Practice Makes Parent

Latest Episodes:

Q & A Session Jul 22, 2026

Show notes

It's another Q & A Show where Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James answer your parenting questions. This time, we advise a single mom in Compton, address a worried mom about her 17-year-old pursuing entertainment, and we respond to a child who dislikes spanking, We also help a mom whose 12-year-old is cutting, and counsel a dad of a sensitive 5-year-old to affirm his temperment and sexuality. Have you sent your questions in? Just click on the show notes and you can be a part of our next Q & A Show.
7 Traits of Effective Parenting
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Here's Some Support For Single Parents
Here Are Tips About Spanking
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Here's a Helpful Article Regarding Self-Harm
Speak To A Counselor

Teaching Children Values Jul 15, 2026

Show notes

Rebecca St. James and Dr. Danny Huerta discuss concerns about declining patriotism among younger Americans with Dr. Ben Carson, who shares his childhood story of poverty, his mother’s emphasis on reading and personal responsibility, and how it shaped his trajectory. There are lots of resources mentioned for parents to help their children learn about history in this one. We know you'll enjoy it!
The Perilous Fight: Overcoming Our Culture's War on the American Family
Bring Your Bible To School Day Sign Up!
God Bless Our Country
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Enjoying music as a family can bring everyone closer. Check out Focus Live, powered by Godcaster. It’s a great way to get Focus On The Family content and expose your kids to great worship music!

Fun Ways to Teach Theology Jul 08, 2026

Show notes

What are ways to teach your children about the Glory of God? Ryan Frederick, co-founder of FierceMarriage.com and author of the Adam and Iota series, explains vocabulary and theology to help children build discernment and strengthen their identity in Christ. We also answer a listener question from an overwhelmed mom with three young kids.

Meet Atom & Iota
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Simple Ways To Start Family Devotions
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Enjoying music as a family can bring everyone closer. Check out Focus Live, powered by Godcaster. It’s a great way to get Focus On The Family content and expose your kids to great worship music!

Understanding Adaptability in Parenting Jul 01, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of 'Practice Makes Parent,' Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James discuss the significance of adaptability in effective parenting. They share personal anecdotes and strategies for being flexible with children. They also introduce concepts like psychological flexibility, maintaining a bigger picture mindset, continuous learning, and creating a de-stress menu. We also help a listener with her question on when to start disciplining a child. They conclude with the '7, 7, 7 Parenting Technique' for fostering stronger family bonds through focused attention. Pass this link on to your friends and family!

7 Traits of Effective Parenting

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Questions To Support Adaptability In Parenting

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Enjoying music as a family can bring everyone closer. Check out Focus Live, powered by Godcaster. It’s a great way to get Focus On The Family content and expose your kids to great worship music!

Support the show!

If you enjoyed listening to Practice Makes Parent with Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James, please give us your feedback.

Dealing with Anger In Parenting Jun 24, 2026

Show notes

Anger is common and contagious in families. How do you handle anger in parenting? Janel Breitenstein, author of "How to Stop Yelling Up the Stairs" shares her story with Danny and Rebecca. They explore how anger can reveal stress, deeper emotions, and heart issues. We'll give you some ideas to work on. We also answer a listener question on whether outsiders should confront disrespectful teens. Send us your thoughts, too!

How To Stop Yelling Up The Stairs

Built For Resilience

Check Out Our Age & Stage Resources

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Enjoying music as a family can bring everyone closer. Check out Focus Live, powered by Godcaster. It’s a great way to get Focus On The Family content and expose your kids to great worship music!

Support the show!

If you enjoyed listening to Practice Makes Parent with Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James, please give us your feedback.

Launching Into the Teen Years Jun 17, 2026

Show notes

Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James discuss Launch Into the Teen Years curriculum, and Rebecca’s daughter Gemma shares how she felt as a young girl going through it. You'll hear flexible ways families use the six-session resource, and we share how to have relational, age-appropriate conversation about bodies, boundaries, identity in Christ, peer pressure, and God’s design for sex within marriage with kids. We also take a listener question about what to do when your kids walk in on you and your spouse having sex.

Launch Into The Teen Years

Who Gets A Vote? Conversation Starter

Check Out Brio Magazine For Your Teen!

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Legacy of Courage Jun 11, 2026

Show notes

This is a special bonus feature to let you know about our Legacy of Courage podcast series celebrating the role of fatherhood. Special guests include retired New England Patriot football player Benjamin Watson, Pastor Carey Casey, Jay & Laura Laffoon, Joni Ereckson Tada, Dr. Meg Meeker, and many others.

Check out the Legacy of Courage Podcast series!

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Legacy Parenting for Dads Jun 10, 2026

Show notes

In celebration of Father's Day, Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James discuss legacy parenting, focusing on the evolving role of dads in modern culture with Pastor Jeffrey Hamilton, founder of Dad Academy. Dad, are you present? Prayerful? Purposeful? This conversation advocates for intentional and hands-on approaches to parenting. Then, we address a listener's concern about her husband needing decompression time after work, suggesting strategies for balancing work and family life. The episode is filled with practical advice for fathers and mothers alike, aimed at improving parenting skills and fostering deeper family connections.

Dad Academy

Take The Free Parenting Assessment Tool

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If you enjoyed listening to Practice Makes Parent with Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James, please give us your feedback.

Teaching Your Kids To Read The Bible Jun 03, 2026

Show notes

Do you want to help your kids internalize the Word of God? Today, we talk about the tools and techniques that can help your children with Mary Wiley, author of Discovering The Bible. She explains building a home culture of curiosity where questions are welcomed, parents can say “I don’t know,” and the Bible is seen as one redemptive story about Jesus. You'll learn four fun study steps and hear advice for handling difficult passages in an age-appropriate way. We also answer a listener's question on preparing kids for secular school by role-playing responses, emphasizing kindness, confidence, and compassion.

Discovering The Bible

Family Reading Of Scripture

Match Your Parenting To What Your Kids Need

Look Into Our Parenting Resources

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Listen to Adventures In Odyssey

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Principles Over Prescriptions in Parenting May 26, 2026

Show notes

This is a longer episode, but it's WORTH IT! Danny and Rebecca welcome Melissa Krueger, author of “Parenting with Hope” about four parenting styles—authoritarian, authoritative, permissive, and negligent. Is your parenting full of warmth, boundaries, curiosity, and validating teens’ experiences? We're challenging you to take a look at you family habits that may have shaped your parenting. We also have a listener Q&A that addresses disciplining a disrespectful 7-year-old by teaching better language, requiring repair and apology, and probing underlying needs and insecurities. This is a great show!

Parenting With Hope

Parenting Quiz Check In

Family Personality Quiz

Set Some Rhythms In Your Home

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Support the show!

If you enjoyed listening to Practice Makes Parent with Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James, please give us your feedback.