The Whole Person Parenting Podcast

Valerie
  • 5.0 (4)
  • PARENTING

Parenting content focused on relational, spiritual, and psychological well-being for parents and children.  This podcast features a mother/daughter duo. Mom is a licensed mental health provider and parent-child relationship expert, hosted by her own daughter who's a young woman finding her way in the world with a passion for the next generation. Authentic, hilarious, heart-felt, and informative. We hope every parent who listens is reminded of how important they are in their child's life, and how important they are to God. 

Episodes

  1. FEB 16

    Are We There Yet?: Why Exploration Needs Boundaries

    Send a text Have you ever noticed that toddlers seem wired to explore everything… and also completely unaware of danger at the exact same time? In this episode of Are We There Yet?, Presley and Val continue their look at the toddler years by stepping into the tension many parents feel: how do we honor our child’s God-given drive for exploration while also setting boundaries that keep them safe and help them grow? Because as much as we might wish we could just say “yes” to everything… we can’t. And we shouldn’t. Boundaries aren’t the enemy of exploration—they’re what make exploration possible. Together, explore how toddlers learn through both freedom and limits, and why those limits are not interruptions to development, but a necessary part of it. They'll look at how young children come to understand safety, trust, and guidance through their relationship with us—and how the way we hold boundaries shapes not just behavior, but connection. They'll also go all the way back to the beginning, considering what we can learn from God’s design in the garden—where both freedom and boundaries existed side by side. What if boundaries were never meant to restrict us, but to protect us? What if they were always part of how we flourish? As parents, we’re invited into that same work: creating space for curiosity, while also providing the guidance our children aren’t yet able to give themselves. So, if you’ve ever wondered whether all those “no’s” really matter—this conversation might just change the way you see them. CDC Milestone Tracker App: https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones-app/index.html BabySparks - Developmental Tracker & Online Learning for Parents: https://babysparks.com/ Harvard's Center for the Developing Child: Three Core Concepts in Early Development: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/videos/three-core-concepts-in-early-development/

    33 min

  2. FEB 2

    Are We There Yet?: Supporting Your Toddler's God-Given Drive to Explore

    Send a text The toddler years are marked by curiosity, movement, and a relentless drive to explore—and Scripture gives us a surprisingly rich place to understand why. In this episode, Presley and Val discuss what it means to support exploration the way God supports us. By returning to the Garden of Eden, they consider how God created humans for curiosity, freedom, and discovery within relationship—and what that reveals about this season of parenting. This episode invites parents to see exploration as sacred developmental work.  Exploring how, "In the beginning..." the Bible offers insight into how God enjoys humanity and allows for exploration and expression. In toddlerhood, young children learn about their world, develop across domains, and expand their connections with the same type of support. This conversation reframes toddlerhood not as a phase to manage, but as a formative season where children are learning that the world is good, relationships are trustworthy, and growth happens best when curiosity is met with support. In a future episode, we’ll turn our attention to what it means when exploration begins to bump up against limits—how testing, boundaries, and guidance emerge developmentally, and how parents can respond with wisdom and care. Additional Resources:  CDC Milestone Tracker App: https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones-app/index.html BabySparks - Developmental Tracker & Online Learning for Parents: https://babysparks.com/ Harvard's Center for the Developing Child: Three Core Concepts in Early Development: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/videos/three-core-concepts-in-early-development/ CDC Milestone Tracker App: https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones-app/index.html BabySparks - Developmental Tracker & Online Learning for Parents: https://babysparks.com/ Harvard's Center for the Developing Child: Three Core Concepts in Early Development: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/videos/three-core-concepts-in-early-development/

    39 min

  3. JAN 19

    Are We There Yet?: Formation Through Dependence

    Send a text The earliest years of a child’s life are not just about milestones—they’re about relationship. In this episode, Presley and Val explore how God designed infancy and early childhood as a season for deep relational formation between parents and children. From crying and comfort to play, presence, and protection, these early interactions shape a child’s sense of safety, trust, and belonging. Through a developmental lens, we’ll talk about how babies and young children are learning who they are—and who God is—through the way they are responded to. We’ll unpack how early relational formation relates to early spiritual formation and how it's all part of God's perfect plan.  Whether you’re holding a newborn, chasing a toddler, or reflecting back on the early years, this episode offers encouragement, practical insight, and grace-filled perspective for parents who want to nurture strong relationships from the very beginning. Because before children can listen, obey, or understand, they are learning one essential truth: Can I depend on you? CDC Milestone Tracker App: https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones-app/index.html BabySparks - Developmental Tracker & Online Learning for Parents: https://babysparks.com/ Harvard's Center for the Developing Child: Three Core Concepts in Early Development: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/videos/three-core-concepts-in-early-development/

