Ep.141 Are You Overprotecting Your Kids? How Struggle Builds Resilience, Faith, and Character, with Erin Kunkle

Send us Fan Mail Are you protecting your kids from struggle—or preparing them to face it? As moms, we want to protect our children from disappointment, failure, pain, and hardship. But what if some of the struggles we’re trying to prevent are actually essential to helping our kids grow? In this episode of the MomQ Podcast, Candace talks with Erin Kunkle, co-founder of Maven, about Christian parenting, raising resilient kids, and why children need opportunities to experience struggle, responsibility, and failure. Erin shares her own unexpected journey into motherhood and faith and explains how those experiences shaped her passion for equipping young people and their parents. Together, they explore how overprotective parenting can unintentionally hinder resilience and character, why struggle is an important part of growing up, and how parents can help their children learn perseverance instead of always stepping in to make things easier. Erin also shares practical insights on how team sports, chores, responsibility, obedience, and everyday challenges can help children develop character and independence. Most importantly, she reminds parents that our goal isn't simply to raise kids who can avoid hardship—but kids who know how to walk through hardship with God. You'll discover: Why kids need struggle to develop resilience and character How overprotective parenting can hold children back Why resilience is a “muscle” that must be developed How sports, chores, and responsibility build character How parents shape their children's relationship with God Why children need to learn to see God in their struggles How obedience in childhood can help shape faith How to know when to step in—and when to let your child struggle Why parents need to seek God's wisdom instead of relying only on cultural parenting advice If you've ever wondered whether you're protecting your kids too much, this conversation will challenge and encourage you to see struggle differently—and trust God as you equip your children to become resilient, responsible, and faithful adults. Timestamps 00:00 Erin Kunkle’s Journey to Motherhood, Faith, and Ministry 12:36 Are You Overprotecting Your Kids? The Hidden Cost of Overprotective Parenting 18:42 How Do Kids Build Resilience? Why Struggle Matters 24:30 Can Team Sports Build Character in Kids? 25:11 How Do Parents Shape Their Children’s Faith? 28:37 How Can You Build Strong Faith Habits in Your Kids? 30:16 How Can We Help Kids See God in Their Struggles? 36:56 Why Do Kids Need Struggle to Grow in Faith and Character? 45:51 How Can Christian Parents Navigate Today’s Parenting Challenges? Resources Maven Ministry Website Interested in leading a MomQ group? Learn more Support the show Discover more about MomQ