Routines for pre-teens — how do parents establish healthy habits that stick?

Gareth and Toby speak with Greg and Sophie Sharples about the importance of family routines for children approaching adolescence. They discuss how routines evolve as children grow, the challenges parents face in maintaining consistency, and practical strategies for mornings, mealtimes, and screen time. The conversation also emphasizes the significance of family connection through shared activities and meals, and the value of grace and adaptability when routines don’t go as planned.

Greg and Sophie share personal reflections on what they would do differently, offering insight for parents seeking to help pre-teens develop responsibility, independence, and confidence while maintaining strong family bonds.

We’d love to hear from you — email hello@famalampod.com or DM us on Instagram @famalampod.

If you’re enjoying the podcast, please like, share, comment, and subscribe!

About Famalam:

Famalam is a Christian family & parenting podcast hosted by Gareth, Lizzy, Daisy, Lucy, and Toby Robinson. We explore Christian parenting, raising kids, faith at home, discipleship, family challenges, communication, boundaries, discipline, tech and screens, mental wellbeing, friendships, church engagement, Christmas traditions, and real-life family dynamics.

Follow & Connect:

Instagram: @famalampod | Email: hello@famalampod.com

Routines — we all need them, but how do families build rhythms that actually work?

In this episode, Gareth, Lizzy, Daisy and Lucy dive into the importance of establishing healthy family routines and the impact these daily habits have on children’s character, responsibility, and long-term wellbeing. They explore how parents can model the behaviours they hope their children will adopt, why flexibility matters as kids grow, and how family meals, chores, and shared rhythms strengthen connection and communication.

The conversation highlights the role of routines in helping children develop confidence, understand expectations, and contribute meaningfully to family life. Gareth and Lucy share practical ideas, personal reflections, and the small wins that keep routines moving forward — even when life gets messy.

We’d love to hear from you — email hello@famalampod.com or DM us on Instagram @famalampod.

If you’re enjoying the podcast, please like, share, comment, and subscribe!

About Famalam:

Famalam is a Christian family & parenting podcast hosted by Gareth, Lizzy, Daisy, Lucy, and Toby Robinson. We explore Christian parenting, raising kids, faith at home, discipleship, family challenges, communication, boundaries, discipline, tech and screens, mental wellbeing, friendships, church engagement, Christmas traditions, and real-life family dynamics.

Follow & Connect:

Instagram: @famalampod | Email: hello@famalampod.com

New Year, new start — but what does that really look like for families?

Gareth, Lizzy, and Daisy are joined by author and speaker Jo Saxton to explore how parents can help children say goodbye to the past year and step into the New Year with honesty, hope, and faith. Together they reflect on family life, modelling repentance, growth, and change, and creating space for kids to talk openly about grief, loss, and transition.

Jo shares thoughtful insight on the difference between New Year optimism and Christian hope, helping parents guide their kids through endings and beginnings without pressure to perform, but with grace, gratitude, and trust in God’s work in their lives.

For more from Jo Saxton:

• Website: josaxton.com
• Books: https://www.josaxton.com/books
• Instagram / Threads: @josaxton
• A Cup of Jo Newsletter / Substack: https://substack.com/@josaxton

Additional Hello Goodbye resources:

• Website: https://www.leadstoriesmedia.com/hellogoodbye
• Podcast series: https://leadstoriespodcast.com (or wherever you get your podcasts)

This episode will encourage Christian parents to think carefully about how their own habits, language, and faith practices shape how their children understand change, resilience, and spiritual growth.

We’d love to hear from you — email hello@famalampod.com or DM us on Instagram @famalampod.

If you’re enjoying the podcast, please like, share, comment, and subscribe!

About Famalam:

Famalam is a Christian family & parenting podcast hosted by Gareth, Lizzy, Daisy, Lucy, and Toby Robinson. We explore Christian parenting, raising kids, faith at home, discipleship, family challenges, communication, boundaries, discipline, tech and screens, mental wellbeing, friendships, church engagement, Christmas traditions, and real-life family dynamics.

Follow & Connect:

Instagram: @famalampod | Email: hello@famalampod.com