Watermark Family Ministry Podcast

Panel discussion with Brian Buchek, Grant MacQuilkan, and James Unthank.

While the current crisis is throwing all of us into some level of uncertainty together, one thing is for certain . . . this isn’t the first season of uncertainty you’ve faced and it won’t be the last. As we face our own doubts, fears, and insecurities in times like these, our responsibilities to lead our homes remain intact. Listen in as David Leventhal and Brett Billman join Wes Butler for a conversation about how God calls and equips us to lead our families through challenging seasons like this. For notes, resources, and discussion questions, go to https://www.watermark.org/message/7424

One of the many effects that the COVID-19 pandemic has had is that it has thrust kids and their parents into the new world of “Distance Learning”. In this short episode, Wes Butler interviews homeschool and work-from-home veterans, Brian and Morgan Buchek to discuss three best practices for parents as we tackle this new reality in our homes. Be sure to check out these Read-Aloud resources that the Bucheks recommended: Louis Zamperini: Redemption (Heroes of History): https://www.amazon.com/dp/1624860494/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_x4IGEb872T3Y1 On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness (The Wingfeather Saga) by Andrew Peterson: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1400073847/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_n5IGEb26VMRF5 Chronicles of Narnia Series: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0061992887/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Q6IGEbTHN165B How to Play Farkle: https://youtu.be/PtZlur9Kmb8

Being a parent means that you will walk through your fair share of sticky situations. At the Nest on the Dallas campus, Millye Hale reminded us what our response should be when we face these moments in life.

The primary role given to every parent by God is that of making disciples of our children. Having a right understanding of our role as disciple makers is key to understanding what it looks like to faithfully train our children in the truth of God and His Word through discipline. In this session of DadU, we consider the essential principles of discipline and some of the ways these principles are carried out in healthy families today. To view resources on this podcast, visit: https://www.watermark.org/message/7279

At the Plano NEST, Jennifer and Andy Baliey walked us through their 23 years of marriage and how raising 4 children has helped them realize their need for Christ both individually and together. They share hard times from the past that has impacted their marriage. Jennifer Bailey then walks us through how to CHOOSE love and respect in your marriage even when you don’t feel like it. You will be encouraged and motivated to push through the hard in your marriage while raising your children. Plus Jenifer gives great wisdom for how to practically live out respect in your marriage.

At the Nest on the Dallas campus, Suzanne Sanderson & Lea Singer shared biblical wisdom and tools to encourage moms to consider their family's emotional health. Reminding them that how we perceive and process our emotions can have an impact on how we teach our children about their own emotions.

One of the most often overlooked aspects of family life is the role that “fun” plays in fostering an environment conducive to the important work of parenting and discipleship. Joy, laughter, and memory making are not just the “extra-curricular” activities of parenting. They are essential components of healthy family life and evidence of the Spirit’s work in and through you. In this session of DadU, we explore how dads can take the lead in establishing “fun” as a core value of the family as well as why this is such an important aspect of our discipleship of our children. To view resources on this podcast, visit: https://www.watermark.org/message/7165

Motherhood can be exhausting. There are a lot of places moms can try to find rest. At the Nest in Plano, Anne Clayton explains how what we seek leads to who we follow, which determines if we find true rest.

At the Nest on the Dallas campus, Elizabeth Tamlyn encourages moms to consider their daily time with God in a new way. She shares how to be restored and thrive rather than be exhausted and just survive.

At the Plano NEST, Jinger Lord shares lessons she learned on her own mothering journey. We all have seasons of parenting where our kids are “out-of-the-box” either due to their own struggles or due to ways that we let our expectations get in the way. She covers three things to remember: (1) The importance of knowing your child’s “box”; (2) That your “box” is not their “box”; (3) That our kids are all in God’s “box.” Moms on the panel discuss what they have learned from parenting their kids with specific struggles-ADHD, special needs, and the strong-willed child.

The psalmist wrote in Psalm 127, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” He then goes on to warn the reader that failing to remember this simple principle leads the laborer to sleeplessness and “eating the bread of anxious toil.” Sadly, “anxious toil” is often the best description of the typical parenting experience for the 21st century American family. In this session of DadU, we discuss how to fight against what is typical and fight for a family that is marked by trusting the heart of our Father, the Ultimate Builder of our homes. For more information, see the sermon notes at: https://www.watermark.org/message/7076

At the Nest on the Dallas campus, the Nest leadership team shared a wealth of ideas to help point your child to Christ during the Christmas season. And our Mentor Moms shared their wisdom and perspective of what they've learned over the years and how to stay focused during the busy Christmas season.

At the Plano NEST, Leslie Barry talks about how we can really make others feel valued, cared for, and known through our traditions. She gives 3 questions for you to ask yourself to help you determine this: 1) Are you building relationship in your tradition or walking through a dead ritual? 2) Does this fit my family? 3) What should I start/stop/keep? Evaluate your own traditions and then listen as a panel of moms discuss their traditions that make others feel valued, cared for, and known. Yes, you will get ALL the ideas!

In this session of DadU, Blake Holmes asks us to consider three hugely important questions: 1) What is prayer? 2) What do our prayers reveal? and 3) How then should we pray? Taking these things into consideration, Blake and a panel of dads then share some tools that have been helpful for growing in faithfulness as we pray for our families and disciple our children to develop this habit for themselves. For additional resources from this session, go to https://www.watermark.org/blog/pray-in-faith-dads