music: Soul's Getting Wet by Ali Maegraith. Produced by Ali Maegraith and Gerard Masters. Available on SoundCloud.

In this episode, we talk with Al James from Youthworks about what the research tells us about how to help our children stick with Jesus and his church. While there are no guarantees or 'silver bullets', these three things could be called the 'silver shavings' that Christian parents ought to prioritise.

Links:

• Growing Faith
• Mothers Union Sydney. Listen to past Mothers Union Christian seminars on Soundcloud.
• Youthworks Media
• Big Picture Parents

Theme music: Soul's Getting Wet by Ali Maegraith. Produced by Ali Maegraith and Gerard Masters. Available on SoundCloud.

Episode 2 - Doing church well, even when it's hard. With Al James

In this episode of the Timeless Parenting podcast, hosts Harriet Connor (Growing Faith) and Anne Cunningham (Mothers Union Sydney) discuss the importance of prioritising church as a family and share practical tips for making it a positive experience, even when it's challenging. Joined by Al James (Youthworks Ministry Support), they explore the benefits of intergenerational relationships in faith retention, strategies to involve children in church activities, and how to navigate common obstacles such as Sunday sports and getting everyone ready on time. The conversation emphasises the joy and community aspects of attending church and encourages parents to cultivate a love for the church in their children.

Links:

• Growing Faith
• Mothers Union Sydney. Listen to past Mothers Union Christian seminars on Soundcloud.
• Youthworks Media
• Big Picture Parents

Theme music: Soul's Getting Wet by Ali Maegraith. Produced by Ali Maegraith and Gerard Masters. Available on SoundCloud.

In our very first episode, you will meet co-hosts Harriet Connor from Growing Faith and Ann Cunningham from Mothers Union Sydney and find out why they have started the Timeless Parenting podcast. Together with their guest Christine Jensen, Ann and Harriet explore whether parenting has become harder over time. They talk about the challenges of modern parenting, such as technology, information overload, social media, busyness and loneliness. But they also reflect on how knowing God, drawing on the Bible's wisdom and belonging to a church community can help.

Links:

• Growing Faith
• Mothers Union Sydney. Listen to past Mothers Union Christian seminars on Soundcloud.
• Youthworks Media
• Big Picture Parents

Theme music: Soul's Getting Wet by Ali Maegraith. Produced by Ali Maegraith and Gerard Masters. Available on SoundCloud.

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. With Al James.

Growing Faith articles:
'Why I don't want my children to be (just) happy' by Harriet Connor.
'Back to school and the achievement game' by Jess Chilton.
'What is Christian parenting?' by Harriet Connor.

Parenting in God's Family: Biblical Wisdom for Everyday Issues, which includes chapters on 'What is Christian parenting?' and 'Growing your family in the faith'.

Mothers Union Sydney Seminar on 'The Joy of Enough' coming up on February 27, 2026. Register for FREE to attend in-person or online.

Listen to all of the talks from the Mothers Union Seminar on Soundcloud.

Theme music: Soul's Getting Wet by Ali Maegraith. Produced by Ali Maegraith and Gerard Masters. Available on SoundCloud.