Sunshine Days
Family
Parenting in this generation is daunting. I know that previous generations have probably said the same, but even they would acknowledge that the pitfalls of parenting now are bigger & scarier & more in number than they were just 20 years ago. While our kids have easy access to so much great information, they also have access to the very worst of human brokenness. Each week brings new apps to beware of or news stories highlighting adults preying on minors.
BUT Christian parents don't have to panic! We can stand firm on the truths of God's Word. While the Bible might not specify the ideal age for your child to get social media, it does give us principles that we can base our decisions on. We can peacefully parent our children in the midst of the swirling cultural storms.
So, here's a post that I hope to keep updating as I hear from you & get your recommendations! A running list of the best Gospel-centered resources for discipling our precious kids!
The resource you have to start with is the Bible. We will never reach the end of the wisdom & truth that it contains. When you are born again, God's Spirit dwells in you & guides you. He reminds us of truths that are recorded in Scripture. As we read it, God parents us. We get to learn parenting from Him!
How do we use Scripture in parenting?
How are we expecting to guide these little souls without the help of their & our all-wise Creator? We need to be praying parents, consistently going to God on their behalf. We also must be praying with our kids, modeling this habit of faith to them. Here are a few resources for you & your kids!
At times, I have been a big fan of podcasts! I now prefer listening to audiobooks when I used to have those podcast moments, but I know that podcasts continue to be the format of choice for many of my fellow parents who are in the trenches. Knowing this, I have a list here of some really great places to find parenting help that is centered on the Gospel!
As her girls are teenage & college-age, Courtney Defeo has a wealth of knowledge & resources to share with parents. She has a variety of guests who each bring his or her own expertise to share. A new host (Scarlet Hiltibidal!) will be taking over this podcast soon, but I know the "archives" of Courtney will continue to be helpful, too.
David Thomas & Sissy Goff have been working with kids for years & years. Through books & their counseling practice, they've been meeting the needs of young people with science-based strategies & Gospel-founded hope.
I have not always been the biggest fan of Abbie, but I recently heard her speak in person & found her more down-to-earth than my initial impression. While some of her stances are a touch more conservative than my own, I think her podcast would be a good resource to remind you of your need for Jesus in your parenting.
While they are no longer creating new episodes, I think some of these episodes will be evergreen, staying relevant for many years. Emily & Laura have a practical, Gospel-centered approach to mothering. I know their ministry has blessed my own motherhood.
In this House, We Will Giggle: Making Virtues, Love, & Laughter a Daily Part of Your Family Life by Courtney DeFeo - I found this book early on in the mothering years & it has been a wonderful reminder of enjoying those little years while also making them meaningful. She shares ideas for a focus for each month along with Bible verses & activities & service projects. Some are more involved than others, so pick what works for your season of life. You can work your way through the book or pick virtues that you would like to nurture in your child. It's really a low-commitment but high-reward type of book.
The Ministry of Motherhood: Following Christ's Example in Reaching the Hearts of Our Children by Sally Clarkson - Sally Clarkson is a wonderful resource for getting the philosophy behind your parenting rooted in Scripture. As she is now a parent of grown adults, it is a testament to her that the relationships she built while her kids were young has continued to grow with them. She (& her husband & her kids) has lots of books, some highlighting their homeschooling journey more than others. However, the principles apply to all parents who are working to raise their kids in the Gospel.
The Flourishing Family: A Jesus-Centered Guide to Parenting with Peace and Purpose by Dr. David and Amanda Erickson - Well-researched & thought out, this book presents a view of parenting that is founded in Biblical truth. This couple has some resources on their website that are also worth checking out.
Foundations: 12 Biblical Truths to Shape a Family by Troy & Ruth Simons - Raising 6 boys, the Simons have done a lot of thinking about what it means to shape hearts for Christ. What truths do we want our children to learn in our home? This book acts as a combination parenting guide & devotional book. They also had a podcast where they fleshed out some of these ideas a little more.
Show Them Jesus: Teaching the Gospel to Kids by Jack Klumpenhower - This is one of those resources that gets handed to new parents (at least in the last couple of churches I've been in). It is just so simple & so profound. It is a wonderful resource for Sunday school teachers & others who work with little ones.
Every Home a Foundation: Experiencing God through Your Everyday Routines by Phylicia Masonheimer - Phylicia Masonheimer founded an organization called Every Woman a Theologian. Through her work, she hopes to equip Christian women with tools & resources to help them know & love God. This book is just one of the many she's written over the years & highlights the aspect of at-home discipleship.
Habits of the Household: Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms by Justin Whitmel Earley - This one has been quite popular & for good reason. The author presents some very practical ways that his family has of living out Gospel truth in their routines. I'm not a huge fan of this author all the time, but I think this book is still worth a read. You can take the good & leave the things that just aren't for you.
It's Time to Talk to Your Kids About Porn: A Parent's Guide to Helping Children and Teens Develop Sexual Integrity by Greta Eskridge - I love this book, but I hate that I have to recommend this book to parents with younger-than-teenaged kids. Pornography is a part of our broken world that we must get them ready to deal with. Beyond that, Greta helps you tell them what to do if someone ever shows them inappropriate material. She also encourages you to start young with teaching them (in age-appropriate ways, of course) what is & isn't God's design. It's really a helpful book, dealing with hard topics in Greta's wise & winsome way.
Help! I'm Ruining My Kids: A Gospel Guide for the Mom Who's Desperate for Change by Abbey Wedgeworth - This one's brand new as I'm typing this, so I have yet to read it. However, I've followed Abbey for a few years & always find her content Christ-centered & encouraging. I'm sure this book will be a wonderful encouragement to those parents in the trenches of those busy elementary years.
Parenting with Hope: Raising Teens for Christ in a Secular Age by Melissa Bryant Kruger - I recently borrowed this one through Hoopla & might have to add it to my to-buy-my-own-copy-of list. If you ever happen to see a podcast featuring Melissa or her husband Michael as a guest, bookmark it. They have some really practical wisdom as their kids are either newly or almost all graduated & on their own. I feel like they have a wealth of wisdom for parenting teens in this current environment.
Raising Wise Kids in a Sexually Broken World: A Gospel-Centered Approach by Laurie & Matt Krieg - This book broaches all the topics that we don't want to address but must. Our world is broken by sin & that will affect our kids in untold ways. We need to give them the tools they need to walk out into this sinful world with the Gospel as their foundation for every decision. They need to know how to talk to people who believe differently that they do with love & respect.
Parenting without Panic in an LGBT-Affirming World: Discipling Our Kids with Jesus' Truth and Love by Rachel Gilson - Along the same lines as the Krieg's book, this one addresses many of the same issues with the same Gospel hope. Both are helpful books, so take your pick!
I know there is always parenting content that people are producing, so I will do my best to update as I hear of others. I also cannot ever guarantee that this list will be exhaustive, but I hope that it at least helps you get started or be encouraged as we all do this parenting thing together.
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6 Ideas for a Family Fun Night
As always, I'm praying for you & cheering you on!
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