Episode 186: Dan Scott

 

 


I am so excited to welcome my friend Dan Scott to the table. Dan has been working with kids for over 20 years as a teacher in education, pastor and communicator. He is also the father of 4 and he is passionate about reaching the hard to reach preteen age group.

He is the author of the book Caught in Between: Engage Your Preteens Before They Check Out which offers the latest research findings on preteens, sums up conversations every ministry leader is having about preteen ministry, and walks readers through a comprehensive plan to engage preteens in ways that will ensure they have what they need to build an authentic faith.

 
Dan Scott.png
 

We have a conversation centered on the topic of tweens. We talk about who tweens are at this phase of life and what they need from us; why they are literally losing their minds at age 11; how to help our kids become critical thinkers as they are moving from a concrete way of thinking into an abstract way of thinking; we talk about handling technology and how to handle the bible with this age. This conversation comes at the perfect time where your tween is heading back to school and facing a lot of responsibility. I think you’ll find this episode very helpful.

Freebies:

Links mentioned:

Survival Kit:

  • music

  • iced coffee

  • sparkling water

  • Old Navy drawstring shorts

  • his dogs

Takeaways:

  • As parents, we can help them understand the natural consequences for their autonomy.

  • “Allow them to fail while it’s still a soft landing.” Dialog with them about their decision making process. Ask them questions so that they will learn what it looks like to ask questions.

  • Your home needs to be the safest place for a kid to ask a hard question about faith. Questions are okay. Without tension we don’t learn. We don’t grow. We have to let our kids wrestle with these topics.

  • They are emotionally abstract and cognitively concrete.

  • When it comes to reading the Bible, help them navigate what would be most helpful for them to read instead of just starting from the beginning like every other book.

  • Cognitively, your tween is literally losing their mind. Their mind is working to figure out which information to keep and which to discard.

Discussion Questions:

  • What were you like as a tween?

  • What significant moment or pivotal circumstance happened to you at that age and how did that cause you to see yourself in the world?

  • What can help you have empathy for your tweens in this phase?

  • What can you do this week to help you teach your kids in this phase to think critically?

  • What can you do to help you understand who your tween in becoming?

  • How can you adjust your expectations of your tween?

  • What was the most helpful takeaway from this episode?

(Amazon affiliate links used when possible--purchasing through these links is an easy way to support the show. Or shop using www.SurvivingSarah.com/amazon and a portion of the what you buy will go back to the show.)

Connect with Dan:  Instagram // Website // twitter // Facebook

What did you enjoy about this episode? What was your takeaway. Let's continue the conversation on Instagram or Twitter.

Thank you for following along life with me. I love being apart of your day. And as always, I hope this show helps you survive a little easier.

A new episode every Tuesday... just subscribe.

Subscribe for free on iTunes or Stitcher or your favorite podcast app so that you don't miss out on great conversations with women just like you. Women who are surviving and thriving. You don't have to do life alone. Be inspired, encouraged and entertained by women like Sandra Stanley, Shannan Martin, Jen Hatmaker, Jamie B. Golden, Mo Isom, Annie F. Downs, America’s Super Nanny Dr. Deborah Tillman, Ellie Holcomb, Kay Warren, Suzanne Stabile and many more.

Did you enjoy today's conversation? Rate the podcast.

My goal each week is to encourage you to survive in this very thing called life. If you were encouraged or inspired or entertained, head over to iTunes and leave a brief review with a 5 star rating.

Here is a recent one from "MoeRandi". She said, “I love Sarah’s conversation style. She seems like she’s one of those who would be instant friends with anyone she comes in contact with. I appreciate her honesty, her quick-whirred humor and her way with words. She interviews a wide variety of people on a wide array of topics, may of which I’ve found to be applicable to my life (in practical ways) and impactful ways. I am thankful for her heart for God and her heart for others.”

Your review will help get the podcast in front of new listeners who are just like you looking to know that they aren't alone in life. Thank you for being awesome!

 
Podcast, faith, Parentingsarah bragg