    34 min

  4. JAN 5

    Are We There Yet?: Understanding Development as God's Design

    Send a text Parenting often feels like a race toward the next milestone—or a desperate attempt to “fix” what isn’t working right now. In this introductory episode, we invite you to slow down and consider a different question: What if your child’s development is not a problem to solve, but a process God designed? In this episode, we lay the foundation for the entire "Are We There Yet?" series by introducing a developmental lens for parenting. In this episode, Presley and Val explore how children grow in predictable (but not always easy) ways, how unmet developmental needs often show up as relational struggles, and how faith invites us to trust the long, grace-filled journey rather than rush toward outcomes. Whether you’re parenting a baby, a teen, or somewhere in between, this episode sets the tone for a series about growth, grace, and trusting God with the journey—especially when you’re tempted to ask, “Are we there yet?” CDC Milestone Tracker App: https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones-app/index.html BabySparks - Developmental Tracker & Online Learning for Parents: https://babysparks.com/ Harvard's Center for the Developing Child: Three Core Concepts in Early Development: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/videos/three-core-concepts-in-early-development/

    38 min

  5. 12/23/2025

    All is Calm, but Family is Complicated

    Send a text The holidays don’t just bring twinkly lights and cocoa—they also bring opinions. In Part 2 of our Christmas series, Presley and Val are talking about navigating the beautiful, complicated reality of extended family gatherings while staying rooted in the differentiated life God has uniquely called your family to live. From well-meaning comments about your parenting choices to subtle pressure to fall back into old roles, we explore how to show up with grace without abandoning conviction. This episode unpacks what it looks like to honor parents and relatives, set healthy boundaries, and model faith-filled unity for your kids—all while keeping Jesus (not expectations, traditions, or Uncle Bob) at the center of it all. If you’ve ever whispered a prayer in the bathroom during a family gathering or wondered how to keep peace and integrity at the Christmas table, this conversation is for you. Expect biblical encouragement, practical tools, and reminders that faithfulness doesn’t require sameness—and that God is present even in the awkward moments around the tree. CDC Milestone Tracker App: https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones-app/index.html BabySparks - Developmental Tracker & Online Learning for Parents: https://babysparks.com/ Harvard's Center for the Developing Child: Three Core Concepts in Early Development: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/videos/three-core-concepts-in-early-development/

    26 min

  6. 12/08/2025

    Fa-La-La-La-Lord-Help-Me: Choosing Joy This Season

    Send a text If “joy to the world” feels more like “stress to the parents” at your house, this episode is your Christmas lifeline. This is the first of our 2 holiday episodes looking at how to choose joy for yourself and your family.  In this episode, Presley and Val remember holiday traditions and consider how holidays are not always the joyous occasions we'd hoped for - oftentimes they're stressful! So join in learning how to return to joy through practical steps and spiritual practices that will be good for your whole family!  Access the Seasonal Stress Plan Resource here: Seasonal stress plan.pdf CDC Milestone Tracker App: https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones-app/index.html BabySparks - Developmental Tracker & Online Learning for Parents: https://babysparks.com/ Harvard's Center for the Developing Child: Three Core Concepts in Early Development: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/videos/three-core-concepts-in-early-development/

    27 min

  7. 11/24/2025

    Perfectionism & The Fear of Failure: The Parenting Duo Nobody Wanted

    Send a text Welcome back to The Whole Person Parenting Podcast! In today's we’re jumping into everyone's favorite toxic duo, perfectionism and the fear of failure—otherwise known as “Tuesday” for many parents. So grab your coffee, take a pause from the grind of life, and maybe hold off on tossing that glitter-covered craft your toddler made that you’ve been pretending you like. Today we’re talking about why perfectionism sneaks into our parenting, how fear of failure keeps us up at night, and what it actually looks like to trust God with process of raising humans. Let's go! CDC Milestone Tracker App: https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones-app/index.html BabySparks - Developmental Tracker & Online Learning for Parents: https://babysparks.com/ Harvard's Center for the Developing Child: Three Core Concepts in Early Development: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/videos/three-core-concepts-in-early-development/

