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June 18, 2025

Title: Reading Can Be FUN!
Topic: Reading Success

Discussed by Deana Thayer
with Focus on the Family www.Family.org

New research  suggests that the number of parents reading to their children is at an all-time low.

Today, Deana Thayer discusses the grim report and offers some helpful tips to keep kids engaged and loving to read for a lifetime. Deana holds a master’s degree in education. She is a speaker, author, and parenting associate at Focus on the Family.

Click here to read more on this issue.

Click here for more parenting tips and resources from Focus on the Family. You can also call 1.800.AFAMILY for free advice.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Why do some parents dread reading to their kids? Do many kids feel the same?

Is daily story time at school declining? Deana explains why this is a dangerous trend.

Why is the joy in reading a book declining?

Are there many benefits of reading aloud to children?

What are practical ways we can encourage kids to read? Deana has some really, really great ideas so listen close and take notes!

Click here to help support Focus on the Family.

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June 10, 2025

Title: Is Summer Regression a Real Thing?
Topic: Education

Discussed by Deana Thayer
with Focus on the Family www.Family.org

Just because your kids are on summer break, it doesn’t mean their brains need to be.

Today, Deana Thayer has some suggestions to beat boredom and foster continued cognitive and academic skills. Deana is a speaker, author, and parenting associate at Focus on the Family.

Click here for more parenting tips and resources from Focus on the Family. You can also call 1.800.AFAMILY for free advice.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Why do math and reading skills often regress over the summer? Does it really matter that much in the long run? Deana Thayer reveals just how far children can regress in just one summer.

Grandparents often watch their younger grandchildren during the summer. What can grandparents do to ensure their grandkids don’t regress?

What can parents do to stimulate their kids’ minds during the summer? Deana Thayer has some very fun activities to keep kids interested in engaged.

Are kids more likely to pick up a book on their own if their parents are more involved at home?

Are kids better prepared for a new school year if they stay up-to-date on their math and reading skills during the summer? Deana Thayer discusses more statistics on how summer regression impacts kids’ minds.

Click here  to help support Focus on the Family.

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May 23, 2025

Title: Future Focused Parenting
Topic: Parenting

Discussed by Deana Thayer
with Focus on the Family www.Family.org

Part 1 of 2

Are we raising kids to be better kids or raising kids to be good adults?

New guest Deana Thayer is a podcaster, speaker, and author with over two decades of experience in the marriage and parenting sphere. Today, Deana offers hope and encouragement through “future-focused parenting” advice.

Click here for more parenting advice from Focus on the Family.

Click here for more information about the Focus on Parenting Podcast.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Are too many parents today trying to be their child’s best friend instead of their parent?

Are there many different books and philosophies on “good parenting”?

We all know that most parents are doing the best they can to raise good children. However, do many children today lack good morals? Deana Thayer discusses the difference between behavior management and character management.

Do children and teens need stability in their lives, particularly from their parents?

Can other family members, such as grandparents and aunts/uncles, have a positive impact on children and teens?

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Title: Part 2 of 2 - Future Focused Parenting
Topic: Parenting

Discussed by Deana Thayer
with Focus on the Family www.Family.org

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Does our parenting style/focus often change over the years depending on our children’s ages?

Is anyone every fully prepared to be a parent?

What is “future-focused parenting”? Deana Thayer offers some great insight for a variety of parenting situations.

How can future-focus parenting help prepare children for the real world?

What is a “parent coach”?

Is it ever too late to begin being an involved parent? Deana Thayer reminds us that it’s never too late to come to Jesus so it’s never to late to be a better parent!

Click here to help support Focus on the Family.

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