Feeding The Mouth That Bites You: Parenting Teens Into Adulthood

4d ago

This week on the show, Cynthia and Dr. Ken dig into the age-old issue of entitlement—how it shows up in American culture and how it shapes our teens. They talk about the everyday behaviors that reveal deeper beliefs about self-respect, responsibility, and personal standards. Dr. Ken explains why raising kids who expect rewards without effort creates long-term problems, especially when it comes to character, resilience, and financial responsibility. Together, he and Cynthia unpack how well-intentioned parents can unintentionally undermine gratitude by giving too much without teaching kids how to earn, wait, or steward what they’ve been given. They also explore the power of perspective—how serving others, seeing real-world needs, and broadening kids’ experiences can dramatically reduce entitlement and build empathy. The episode wraps with a practical reminder: gratitude and responsibility don’t happen by accident—they’re taught, and they stick best when kids see their parents modeling them first. If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here You can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" here You can pre-order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! podcast@feedingthemouth.com Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

Dec 9

This week on the show, Cynthia and Dr. Ken dive into the often-overlooked world of adult friendship—why it matters for your emotional health and your parenting. They unpack new research on the “friendship recession,” why adults have fewer close friends than ever, and how that loneliness also impacts our parenting. Dr. Ken explains why parents need real community as their teens grow up and leave home, why your marriage can’t be your only source of companionship, and why having your teen as your “best friend” can be a warning sign—not a win. They also tackle what healthy friendships look like while raising teens, why reconciling well matters, and how to model connection in a screen-obsessed culture. Cynthia shares practical encouragement for making and keeping friendships—prioritizing connection, filling the gaps with positive assumptions, and not letting insecurity sabotage community. They wrap up with a conversation on introverts vs. extroverts and why neither gets a pass on building real relationships. It’s honest, insightful, and a much-needed reminder that friendships aren’t optional—they’re foundational. If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here You can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" here You can pre-order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! podcast@feedingthemouth.com Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

Dec 2

This week on the show, Dr. Ken and Cynthia dig into listener questions. They start with digital monitoring: What do you do when Life360 tells you your teen is speeding or texting while driving? Dr. Ken breaks down when consequences help, when they don’t, and why too much monitoring can accidentally communicate, “Your life is still our life.” Next up: a 21-year-old daughter who wants to stay at her boyfriend’s apartment when she comes home. Dr. Ken tackles how parents can hold to their moral convictions without assuming financial threats will change a child’s heart. Then they move to the rise in occult-ish curiosity—numerology, crystals, spells—and how to talk to teens about what’s concerning, what’s just cultural noise, and how to communicate your beliefs without panic or power struggles. Finally, they take on a question every parent asks at some point (okay fine… at least Cynthia asks it weekly): How do you connect with a teen who barely says three words? Dr. Ken explains why silence doesn’t mean distance, how to keep communication open without pushing, and why sometimes the most meaningful parenting happens when your teen grunts in your general direction. Today’s show is practical, relatable, and filled with answers to the questions you’re asking. Thanks for listening! If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here You can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" here You can pre-order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! podcast@feedingthemouth.com Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

Nov 18

This week on the show, Cynthia and Dr. Ken dive into the wild, wonderful, and occasionally mind-numbing world of youth sports. Dr. Ken breaks down what’s really going on inside our teens—whether they’re thriving, quitting, or somewhere in between. He unpacks why control is the number-one issue in teen athletics, why even highly talented kids sometimes walk away from their sport, and how parents can set fair expectations without taking over their child’s identity. There are also discussions on injuries, identity loss, parent pressure, car-ride conversations, and the subtle emotional pitfalls that come with living in a sports-centered family culture. It’s a practical, compassionate, and eye-opening conversation for every parent navigating the highs, lows, and hard lessons of teenage sports. If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here You can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" here You can pre-order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! podcast@feedingthemouth.com Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

Nov 11

Today, Dr. Ken and Cynthia talk about how AI is shaping the world our teens are growing up in. From homework help to “AI friends” and therapy bots, this technology is moving fast — and our kids are encountering it whether we feel ready or not. Instead of panic or hard bans, Dr. Ken encourages thoughtful, ongoing conversations. We discuss how AI is affecting schools, what healthy use can look like, and why it's important to help teens think critically rather than rely on technology to think or feel for them. We also address the emotional side: AI that feels encouraging or “understanding” can be appealing, especially for kids who feel alone or unsure socially. But simulated support is not real relationship. Parents can help teens stay grounded, connected, and aware of the difference between feeling understood and being truly known by real people. If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here You can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" here You can pre-order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! podcast@feedingthemouth.com Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

Nov 4

Today we’re talking marriage with Dr. Ken Wilgus — not our marriages (although we detoured there), but our kids’ future ones. Dr. Ken discusses research that says we shouldn’t panic if our kids consider getting married younger than the cultural norm. Marriage isn't just a “capstone” once you're fully established — sometimes it’s a cornerstone that builds adulthood together . We unpack cultural trends, fear-based parenting, and why avoiding the dating conversation doesn’t actually protect your teens. Dr. Ken challenges us to talk openly about marriage, consider how our own marriage baggage might influence our advice, and stop assuming later is always better. We wrap with dating checklists, the pressure Christian young adults feel to find the “perfect godly spouse,” and one final gold-nugget from Dr. Ken that you cannot miss (hint: it has to do with our own marriages). If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here You can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" here You can pre-order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! podcast@feedingthemouth.com Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

Oct 28

From managing the influence of social media to knowing when (and how) to step in, this conversation reminds us that our role as parents isn’t to fix everything—it’s to stay present and connect with our kids often. If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here You can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" here Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! podcast@feedingthemouth.com Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

Oct 21

Dr. Ken takes on a tough but deeply relatable topic for many parents—what to do when a child drifts from faith, family values, or relationship. Whether it’s a season of wandering, strained connections, or hard choices that break your heart, this conversation walks us through what it looks like to navigate prodigal seasons with our teens. Cynthia and Dr. Ken talk about the difference between a child who’s estranged from you versus estranged from God, why power dynamics so often make things worse, and how to focus less on control and more on trust. They also get practical about how parenting shifts with age—what authority looks like with teens at home versus young adults on their own. And through it all, there’s hope: that God works even in the wandering, and that as parents we can walk this road without shame, judgment, or isolation.