Parenting often feels overwhelming, but what if connection mattered more than perfection? Licensed counselor and author Tricia Thornton joins The Missional Life Podcast to share wisdom from her new book Beyond Blessed Parenting. She unpacks seven principles—silence, listening, forgiveness, balance, and more—that help parents connect authentically with God and their children. If you’ve felt pressure to be the “perfect parent,” this conversation will give you freedom, encouragement, and hope for a more joy-filled family life. ✝️💡❤️
Tricia Thornton is a licensed professional counselor, registered play therapist, and author of Beyond Blessed Parenting. Through her counseling practice and personal parenting journey, she equips parents to embrace grace and pursue authentic connection with God and their children. With a framework that blends biblical wisdom and neuroscience, Tricia helps moms, dads, and caregivers move beyond perfectionism into joy-filled, faith-rooted parenting.
1. Break Free From Perfectionism – Learn why striving to be the “perfect parent” leads to burnout and how God’s grace invites peace and joy.
2. Discover the Cross of Connection – Explore Tricia’s framework for connecting with God, yourself, your spouse, and your children.
3. Practical, Faith-Based Parenting Tools – Gain neuroscience insights and daily practices that can immediately impact your family’s life.
1. Grace Over Perfection – Parenting is about grace, not flawless performance.
2. Silence Creates Space – Quiet moments open the door to hear God and connect deeply with your children.
3. The Cross of Connection – True connection begins vertically with God and flows outward into every relationship.
4. Self-Care Fuels Parenting – Healthy parents create healthy homes; caring for yourself is essential.
5. Play Builds Connection – Ten minutes of focused play communicates love, safety, and value to your child.
1. Practice Daily Silence – Set aside five minutes with God to invite His peace into your parenting.
2. Play With Purpose – Dedicate at least 10 minutes to play with your child in a way that communicates presence.
3. Extend Grace First – Model forgiveness and grace by practicing it for yourself and your kids daily.
00:00 – Introduction: Meet Tricia Thornton, counselor, play therapist, and author.
01:00 – Why Parenting Feels Overwhelming: Comparison and cultural pressures.
04:00 – The Seven Principles: Silence, listening, acknowledgment, renewal, forgiveness, balance, embrace.
10:00 – Silence as the Foundation: Making space for God and deeper connection.
12:00 – The Cross of Connection: Framework for relational alignment.
18:00 – Why Self-Care Matters: Why parents must care for their own health first.
24:00 – Parenting Tips: Practical strategies for daily rhythms.
26:00 – Faith + Neuroscience: How brain science helps parents respond with grace.
34:00 – The Power of Play: Entering a child’s natural language.
41:00 – A Parent’s Greatest Hope: Releasing perfection and rediscovering joy.
43:00 – Fun Rapid-Fire Questions.
48:00 – Where to Connect With Tricia.
● Website: TriciaThornton.com
