The Family Podcast

BFF parenting is a terrible idea because it fundamentally compromises the structural boundaries children need to grow into healthy, mature adults. When you choose to step down from your role as a parent to become your child’s best friend, you abandon your God-given authority to guide, mentor, and discipline them. This role confusion usually leaves kids feeling unguided and insecure. While friendly warmth is essential, true biblical parenting requires structural leadership that prioritizes your child’s long-term character development over short-term popularity.
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The PursueGOD Family podcast helps you think biblically about marriage and parenting. Join Bryan and Tracy Dwyer on Wednesday mornings for new topics every week or two.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/family.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.
Donate Now
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Link to article on PursueGOD.org: Why Is BFF Parenting a Bad Idea?

If you constantly demand reassurance, control the schedule, or feel panicked when your partner needs space, you might ask yourself, “Do I smother my spouse?” In a healthy marriage, smothering is an unhealthy, anxious reaction to your own internal insecurities, where you accidentally overwhelm your partner with your emotional needs. Thankfully, the Bible offers a better path by reminding us that our ultimate security is found in Jesus Christ, which frees us to love our spouses selflessly rather than using them to fix our own deep wounds.
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The PursueGOD Family podcast helps you think biblically about marriage and parenting. Join Bryan and Tracy Dwyer on Wednesday mornings for new topics every week or two.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/family.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.
Donate Now
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Link to article: Why Do I Smother My Spouse?

Your children need God's Word to shape their life. In this episode, Tracy highlights three powerful Bible passages that can help shape your child's identity, confidence, and faith. Learn how Psalm 139, 2 Corinthians 5:17, and 2 Timothy 1:7 remind kids that they are uniquely created by God, made new in Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit to live with courage and purpose.
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The PursueGOD Family podcast helps you think biblically about marriage and parenting. Join Bryan and Tracy Dwyer on Wednesday mornings for new topics every week or two.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/family.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.
Donate Now
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Visit: Life Verses for Parents (Series)

John Gottman is a renowned relationship expert who has studied many couples in his love lab. He boasts of his ability to predict with 91% accuracy those who stay married and those that end in divorce by observing how couples communicate and interact with one another.
A couple’s ability to communicate is obviously foundational to a healthy marriage. Gottman would say there are 4 communication styles that often lead to the end of marriage because of the damage it inflicts on couples.
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The PursueGOD Family podcast helps you think biblically about marriage and parenting. Join Bryan and Tracy Dwyer on Wednesday mornings for new topics every week or two.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/family.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.
Donate Now
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Parenting teenagers can feel overwhelming, especially when you're dealing with disrespect, irresponsibility, and dating questions. In this episode, Tracy unpacks practical, biblical wisdom for navigating these challenging years with confidence and grace. Learn how to build trust instead of escalating conflict, help your teen develop responsibility, and guide them toward wise, God-honoring choices in relationships.
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The PursueGOD Family podcast helps you think biblically about marriage and parenting. Join Bryan and Tracy Dwyer on Wednesday mornings for new topics every week or two.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/family.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.
Donate Now
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Links to articles on these topics on PursueGOD.org:
A Parent’s Guide for the Teen Years (Series)