Raising Preteens with Truth, Grit, and Faith That Sticks

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When my first child reached the preteen years, I remember thinking, ‘No one warned me about this part!‘ One minute you’re reading bedtime stories and packing lunches, and the next, you’re trying to decipher moods, questions about identity, and friends who suddenly have “opinions.”

That’s why I wrote Faith That Sticks with my friend Leslie Nunnery. Because the preteen years aren’t just hard for kids — they’re hard for us parents, too.

When Parenting Gets Real

Every parent feels that panic moment where you ask, Am I doing this right? The truth is, the preteen years are a bridge — they’re moving from childhood to independence, and we’re learning how to let go without losing connection.

That’s why we built Faith That Sticks around five simple discipleship building blocks: Prayer, Bible Reading, Family Relationships, Conversation, and Service. They’re not programs — they’re rhythms that make faith a living, breathing part of home life.

Faith Over Fear

The truth? You don’t need a perfect curriculum — you need connection. When we think discipleship means getting through a workbook instead of reaching hearts, we miss what God’s after.

You can’t teach kids to love Jesus by checking boxes. But you can show them what it looks like to love Him in the middle of chaos — when the dog’s barking, dinner’s burning, and hormones are flaring. That’s real life.

It’s so freeing to choose faith and shake off fear. I’ve seen moms let go of guilt when they remember discipleship isn’t about getting it all done — it’s about showing up with grace, day after day.

When Obedience Meets Grace

Obedience isn’t just about following rules — it’s about learning to trust God’s heart. When our kids see us obey in small things, they start to understand that God’s boundaries are for their good, not their punishment.

And that works both ways. Sometimes our obedience looks like apologizing first, or giving space for our kids to process. We model repentance, not perfection. That’s discipleship.

I’ve had to learn to say “I’m sorry” more times than I can count. It’s humbling — but it builds trust.

Humility disarms resistance. When our kids feel seen and heard, they’re more likely to receive truth when it’s shared.

Let’s Talk About the Hard Stuff

Sometimes, I think parents avoid hard conversations because they’re afraid they’ll say the wrong thing. But the preteen years are when kids need us to lean in — to ask, listen, and walk through questions about faith, friendship, and identity.

No youth group or podcast replaces your voice. You don’t need perfect words — just a willing heart and an open Bible.

And don’t rush to fill the silence. When you let kids talk, you learn what’s really happening beneath the surface. Listening is discipleship.

Five Anchors That Make Faith Stick

Let’s circle back to those five building blocks, because they really are the heart of Faith That Sticks.

1. Prayer

Pray before you react. Pray out loud when they’re scared. Let them see prayer as normal, not formal. Show your children that prayer isn’t performance; it’s dependence.

2. Bible Reading

One Psalm, one story, one verse. Keep it short, keep it doable. The goal isn’t to check boxes — it’s to build hunger.

We underestimate how much kids absorb when the Word becomes part of daily life.

3. Family Relationships

Prioritize connection over correction. Eye contact, laughter, dinner around the table. And when conflict happens — and it will — circle back with grace. Relationship beats rulekeeping every time.

4. Conversation

Ask questions that invite reflection: “What do you think God says about that?” or “How did that make you feel?” Be a safe space before you try to be a teacher.

5. Service

Faith grows when it’s lived out. Serve as a family — bring meals, volunteer, pray with neighbors.  Kids remember what they do, not what they’re told. Service turns belief into practice.

Why It Matters

Our hope for Faith That Sticks was to give parents permission to breathe — and practical tools to disciple preteens with confidence.

The world is loud, but God’s truth is louder. When we help our kids anchor their identity in Him, they can face anything that comes next — middle school, culture, social media, you name it.

We can’t shield our kids from every storm, but we can prepare them to stand strong in it.

And that starts at home — in simple, steady, ordinary faithfulness.

Take Your Next Step Toward Faith That Sticks

1. Get the Book: Faith That Sticks

Learn five discipleship building blocks that grow faith through prayer, Scripture, and connection.
Order Faith That Sticks

2. Join the Community

You don’t have to do this alone. Join us for weekly encouragement and faith-filled parenting support.

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Learn from Leslie at Teach Them Diligently

Friend, if you’re reading this and wondering if you’re enough — you are. The goal isn’t to raise perfect kids; it’s to raise kids who know they’re perfectly loved. You can do this. God will meet you — and your preteen — right where you are.

Remember: Faith isn’t taught — it’s caught.
When we pray, listen, and serve alongside our kids, we build a faith that truly sticks.

Hope and Refreshment for Homeschooling Parents

Need more ideas and advice on homeschooling? Pick up a copy of Homeschool Basics. Receive tried-and-true homeschool advice from veteran homeschooling moms Tricia Goyer and Kristi Clover. We dish out practical help on getting started and staying the course.

Homeschool Basics will remind you that the best homeschooling starts with the heart. Packed with ideas to help you push aside your fears and raise kids who will grow to be life-long learners. Kristi and I believe that homeschooling can transform your life, your home, and your family. Mostly, we believe homeschooling can truly prepare your children for the life God’s called them to live. Don’t let doubts hold you back any longer.

Get Homeschool Basics on Amazon Now!