Raising kids can be challenging at times, and it can also be the most rewarding thing you will do! We know the challenges, we've been there and we want to help you be successful
Whether you are married, single, a blended family, raising grandkids, have lots of support or are doing this on your own, every person raising kids needs a little help at some point. We want to support you through practical tips and advice, and an ear to listen, so you can successfully overcome the challenges that come with parenting the next generation.
Parenting Resources
5 Minute Parenting Seminar
Each night at WiseGuys' CHARACTER QUEST for a brief 5 minute parenting seminar. Each seminar will address problems most parents are facing like lack of gratitude, disrespect and other challenges and provide practical advice you can immediately use to help overcome these issues. Each week we'll add additional resources here to go with the week's parenting seminar topic.
Resource Disclaimer
Each person is encouraged to use discernment and wisdom with all information, particularly when it pertains to spiritual matters. We recommend comparing all content with the Bible and seeking counsel from your local pastor.
While we strive to provide Biblically sound resources, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or applicability of the information. Please note, other resources by the same authors or on the linked websites may not reflect a Biblical viewpoint and you are encouraged to use discernment with all information. We have made every effort to provide resources that align with the Bible and beliefs of Plains Baptist Church but recognized that only the Bible is infallible and all information should be compared to the Bible.
The views expressed in the linked resources are solely those of the authors and contributors. For an overview of the views and beliefs of Plains Baptist Church please visit our What We Believe page.
Gratitude
From Ministry 127:
8 Barriers to Gratitude
By Brent Armstrong, Pastor Tucson Baptist Church
" In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.— 1 Thessalonians 5:18
A growing Christian should practice perpetual gratitude. In this verse, we see that we should give thanks in everything. This means even in the worst situations we should give thanks because it is the will of God. Let’s look at some barriers to true thanks giving."
From Ministry 127:
How to Slay the Enemy of Gratitude
By Dr. Paul Chappell, Pastor of Lancaster Baptist Church
" Do you know the single greatest enemy of gratitude? It’s not poverty. It’s not stinginess. It’s not mistreatment. It’s expectancy. That’s it—expectancy.
We don’t often recognize the expectancy in our own hearts, because it seems so normal—so right—to us. But we can see it in others."
From Ministry 127:
10 Ways to Express Thanks
By Terrie Chappell
" Several years ago when my children were much younger, the kids and I traveled with my husband to an appointment. We were going to stay in the car, and afterward we would have some family time. Sounded fun. The appointment was taking longer than expected, and the kids were getting restless. When they started complaining that it was too long, I started to think of positive things to say about our 'situation.'"
From verywellmind:
How to Teach Children Gratitude
By Amy Morin, LCSW Copyright 2024
"Teaching children gratitude can help them feel happier, support better social relationships, and improve overall health and well-being. Strategies that can help foster gratitude in kids include asking gratitude-focused questions, performing acts of kindness, and modeling gratitude in your own life. Let's explore how kids can benefit from gratitude and some strategies that help kids learn to be more grateful." Read the full article here: How to Teach Children Gratitude
**Please note, Verywell Mind is not a Christian website, however at the time of posting, this article contains sound examples of how to teach your child gratitude and the benefits of being grateful. Please use this site with Biblical discernment.
The following scriptures tie in with the main points of the linked article:
1. There is a clear relationship between gratitude and joy:
Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Psalms 95: 1-2 O come, let us sing unto
the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
Psalms 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
Psalms 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
2. Gratitude is the counter to a variety of evils such as envy, unthankfulness, greed, entitlement, hatred, etc.. These other feelings like envy, greed and hatred come from allowing our sinful nature to dominate our thinking and actions. But as Christians we are called to walk in the Spirit and produce the fruit of the spirit, part of which is joy. We saw above that joy is directly tied to thankfulness. When we recognizing that all good things come from God and countering these other feelings with gratitude we lead our children into a deeper satisfaction with life and things God has blessed us with.
Galatians 5:19-26 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
2. Expressing gratitude to God and others is the will of God.
1 Thessalonians 5:16 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Psalms 107:22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.
1 Chronicles 16:34 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
1 Timothy 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
From Family Life:
Gratitude is a Choice
By Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth, Copyright 2009
" Gratitude is the pure, appropriate response to the saving and keeping grace of God. Its opposite is ingratitude, and it can be deceptively dangerous in our lives and relationships. In the ongoing struggle of daily life—out there where feelings of disappointment and entitlement can easily talk louder than our best intentions—why choose gratitude over ingratitude?"
Communication
It's easy to feel overwhelmed as a parent. Take time to reevaluate your schedule and make communicating and connecting with your kids a priority.
From Focus on the Family:
Not Enough Time in the Day?
By Jill Savage Copyright2019, 2023
"Sometimes it feels like there’s not enough of us to go around because parenting is nonstop. Use these strategies to go from restless to resting in God’s peace as a parent."
From Focus on the Family:
50 Questions to Ask Your Kids at the Dinner Table
By Carol Cuppy
"Having conversations with our kids is critical for building a solid foundation of trust, demonstrating steadfast love, and teaching them how to grow as a young person. These 50 questions to ask your kids are a great starting point for conversations around the dinner table."
