David Thomas on Parenting Without Panic in an Age of Anxiety

How Can We Raise Capable Kids Without Rescuing Them?   David Thomas, co-executive director of Daystar Counseling and co-author of Capable, joins Curtis Chang for a timely conversation on Christian parenting, kids' mental health, and raising resilient children in an age of anxiety. They explore why today's parenting culture can accidentally make kids less capable—and how faith, courage, and emotional resilience can help families face struggle without fear. If you're raising kids in this world shaped by stress, screens, and social pressure, this episode offers grounded, practical wisdom.   02:32 - It's Been a Decade of Youth Mental Health Crisis and Parental Stress 06:10 - Distinctively Christian Parenting vs. Secular Approaches 11:06 - Parenting as Spiritual Formation 16:31 - Has Language Inflation Made Parental Modeling More Important? 19:26 - How Do Some Parental Practices Undermine Capability? 25:39 - Managing Parental Discomfort and Allowing Growth 30:59 - Parenting as a Context for Parental Growth <span style= "font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decorat