Parenting
Shaping the souls of us and them.
All moms want to be good mothers to their children. But parenting in an increasingly complex world isn’t a simple or easy task. Parenting is, for the most part, often “on-the-job training.”
None of us are perfect moms or have kids who make all the right choices. Sometimes, we learn not because we “did it right” but because we didn’t do it so “right,” but we gained wisdom through the process.
Being a mom is a hugely important role, but one that often feels frustrating and unrewarding. There are so many challenges we face as parents, and we all want to do better, listen better, plan better, live with more discipline, teach better, model better, and love better. The next-generation depends on it.
Tools & Challenges for Growth
Scripture Memory:
One of the best ways to grow spiritually is simply by memorizing scripture and praying it back to God. Bury His Word in your heart:
Use the wallpaper below to put on your phone (press + hold your finger on the pic).
Print it to use as a bookmark.
Write it down in your journal or on index cards.
Pray it out loud each day throughout the month.
Challenge yourself to recite it without peeking.
Quiet Time:
Make it your goal to have quiet time 5 times per week.
Suggested Book:
Sacred Parenting: How Raising Children Shapes Our Souls - Gary Thomas
Other Book Choices:
Parenting: The 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family - Paul David Tripp
The Christian Parenting Handbook: 50 Heart-Based Strategies for All the Stages of Your Child’s Life - Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN
Intentional Parenting: Autopilot is for Planes - Sissy Goff, David Thomas, and Melissa Trevathan
The 5 Love Languages of Children: The Secret to Loving Children Effectively - Gary Chapman
As you read or when you’re finished with the book, write a summary of the key insights God gave you and any applications to your life. Think through the following questions:
In what ways did God encourage or challenge me through this book?
Are there any new truths I need to apply to my life?
Personal Challenge:
Night Out With Your Child - This month, spend one-on-one time with each of your children. This may take some scheduling, but it’s worth it so each kid gets your undivided attention. Try not to watch TV or a movie but instead do something that requires activity. A shared activity can help take the burden of starting conversations off you as the adult and help your child engage. Questions to consider asking: 1) What do you like the most about our family? 2) What do you wish we did more of as a family?
Marriage Focus (if applicable):
Unique Parenting - Create some time with your husband that’s just focused on the two of you and use these questions to discuss how each of your children are uniquely gifted. If your kids are really young, some will be hard to answer. Instead discuss how your parents did or didn’t uniquely parent you. Don’t bash them but be constructive about how you want to parent.
What are the unique personalities and talents of each of your children?
How will you uniquely parent each child based on their unique personalities and talents?
How can you help them continue developing into who God wants them to become?
What specific things can you be praying for each of them?
What family values do you want to teach your children? How will you teach them?
What are your unique parenting roles and how you can serve each other in those roles?
What are three ways you want to leave a legacy to your children? What are two practical ways you can implement building these this year?
Growth Partner Challenge:
Discuss these two questions: 1) What’s the one thing your mom did that you’ll never do? and 2) What’s the one thing your mom did that you’ll always do? Also discuss how your time with your children went. What’s one thing you learned about them during your time together? How can you continue to have focused time with them?
Other Resources:
