Get ready for some fun!

Posted on November 24, 2025 by The CT Healthy Family in Everyday Growth, Family Media Moments

If you could use one more way to draw your family closer around the glow of a screen… keep reading

Picture this: It’s Friday evening, the week’s chaos has finally settled, and your family is scattered — one kid buried in homework, another scrolling TikTok, your spouse unwinding with a podcast, and you wondering if there’s any way to pull everyone back together without forcing another board game that ends in tears. We’ve all been there. In our house, with six of us under one roof (including a homeschool crew that keeps the days full and the evenings even fuller), those moments feel like gold dust. But here’s the truth we’ve learned the hard way: connection doesn’t just happen. It takes intention, grace, and yes, sometimes a little help from the right story on screen.

That’s why we’re beyond excited to announce something new brewing in our little corner of the internet here at CT Healthy Family Connections LLC: a dedicated series all about **faith-friendly streaming picks for busy families like yours**. We’re calling it Screen Time with Soul — because let’s be real, in a world where Netflix queues grow faster than our kids’ shoe sizes, we need more than mindless binge-watching. We need content that doesn’t just entertain, but edifies. That doesn’t divide our attention, but draws us closer to each other… and to the One who designed family in the first place.

This isn’t going to be another sterile “top 10 lists” roundup you scroll past on a parenting blog. No, this series is born from our own living room trenches — the nights when we’ve hit play on something that unexpectedly sparked a two-hour deep dive into forgiveness (because that one character’s arc hit way too close to home), or the afternoons when a simple animated feature led to our youngest asking, “Mom, does God ever feel sad like that?” We’ve laughed until we cried over feel-good comedies that remind us of God’s joy, wiped tears during stories of redemption that echo the Gospel, and even paused mid-episode to pray over the very real tensions those narratives surfaced in our marriage.

And let’s talk about the why behind it all, because if you’re anything like us, screen time can feel like a battlefield. On one hand, it’s a mercy — a way to rest weary brains after a long day of homeschool co-ops, soccer practices, and the endless loop of “What’s for dinner?” On the other, it’s a minefield of content that either numbs us out or pulls us apart, leaving us more isolated than when we started. We’ve had seasons where the TV became our default babysitter, and others where we swore off it altogether (spoiler: that didn’t last). But through it all, God has been faithful to redeem even our media habits, turning passive viewing into active opportunities for growth, conversation, and yes, even discipleship around the dinner table.

So, as we gear up for this series, we’re diving deep into the streaming landscape with eyes wide open — not as media critics with clipboards, but as fellow parents and spouses who know the pull of a good story and the power of one that points us back to Jesus. We’re already knee-deep in research (cue the family vote nights where popcorn battles opinions), scouring Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Prime Video, and even the lesser-known gems like Pure Flix and Angel Studios for titles that check all the boxes: family-safe, conversation-sparking, and Christ-honoring. We’re looking for shows and movies that model healthy conflict resolution (because let’s face it, our kids learn more from on-screen apologies than our occasional “I’m sorry” mutters), celebrate forgiveness without cheapening it, and weave in themes of faith that feel organic rather than preachy.

What We’re Looking For (And What You Can Expect)

As we build out this series, we’re being intentional about a few key things — hints at the kinds of picks you’ll see in the coming weeks and months. These aren’t just random recommendations; they’re vetted through our family’s real-life filter, tested against Scripture, and designed to foster the very connections we’re all chasing in our homes. Here’s a peek behind the curtain on what we’re prioritizing:

• Redemption Arcs That Echo the Gospel: We’re hunting for stories where brokenness meets grace — think characters who wander far but find their way home, mirroring the prodigal son in ways that open doors to talk about God’s relentless pursuit of us. (Hint: Our first Netflix deep dive will feature a series where family secrets unravel in the most healing way possible.)
• Healthy Relationship Models (The Good, The Messy, and The Restored): No sugarcoating here — we want content that shows marriage as the beautiful, gritty covenant it is, with spouses who fight fair, forgive fiercely, and laugh through the laundry piles. For parents, we’re eyeing picks that portray kids as image-bearers worthy of patience and wonder, not just pint-sized problems to solve. (Coming up: A Disney+ family film that nails the art of sibling rivalry turning into lifelong alliance.)
• Faith Threads Without the Cheese Factor: Subtle nods to eternity, stewardship, or community that feel woven into the narrative, not tacked on like a Sunday school lesson. We’re avoiding anything that feels manipulative, focusing instead on stories that quietly affirm “It is well with my soul” amid the storm. (Teaser: Hulu has a hidden gem miniseries blending adventure with quiet reflections on legacy that had our teens asking big questions about eternity.)
• Age-Appropriate Sparks for Conversation: From toddler-friendly animations that teach kindness to teen-targeted dramas that tackle identity without the edge, we’re curating for every stage. And yes, we’ll flag the ones that work best for date nights (hello, hubs-and-me Netflix queues) versus full-family huddles. (Watch for: Prime Video’s underrated comedy special that turns awkward family dinners into gold for post-watch devos.)
• Diversity That Builds Empathy: Stories from different cultures, backgrounds, and family structures that expand our kids’ worlds while grounding them in the unchanging truth of Christ. We’re excited about content that shows God’s family is beautifully varied, fostering compassion right from the remote.

Of course, we’re not perfect curators — we’ll miss some, and we’ll wrestle with others (because what family doesn’t debate the merits of a plot twist?). But that’s the beauty of doing this together: your input shapes it too. As we roll out the first installments (starting with Netflix family picks next week), drop your must-watch suggestions in the comments below. What has your family bonded over lately? What show sparked the best “God moment” around your coffee table?

Why This Matters More Than You Think

Let’s get real for a minute — in our home, screen time isn’t the enemy; it’s often the unlikely ally. We’ve had evenings where a single episode of a wholesome series led to our middle schooler opening up about friendship pressures in a way bedtime stories never could. Or date nights where revisiting an old favorite reminded my husband and me why we said “I do” in the first place. These aren’t just “shows” — they’re portals to deeper understanding, empathy, and yes, even discipleship.

But we know the flip side all too well: the guilt of “one more episode” turning into isolation, or the subtle ways media can shift our family’s values without us noticing. That’s why this series isn’t about adding to your queue; it’s about curating with care, praying over what we let in, and using it as a springboard for the conversations that build those long-lasting connections we’re all after. In a world screaming for our attention, we’re choosing stories that whisper truth — and invite our families to listen together.

We’re already knee-deep in notes from pilot “test watches” (our kids think they’re guinea pigs, but they love the popcorn perks), and the results are promising. From heartwarming animations that teach generosity to thought-provoking dramas that unpack forgiveness, we’re discovering treasures that align with our values without sacrificing the fun. And the best part? Every pick comes with real-talk discussion prompts, Scripture ties, and tips for making it a family ritual — because watching is just the start; talking (and praying) is where the magic happens.

“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.”

— Philippians 4:8

As we wrap up this teaser, we’re reminded that God wastes nothing — not even our Netflix habits. What starts as a simple evening unwind can become a sacred space for modeling Christ-like love, grace under pressure, and the kind of vulnerability that knits hearts together. We’re grateful to walk this road with you, one episode (and one heartfelt talk) at a time.

Still learning, still growing, still hitting play on stories that point us Home —
The CT Healthy Family

What’s one show that’s strengthened your family’s bonds? Share in the comments — we read (and reply to) every one!