Timeless Parenting

This episode was recorded live at the Mothers Union Sydney Seminar on February 27, 2026 at St Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney. In the final session of the day, Harriet Connor hosted a panel of three guests about finding contentment when life is tough. Our guests were Kate Morris, who is raising two neurodivergent children, Jess Habib, who lives with a chronic illness and Mary O'Brien, who has seen adult children wander from the faith. Our guests shared with honesty and genuine faith about the lessons their tough times have taught them about themselves, God and Christian community. Whether you are walking through a tough time, or whether you are seeking to support someone who is, you will find this conversation deeply encouraging.Note: Due to a technical issue on the day of the seminar, the sound quality of some speakers is not at our usual standard.Links:Parenting in God's Family Volume 2: More Biblical Wisdom for Everyday Issues, which includes a chapter by Kate Morris on 'Neurodivergent families can't do it all (no family can!)'.'An Extraordinary Normal', Kate Morris' Substack.'Neurodiversity in the family of God' webinar by Kate Morris and Dave Whittingham.Growing Faith: articles and resources to encourage and equip Christian parents and carers. Related articles:'Parenting with a chronic illness' by Rebecca Sharley and Jess Habib.Mothers Union Sydney. Watch all the talks from the 2026 Seminar 'The Joy of Enough'.Listen to talks from previous 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 talked with the host of HerTheology podcast, Cass Backhouse, about the value of parents, especially mums, reading and studying the Bible. We spent some time reflecting on why it's worth investing in our relationship with God by reading his word. But then we turned to the problem: it can be so hard! We talked through some questions like:How can I adjust my expectations for Bible reading to my season of life? Does it have to be a 'quiet' time?Does it have to look the same every time?What are the benefits of doing a Bible reading plan?What if reading the Bible feels dry or boring?What if I forget what I read?What are the benefits of reading in community?What if I don't understand what I read? Where can I find some resources to help?How will all this benefit my children?Is there anything wrong with just 'flicking to a page'?This conversation with inspire and equip you to get stuck into the Bible, with the ultimate goal of knowing God better with both our hearts and our minds. Links:HerTheology podcast hosted by our guest, Cass Backhouse: exploring all of life in light of the Bible.Knowing Faith podcast with Jen Wilkin.Lift Their Eyes theology resources for families.Recommended books:Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin.God's Big Picture by Vaughn Roberts.Knowing God by JI Packer.The Ology by Marty Machowski.Mothers Union Sydney. 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.

In this episode we chatted with father of four, Anthony Penn, about the issue of extracurricular activities (things like sport, music, dance and drama) that our kids might want to get involved in outside of school. We talked about the good things these activities can teach our children and the benefits of our whole family getting involved in the community organisations that run them. We talked about how our Christian values shape our approach to extracurricular activities and how we can make sure that church is not just squeezed in as an optional extra. We discussed how to navigate hard conversations, such as when we have to say no to an activity or when a child wants to quit. We finished by talking about how we can intentionally build genuine connections with the other families we cross paths with. This conversation with Anthony Penn was inspiring and insightful and will change how you see extracurricular activities!Links:Growing Faith: articles and resources to encourage and equip Christian parents and carers. Related articles:'Calendar clash: Sport or church''How do I give my kids the edge?''Changing the "maybe" culture in our churches'Mothers Union Sydney. 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.

In this conversation we speak with Dr Sarah Allen, a GP with a special interest in anxiety disorders, about the feelings we call anxiety, worry or fear, especially as experienced by our children. Sarah helps us to understand the difference between 'everyday' kinds of worry and clinical anxiety disorders - and what we should do if we think we or our children are suffering from the latter. We talk about how the Bible sheds light on this topic in helping us to understand God's purposes in our and our children's suffering. Sarah encourages us to see how anxiety can actually present an opportunity for us and our children to grow in our knowledge of God and of ourselves. This conversation will equip you not to 'fix' your children's problems, but to walk alongside them with empathy and gently point them back to their loving heavenly Father.Links:Scary Stuff by Dr Sarah Allen. A book for children aged 8-12 and parents to work through together to help them discover what fear is all about, how our bodies and minds work, and—best of all!—God himself.The Parent Hope Project: parenting courses, articles and podcasts designed to empower and support parents in today’s complex world using a 'family systems' approach.Emerging Minds: Resources on parenting children with mental illness and parenting with a mental illness. This site covers topics such as dealing with trauma, natural disasters and bullying. There are resources for both parents and childrenBeyond Blue: Support to achieve and maintain good mental health. This includes resources for family and friends.---Mothers Union Sydney. 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.

In this episode we talk with Jocelyn Loane about the thorny topic of discipline. We explore what biblical discipline really means - it's not just punishment for a past wrong, but rather the loving, intentional, wholistic, long-term process of modelling, encouraging, training and correcting our children to help them mature towards godliness.We talk about:- What is discipline?- Why do parents need to discipline?- How can discipline go wrong?- Is it OK for Christian parents to smack (or not to smack) their children?- How can we best respond to our children's bad behaviour?Links:Parenting in God's Family: Biblical Wisdom for Everyday Issues, which contains a chapter on 'Discipline as discipleship' by Harriet Connor and a chapter by our guest, Jocelyn Loane.Motherhood: How the gospel shapes our purpose and priorities by Jocelyn Loane, which includes two chapters on discipline.Mothers Union Sydney. 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.

In this episode we speak with guests Kat Ashton Israel and Al James about the heavy topic of when children wander from the Christian faith. We explore the reasons why Christians can be uncomfortable discussing this topic; the impact it has on parents (and their faith) when a child 'wanders' and how the church can best support families in that situation. We also take an in depth look at the tension between our responsibility as parents to raise our children in the faith and the reality of God's sovereign action in salvation. We explore helpful responses to our children's questions and doubts about Christianity and the positive role that churches can play.Links:Parenting in God's Family: Biblical Wisdom for Everyday Issues, which contains a chapter on 'Teenage faith: doubters, drifters and deserters' by our guest, Kat Ashton Israel.Growing Faith: articles and resources to encourage and equip Christian parents and carers. Related articles:'Building resilient faith in our children' by Al James.'Helping our teens through identity struggles' by Al James.Mothers Union Sydney. 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.

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.

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 LoaneGetting in the Christmas Spirit by Wendy LinMothers 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 BookBirds and Bees by the BookGrowing Up by the BookTeen Sex by the BookTalking Sex by the BookParenting in God's FamilyGrowing FaithMothers 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 FaithMothers Union Sydney. Listen to past Mothers Union Christian seminars on Soundcloud.Youthworks MediaBig Picture ParentsTheme 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 FaithMothers Union Sydney. Listen to past Mothers Union Christian seminars on Soundcloud.Youthworks MediaBig Picture ParentsTheme music: Soul's Getting Wet by Ali Maegraith. Produced by Ali Maegraith and Gerard Masters. Available on SoundCloud.