    26 min

  8. 11/10/2025

    Parenting in Pixels

    Send a text Presley has been reflecting on her own journey with the smart phone and social media as she's been reading a new book for one of her classes, and she's anxious to discuss it.  Listen in as Presley and Val discuss both the mental, relational, and spiritual aspects of our cultural departure from a play-based childhood and the challenges that parents face in this shift.  Be encouraged as we think about this together. It's episode 5!  Book reference: The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt Purchase link: https://a.co/d/80QFEwL CDC Milestone Tracker App: https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones-app/index.html BabySparks - Developmental Tracker & Online Learning for Parents: https://babysparks.com/ Harvard's Center for the Developing Child: Three Core Concepts in Early Development: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/videos/three-core-concepts-in-early-development/

    36 min

  9. 10/27/2025

    Ghosts & Angels (Our Not So Halloween Episode)

    Send a text Presley and Val continue the conversation on the intergenerational transmission of trauma by discussing two well-known psychoanalytic concepts known as "Ghosts" and "Angels" in parenting, and how they can be considered in Christian parenting. Things are getting spooky as around here!  Episode 4 of The Whole Person Parenting Podcast awaits you! https://frcnca.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Ghosts-in-the-nursery-paper-copy.pdf https://childparentpsychotherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Lieberman-2005-angels-in-the-nursery-article.pdf CDC Milestone Tracker App: https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones-app/index.html BabySparks - Developmental Tracker & Online Learning for Parents: https://babysparks.com/ Harvard's Center for the Developing Child: Three Core Concepts in Early Development: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/videos/three-core-concepts-in-early-development/

    36 min

  10. 10/13/2025

    A Generational God

    Send a text In this episode, Presley and Val explore the generational aspects of parenting from what you bring to parenting, to how God works in generational ways. Join us as we journey into spaces where the past meets the present and begin to discover where your own experiences and those of your parents' converge. Episode 3 - here we go! CDC Milestone Tracker App: https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones-app/index.html BabySparks - Developmental Tracker & Online Learning for Parents: https://babysparks.com/ Harvard's Center for the Developing Child: Three Core Concepts in Early Development: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/videos/three-core-concepts-in-early-development/

    34 min

  11. 09/29/2025

    The Ultimate Regulator

    Send a text Presley and Val follow up on a social media comment on emotional regulation and relationships that made an unexpected impression.  As it turns out emotional regulation is not a solo sport, especially in childhood.  But since we all seem to need some help in this area (ourselves included), we're getting practical on how to support the development of emotional regulation in our kids while we continue to grow in this area, as parents. Join us for our second episode!  CDC Milestone Tracker App: https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones-app/index.html BabySparks - Developmental Tracker & Online Learning for Parents: https://babysparks.com/ Harvard's Center for the Developing Child: Three Core Concepts in Early Development: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/videos/three-core-concepts-in-early-development/

    29 min

  12. 09/15/2025

    Fingerprints

    Send a text The Whole Person Parenting Podcast is finally a reality!  In today's episode, Presley and Val discuss why they're getting into the wonderful world of podcasting, why we chose the name, and what we're hoping for.  Presley also shares one of their favorite funny memories and they go deep into scripture. How do they do it all in 18 minutes?! Listen in, and find out!  CDC Milestone Tracker App: https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones-app/index.html BabySparks - Developmental Tracker & Online Learning for Parents: https://babysparks.com/ Harvard's Center for the Developing Child: Three Core Concepts in Early Development: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/videos/three-core-concepts-in-early-development/

    18 min
  • 12 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Parenting content focused on relational, spiritual, and psychological well-being for parents and children.  This podcast features a mother/daughter duo. Mom is a licensed mental health provider and parent-child relationship expert, hosted by her own daughter who's a young woman finding her way in the world with a passion for the next generation. Authentic, hilarious, heart-felt, and informative. We hope every parent who listens is reminded of how important they are in their child's life, and how important they are to God. 

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