Podcasts · Kids & Family

Dear Mattsons with Jeff and Terra

Jeff + Terra Mattson and Christian Parenting

73 episodes

Each week, husband and wife team, Jeff (MA Org.L) and Terra (MA LPC, LMFT) Mattson, will answer your BIG and small questions about raising kids in today’s anxious world. With 20 years of experience in marriage and family therapy, professional counseling, leadership development, and pastoral ministry, they bridge the gap between Biblical, clinical, and relational wisdom. Nothing is off the table! Though God says he will never leave or forsake us, sometimes we just need a few friends to help us run our race well. Consider the Mattsons your personal parenting coaches, bringing you practical how-tos that will help you lead your children with greater integrity, always rooted in grace, and remind you that YOU are the right person for this job. Dear Mattsons is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Episodes page 1 of 2

  1. How to avoid over committing and say No

    · 6:35

    Saying no is hard and mom guilt is real, but we were not made to do everything. Join us as we talk through setting up a support system, language to use when you are put on the spot, and choosing what to commit to.…

  2. What to do when your adult child is in an unhealthy relationship

    · 5:32

    Watching your child be mistreated is heartbreaking at any age, and we are here to walk this journey with you. Join us as we discuss how to ask healthy questions, listen, and try to understand why your adult child is…

  3. Encouraging my child to eat healthy and exercise without making it about appearance

    · 6:44

    What do you do if your teen is eating unhealthy, not exercising and gaining a lot of weight? Join us as we talk through how to engage your teen, find a fun way to incorporate exercise into the day, and encourage…

  4. How to teach manners and raise a gentleman

    · 4:56

    Teaching manners is always a challenge, but when one parent doesn’t model the behaviors you are trying to encourage in your child, it is extra challenging. Join us as we talk through tips on teaching your son to be a…

  5. What to do when your child is NOT a morning person

    · 6:46

    What do you do when your child has a hard time getting up in the morning and their attitude affects the whole family? Join us as we talk through strategies to set up a calm morning routine, conversations to have the…

  6. How do I help my shy child engage with others?

    · 5:44

    Shy and introverted children are wired to need more information and tend to be more cautious in new situations. We will encourage you to practice and talk through social situations at home, learn what introverts need…

  7. Parenting a perfectionist

    · 6:08

    Teaching your children to understand their design and wiring will help set them up for success in life. In this episode we will talk through the language to use when parenting a perfectionist, physical outlets when…

  8. Help! My kids fight all of the time.

    · 7:08

    Managing sibling rivalry can be exhausting, but teaching your kids to fight well will set them up for success as adults. Join us as we talk through tips to help your children cool down and teach true reconciliation.…

  9. How do I let my kids know I value them as individuals?

    · 5:30

    When you have multiple kids, it can be easy to find yourself comparing them to their siblings. Join us as we encourage you to share with your child their unique contributions to the family, ask the Lord who he made…

  10. Help! Homework is a constant battle in our home.

    · 8:30

    Homework can be a frustrating battle where both you and your child end up in tears. Join us as we talk through ideas to set up a homework routine, fight negative self-talk and stay engaged with your child and teachers.…

  11. How to navigate dating as a divorced parent

    · 3:52

    When it comes to introducing new boyfriends/girlfriends into your kids' lives, the key is to take it slow and listen to your kids. We will encourage you to have open conversations with your kids, honor their pacing and…

  12. How do we encourage our parenting practices with grandparents?

    · 3:36

    Grandparents are a huge blessing to our children, but sometimes they use different discipline techniques and methods. Join us as we talk through how to have hard conversations with parents and in-laws, the importance…

  13. Which battles are worth fighting with a preschooler?

    · 2:47

    When it comes to preschoolers, you have to pick and choose which battles are worth fighting. Join us as we give you tips on how to step out of power struggles and give your preschooler choices. Check out these similar…

  14. Should we pay our kids for household chores?

    · 5:43

    When it comes to allowance and chores, we think it is all about balance. There are some things you do because you are part of the family and some things you get paid for. Join us as we give you ideas and tips for…

