A Better Way to Give Instructions

A Better Way to Give Instructions

Dr Scott Turansky If you’re like most parents, you don’t wake up hoping for another day filled with arguing, dawdling, forgetfulness, or resistance. Many parents give instructions all day long, but the act of giving an instruction often…

Why Strategy Beats Reactivity in Parenting

Dr Scott Turansky Parenting a challenging child can feel like being on a rollercoaster you didn’t sign up for. One moment things are calm, and the next you’re in a full-blown battle over homework, screen time, or chores. It’s exhausting. What…
Helping Kids Anchor Their Identity in God

Helping Kids Anchor Their Identity in God

Dr Scott Turansky Your child is being asked a question every day—whether they realize it or not: “Who are you?” And every day, the world rushes in to answer it for them. Culture says, “You are your feelings.” Social media says,…

Every Child Must Hear the Word “No.”

Dr Scott Turansky No one likes to be disappointed—not adults, and definitely not children. Yet some of the most profound growth in a child’s heart happens not when they get what they want, but when they don’t. As parents, we’re often…

What Lying, Cheating, or Stealing Reveal About the Heart

Dr Scott Turansky It’s not just about the lie. Or the sneaky behavior. Or the missing piece of candy. When a child is dishonest, it’s easy to focus on the behavior in front of you and forget that something deeper is going on beneath…

How to Intercept Defiance and Prompt Change

Dr Scott Turansky You’ve probably seen the signs: your child’s jaw tightens, their tone sharpens, their eyes narrow—or worse, they roll—and the resistance is coming. It’s the beginning of defiance. And if you don’t intervene…

When Anger Erupts: Teaching Kids That Emotions Are Signals, Not Solutions

Dr Scott Turansky If you’ve ever watched two of your children go from calm to chaos in three seconds, you’re not alone. One minute someone’s playing quietly on the couch, and the next, you’re breaking up a wrestling match over who…

The Secret Power of Honor: When Parents Go Beyond Obedience

Dr Scott Turansky In many homes, obedience is the ultimate parenting goal. If a child does what they’re told—without talking back, delaying, or throwing a fit—most parents breathe a sigh of relief. But what if obedience isn’t the…

When Kids Get Angry: What’s Really Going On Inside

Dr Scott Turansky Anger in children can be loud, messy, and disruptive. It may come with stomping feet, slammed doors, tears, or defiance. As a parent, it's easy to focus on the behavior—because that’s what you see. But if we only respond…

How to Help Your Child Take Ownership of Their Behavior

Dr Scott Turansky Correction can feel like a tug-of-war. Parents try to rein in misbehavior, and children pull back with excuses, denial, or emotional explosions. But what if there’s a better way—one that doesn’t rely solely on parental…

Why Your Kids Struggle With Responsibility—and How to Help

Dr Scott Turansky It’s a moment every parent knows well. You walk into the kitchen and see the empty cereal bowl left on the table, milk dripping down the side. You call out, “Did you forget something?” only to hear a distracted “Oh…

When Screens Reinforce Entitlement

Dr Scott Turansky A mom once told me, “The minute I say no to the iPad, it’s like a switch flips. My sweet child turns into someone I barely recognize.” Her story is not unique. As parents, we’ve all seen it: the groan, the eye roll,…