From Verywell Family:
42 Conversation Starters for Kids
By Carol Cuppy
"Having conversations with our kids is critical for building a solid foundation of trust, demonstrating steadfast love, and teaching them how to grow as a young person. These 50 questions to ask your kids are a great starting point for conversations around the dinner table."
From Focus on the Family:
100 Questions for Kids – Easy Conversation Starters
By Wayne Stocks
"Kids can be shy, its not always easy for them to have conversations with peers or adults. This list of 100 get to know you questions can help."
Complaining
Teaching your children not to complain starts with gratitude.
Philippians 2:14 "Do all things without murmurings and disputings:"
1 Thessalonians 5:18 "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
From Focus on the Family:
TRAINING KIDS TO BE GRATEFUL
By Jill Savage October 25, 2017
"Cultivating gratitude in children begins at home, as we model discipline, patience and intentionality."
From Verywell Mind
How to Teach Children Gratitude
By Amy Morin, LCSW November 12, 2020
"It's more than just saying thank you."
Technology
Technology has changed the world and it impacts our family daily. As parents we need to make sure it is having a good impact on our children. Below are a few resources to help you help your children manage technology well.
From Focus on the Family:
Helping Our Kids Manage Technology Well (Part 1 of 2)
Original Air Date: April 19, 2021
Dr. Gary Chapman and Arlene Pellicane reveal how technology is changing our kids—impacting the brain, relationships, safety, and emotional health. (Part 1 of 2)
From Focus on the Family:
Helping Our Kids Manage Technology Well (Part 2 of 2)
Original Air Date: April 20, 2021
Dr. Gary Chapman and Arlene Pellicane reveal how technology is changing our kids—impacting the brain, relationships, safety, and emotional health. (Part 2 of 2)
From Focus on the Family:
Download a copy:
3 Daily Tips for Healthy Kids
From Focus on the Family:
Raising Socially Competent Kids
By Gary Chapman October 25, 2016
Want to give your kids a step up in the world? Help them improve their social skills.
Apps / Software
The internet can be a dangerous place for children, even the most well behaved and innocent children can stumble upon inappropriate content while playing games, doing homework, or socializing with friends.
Here are a few resources that can help you filter out the inappropriate content, set screen time limits and safely monitor your child's on-line activities for red flags while giving them privacy.
No filter, app, or monitor is perfect and so parents should always remain vigilant. There are numerous other options to help you manage technology well.
Mobicip
Parental control software and internet filter. Allows you to filter internet content, including on YouTube, limit screen time, manage apps and track location.
Bark
Proactively monitors text messages, YouTube, emails, and 30+ different social networks for potential safety concerns, so busy parents can save time and gain peace of mind. If there is a potential risk, it sends an alert to the parent's device so you don't have to comb through every post and text.
Encouraging Positive Choices
Our outward behavior comes from the internal state of our heart. As parents, our responsibility goes far beyond just correcting behavior to addressing the issues of the heart and teaching our children how to best navigate their emotions and life situations in a healthy and God honoring manner.
From Focus on the Family:
How to Encourage Your Kids, to Get Better Behavior From Them
By Kathy Koch February 27, 2019
"When utilized properly, encouragement invites excellence and obedience in our children."
From Focus on the Family:
Parenting is More than Behavior Modification
by Josh Zeichik, CAP® March 5, 2021
"If we were to stop and scan the scriptures for advice on parenting, one of the themes that would stick out is that God is concerned about the state of our hearts, rather than simply behavior modification."
From Focus on the Family:
3 Practical Principles for Disciplining with Grace
By Karis Kimmel Murray April 25, 2018
"Seeking to parent our children the way God parents us can dramatically change the atmosphere of our home."
From Focus on the Family:
Approaches to Discipline
By Focus on the Family October 22, 2014
"Parents develop expectations for their child's behavior based on age. However, there are factors to keep in mind."
From Answers in Genesis:
Discipling Children God's Way
By David Chakranarayan and Ken Ham July 19, 2013
"Parents, if you desire to demonstrate biblical love to your children, then exercise biblical discipline. Our culture would benefit greatly from parents disciplining their children God’s way."
From Time Magazine:
Spanking Can Be an Appropriate Form of Child Discipline
By Jared Pingleton September 16, 2014
"Disciplining our sons and daughters is part of the tough work of parenting, but it will pay big dividends in the long run."
Parental Responsibility
As parents we have been given a great responsibility by God to train up our children. How we raise them will have a lasting impact on their future and eternity.
From the Gospel Tract and Bible Society:
The Responsibility of Parents
"The influence that parents have for good or evil is much greater than they often realize. "
From Family Life:
40 Lessons We Sought to Teach Our Children
by Dennis and Barbara Rainey
"Raising children requires huge chunks of time, prayer, discipline, involvement, and relationship-building. This list of values and traits has helped us focus on biblical priorities in raising children to become mature adults of faith and godly character."