S5 E10: Vertical Parenting

Episode Summary After more than two decades of speaking with parents, churches, and schools, Suzanne has noticed something significant: the questions parents are asking have changed because the language shaping our culture has changed.

Episode Summary

Episode Summary Pornography is a conversation most parents would rather not have — but avoiding it does not protect our children. In this episode, Suzanne sits down with author and speaker Greta Eskridge to talk honestly about why parents need to begin conversations around sex and pornography earlier than many of us expect. Greta shares the personal journey that led her to this work, what she learned as she began understanding the impact of pornography, and why connection is one of the most important tools parents have. Together, Suzanne and Greta unpack how to start the conversation, what to do when a child has already been exposed, and how parents can respond without panic, shame, or fear. This is not about having one perfect "talk." It's about becoming a safe, informed parent who is willing to keep the conversation going. In This Episode → Why parents need to talk about pornography before exposure happens → When and how to begin age-appropriate conversations about sex and porn → Some of the most surprising realities parents need to understand → How to respond if your child tells you they've seen pornography — or you discover it yourself → Practical ways to protect children while preserving connection and trust → Encouragement for parents who feel overwhelmed, uncomfortable, or unsure where to begin Meet Greta Greta Eskridge is an author, speaker, wife, and second-generation homeschooling mom of four. She is passionate about helping families create connection, preserve childhood, pursue joy, and protect children from pornography. Greta travels the country equipping parents with practical tools for connected, courageous parenting and helping families engage difficult conversations with greater confidence and hope. She is also the author of Adventuring Together and It's Time to Talk to Your Kids About Porn. Connect with Greta 📲 Instagram → @greta.eskridge 🌐 Website → www.gretaeskridge.com 📚 It's Time to Talk to Your Kids About Porn 📚 Adventuring Together Keep Growing with Beacon Parent Want more trusted resources to help you navigate difficult cultural conversations with biblical clarity and confidence? → Beacon Parent: www.beaconparent.com → Suzanne's trusted books: Beacon Parent Vetted List → Get practical tools and biblical insight in your inbox: Subscribe → Hear More on Instagram: @beacon_parent → Work with Suzanne Phillips: SuzannePhillips.net

Episode Summary What happens when our desire to protect our kids starts getting in the way of preparing them? In this episode, Suzanne sits down with bestselling authors and counselors Sissy Goff and David Thomas to talk about what it really takes to raise capable kids — children who can face discomfort, navigate hard emotions, solve problems, take healthy risks, and grow through adversity. Drawing from more than 30 years of counseling kids and families, Sissy and David unpack some of the cultural and parenting patterns that may unintentionally be weakening resilience. They talk about empathy without emotionalism, the language we use around trauma and triggers, the limits of constantly rescuing our kids, and why capability is built through experience — not simply explained. And if you're realizing you may have over-helped, over-protected, or created patterns you want to change, this conversation offers plenty of hope. Parents can shift the environment at home and begin giving kids the opportunity to discover just how capable they really are. In This Episode → Why resilience and capability matter more than constant comfort → How rescuing, overprotecting, and some parenting trends can unintentionally hold kids back → The difference between healthy empathy and allowing emotions to lead everything → How words like trauma, trigger, and toxic can shape the way kids understand difficulty → Practical ways to help kids build confidence, coping skills, and independence → How parents can change course — even after years of doing things differently Meet Sissy + David Sissy Goff, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP, and David Thomas, LMSW, are New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestselling authors and the Executive Directors of Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville. For more than 30 years, they've helped children, teens, and families navigate the challenges of growing up. Together, they've written 25 bestselling books and co-host the Raising Boys and Girls podcast, which has been downloaded more than 15 million times. Their newest book, Capable: How to Teach Your Kids the Strengths, Skills, and Strategies to Build Resilience, equips parents with practical ways to help children discover their strength, courage, and capability. Connect with Sissy + David 📲 Instagram → @sissygoff 📲 Instagram → @raisingboysandgirls 🌐 Learn more about Capable → www.raisingboysandgirls.com/capablebook 📚 Capable: How to Teach Your Kids the Strengths, Skills, and Strategies to Build Resilience → Buy Here Keep Growing with Beacon Parent Want more trusted tools to help you raise confident, resilient kids with biblical wisdom and practical support? → Beacon Parent: www.beaconparent.com → Suzanne's trusted books + parenting resources: Beacon Parent Vetted List → Get Beacon Parent in your inbox: Subscribe → Hear More on Instagram: @beacon_parent → Work with Suzanne Phillips: SuzannePhillips.net 🎧 If this episode encouraged you, follow The InFormed Parent, leave a review, and share it with another parent who needs the reminder: capable kids are built through opportunities to grow, not lives without difficulty.

Episode Topic What parents need to know about social media, online safety, new protections, and the digital spaces shaping our kids. Episode Summary Social media is changing quickly—but are the safeguards designed to protect kids actually working?