The Kids' Place at Indian River Church

09/08/2026

Not all child abuse leaves a bruise.

A child can be deeply hurt by being shouted at every day, mocked for crying, called names, made to feel unwanted, or frightened into doing what an adult wants.

“I was only joking.”
“They need to toughen up.”
“That’s just how we talk in this house.”

These words can hide a lot of pain.

Every parent has difficult moments. People get stressed. Voices may be raised. That is not the same as a repeated pattern of frightening, humiliating, rejecting or controlling a child.

Children need boundaries, but they should not have to live in fear of the next outburst, threat or put-down. They need to know they are loved, safe and allowed to have feelings.

If a child becomes quiet, anxious, overly eager to please, scared of making mistakes, or says things like “I’m stupid” or “Nobody wants me”, it is worth paying attention. Kind questions and one safe adult can make a real difference.

FREE ABUSE IS NOT ALWAYS BRUISES: CHILD ABUSE POSTER

LIKE the photo and comment "NOT" and we will send you a message with a link to a free PDF of this resource.

09/08/2026

Emotional regulation is so much bigger than helping a child “calm down.” It is teaching them what to do with anger, fear, disappointment, frustration, shame, and overwhelm so those feelings do not have to control what happens next.

When children learn that emotions are safe to feel, that they can pause before reacting, that conflict does not have to become aggression, and that discomfort can be moved through without escaping it, they are building skills that affect every part of their future.

💗 Regulation helps children express anger without hurting someone.
🌿 It helps them tolerate disappointment without falling apart or needing immediate relief.
🤝 It teaches them how to disagree without dehumanizing the other person.
✨ It gives them healthier ways to cope when life feels painful, stressful, or out of control.
🧠 It helps them recognize what is happening inside their body before an emotion becomes an impulsive action.

This is why emotional regulation matters far beyond childhood. We are not just trying to create calmer homes in the moment, we are helping children develop the ability to handle conflict, manage stress, build healthy relationships, and make thoughtful choices when emotions are running high.

And none of this is learned by being told to “stop crying,” “calm down,” or “get over it.” Children learn regulation through repeated experiences of being guided through emotions, having boundaries held with steadiness, seeing adults model repair, and being taught what to do with their feelings instead of being taught to fear them.

Teaching emotional regulation is not the soft part of parenting, it is some of the most important preparation we can give children for the world they will eventually navigate on their own.

09/08/2026

I used to think a good marriage meant I'd married the right man. I don't believe that anymore.

I've watched women marry incredible men and still watch it fall apart. I've watched women marry broken, unfinished, still-becoming men, and build something holy.

The difference was never who they married.
It was whether the marriage was covered….

When we released The Covered Home, so many of you told me the same thing: "I prayed over my house and it changed the atmosphere before it changed my husband."

That undid something in me. A covered home doesn't fix a marriage. It just makes room for God to. That’s the whole point.

So… with that being said. My team and I have been praying for the next thing that we can pour into our growing community here. The answer came fast, and it wouldn't let us go.

The marriage itself needed covering. Not just the house around it. The covenant inside it!

The Covered Marriage is 30 days… Scripture, declaration, prayer, and one small act each day! Walking you through three phases: THE COVENANT (settling whose marriage this actually is), THE COVERING (driving out what doesn't belong and guarding the gates), and THE COMMUNION (filling it until even the ordinary Tuesdays feel holy.)

This is not a guide for perfect marriages, there's no such thing. It's for covered ones. Show up tired. Show up in a hard season. Show up on a day you don't particularly like the person you married. God still keeps covenants. Show up happy. Show up transformed. Show up covered.

SN: (This isn't a guide for unsafe or abusive situations, if that's you, please seek real support first. This is for marriages carrying ordinary hardness that prayer and covering can transform.)

Comment MARRIAGE26 and I'll send it straight to you. 🤎

Natalie Breckenridge 🤎

09/08/2026

09/07/2026

Don’t Break Their Strong Will; Teach Them How to Lead.

A strong-willed child can test your patience, question your decisions, and push against limits. But that same determination can become courage, persistence, independence, and leadership when it is guided well.

They do not need their spirit crushed. They need calm boundaries, meaningful responsibility, and someone who teaches them how to use a strong voice without hurting others.

Help them learn when to stand firm, when to listen, when to compromise, and how to turn determination into something purposeful.

Don’t break their strong will. Give it wisdom, empathy, and direction. ❤️

09/05/2026

Word Swaps for Conscious Parenting.

The words we use in difficult moments can become the voice our children eventually carry inside themselves.

Conscious parenting is not about sounding perfect. It is about choosing language that guides without shaming, corrects without crushing confidence, and sets boundaries without breaking connection.

Sometimes a small shift from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened?” can completely change the conversation.

We may not always choose the perfect words, but we can choose words that leave our children feeling guided, understood, and still deeply loved. ❤️

09/05/2026

Please read and learn from this 👇👇

09/05/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/19WPgtsFsv/?mibextid=wwXIfr

In case you missed the news… Brevard parents, here’s a good excuse for a zoo day.

From September 1–25, kids ages 3–11 get FREE admission to Brevard Zoo with a paid Florida resident adult! Make sure to follow so you don’t miss out on things you want to know about on the Space Coast!

There’s plenty to check out while you’re there, including the new virtual reality experience, kangaroo joeys, and of course all of our favorite animals.

The offer is good for up to 3 children per paid adult, and Florida residency verification is required.

Who’s taking advantage of this one? Tag the parent who needs to plan the zoo day with you!

09/04/2026

Another fantastic show today by Miss Jacki Manna! Lots of laughs, applause, magic, and fun! She brought a new friend Larry the Lion who was trying to learn a new circus trick and Napoleon BONEaprte the D.O.G who didn’t want to follow the rules. Thank you Jacki!