Parenting

The day I became a mom, the line between my world and my son’s instantly blurred. In the process of loving my boy, I forgot who I was before I had kids.

With the support and encouragement of fellow dads, new dads will be better equipped to lead their children in righteousness and train them up in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6).

Do my prayers for protection make any difference? Are my prayers powerful enough to change the present or the future? Does God want to hear them? Yes. A thousand times yes.

This parenting journey is rough sometimes. It leaves me questioning if I am doing anything right. Maybe you feel this, too? Thankfully, God has a plan and purpose for our children and for us! Even if we feel like we are messing them up, we can rest assured that fine-tuning is taking place, and God is moving behind the scenes. We aren't called to be perfect parents; we are called to trust a perfect God and allow Him to move in our lives and the precious lives of our children.

There are no perfect earthly parents, from the mildest of difficult parents to the most extreme. We want them to be though, don't we? We want to be proud of our parents just as we want them to be proud of us. We want their unconditional love and for them to be a safe, wise, reliable shoulder to lean on. If you don't have that, know you are far from alone.

I wish I could tell myself that you can’t do it all, so stop trying! If I could do everything, I wouldn’t need Jesus! When I phrase it that way, I cringe to think about the amount of time I spent wishing I could just be more, be better, be all.

Cultivating spiritual growth in teenagers can be challenging, especially when they resist activities like church, youth group, or personal Bible study. By understanding their learning style, pairing Scripture with relevant devotionals, setting consistent study times, leading by example, and engaging in prayer together, parents can make spiritual practices more meaningful and engaging. These six practical steps provide guidance to help teens develop a deeper connection with God while fostering discipline and enthusiasm for their faith journey.

Putting other fun activities before church attendance and discipleship programs is detrimental to your child as they grow into an adult.

When we demonstrate that we are trustworthy and have their best interests in mind, and when we continue to be an influence in their lives without becoming intrusive, our children will want to have us speak into their lives and might even ask for advice.

If this has happened in your family, I want to give you a (virtual) hug and tell you that I am so sorry for the pain you are feeling because of your child’s choices, choices that are completely out of your control. There is no more helpless feeling than to watch a child choose a path that we know is not the best for them. It is probably one of the hardest things a parent can go through. 

With the start of a new year, families have an opportunity to adapt to new spiritual disciplines to grow closer to God. Parents can add new habits that will guide their kids to learn more about God. Eventually, kids’ faith needs to be their own, but while they are in your home, you can lead and model healthy habits that will continually bring them back to God.

Defining a "family movie" can be challenging due to varying cultural values and personal standards. While some films labeled as family-friendly push boundaries, 2024 saw an impressive lineup of standout family movies that celebrate themes of love, resilience, creativity, and second chances. This list highlights nine exceptional films, from animated adventures like Despicable Me 4 and The Wild Robot to inspiring stories like Lost on a Mountain in Maine and Reagan, offering wholesome entertainment for diverse audiences.

I know all parents are feeling fear, anger, and deep pain. Especially as they send their little ones off to school. I feel it too. Being a parent in a world plagued by evils so detestable, we don't even want to mention them can feel downright terrifying. Gun violence in schools and our communities rob us of our basic sense of security.

The type of music our kids listen to can deeply influence their emotions, thoughts, and souls. Therefore, it is our sacred duty as parents to be watchful and take initiative in monitoring what our children are consuming. 

Gather together and share three things (or however many you wish) that you would like to see God help you with in the coming year. Teaching children that new goals are good, but including the Lord in their plans is even better.

Take some time to review what your family is being intentional about. Make an effort to prioritize practices that bring you all closer to each other, honor God, and help develop healthy habits. Most importantly, as parents, we have to make sure we are willing to model what we want our kids to practice. So much more of our family values are caught than taught. We are the lead learners and lead teachers in our homes.

Christmas is a wonderful time of year, but often it’s a struggle for single parents. Disappointment seems to resurface.

What if we made prayer the focus instead of all the Christmas items on our lists? As a family, you can keep prayer as a priority. While many families enjoy ticking off the days from an Advent calendar until Christmas, you can create an Advent prayer calendar for each day. On the corresponding day, a family member can lead the prayer that day. You can choose to make prayer the focus for your family. 

When we acknowledge that detours in our well-thought-out holiday plans are a certainty, we find a new freedom to enjoy the memories rather than strive to control them. 

Whatever shopping style you subscribe to, it's always helpful to approach your gift list with a plan of attack. I tend to make lists that outline things I know I traditionally buy for my kids, along with their number one wants for the year. From there, I go hunting for the special extras and always look for a deal on the items they really want.