7 Ways to Change Up Communication with Your Kids
Our primary job as parents is to disciple our children— to help them see that they’re sinners in need of a Savior, to introduce them to Jesus, to teach them about Him, and to show them what it looks like to follow Him. We need to communicate clearly with our children if we’re to fulfill this…
Family Worship Revolutionized Our Home (No, Really)
My husband and I have been married 7 years; our older daughter is almost five. Until recently, we’d never consistently practiced family worship time. Like many young families, we’ve wanted to raise our children up in the Lord. We’ve wanted to show them how precious Jesus is. We’ve wanted to teach…
How to Help Your Children Find True Happiness
We love to make our kids happy. That feeling we get when they smile and say, “Thank you, Daddy. That was the best time, ever.” There’s a special kind of a delight a parent takes in their child’s delight. When they’re happy, we’re happy. As they get older, our culture teaches them what they “need”…
Super-Hero Dads & Gospel-Centered Apologies
My daughter thinks I know everything. Like everything. In her mind, there are no problems I can’t fix and no questions I don’t know the answer to. She’s 7 years old, and I am her hero. I soak it up with everything I have. Dad to the rescue She recently came to me and asked me to fix a toy of…
The 7 Minute Conversation Challenge
“Most conversations take at least seven minutes to really begin.” —Sherry Turkle, Reclaiming Conversation The parent-child relationship is primarily a discipling relationship. And it’s hard to disciple someone without engaging them in real, meaningful conversation. Our hearts and souls were…
Yelling for Quiet
We’ve all done it. At one time or another we’ve all been total hypocrites while parenting. It’s ironic and almost comical if you think about it. We’ve yelled at our kids for being too loud. We’ve lost patience with their impatience. We’ve corrected their unkindness unkindly. We’ve complained…
The Perks of Being Unplugged and Unavailable
We live in a world that’s always on and we’re expected to be available at all times. There are so many perks to being unavailable, though! Moments pass so quickly with our spouses and our children— we can completely and unwittingly miss them if we’re glued to our screens. First let’s look at how…
3 Thoughts on Parenting in the Smartphone Age
This conversation will benefit all of us, in all seasons of life* but especially parents with teenagers. Navigating your teenager’s relationship (or potential relationship) with a smartphone is no joke— here are some guiding thoughts that have shaped the way we view and use tech in our home. *Many…
4 Practical Ways You Can Care for Orphans
When we are adopted into the Kingdom of Christ, we’re made brand new. We’re given a new heart and a new spirit, committed to living out our lives on earth as it is in heaven. The most amazing grace is extended to us as we are born into a new family of believers, with the beautiful responsibility to…