  15. How do I encourage my child to stay in their own bed at night?

    · 6:21

    Some children experience more worry and fear than others and creating a daytime plan is the first step to help your child overcome their fears and stay in bed. Join us as we talk through how to set up a comforting…

  16. What do you do if your child walks away from God?

    · 5:56

    It is heartbreaking when your child chooses to walk away from God, but remember you are parenting the long game. Join us as we encourage you to ask clarifying and curious questions, stay engaged and walk you through…

  17. How do you handle potty talk with little boys?

    · 6:03

    Potty talk with little boys is a very normal thing. As parents we need to communicate when and if that type of humor is appropriate. Join us as we walk through the ACT model to help curb unwanted behaviors in a…

  18. Should I bend on our kids' technology rules when friends come over?

    · 5:16

    Kids are craving real connection and parents that will set some boundaries. How do we know when to enforce the rules and when it’s ok to bend them because friends are over? Join us as we discuss technology and teens…

  19. What to do when your child is a picky eater

    · 6:19

    There are many reasons a child might be a picky eater. Join us as we give you tips and tricks to make mealtime less of a battle. In this video, we talk through setting boundaries at mealtime, inviting your kids into…

  20. Help! My college kid is partying a lot

    · 5:46

    College is a carefree wonderful time. Sometimes partying can become the thing to do, but it may be masking real life issues. Keep pursuing your college child and don’t be afraid to let them know that you care and are…

  21. How do I help my kids deal with divorce?

    · 5:28

    Divorce is hard, and having a support system for you and your child is so important. Join us as we talk through ways to help your children process grief, the importance of keeping routines consistent and how to guard…

  22. As a single mom, how do I talk to my son about puberty and sex?

    · 8:42

    Discussing puberty and sex is a nerve racking conversation for every parent but having those conversations as a single mom presents its own unique challenges. Join us as we remind you that talking openly with your son…

  23. How do I teach my child to be thankful and not entitled?

    · 5:48

    Don’t just talk about being thankful, teach your children how to serve others. Join us as we talk though ideas on how you can teach your kids to use the gifts that God has given them to serve others in your community.…

  24. How do I get my introverted child to communicate with me?

    · 5:49

    Introverts need more time and space to articulate their feelings. They enjoy the quiet spaces of the world, and if we want to connect with our introverts, we need to join them in those spaces. We will encourage you to…

  25. How do I explain same sex families to my young child?

    · 3:36

    Keep it simple and point your child towards God’s Word and his design for families when these questions arise. We will encourage you to continue to talk about God’s love, how we can love and serve families that are…

  26. How do you balance discipline and grace in parenting?

    · 6:34

    Grace and discipline are not exclusive of each other and parenting requires both. Rules without relationship breeds rebellion and on the flip side relationship without rules leads to entitlement. Join us as we talk…

  27. What to do if your child gets caught cheating

    · 6:51

    What do you do if your child gets caught cheating at school? It is important to get to the root of why your child cheated and determine an appropriate consequence. Join us as we discuss the three things you need to…

  28. What to do when your preschooler is touching themself

    · 5:22

    Children begin to discover and learn the differences between boys and girls between the ages of 2 and 4. It is very normal for them to be curious about their bodies. We will guide you through how to help your children…

  29. What do you do when your child lies?

    · 5:57

    Children lie for a variety of reasons, and it is important to get to the root of lying. Affirm your love for your child, so that they know their actions do not affect your love for them. Join us as we talk through ways…

  30. Help! My husband is the fun parent and I do all of the disciplining

    · 6:30

    Children need to see parents as a team with both participating in the discipline and fun. Join us as we talk through how to encourage your spouse, affirm each other in parenting and explain the “why” behind joint…

  31. How can I get my kids to listen without yelling?

    · 6:17

    Yelling works in the short term, but eventually children will ignore the yelling. It is ok to take a parent time-out and calm yourself before you respond to a situation. Join us as we talk through the ACT method and…

  32. How to deal with teens talking back

    · 5:11

    The teenage years are a developmental stage that require a lot of patience and grace. But, we do not want to normalize or tolerate that teens talk back to their parents. You are helping your children develop a life…

