3 ways to help your tweens thrive with Alena Franklin and Jonathan Pitts
Pardon the Mess with Scarlet Hiltibidal - Christian Motherhood, Biblical Parenting, Raising Christian Kids
Scarlet Hiltibidal and Christian Parenting
4.9 • 850 Ratings
🗓️ 17 April 2025
⏱️ 42 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Do you have a tween? This episode is for YOU! Jonathan is one of my very favorite dads on the planet. He’s a pastor, husband, dad of one young adult, 3 teens and a one year old! You’ve heard him on Pardon The Mess before with his beautiful wife Peta Pitts as they have navigated loss together. Alena Pitts is Jonathan’s oldest daughter and someone I admire and respect so much. This father-daughter conversation is incredibly rich and entertaining.
Today’s episode is a very practical one. Alena and Jonathan offer 3 ways we can help our tweens thrive. Alena offers a unique perspective as the oldest child in the family. She looks back at what she appreciated most. Jonathan brings perspective of raising his four daughters while also managing a ministry specifically for tween girls.
My favorite part is towards the end when Jonathan encourages us to lay down all the pressures and stuff that is fleeting. How we can continue to prioritize the relationship with our kids over all the things that are fleeting.
In this episode we chat about:
- Practical ways to help your teens thrive
- Parenting introverted kids vs extroverted
- Ways to own your role as a parent in their spiritual development
Enjoy!
Courtney
(00:00) Navigating Newlywed Life
(03:01) The Joys of Parenting
(06:19) The Importance of Family Devotions
(09:48) Supporting Tweens in Community
(14:43) Building Connections Through Shared Stories
(18:16) The Role of Parents in Child Development
(20:10) Instilling Truth and Sound Doctrine
(25:48) The Importance of Fun and Lightheartedness
(32:19) Encouragement for Stressed Parents
Connect with Pardon The Mess:
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Resources from today’s show:
Connect with Alena
Connect with Jonathan
For Girls Like You - magazine and resources for tween girls
Jonathan and Peta Pitts episode
Moms, Dads, and Grads Gift Guide
Enjoy 20% off the For girls Like You Magazine subscription by using code: pardonthemess.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Christian Parenting. |
| 0:03.5 | Christian Parenting. |
| 0:09.4 | Okay, friends, this spring has got all kinds of events. |
| 0:12.3 | You've got graduates in your life. |
| 0:13.9 | You've got mothers, fathers, fathers' day, and we want to help you there. |
| 0:17.2 | So are you searching for a perfect gift to celebrate the special mom's, dads, |
| 0:21.0 | and grads in your life? We are so excited about the Christian parenting mom's dads and grads |
| 0:25.3 | gift guide. That sounds fun. Mom's dads and grad's guide that has something for everyone, |
| 0:29.7 | whether you're honoring a new mom, a seasoned dad, or a recent graduate. We've got you covered |
| 0:34.3 | with some thoughtful and meaningful gift ideas. Inside the gift guide, |
| 0:37.9 | you'll find some of our favorite resources, from Bibles to study tools to inspiring books, |
| 0:42.9 | fun projects, and even special bath products. You're guaranteed to find something special |
| 0:47.4 | for the important people on your gift list this spring. Visit Christianparenting.org |
| 0:52.2 | slash gift guide to get your moms, dads, and grads a gift guide today. |
| 0:56.0 | The link will also be in our show notes today. |
| 0:57.9 | Welcome back to Pardon the Mess. |
| 1:11.5 | I'm your host, Courtney Defeo, and I'm so excited y'all are here. |
| 1:14.0 | We are rounding the corner of the school year, and if you're like me, you're feeling super |
| 1:18.7 | tired, especially those senior moms out there. |
| 1:20.8 | But this is a special episode with two of my very dear friends, but I first need to tell |
| 1:26.1 | y'all, did I tell you that I left like an entire |
| 1:28.7 | section of clothes on spring break? We had the privilege through some flight perks to go to |
... |
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