  33. How do I get my child to listen?

    · 5:03

    Being consistent and following through on what you say are so important in parenting. They are the keys to building trust and help children feel safe. Join us as we give you practical tips to get your child’s attention…

  34. What age should I let my child have social media?

    · 6:30

    There is really not a compelling reason for our kids to have social media. The data is clear and there is a direct correlation to all of the mental health issues kids are struggling with and social media. Join us as we…

  35. Talking about gender pronouns and sexuality with our kids

    · 12 min

    How do we address gender pronouns and sexuality with our kids? As professionals in leadership and therapy we have been processing this with parents and kids for many years. We will encourage you to stay curious,…

  36. How do I help my children build lasting friendships?

    · 6:05

    God wired us all differently and some children just need a few friends and others prefer a large circle of friends. Join us as we talk through practical ideas to help your child build lasting friendships. We will also…

  37. Should I pull my kids out of school sex education?

    · 7:03

    As a parent, we want to equip our children and be the first voice they hear on topics like sexuality and gender. Join us as we talk through options when it comes to opting in or out of public school health curriculum…

  38. How do I protect my kids from school bullies?

    · 8:59

    We want to protect our children from school bullies, but the reality is the greatest defense against bullies is building up our child’s confidence and sense of identity. Join us as we talk through how to coach your…

  39. What to do if your child says “I hate you”

    · 5:57

    The most important thing to remember if your child says “I hate you” is not to react or take it personally. We all say things we don’t mean when we are tired, hungry or afraid, and we put these emotions on those we…

  40. How do I help my high school child plan for the future without putting too much stress on them?

    · 7:47

    God created your child and knows the plans he has for them. When we get our perspective as parents in check it helps lead our children in peace. It is important to remind our children to work hard and do their best,…

  41. How do I set boundaries and discipline my toddler?

    · 6:17

    Two year olds are learning that they can do it themselves and build confidence apart from you. There is a balance between giving them freedom to learn cause and effect and disciplining. Join us as we talk through ideas…

  42. How do I help my child find their activity or sport?

    · 6:14

    We live in an achievement oriented culture and the pressure to know your expertise at an early age is an outside pressure. As a parent we want to help our children discover their passions, but remember it takes time to…

  43. Are sleepover parties safe?

    · 7:18

    You are the parent and need to discern what's best for you and your child, but we say no to sleepovers in our family. It’s about risk assessment, and we decided sleepovers are not worth the risk. A lot of…

  44. Help! My teen doesn’t like our church

    · 5:21

    It’s normal that teens begin to pull away from their family and are focused on their peer group, so what do you do when that impacts the church they want to attend? Join us as we walk you through steps to sit down and…

  45. How to help your child navigate anxiety

    · 8:26

    Anxiety at all age levels is at an all time high. Children have not had the opportunity to navigate normal social situations the past few years, so they may be extra anxious when new situations arise. Join us as we…

  46. When friends turn parenting into a competition

    · 4:59

    It’s natural to do some comparing when you have children the same age, but it can quickly turn into a competition. Close friendships go through seasons, and it’s important to view conflict as an opportunity to grow…

  47. Stop the sibling rivalry

    · 4:07

    Join us as we discuss sibling rivalry and how to encourage our family members to intentionally affirm each other. We will walk you through practical ways to encourage your children to celebrate their siblings' gifts…

  48. Help! My child whines all the time.

    · 5:08

    Whining is a form of manipulation and we need to teach our children a better way to communicate. Join us as we walk through 3 important communication skills your children need to learn to stop the whining. Teaching our…

  49. How do I tell my adult daughter that I don’t like her boyfriend?

    · 3:50

    As our children grow into adulthood, we have to lean into the investments we have made in them throughout their childhood. If you do not approve of the relationship choices your child is making, we will encourage you…

  50. Is time out an effective discipline method?

    · 4:50

    Time out is a great method to calm ourselves down, and it teaches children to self regulate their emotions. We will walk you through effective ways to use the time out and time in approach with your child and encourage…

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